Happy 1st birthday!

A few weeks ago one of my best friends celebrated her daughter's 1st birthday. This little girl is almost a decade younger than her brothers. They had always wanted a daughter and finally decided to turn to the Chinese calendar. Nine months later a daughter was born!! Celebrating the day with them was so much fun. I got to see lots of old co-workers from my days at Wells Fargo Bank. You see, she & I met on our first day of work which is also where she met her husband, so it's mandatory to get the old Wells crew together for such milestone events.



Big brothers will always be around to help her out!



This is my absolute favorite image from the whole day. It was taken after everyone had gone home. The little birthday girl finally felt comfortable and started smiling & playing with the balloons. Throughout her whole party she was a little reserved. I think she was a little overwhelmed by all the people who came out to celebrate with her.



These next two images are awesome. In them you can see how much love her parents have for her.





I always love a simple portrait such as this at events. It is full of so much history (past, present & future). This is a portrait of four generations, passed down mother to daughter...



We all know daughters are such daddy's girls, and sons are momma's boys. Here is the birthday girl with paternal grandmother, her "lola".




The processing on this last image is different then the rest. I wanted to use something representative to her only. She is 92 years old and from what her gran daughter said still very much strong & independent. I didn't get a chance to sit down and talk to her, I would love to one day spend some time with her to hear some of the stories from her life. In 92 years she's lived through so much! Talking to an elder is definitely WAY more interesting than reading some boring history book.




Thanks you guys for a great party! And remember when she turns 14ish and boys start coming around.... I will come over and help put up the bars on the windows! ;-)

Kids are the fountain of youth!

Many times we "adults" dismissive children because they are young and don't know anything nor have they experienced life. However it's because kids are young and inexperienced that they show us the world with honesty and innocence, and remind us how carefree we were before we grew up and had a relationship with Uncle Sam.

(I love this picture they look so quiet & innocent)



I being a kid at heart love sessions with kids. I love talking to them and asking them about the simple things in life, like what their favorite subject is and their favorite food.





Watching kids run around chasing each other and being entertained by something so simple as a bouquet of balloons is one of the things that makes my job, not really even a "Job".



I was very excited and nostalgic! I have known their mother "Cookie" since I was in forth grade. We didn't go to the same high school but that just meant we got to go to each other's school dances (and Bellermaine's too!). The day she met their dad I was there, as was I on their wedding day. Now many years later these two little ones are about the age we both were when we became life long friends: grade school.





The last picture I am sharing with you is a picture of my life long friend. It is a picture she may have forgotten she gave me a LONG time ago and her mom may be looking for it. And well here it is.



To my friend Cookie. Thank you so much for sharing your children with me and letting them help me stay young! I had so much fun I can't wait to do it again!! I love you.

Film Friday - San Francisco Tourist attractions

Ok it's really Saturday morning. But let's pretend it's Friday. ;-)

Thursday I photographed an intimate San Francisco wedding. After the ceremony I played tourist a bit. These are just two images from that day.

The first is a well known landmark. It's huge and breathtaking. However it is not invincible. Back on September 11, 2001 many Americans feared this landmark would be attacked. At that time many of us felt small and powerless. I love this image it is a reminder of how relative everything is. In this image the Golden Gate bridge doesn't look as big.



This next image is of San Francisco City Hall. The architecture is amazing not only on the outside but on the inside as well. If you have never been you should go in and take a look around. You can get married and pay taxes at the same location. It is also the site of the 1978 double homicide of Milk & Moscone . And if you rather hear of fun events then be sure to check out ll teh music events that happen in the outside in the quad area such as Lovefest.



While being a "tourist" do you stick to the tourist path or do you prefer to get lost and find hidden treasures. I would love to hear. Tell me about it here

Sneak Peek: Nothing to wear?

This is another sneak peek to an amazing post I have coming up!

Yes I know they are all amazing. ;-) However this one is amazing not just because of the imagery but also because of the person in the images and what she is going to do for you!




Stay tuned!!!!!

Earth Day Celebration Mariana Maya style!

Hey all! Happy Earth Day!

Tomorrow Thursday I will be in San Francisco for a small wedding which will end in a portrait session at Chrissy Fields. To help the Earth by keeping my car off the parking lot that is known as 101 South, during prime commute hours, I am offering a free mini session. What do you need to do to win the session? It's easy actually! You will definitely need to be available and at Chrissy Fields on Thursday April 23rd at 5:00pm. Please only enter contest if you are 100% committed to the session if you win. To be entered for a chance to win the session simply leave me a comment telling me how are helping the environment, be specific. A winner will be chosen at random and announced at 4:30pm today. Please check back to see if you won! We will need to chat to discuss logistics.

I am also offering 2 mini sessions at a special rate of $100 each. Session times available are: 6pm & 7pm

here are the details of the mini sessions:

$100 ($50 non refundable deposit must be received via paypal to secure session)
45 minute session (up to 3 people)
online web gallery of images
1 hi-res fully edited file electronically delivered
$25 print credit or 2 additional hi-res fully edited electronically delivered

Book by clicking here:

Session Time

6:00 pm $50.00 7:00 pm $50.00

The present: A Family Portrait Session with a Baby bump!!

hi all! Warning- I had so many favorites from this session- it's photo heavy.



So back in February I was contacted by an awesome hubby (and dad) telling me he wanted to surprise his beautiful wife with portraits of their daughter for her birthday. Well- I am always more than happy to help a guy out!! Especially when it involves a present for a wife and a surprise at that.

Read here guys- IF you ever need help coming up with an idea for a gift for your Girlfriend/Significant Other/Fiance/Wife/ BFF/Mom contact me - even if it doesn't involve pictures. Ladies-- I'm looking out for you!!






Anyways, back to the post. So we did two mini sessions one of just their daughter and him to give her something to unwrap and the second a family portrait session. He had mentioned at the first session that his wife was pregnant and it would be a great time for family portraits. When she showed up with a Baby bump I was surprised at her baby bump and excited to help them document this time in everyone's life. Let me give you a little background here. I worked with Mr. P for a few years in High Tech, and at a company gathering Mrs. P attended. Being the rocking "hostess" that I can be I walked over and said hello to Mrs. P and offered her a drink, "beer/wine?" They both looked at each other and laughed (at me). Clueless I asked "WHAT?" They both look at her tummy & my eyes follow. OOOOH!!!!! Honestly at that point Mrs. P had the tiniest bump ever & I can be really clueless sometimes. So anyways when we met up for the session.. I was like OMG! You are pregnant!! -really I am a dork sometimes.





We chatted and I asked if their daughter knew she was getting a baby brother/sister. ( I am not releasing the baby's gender in case anyone reading this hasn't been told yet) They said they had told her that mommy had a baby in her tummy. What do you think this little girl replied??



How awesome will this be...say when she gets older and appreciates the little things her dad did for her?




oh and their daughter's reply to her mommy having a baby in her tummy was....... Daddy has one too!! Kids say the funniest things! Disclaimer: I warned Mr P, I was going to share that with everyone!!








Many thanks to the P family! I always have fun being around you guys!! Can't wait to see the new addition!!

Sneak Peek: Monkey Adventures

Balloons + Park + Fun Kids = Monkeys

According to their mother. I thought they were awesome fun!! Of course I gave them the go ahead to run amuck. SO I might be part monkey too!! For such a fun session I felt these images needed to be edited in a fun way to reflect the personality of the session.

This is such a teaser.. the full session to come in the next few days.






The weather is great the days are longer! If you want to do a weekday session after work it's the perfect time! The sun is setting at about 7:30pmish. Contact me for availability & pricing.

Film Friday + Sneak Peek = Coming soon...Wayne & Amy

I must start this post by saying... I LOVE MY JOB!!!

If you follow me on twitter or facebook you already heard this a million times this week. If you don't follow me yet-- What are you waiting for?? ;-P

This is such a super dooper sneak peek. I have tons of stuff to blog but since it is Film Friday I thought I would totally sneak this in.



This was one of my funnest Engagement sessions ever. Yes I say this all the time, I know. But seriously it was. (until the next time I say it) Let me give you all the things that make it so: Sun, water, sand, beach, surfing, low tides, weekday, surf shop, and if that wasn't enough a FUN AWESOME couple super dooper in crazy love. All this took place in Santa Cruz, California. And to make it even better- I have known the bride since she was in grade school, so in other words just a few short years !!! Actually now that I think about it so much more is involved.. and Well you will have to wait to find out more about this session and the couple.

OMG! I am so excited they are getting married this summer at a beautiful old mission.

For now I leave you with these 2 images, since it is Film Friday they are both Polaroids taken by ME! I say this because my awesome second shooter took some too, but those I will post later...

Be sure to leave a comment either telling me how lucky I am ;-) or with wishes for the future Mr. & Mrs. Lots of you readers might even recognize the bride to be!!

Kids will be Kids!

Do you remember when your parents would dress you in your Sunday best around Easter time and take you to a photographer's studio. You would then have to sit in some lobby waiting, sitting absolutely still so that you didn't wrinkle your freshly pressed clothes before it was your turn. You weren't alone there were tons of other kids sitting there all looking around miserable wanting to go outside and jump, run & play.

Those aren't the Spring sessions I offer. I love to capture kids being just that KIDS! Most of the time it means lots of silly faces, running around, rock throwing and climbing trees with a few portraits that the grandparents will melt for.

These siblings gave me one of the funnest sessions ever! What do you think? Can you tell which one is shy?

Film Friday: New York 35mm

I'm sure you will have noticed, if you are a regular follower of my blog that I LOVE NEW YORK!! The below images were taken back in October 2008 when I went to NY for the Lucie Awards. Who incidentally are hosting Month of Photography in LA. So if you are in the Los Angeles area you definitely do not want to miss any of these events during MOPLA!!

On to film. All the below images were taken with a pentax as I was on a walking tour of DUMBO and then later over by Wall Street.







As you can see I love to travel and if you want me to come out to your city for a portrait session and or wedding I definitely would be happy to! Contact me and let's chat.

Sneak Peek: Portraits in the Park

The title says it all! .....more to come stay tuned.

Film Friday.. Best co-worker EVER!

I am soo behind in blogging. I am soooo sorry. I've been crazy busy shooting & working on the business side of things. A thousand apologies.

I will be posting so much in the next few days- you guys might get sick of me.

Today I leave you with only one image of the best co-worker/office mate I have ever had. I am always notified when my snail mail arrives and when my food is ready in the microwave. He has also promised never to book himself as a primary photographer. He's a better model anyways. LOL