Maria Gabrielle

Older Pics that I should have posted sooner

2011-03-09T08:44:00.005-07:00

These are some pictures I took the day before the Huntington-Croft wedding. Pretty sure this is Laguna Beach, but I did get a bit turned around in the car . . . I stopped when I saw parking near the water. :)

Adria and Dan

2010-11-29T23:33:00.005-07:00

Adria and Dan asked me to step in as the wedding photographer for their wedding in the Mt. Timpanogos Utah LDS temple. I really enjoyed working with this group. Being a wedding photographer lets you meet some pretty awesome folks.

Headshots

2010-09-22T19:29:00.004-06:00

Camella Cañete, Utah Opera coloratura soprano and Hale Center Theatre phenom, needed some headshots one day. With only ten minutes to squeeze a shoot into her hectic schedule, we stepped outside on her front porch and got some good ones. Here is the final result. Both posted are the same shot, but one she used for her HCT audition, and the B&W more formal looking version she uses for opera.

Links to Consignment Work

2010-09-06T15:45:00.003-06:00

As a photographer, it's fun to see stuff I've shot for businesses make its way onto their websites. Note the new "consignment work" links to the right.

My work on those websites is mostly uncredited, but the majority of the product photography you'll see is done by me (though not all the post-processing, so don't judge too harshly on some of those pics . . . it wasn't my fault!).

On the Art + Mary website, my work was done as a second shooter at some of their events, so you'd have to dig a little deeper to find my work. It was so much fun working with Zuzanna and Shalee! They are the brains behind Art + Mary, and I've worked with them as assistant as well as back-up photographer. Can't even tell you cool they are.

Enjoy the links. :)

MariaG

A sneak peak

2010-09-04T23:07:00.002-06:00

To my dear photography blog followers and random visitors alike,

I have so much new stuff to post, I don't know quite where to start. I've shot some weddings, I've shot some product shots, I've worked as a back-up photographer for a couple different photographers, and I've been traveling all over the place. I haven't given up on the blog, though it might look like it currently . . .

Here are a couple pics from the latest wedding I shot. Enjoy and know that more are on the way.

MariaGabrielle

Mary, Mary, so extraordinary!

2010-04-20T16:10:00.008-06:00

Mary is a country girl through and through. She loves anything that takes her into the great outdoors. As a soon-to-be grad from Brigham Young University, she wanted some pics to commemorate the experience and to celebrate her days as an undergrad.

Trunk or Treat

2009-11-15T17:45:00.004-07:00

This past Halloween, I was asked to participate in the community's "Trunk or Treat" activity held at a local church. My assignment? Take pictures of the kids/families as they came by. So I drove my car over, opened up the trunk and draped a white sheet over the back of my car and took some photos, Avedon-style. To me it was obviously a photo-backdrop, but to the kids my car was "the ghost car." Here are a few that I'm pretty happy with. Not having much practice taking pictures of kids, I definitely felt stretched . . . Enjoy the pics!

Dan and Ben Tengelsen in Concert

2009-11-04T12:03:00.002-07:00

Songwriters and talented musicians, Dan and Ben Tengelsen have made a name for themselves on the Utah music circuit. Their concert last month featured some of their old favorites from their first album From the Mountains to the Sea, including "The Ballad of Jimjemal" mixed with some newer tunes. They had a guest appearance from Amy Whitcomb who rocked out on a mix of her own songs finishing up with a rock-edge rendition of "Natural Woman." It was fun to attend and even more fun to photograph. Check out the Tengelsen's music on iTunes -- my own favorite is "Back to You."

"Hot as a hair dryer in your face . . . "

2009-11-03T20:35:00.005-07:00

. . . as U2 phrased it so brilliantly in their song "New York." Although I wasn't in New York for the hottest part of the year, the attitude pulsing through every high street and alleyway was impossible to ignore. These pictures are a few of my impressions and experiences from my two-day stint in the big city this past May.

Sandy M . . . ang ganda-ganda niya!

2009-10-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

The past year and a half has been tough on Sandy. She has put in fifteen to eighteen credits a semester toward her business major (with a marketing minor), taught Tagalog twenty hours a week, all while working through health problems. Ito ang isang napakagaling at masipag na babae! (This is one super talented and hard-working woman!) I loved working with her on this shoot.

Good Friends and October Birthdays

2009-10-21T15:04:00.006-06:00

Adriana and Kortni, long-standing friends and sharers of a birthday month, came to me to take pictures for their joint birthday celebration. They wanted their pictures to reference engagement pictures, while maintaining a "buddies and pals" feel.

Meg and Joe . . . engaged!

2009-10-21T05:00:00.002-06:00

Meg is a law student at BYU and Joe is an accountant for the state of Oregon. They met, became friends, and now--at long last--they're engaged! For the pictures Meg and Joe wanted, we decided on two different locations, one up in the mountains with fall colors and one in a more modern setting. Challenges for the shoot: 1) Rainy weather. This was followed by snowy weather. Thankfully, the day of the shoot the light outside was perfect. 2) Incorporating "red" into the images. Meg's wedding colors are black, red, and white and it was important for her to have those colors in at least some of their photos. That's the background-- check out the results.

Chichen Itza

2009-10-20T18:17:00.007-06:00

Some pictures I just recovered from several months back. My second visit to Chichen Itza was much different than the first time around. Twelve years ago, the park was not listed among the official "Seven Wonders of the World." This meant that there were no tour buses, no congested queue of tourists waiting out the hours-long line by flicking through images on their digital cameras. I didn't get in the line with the other tourists this time either, to tell you the truth. Instead I came back several hours later and got in free, had much better lighting in much less crowded surroundings. Just a thought for any would-be travelers to this part of the world. Enjoy!

Just what I've been up to . . .

2009-10-16T21:01:00.005-06:00

So this is my first post in quite a while. I promise you, though, that I have been photo-busy. I've had several shoots, been accepted to an internship with an awesome photographer, booked several more shoots, and been learning the art of framing. I have a lot of pictures to post, just hang in there! In the meantime, here are a few shots of autumn on the Alpine Loop.

So this is my first post in quite a while. I promise you, though, that I have been photo-busy. I've had several shoots, been accepted to an internship with an awesome photographer, booked several more shoots, and been learning the art of framing. I have a lot of pictures to post, just hang in there! In the meantime, here are a few shots of autumn on the Alpine Loop.

Till Human Voices Wake Us

2009-08-30T22:32:00.004-06:00

At last I have finished getting these images web-ready. Click on them to view them larger and to read their accompanying lines. This project took well over two years to conceptualize and complete and the help of many friends along the way. I give my thanks to each of them. Thanks as well to those of you who take the time now to look through.

Artist's statement accompanying the opening show in the Harris Fine Arts Center in December 2008:

Each passing moment is alight with possibilities. Even in the mundane, fixing a tie or leaning out a window, thoughts can come to our minds charged with the hope of what 'could be.' These thoughts are ephemeral, subject to quiet death by the onset of reality--like a voice shaking us from a pleasant dream that can no longer be recalled upon wakening. "Till Human Voices Wake Us" explores two facets of this human experience, the life-lending excitement that comes with fresh hope and the deadening weight of habit and culture that keeps us from realizing our dreams. This series both celebrates these effervescent fledgling dreams and commiserates on their passing. I have selected lines from the poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" by T.S. Eliot to accompany the photographs.

Going on Three Years . . .

2009-08-19T08:26:00.011-06:00

Amanda and Austin, two of my close friends, got married nearly three years back. Our photo-shoot was a fun celebration of our time as friends and the years they still have before them as husband and wife.

A Pair of Stuart Weitzmans

2009-08-14T17:40:00.005-06:00

This Week's Topic for Daily Wanderings: Plants

2009-08-06T21:37:00.004-06:00

More from the Llama Fest

2009-08-05T22:11:00.002-06:00

Llama Fest 2009 at the Hare Krishna temple in Spanish Fork.

This award winner led her llama through a van as part of the obstacle course.

Umbrellas on display.

Spinners and weavers at work, using llama and alpaca wool.

A Few Favorites From My Wanderings

2009-08-01T13:25:00.009-06:00

This one was taken on a recent jaunt down to the river bottoms.
It was shot on medium format film with my Holga 120N.

On my shoot with Katie, we decided the topic of our shoot would be "old."
This one of the dead weed and the fence was one of the first I took on that shoot.

An old yellow house with roses in front.

This one was taken earlier than the one of the weed.
I started with a couple photos of the really old truck, then I saw my reflection on the back of the rear-view mirror and then I saw it again. If you look closely you'll find three of me in this image. You can see Katie next to me.

A couple Saturdays back, I headed out to the Krishna temple in Spanish Fork
and took some photos at the annual Llama Fest.
These two are a couple of my favorites.

A small boy I became acquainted with mainly because I'd never
seen a stuffed monkey as a leash before.

This is Sandy with her new llama friend.

So you want to learn to use your digital camera?

2009-07-22T14:06:00.006-06:00

People ask me all the time what different settings mean on their cameras, and end up asking for a brief tutorial on how to use more of their camera's features. I don't mind doing this of course, since one of my goals in life is to promote beautiful photography. And because I feel real satisfaction when someone else is happy with their own photos. However, it takes more than just a quick run-down of camera features to help most people actually figure out how to use those features.

Here's my proposal: every day I take my camera out and go on brief photo-shoots in the city and neighboring areas. Join me one day of your choosing, and I will go over a few basics to help you better use your camera. Then we can both go out on a photo-shoot together. My favorite part is taking the images home and looking at them on the computer and seeing what we can do to make the images stronger or take note of any consistently recurring problems in our photos so that we can correct them. To me, this is where the greatest part of the learning takes place.

Worried about time? Don't. We can set a time limit that will fit your schedule. Let me know if you're interested. Katie, a good friend whom I first met while shooting her engagement pictures, and I will be going on a shoot tonight. Feel free to join in!

From time to time I'll post tips on how to better make use of your digital or film camera, but if you want to learn more than a blog post can teach you, join me for one (or more) of my "daily wanderings." It will be nothing but photo-fun for the both of us.

Sunsets

2009-07-21T11:03:00.007-06:00

Sitting on the front lawn yesterday, as daylight began to dwindle, I found myself infused with a surge of nostalgia. Sunsets were one of the original reasons why I picked up my dad's old Olympus in the first place back when I was thirteen, catalyzing a fascination with light and color that has continued thirteen years later. Last night, I again found myself photographing the sunset. Tucked in with the pictures of last night's sunset are two pictures I took when I was down in the Yucatán.

And a few more I took just the other day: (posted July 25, 2009)

Jaunt to Bahamas

2009-07-16T11:30:00.006-06:00

I love traveling; I love taking photographs. Yet every time I'm in a different country I find myself facing a familiar internal battle: is a vacation with heavy digital camera in tote really a vacation? Photography should never get in the way of life, and vacations are more than just the photographs you take. I've taken my Canon with me to Mexico, the Bahamas, and all across the United States, and have almost come to the decision to shoot purely film in my travels. But this is a topic for a different post. Here are a few of the photographs I captured on my recent visit to Nassau, Bahamas.

Cruise ships pulling into modern-day Nassau Harbor.

Fort Montagu: where merchant ships once put into harbor and where pirate ships once abounded.

My favorite meal of the trip began with this refreshing twist on an old favorite: ginger lemonade.

A glimpse of my shrimp curry before I gobbled it up.

Jordan and Brittany

2009-07-12T15:26:00.008-06:00

Jordan and Brittany wanted pictures with simple backgrounds and an overall monochromatic color scheme. Lucky for them, they got engaged in the winter. Also in their favor was our close proximity to the Sundance ski resort and the snowy loveliness of Provo Canyon.

Venture to Laguna Beach

2009-07-10T12:33:00.003-06:00

Charlotte and Jonah Barnes

2009-07-07T22:36:00.010-06:00

Playful and sunny . . . the atmosphere of the entire day of Charlotte and Jonah's wedding. Friends and family came in from out of town for the Salt Lake wedding. Enjoy the following sample of my work from their day.

The matron of honor steals the spotlight.

Abby Nowell Stewart, model and . . . cellist?

2009-07-06T08:23:00.020-06:00

These are a few pics from work I did on Abby's model portfolio. And yes, she does play the cello. Click on any of the images to see them larger.

On a couple recent jaunts up Provo Canyon

2009-07-01T12:36:00.013-06:00

The Public Has Spoken

2009-07-01T12:26:00.002-06:00

The results of the latest poll indicate that the majority (twenty-four of the thirty-six voters -- 66%) wants to see a little bit of everything -- clearly labeled, of course. As I'll be posting more and more photographs, please let me know either through comments or email if you encounter any difficulties finding the images you want to see. Thank you for stopping by.
-M.G.

Alison and Ethan

2009-06-29T12:00:00.009-06:00

Alison and I met one night when I was photographing people milling around the first floor of the Harris Fine Arts Center. Alison was on duty as a security guard and somehow we hit it off as friends almost immediately. This photo-shoot was my first time meeting Ethan. The three of us thoroughly enjoyed the warm day, colorful surroundings, and lively interaction.

I couldn't decide which I liked best of these three, so I posted them all.

Stapp-Tengelsen Engagements

2009-06-29T10:12:00.020-06:00

Dan felt more comfortable shoe-less.

Here's a fun sampling from my time together with Dan and Katie. The challenge? They wanted a picture with some space on it for text, so they could make it into their announcement. I gave them what they were looking for, as you will note. But engagement photos aren't just about the picture you send out to all your friends and family. Often, the extras are the ones you'll make into prints to put up in your home or into your photo album. With that in mind, I put in a few different compositions just for variety's sake. This was in September 2007.

By the end of the shoot, we were all hot and tired. Dan and Katie decided to finish it off with a dip in the fountain.

The little boy on the right probably wishes his mom would let him do that.

The Stapp-Tengelsen Wedding

2009-06-27T14:06:00.029-06:00

Dan and Katie Tengelsen were married in November 2007 in the Mt. Timpanogos temple. This wedding was lovely down to the minutest details. From bridal gown to the boutonniere to bridesmaid's dresses and the groomsmen's three-piece suits, careful thought was taken so that everyone would look and feel their best. As photographer I paid special attention to these details, since in them I saw the thoughtfulness and graciousness of both the bride and groom.

Sun rising over Mount Timpanogos temple.

Heading off to the luncheon.

Jacob (far left) put together a humorous mock-umentary sketch of Dan and Katie's courtship. It was a happy surprise for the new couple.

Dan's mother welcomes Katie to the family.

The luncheon concluded with words from Katie's mother.

Barn? Yes, the reception took place in a barn.

But this wasn't your grandpa's ordinary barn. This one was complete with harvest-time decor and semi-glossy floors.

First dance.

The father of the bride caught up with his daughter just in time for a turn around the floor.

What kinds of photography do you want to see on this blog?

2009-06-26T10:21:00.002-06:00

I'm turning to the blog-visiting public to answer the current dilemma: what kinds of photography do you want to see on Maria Gabrielle Photography? Weddings and only weddings? Fine art as well as wedding-related? Something more, something less? Please let me know by joining in the poll on the sidebar to the right and/or leaving me comments on this post. Thank you, thank you for your time and input.

Wedding Photo Tip #1: Plan in ample time for photos

2009-06-19T19:34:00.006-06:00

Plan ahead. When scheduling your wedding, plan in ample time between the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the luncheon or reception. How long is considered "ample?" Two hours or more.*

"Why two hours or more?" you (or a future-in-law) may ask.

You want a wide selection of images and poses to choose from, and I want to give you that.
On a busy day, everything will run behind schedule. So, it's hard to know exactly when your ceremony will finish. Use your best approximation. Call the church or temple in advance to know about how many weddings will be taking place there that day.
If you have a large wedding party (50 or more, with energetic and/or grumpy littl'uns) block out a little more time, perhaps fifteen minutes more.
Account for the driving time between the ceremony venue and the location of your luncheon/reception.
Group shots (especially with larger groups) can take half an hour -- occasionally longer if there be renegade children or no one can find grandpa.
Individual portraits should be allowed between one to one and a half hours. This is especially important if there are many other couples getting married on the same day at the same venue as yourself.
Remember too, I want to be early to your reception--ten or fifteen minutes will do. Detail shots and any family or wedding party shots you want at the reception are best done before the flow of guests arrive.

Follow these steps and you, your photographer, and the universe will smile calmly and blissfully upon your day.

*This is especially important for couples marrying in an LDS temple or other venue where photography during the ceremony is prohibited, since the majority of the wedding pictures will be taken after the fact. Or, if you are planning on doing any location shoots that day.

Sampling: Betsy's bridals

2009-06-19T14:59:00.001-06:00

Ah, Betsy! I wish we could have had an entirely separate shoot with you in your dress. Perhaps we still can. Here are a few of the ones we took while Micah ran to the car.

Wedding at Newport Beach

2009-06-18T19:55:00.002-06:00

Open-hearted and tasteful -- working with the Huntingtons and Crofts for this wedding was a lovely experience. I've been fast friends with both the bride and groom for many a year, and shooting their wedding gave me the chance to meet their families. The following is a mere sampling of me trying to capture the warmth and joy of the day.

The big day begins. Welcome to the Huntington home.

Betsy prepares to "follow the prophet" by marrying in an LDS temple.

Reception in Mission Viejo

2009-06-17T15:55:00.000-06:00

For the reception later that night, the guests arrived at the church down the street from Betsy's childhood home.

Family and friends did a lot to convert the gymnasium into a lush reception hall.

The cake was provided by Gretchen Rimmasch.

Dan and Katie Tengelsen provided some acoustic ear candy.

First dance as husband and wife.

Till Human Voices Wake Us

2009-05-30T18:55:00.000-06:00

Pricing

2009-05-29T09:26:00.002-06:00

Coming soon. If you have questions now, please just click the "Contact Me" link and I'll get back to you within 1-2 business days.

Daily Wanderings

2009-05-27T19:58:00.001-06:00

Every day I take my camera with me on a brief or not so brief photo excursion. Sometimes I get paid for it, but more often than not these shoots are more for my own personal growth and expression. Let me know if you want to join me on one.

Posts with some of my latest photos coming soon.

Thank You!

2009-05-19T17:45:00.002-06:00

You will be hearing back from me soon! Thank you for stopping by.

Contact Me

2009-05-19T17:35:00.008-06:00

http://www.emailmeform.com/