Favorite Photo Friday: Rose

Just like that almost an entire month has passed! This month has been a pretty amazing balance of work and play. A personal highlight was being able to attend a friend's wedding in Tennessee and the trip was an absolute blast. Brian having the opportunity to spend time with my college friends was the best. Plus, we took time to head back to my Alma Mater and that....well, it was very special. A professional highlight is the mix of children/family portraits and product photography that came my way. They're very different to photograph, but both are so much fun. It's very energizing and rewarding to be stretched shifting gears like that: directing children and styling products. Over the next couple weeks I'll share glimpses into the work I've done for two great jewelry lines (one right here in Cville and the other from the United Kingdom). 

But, TODAY. Today we're turning our attention to a darling family I recently photographed. We've become friends with Adam and Hayley through Portico and I happen to think their daughters are downright adorable. We met in the early morning (I love morning light) and had a lovely shoot. Charlotte and Olivia were a delight to direct and their giggles and big smiles had my heart melting. Let's roll out the favorites!

These black and white portraits of the girls are my favorites. They're straightforward and timeless. Plus, I love how each girl is exuding joy but their expressions and body language are different. 

These black and white portraits of the girls are my favorites. They're straightforward and timeless. Plus, I love how each girl is exuding joy but their expressions and body language are different. 

Hayley said of her favorite, "This is my favorite because it captures my kids at their best- when they're enjoying each other's company."

Hayley said of her favorite, "This is my favorite because it captures my kids at their best- when they're enjoying each other's company."

Adam simply stated of his favorite that "it's the cutest!"

Adam simply stated of his favorite that "it's the cutest!"

See what I mean? Aren't their girls so precious?!

Thank you Adam and Hayley! I'm so thrilled you're enjoying your family portraits. 

Wishing you a happy weekend!

MM

 

Favorite Photo Friday: Luke

Photographing a newborn is always a tremendous honor. To be invited into family time during such an intimate transition isn't lost on me. Plus, I don't think I'll ever get over the joy of a little hand, foot or nose. 

Our friends and neighbors, Jon and Kathleen, recently welcomed a sweet little boy to their family. Luke is oh-so handsome and slept like a champ the.entire.session. I couldn't believe it! You'd think an adorable baby and kind parents would be enough, but to top it all off the afternoon was gorgeous and we sat outside drinking fresh lemonade after portraits...such a gift. 

Proceed with caution: This post may give you baby fever. Fair warning.

I just can't get over this photograph. It makes my heart feel all fuzzy. Luke and his giraffe lovey make for a sweet, simple, memorable portrait. I joked with Kathleen that he'll probably end up picking out another lovey that's his favorite when he'…

I just can't get over this photograph. It makes my heart feel all fuzzy. Luke and his giraffe lovey make for a sweet, simple, memorable portrait. I joked with Kathleen that he'll probably end up picking out another lovey that's his favorite when he's a little older! But until then, I'll pretend he and giraffe are great buds. 

On one of her favorites Kathleen says, "This photo perfectly captures the sweet smile that I am blessed to see each day. It's this smile that helps me get through all the long nights!"

On one of her favorites Kathleen says, "This photo perfectly captures the sweet smile that I am blessed to see each day. It's this smile that helps me get through all the long nights!"

Kathleen says of another favorite, "This photo is so simple and sweet. Luke loves to hold our fingers so I love having this photo as a keepsake of that!"

Kathleen says of another favorite, "This photo is so simple and sweet. Luke loves to hold our fingers so I love having this photo as a keepsake of that!"

Jon on his favorite, "It's a unique shot with the letter and him giving a big yawn! I really like how the photo was set up and at the same time captured a real moment."

Jon on his favorite, "It's a unique shot with the letter and him giving a big yawn! I really like how the photo was set up and at the same time captured a real moment."

Isn't Luke the sweetest?! Congrats, Jon and Kathleen! You two make for adorable parents. 

MM

Favorite Photo Friday: Scott

After an overcast and rainy week, it's going to be 70 and sunny this weekend. Hooray, that's photo-makin' weather, right there! I am overjoyed. Brian reminds me regularly I'm the opposite of a vampire. If I don't have enough sunshine, I slowly start fading. 

On this bright and shiny Friday, I'm excited to post favorite photos from a recent portrait session with Raleigh and her family. I took Raleigh's newborn portraits and then her one year old portraits. This year, the little lady turned two and I was excited to capture her lively spirit. We all had a hard time narrowing it down our favorites with this one! This family is just downright precious as you'll soon see. Side note: Spring is such a happy time for portraits. It feels so good to be running around outside after a long winter.

It was really hard to pick my favorite from this session, but this is the one to which I always come back. I am absolutely convinced joy, hope, youth..all of it is contagious. The sky's the limit when you're a kid and I love that. This photo reflect…

It was really hard to pick my favorite from this session, but this is the one to which I always come back. I am absolutely convinced joy, hope, youth..all of it is contagious. The sky's the limit when you're a kid and I love that. This photo reflects the possibility in each of our lives. And at the end of the day, she just has the sweetest little face.

Chris's Favorite #1

Chris's Favorite #1

Chris's Favorite #2 "These images demonstrate the beauty and joy of the ladies in my life. They enjoy life, and enjoy living it together. Marcy did a great job of capturing these warm loving moments."

Chris's Favorite #2 "These images demonstrate the beauty and joy of the ladies in my life. They enjoy life, and enjoy living it together. Marcy did a great job of capturing these warm loving moments."

Corie says of her first favorite, "...because it was a genuine moment of just wanting to warm up my boys and Raleigh wanted to join in. I never get to take pictures of me hugging my kids!"

Corie says of her first favorite, "...because it was a genuine moment of just wanting to warm up my boys and Raleigh wanted to join in. I never get to take pictures of me hugging my kids!"

On Corie's second favorite, "...because it captures my kids' joy and disparity in size so well. As Chris described it, 'it looks like Raleigh is a member of the Lollipop Guild.'" 

On Corie's second favorite, "...because it captures my kids' joy and disparity in size so well. As Chris described it, 'it looks like Raleigh is a member of the Lollipop Guild.'" 

Corie on her final favorite, "...because it shows Raleigh's sweet face (and long lashes!) in a way that I often see it, but can't her to sit still ing enough to capture."

Corie on her final favorite, "...because it shows Raleigh's sweet face (and long lashes!) in a way that I often see it, but can't her to sit still ing enough to capture."

There you have it! I'd be lying if I didn't say it delighted me that they each had so many favorites (and such a difficult time choosing)! Isn't it fun to see everyone's favorite and read why? I find it so interesting! 

Wishing you a relaxing weekend! I hope you can soak up some sunshine.

MM

The Real Deal No.1

Thank you, Pinterest, for giving everyone a mental picture of my "home office" that's much more glamorous than reality.

As I'm writing this post, I'm sitting on our bedroom floor with my computer between Bible study surveys and the laundry hamper. The wall in front of me is partially painted. I've "cut in" but haven't yet rolled the majority of the room. So what we have going on here is a pink/gray combination that's quite off-putting to two creatives. But we're running businesses, so painting our bedroom is pretty low on that ol' to-do list.

The office is typically our dining room because it's roomy and has a lot of light pouring in. Brian sets his computer up there, too and it's fun to work together, bounce ideas off each other, figure out ways to make each other laugh throughout the day, etc. He's currently training a new addition to Tried & True which is awesome and exciting, but I'm easily distracted so here I am in the bedroom (second-best light in the house, of course...I'm pretty much a house cat that's constantly searching for sun beams to sit in).

It's not perfect and it's so not pin-worthy but I love it. And other than this bedroom paint color, I wouldn't change a thing. It's "us". This season of life is all about figuring out the new: new marriage, relatively new businesses, new team member, new clients...you get the idea. And when there's "new" there's learning. I think the biggest lesson I've learned in every aspect of my life over the last year is "Go with the flow!" Whether it's a shipment of paper that's so tall we can't see from our living room to our dining room, a child that is just really sad he's being asked to take a portrait, technology that doesn't work that moment you really need it to, a husband that really needs to work later than expected, a bedroom that I can't finish painting for the life of me...by letting go of what I desire as the outcome, I'm able to make room for something that's bigger than I would have imagined on my own.  

So, here I am on the bedroom floor. It's not what I pictured when I thought about working from home, but it's better. It's better because it inspires growth, allows me to see things differently, to put others first, to listen to the same All Sons and Daughters song on repeat while I edit an entire shoot and not annoy the guys...and because at the end of the day I'm just so stinkin' thankful that Brian and I both get to work from home that I'll do whatever it takes to maintain that gift. 

Here's to the not pin-worthy moments that are just as beautiful.

MM

Favorite Photo Friday: Lund

Say, what?! How has a whole week already passed? I meant to blog and tell you about this awesome movie and that I'm dying to see it. I also wanted to share and show you a glimpse of  how in my spare time I've been working on photographing some still life scenes, so that when you click on "store" up there at the top of the screen there are some beautiful prints to purchase and hang in your home! Another day, I suppose. 

Today is all about this adorable family, the Lunds. Before I met Ngoc and Jason, I had heard about them and how funny they are through mutual friends. Well, to make a small world even smaller, when we met them we were actually in the process of subleasing their home! Last year, I was able to photograph them when their son, Tyler, was born. He is a precious little boy. Seriously. We photographed some new family portraits recently while Tyler can sit up but isn't all over the place yet. 

Let's get to it! Here are the favorites:

I love this shot. Ngoc's shirt popping against the green backdrop is so striking and Tyler grinning while peeking around and receiving kisses from Mommy is too much. See, he' just so cute. 

I love this shot. Ngoc's shirt popping against the green backdrop is so striking and Tyler grinning while peeking around and receiving kisses from Mommy is too much. See, he' just so cute. 

"I love the closeup of his face, the sweetness in his eyes, and the little bow tie. This picture makes me just wanna squeeeezee his little cheeks!"- Ngoc on her favorite portrait

"I love the closeup of his face, the sweetness in his eyes, and the little bow tie. This picture makes me just wanna squeeeezee his little cheeks!"- Ngoc on her favorite portrait

Jason says of his favorite, "It has all three of us and it doesn't show my face." To which Ngoc responds, "He isn't a huge fan of taking photos!" hahahaha I have to note here that Jason is a great sport! I would never have guessed that.

Jason says of his favorite, "It has all three of us and it doesn't show my face." To which Ngoc responds, "He isn't a huge fan of taking photos!" hahahaha I have to note here that Jason is a great sport! I would never have guessed that.

Jason on another favorite, "It leaves the person to wonder...you may wonder what the baby is looking at, what he's thinking..." I'm cracking up. I had to take this shot because his cheeks are awesome when looking at his profile...AND THOSE LASHES.&n…

Jason on another favorite, "It leaves the person to wonder...you may wonder what the baby is looking at, what he's thinking..." I'm cracking up. I had to take this shot because his cheeks are awesome when looking at his profile...AND THOSE LASHES. 

I'll tell you what...being invited in to photograph a family is such a treat. It's a sweet feeling to stop time, even if only for a moment. 

Have a happy weekend!

MM

Favorite Photo Friday: Montgomery

I am thrilled to be starting this series, but first a little back story!

You may be used to scrolling through portrait upon portrait from each shoot on a photographer's blog. I absolutely see the value in it (duh, people get to see beautiful work and it's fun for clients to see their shoot featured), but that approach isn't the right fit for me. 

I am honored to be invited into personal, intimate, sweet and raw moments by my clients (think: brand new baby and Mom and Dad haven't really slept in days/weeks; or Mom just received life-changing medical news; or Dad is about to leave for months overseas; or child #2 has been having a tantrum for the last hour and Mom and Dad are at their wits end but they still want nice portraits; or simply, a family that's loving this season of life and they want their joy captured). All of these examples are real and beautiful and have tremendous value. I want to cherish, preserve and protect these moments for my clients and their families. To hold dear each shoot for my clients so they can decide what's just for them to enjoy and what can be shared is a truly incredible privilege. 

That being said, I'm still a photographer and enjoy sharing bits and pieces of my work. So, here's the idea: whenever I'm going through portraits, there's always that one shot I can't get enough of:  a silly gesture of a kid, a family laughing hysterically, incredible light, a new composition I really like, siblings loving on each other, etc. Well, the funny thing is it's almost always a different favorite than my client's. It really tickles me that it's never the same. Thus, this series was born. I thought you might like to see my favorite photo from a shoot verses the client(s) favorite! 

First up, we have the Montgomery family. You guys, they're the kind of people that you can't believe really exist. They're of the mind-blowingly-talented-and-incredibly-kind variety. Tara has a lovely jewelry line and Andrew builds beautiful custom furniture. We met when I photographed their home for DH&D and quickly became friends.

Recently, Tara wanted portraits before her son, Walker, was born. And here are the favorites:

This portrait of Tara is my favorite. I'm loving the light, flare, color and think she looks beautiful and serene.

This portrait of Tara is my favorite. I'm loving the light, flare, color and think she looks beautiful and serene.

This portrait of Leah is one of Tara and Andrew's favorites. Each time I picked up my camera she struck a demure pose like the one pictured. It was the sweetest thing. 

This portrait of Leah is one of Tara and Andrew's favorites. Each time I picked up my camera she struck a demure pose like the one pictured. It was the sweetest thing. 

Here's the whole Montgomery crew! This is Tara and Andrew's other favorite. They came wanting a shot with each of them sporting their sunglasses and Leah looking over the top of her glasses was the cherry on top of this portrait.

Here's the whole Montgomery crew! This is Tara and Andrew's other favorite. They came wanting a shot with each of them sporting their sunglasses and Leah looking over the top of her glasses was the cherry on top of this portrait.

So, there you have it. The first installment of Favorite Photo Friday. I hope you enjoyed it!

Wishing you a joyous weekend!

MM