Manuel A Rios Photography

Congratulations Adrianna!

2010-07-06T08:05:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Adrianna & all the graduates of 2010!

Graduating Soon?

2010-06-02T13:11:00.001-07:00

Vegan Cheesecake

2010-05-25T19:44:00.000-07:00

One of the favorite desserts here in the Rios household is vegan cheesecake. Yesterday was one of those days where I just had to have some. To top it, we had yummy berries we had just gotten at our local farmer's market. It was so delicious, I thought, surely, it doesn't get any better than this...

and then I remembered that I made some chocolate syrup a few days ago. Now, this isn't just any chocolate syrup. If you check the labels of your average commercial syrup, you will find a glucose or corn syrup base and, typically xanthan gum as an emulsifier. Most have dairy in there as well (so NOT vegan). This Chocolate syrup has a base of agave syrup mixed with a quality cocoa. It is dark, rich, and thick. My mouth waters just thinking of it... Well, needless to say, the vegan cheesecake did indeed get better, oh soooooo much better.

So, two pieces of divine cheesecake later, spending the evening with my loving family... Life is Good :)

Worldfest 2010 Family Companions

2010-05-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 16, 2010, Michelle, our kiddos, and I set up camp, A.K.A. an exhibitor booth at the 9th annual Worldfest. We saw lots of old friends and made many new ones. It was so much fun and such a great environment to spend the day. Here are a few of the pictures I took of some of the spunky family companions (sometimes referred to as "pets").

Greeting Card debut at WorldFest!

2010-05-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

Only three days 'til Worldfest, and we are soooooo excited. We will have our first booth at Worldfest and just can't wait to be a part of all the earth friendly Vegan energy. This is an all vegan, family and pet friendly event.

We can't wait to see old and new friends this Sunday! As if this wasn't enough, we are debuting our first line of greeting cards featuring images by Manuel A Rios (of course) printed on recycled stock with soy inks! Without question, they are accompanied with a 100% recycled envelope.

We will be offering special introductory pricing and a limited number of portrait sessions with your local vegan and green photographer, Manuel A Rios, at an unheard of price!

We invite you to stop by for all the festivities. Don't forget to say hi :)

WorldFest 2010!

2010-05-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

WorldFest 2010 is here! We will have a booth. Friends, come say hi.

Redondo Beach, CA

2010-04-27T00:26:00.000-07:00

Redondo Beach: a perfect place for sun, sand, and splendid views. Locations of this nature are always a favorite. On a couple of occasions, I had the privilege of spending some time with a young couple. They thoroughly enjoy the quiet walks at the beach. Here are a few snapshots of their stroll, enjoy!

Mad Hatter Birthday Bash!!

2010-04-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

Awesome birthday party! Here are a few snapshots of that fun night! Enjoy!

Congratulations Danielle & Michael!

2009-12-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

St. Martin's Animal Foundation

2009-11-10T06:57:00.000-08:00

The St. Martin's Animal Foundation event was incredible! The amazing night included live music, an eco-friendly fashion show, wine tasting, celebrity guests, and some delicious vegan treats. It was really awesome to see so many people showing their support for our animal friends. A very special thanks to the Vegan Vixens for allowing me to be a part of this remarkable evening. Hope you enjoy the pics of these wonderful, loving, and caring Vixens!

Lopez Lake

2009-10-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about the camping trip we took sometime ago. It's a beautiful place. These are only a few photos but I hope you enjoy...

Lindy Bingham Band at Sunny Hills

2009-09-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

The Lindy Bingham Band does it again! This time they rocked the Sunny Hills of Fullerton! Take a look at some of the action...

Congrats Lisa and Eddie!!!!

2009-09-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

Once again, I had an absolutely fabulous time shooting this couple. They make my job too easy.

Eddie...

Lisa...

The girls...

Watch out, Eddie!!!!

Carleigh's First Birthday!

2009-07-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

We are so excited that we had the honor of photographing this lovely young lady again! Don't let Carleigh's serious facial expressions deceive you. They are brief moments of contemplation before her next adventure! She is a barrel of laughs and fun, and she is as energetic as they come!

Carleigh's mom made this lovely vegan apple spice cake, and although you can't tell from this angle, those strawberries are the cutest little ladybugs!

Father's Day Veg BBQ at Bellysprout

2009-06-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

The family and I had a great time and a great lunch at one of our favorite Fullerton hangouts--the fabulous Belly Sprout store. Christy and Juan are always hosting some great family-friendly event at their store. I snapped these pics just for fun.

Introducing Juan--our fabulous veggie chef of the day.

Mr. Abel Rios and his ONE Coconut water.

Terra Rios--our little feminist hammering away.

And, of course, Miss Daniella Rios sitting pretty.

Lisa and Eddie Debut

2009-06-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

World, meet Lisa and Eddie! They are the most amazingly fun couple out there right now! Seriously. Michelle and I had the pleasure to shoot this engagement session together. We had so much fun parading all over the Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona, California that we totally lost track of time. I'm still not sure how long we were there. By the time we were done, we were all ready for a drink, and the staff was so awesome, they treated us.

Angels or...

2009-05-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

This incredible all female family create a dynamic foresome.

Maggie is a hip mom that holds the group together with style, class, and spunk.

Tori, the youngest of the crew, holds her own among her sisters. She is sweet, but tough.

Jaz, the oldest of the siblings, enjoys the spotlight. She considers herself the leader of the pack.

Len is quiet and mysterious. The middle child is calm, collected, and always wears a hint of a smile.

The Lindy Bingham Band!

2009-05-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Lindy Bingham Band rocked the house! This band is bluesy, funky, and completely rockin! Lindy & the band don't miss a beat. Their rhythm is highly contagious and full of energy! Take a listen...

Looking to have a Green Wedding?

2009-05-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

Come visit us!!!!

May 16th, 2009, 2-4pm

When you hear the term "green wedding," most brides-to-be no doubt tremble with thoughts of patchouli, bizarre ceremonies, and more hemp than chiffon. But that's SO 1960s: a modern-day wedding, with minor modifications and the proper planning, can be as green as Ed Begley, but a heck of a lot prettier.

One person who knows is Mireya Navarro, the award-winning reporter for the New York Times. For the past couple of years, she has written for the Sunday Styles section of the paper looking for the latest trends, personalities, and innovations affecting fashion in the United States. She has discovered the Next Big Thing: Green weddings, and even wrote a book about it. The Road Less Traveled is honored to host a book signing for Navarro and her new book, "Green Wedding: Planning your Eco-Friendly Celebration." This event will be a great way to start your research, meet vendors and learn about the world of sustainable and stylish occasions. From photography to food and invitations, see how easy it can be to have a wedding with a lighter footprint.

**********

Thank You Spectrum Catering

2009-04-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sandra, Alejandro & Tonie!

2009-04-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

It is always such a pleasure to photograph a family, specially a family that demonstrates so much love for each other. These images reflect the affection, care, and tenderness that they have for one another. Sandra, Alejandro, and Tonie illustrate the exemplary qualities of a family through each gesture. Alejandro, a basketball star and model student, embraces his mother & sister constantly with great love & affection. Tonie, a brilliant & adorable young lady, possess a powerful bear hug that melts the hearts of both mother & brother. Sandra, a fantastic & loving mother, brings great joy to her children through her touch & her care.

Thank you very much Sandra, Alejandro, & Tonie! I had a wonderful time & thank you for sharing a bit of your life & the precious qualities that embody your family.

Just a reminder of this month's promotion-only two days left

2009-03-29T19:18:00.001-07:00

I was listening to the radio today, and I heard a story about a little girl who will not eat food today. They described how her mother will make her a "dirt cookie" made of clay, shortening, and salt. She will eat this so that her stomach feels full, but it will not provide any nourishment.

Wow. That really puts things in perspective. We live in a society where someone has to tell us to leave some food on our plate because we eat more than we need and have an obesity epidemic. We eat when we are not even hungry.

By donating just $13, you can feed a child for an entire month! I think all of us could easily go without $2 worth of food per day for one week to feed a child for one month. Perhaps you can give up one latte per week.

I gave a donation, but, somehow, it just doesn't seem to be enough. I want to give more. We are asking our clients to help us give more. We have decided to give HALF of all our sevice sales for the month of March. We are not raising our prices. We really are giving half to these beautiful children.

If you are ready to book a photographer for your wedding, you know what the going rates are. Imagine. You can feed many children without going outside of the budget you've already created. Maybe a wedding isn't in your near future. In that case, you can take advantage of a private portrait session or services for any other event.

Don't need pictures? That's fine, but, please, still donate today.

Many thanks and many blessings to all.

Mina

2009-03-23T22:01:00.000-07:00

Mina and I have been friends since, oh my gosh, 2001 when we attended culinary school together. We have gone through many changes in life, but, alas, we are still here.

The most adorable siblings...

2009-03-13T22:15:00.000-07:00

2009-03-11T16:33:00.000-07:00

Spring Fling Invitation

2009-03-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! We are throwing a party! Come and join us for some fun and networking. We will keep posting our participating vendors as they RSVP. So far, Out of the Bloom Events and Selwyn Jewelers will be joining us.

Darlene and Derek

2009-02-25T17:00:00.000-08:00

Darlene and Derek finally tied the knot on Valentine's day after being together for almost 11 years! They are such a cool couple to be around and their kids are just fantastic. Michelle and I totally felt at home when they first invited us to their home, and I had a great time at the wedding. Michelle teases me because she knows I'm just having fun. She calls and asks "Are you working hard or hardly working?" I, the king of clever answers, reply "Yeah."

Darlene, Derek, and family, congrats on making it official and God bless.

Rachel and Cody

2009-02-07T20:32:00.000-08:00

I want to give a sincere thanks to Rachel and Cody for allowing me to take a bunch of just really fun pictures. This couple is so full of energy and it really shows! I had a great time, and I think they did too.

Better than cheesecake!

2009-01-16T16:14:00.000-08:00

When Candice called me, she was looking to do something special for her husband as a Christmas gift. She was looking for someone to take pictures of her as a "Pin Up Girl". These pictures are sometimes called "cheesecake" photos because they are "better than cheesecake".

I have to hand it to Candice! I owe her half the credit for the success of the shoot. She did so much research! She knew exactly what she wanted. She put together her wardrobe and most of her props. She turned down my offer to find someone to do her hair and make up. She did it herself, and did a fabulous job (she said she learned how on youtube)!

I just brought the "studio" to her house and took the pictures. I promised Candice I would not post anything that she was not completely comfortable with. Here are a couple that we both agreed were appropriate.

First Christmas for Baby Venus

2008-12-28T21:22:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad wanted to take family pictures to commemorate Baby Venus' first Christmas. We took these pictures in their beautiful home. It was in the evening. I know Venus was tired, but she was a real trooper. They used some of these pictures to create some great Christmas cards to share with their loved ones.

Venus will be celebrating her first birthday January 1 (Happy New Year Baby!). I look forward to taking more pictures of the family to celebrate!

Retrouvaille Christmas Party

2008-12-28T21:21:00.000-08:00

Retrouvaille is a program designed to help married couples in crises (those that are contemplating separation/divorce, or already separated/divorced). We, along with all of these beautiful couples and families, are part of the Santa Clarita Retrouvaille community. We were, at one time, separated and on the verge of divorce. By the grace of God, we found Retrouvaille. We still participate in the program and are dedicated to supporting our own marriage and any other married couple we can offer support to.

Life, marriage included, is not always a bed of roses, but there is always hope. Retrouvaille is dedicated to helping couples and families find that hope in their darkest hours. You can see by all these beautiful smiling faces, that these families are no longer in crises.

Whittier Christmas Parade

2008-12-14T21:46:00.000-08:00

This float of our home Church, Regency Christian Center International, took home second place! Members of the congregation, partnering with other organizations such as the local Salvation Army, proudly rode this float declaring their faith and their commitment to serving the community through various outreach programs.

This is our wonderful Pastor Cathy (on the left). I have never seen anyone with so much energy. She is completely devoted to serving and supporting the congregation. Cathy, we love you!

Baby Daniella is Four Weeks Old Today!

2008-12-11T19:30:00.001-08:00

Baby Daniella and her father.

After being lambasted by all our fellow photographers at the Pictage PUG this week, we finally got our buts in gear and took pictures of our beautiful new baby girl. It is amazing how much she has already grown and changed in only four weeks!

Baby Carleigh!

2008-12-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

This is beautiful Baby Carleigh! We had the pleasure of taking shots of her and her parents, Kristin and Geoff. She is five months old, boisterous, and very charismatic. We had so much fun taking pictures all over their home. At first, we were only able to capture very skeptical looks from a very suspicious baby examining us as we made ridiculous faces while holding up a large contraption in front of her. However, it didn't take long before she was ready to go about her usual business of being very charming and the center of attention. We can't wait to take pictures of her again after her first birthday!

First Steps

2008-12-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

We want to give our sincerest thanks to our midwife, Sue Wolcott, for her dedication, warmth, and professionalism. Daniella is our third baby born at home, delivered by Sue, and we wouldn't have it any other way. In honor of her, Daniella's middle name is Sue.

Baby Daniella's tiny little toes, moments after birth!
Read our story at i-Newswire.com!

Congratulations to Jazmine!!

2008-11-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

Thank you very much Maggie, Jazmine, Tori, & Helena! Jazmine celebrated her Fifteenth birthday along side family & friends. We had the privilege of attending the mass and the very cool "party" afterwards.

I had the pleasure of taking some more traditional portraits of Jazmine and her sister, Tori, a few weeks before her birthday. I think we all had a great time!

Maternity Photos!

2008-11-11T20:38:00.000-08:00

Well, we did it! The baby has been giving us signs for a couple of weeks as to its' imminent arrival. We wanted to take a few maternity photos but we were not sure whether we were going to be able to do it. As you can see, we took them just in time. The baby's siblings have been eagerly waiting to meet their new playmate & companion. We are really excited and have been waiting patiently. Actually, mom has run out of numbers to count because the countdown reached zero last Sunday. We will be welcoming our loved one at home during this month at God's chosen time.

Take a look at our Fall Newsletter!

2008-11-05T16:58:00.000-08:00


Fall 2008	October 2008 / issue 30
Holiday Engagement Sessions This holiday season is a perfect time to take advantage of our Engagement Sessions. Not only is an Engagement Session a lot of fun (giving you and your fiancé a break from all the chaos), but engagement pictures make great holiday gifts and cards. How does it work? When you contact us, we will talk about you! After getting to know you a little, you will pick a location that means something to you to take your pictures. Places like the beach or a park are very popular, but we can go anywhere that has special value to you. We capture the smiles, the hugs, the glances, the gestures, and a variety of non-verbal displays to show the world how you feel about each other. Manuel A Rios Photography is committed to giving you superb service customized to you. We work with you to capture the unique essence that you create as a couple. All images are uploaded to your own site for you, your family members, and your close friends to view. You have the option of purchasing prints and a variety of other keepsake items such as books, albums, DVD slideshows, and photo greeting cards. The prints and other products are of excellent quality produced by an outstanding professional lab. Your friends and family can order these same products. They can also purchase gift certificates for you! This holiday season, Manuel A Rios Photography will be donating 10% of your engagement booking fee to www.holidaysfromtheheart.org	In this issue: • Congrats • Holiday Engagement • Special • About us • Holidays from the Heart Portraits, Portraits, Portraits… Holiday season means portraits!!! Pictures of babies, children, families, couples, and, of course, moms to be, make perfect holiday cards and gifts for friends and family. We will make your experience and pictures especially pleasurable and unique by capturing you in an environment that means something to you. Don't waste your time being rushed at an impersonal, cookie- cutter, studio. Make this holiday something special to remember and share. Book your private session today!!!
Holiday Engagement and Portrait Special Book your private Engagement or Portrait Session between now and November 30, 2008, and receive 50% off your one hour session. That means you will pay only $200 for your private session with a photographer, but that is not all! We will also give you a complimentary 8 X 10 print so that you can see the amazing quality our lab has to offer you. Also, because we care about our community (we know you do as well), we will donate 10% of your booking fee to Holidays From the Heart (an organization committed to providing a holiday experience to chronically ill, low income children and their families). Find out more about this program at www.holidaysfromtheheart.org Booking dates are limited, so please do not delay. The sooner you book, the sooner you get your amazing pictures!
About Us Manuel A Rios Photography is a husband and wife team committed to providing couples and families with the highest quality in portraiture and photojournalism coverage with exquisite personalized custom service. Every aspect of our business revolves around our clients and capturing the most important moments of their lives—weddings, pregnancies, and growing families.
Copyright © 2008 Manuel A Rios Photography * All Rights Reserved
Rios@marphotography.net		P.O. Box 1036 Bellflower, CA 90707

Manuel A Rios Photography Slideshow

2008-10-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

These are some photos of the last few events. Browse & enjoy!

boudoir du jour

2008-10-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

We've had a lot of requests lately to see our Boudoir Portfolio. Unfortunately, it is a tad challenging to find people comfortable and willing to allow these intimate portraits to be displayed to strangers. At last, we came to terms with the realization that sometimes you have to be your own model.

Manuel took these photos of me this week. I will concede that, even with my husband whom I trust completely, I was nervous being in front of the camera scantily clad. However, I am happy with the results. Who would even know that I am eight and a half months pregnant? It is comforting to see that I can still look provocative when I feel like I am as big as a ...

The boudoir sessions we offer our clients are always kept tasteful and done with class. They are shot one on one with myself. We will not display anything without permission.

Lizette & Michael, thank you!

2008-10-06T15:27:00.001-07:00

We are truly grateful to have worked for this couple. They are a wonderful wonderful couple who are completely in love with each other. It's an honor to have been a part of a very special day. We wish them the best in their new journey together.

Thank you very much for your visit!

2008-10-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

We would like to thank everyone that came out to pay us a visit. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed speaking to every one of you. We sincerely wish each and every couple the very best.

Thank you very much Ivan & Jennifer!

2008-10-05T02:53:00.001-07:00

Ivan & Jennifer are a lot of fun. The event took place on September 26 at Tortilla Flats in the sunny city of Mission Viejo, California. They are quite a unique couple, always affectionate and full of life. It was definitely a pleasure to capture their once in a lifetime moment.

Congrats! Congrats!

2008-10-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much Abel & Melissa! They are really a beautiful and wonderful couple. The event took place in the beautiful city of Oxnard, California. A great number of their friends & family members were in attendance to celebrate the occasion. I felt quite privileged and honored to record one of their most memorable moments.

Visit us at Bridal Showplace!

2008-09-24T14:10:00.001-07:00

Bridal Showplace will be held at the Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel in the beautiful city of Buena Park. Brides-to-be contact us for details on how to get your free ticket.

When: Oct 5, 2008
11:00am ‑ 4:00pm
Where: Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel
7675 Crescent Ave., Buena Park, CA
Hope to see you there!

Cypress College

2008-09-24T13:46:00.001-07:00

Some photos of the very talented wedding photography class. Different perspectives add an entirely different view of the subject. Foreground and background are crucial for a very good shot.

Thank You Paul!...(DJ Supreme)

2008-09-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

Congratulations! Meet Abel & Melissa

2008-09-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

A big congratulations to Richard & Yvette!

2008-09-03T17:27:00.000-07:00

Richard and Yvette joined together before friends and family on August 31, 2008 in Upland, California. I had the honor and privilege to capture some very magical moments. Thank you!!!

Introducing...

2008-09-03T11:48:00.001-07:00

This is my beautiful wife Michelle, and, yes, that guy kissing her is me. We are expecting our third baby this November. No, we don't know what it is. It is a SURPRISE. Thank you Laura for taking so many wonderful pictures! It was a pleasure getting to meet and work with both you and your husband, Scott, at the PUG party.

Congratulations to Ivan & Jennifer!

2008-08-30T18:25:00.000-07:00

Jam Session at Carl and Carolyn's Reception

2008-08-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

This couple knows how to finish a party! Carl, on drums, and a few of his friends jammed the night away. Carl plays drums for Meltdown, Blue Reed, and the Lindy B Band. Check him out at www.meltdown.com , www.bluereed.com , and www.lindyb.com .

Carolyn & Carl, I love you guys!

2008-08-26T23:00:00.001-07:00

Thank you so much for your warm hearts.

Thank you very much Katherine & Keith!

2008-08-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you very much Katherine & Keith! It was truly a pleasure and a privilege to capture such a special moment. Truly a phenomenal couple.