Past Projects & Archive Archives - Naomi Maya

Behind the scenes of a Fantasy Shoot!

Naomi Maya — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:27:07 +0000

Focal was kind enough to come along with me on a Children’s Fantasy session and shoot and behind-the-scenes video so you can all see what goes on!

Take a look at the making of the photo!

The shoot:

https://youtu.be/RHtF0B4pKKw

The edit:

Then, once the session is over.. I use multiple images to piece together one final composite. Using digital brushes, I also draw in missing pieces or add final touches! The editing process usually takes 2 to 3 hours per image! (Sometimes more, depending on the image.) Check out the video below for a sped-up view of editing!

https://youtu.be/mD2AWd_DE_c

This is sped up and cut to the most interesting parts… the actual photo took 3 hours to create!

View the final image in my Fantasy gallery here.

Want to learn more about my children’s photography or see more Fantasy Children’s Sessions? Check out my site! Based in Victoria, BC.

The post Behind the scenes of a Fantasy Shoot! appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Halloween Fantasy Photos

Naomi Maya — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 00:12:50 +0000

This year was the first year that I offered Children’s Halloween Sessions! It was a great experience and the kids seemed to have a lot of fun! I will share some of the images below. Had lots of witches!

Batman flew by for a photo too!

We also had Wonder Woman and the youngest was a 2-year-old Batman!

And last but not least, a couple more beautiful witches!

I’m looking forward to next Halloween already!

Check out my other Fantasy Photos here. Or Family photography session info here.

Thanks for reading!

The post Halloween Fantasy Photos appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Medieval Wedding Photoshoot at Hatley Castle

Naomi Maya — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 23:44:14 +0000

A fairytale photoshoot at Hatley Castle

The post Medieval Wedding Photoshoot at Hatley Castle appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Children’s Fine Art Photography – Catching Fireflies

Naomi Maya — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 00:47:44 +0000

A magical fine art photo session in the forest

Children’s photo session: catching fireflies! I love how kids are so inquisitive and love finding the tiniest creatures on earth.

I’ve always been fascinated by fireflies since I was a kid. I’d never actually seen them growing up, but I knew about them and I had my own little “glow worm” toy as a child.

For a while now, I envisioned a photo session with kids searching for fireflies in the woods! This session took a few tries, as it’s tricky to shoot moving subjects in low light. But it was worth persevering for!

The kids had a good time trying to catch little insects! This is a Children’s “Fine Art & Fantasy” session because they were actually catching flying ants and other flying bugs, not fireflies (since they don’t live in this area!) The “fireflies” were illuminated afterward with the help of Photoshop!

Once the kids started acting silly and making faces, I knew it was time to call it a night and take them out for ice cream, as promised!

Want to learn more about my family photography or see more Fanstasy Children’s Sessions? Check out my site! Based in Victoria, BC.

Do I still do these kinds of fantasy sessions?

The arrival of AI images and the increasing accessibility of photo manipulation tools have shifted the landscape of photography, leading me to reassess my approach to fantasy photo shoots. While I once reveled in the creative freedom and whimsical storytelling of fantasy photography, the proliferation of digitally altered images has diluted the novelty and significance of the genre. With the ease at which anyone can manipulate photos without specialized skills, the authenticity and craftsmanship that defined fantasy photography have become overshadowed by mass-produced, algorithm-generated imagery. As a result, I find myself drawn towards more authentic and tangible forms of expression, prioritizing genuine moments and connections captured through the lens over elaborate digital compositions. While the allure of fantasy photography still lingers, I am guided by a desire to preserve the integrity and artistry of the craft amidst a sea of artificial imagery, choosing quality over quantity in an increasingly digital world.

The photos you see above are exactly that – photos. They were not created with any sort of AI app. The magical essence was created by hand with a digital pen on a tablet. I painted in the light on the fireflies and added a touch of light and shadows in an artistic way, but they are real moments captured forever.

The post Children’s Fine Art Photography – Catching Fireflies appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Saanichton Sunflower Festival – Photo Location

Naomi Maya — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:25:55 +0000

A trip to the sunflower field at Ocean View Estates

I saw a post on facebook about a sunflower field in North Saanich. I’d never been there, since we just moved to the Island last year.. but it looked really pretty from the photos.

The only memories I had of sunflower fields were from when I was traveling in Germany several years ago. I knew I wanted to go see this one! And of course, bring my camera! What a great place for photos!

Imagining a photoshoot in a sunflower field fills me with excitement and anticipation. Picture yourself surrounded by endless rows of vibrant yellow blooms, their cheerful faces turning towards the sun. As you wander through the field, the gentle breeze carries the sweet scent of flowers, and the golden hues of the sun cast a warm glow over everything. With each step, you’re enveloped in a sense of joy and wonder, feeling as if you’ve stepped into a painting of pure happiness. The sunflowers stand tall and proud, providing a stunning backdrop for playful poses and candid moments. Whether you’re striking a pose amidst the towering blooms or twirling with abandon in the open space, every frame is infused with the energy and vibrancy of the sunflower field. It’s not just a photoshoot; it’s an unforgettable experience, filled with the beauty of nature in full bloom.

There were apparently 7 different types of sunflowers planted here! I could definitely spot 4 different kids, but I either missed the other 3, or they were too similar for me to notice that they were different!

I bought two sunflowers, which we picked and cut ourselves and brought home to dry for the seeds. (Photographed below.) Unfortunately, we didn’t know at the time that we should have picked ones that looked sort of dead and wilted or the seeds wouldn’t be fully developed! We did manage to dry the heads and get the seeds out, but they were SO tiny and too much effort to get out!

We stayed for about an hour and a half, while the sun went down and watched a beautiful sunset on the farm. What a great evening!

Want to see more of my photography? Check out my site! Based in Victoria, BC.

Considering a photoshoot here?

Picture this: you and your partner, surrounded by the golden glow of a sunflower field, your laughter mingling with the gentle rustle of petals in the breeze. As a couples photographer, I invite you to join me for a magical photoshoot amidst nature’s most cheerful blooms. Let’s capture the joy and connection between you two as you explore the sun-kissed pathways, stealing kisses amidst the towering sunflowers. With each click of the camera, we’ll freeze moments of love and laughter, creating timeless memories that you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, an engagement, or simply the beauty of your love, a sunflower field photoshoot promises an enchanting experience filled with warmth, laughter, and endless golden hues.

So, are you ready to make memories that bloom as brightly as the sunflowers themselves? Let’s make magic together amidst the beauty of nature’s most radiant backdrop.

The Saanichton sunflower festival is only open seasonally for a very short time each year. Don’t miss it! Extremely limited time slots will be available. Sign up for my newsletter (at the bottom of the page) to be notified when booking opens for these sessions.

The post Saanichton Sunflower Festival – Photo Location appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Travel Blog: Morning at the Graveyard (Cemiterio dos Prazeres, Lisbon, Portugal)

Naomi Maya — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 03:27:58 +0000

Morning At The Graveyard (Lisbon, Portugal)

Who knew graveyards closed?! Yesterday, we arrived 10 minutes after 5pm, and they wouldn’t let us in. So this morning, we got up early and bused it over for opening time. It was a cold and brisk morning, but so worth getting up early to get there before any other visitors.

This graveyard might be typical of Portugal (I assume it is) but it’s very different from a Canadian graveyard. There was no grass. Instead it was like streets lined with tiny houses. The tombs varied immensely from one to the next – some huge and ornate, while others literally just looked like globs of concrete.

It was a bit eerie at times, but fascinating too. I think we must have spent 2 hours there, just taking it all in and trying to decipher certain monuments.

Some streets were lined with trees, others weren’t.

The graveyard was set atop a mountain and wonderful views of the city could be had from various points. Some areas were quite steep and you had to take stairs. Though these “streets” were paved, there were no cars allowed in.

Official name: Cemiterio dos Prazeres, Lisbon (Translation: Cemetey of ‘Pleasures’)

The doors were often glass, and hanging in front was a curtain, usually lace. Sometimes, it was broken and you could see inside and actually see the caskets. (Which were often also covered with lace.)

I didn’t get too close to the “open” tombs – and definitely didn’t peer inside the one where the casket was falling off the shelf – as had happened at least a couple of times that I could see.

I later found out that this cemetery was created in 1833 after the outbreak of a cholera epidemic in Lisbon and they needed a new place to bury the dead in a short amount of time. That would possibly explain the large number of infant sized coffins I saw. I didn’t look for the dates as I didn’t know at the time what had happened.

This is a partial view of the “25 de Abril” bridge in Lisbon, which looks remarkably similar to the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, although it was designed by a different American company.

This was one of the first areas we visited. If I remember correctly, I think firefighters are buried here, but since I don’t read Portuguese, I am sort of guessing. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

From what I gathered, they often depicted the person’s death on their tomb (rather than telling about their life, as we do in Canada). They seemed to show a lot more grief in their statues, a lot of skeletons and not many angels, like I am used to. There was also no shortage of stray cats roaming around.

Though many look very similar, there are many very unique structures too.. Above left looks like a church while the middle looks like a giant lava rock or a blob of cement (strangely, there were many like this), and the right photo looks like a castle. Below is the largest tomb I saw which seemed to belong to one family.

Above: I’m not sure what this building was. It was within the cemetery gates so I assumed a place where they hold funerals or cremations.

Above: Interestingly (or sadly), in between these “streets” they buried people in the ground with small headstones, which you would never know existed unless you squeezed through between two of the houses and around behind.

Below: what you see hidden behind the street above. Maybe these are the people without much money…

Time flew by (which tends to happen when I have a camera in my hand) and before I knew it we’d been there 2 hours. The crisp morning air had disappeared and we found ourselves among tourists and a few locals coming to pay their respects. It was time to catch the train back to town and find a place for lunch!

If you’re ever in Lisbon, I highly recommend you add this place to your must-see list.

And that’s the end of the road, folks. Thanks for reading!

The post Travel Blog: Morning at the Graveyard (Cemiterio dos Prazeres, Lisbon, Portugal) appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Paco the Deer – Eco Reserve, Ojen, Spain

Naomi Maya — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 12:16:39 +0000

Feeding the deer at the eco-reserve, Ojen, Spain

I had the priviledge of visiting a very special place in Andalucia, the Eco Reserva. It was a previous hunting ground now converted to a refuge for animals. Some very committed and passionate people worked hard to make this happen, and I’m so grateful there are people like that in the world!

Paco, a young deer, is very friendly to visitors as he’s been on the reserve since he was a baby. We set out to find him.

Not long after, he came to us and the children could feed him. What a magical experience!

There are many other animals here at the refuge that deserve mention (and photos!) but I will save them for another post! Stay tuned for more to come!

If you want to visit the Eco Reserve, here is a link to their website!

https://ecoreservaojen.com/en/the-ecoreserva

They are located in Southern Spain, near Ojen. Their website has a map and contact details.

The Eco Reserve in Ojen, Spain, is a sanctuary of natural beauty and biodiversity nestled in the heart of the Andalusian countryside. This pristine reserve offers a haven for wildlife and a tranquil retreat for nature enthusiasts seeking to reconnect with the earth. With its diverse ecosystems, including lush forests, rolling hills, and crystal-clear streams, the Eco Reserve provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventures and eco-friendly experiences. Visitors can explore winding trails, observe native flora and fauna, and immerse themselves in the serene ambiance of this protected paradise. Whether hiking through ancient woodlands, birdwatching by a babbling brook, or simply soaking in the breathtaking vistas, the Eco Reserve in Ojen invites travelers to embrace the wonders of the natural world and foster a deeper appreciation for our planet’s fragile ecosystems.

View more of my fine art children’s photography on my website!

The post Paco the Deer – Eco Reserve, Ojen, Spain appeared first on Naomi Maya.

Lisbon in 48 hours

Naomi Maya — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 17:49:00 +0000

Travel Blog: Two days in Lisbon, Portugal

The kids had a week off school and I got to escape for 2 nights to Lisbon to visit a friend! That’s the second time in 8 years that I’ve had 100% kid-free time for more than 24 hours in a row! I need to get out more. lol

Wandering through the enchanting streets of Lisbon, Portugal, is like stepping into a vibrant mosaic of history, culture, and art. The city’s signature tiled buildings, adorned with traditional azulejos, paint a kaleidoscope of colors against the backdrop of the bright Mediterranean sun. Each tile tells a story, depicting scenes from Portugal’s past or offering intricate patterns that dance along the facades of centuries-old buildings. But Lisbon is more than just its iconic tiles; it’s a city of contrasts, where ancient architecture coexists harmoniously with modern street art and graffiti. From the narrow alleyways of Alfama to the bustling boulevards of Baixa, every corner reveals a new surprise, a new layer of Lisbon’s rich tapestry waiting to be explored.

As the iconic tram cars rattle along the city’s steep hills, you can’t help but feel transported back in time, to an era when these charming vehicles were the heartbeat of Lisbon’s public transportation system. Their bright yellow exteriors stand out against the backdrop of cobblestone streets and pastel-colored buildings, offering a nostalgic journey through the city’s past and present. And speaking of streets, Lisbon’s are a maze of narrow lanes and hidden passageways, where every turn reveals a new treasure waiting to be discovered. It’s easy to lose yourself in the labyrinth of Alfama or the winding alleys of Bairro Alto, but getting lost is all part of the adventure in this captivating city.

As a traveler from Victoria, BC, Lisbon offered a welcome departure from the lush landscapes and laid-back vibes of my hometown. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of this bustling European capital, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity and connection. Perhaps it was the warmth of the locals or the welcoming embrace of the city’s vibrant neighborhoods. Or maybe it was the striking juxtaposition of old and new, tradition and innovation, that resonated with me. Whatever the reason, Lisbon left an indelible mark on my heart in just two short days, making it an unforgettable experience that I’ll cherish for a lifetime. From the tiled facades to the colorful graffiti, Lisbon captured my imagination and ignited my sense of wanderlust, leaving me longing to return and explore more of its wonders.

Coming from North America where everything is so “new”, Europe often feels like a movie set to me. Somehow the city felt older than Marbella. Maybe it is. I’m not up on my history!

There were so many pigeons on these buildings I couldn’t capture them all! You can see a lot on the balconies, but this isn’t all of them!

I love how one bird is sitting backwards to the others!

We spent the second morning walking around the graveyard, which was fascinating and somewhat creepy at times (a few coffins were visible). Here’s the blog post on the graveyard in Lisbon

The famous tram line #28 (above) and helper tram (below)

This was the most amazing pink sky!!

That’s all folks! Hope you enjoyed the photos!

I am a Victoria, BC photographer who shoots travel, nature and fine art for fun, and weddings and portraits for work!

The post Lisbon in 48 hours appeared first on Naomi Maya.

My favourite place in Spain

Naomi Maya — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:07:00 +0000

Our Spanish Finca in Andalucia

My husband and I bought a little piece of land in the Spanish Countryside. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it!? Our closest neighbors are 1km away, on either side.

This blog post is just to share a little piece of that with you.

Our lands is only a 1/4 of an acre, but it’s in the midst of a huge protected nature reserve. We aren’t allowed to build anything larger than a 16 square foot cabin – technically it is just supposed to be a tool shed for our gardening tools. My husband starting building it 4 years ago, and it’s still in process. I guess we all get too distracted just enjoying nature to actually do any work while we’re there!

Our little cabin – yet to be finished!

My favourite thing about being there is probably that my kids just happily play for hours, without fighting. My next favourite thing is witnessing the daily walk of the goats from our neighbours campo (“farm” in Spanish). They have about 100 goats who roam down the mountain and pass by our property at about 5pm every day. You can hear them coming because many of them have bells on. As they run down the mountain towards our land, my children yell “the goats are coming!” and we all go down to the river to watch them come take a drink. It’s so peaceful words cannot describe it. Just to sit there and hear no noise from other humans or machines or traffic… just the bells from the goats. We usually sit there silently for several minutes watching them (sometimes taking photos, of course).

The daily walk of the neighbours goats past our finca

Our little piece of heaven is at the bottom of a valley, along a meandering river, which turns to a creek in the summer.

View of the lemon tree orchard from a little hike up the mountain behind us

When the days are warm, we love to cool off by walking up the creek and looking at rocks and searching for frogs or fish.

Me and my youngest “baby”

I have too many photos to put them all in one blog post, so I’ll just choose a few for this time and save the rest for later.

It’s always exciting to go there because the land changes so much with the seasons. In spring it’s very green and lush, but by the end of summer it’s all dry and brown except for the cactus.

Spring time with cabin in background

My husband would like to move here full time. Even though I love it when we come here, I know I’d miss our apartment in the city with all the modern conveniences like running hot water and a flush toilet! But hey, you never know what life will bring. If you’d asked me 10 years ago if I would ever leave Canada, I would have said “no way!” and now look!

Well, that’s all for now folks. I hope these photos inspired you to do some traveling of your own and maybe discover some corners of the earth that you will cherish always. If you want to see more of my travel photography of photos of Spain, you can check out my fine art photography website. Thanks for reading….

The post My favourite place in Spain appeared first on Naomi Maya.