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.

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!

Christmas in July!

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe more than half the year is already gone! WOW! Back to school for the kiddos is right around the corner, then Halloween, Thanksgiving and before you know it you know it Christmas lights will be going up!!

My dog really loves Christmas:


I am offering a very special Christmas in July Promotion. Plan for your holiday portraits now!

Family Portraits $200 (regularly $300)
• 1.5 hours, 1 outdoor location
• up to 4 family members
• Online Gallery of edited images
• $50 Print & Product credit

If you would like to book your session email me at info@marianamaya.com

the fine print:
-Pets welcome!!
- $100 non refundable deposit is due at time of booking to guarantee your date. The deposit is applicable towards your session.
-Sunday-Thursday sessions only
-Your proofs will be up within two weeks in a password protected gallery.
-Travel fee will be applied to areas outside a 30 mile radius of downtown San Jose.
-Special promotion must be booked by August 15th!

Jose & Angela +paint + family tree addition = Baby Bump!

A few weeks ago I gave you guys this sneak peek. If you've been following my blog for a while you might remember them from here.
As I look back I'm amazed at how quickly time goes by.

Anyways.

A new baby is on the way!! WOO HOO!! I was so excited when mommy called me to book her maternity session. She might have been maybe just a few weeks pregnant. ;-) And many many months later... here we are!!



This session had many parts to it, we had a fun family finger painting session to involve big sister! Although dad might have had the most fun. ;-)











Aha! That is how those hands (from the sneak peek) got purple!!



A four generation of women portraits!





& the awesome "family tree" session which took place on the grandparents property. Which might I add is amazing!










Here big sister is discovering the magic of a polaroid. MY favorite thing to show kids!!



although at first she didn't get what the Hype was all about



I can't wait until the baby is here to do the newborn portraits!!



one last picture of big sister. She is soo cute. I didn't tell her to do this- she busted the pose on her own!

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!!