,

And she loved a little boy very, very much, even more than she loved herself.

,
And she loved a little boy very, very much, even more than she loved herself.

“And she loved a little boy very, very much, even more than she loved herself.” – Shel Silverstein, The Giving Tree

A raleigh winter wonderland first birthday cake smash, a beautiful new baby announcement and an emotion filled family portrait session....

A raleigh winter wonderland first birthday cake smash, a beautiful new baby announcement and an emotion filled family portrait session....

"Everything's magical when it snows. Everything's pretty." — Lorelai Gilmore

From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart.

From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart.

​Before you were born I carried you under my heart. From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart. -Mandy Harrison

,

​A mother’s arms are made of tenderness

,
​A mother’s arms are made of tenderness

​”A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them”.

You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them

You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them

‘You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.’ -Desmond Tutu

Mothers and their children … there’s no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.

Mothers and their children … there’s no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving.

Mothers and their children … there’s no bond so strong in the entire world. No love so instantaneous and forgiving. -Gail Tsukiyama

“Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain – your life will never be the same.”

“Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain – your life will never be the same.”

“Whether your pregnancy was meticulously planned, medically coaxed, or happened by surprise, one thing is certain … your life will never be the same.”

,

Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.

,
Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.

Family is not an important thing. It’s everything. -Michael J. Fox

Twinkle, twinkle little star, one year old is what you are!

Twinkle, twinkle little star, one year old is what you are!

Twinkle, twinkle little star, one year old is what you are!

,

Outdoor Baby & Family Photoshoot Raleigh, NC

,
Outdoor Baby & Family Photoshoot Raleigh, NC

A birthday is the first day of another lovely year. A year of new tomorrows that are shining, bright and clear. A year of possibilities as endless as the sky, and a chance to accomplish everything you try.

It’s me, your Raleigh photographer…Mika James Amaya

It’s me, your Raleigh photographer…Mika James Amaya

“I feel beautiful when I'm at peace with myself. When I'm serene, when I'm a good person, when I've been considerate of others. “ - Elle Macpherson

,

Celebrating a First Birthday at Yates Mill Park in Raleigh, NC

,
Celebrating a First Birthday at Yates Mill Park in Raleigh, NC

“Well, little princess, your reign over the kingdom of their hearts has reached a full year. Happy 1st Birthday”

New chapters begin with beauty and endless love.

New chapters begin with beauty and endless love.

“For the first time, we understand the depth of unconditional love. Our beautiful baby has already stolen our hearts and we can’t wait to meet him or her.”

follow along on Instagram #mikajamesamayaphotography

View fullsize Motherhood. 💕 ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Happy Friday, Friends! I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!​​​​​​​​ ,​​​​​​​​ ,​​​​​​​​ ,​​​​​​​​ ,​​​​​​​​ ,​​​​​​​​ ,​​​​​​​​ #northcarolinaphotograher​​​​​​​​ #northcarolinaphotography​​​​​​​​ #northcarolinamoms​
View fullsize Good news! I've opened up several new Fall session dates and times. I adore getting to meet new families so if you are still in need of updated family photos don't hesitate to reach out and I'll send all the details your way! ​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .​​​​
View fullsize Cutie!​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ If you've ever had a session Mika James Amaya Photography and loved it, please leave a review or drop a comment below! I love hearing from past and current clients, and it may help other people decide if they would like the sa
View fullsize Anyone remember floppy disks? How about CDs? How would you feel if the only images of you were saved on a floppy disk and you couldn't access them? ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Technology is ever evolving and who knows if your children will even be able to ac
View fullsize Friends! I have worked hard to create an incredible portrait experience and the cat is out the bag, LOLOLOLOL I am so thankful that you all love and appreciate the portraits we create as much as I do! ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Today, the most beautiful famil
View fullsize Goddess! ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Just one of my many, many favorites from this beautiful sunset maternity session!​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .​​​​​​​​ .#northcarolinaphotograher​​​​​​​​ #northcarolinaphotography​​​​​​​​ #nor
View fullsize I get so many DMs about this one particular question and figured it would be good to take a quick moment to give you a little more insight about my studio wardrobe and if indeed I will have something you want to wear! The answer is Girl, I've got you
View fullsize Finding a job you love can be a process. You may have to try a few different things before you find the right fit. Before I was a professional photographer I became a Nurse. I share this to say, don't be afraid to change careers if you're not happy
View fullsize Those of you who have visited my Raleigh studio know I have this portrait displayed beautifully in the wardrobe room. I adore it so much because it's hard to not love, LOVE! Golden sunsets and kissin' on someone who you feel like you’ve known
View fullsize Some of you may already know this...​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ I try my best to chat with every new client on the phone before they reserve a session with me? No, I'm not trying to hard sell you anything and NO I don't base your investment on talking to you,
View fullsize Isn't he adorable!!!​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Friends, if you’re expecting a baby in 2023, the very best time to get your Signature or Collective sessions on my calendar is by 20 weeks. I reserve less than 10 due dates per month so that I can provide
View fullsize Fall outdoor spots are nearly gone, friends! There are only so many weekends in any given month and beautiful golden outdoor sessions happen at a specific time during the evening only. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ I can accommodate three or four more outdoor se
 

Mika James Amaya is a family photographer specializing in maternity, newborns, babies, and children in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas.  Mika uses natural light and organic settings to create emotion-filled images that speak volumes in the most elegant terms.

MATERNITY, NEWBORN & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IN RALEIGH