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people and places I have met on this journey called life

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portrait of a Santa Cruz surfer on the beach early morning

Foggy Mornings in Santa Cruz, CA with surfers

I consider myself lucky to live in the San Francisco Bay Area, right over the hill to Santa Cruz, California. many mornings I find myself heading over the hill to sit by the ocean listening to the waves as those first sips of coffee happily hit my taste buds.

I watch the birds dance in the sky thinking how nice it is to be so free and have wings to carry you anywhere in the world.

Then my attention is turned to the surfers, up early to catch the first waves of the day, as their bodies wake up in the icy cold waters that are typical to Northern California. I chuckle as I overhear one surfer warn another that is barely arriving and slipping into a wetsuit, “it’s extra cold out there today”.

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A Day at the Fair: Creating Timeless Family Portrait Memories

Family portraits are a great way to capture the love, joy, and unique bond shared by your family, as well as to document each of you in today’s moment. If you’re seeking a setting that combines vibrant colors, nostalgic rides, and joyful laughter, consider a lifestyle family session at the county fair. This lively atmosphere is perfect for capturing timeless family memories. Partnering with a skilled San Francisco Bay Area photographer (me- no pressure) ensures that these moments are beautifully documented. Let’s explore how a day at the fair can turn into a stunning family portrait session you’ll cherish for years to come.

A vibrant day trip to Tlaquepaque

If you’re planning to travel to Mexico, Tlaquepaque should be on your must-visit list. Located near Guadalajara, this charming town offers a delightful blend of culture, cuisine, and vibrant street life that captures the heart of Mexican tradition. Join me as I share our day exploring Tlaquepaque, from savoring street food to enjoying traditional folkloric dances, all through the lens of our travel photography.

Experiencing Live Music at the SV Mariachi Festival

This past Father’s Day weekend, San Jose was alive with the sounds of mariachi music as the Silicon Valley Mariachi Festival brought together music lovers, families, and cultural enthusiasts for an unforgettable celebration.

As a girl who has deep roots in Mexico and a love for my country and culture, I couldn’t miss attending to cheer on all the amazing talent at the festival. Especially the best Mariachi in all of Mexico- Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán!

Battle under the stars , strongman competition

Epic Women’s Strongman Event Competition in San Jose, CA

On a sunny day in San Jose, CA, an extraordinary event unfolded that showcased the incredible strength and determination of female athletes from across the United States. Organized by Letia Tybor of Distance Unlimited, the Women’s Strongman Competition brought together a fierce group of competitors who pushed their limits in a series of intense challenges, judged by …

Notre Dame San Jose graduation Senior Portraits

Celebrating Lauren’s Heritage and Legacy: Senior Portrait Session in San Jose, CA

Celebrate Lauren’s senior portraits in San Jose, CA! This stunning session honors her Mexican heritage with vibrant elements like a Mexican flag and agave backdrops. See how we also incorporated her family’s Notre Dame legacy.

final art image of an old man in Tequila, Jalisco

A Day of Tequila Tasting and Exploration in Tequila, Jalisco

Discover the ultimate travel guide to Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico! Explore the rich heritage of this iconic destination with our in-depth blog post, featuring everything from tequila tasting tours at Orendain Tequila to savoring authentic cuisine in Plaza Del Pueblo. Get insider tips, breathtaking photos, and must-see attractions for your next Mexican adventure

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A Day at the Fair: Creating Timeless Family Portrait Memories

Winter family portrait session

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I know I did! I stayed busy shooting tons of families and events as well as enjoying

Family Portraits in San Jose, CA

It’s been a super fun season and we have had some amazing weather here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I’m so excited to share these family portraits. We had so much fun that if I just told you how much fun we had you would think I was making it up.

Startup Bus 2011 : San Francisco, CA

Startup Bus is definitely an experience you must live if you are a trying to build a company and have a crunch time. Watch this bus launch a group of entrepreneurs towards building companies and showcasing them at SXSW.

Unleashing Women Power at Battle Under the Stars Strongman Competition

You know when you go to a sporting event and you can FEEL the energy and excitement the minute you walk through the door and at the end of the night there’s always the spectators that are super excited that their team won, and then there are those that are so sad and bummed out and they drag you down? THIS EVENT was not like that. The energy and happiness only grew as the day went on and at the end everyone was excited about what they had accomplished and even more excited about what they witnessed. Every single one of the women competitors WON and accomplished something that day.

3 Tips to help you make a great first impression with branding portraits

San Francisco Bay Area, California | Branding portraits Branding portraits is a term used to describe a more relaxed natural style of headshot. A branding

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing each and everyone of you a Happy Thanksgiving and a very special thank you for all your support over the years! I am grateful

Mommy and Me portrait session in Hawaii

Discover the magic of a baby’s first trip to Maui with a Mommy and Me portrait session by Mariana Maya Photography. Capture precious moments amidst Maui’s stunning landscapes, from golden beaches to lush valleys. Mariana’s expert touch ensures heartfelt, timeless photos of your baby’s adventure. Book your session today and create memories to cherish forever!