I will be catching up in the next few weeks and sending out lots of emails to everyone on my mailing list with holiday specials. SO if your aren’t on the mailing list send me an email to info@marianamaya.com and say “Add me to the GOSSIP list!”  Because who doesn’t like a little news ahead of everyone else right??

For now I’m going to post  a few images I took at my very good friend Renee’s birthday bash at the newly opened Single Barrel in downtown San Jose.

I will add is co-owned by the fabulous and also very good friend Cache! Add their facebook fan page here. Seriously if you are ever looking for something different swing by and grab a drink. It’s an awesome place to go with your girls/boys or even to take a sexy date to and grab a drink and sit in the corner and chat while being trasported back in time, to an era where everything was in teh details. AHHH I think I was actually born in the wrong decade. I’m trully a roaring 20’s girl at heart!

But enough about Single Barrel and why you should go. Check out a few of the images I took before I put my camera away and enjoyed a nice bourbon and great friends company!

This cake was so delicious! I must have gained 20 pounds from my one tiny teeny piece.

And here I am taken by my friend Brian.

It was a great party!! Many Birthday wishes for a fantastic year!!!

XOXO

…and then he was up and ready for some sun with his papa!

(San Jose, San Framcisco, Brentwood, Sacramento, Gilroy and all surrounding cities)

Why am I looking for YOU?

I would like YOU to be my rep at your school.

What does this mean for you?

It means you get a FREE photo session and a chance to earn awesome exclusive products. It also means total bragging rights and some really sweet rep cards with your image on them. Plus facebook ready digital files!

What does this mean for me?

It means you will tell all your friends how much fun you had and promote me as their Senior portraits photographer!

Some quick details: This opportunity is very limited. Mariana Maya Photography will only choose 2 reps per high school. Your parent/guardian must grant permission. Your portrait session will take place between July and October.

How do you sign up? By  filing out this form.

My heart stopped, and those rainbows and butterflies quickly faded. In their place the reality set in and thoughts of his family’s suffering flooded in their place. His wife, his children, his mother & his sister, all whom are dear to me, their pain took the place of  colorful sprinkles.

Today My heart goes out to David’s family.

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

As well as every family who has ever had their rainbows & butterflies quickly disappear.

It’s so hard to think back to when this little one was just a few days old.  and a tiny little thing.

Each time I see her for her portraits, I’m amazed at how much she’s changed.I love her smile that makes her eyes disappear! her mom says it’s the same as grandma’s smile.

And she always manages to surprise me with her personality that is one all of her own, completely different from her big sister or her parents.

I also love the glimmer in her eyes and that spark of recognition when she sees me. Or maybe it’s a baby high that she gets to be in the spotlight.

She’s a natural model!

The thing that I love most about my sessions with babies and watching them grow is that in 10, 20, 30, … years when these moments have begun to fade from the memory,

there will still be evidence of when they were more than just a faint memory.

I’m looking forward to capturing her 1 year old portraits! As well as attending her First Birthday party and watching her dig into her Birthday cake!!!

]]> http://www.marianamaya.com/2010/05/25/9-months-old-morgan-hill-ca/feed/ 0 http://www.marianamaya.com/2010/05/14/the-camera-was-turned-on-michelle-san-francisco-ca/ http://www.marianamaya.com/2010/05/14/the-camera-was-turned-on-michelle-san-francisco-ca/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 16:30:19 +0000 http://www.marianamaya.com/?p=1182 Being a photographer is awesome! We get to meet interesting new people, re-connect with old friends, see new places and most importantly do what we love most: Take lots & lots of pictures! The one thing we do not get to do very often however is have our own picture taken. Some of you might say “that is quite alright”, however as a photographer it is just as important to have a professional portrait of yourself as it is to take them.

Today our first impression of someone many times is by their online photo, found in their about me section. Whether its  an executive team at the hottest start up,  that person who winked at you on an online dating sites, an old friend wanting to reconnect on facebook  or possibly the professional you are thinking about having shoot your family portraits.

Friend & fellow photographer, Michelle of Urban Shutter Bug photography recently asked me to help her update her profile portrait. We met in San Francisco and ventured to the Embarcadero. A location known for it’s breath taking view of the Bay Bridge and some very amazing cuisine! However our focus was Michelle She brought along a gorgeous vintage Kodak camera which was gifted to her by her grandfather.

Photographing another photographer is hard. They aren’t just your peer they also know all the in & outs, and lots of times are composing an image in their head as well. Photographing Michelle was so much fun I forgot it was work! Not to mention San Francisco gave us a beautiful evening!

Michelle, Thank you for calling upon me to update your profile portrait! I can’t wait to see it in your “about me” section.

If you haven’t updated your professional portrait and would like to do so contact me! It’s a great time to get a new awesome default picture that will make a great first impression!

But as always a sneak peek first! Come back for more.. let me know in the comments which of these two is your favorite and why….

Since everyone was bombarded yesterday with wishes I thought I would save this Mother to Be post for today!!

These two are going to be some of the best parents ever!!

I’ve known Ligia forever. We met in grade school and are a lot alike. Especially in the independent part.

So a few years ago when she told me about this guy she had met and really liked I thought WOW! I can’t wait to meet him.

The moment I met Rick I knew he was special!

You can tell for yourself by the way he looks at her and smiles. Rick has one of those smiles that comes from the bottom of his heart and is filled with warmth and love.

We had so much fun during the session, goofing off and talking about girlie pink rooms. That Ligia is completely opposed to, but Rick has a secret plan to paint the room super pink and hang up ruffled curtains! Just Kidding!!

At one point we even started talking about the birthing videos she was watching. Yikes!! I think that is where Rick wanted to run off!

& secretly me too!!!

I can’t wait to meet the little one!

Be sure to leave your wishes &  advice for these parents to be in the comments section. I’ll make sure they get every one!

;-P