Happy {Birthday} Brenna - {Capturing} Special Moments!

Today, my baby turns five.  To say that I can't believe that she is five is an understatement.  It seems like yesterday that we found out we were pregnant with our third child - the completion of our family.  As if being pregnant wasn't wonderful enough, after two boys, we were having our little girl.  

I have taken many portraits of my children over the years and love that so many special moments have been captured - frozen memories that will last forever.  Over the weekend, Brenna had a couple friends over for her "Fancy Nancy Party".  

As I stood with my daughter in celebration, took her picture as she blew out her candles and watched my baby enjoy knowing that she was big enough to go to Kindergarten, I realized that in a few years, I will probably not remember what the decorations looked like or what the cake looked like, but I wouldn't have to recall the details, as I captured them with my camera.  

Those frozen memories will be documented to share with Brenna and I can send her a portrait when she is planning her own five-year-old's birthday party and say, "Look... remember when you loved Fancy Nancy and wanted that as your party when you turned five"!!  In my profession, I love knowing that I can give that moment to other people, too!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

Ready to Get {Married}

After three months of dating, Jessica and Kevin knew they had found their soul mate and got engaged!
  

When I asked Jessica about their quick engagement, she said, “We just knew we were ready to be married.”  

When planning for their session, Jessica had sent me a few ideas she had and I was so happy!!  I just love when my clients send me ideas of what they want from their sessions.  

I had a lot of fun with Jessica and Kevin and was so happy that the rain held out, even though the sprinklers came on at the very end of our session. www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{To Use Flash or Not to Use Flash...} That is the Question

What is a photographer to do when it comes to using your flash?  You want to showcase your subjects, you want to make your subjects’ eyes crisp, but you don't want to make the portraits look unnatural, whether you are indoors or outdoors.  

First place to start... learn about your camera.  Take pictures when it doesn't really “count”. Try using your flash in different ways indoors and outside. Learn about adjusting your F-Stop and ISO settings to get what you want from your portraits. 

Second, take classes and attend conferences.  I took classes at Augusta State and with Scott Kelby, who offers classes online and all around the country as well as I have attended conferences and workshops.  

Third, learn about different flashes.  For example, I will use a gary fong globe to eliminate shadows because I can bounce light off items in the room. 



Sometimes I even use a diffuser cap over my flash so that when I tilt my flash it diffuses light when directed it at the subject.  The best piece of advice I can give you is this...  don’t be afraid of your flash in different situations.  Make it your friend and your portraits will benefit!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

Capturing A New Addition to the Ayres Family

I met the Ayres family through my hair dresser, Keely.  

What a super sweet family!!  Rose, Eric, Ryan and their sweet new baby girl, Madeline.  

Ryan was so excited and so proud of his new baby sister, who was just a little over 6 weeks old.  
 

Rose and Eric, who are both engineers, are so sweet with their children and were so excited about their first family portrait of 4! www.MaryBethsPhotography.info.

 

A Beautiful Day for a Beautiful Couple

On June 25th, surrounded by family and friends, Berry and Alicia became husband and wife and I had the honor of taking portraits of their beautiful day! 

What a beautiful event at the Rosemary Inn in North Augusta!  I met Alicia through her Mom, who works at my children’s school.

The funniest part of the day was finding out that Alicia had Berry convinced that she was wearing a purple dress, but when she arrived she was wearing a white dress with fun navy blue shoes.
 

A very special thank you to Chuck Reville, a very good friend who is a photographer in Waynesboro. I met Chuck in a photography class and he has been a wonderful resource and has been my co-photographer at the weddings I have photographed!  Check out his work at www.ChuckRevillePhotography.com.  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info  

 What a wonderful day!

A Special Connection

It is always great when I make a connection with someone who takes such great care of my children.  

Sonya Edwards is the school nurse at Belvidere Elementary.  She knows my children so well and I hear from her so often that she actually has her own ring tone on my phone!!  That is what asthma and eczema issues will do!! 

I was so excited when Sonya asked to have portraits taken of her husband, Mariquis and her children Bryce and Micah. 

 

Micah was so full of energy and the second I took out the bubble blower, she was all smiles and so was her brother, Bryce.  Thanks for a wonderful time!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

Wednesdays Words of Wisdom

If you ask any Marketing Specialist, you will find that word of mouth is the best form of advertising. 

 How often do you ask a friend or family member for advice on where to shop, a product to buy or to suggest a professional service?

I can't tell you how my client base has grown due to the wonderful recommendations of former clients. It is honestly the highest form of compliment to have someone refer their friends or family members to me for portraits. 

 

Keely Seider, my friend and hair stylist at Special Effects Hair Salon (803-292-9609), and my good friend Michelle Warner have referred so many clients to me!! Just take a look at these portraits!

 

If you refer a friend who books a session in the Fall of 2011, you will receive a free 8x10 or two 5x7 portraits! Act fast, because this special ends when winter begins!