This decade so many things happened in my life… I got married in 2000, started my business in 2002, had my first child in 2006 (and another in 2008!), moved to another state… so many things. This has been an amazing decade for me and my expanding family.

As we begin 2010, I have a few announcements and updates (yes more! haha) I am becoming an LLC! I am waiting for the final Texas paperwork to go through. I hope in the next few days it will be finalized. Just as a reminder, this means that any and all payments will need to be made out to Photography by Mariah Milan, LLC instead of Mariah Milan.

The next announcement is that I have (sadly) decided that I’ll need February off. I am just getting so huge and uncomfortable in my last trimester that I won’t be taking on any further work in February. If you’ve already booked a February session – not to worry! – you are still on the calendar and everything is a go unless I go into labor early.

And the final update is a new Mini Session program! I’ve had requests so here it is!

The Wednesday Afternoon Mini-Session

Perfect for those who don’t need or want a full session!

Half Hour Shoot (South and Central Austin)

10-15 full resolution images on disc

one 4×6 of each image

$500 (plus tax)

*not available for newborn or studio maternity sessions

And here’s a look at a couple of my favorite family portraits from this past season… I didn’t want to post these earlier and spoil any Christmas cards!!

Happy New Year to you and yours! May you all be blessed many times over!

I’ll admit that the three of us were absolutely exhausted the day after the wedding. But it was a beautiful day, the waves were perfect, and we really had no excuse not to go. We hit up Polo beach and were rewarded with a beautiful sunset.

This is something I miss the very most about Maui. And I teared up a bit… no… I actually did cry. I know that seems so silly. But I really do miss that part of living on an island. I am so happy to live in Austin now… but the beach will forever hold a very special place for me. Thanks guys for dealing with a very emotional (and pregnant) photographer

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Health and Happiness to all!

XOXO, Mariah

Little Maddox did brilliantly through his shoot. He needed to be fed a few times, but when he did sleep he let me move him around (except did NOT want to be on his tummy). His mom had some props she wanted to use, and Maddox did an excellent job in the bowl and basket. Although he did leave quite a mess for mom to clean up. Sorry!

Without further adeu, here is handsome baby Maddox. Brand new to this world at 5 days old.

Isn’t he just soooo precious??? Such a snuggler!

With that being said, the session fees and all other print pricing will remain the same for 2010. I will be creating some new print collections to purchase as a package for those wanting a variety of prints to display in their homes.

And the last change for 2010 will be the GIVINGisAWESOME campaign, which has been wildly popular this year! The campaign will still benefit the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas – yay! Starting in January, every client who makes a donation to the food bank will receive a disc of web-sized images for sharing on the internet (Facebook, Myspace, Emails) and a $25 gift  certificate to be used for prints or albums from Photography by Mariah Milan. The web-sized files will have a Mariah Milan watermark in the corner and the gift certificate will be valid for one month after your session. It’s a wonderful way to get something free from me and benefitting our community!!

That’s all for now! Have a wonderful day!! XOXO, Mariah

My daughter has entered the “Princess” stage. She is obsessed. It’s really cute. And just for everyone who asks me, “I bet you have so many pictures of your 3 year old, don’t you?” this is usually what I get. Well mostly what’s on the right side LOL – growing up with a photographer mommy has really made her shy away from the camera.

Kai’s hair is getting so long and unruly. I cannot bring myself to cut it, so the boy has his hair always any kind of way. I don’t think I’ll cut it until after he’s one. It’s so wispy and sweet.

I hope all of you are enjoying your families and these warm days. I’ll have more for the blog soon!

And before I forget… I’m having a special in July. All sessions in July are $100 ($108.25 including tax). That’s $100 in savings and the GIVINGisAWESOME campaign applies. This rate applies for all Austin photography. San Antonio clients, you get a special too. Please email me for details. And are you thinking of hiring me as your wedding photographer? Reserve your date and receive $150 off your wedding package if you sign a contract before July 31st.

We had a realy nice day today. I surprised my hubby with a shirt that matches the two kids’ shirts. I think he liked it. He leg me snag this picture of the three of them.

It’s been a wonderful family day today… just what we all needed. And can it be any prettier outside??? It’s just gorgeous today!

I hope all of you are enjoying your day with the special dad in your life.

XO,

Mariah

ETA: The awesome shirts I got from a great lady on Etsy… Super Sweet Creations.

Over the past year we have all struggled with letting go of Maui in our own ways. I think for Peter it was most deep rooted and challenging. It wasn’t only the physical place that he missed, but also his parents, sister, brother, nephew, and the overall feeling of knowing someplace like the back of your hand. A place where everyone is on your side because you are the majority.

For me, I was ready for the change. I craved something different for my daughter, Ryenne. And my feelings for a natural birth for Kai urged me to move on. It just wasn’t going to be possible on Maui. But I internally struggled with the thought of leaving my island home, where I grew up, my brother. Cringed at the thought of not seeing the ocean every day…

Now that we’re here in Austin, I am loving things that this city has to offer. I am confident that we made the right choice. I know that Ry and Kai are going to get a great education, and if their hearts are pulled back to Maui, then they will have my blessing to do so, armed with knowledge.

As I meet people here in Austin, I can’t help but feel that Peter and I were cheated out of an excellent education. The education we received in Hawaii just wasn’t up to par. Not acceptable for my own children.

I am so looking forward to our trip back “home” in August. It will FOREVER be referred to as our home. Our special place where we met, fell in love, got married, started our family, got our toes sandy.

In my perfect world, when the kids are a little older, I’d like to send them home to Maui for a month or two each summer. I want them to grow up with the best of both worlds – knowledge in their heads and aloha in their hearts. I think that would be the greatest gift ever.