Meeting Jen Fox in 2007 ranks up there with one of my lucky life experiences.  We met at a photography workshop (actually in the line to the restroom!  ha!) and we’ve pretty much been inseparable communicators since. Email, text, phone – it’s been SO awesome and fun. We chat about all things business-related, as well as the ups and downs of our crazy life experiences.  Babies, kiddos, friends, family, pets — you name it.  She’s my voice of reason and my memory in most cases. 

Last year, when Jen said that she would be honored to photograph my sister’s wedding, I was blown away. She is fabulous and has an incredible eye. Her attention to detail and artistic edge really set her apart. I’ve loved seeing her wedding images for quite some time and I just knew that she’d be an awesome fit for my sister and her new husband (some of those images coming soon…).

A couple days before the big wedding, Jen, her family, and I met at the Santa Monica Pier so that I could once again capture her family. The little guy sure has grown from their trip to Dallas {here}.  We played in the sand, on the boardwalk, in the waves, AND took an exhilarating ferris wheel ride (I got to ride with Jen’s awesome sis).    Definitely my kind of session!

Anyway, here’s a peek at Jen and her gorgeous family having an amazing time in the golden California sunlight. I am so fortunate to know such an amazing woman and be a part of watching and documenting this fun family.

AND as a side note, this week her hubby deployed to the Middle East. I really felt like I needed to capture their love as-is so that T could enjoy these images while he’s away and Jen and their little guy could enjoy them as well.   These portraits ooze happiness and love and I hope that they serve as a little light during hard times.   Thank you J and T, and little W, for being SO darn fun and stunning AND easy-peasy. Your love just floats and dances and cartwheels all over the place.

(((Stay safe and come home quickly T)))

Have a lovely day…
~m

{2nd day of school for Peach, 1st day for Fella}

Even though I haven’t blogged in a while (SORRY!!!), I’ve been plenty busy adjusting to so many things…

What have we been up to, you ask?

• Well, school started and although I’ve been loving the schedule, the kiddos are having a hard time adjusting to the early rising.   Much, much earlier bedtimes (for them, obviously not me, since I’m typing this at 2am) around here.    We had a last minute preschool switch-a-roo for my son (and for those that know me, know that I research and research and visit and research schools for the right fit, so changing something like that with zero time to do so just about put me over the edge.  It all ended up for the better — my little guy actually screams “yaaaaaay” when it’s time for school this year.  Something we’re not used to.  It makes my heart happy.

{Peachers — Day 1}

• And along with school starting comes….SOCCER starting!

• I’ve been getting lovelies ready for my sister’s wedding : printing/sorting through images, designing the program, coordinating outfits for the adorable flower girl and handsome ring bearer, getting some fun things for bachelorette party, AND so much more…   It’s gonna be one INCREDI-party/smoochfest.

• I’ve been assembling holiday cards and assigning locations and times to all of the LOVELY clients I will photograph this holiday season.  If you’d like to book a holiday session for Dallas, there are some spots still available….email me at maggiejmcd (@ ) msn.com for the deets.  If you are a Phoenix client or inquiring about holiday sessions there (October), mini sessions are now full.  I am HAPPY to put your name on a wait list just in case though!

Here’s an example of a fun card offered this season:

{front}  (obviously my enormo lollipop logo won’t be on the front!)

{back}

What a fun, stunning family! 

• Kiddos and I have been on the hunt for some crazy supa-COOL photo locations.  We obviously found some…swooooon!   All that driving is totally worth it!!!

Well, I need some sleep.  Another very full day tomorrow!

The next week is going to be full of wedding prep, hanging with family AND a couple incredible California sessions.  I…CAN’T…WAIT!   Hopefully I’ll be able to pop in and give you a little teaser.

Have a lovely day!

~mm

Great news…..at long last, dates and collections are here for the 2010 Holiday Mini Sessions!

So, here are the details…

Included with each session are the items clients *love the most* for the holidays:

• Gift Prints (your choice of an 8×10, 5×7, 4×6 portrait or 8 wallets)

• Three web-sized, watermarked files for sharing online (*new from last year*)

AND

• A holiday card option (custom holiday cards created FOR and with you including envelopes, 4×6 prints to include in your own cards, OR a high-resolution digital file for those that would like to create a card on their own.

I know it seems early, but the end of September will be here in a flash, then we’ll all be busy with trick-or-treating…Thanksgiving…and then Christmas!  You’ll be SO glad you got this done ahead of time. 

And…2010 holiday card choices have been designed/purchased and are being finalized with images from sessions throughout the year — they will be displayed on the blog in the next two weeks.   I always LOVE to give clients variety and can’t wait for you to see this year’s cards!  Gorgeous.

If you’ve decided you’d like to reserve a mini session, please email me at maggiejmcd@msn.com and I’ll send you a link to the holiday session booking form. Payment is due at the time of booking (I’ll send a PayPal invoice) to hold your spot.

There are a limited number of spots available, so book now before it’s too late — last year there was a wait list!

Hope you have a lovely day — I’m excited about the prospect of working with so many gorgeous couples, kiddos and families again this year and sure hope you (and yours) are on the list.     ~mm

A true sneak peek — little snippets of images.

And now…onto the big images…isn’t she STUNNING??? I am excited to finally be able to share these images — she’s married now! A BIG congratulations to the newly married couple!!!

I don’t typically photograph bridal portraits, because I don’t specialize in wedding photography, but this situation was perfect! This bride needed portraits taken because her photographer, a family friend, was coming from out of state for the wedding. I was happy to oblige and feel so fortunate to have met this beautiful woman and her family. And get this…she’s even MORE beautiful on the inside.

Her husband loves golf, so it was important to incorporate some fun golf pics. LOVE these!

Before our session, I met with her and we went over exactly what she wanted…she even brought inspirational images on her laptop which were *perfect*! It was incredibly helpful and put us at ease immediately when it was time for our actual session. I think I’m a big fan of bridal sessions!!!

K — you are such a stunning, sweet, happy bride! I wish you, your *new husband,* and your families all the best.

Have a lovely rest of your day! ~mm

Yesterday morning I met with this *lovely family.*  We had fun exploring and picnicking…there were croissants, melon, juice, a vintage quilt, and perfect light…I was one happy photographer!     When I spoke with mom pre-session, she really wanted to capture the brothers together AND the recent gap where her older son’s two front teeth used to be.  The perfectly imperfect mouth of a growing six year old…I love that.      As a mom AND photographer, sometimes moments/milestones go by in our home that aren’t documented and this session just made me want to capture more with my kids.  Those glances, sibling giggles, a little sparring…all moments to capture.  I always want to remember the little things.  Thank you, S Family, for choosing me to document your family milestones and love — I am truly honored.    ~mm

It’s just incredible how word of mouth works — one day you’re recommended to someone and the next you’re fast friends. I feel so fortunate to have met Regina of Sand Dance Designs.  This spring she contacted me about Bluebonnet sessions (see her session at the link to the left!) and a session to document her youngest daughter turning one and we clicked right away!   She is so sweet & fun & quite a talent in the sewing arena.  My kiddos and I were even able to visit her home studio this week — SO fun and impressive.

Her latest work of art is this fabulous jumpsuit. I could go on and on and ON about how much I love it (the colors, the mixed fabrics, the custom flower on the front, how she reinforces each and every area that might get some extra tugging). Plus, when we first tried the jumpsuit on, it needed a little adjustment and she’s SO into perfection that she took the whole thing apart to put some button elastic in. It made a world of difference.

She has some more incredible designs and dresses coming up, so keep your eyes peeled…we’re even thinking of doing a shoot with several kiddos in her creations. I just LOVE little concept shoots like that.

IF you want something fun like this, contact her. She’ll recommend, pull assortments of fabric, and really talk (and listen) to you to determine what your needs are. In fact, she knows my style SO well that she had a PILE (I mean, this pile actually tipped over when we were chatting) of patterns and fabrics for me to choose from — and I loved them all. If you want something custom for the holidays (or your holiday photo session!), think about it — I know I do.

Just SOME of her fabric choices are {here} My faves lately are: MMAlways coupled with the peace print called MMPeaceF. So many fun fabrics to pair — my fav though is to just let Regina do her thing.

Can’t wait to show you MORE!!!  And if any of you faithful readers missed my Facebook post, I am going to roll out holiday mini sessions for Dallas and Phoenix next week!  If you’d like to be on the first-to-know list, email me (maggiejmcd@msn.com) and I’ll email you BEFORE the details hit the blog. Sessions will go quickly!

Hope you have a lovely day!  We’re gearing up for a BIG birthday around here.    ~mm

Just a couple more fun portraits from this lovely family session.  I just LOVE making storyboards, a collection of images that tell a story of our time together.  They’re typically mounted on styrene, a 2mm thick solid board that makes it easy to display on an easel or frame!  Clients go ga-ga for these and I don’t blame them (my house is peppered with these, too)!  Plus, it’s a great way to get several of your favorite portraits in one spot!

I chose to do the first storyboard in black and white because I think this little lady just has this look that is so dramatic and perfect with this type of conversion.   Every single black and white of her is just stunning — I can’t get enough!  The next storyboard has a vintage edit (usually my fav!) — a little brighter and more yellow than my typical color pop.  LOVE!

Okay, off to bed. Have an AWESOME shoot tomorrow AND on Sunday. Busy, busy! And In the next week or two, I will be releasing some holiday session dates to current clients! Stay tuned or send me a quick email if you’d like to be on the first-to-know list.

Have a great one! ~mm

Ahhhh…rain!  My kiddos LOVE to play in the rain.  A rainy day is like a million bucks floating through the sky over here.    The kiddos started out with umbrellas and then quickly made their way to completely soaked.  These pics are pretty much right in the middle of that. 

We got a new skirt from Regina at Sand Dance Designs a couple weeks ago and Peach wanted to wear her “cheerleader skirt” to twirl in the rain.  Love it.  The bold colors are just perfect and it gets a thumbs up on the jump and twirl scale from Peach (obviously it was quite a rigorous testing process).    Sand Dance Designs is on a bit of a summer break, but will return shortly.  Stay tuned because we’re getting some incredible, I mean AWESOME stuff from Regina.   She is SO talented, sweet, and really listens to what we love in clothes.  Then she takes her talent and creates by mixing fabrics, altering designs, and making little extra embellishments.  SO fun.

Hope you’re having one lovely day!  Kiddos are at Nature School this morning discovering new mushrooms and creatures outdoors…I’m trapped inside editing.  Editing some AWESOME sessions though, so I’m one happy gal.  Can’t wait to show you more!!!  ~mm

I met up with this little beauty…

…and her super sweet family yesterday morning.  We had fun walking, talking, swinging from mommy and daddy’s arms…

and, of course, reading from a favorite book, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram.   It was adorable watching their family interact and little O anticipated each part of the story where the characters would stretch their arms reaaaaaally wide.  She did, too — so cute!

Thank you, K family, for allowing me to photograph your lovely family!  Hope you have a wonderful rest of your weekend.    ~mm

Hubs away ALLLLLL weekend = Me being ultra-entertaining
(hard work, I tell ya!!!)

The kiddos usually do a pretty good job of keeping themselves busy, but they’re used to daddy-o being around and doing cool stuff with them on the weekend. So, we tried. We even braved the EXTREME Texas heat/humidity and hit up a park yesterday. Apparently, we were the only brave souls because we were the only peeps there! Kinda made it nice for picture taking purposes, I must admit.

I decided to bring my camera because I don’t do a great job recording my kids when I’m busy (and I’m BUSY!), so it was time. They had a blast and I had SO much fun playing with them in between snaps. They tried poles, rings, swings, tightropes, played castle, pet store, and a bajillion other fun things.

:::Here are a couple more (the Grandparents will THANK me big time!!!):::

Annnnnnnd….one of me. I know, it’s huge. Peach took this pic — yay!

I guess it’s only fair that I make an appearance once in a while.

I hope you have a lovely week. I’ll be popping in with sneak peeks, in between sessions and client ordering appointments, so be on the lookout! I have some AMAZING sessions planned this week — a couple, a bridal session AND a fun family. So fun. ~mm