I’ve known Amy, and her daughter Maya since Maya was just a little girl. Long before I was interested in photography, I was in Mom’s Club with Amy. Our kids were just toddlers then, but as the years have passed, Maya has grown up into a gorgeous, amazing young lady. Months ago, I mentioned to Amy that I would *love* to get Maya in front of my camera. It took a while, but we finally got our busy schedules to mesh this past Tuesday.
A bit about Maya before I share her pictures (and I have to say, this might go on record as my largest blog post EVER). Maya loves cheerleading, hanging out with her friends, and music. Her favorite subject is science (obviously she has brains as well as beauty!). Her passions are life, family, and friends. She wants to be a model someday and go to college at UCLA. I have zero doubts that she will accomplish everything she sets out to do.
A bit more about Maya, as shared in an email from her mother to me…
“I don’t know if you ever knew this. But Maya had brain cancer and it was a very stressful time. So I just have tears in my eyes when I look at these pics, I thank God she is here with me and happy/healthy and growing into such a beautiful young lady.
Maya doesn’t share it with most people. Probably most people don’t know. It’s an ongoing thing, frequent MRI’s and doctors visits. But this makes me realize just what an extraordinary girl I have. :) ”
So now you have a little peek into Maya’s life; her interests, dreams, future goals, and even some of the struggles she’s endured in her life. I had to categorize this post, so I did put Maya’s session under my ‘seniors’ category, but I have to let you know that this young lady is only 14 years old. She is incredibly mature and strong for her age, and you can see it in her eyes. I truly hope my photos do her justice!
Without further ado…Maya’s photos. :)
I love how the light is shining down on her in this next picture. She looks so relaxed and peaceful.
One of *my* favorites, although I truly do love them all, and don’t think Maya could take a bad picture if she tried. LOL
Moving from the forest and trees, into a more urban location…
Another favorite…she has an amazing smile!
These last pictures were taken, just before sunset…
Whew, that was a lot of pictures! Maya, I truly hope you love these, and I really do hope that I did you justice!
Just ONE last picture (I promise, only one)…I know how everyone loves my before & afters, so I thought I would share one from this session. These were taken in a very shaded area, and I almost tossed them because they came out of the camera looking so blue/gray. A little post processing can go a LONG ways though! Enjoy!
Megan - Beautiful!! She is just gorgeous, and has the cutest nose! You gave such a great variety of pretty, cute, serious, etc.
Natalie - Nope! Sorry…. The word beautiful is not right! There honestly is no word in the dictionary to describe this young lady! “Beautiful” is close… “gorgeous” maybe… “To.die.for” even closer! She is incredibly beautifully gorgeous!!!! As are these pictures!
Sophie - She’s gorgeous and you did an amazing job – stunning images!!
Brittney - these are amazing. she is beautiful.
Mark W - Beautiful photos and Maya. Best wishes to Maya to remain cancer free.
Mette Laurent - She is gorgeous! And your photos are amazing:)
Chrissy Torney - Wowzers, what a gorgeous girl!! No wonder you had to share x
Malinda German - Lisa..Your photos are fantastic. Thank you for the beautiful pictures of my precious grand-daughter.
Melissa Klein - These are stunning, Lisa! What a beautiful girl – amazing that she has been through so much at such a young age. You really did a fantastic job photographing her, and I LOVE seeing the before and afters.
Sylvia Borgo - She is absolutely stunning – perfect in front of the camera! There is not one bad picture in this set – that is a credit to not only the beautiful young lady, but YOU as well!
Cindy - Such a beautiful girl and you captured a truly amazing variety! She looks so at ease in front of the camera too!
kelsey {las vegas wedding photographer} - She is gorgeous and these images are amazing!
Clarice - She is just stunning! And you did an awesome session of her Lisa!
Christie Hobson - Just stunning, every single one! She is gorgeous, as are your photos!
amanda williams - Lisa… This brought tears to my eyes :) I honestly couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried :) Bravo <3
Sean - WOW!! this girl is so beautiful. and your work made her look more gorgeous .. really amazing work.
Evelyn - She is seriously gorgeous! Beautiful work as usual. Love them!
Leanne - She is STUNNING! I love your ability to capture a range of expressions from your subjects.
CJ Wilkes - She is gorgeous and you did a fantastic job! I love your framing in the black and white paired with a color about midway. Beautiful conversion too. Nice work!
Lynda Coulson - Every image is stunning, as is she. Beautiful work.
Kristi - Absolutely stunning Lisa!! She is such a gorgeous girl and your images def do her justice!!
Brandi-lee - WOW WOW WOW, these are seriously jaw dropping gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is one STNUNNING girl with an amazing smile and eyes that have so much beauty and wisdom!
Gail - Oh Lisa! STUNNING! Your images, this girl’s beauty – all of it. DROP DEAD GORGEOUS! Love the little before and after!
Tori Piercy - Ummm holy freaking wow! Stunning girl and amazing photographs! Really Lisa, you have outdone yourself on this session- love!
rose - wow..these are stunning! Your black and whites are to die for! Gorgeous girl!!
Kate Craft - Stunning Just stunning!!
Jennifer Boggett - Perfection! She is gorgeous and obviously a strong and determined girl.I love the way you use light. So so so gorgeous.
Kelly Mack - WOW! Thses are just stunning, the light, the colour, Maya – all of it. Amamazing!
Nance Heidemann - She is just gorgeous! Beautiful images!!
ashley - Wow! She is just a gorgeous young lady and you, Lisa, are an incredibly talented photographer! Beautiful work!
Julie Wagoner - She is beyond gorgeous! And of course your images and processing are complete perfection!
Lisa Little - She is gorgeous and your work is amazing!! Thank you for sharing that before and after, you are so talented!!
Shelby - What a gorgeous young lady and your work is as beautiful as always! Thanks for sharing another great before/after.
beth - She is drop dead gorgeous and you captured her perfectly.
Whitley Pollet - omg, Lisa! She is SO beautiful! You + her = some ROCKING pictures!
Leah Jent - Lovely work, as always, Lisa! Your color and your BW conversions are stunning. What a beautiful model and gorgeous shots!
Heather E - Lisa, these are just absolutely stunning! What a gorgeous girl and what wonderful lighting and composition. I bet she LOVES these!
Anelle - Lisa, beautiful! She is a gorgeous girl and you captured her wonderfully!
Tiffany Bender - rockstar—both of you!
Dee - The girl – beautiful! The light – amazing! The images – stunning! You are a total star, Lisa – love your work!
Carrie - These images are stunning Lisa! Truly stunning!
amy - lisa really beautiful work and wowza she is gorgeous!
Liz - Wow she is just stunning! Love your lighting and this location is beautiful.
desi - love these! i especially love the smiling b&w one.
awesome job lisa!
Azure - Just breathtaking, Lisa. You captured her beauty perfectly. LOVE!
Lisa Holloway - Thank you so, so much everyone. I really appreciate all of the kind comments! <3
Katy Laulo - Lisa, this session is absolutely breath taking. Maya is beautiful. You captured her perfectly. Thanks for telling me about it. LOVE it!!
Audrey Litfin - So so gorgeous Lisa!!
Karen Halbert - karenhalbert photography Nashville - Wow, Lisa. She’s gorgeous and your colors are beyond stunning! Sure wish you’d do a tutorial on that last before and after!!!
Lokesh - I am amazed what post processing has done in the last one .. Would love to know how you did it. THe most I like in you photograph is how you (most of the time) have sunlight in back drop like the orange leaves in last one. Hatts Off
DeAnn - LOVE everything…what a touching story too