{ A Flowchart of Referrals Leads to Newborn Session }

Break out the flowchart for this fabulous referral…  I met sweet little Ava from a referral from Ella’s family, a newborn I had photographed in December and Ella was referred to me from Cathey Ferrell, who is the proud grandmother to Ella and knew me from my children’s school. Isn't it amazing where referrals come from??

Kristi is a new mom who is just an lovely, doting mother of sweet baby Ava.

Kristi and Ava arrived at my house for her newborn session and it took Ava a little while to fall asleep, but once she did, we got some fabulous poses and super cute portraits.  

We used the letter “A” for Ava in some of the portraits – how peaceful is a sleeping newborn, right?

I am once again reminded how lucky I am to have a studio in my home – a space that is unique for my clients!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info 

{ Referrals Earn Credits! }

On New Year’s Eve, I received a call that made me smile. Edie’s Mom had been referred to me by Christy Gardner, a client of mine. 

I was so excited about the call and to let Christy know that she had earned a $15 credit for the referral once the session had been booked – a win-win, I surely do think!

Edie’s Mom was interested in having portraits of her newborn taken in their home and let’s be honest… I love taking portraits of newborns – so sweet, so cute and so precious. During our first try, Edie was a little fussy. 

With three children of my own, I know how newborns can be, so we took a few that evening and then I came back the next morning to take a few more – who wants their picture taken when they aren't happy, right? 

I walked into the house the next day to a much happier newborn and was able to get some really sweet portraits of little Edie!!  

If you are pregnant, or know someone who is pregnant, you can participate in my { “First Year Moments” Baby Plan }, with 4 sessions (Newborn, 6 months, 9 months and a 1 year). The plan includes 5 digital downloads, a 5x7 from each session, a cake for the Smash the Cake session and a 10x20 custom storyboard of portraits selected by you as a memento of your baby’s first year!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ Christmas Surprise! To: Our Parents, Love: Your Children }

Amber and Jaime are our neighbors… what a super sweet couple and they just adore our children. 

We help watch each others’ dogs when we travel and they are just so sweet to allow our children to enjoy their beautiful, relaxing pool!  Last year, they asked if I would take portraits of them and Jaime’s sister and her husband to… YAHOO!  SURPRISE Jaime’s parents!!! 

It has been a week of super special surprise portraits and I love it!  We headed to Hammond’s Ferry on a beautiful afternoon where the lighting was just perfect.  With my white couch, we found such wonderful contrast to the beautiful scenery!  

Check out Creative Rentals on Facebook to rent the couch for any of your picture-taking needs at www.Facebook.com/CreativeRentals.  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ Christmas Surprise To: Mrs. Jeffcoat, Love: Mr. Jeffcoat }

I just love surprises!!  I just love those fabulous moments when you are taken away by the love that someone has for you and I love being on the other side of creating that special moment that reminds someone how much they are loved!  And so was my meeting with Mitch Jeffcoat…  

He wanted to surprise his wife with portraits of their children, as they hadn’t had portraits in a really long time.

We went to Hammond’s Ferry on an overcast day, wondering if we were even going to get the portraits done… but it all worked out and what a wonderful surprise Mitch’s wife received on Christmas morning!!  Did I say it yet??  I LOVE SURPRISES!!!  

Thank you Mitch for letting me be a part of this super sweet surprise moment!!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

 

{ Silly Fun for Everyone }

Millie Robinson and I have been in the same Mother’s Club for years.  I had so much fun taking her family’s portraits last year and was so looking forward to capturing her family again.  

We headed to Hammond’s Ferry and I brought one of my couches.  The Robinson boys are so silly and so cute and didn’t disappoint on this session.  

What a compliment they gave me by putting their favorite portrait on a Christmas Card... and even better... they ordered Christmas Cards from me, along with a variety of individual portraits, as well.  

It is never too early to get ready prepared for Christmas portraits, so make sure to book your appointments early!!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

WWoW { “First Year Moments” Baby Plan }

Are you or do you know someone who is pregnant?  Now is the time to start planning to capture the first year of new baby’s life.  

 

This plan is designed to document all those big “Moments” in your child’s first year! This plan includes newborn, 6 month, 9 month and 1 year/cake smash session.

In this   “First Year  Moments  “ plan you will receive 5 digital downloads on a CD from each session with a print release form, a 5x7 from each  session,  a cake for your 1 year cake smash session and a custom designed 10x20 gallery mounted storyboard. 

The storyboard will be received at the end of all 4 sessions and the client will choose portraits to go on the storyboard from all 4 sessions, to highlight the “First Year Moments”! 

 

It is designed with words and portraits of your choice. The “First Year Moments” baby plan costs $800 and can be paid in full or in 4 equal payments.  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ A Fun Christmas Portrait Session }

Suzanne and I have gotten to know each other over the last couple of months, because she has helped me keep my house in tip top shape while I am working ( truly a gift from GOD!!).

It was a joy to have her sons in my studio for a Christmas session with a fun Christmas tree. 

Her boys are just adorable and her youngest, Whit, just turned 1. Thanks Suzanne for all your help and for sharing your sweet boys with me!!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info
 

{ Sweet Ella - A Bundle of Joy }

I love when a client refers me to a friend, co-worker or neighbor. What a wonderful compliment. 

This referral was from the secretary at Belvedere Elementary School, Cathey Farrell. Cathey and her daughter-in-law, Marianne, visited my studio with sweet little newborn, Ella. 

Marianne had been on bedrest, but was able to make it full term with little, adorable Ella.

You may recognize this little bundle of joy, because I entered one of her portraits into a contest and WON!!

What a cutie!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info 

Here is the 10 x 10 Storyboard custom-designed from the session!!

{ A Familiar Location for A Fabulous Christmas Gift }

The Holley Family is a gracious family... opening their "stable doors" to my profession... theirs is the home that was the beautiful backdrop to a recent portrait session in front of the horse stables.  

I was honored when the Holley Family asked me to capture a family portrait while their whole family was in town. 

What a thoughtful and fabulous Christmas gift.  The family gathered - the parents, their two daughters, a fiance, a husband and children and we took portraits on their beautiful property, near the stables and their stream.  

Can't you just feel the love?  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ Our Peyton is Famous! }

Isn't it amazing the different ways children connect with God?  Last year, our good friends Scott and Dawn Brantley asked our boys Jackson and Peyton to play basketball at Christian Heritage Church which offers a Christian-based outreach program for many youth in our area.  While the boys were excited about the program's "extras" - the shirts, the shorts, the sweatshirts, Peyton was enamored by the program's book that was centered around athletes and God.  He would read it every night before bed.

One night as he was reading, he fell asleep and when I went in to have him turn out his light, he lay there, looking like an angel with his hand inside the book, marking the page he was reading. It was one of the precious moments as a Mom, where you look at your child and wish you could freeze this moment forever. I knew I just had to take this picture of him. So, I took the picture and then decided that I need to share this picture with the director of the program to let him know how much both our boys loved their program and how thankful we were to be a part of it.

 

The portrait touched the director so much, he contacted me asking if they could make it into a banner for their gymnasium.  I was shocked and in awe!!  What a very unique experience and I felt honored.

Despite my "photographer - tough-on-myself" critique, I realized that I had taken the portrait in such a format that it would be big enough to be blown up into banner-size.

I was blown away when I first saw it hanging in the gym and Peyton was thrilled to see himself up on the wall!! Thank you so much to Christian Heritage Church for their basketball program and for taking what I saw to be a special moment and a testament to what their program is all about and making it come to life with this banner!  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info