Before every session, I ask my clients to tell me something about themselves and what they would like to have me capture during their session.  When I read Susan’s answer, I knew I would love every minute of our session.   I hope you don’t mind me sharing here, Susan.  But your words are exactly what I want people to have after our time together… photographs of their family that capture their hearts.

“Matt and I are best friends.  Very very much in love.  We always have a good time together and with our wonderful kids. LOTS of love and fun is what we would like to have captured. Kind of like our everyday life.”

Thanks so much for such a fun evening, Susan and Matt. Your family is beautiful!

The moment I met this little darling, she had my heart. What a beautiful princess who slept so peacefully throughout our entire session. Her name means “beautiful and lovely” and is so fitting for this little one.   From beginning to end, she was the picture of serenity and the room was filled with the love of new parents for their first born child…

Thank you so much for a lovely session and for being so gracious. Your little Suhana is beyond beautiful.

On a studio note, as of September 1st all newborn sessions will be held in my home studio space here in Burlington.  After several years of on location work, I am so excited to be able to invite clients here to have their newborn sessions.  It will give me greater control of the light and allow me to have access to all of my wonderful blankets and accessories.  I’ll be posting photos soon of the finished space and can’t wait to welcome my first newborn here in the next few weeks!

I had such a great time with Brooke last week for her senior session. She is the little sis of the first senior boy I photographed a few years ago.  She is full of smiles and I loved that she could totally rock a cowboy hat and boots!

Thanks for being such a great model, Brooke!  I loved working with you!

And a quick scheduling note, I am completely booked through October.  I only have two appointments left for November and then will be closed for the month of December.  November weather tends to be questionable for outdoor sessions, so my two remaining appointments may be best suited for newborns and maternity sessions.  If you are hoping to book a session, please contact me soon!   Thank you!

This little man just couldn’t wait for his daddy to get home from his 8 month deployment.  He arrived just 8 hours before his dad made it back. Born at home, his daddy was able to be on the phone during the birth and hear his son’s first cries…

Such a sweet little one, he barely made a peep during our 3 hour session.

Thank you again, Kim for asking me to photograph your newest little family member.  He is absolutely precious.

We’ve had this session planned for almost a year.  Somehow, each time we were set to do it something would inevitably interfere.  Life with kids is always unpredictable that way!  I finally got to meet up with this fun family whom I have known for many years. In fact, we were neighbors long before any of us had children and Mom and I taught together for seven years before I had Will.  It was so fun to meet up and be able to photograph their amazing kids.   We ran, played, and jumped and I will admit I was a bit worn out at the end of the night… but it was so worth it…

I am so glad we were finally able to meet up, Kerri and Roger.  Your kids are so much fun and it was great seeing you all again.  I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

When you are ten months old, it is the little things that bring you joy.  Tall green grass, airplane rides, hugs from Mommy.   Meeting this sweet family was such a pleasure and it was evident throughout our time together just how much joy their little man brings to them…

Thank you Dan and Laura for bringing little Quinn to see me. I really enjoyed meeting you and your darling boy!  Such a fun session.  I’ll be in touch very soon…

I always knew what it FELT like to love my family,

Now I know what it LOOKS like.

-Author Unknown

When I look at these images, I smile. They make my heart happy.  This family opened up, relaxed and let me capture their love in a very honest way.   The session was over so quickly I found myself wondering on my drive home if I had ‘missed’ something.  Did I capture it all???  And when I opened the images on my computer, I saw the most beautiful love right there staring back at me.  Photographers know that feeling – the heart races a bit and you can’t wait to begin editing the images because you know you got “it”.

I have written about following my heart recently, and that is exactly what this session is to me… a session full of heart.  You will not see a carefully posed or stiffly positioned family.  I hope what you see is emotion, feeling… love.  Because I know that when I look back on the photos of my family, I want to  feel something.   I want to see and feel who we were and how we loved at that very moment in time…

And not only does this family have a whole lotta heart, they also have a lotta soul….

Thank you, Jacqui and Antonio.  I can’t even begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to meet you and photograph your beautiful family.  Your children are not only gorgeous but just so incredibly sweet. I hope you enjoy your photos and I will be in touch very soon….

Forgive me if I get a bit mushy here, but oh how I love this kid.  Cody is the son of my cousin Scott and his wife Connie, and the hero of my six year old son, Will.   He is kind, gracious and the kind of boy you hope your son grows up to be.  If there is ever something I want Will to do, I simply have to say, “That’s what Cody does.”  And I almost always get easy compliance. ” Eat my broccoli????”   “Yep! How do you think Cody got so fast? He ate his vegetables! “    “Clean my room? ” “Yes! Cody does it every morning!”   Even if these are a bit of a stretch, I am happy that my son has chosen such a wonderful role model.

Cody and I had a great time during his session. We just hopped in my car and drove out to some locations I’d been wanting to try out.  It was later that evening that I realized, he is the age I was when he was born.  Oh, how old that makes me feel! But I’m also very lucky because I have been able to watch him grow up and see what an amazing job his parents have done.  I hope I do such a job with my own children.

Before we check out the photos from this week’s session, here is just a quick blast from the past….  I can’t believe how fast children grow.  Cody was the ring bearer in our wedding at age 5.  Look how cute!  And then on a trip to the beach with his little brother Drew…

And now the handsome guy, all grown up… well, almost.

I am so glad we were able to get onto the football field for a few shots…  Anyone who knows Cody knows he lives and breathes football.

And then we ended the night at his grandparents’ home…

Thank you Cody for such a fun night and letting me shoot for 3 hours! You were an awesome model.  And Connie and Scott, thank you for being who you are and raising such an amazing kid.  I love you all so much…

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You may hold my hand for a little while, but you will hold my heart forever.

A fellow photographer and friend, Lisa Russo has a similar shot hanging in her home. When I saw it, I knew I must have one of my own for my mantle.  My favorite part of this photo is her little elbow dimple…

All who know me, know my heart lies with my family.  Without them, there would be no photos, no blog, no photography business.  But lately, I feel my blog has been a bit disconnected from my life and family – the true heart and soul of my work.  I’ve debated on whether or not to become more personal here and invite my readers into my life more.  I very rarely post photos of my own children here and it’s not because I don’t have any to share! But I just wasn’t sure how much you all want to know about me.  Sometimes I feel a little self-centered I guess in thinking that anyone would care what I have to say.  But I’ve decided to follow my heart and share just a little more of the inspiration that led me to this amazing career.  It is my hope that in learning more about me and my family, you will understand my work more and the direction I feel my photography is leading me….   telling our story and maybe someday, telling yours.

Much love,

~ M