{ A Big Chance Makes Me Happy }

Owning your own business means taking big chances and I am so happy I took one with an OBGYN office!  

Thanks to the staff at Augusta OBGYN, I was able to add my portraits as artwork on their walls earlier this year.  And that is how I met Spencer and her family!  

Spencer’s Mom is a medical supply representative who just happened to be in the office when I was discussing putting up the portraits; ironically enough, she also remembered me from when she had her first baby.  

Spencer’s Mom signed up for the First Moments package, booking her newborn session months in advance.  

It is always a better idea to get on my schedule around your due date, but being a Mom to three, I know how sometimes that cutie-pie bun in the oven likes to make an early or late appearance.  Did your baby arrive on time?  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ Cyber Monday and a Naughty Elf }

I just can't believe my eyes this morning!!! I thought I had it all figured out, but then Snowy, our little Elf on the Shelf, decided to take over my Facebook page and drop the discounts on my Cyber Monday specials. Tricky little elf! There is no turning back now! 

Here are the specials... Newborn Sessions ($150 value) - $50 off!

First Year Moments Plan ($1600 value) - $400 off!!! 

Buy 1 session and receive a $100 print credit! These offers can not be combined. Also, I am not sure how Snowy convinced her, but if you purchase a session, the fabulous Karrie Lykins - Makeup Artist will do your makeup for FREE!!! WOW!!! 

Can you believe the discounts? Happy Cyber Monday! Remember, gift cards are available! 

To access these deals, please visit my website www.MaryBethsPhotography.info and click on the Cyber Monday link!

{ A Mother's Love }

There is just something so sweet about the care of a mother for her children.  

I can’t describe the love that pours from Mom’s voices when they schedule a session.  I love knowing that they recognize the importance of quality portraits to “capture life’s beautiful moments”.  

Delaney’s Mom called me, as she was one of our Mother’s Day portrait winners.  What a super sweet family from Aiken, who had a third little girl.  

Delaney and her sisters came to my studio in the cutest little outfits, especially Delaney’s headband and diaper cover – which very sweetly became a gift to me!  

The family decided to purchase my First Year Moments package, which includes 4 sessions for a newborn (or one can be switched for a family session) and comes with a payment installment plan.  What types of outfits do you like to dress your children in for portrait sessions?  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

Photography Idol Contest

     {Photography Idol Entry} / Chic Critique

        " Sometimes, " said Pooh,  " the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."

                                                                                                                 - A. A. Milne

                                     

                   { www.marybethsphotography.info}

                                         

                   {www.facebook.com/MaryBethsPhotography}

{Chic Critique}

{ A Client From a Business Partnership }

Luke’s family found me through one of the companies that I have partnered with this year, The Augusta OBGYN. 

I was so excited to have a little boy newborn to take portraits of, as I had many little girl newborns.  I instantly hopped online to my favorite photographers in Oregon, Robin Long, who had just posted about a sale on her props.  

I bought a couple hats from her that we used for the adorable Mr. Luke.  In an effort to keep up with my own continuing education as a photographer, I purchased Robin Long’s guide to newborn portrait posing and was so excited to use a few new tricks I had learned with Luke!!  

What a great day!  What are some creative ways you have seen newborn portraits taken?  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ Kaylee's Adorable Cake Smash! }

Kaylee was scheduled to visit my studio for her Cake Smash portrait session when I got a call from her Mom that Kaylee was sick… Oh boy… do I know that story – being a Mom with three little ones of my own! 

Ironically enough, part of the reason why I keep my schedule so structured with the number of sessions I book is to help work around situations just like this!  When Kaylee’s session happened, we had so much fun with her owl-themed Cake Smash session.  

Amanda Bell of ABB Bakery made the adorable customized owl cake.  I was able to prepare the session, because Kaylee’s mom sent me picture texts of her outfits and the banner she had made.  

I love to pamper my clients and I loved being able to pamper Kaylee’s family in a super special way – Kaylee’s portraits wouldn’t be done in time for Father’s Day, so I created a special Father’s Day email card.   What other special ways could I pamper my clients?

      { Fabulous Fun Tip Friday }

   Oct. 4, 2013

  Today's tip is included in my newsletter!

{Stan Jewelers - a Perfect Business Partnership }

One of my goals this year was to find fabulous businesses in the area to develop partnerships.  

I was looking for businesses with similar clients, businesses who love to pamper their clients and businesses with incredible owners who share a similar vision!

I couldn't believe my luck when one of my clients started raving about Stan Jewelers in North Augusta.  This client bought both their engagement ring and wedding bands from Stan.  I had been looking for a jeweler to partner with for a long time!   I stopped by the store to discuss the opportunity to become businesses partners.  

I learned that Stan had learned his trade from his Dad and other master jewelers.  Stan’s Dad, Bill Johnson, had started the store in 1982 and Stan bought the business from his father in 1997.  Stan Jewelers is a full service jewelry store selling unique jewelry and performing quality repairs.

I am so fortunate to partner with Stan Jewelers!  If you purchase your engagement ring at Stan Jewelers, you will receive a FREE ENGAGEMENT SESSION with me!!  If you book a wedding with me, Stan gives you 20% OFF your wedding bands.  

I mean, seriously, if you are getting engaged this holiday season, there is no place to look than Stan Jewelers!  

If you are thinking about getting a piece of jewelry for someone special this holiday season, then stop by Stan Jewelers at 605 Edgefield Road, North Augusta, SC and give them a call 803-279-0776!  Stan’s website is:  www.stanjohnsonjewelers.com

{ Cake Smash Session Fabulousness!! }

Sweet little Riley – from a newborn to a one-year-old {Yeah!} – I have just loved watching this little girl grow over this last year! 

It was an exciting Cake Smash portrait session – her family bought the “First Year Moments” baby plan! 

What a great cake Riley’s Mom brought with them!  Riley was dressed in an adorable tutu and a couple other outfits. 

Typically when a Cake Smash happens, the parents bring three outfits!  What are your favorite outfits that you dress your children in for special occasions?

{ Sweet Luke }

Oh my…  babies, babies, babies!!!!  Sweet little Luke Arney came to my studio as a newborn, under two weeks old and how great was he – the cherub!!!  

His parents found me through a Google search and I was so excited when they signed up for the “First Year Moments” baby plan.  

Luke’s Mom brought with her an adorable turtle-shaped hat and a turtle shell.  Luke loved being on the bean bag and in the bucket when we took his portraits.  

A very special thanks to my “right hand helper”, Terrie Lehi.  I am so lucky and blessed to have you in my life as a friend and as part of the Mary Beth’s Photography team!!!  Who can you not live without in your life, besides your spouse and children?  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

{ Time Flies When we Are Having Fun! }

It is amazing how quickly time flies by and it truly is apparent when you talk about children. Edison and Denise were one of my very first clients over five years ago.  

Well, five years and two children later, I was so excited when Edison and Denise contacted me to take portraits of their little newborn, Ava, who was born in April.

Ava had to visit me two days in a row… she was over 2 weeks old and had a harder time staying asleep – what a difference it makes for a newborn session… This little Ava is such a super sweet little girl.  

Her Mom brought a special headband to our studio session.  How lucky am I to have this incredible space!  The lighting is perfect and I have everything in my studio, ready to make a successful newborn session.  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info

    Fabulous Fun Tip Friday

      September 6th, 2013

When it's time for homework are your kids always asking, "Mom where's a pencil? " 

or "Mom I need scissors and crayons?".

 Do they need to find glue for that fabulous school project, but it is no where to be found.....

Well, I have a solution for you.......it is a homework caddy and you can quite possibly make it for free as I did!!

I took an empty 6 pack bottle cardboard carrier and put plastic cups in the four corner pockets and filled them with some scissors, pencils and pens, crayons and glue. In the two middle ones I put a larger scissors ( for older children) and a stapler. I like this holder, because it has a cute Fall pumpkin on it, but you could wrap it with colorful paper to decorate it. It is easy peasy( is that even a word?) and homework will take less time, because you will spend less time looking for items. 

Plus, it's easy to store and children can carry it!! 

If you don't have access to a bottle carrier, you can always go through a drive through restaurant and order several drinks and ask for a cup carrier and do the same thing with it. 

If you LOVE this tip, share it with a friend!! 

Have a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!

{ Fall Newsletter}

The Power of the Internet

I am still amazed at the power of the internet.  I have been told by multiple people that they found me simply by Googling “photographers in North Augusta” or “newborn photography”.  

I guess it is really not that different than the old school Yellow Page book that I remember thumbing through when I was younger, but I love knowing that someone, who didn’t know me at 1 p.m., looked for a photographer, saw many results return, clicked on my name, checked out my website and/or Facebook page and by 1:30 p.m. decided I was the right photographer to capture their precious moment in time.  Amazing!

Susan Waskavitz found me through a Google search and when she reached out to me, she told me that she was the Mom of an almost one-year-old and she was looking for a photographer to capture her family’s first portraits.

On the day we set our session, I drove to Edgefield, SC to her family’s farm.  What a beautiful day, the farm was so pretty and Spring was bestowing her majesty of everything in bloom.  As if the scenery wasn't enough, the Waskavitz family was adorable - Susan, Adam and sweet Milo were a wonderful family.

One of the most special parts of the day was watching Milo with his Grandpa.  The smile that Milo gave when his Grandpa was helping to him to smile was one of affection and unconditional love.  Such a precious moment and such a lovely session.  What types of special moments of your children do you like watching most?  www.MaryBethsPhotography.info