Feliz dia de la Independencia!

Posted on September 16, 2009

Contrary to popular belief in some parts of the US, Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) is NOT the celebration of Mexico’s Independence day. Today, September 16th is Mexico’s celebration of it’s Independence!

A quick history lesson: September 15th : What is now known as El Grito de Dolores (the scream of Dolores) happened late on the 15th. This started the war by leading the insurgents into Guanajuato where many Spaniards were and on the morning of the 16th the revolution began.

I’ve talked about my home state, Guanajuato before. The capital is also named the same Guanajuato. Here many battles were fought during the 11 years long fight towards freedom from the Spaniards.

There were many heroes in this story, some had their heads hung in Plaza’s by the Spanish, some fought with nothing more than sticks and stones but there was one man ridiculed his whole life for his physical & mental deformities who showed great heroism. He is known as El Pipila (read more about this here). He now stands overlooking the city of Guanajuato ever so watchful. This image (October 2007) is a small tribute to him, taken from el Jardin de la Union.

-disclaimer I am in no way a Mexican history buff. Mexico’s history is so rich and diverse as well as dates back many many civilizations worth. However I am proud to be Mexicana ( even if I’m also very Americanized)

Filed Under Guanajauato, Mexican Independece Day celebration, Mexico, travel |

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How do you maintain your love for Photography…

Posted on September 12, 2009

and not let it turn into a job you hate?

I’ve been asked this on numerous occasions. It’s true sometimes when you take something you love to do and turn it into a job you can become “over it” fast.

I personally have kept my love of photography by always taking time to shoot for myself. When I shoot for myself I don’t worry if it will be a perfect shot, or if “they will love it” or if it will get chosen for an album/card/canvas or anything else. When I shoot for myself I shoot to please ONLY myself .. and if anyone else likes it then that’s cool too. When I shoot for myself I shoot with whatever camera is handy and don’t worry about the “professional quality” of it. This goes for all my Iphone images (not the best resolution ever -but they capture images that mean something to me), my various Polaroid cameras (although they are quite often requested by clients) and mostly I say this for my Holga camera.

It looks a bit umm “ghetto” .. but seriously it’s my FAVORITE camera!

and as such the Dreamy images it produces are often my favorite and are the images I love to share here on what once started as “film friday” but turned into “film friday on saturday.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking them!

The following images were taken in July at a street festival in downtown Campbell, CA. If you are the owner of one of these beautiful images and would like a complimentary copy please drop me a note (info@marianamaya.com).

*these images have only been altered by the reproduction of the scan and the addition of a watermark. I hope to print these in the dark room soon…

So if you’ve turned your love/passion/hobby into a job maintain the love for it by remembering to set aside some time to do it for YOURSELF! because in the end YOU are the only one that matters to YOU!

Filed Under California, Campbell, film, film friday, Holga, keeping it real, on Saturday, personal, vintage cars |

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9:09pm on 09-09-09 GIVEAWAY!!!!

Posted on September 10, 2009

Hi everyone- As a total night owl who loves repetition in images. I thought it would be cool to give away one fun “Just Because!” session to one random lucky winner!

What is a Just because session?? Well it’s a photo session you book well JUST BECAUSE! no reason at all. They are super fun!!

To enter the giveaway you only need to meet one of the following requirement:

you have to have had any of the following events:

-been married on
-been born on
-celebrated a birthday on
– ____________ on (this entry must tell me in detail what happened on which date)

any one of these dates:
01/01/01
02/02/02
03/03/03
04/04/04
05/05/05
06/06/06
07/07/07
08/08/08

To enter: Simply leave your name (& email address) and event date and occasion in the comments area below. One entry per person!

The details:

-Copy of marriage certificate or birth certificate (drivers license) may be asked for as proof.
-Session will be up to an 1.5 hours long and must be held within a 20 mile radius of San Jose. ((unless you want to make it a destination session then travel fees will apply)
-$50 print credit is included
-Session must be completed by Nov 15th.
- up to 2 people and 1 pet in session.
-winner will be chosen by a random number generator on 09/16
- I will not use email addresses left here to Spam anyone.

..and just because posts are better with a picture . Here is a sneak peek of a “Just Because” session I did while in Mexico a few weeks ago.

Filed Under contest, giveaway, just because |

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