maya|myers Photography

Michelle and Scott - Engagement Session at Griffith Park Observatory and Los Feliz

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:56:00 +0000

I usually capitalize the word LOVE when I write, because of the obvious... it's what I photograph

best, it deserves the attention!

When I first met with Michelle and Scott at their home, the first thing I noticed on their wall was the infamous 'LOVE' piece, then on Michelle's facebook page, then in sculpture... and I got it. We were officially a photographer-client match made in heaven and we would have incorporate LOVE into their engagement session at Griffith Park Observatory, aside from the emotions already there of course. Sprinkled in with a few of Michelle's father's wedding gifts including 'His Needs, Her Needs' book (I am still giggling a bit) I think our mission was accomplished.

What a sweet sweet afternoon, and a sexy little evening to finish. Congratulations Michelle and Scott, I am SO excited to be documenting your wedding day in just a few short months!!

mmP on Huffington Post - First Anniversary of the Royal Wedding with Harmony Walton of the Bridal Bar

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Well I tell ya, never in my wildest dreams (and my dreams are pretty big!) did I imagine I'd have mmP images standing along side Prince William and Kate (or Carolina Herrera for that matter). But thanks to Harmony Walton of the prestigious Bridal Bar and the Huffington Post here we are!

Congratulations to the beautiful, and inspiring in pure human kindness Will and Kate on your first Anniversary. I am proud to have my name and images by you any day.

Megan and Andrew's Engagement Session at Cal State Pasadena, CA

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:02:00 +0000

Little did Andrew know, when he was a wee undergrad at Caltech Pasadena that he would one day be asked to frolic, smooch and adorn his campus with his beautiful fiance Megan. And little did Megan's brother in Law know that his architectural accomplishments at Bodega Winebar would serve as an e-session backdrop and finishing toasts to a successful and LOVE filled afternoon. Megan and Andrew, you are where quirky and sweet intersect. You are a pleasure to be around and to capture of course, and I can't wait for your wedding day at Shutters on the Beach this August!!

http://www.caltech.edu/

Jennifer and Mohammed - Wedding at Temescal Canyon and The Victorian

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Remember that REALLY rainy, windy Saturday last month? The one before the LA Marathon, the one that made us all exclaim 'but we live in Southern California, we're not supposed to have weather like this!' Well my friends, this here is a product of that day. And for some reason, and not the least bit surprising, every part of Jennifer and Mohammed's wedding that they had planned to be outside for, the sun came out for a visit. Then the moment they were back inside it disappeared and the rains began all over again.

The weather seemed to fit just perfectly, in unity and strength and sync, just like Jennifer and Mohammed together. From the time I spent with them at our initial meeting and their engagement session all the way through their wedding walk through and wedding day, they carried the same ease, humor and simple joy of celebration. It's to no surprise their wedding was filled with some of the kindest folks I've photographed at a wedding.

Congratulations Jennifer and Mohammed!!

Photographers are a Jeweler's Best Friend

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Stacy Kottle of Nolan LA's words couldn't 'ring' (yes, pun intended) truer when she says 'A ring is never quite complete until someone puts it on. But on the finger of the bride-to-be, it becomes part of something much bigger.'

And the rest of her words just leave me blushing. But it's true, those little tingles that make your arm hairs stand are what I aim for when I photograph. We are emotional beings (whether we like admit it or not!) and life's moments worth documenting should do exactly that, document... capture... and preserve.

Thank you Nolan LA! Your words are as beautiful as your jewels and I am proud and delighted to be a 'jeweler's best friend'

Click HERE to see Nolan LA's full post!

The Year of the Dragon

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Since the end of January (the 23rd to be exact) I've seen glimpses of celebration and ornament representations of the Chinese Year of the Dragon. It's to no surprise that I ended up photographing at least one celebration, and to my delight it was used to raise funds for a special foundation gifting families and organizations who care for disabled children (Aiden's Red Envelope Foundation). A huge thank you to Hillary and Robyn of A Gadsby Affair for bringing me into document your visions for such a wonderful foundation.

I of course had to see for myself what this dragon business was all about and this is what I found: "The Chinese consider that the dragon is unpredictable, untouchable and people cannot see its head and tail at the same time. Therefore, we can might see something unexpected happening in 2012". I don't know about you but this excites me.

'Unexpected' leads to hope, to change, and to new and exciting adventures. I'm raising a glass to that.

celebrating LOVE on Valentines Day

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:49:00 +0000

celebrate LOVE, celebrate it LOUD. Most of all, celebrate the gift that you can give and receive this LOVE every day of the year.

Allie and Cary - Wedding at the Hotel Bel Air

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:36:00 +0000

When Aileen called me from Toronto a few weeks ago and asked if I would photograph her sisters’ elopement (as a surprise!), I found that by the end of our conversation I had tears in my eyes. She arranged to arrive at the Hotel Bel Air with a bouquet and a photographer (me) so that her sister Allie and fiancé Cary could elope privately as planned, but with a few traditional touches to make the day that much more special. I was smitten by her kindness and love...

Sometimes the most intimate affairs show the most grandiose of celebration, simply by the amount of love there is. This was no exception.

Congratulations Allie and Cary, I toast to you all the way from Bel Air to Toronto and I am so grateful to have had the pleasure of documenting your beautiful wedding!

Jennifer and Mohammed - Engagement session at Gondola Getaways, Long Beach and Naples Canals

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Ok folks get ready for a romantic gondola ride like you’ve never experienced before, in Long Beach, California!! You heard me, who needs Italy?! I thought I had it good with Venice Beach canals (well, I do, they’re beautiful and I LOVE shooting there check out my last post!), but the Gondola Getaway in Long Beach graduated me to an actual boat ride, who knew!

Jennifer and Mohammed are superstars, and supermodels, seriously they belong in a magazine. They are so naturally in love that it not only made my job easy, it made it that much more FUN. Their comfort in ‘belonging to each other’ allowed an adventure to form out of an hour-long excursion and a few cocktails at their favorite hang out (that’s Michael’s on Naples in case you’re looking for some amazing Italian eats).

If you’re looking for an engagement session idea that is unique and timeless I strongly suggest Gondola Getaway. Their staff is so friendly and welcoming I think I’ve just added it to a ‘lucky couple gift giveaway’.

Congratulations Jennifer and Mohammed, your wedding this March is going to be gorgeous and I cannot WAIT to continue capturing your wedding story, I’m looking forward to some big celebrations!!

Linda and Sean - Venice Beach Canals Engagement Session

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:42:00 +0000

Man, do I feel lucky.

I feel like that should be my whole blog post… but I won’t do that, at the risk of sounding like a braggart please allow me to explain myself. My luck stems from a ‘gratitude luck’. A luck that the Venice Beach Canals are just minutes away (and we don’t have to fly to Italy to create these images!). Luck that the sunsets in Southern California are INSANE with beauty this time of year. Most of all, luck (and gratitude) that I have the coolest clients in the world.

Linda and Sean you are playful, you are lovable (and loving), you are fearless and welcoming and I cannot WAIT to capture your wedding this coming May. Saddle Rock Ranch you don’t know what’s comin’ your way but I’ll tell you, it’s a whole lot of fun.

Congratulations Linda and Sean!

Resolutions for the New Year - 2012

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:43:00 +0000

This IS a year to shine. For me, for you, for your loved ones, and our shared global community.

I've heard this many times over the years but I only really, truly realized recently that you (I, we) have all the power in the world to create the exact life we want to live. We have the power to create supportive and prosperous environments that bring us success, in whichever way we choose to define success. Here it is bold and clear and SHINING before our eyes.
I've declared this year a year to shine. Do the things that make you shine inside and speak and act in ways that will shine onto others. Greet every experience like an opportunity for growth and I'll do the same. This is a good year for us, I can feel it.

Family Holiday Session Los Angeles

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:28:00 +0000

this are a few of my favorite things... giggles.

Nicole and John - Wedding at Sportsman Lodge in Studio City, CA

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:43:00 +0000

Nicole and John’s wedding was officially my last of the season. I for one like to finish my season off with spunk, and as you’ll see below I had the perfect couple to do so with!

Now, Nicole (the spunky bride) brought DIY to a whole new level… one that I had never seen before. Ok, she has a few points on her side seeing that she studied fashion design but seriously, she made her own SHOES!! And her dress.. and every center piece, bouquet, table linen…. You get the drift. When I was cruising through the reception hall capturing details there were at least two groups of people (non guests) who went by asking me if I know who the planner was, really!

So with this post I will have to congratulate Nicole and John on their wedding (of course), but I will secondly have to congratulate Nicole for an INCREDIBLE job on designing her wedding… and a third congratulations to her amazing friends and family for their support in putting it all together.

Studio City’s Sportsman Lodge was the perfect venue for Nicole and John. The day unfolded magnificently and I couldn’t be happier to have captured it all.

ENJOY!

Project Access Keys To Success Gala ~ Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:16:00 +0000

Recently, I was invited by A Gadsby Affair to document the ‘Keys to Success Gala’ they were planning for Project Access at theRitz Carlton, Laguna Niguel. I jumped at the opportunity when Hillary (owner of Gadsby) described the details she was putting together for the evening, but nothing could have prepared me for this incredible gathering...

In thanks to the performers at Fire and Ice, tasting display by Michael David Winery, featured cocktails from Blue Ice Vodka (and the many giving companies and organizations who supported the event), I was provided with a splendor of color and magnificence to document. Here’s a glimpse from the evening.

Please share your comments below, we welcome you!!

Kristen and Matt ~ Wedding at Bella Victorian Vineyards

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:24:00 +0000

Every few months over the course of the year I received a text with a photo of a wedding detail. Like an antique key or something with teal blue lace or peacock feathers... And every one of these ‘teasers’ kept me on my toes with anticipation for Kristen and Matt’s big day. When it all came to life I was simply put, in LOVE.

I have to give incredible Kudos to Bella Victorian Vineyards for presenting the perfect backdrop, to Flour LA for creating the most unique floral bouquets I’ve every seen (seriously, you’ll see below), Marieve Herrington Band for their sweet melodies, and to Stacey of Stacey Lynn Designsfor pulling it all together seamlessly, most of all the biggest Kudos goes to Kristen herself, for her vision of a wedding, unique in style and persona.

Even more wonderful to witness then the details, or capture as a photographer would put it, was the unity of a romance that started back in high-school almost eleven years ago. Theirs is such a sweet sweet story that has a certain timeless feel to it. Kristen and Matt remind me of my grandparents who were married for 62 years, who never spent a day apart and held hands through it all. I want to shout out (at the top of my lungs) a huge thank you to Heather for adding talents in associate shooting with me and to Megan for boldly manning the fabulous photo booth (that Kristen also designed!).

I have had so much FUN spending time with Kristen and Matt (especially since Matt LOVES hamming it up for the camera and it’s not often I get a groom that does as much as him!). But not just because of that. They are true, and real, and a ball to be around. I wish 62 years and more to hold hands and dance and make funny faces at the camera. Congratulations to you!!

Matt is sad only because he thinks he's going to miss out completely on bacon wrapped scallops. Don't worry Matt, they have a secret stash waiting for you just around the corner...

Oh.... and here's a little photo booth teaser!!!

Please leave us your comments below, we welcome them!!

Andrea and Joaquin ~ Maternity Session in Woodland Hills, CA

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:53:00 +0000

Everything pink is about to bless Andrea and Joaquin’s world… and she’s going to be one lucky little lady.

Congratulations almost-parents, I look forward to meeting Marissa in October!!

We'd love to read your comments below!!

Kelly and Brian ~ New England Wedding in Cape Cod

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 18:00:00 +0000

I’m going to split this post into two parts, partly because there are so many images to share. But mainly, because Kelly and Brian’s rehearsal dinner and wedding day are each unique in style and hold great homage to their environment and setting.

So first the rehearsal dinner: It made such perfect sense that Kelly and Brian hold their rehearsal dinner right on the water, at a seafood/steak restaurant. They were after all in Cape Cod for their wedding. The Landfall in Woods Hole was so authentic and filled with New England charm. With Lobster bibs and steak knifes at every table, Kelly and Brian’s immediate family and wedding party of 40+ people (!!) were given the perfect setting to feast and celebrate the incoming wedding.

Now, you might wonder about my choice of wording, incoming? Well their wedding wasn’t the only scheduled ‘incoming’ event. It was also the same weekend that Hurricane Irene was due to hit. But, we were here, Bride and Groom, church and venue, cameras, and a few plastic bags and umbrellas ready for cover. What I found so fascinating at The Landfall restaurant was what they would do in preparation for the storm. They simply remove all doors and windows from the hinges, lift the floor boards, clear the rooms, and allow the rains to literally, wash through. How cool is that!! Ok, but back to Kelly and Brian, and their fabulous rehearsal dinner… here are a few images to recap the night, ENJOY!!

Part II … the wedding extravaganza!

I had been looking forward to photographing Kelly and Brian’s wedding for almost a year. Brian and I attended art together and Kelly, well, I felt like I had known Kelly for ten years as well after having spent 20 minutes with her in our initial meeting.

Kelly and Brian’s wedding, was as they called it ‘Red Sox Marries a Yankee’. I’m not completely positive which came from which side but the wedding day held the quaint décor and style of New England and was married effortlessly with bold, hardcore party. Having grown up in Upstate New York, this is a type of celebration setting I know very well, and love. They were married at the sweet

St Thomas Chapel and celebrated at the Coonamessett Inn.

Oh, and hands down, 57Heavy is one of the best event bands I have EVER heard. Whoever can perform Rusted Root and Lady Gaga in the same set and so amazingly so that even had to put down the camera and dance, well they go straight to the top of my list.

Congratulations Kelly and Brian, it was an honor to document your wedding story, from your engagement and onto your wedding weekend.

Kelly was interviewed for Fox News, see the clip here!!

And shortly after the interview she makes and assessment of the storm threatening skies

Please share your comments with us below!!!

Lily's Family session ~ Huntington Beach

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:19:00 +0000

The other day I posted something on the mmP facebook pageabout how one of the perks of photographing weddings is photographing maternity sessions and family. Well folks, here’s a visual testament.

I love photographing private sessions, or ‘play dates’ as I call them, not just because it keeps me working (says the business owner) because I’m given the chance to continue relationships that are created when I work with a couple at their wedding (that part comes from Maya, an artist).

See, photographing a couples’ wedding is an intimate experience. I’m invited to witness, closer then any of their loved ones, every moment of their day. I’m a true believer of ‘like attracts like’ and I often find that when I hand over proofs and albums I’m sad. I’ve just spent so much time and energy learning about the newlyweds and getting to know them only to say goodbye. Lucky for me ‘then comes the baby and the baby carriage!’

Corinne and Justin were married in 2009 at the Red Horse Barn in Huntington Beach (you can revisit their wedding post here). At my initial meeting with Corinne, before we realized it an hour had gone by and we were in deep discussions over her travels as a journalist and my documentary and educational work. Thankfully we veered back on track to wedding talk, and a few months later I captured a gorgeous day, a gorgeous couple, and an incredible love fest amongst their loved ones.

When I received baby Lily’s birth announcement a year later I was smitten. I went back to her photo over and over again wondering to myself how a newborn could possibly have a smile as contagious and hers. I am SO happy to have witnessed this smile in person. She’s now six months old, and her smile is six times more contagious then before. As grandma Linda said ‘now Maya, you’re about to see the cream of the crop’. Biased yes, but also true.

Thank you Corinne for continuing our relationship and inviting me to witness and capture the little moments, from Champagne wedding toasts to tea party picnics, and many more moments to come.

Going straight off of memory, in a different season, on a different time of day, I say we did pretty well in comparison. I'm thinking this is the beginning of a family tradition....

mmP would love to hear your comments! Please share below!!

Miranda and Chris's wedding at the Skirball Cultural Center

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Holy moly, I can’t believe I just spent almost a week putting a wedding preview together. Ok ok, in my defense it is mid season and I had a few shoots and edits throughout, but I have grown to be totally obsessed with Miranda and Chris’s images because I’m so in LOVE!!

Miranda and I met early in the year when hers and Chris’s wedding day plans were just beginning to solidify. After ten minutes at lunch I knew Miranda was the client for me. She’s honest, bold, she knows exactly what she wants, and it’s all held together with an appreciation for creative expression. All in all, I wasn’t surprised to love both Miranda and Chris because they were referred to me by Brian and Heather who’s wedding I photographed a few years ago, and Brian and Heather already hold a special little place in my heart.

Miranda and Chris’s wedding weekend began at the Daily Grillwith a casual rehearsal dinner full of laughter and the kind of energy that arises only when you know there’s a deep history of memories and love between everyone in the room. The wedding was held at the Skirball Cultural Center. I’m not even going to try to describe the beauty of their location, I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves.

What I would like to describe however is how impressed I was with how Miranda and Chris’s wedding progressed both in style and energy throughout the day. Starting as early as the days’ preparations, the Luxe Sunset Blvd Hotel served as a modern backdrop for Miranda and Chris’s chic details (and anticipation moments of course). The ceremony, quaintly decorated with cherry blossoms by Tic Toc Couture Florals, connected the wedding to Miranda’s Chinese heritage and served as a serene backdrop to Miranda and Chris’s sweet vow exchange. The cocktail hour and welcoming reception foyer, were hinted with bits of red and gold which progressed to the lush reception, which was rich and bold and screamed ‘celebration!!’. Even during the reception, the amazing sounds of the LA All Stars band, graduated to DJ T-Wayne‘s beats. All of these incredible details were lawlessly coordinated by Michael Willms and his team at Entertainment Design Events. I have to say, I am one impressed photographer.

I want to thank Kris, my right arm, my third (and fourth) eye, my associate extraudinaire for her amazing energy and talents and to Christina, my newest team member for lugging, and plugging, and all the in betweens through out the day.

Congratulations Miranda and Chris!! It was an honor to witness and capture your special day… onto the master edit!

Angie and Jason ~ Intimate wedding in Glendale CA

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:19:00 +0000

Dear Angie and Jason,

I’ve decided to format this blog post differently then how I usually do. I’ve decided to address this to you personally and whole heartedly, just like you did for each other at your intimate wedding vows ceremony atVerdugo Adobe Park in Glendale last Sunday evening. This is the first time I’ve photographed a wedding with a guest count of, well, one (me, can I say I was a guest?). Can I tell the world about your sweet gestures and honest promises to each other? Can I tell the world about how Jason kept me laughing with his hysterical portrait suggestion (no I’m not posting your street sofa and port-o-potty shots here sorry!), and Angie bringing tears to my eyes with her sentimental gestures and adornments? I guess I just did, I just had to!

I adore you both, I have enjoyed so much spending time with you over the past few years and Angie I you are one of the Los Angeles friendships I value the most. Having you invite me to capture your vow exchange was not only flattering, but it reminded me that love like yours, and marriage, grows over years to a place that can be celebrated just as loudly and vibrantly alone, just the two of you, as it would be if you had two hundred guests in the grandest of venues. To see that was just so sweet.

I congratulate you both. I am so proud to have been there to bear witness and capture.

Love,

maya

For those of you who have just fallen in love with this fabulous coupel, Angie is a superb marketing executive at her own firm Lucky Marketing Firm, and Jason is the executive producer at Clear Channel Talk KFI -AM/LOS ANGELES. Look them up, it’s worth it!!

Destination Wedding Photography adventures with Hurricane Irene

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Last Thursday my associate Kris and I flew to Boston, MA for a little Cape Cod destination wedding on the coastal town of Falmouth, for an old college friend of mine. What started out as a well planned out summer beachy destination wedding assignment, quickly turned into a weather anticipating and nerve racking ‘will Irene hit us’, slash, prepare rain protection for our gear and selves to make sure that no matter what, the show will go on and we WILL achieve our shot list (including much requested beachy portraits).

We decided that since the storm was due to hit on Sunday and the wedding was still in full force as planned for Saturday, we would focus all of our energies to photographing the wedding successfully and manage our ‘escape route’ the following day. This means, Sunday morning in a mostly deserted Inn with live weather coverage on every television, computer, ipad, and phone screen: I needed to manage our getting off the storm surge threatened island safely, tracking our cancelled flight (downright impossible), ensuring proper accommodations for myself and my associate until we could fly back east, and of course, protecting all those precious photographs.

This was an adventure. I have to say that in no major way were we in real danger and in the grand scheme of things we are EXTREMELY lucky to not have been. My heart goes out to anyone and everyone who was impacted by the storm. But we did face travel obstacles, accommodations mishaps, and the simple fact that we’d been living and breathing each other’s space for six days, if any of my fellow wedding photographer friends are reading this, you know that coupled with the exhaustion of shooting a wedding, this is no easy challenge.

Through it all however, the most present moments were filled with laughter. Like, uncontrollable giggles laughter, the ridiculous kind that makes no sense and leaves your cheeks aching. I repeatedly found myself excited at the fact that I get to have these adventures. I got to try and grocery shop in 40 mile winds with a defunct poncho that served mostly as a necklace (or noose depending on my direction). I got to travel and meet fascinating people, and witness milestones to people’s lives who were at some point a part of my life. I got to become better friends with my associate. I got to scroll down my Boston contacts list and reconnect with a former client whom I adore. Most of all, I got to enjoy my work. I got to ‘make the most’ of a situation that was in natures hands.
And, I got to Let Go.

Nicole John ~ Engagement session in Downtown Los Angeles

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 05:20:00 +0000

Well folks it’s official, Nicole and John have kissed their way through downtown LA, and I was there to bear witness, or capture. And what a FUN evening it was!

No matter how many times I’ve made my way through this part of town (shooting or no shooting, kisses or no kisses), I’m amazed with how different it can look. There are so many great spots that within just two and a half hours, an engagement session can look as if we spent all day traveling between towns and cities. This is one of the many things I love about Los Angeles. I could go on and on about my findings… but lets get back to Nicole and John, this is their moment Maya! We started the evening at the Exposition Park Rose Garden where they had their first date almost ten years ago (insert sweet smile). Then with a quick yet dramatic outfit change (ladies you have GOT to check out Nicole’s jacket!), onto Walt Disney Concert Hall for a touch of architecture and the ‘like no other city’ feel. One of the things I love most about bringing couples to a location I’ve shot at before is seeing how I ‘see’ the place differently and how personalities can shape the session into a brand new scene. This was definitely the case here. Last, we found a few little hidden treasures while en route to Casa, for celebratory margaritas and a few last canoodles to capture. All in all, a fabulous session.

Nicole and John, you are vibrant with love and life. I can picture your bold colors and pumping wedding dance beats and I am SOOOO looking forward to your October wedding!! You guys are awesome (seriously, I mean that, we're totally hanging out for Margaritas again)!!

mmP image for Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS)

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:21:00 +0000

A few months ago I photographed Human Rights Watch's annual Voices for Justice, a star studded performance at the Broad Stage Theater in Santa Monica, where human rights heros were recognized and honored. One of the honorees was Rachel Lloyd, founder and executive director of GEMS.
I was instantly drawn to hear more about her work and more so instantly drawn to donating however I can to her mission. When her team contacted me a few weeks later about using one of my images on their site I jumped at the chance, and doors were opened to what I hope will be a growing relationship and empowering support to helping girls across our country (yes, our very own) survive an epidemic of sexual exploitation for a billion dollar trafficking industry.

Girls Educational &amp; Mentoring Services (GEMS) is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS was founded in 1998 by Rachel Lloyd, a young woman who had been commercially sexually exploited as a teenager. GEMS has helped hundreds of young women and girls, ages 12–24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change.

To join their campaign of 'Girls Are Not For Sale' please click here.

Location Scout ~ Bella Victorian Vineyard

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:19:00 +0000

'Happiness is like a butterfly;

the more you chase it,

the more it will elude you,

but you turn your attention to other things, it will

come and sit softly on your shoulder ...' (Thoreau)

... or on a barrel of flowers while you're location scouting Bella Victorian Vineyards

Holga Camera ~ and Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (maya|myers Photography) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:59:00 +0000

This for meditation. This is for anyone who like me, likes to take a break from the screen.