sneak peek of 2010

In 2010 I will be creating lots of ...

fun.
dope.
dreamy.
daring.
stylish.
classic.
romantic.
carefree.
in-motion.
beautiful.
nostaligic.
avant-garde.
funky-fresh.
spontaneaous.

images!


Which one will you be??


here's a super teaser of what's to come....

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

This is very short and sweet I don't want to keep anyone to long from time with their families.

Woof Woof greetings from JakeRyan who is anxiously awaiting spending time with my nephews this weekend!

Just a day left!!

Thank you to everyone who has commented in my "Cans for Comments" drive. I am up to 20 cans!!

You can still comment from now until the 25th. If you stop by please take a minute or two to go through and comment on any posting you like. Tell me a little about yourself, what you hope for in 2010, what you would like to see on my blog or just say "hi leaving a comment for a can"

That simple!!!

Wishing everyone a fantastic holiday! May Santa (fedex/ups/snail mail USPS or the three wise men) make your shopping easy so that you can take time to enjoy the Season!!

Taken with my Iphone, I spotted some deliveries off to their destination!!



{please leave a cooment- your comment = 1 can of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara}

Do you remember?

being a kid and being sooo excited about all those beautifully wrapped presents under the tree.

being so mesmerized by all the lights flickering magically as they are reflected off the shiny beautifully wrapped presents.

being drawn to the tree and those beautiful presents.

being captivated as you walk slowly, silently towards that tree and those presents calling to you.

being so excited when you saw your name carefully printed on the name tag. To: Mariana From: Mami & Papi.

being soo happy when your carefully ripped the corner to sneak a peek at your beautifully wrapped present.

being so scared that you had just torn the paper and might be discovered.

being so sad to have to wait 4 more days to rip off all the paper and play with your brand new Barbie


oh wait... That was me. I remember all these things.. and yet today as the few days before Christmas begins I saw a sneak peek of what I hope to get on Christmas day.

A day filled with beautiful light and no rain! That is what I want on Christmas. Even if I recieved it this morning , as pictured below.

I am a spoiled California Resident!

What is your one wish for Christmas? I'ld love to hear.. and as a reminder your comment will bring a can of food to someone in need.

Cans for comments are still being collected!

Kristie & Twinkie!

Kristie called me wanting to do a "Just Because" session and to get some professional portraits & headshots. I thought it was a fantastic idea! In today's day and age with so many online social networks who doesn't want a fabulous picture that goes way above & beyond the "tacky myspace self portraits" IF you are still using one of these on all your social networks- PLEASE call me to schedule your Just because session!!! Hellloooooo!



Anyways, Kristie brought along Twinkie and I fell in love!! It's hard to resist cuddling & kissing!!



Seriously didn't you just now?? It was a little windy but still a gorgeous day!



There were tons of outfit changes to show off her amazing personality.





This session was soo much fun! Kristie & Twinkie I hope to see you soon!!



Special thanks to Josephine Harmon and her amazing Make-Up Artistry!!

{Please remember to leave a comment! A comment left below on this or any post until Dec 25th counts towards one can of food donated!! CLICK here to leave a comment!}

Cans for comments update.

Woo hoo! Today's count is 13 comments = 13 cans towards feeding some people. Keep those comments coming! I love seeing that you stopped by in the form of a comment.

13 days left to comment. Spread the word I would love to donate 50 cans of food!!

Thanks everyone!


and since this is a photography blog:


I took the following image one day when it was nice and warm outside. I am really missing the sun and the warmth so I keep looking back at warmer pictures. And as much as I hate the cold & wet ( unless it consists of a darkroom and chemicals then I LOVE IT), this image reminds me what I have to look forward to.

What's your favorite season and why? Mine is spring & summer for the above mentioned!!




~comments left on this post go toward the cans & comments event~

It's really cold out!

Yes I know with high's in the mid 50's and a low of 32 I shouldn't complain, it could be worse. However this California girl does not like the cold. If I had it my way it would be low 90's every day & night all year round!!! If you agree with me wave your hands in the air -to keep the circulation going in this cold. ;-)

But anyways.... This is how I tried to stay warm last night! Let's ignore the fact that I almost smoked the mutt and I out of my house. (the chimney vent thingie was closed- oops)How do you survive this Artic cold weather?

{Please remember to leave a comment! A comment left below on this or any post until Dec 25th counts towards one can of food donated!! CLICK here to leave a comment!}



image taken with my Iphone, post edited with the Iphone shake it photo app

Cans for Comments!

Hi everyone!
It's that time of the year where we are all running around like crazy, feeling happy and frazzled all at once thinking about all those people in our lives we would like to buy the perfect gift for.

Unfortunately there are lots of people out there who don't have anyone or worse if they do they might not have enough to feed them. That is where You, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & I come in. Together we can help!

This is my second year participating in "Cans for Comments", together with other photographers worldwide we are collecting cans with your help. I am here to make it easy on you. All you have to do is leave a comment right here on my blog. For every comment I receive from now until Dec 25th I will donate one can. It's that easy! It doesn't cost you a trip to the store nor a dime just a minute or two of your time. Leave a comment on any post.

I would love to hear who you are. That little cuties mom, a bride to be, my next door neighbor or a fellow photographer. Tell me a little about yourself, who you are, what you think or ask a question. Just click on the link below ANY blog post that says "comments" or click the title of the post and leave your comments at the bottom of the page. In the next 120 days I will be posting lots of posts with beautiful images in all photography formats so you will have lots of opportunities to donate a can via comment!!

As a note all comments are moderated. Your comment will not appear immediately, but it will within a few hours.

Remember 1 comment = 1 can! Easy Peasey!

Feel free to tell everyone about this and have them drop by to help! To find out more about this effort check out the Cans for Comments page and leave comments on some of the other photographer's pages!

And because you came here for the photography. Here is an image that might warm you up if you are somewhere cold like me. I took this over the summer in NuevoVallarta!

Sneak Peek: Holiday + 4 month old + Big Sister = Cute session

A quick sneak peek...

Cyber Monday!

Welcome to Cyber Monday!!

Today I am offering:
Your choice of a 1.5hr Portrait sessions at $250, $275, $300 .
There is only one at each price.(regularly $375)


• 1.5 hours, 1 outdoor location, Sun-Thurs
• up to 4 family members
• Online Gallery of edited images
• $50 Print credit


the fine print:
-Session must be paid in full to secure special! a contract will be emailed out shortly after.
-Pets welcome!!

Because all posts are better with a picture...

something found during a recent family session:

Family Fun!

Hi Everyone!
As the holiday season is in full gear I am feeling very blessed.I have really been enjoying doing so many family sessions!



This family is awesome. As always I loove capturing the dynamics between the various family members.



This family truly demonstrated that a family that plays together stays together.



The kid's found the best tickler ever! Provided by mother nature..Tickles all the way around.



Watching siblings show each other so much love absolutely makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Doesn't this picture melt your heart??



Thank you guys for coming out bright and early! I had so much fun spending time with you. I hope to do it again!!

Black Friday specials!

Update~Sales has ended THANK YOU!

One day only!

Portrait sessions starting at $225.00 (2 at this price)
(regularly $375)

• 1.5 hours, 1 outdoor location
• up to 4 family members
• Online Gallery of edited images
• $50 Print & Product credit (tax will be applied at time of redemption)

the fine print:
-Session must be paid in full to secure special! a contract will be emailed out shortly after.
-Pets welcome!!
-Sunday-Thursday sessions only

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I am thankful for so many things it would take a million years to list. In summary my family (who puts up with my craziness), my health ( I can still eat seconds of dessert and for that i am SUPER DOOPER thankful), my job which is so fun it's hard to call a job and for my clients. They are all awesome and have shared so much with me!

Thank you!!
-Mariana

Here is a family to whom I am thankful to.





I met them at a wedding I shot this past summer. She was a bridesmaid. And as fall began I was honored to shoot her whole family and I fell in love with their little cutie pie.



During the session I saw how much they love their daughter. They demonstrated concern (she fell in her new shoes), love ( lots of kisses)




and the hardest thing a parent can do: to let go and know a child will succeed on their own. OK I'm dramatic here but seriously they let this cutie run around and have fun, giving her enough space to explore and even taste a little dirt. ;-)



All while being close by in case she needed a helping hand.





Isn't her wavy hair precious?



Can't wait to see this cutie pie again!!



Bye bye for now.

Thanksgiving weekend special!

Hi everyone!

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!! I will be releasing specials on Friday at 4:00am so be sure to check the blog on your way out to the mad dash!!

BUT...

Why wait until Friday? from now until Sunday at 6:00pm (PST) all Canvases are 30% off!

Purchase directly from your gallery by entering the code "turkey" at check out.

here's my turkey waiting patiently......

Black friday is a few days away!!

hi everyone!

Since Black Friday is soo popular I thought I would join the Hype! I will be offering some special deals!! Come back to the blog and get in on the Very limited sales.

(there will also be some offered exclusively to Facebook fans! )

See you on Friday!!!

Today I am thankful for gorgeous San Francisco "summer"weather.

more Sneak Peeks!

I'm a roll this weekend!

I met this gorgeous family at Amy & Wayne's wedding. I was super excited and so honored when I received an email asking for a family session.





Can't wait to show you the whole set!

Family sneak peek!

Full sessions coming soon. I have so many sessions to blog about! I am editing like a mad woman..
For now --Just sneak peeks!!

Sneak peek! Who stole the show?

Another amazing session!!






more to come...

Sneak Peek: Chrystal

A truly inspiring woman!



more to come.....

Family is ......

Mother + Daughter+ 2 Xoloitzcuintcles!



We love our mothers, our daughters but we also love our dogs! And they love us unconditionally!!

This mother daughter duo is so amazing. I can't even begin to tell you how awesome they both are! I will just let you see how their beauty exudes from within.



I had a blast hanging out with these ladies in mom's home and her beautiful garden; home to huge nopales, lavender and gorgeous roses.



This little one was Fiesty!!





and this one was nothing but prim & proper all ladylike.



This last image isn't technically the best, however I love it because in 10-20-30... years, what each woman will remember is the relationship they had with each other. To me this says it all - a relationship so loving that siting at the kitchen table with each other is worth more than all the money in the world.



thank you ladies maybe next time we'll do a 3 generation picture with grandmom too!