I am re-structuring my editing and office workflow and adding some software that will allow me to have a bit more freedom with my personal time – well MORE personal time – to spend with my husband and kids. Right now I’m the crazy, coffee drinking, caffeine addict, stuck the computer mom that I don’t want to be. And I want ALL of my clients to have the best images possible. So I just ask that for all you beautiful people waiting for your sneak peeks and full galleries, I just need a little extra time to make this transition to give you gorgeous images while maintaining my sanity I promise it’s worth the wait!

And since a post just isn’t a post without an image, I thought I’d share this image that I absolutely ADORE from a recent session. Aren’t this father/son totally adorable?

And… if you’re coming to Maui during January, check out my Facebook page for a very special photography package!

The past few weeks have been especially busy. I’ve been up to 3am daily trying to get out galleries and get “caught up”. I still have sessions in the queue… I am taking today and tomorrow off to be with my family and I have vowed not to sit at the computer and work. These two days it’s all about enjoying family, the beach, and starting 2012 off right. If you’re waiting for your gallery and sneak peek, I promise they’ll be up in the next few days.

Hau’oli Maka Hiki Hou – Happy New Year!

Mariah, Peter, Ryenne, Kai Boy, and Cruz

Red Dirt, Sugarcane, and Haleakala on Maui's North Shore

The family and I are heading to Lanai this weekend for some quiet family time. My husband has promised me a bit of computer time as well – so stay tuned for all the beautiful images of this past week!

Mahalo for your patience!

If you’re a subscriber to my newsletter, I have changed the name to “Maui Mondays”. If you’ve never subscribed, this is a great time to start! Every Monday morning a beautiful image of Maui will come to your email in-box to inspire your day and get your work week off to a beautiful start. You don’t even have to be a client to enjoy the images – just a little something for anyone who loves beautiful imagery.

Want to sign up? Click to sign up for my newsletter.

Because I am soooooo excited, I figured a little Springtime Austin Sale was in order. If you haven’t reserved your Austin photo session yet, now is the time!

My normal rates are posted on the Session Investment Page, so you can see how much of a sale this actually is! This sale applies to Seniors, Families (up to five people), Children, and Couples in outdoor sessions only (fine print is below the sales).

The MINI – $350 + tax

Up to 45 minutes of photography time

20 of your favorite images in beautiful HIGH RESOLUTION ready for printing along with a print release

The STANDARD – $500 + tax

Up to an hour of photography time

40 of your favorite images in beautiful HIGH RESOLUTION ready for printing along with a print release

The DELUXE – $700 + tax

Up to an hour and a half of photography time

ALL images in your gallery in beautiful HIGH RESOLUTION ready for printing along with a print release

THE FINE PRINT

These sessions are available outdoors only in Downtown Austin, South Austin, Buda, and Kyle (basically within 15 minutes of 78748). Family sessions are maximum of 5 people – this is not available for family reunions or event coverage. Sale does not apply to studio maternity sessions or on location newborn sessions. If you have reserved a pregnancy or newborn session for May, you will automatically receive 20% off the standard print collections available on my details page if you purchase your collection within 5 days of gallery release. All pricing is subject to Texas 8.25% tax.

Since preschool photography isn’t something I *normally* do, I thought I’d share the setup – especially for other photographers out there that might want to get into it, but not how how to set up.

This setup is in a storage space of the preschool. The school has blue walls and carpet, so I didn’t have anything that I could use that was already there. I had ordered a faux barnwood floor, but UPS lost it. So I went to Lowe’s and got this vinyl plank and bought a non-slip rug pad to hold it in place. A curtain is on my background stand, and I’m using my Alien Bees for light (it’s a pretty dark space). In this image you can also see my toy stash, which I use to help the kids smile.

This shoot is taking my entire week, so please bare with me with emails and phone messages.

Well hello there! It’s been a little quiet over here on the Mariah Milan blog, hasn’t it? I’ve been enjoying some relaxing time with my family – feeling extra proud of my Kai Boy, who has been excelling in his speech therapy. I gave him a haircut and I think he looks so handsome and grown. I’ve also been busy planning out things for my business to make it grow. It’s exciting – and I’ll admit a little scary too.

I’ll finish up March with three days of photography at a beautiful pre-school in South Austin. Really looking forward to it (does that sound crazy? 300+ toddlers!). April will have me traveling for weddings – three weddings in April. I’ll be heading to San Francisco, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and Wimberley, Texas. All three are such amazing places. Add to that the wildflowers are (hopefully) sprouting any moment now. It’s about to get busy! But I’m so looking forward to it.

On a personal note, I’ve started p90x with my husband and my dad. We’re on week two and I am feeling strong! Feeling fantastic actually. Please feel free to drop me a line and be my cheerleader!

Stay tuned… lots of great photography coming your way on the blog. Thanks for sticking with me! XOXO

We were all up early on the phone with our ‘ohana (family) on Maui and with the Maui radio stations playing on our phones listening and anticipating the tsunami that were headed to the islands. Thankfully the waves that hit didn’t cause major damage. The pictures that are circulating online are wild. I have been through so many tsunami warnings and I have never seen waves like what came today. I am just thankful that it wasn’t as bad as what happened in Japan.

I really appreciate all of you who dropped me a note by email or on facebook to inquire about my family and wish for their safety. I truly have the best clients and friends in the world.

(taken with the iphone)

I’m up late (AGAIN) working on my newest project. I’ll give you a little sneak peek… I am very, very excited.

I think it’s looking pretty darn awesome… what do you all think?

I am starting a new service for everyone – professionals and amateurs – to make your images spectacular. I’ll be your little Photoshop secret! Send me your high resolution RAW or Jpeg files and I’ll send you back a fully edited file that reaches the images potential. This is especially wonderful if you are wanting to display an image in your home or give an image as a gift. Aside from overall color balance, saturation, contrast, and exposure  adjustments, you’ll find that I take the extra steps to make the images really special. I can clean up complexions, whiten a smile, and make eyes sparkle. Below are a couple examples of work I’ve done (these are not my photography).

Ready to find out more? Ready for me to start your project? Click HERE. I look forward to seeing what I can create for you!