Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Win A Free Beach Session

 Spring fever got you down??  Well let's have fun and remember those wonderful summer days!! It will be here before you know it! Mary Beth's Photography is having a "Summer Fun" contest!! Here are the rules: Send your favorite photo of you, your children, your dog enjoying summer etc.... It can be the kids at the beach, pool, biking, camping, playing with chalk, enjoying a park, a vacation that rocked...pretty much anything dealing with summer. Mail "Summer Fun" to mb_photography@bellsouth.net anytime between April 20th-April 24th. I will post an album  called "Summer Fun Contest" and then all you have to do is become a fan of Mary Beth's Photography and then click "like" or leave a comment under your favorite "Summer Fun" photo.The Contest will run from- April 25th-30th and the picture with the most votes wins .....the grandprize, well this a doozy..... A Beach Session at Hilton Head July 15, 16, 17 or 18th and $100 credit towards portraits!!   What could be better??!! You know you have always wanted beach portraits, now is your chance to get them for free!!  2nd place will win a $50 gift certificate for Mary Beth's Photography! So, send those photos - please, no professional portraits, unless I took them :)  and tell your friends about it..... If you cannot go to the beach, you will receive a free session for you and your family at a location of your choice in our area and the $100 credit that goes with it!! So, send the photos!!!!











Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Welcome Little One!!

A new life enters the world and it is a reminder to us that we are witnesses to miracles! 
This little miracle came to visit me in my studio, when he was 7 days old. 

                     Do you see his little smile...... so precious! :)




                 They happen to be Georgia Fans.....go Bulldogs!!
                                   




   His room has a jungle theme and so they brought this monkey to 
   use in some portraits.......hard to balance, but we got a few shots!


Thank you Ashmita and Manish for sharing your new little 
one with me! Welcome to the world Ronak!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Sharing Your Gifts.....
Life is about sharing the gifts and talents we possess with others. Using the gift I have been given to record life's moments with  those around me is something I get pure enjoyment from! The feelings inside me that come from giving of myself and the families I have met, makes it all too clear why I have been called to be in this profession. It is a calling you know...what you are meant to do. It is that inner voice that quietly speaks. It may take time to listen to that voice or hear what God is calling you to do......but once you surrender yourself to what you are truly meant to do with your life, it is the most liberating feeling!

I am a part of the "Littlest Heroes" program that gives free sessions and portraits to families with children who have an illness or special need. These children are truly "Little Heroes" and their families are going through things I cannot even imagine having to deal with on a daily basis. I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the McBride Family and their "Little Hero" - Andrew! 





Andrew was diagnosed with Leigh's Disease around the time he turned 2. He was a normal little boy up until that point. Leigh's Disease is a rare neurometabolic disorder that damages the central nervous system. There currently is no cure for this disease, so each day is a gift!

He and his family have never had a family portrait done, because he cannot get out much. They  have to be very careful about germs with Andrew. It was such a pleasure to meet them and little Andrew! What made it even more perfect, was that Lisa ( his mom) had her mother and two sisters in town to share in the portrait experience too!Andrew and his family have made an imprint on my heart and I feel so blessed to have been able to record a special moment for this family. Here are some shots from my visit! If you know of a family that has a "Little Hero", feel free to contact me! 






Monday, March 21, 2011

Happy Child = Perfect Portrait Session

As far as first birthday sessions go, Caeden's was one of the easiest I have ever had!  What a little doll!!  

 
As you can imagine, a successful session photographing children is truly dependent on how they are feeling at that very moment. 


 

Jennifer, Caeden's Mom, was very worried when she arrived for Caeden's portrait session, because he had fallen asleep in the car ride to my studio.


Turns out, the little model, just need a few extra moments of rest before turning on the charm for the camera.  Caeden was all smiles, so happy and just so darn cute!  He is very close to walking and loved standing and holding on to a variety of props used during the session.  What a fun time!


 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Christmas Gift Idea - Organize Now!
I know, I know... Mary Beth, are you really talking about Christmas gifts in March??  Yes, I am and it is all because this is not only a great gift idea, but it involves being organized throughout the year to accomplish this gift.  I am sure you have all seen or purchased really neat calendars with personal photos for each month.  This is a great idea, but how many of us start looking around Thanksgiving for a 12 pictures from the year of memories?  I am one of the guilty ones.  




I always have felt rushed to get this great idea to take shape for our parents.  Then, once you find the pictures, now you have to upload them and get them into a calendar format.  




All this extra stress can easily be avoided by organizing pictures in your computer.  Simply take a few extra moments as you are are downloading pictures from your camera to place the pictures in month folders on your desktop or Photos folder.  




You can even take it the next step and label folders within the month.  If you have a few extra moments, pull out a few photos and place them in a 2011 Christmas Calendar folder that you have created.  By the end of the year, you will not only have all your photos organized, but also be able to quickly and easily create those beautiful calendars that grandparents love.  




I have ordered our calendars through online sites such as Shutterfly, Kodak, or Snapfish, (all calendar images on this post are from one of those sites) but you can easily take your pictures to your local Walgreens or Walmart for beautiful calendars that will make Christmas morning so special!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Very First Family Portraits

On a cold, windy day at Hammond's Ferry, I met with the Glore Family for their very first family portraits. 


 
Kim and Dennis arranged the session after always hearing my name when asking friends about having their portraits taken! 

 

What a super sweet family - Lyla and Aiden were little troopers despite the weather and with trains in hand, Aiden was one happy 3-year-old.  Lyla, 6 months old, had the most beautiful eyes and was much more interested in the pearls and flowers than having her portrait taken!  




Take a look at the neat colorings I used in post production - I have been trying out some different effects and couldn't have asked for better subjects!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bunny Time

When I say pink nose, long pointy ears and carrots, what is the first thing that comes to mind??  Easter Portraits with Mary Beth's Photography! 




That is right, it is that time of the year again and I have been searching high and low for the sweetest little live prop for this year's Easter Portraits! And I found just that sweet prop thanks to the kind folks at Pheonix Sun Rabbitry or find them on Facebook



Reserve your portrait session today for March 25, 26 or 27th, when the sweetest little bunny will be in my home studio - portrait sessions will include a variety of props as well as be taken with white backdrops or natural light. 



If you are interested in purchasing a little bunny for your family, contact Pheonix Sun Rabbitry!  Portrait Session are $60 and include 2 - 5x7 and 4 wallets!