Learning to Go With the Flow

As a professional photographer, I never truly know what conditions I am going to experience on a portrait session.  If it is outside, will the weather cooperate or will we be forced to reschedule?  Is everyone in the family feeling well or is someone under the weather?  If it is a location shoot, is the location as nice as it was in the morning as in the evening?  

I have learned over the years that I just need to go with the flow and taking portraits of the Beaver Family reminded me of that philosophy.  

We arrived at Brick Pond Park and encountered terrible wind and crazy sunlight.  Thankfully, the Beaver family was also willing to go with the flow and I can't help but smile when I look at these pictures.  

Kim, a local celebrity who hosts her own show "Cooking with Kim," won a portrait session as part of my library promotion at the beginning of the year when I displayed some of my portraits at the North Augusta Library.  Congratulations, once again!  I had a wonderful time with the entire Beaver Family!

Watching the a Family Grow

It has been amazing to see the Cook Family grow through my lens.  The last time I took family portraits, Kristy was pregnant with Leah.  My how things have changed!!  

Now a complete family with Kristy, Jeff, and the very active Leah and Jeffery.  Hammond's Ferry, once again, did not disappoint with the beautiful scenery and the country feel provided by the wooden fence.  

 
I can't help but love the picture of Leah and Jeffery playing with the leaves.
  

 
Also, how adorable are their shirts?  Their cute little names and the tractors just made the pictures feel so personal.  

 

There is no question that we all had a great time at the portrait session and what beautiful memories were captured that day! 

Check out the storyboard created with a variety of portraits from the session! 

McKee Family Fun

The Stewart House played backdrop once again to one of the sweetest families...  The McKee Family - Amanda, Chuck, Ellie and Ethan were fantastic models, especially considering these are their first family portraits!    

 How cute are the faces of their children?  Amanda, a fellow Mother's Club member, used a gift certificate for the portrait session and to purchase some prints!  What a great Christmas gift idea!!

Remember our last portrait sessions of 2010 are December 3rd and in the afternoon of the 4th, so book your Christmas card and holiday gift portraits today!  Gift certificates are available!  

Fa La La La La

Can you believe it is that time of year again?  Stores have been promoting Christmas sales and everywhere you turn, even downtown North Augusta, garland and wreaths are starting to pop up everywhere!  

And you know what that means...  Time to celebrate your holiday cheer with friends and family by sending out Christmas cards!!  Mary Beth's Photography is offering special Christmas Portrait Sessions on December 3rd and in the afternoon of December 4th.

Since these are the last appointments available in 2010, book your appointment today!  Take a look at our special Christmas Hat Session done recently with my three favorite models - an option for your Christmas card, too!
 

"Old Time Feeling" With An Adorable Family

I can't believe that it was a short time ago that we were celebrating Braeden's first birthday with his "Smash the Cake" celebration!  In just a month, he has gotten so big! 

I had the sincere pleasure of seeing Braeden and taking portraits of Lauren and Andy and all their boys at the train tracks. It was the perfect setting, especially for the hat that Andy was wearing... The hat and the train tracks gave an "old time feeling" to the session - It was great!

Two funny things happened during the session.  First, despite the forecast for great weather, we finished the portrait session just in time to beat the rain!!  Secondly, one of the boys kept thinking that there was a train coming down the tracks, because we could hear trains in the distant.  Interestingly enough, the tracks are live, so every time we heard the train in the distance, we looked around very quickly and were ready to jump!!

A Little Red Wagon and Two Cute Models

Seriously, there is something about a little red wagon and boys that just warms my heart!  

I couldn't have asked for cuter models than Braden and Brenton Vasquez!   You may recognize them from a portrait session last year (black and white with a black backdrop) and the latest portrait session was full of fun places to capture their super sweet and super tough personalities.  

 

 

 Our session was on location at the Stewart House (special thanks to my friend Melody for permission), where the white paint and worn look of the barn complimented the Georgia Bulldog red wagon.

 

 

The boys were as adorable as ever!  It is always so nice to watch as children grow.  I have know Braden and Brenton for a while because their mother, Jennifer and I are in a Mother's Club together.

 

Giving Back

This portrait session was a reminder of how precious life is and that cherishing it every day should be lived with each breath.  

  
I am one of the luckiest people in the world.  Beyond having a roof over my head, food on my plate at night and a family who loves me more than words, I am living my passion as a photographer.  I didn't realize how my passion could make an impact.

  

Recently, I was able to capture the last few days of a strong woman's life. I offered to take portraits of my friend Melaine's Mom and family. Melanie's Mom is losing her battle with cancer.


Believe me, she has put up one fight and is making the most of every last moment here.  Even the day that Dana and I were there to take portraits, despite the weight of session, Melanie and her family resonated with love... cherishing each moment.  

It was our pleasure to spend the afternoon with them, giving back.  I told Melanie that her session was for free and a CD of the images were hers - What price tag do you put on capturing such precious moments?  







Thank you to Melanie for allowing us to be part of such an important moment.