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yesterday was awesome!

First I would like to thank Mother Nature for giving me a day full of Perfect light! THANK YOU!!!  Next I would like to thank teh families that came out! I had a blast and by the end of the day … my outfit was covered in mud, leaves, grass stains and sweat!! That is a sign of a fun day!!

Here’s ONE sneak peek. I love this baby! Her mom booked a bellies to babies collection with me so I do see them every few months. But wanted to get in an extra session to honor her daughter’s upcoming baptism. More on that later.

I will be rolling out a few sneak peeks and full posts in the upcoming weeks.

Stay tuned!  If you missed out send me an email or leave me a comment and I will add you to my mailing list for advance notice next time I run a mini-session special!

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This post is a bit of a retro blog. I shot this last summer while in Puerto Vallarta!

It was an amazing day as they all are while on vacation. I was amongst family and so it was that much better. I had talked my niece into bringing with her on vacation one of her dresses. You see she is an amazing Mexican Folkloric dancer in Guadalajara. If you have never seen Mexican folk dancers you are missing out! Currently an awesome group is touring the US, Amalia Hernandez’s Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. I have never seen her but one of my friend’s just saw her and said I should go. So in a few weeks when they are in the Bay Area I just might go see them!

I had so much fun hanging out with her as I always do. I’m just a little bit sad that she lives so far away and can’t hang out with her more often!

I hope you enjoy these images as much as we enjoyed shooting them!!

Oh yea there’s a bunch because I had so many favorites!!

ok one more set!

Nandhi mil gracias por cargar con tu vestido! Para la proxima te traes mas!!

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Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius

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Hello everyone! Last year’s portraits in the park were a huge success and I have had so many requests to do them again so I thought I would offer them earlier this year with plenty of time to have ready for Easter and Mother’s day!!

I will be holding mini-portraits sessions on Sunday, March 7th in downtown San Jose. (Exact location will be given to you upon registration)  These very special sessions will last 30 minutes and include a $25 print credit for only $125.00.

Who’s eligible? Anyone.. Families, siblings, babies, couples. mothers & daughters, fathers & sons, mothers to be, newborns. ..including pets (dogs must be on leash).

I am only offering 8 thirty minute sessions. 4 in the morning and 4 in the late afternoon. This will enable everyone to get the best light as well as pick a  time that suits them best. I know not everyone functions well in the morning and vice versa.

Below you will find the list of available times (as they fill up I will update). If you are interested you must email me at info@marianamaya.com and let me know.   I will then call you back/email me (which ever you prefer) to chat about your session in detail. I ask that you be on time for your session and come ready to shoot. These sessions will be very fast paced!!

9:45 am Booked {ML}

10:30 am Booked ! {AJ}

11:15 am —Booked! {AH}

2:45 pm

3:30 pm

4:15 pm Booked! {JH}

5:15 pm — Booked! {RAJ}

please arrive 10 minutes early.

If it rains .. the alternate date is Sunday, March 14th. same time slots- if you cannot make that let me know at time of booking that if it rains the 14th doesn’t work for you.

the fine print:
-Each session is for up to 3 people. Unfortunately, anymore will take more time. If you are interested in a session with more people contact me for a private portrait session.
-This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
- $50 non refundable deposit is due at time of booking to guarantee your time slot. This amount goes towards your session. The remainder is due in full at the beginning of  your session.
-Your proofs will be up within 10 business days  in a password protected gallery.

And since all posts are better with pictures here are a few from my mom’s garden taken with my iPhone.

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Ah San Francisco! What a great city. So diverse, with it’s many pockets of neighborhoods. It’s always been one of my favorite cities, and I truly enjoy walking around and discovering new sights. Do you have a San Francisco spot I should check out? Let me know in the comments and possibly I will post some images from it here!!

I am in San Francisco often, & hope to bring you bits and pieces of it here. Images will be taken with different mediums, many times with the iPhone. And on that note images taken while lunching in Yerba Buena Gardens.

If you have never been I totally recommend popping into Samovar tea lounge. They don’t just serve tea the food is delicious!

As you can see the view to die for!  Score! Perfect afternoon spot!!!

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I love Zoe & Milissa. They are some of my bestest friends! They are each awesome individuals but together they make a perfect couple!!

They are one of those couples that that really get it. They know that a relationship isn’t just about “me” but about us!

Another reason I love Milissa is because she is my awesome hairstylist! She Rocks- she always makes my mop look perfect!! If you are looking to change stylists I highly recommend her. You should give her a ring! She’s over at Plan Be, hair salon in downtown San Jose. They recently even added nail services! OOOH!  Anyways, I think one day I’m going to steal her from Zoe forever so she can do my hair every morning. Zoe watch out. Although Zoe is pretty handy too! He’s not only a fantastic real estate agent but also a fabulous handyman around the house!

And have I mentioned what awesome parents they are to their four legged kids?! Here are just three of them.

Zoe & Milissa as always … It’s fun to hang out with you!!! I can’t wait until I get to photograph your human kids!!!!

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Now I know my ABC’s won’t you next time sing with me? And sign he does!!

This is my adorable little nephew. I call him LMNOP. His first name starts with an L and his middle with an M so one day i just busted out with the ABC’s tune and made his name sing-songy. Little did I know then that this kid would “grow up” to sing. Sometimes when it gets really quiet in the house you hear his little voice breaking out in song in some other room. {Awwwww isn’t that cute?} OK Auntie moment over. But seriously he is cute!

His hair is long! He wants to be like one of his big brothers who also has long skater kid hair. But LMNOP’s is always in his face!!! It drives me crazy!! Since I know I will always remember that about him, even when he is a surgeon or a big time lawyer (He He) I thought these images of him as such were perfect!  This si something I love about doing child portraits – I let them be them! And I never expect them to look like their school pictures. 

With spring around the corner and mother’s day/father’s day not to far off I’m starting to book up for these fun portrait sessions. Contact me to book your child’s!!

The below are just a few of my favorite images.

Did I mention he loves Disney’s Buzz Lightyear ( To infinity and beyond!)

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This post will be bilingual.Like the couple & the photographer!

Esta historia sera bi-lingue. Como la pareja y la fotographa.

When I first met with this couple I immediately knew I wanted to shoot their wedding and was so excited! Not only are they super nice and great looking but also the bride knew and was born in my home town. As a note if you are from my hometown and you contact me you get much more love. Miguel and Elda were so cute when they were talking to me at our initial meeting. Elda super bubbly and excited. Miguel trying to be cool, but I kept catching him sneaking peeks over at her and smiling each time he did. They joked around a lot too. As they were telling me about their plans for the wedding day, my excitement grew! However I could never have imagined their wedding day would be this beautiful! Seriously a gorgeous couple, horses, charros, a super long train on her wedding dress, amazing music and the yummiest food ever!!

Cuando primero conoci a esta pareja, imediatamente supe que queria ser su fotografa y me llene de emocion. No solo son una pareja super amable y muy guapa, pero la novia conoce y hasta nacio en mi pueblo/cuidad natal. Como una nota, si eres de mi pueblo y me contactas recibiras muchas mas alagos. Miguel y Elda eran tan curiosos al platicar. Elda bien sonriente y muy emocionada. Mientras Miguel trataba de ser muy “cool”, pero a cada ratito yo lo veia que volteaba a ver a Elda y sonreia cada vez. Los dos son bromistas y me lo demostraron. Y al platicarme de sus planes para el dia de la boda, mi emocion crecio! Aunque nunca me podria imaginar que bonito iba a ser el dia de la boda. Una pareja guapa, caballos, charros, un tren super largo, musica phenomenal y la mejor comida!!

And who doesn’t love a serenade!

Y a quien no le gusta que les den serenata!

Miguel & Elda I wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Mguel y Elda les deseo una vida entera de felicidad!

You can view a slideshow & more photos of their wedding here –> xoxo

Pueden ver un video y mas fotos de la boda aqui –> xoxo

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SO i just found out the game doesn’t start until 3pm PST so .. entries taken until then.

Ok so I’m not even going to try to pretend that I know anything about football, other than there’s a quarterback, a running back, a brown football some people call a pigskin and a referee or two. Nor am I going to pretend that superbowl sunday is about football, cause seriously it’s about the food, the commercials and hanging out with my friends! So basically just about having fun!!

Exactly like a photo session with me!!!

so on that note….

I am giving away one mini session to be redeemed during my Spring Portraits in the Park 2010. These are very special mini sessions that give you a chance to get a fun updated portrait of your kids, your pet, you & your honey or just you. A date has not been set yet. If you win and cannot make the date you can choose to trade in your Spring Portraits in the Park mini session for $100 off any portrait session of your choice.

How do you win? AHA! that is the easiest thing ever. Leave me a comment below with your name and email, the winning team name and final score of Superbowl XLIV!  One entry per person please. All entries must be in by Sunday, Feb 7th at 12:00pm PST. I will post a winner Monday. And maybe some photos of my Superbowl adventure. In the event of multiple correct entries, a random number generator will be used to determine the final winner.

Good luck everyone!!!!

And of course here is a picture. I love this set my very dear friend Paola horsing around at dinner last summer while we enjoying a fantastic time in Nuevo Vallarta!

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{I started writing this post on Monday Feb. 1st, I couldn’t find the right words to honor my friend and instead will be true to our friendship and just tell it like it was/is}

Death is always sad no matter what age. In fact I’m not on talking terms with the Grim Reaper. He has came and taken from me, too soon too quick many loved ones in the past couple of years.

It was Christmas day when I got the news that a friend/brother/ex coworker had been taken abruptly from this world. All I could think was “but I was just joking with him a couple of days ago via Facebook”. I was in shock.

And then I thought of his wife who had lost a husband, and worse his children who had lost a dad.

The rest of my thoughts came jumbled, but all I could think was WHY. Why on Christmas? No one deserves to have the Grim Repear break down their door on Christmas day. That’s the day a jolly old fat man is supposed to climb down your chimney bringing joy & cheer- but it wasn’t he who appeared.

David was many things: a wonderful son, brother, nephew,cousin, husband, father, and soldier. To name a very few. And each person he met will remember him in their own way.

Here is my way:

Ten plus years ago he came into my life. He was this crazy kid that had started working with us at San Jose Live. He was a friend’s little brother. Soon enough he became like a brother to me, always joking, giving me a hard time, stealing my food and running over if any guy not in the “circle” talked to me too long.  We all grew up like everyone tends to do. He met a beautiful hearted woman who became the love of his life, he got married, had children joined the service and moved- alot! Throughout the years we always kept in touch and he never stopped teasing me about everything and nothing. I will always remember David this way and am thankful he came into my life.

The below images are images were taken with a heavy heart, still in shock at the loss of my friend. Not too close because it might become real. My shutter sounding as loud as eachgunshot that went off to honor David, because I was not the only one silenced by shock.

How do you say goodbye? I don’t I say until we meet again my friend.

As they did the day he was laid to rest I leave you with a song that  in one moment went from a Bugs Bunny silly cartoon tune to a difficult goodbye.

Taps

RIP

SSG David H. Gutierrez 8/16/74 to 12/25/09

**If you knew David,please feel free to share to share a quick story about him with me in the comments section. If you leave a comment for his wife, kids, mother or sister I will be sure to forward the note.**

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