2010 Recap: Favorite Family Portraits

I think one of the things that surprised me most in getting my business going this year was discovering just how much I love shooting family portrait sessions. I especially love chasing around ambulatory munchkins. It's like the adrenaline rush I get at weddings, but with much more giggling.

Here are some of my favorite portraits of children, families, and pregnant ladies (because baby-on-the-way is still a baby in a roundabout way).

Elise:

Coffee:

Kayla:

Rylan:

Allison:

Melissa:

Will:

Drury:

Kayla (again):

Lily (and Kayla):

Will (again):

My husband and I are nowhere near ready to bring any kids into our lives, but I love getting to spend time with kids with my camera in tow. It sort of scratches my baby itch and keeps me content to wait another long while. I'm lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with a ton of young families and some beautiful parks within the neighborhood itself. It's really the perfect set-up for child photography. Here's hoping I shoot a ton more family sessions in 2011!

Mary

2010 Recap: Favorite Engagement Portraits

Happy New Year everyone!

Although we've already entered 2011 (crazy!), I'd love to take a moment to look back on some of my favorite moments of 2010. It's not lip service when I say I love my job as a photographer. It naturally follows that some of my happiest days this last year have been shared with my photography clients. I don't generally set official New Years Resolutions for myself, but I did challenge myself to launch a photography business in 2010 and see where it took me. I started off with some free sessions in January to build my portfolio, and it's been awesome to see the organic growth that's followed. In 2011, my business is taking an even higher priority and I'm so excited to see what growth I'll be able to look back on at the beginning of 2012.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from sessions with couples in 2010. The vast majority were engagement portraits, and the one couple that wasn't engaged has since hired me to shoot their wedding in Austin in July, 2011. Actually, my husband and I are hanging out with them tonight since they're briefly in town. I love the connections that come with this job.

Charles & Alyssa:

Kate & Greg:

Aislinn & Sean:

Jada & Jon:

Anna & Harper:

To every client who let me document part of their lives this year, thank you so much for your faith in me. I have more recaps to come, with your gorgeous faces included.

Mary

Wedding: Kate & Greg (Part 2)

Here's Part 2 of Kate & Greg's October Wedding at the McKinney Cotton Mill. It's been difficult to narrow down my favorite shots from the reception; everyone had such a great time that hilarious and joyful shots couldn't help but come out of it. The reception space at the Cotton Mill is every bit as awesome as the area that Kate and Greg used for their ceremony, so that certainly helps too.

I had such a blast at this wedding. All of their friends and family in attendance were very fun, welcoming people, and I quickly felt like one of the gang. Although I was running around all day to the extent that my feet were throbbing for a good day afterward, it never felt like work. I think that is how you know you've found the right profession.

 A very sweet first dance.

An absolutely delicious barbecue buffet.

Gorgeous decorations.

I loved all the florals, but especially the bridesmaids' bouquets. And the cake toppers were beyond adorable!

Father-daughter dances always pull at my heart strings. It was definitely an emotional part of my own wedding day.

A proud momma if ever I've seen one.

The Best Man and Maid of Honor's speeches were fantastic. I bet you could tell that just by Kate's reactions though!

I snagged one of the red velvet cupcakes after the cake cutting. Sinfully delicious.

The dance floor was hoppin' all. night. long.

The last dance of the evening.

And they're off!

Kate & Greg,

I can't thank you enough for letting me take part in your beautiful wedding. You took a risk on me, booking me before I'd even shot a wedding, and that trust is invaluable to me. I hope married life is treating you well!

-Mary

To see more photos from this wedding, click here.