Welcome Everleigh! [Dallas Newborn Photographer]

Meet the sweet new addition to the Taylor family! Everleigh is the adorable little princess in this family--so precious and beautiful! Her big brothers were every bit as charming and I had a wonderful time documenting this amazing time for their family!

Here is a still:


And a link to her slideshow! Click HERE to view the slideshow in full size!

The McBrayer Boys [Allen Children's Photographer]

What sweet boys! The two McBrayer boys were so adorable! We met to commemorate their 1st and 3rd birthdays and I nearly burst with excitement when I saw that there was a carnival at our location! It was so much fun!

Check out their full slideshow here!

Alison & Matthew: Engaged and In LOVE

I am such a luck girl. I get to photograph Alison and Matthew's wedding this summer...and guess where it is! It's in...NAPA! I can hardly contain myself! I get to go to such a beautiful place to be a part of a very special day for this super-cool couple. Seriously, somebody pinch me...it's gotta be a dream. But wait--I never sleep ;) I guess it must be real!

Alison and Matthew came in from Houston on a very cold and blustery day for their engagement photos, yet they still rocked it. Check out their slideshow!


Click HERE for the full size version!

Sweet Baby Dillon! [Dallas Baby and Child Photographer]

Here it is! Isn't he THE CUTEST!!! I'm such a lucky gal!
Click HERE to see the full-size version!


On another note: I will be out of the studio from today until March 31 to attend the fantastic Brianna Graham Workshop! I'm so excited! If you have an urgent need, please call me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Baby Lillian: The Slideshow [McKinney Newborn Photographer]

Little Lilly's slideshow debut is here! Isn't she just the sweetest little thing?
Click HERE to see the full size version!


[P.S.--yes, it really is 3am...and I am going to bed right now since I'll be up in 3 hours!]

Pure Jack [McKinney Child Photographer] UPDATED!

Meet Jack--authentic boy, genuine sweetheart and 100% fun! Our mission: to photograph 'Pure Jack' no artificial smiles or preservatives...and I think we have accomplished our goal!
I had an absolute blast photographing this little guy--and have laughed out loud every time I go through the images from this session. He has such an adorable personality, and THE BEST expressions! Enjoy your sneak peek-more to come soon!



Click Here for the FULL SIZE SHOW!

Owen's 1st Birthday Party!

Sweet Owen was one of the first newborns I had the pleasure to photograph. I have enjoyed watching him grow and change over the past year, and was delighted to have the opportunity to document his first birthday party! Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Enjoy the show! [Be sure to allow the show to fully load before playing]

Mr. and Mrs. Matt Waldon: The Wedding Slideshow [Dallas Wedding Photographer]

Rebecca and Matt have started a new year and a new life together in 2009. These two people have such a sincere and genuine love for each other that it just radiates and you can't help but get caught up in the emotion. Their story is one that movies are made of: They met at a young age. She says he made her laugh like nobody else and he says she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. They had a whirlwind romance, but life and circumstance drew them apart. Despite going their separate ways for two years, a flame continued to simmer until one day it all fell into place. It's as if their love was waiting for them to be ready for each other...as if they had always been destined to be together.

You only have to meet this couple to feel this energy...the feelings of love and history...and deep commitment to each other and to their spirituality. Their wedding was one of the most emotional and beautiful weddings I have ever attended-the church filled with the people they love-I don't think there was a dry eye in the place!

Rebecca and Matt-thank you for allowing me to be part of this very special and intimate day in your lives. I hope that your life together is blessed beyond your wildest dreams...because the love you have for each other...it's built to last.

To see it in a new window, click HERE



Church: Park Cities Baptist Church-Ellis Chapel
Reception: House of Blues
Coordination: Jordan Browning of Ever After
Band: Diva G & High Maintenance
Videography: Park Cities Video
[will update with additional vendor information as I get it!]

Jessica & Ross: Engaged and In Love! [McKinney Wedding Photographer]

I am so excited to photograph the wedding of Jessica and Ross in April. They are really a fun couple with so much personality! These guys are incredible sports--their engagement session faced a few unforeseen obstacles, yet they were still able to keep an open mind and a great attitude...even when it was FREEZING!






Check out the full-size version of their adventurous engagement session slideshow HERE!






Jessica is a blogging bride -You can check out Jessica's wedding progress and be inspired by her blog HERE!

Brandi & Evan: Engaged and In Love! [McKinney Wedding Photographer]

Steve is doing well and set to go back to work tomorrow [yeah!] and I am so excited to be able to get caught up on all my editing, emails and phone calls!

First up is the engagement session for a super-cool couple Brandi and Evan. They are getting married this October, and I know it will be an awesome time! Check out some of my favorites from their session as well as their slideshow!





Too see the full-size slideshow, click HERE!

Rachel & Chris are Married! [Fort Worth Wedding Photographer]

Rachel's Details


The Guys


Rachel and Chris


Here is their slideshow. Click HERE to see the full size version!


Thanks again Rachel and Chris for inviting me to be a part of your big day!

And I have to also thank my great assistants for this wedding--thank you Jen and Shelley--you guys rock!

Emily and Dusty Heath Wedding Slideshow [Dallas Wedding Photographer]

When I first met Emily and Dusty I got this sense that they were just meant to be together. Watch Emily look at Dusty and it's very clear that she loves him completely...and he adores her. I felt so incredibly honored to be a part of their wedding day.

Enjoy!
Click HERE to see the full size version.


Ceremony and Reception: Maple Manor Hotel

Lauren & Chris: Wedding Slideshow

The wait is over! Here is Lauren and Chris' slideshow!
Click Here to see the full size version

On My Mind: Working from the Heart.

Sometimes the universe has a way of gently nudging us in a direction that we may have never considered. It's fascinating how this little push can really bring clarity to your life and help you to truly appreciate what matters most.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to photograph 3 newborns this week and it seems like this blessing was perfectly timed for my soul, but not necessarily for my schedule! My son started Kindergarten this week, and in this hectic sea of change within our household (new schedules, new needs, demands, new fears etc.) it has felt overwhelming at times. Lunden actually got off at the wrong bus stop yesterday, and I had the first true moment of sincere panic as a mother! (More on that later)

This is not how I had imagined my son's first week-I thought I would cry when he left for school every morning, and count the minutes until he came home. I thought I would be the Mom meeting my son at the door with freshly baked cookies after school...and that he and I would sit at our kitchen table, eyes locked, engrossed in long conversations about the details of his day. It was a very 'Leave it to Beaver' kind of idealistic vision...perhaps even a dream.

But it's not just the first week--when I thought of Lunden going to school, it seemed like a dream-come-true. Free child care during the day--more time to work, run errands without children, less money spent on nannies, preschools, etc. I thought I would have all this extra time on my hands--I'd be superwoman--doing all the things I have been putting off because there was just not enough time.

Then reality set in--Steve and I still have JOBS! Lunden is still NOT a morning person, our lives are even more scheduled than before, and we have LESS TIME! And Harper still requires a lot of our attention (especially since turning 2 this month!). Our relaxed morning routine is replaced by checklists, and 'to-dos': getting dressed, breakfast, backpack, kiss goodbye and out the door. Afternoons are scheduled with work, dinner, baths, stories and bedtime. My days are still scheduled to the brink with work, shoots, phone calls, emails, meetings...there is hardly an extra minute to spare, and my ever-growning 'to-do' list spills into the next day. We still have all of the responsibilities of our 'old' life plus a million new ones! How can this be? Where do I find the time?

This chaos clouded my appreciation for what is real--what matters...so much, that last night (as I was up working at 2am) I was feeling run down, diminished, and out of control. I again felt like I was not experiencing my life--just riding the wave--trying to keep my head afloat.

So here I was, editing the images of one of the 3 newborns I photographed this week--and I decided I needed something to listen to--something to keep me awake and focused.

I stumbled upon an interview by Sandy Puc. As many of you may already recognize the name, she is one of the co-founders of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) a non-profit organization that helps bereaving parents in the loss of a baby by providing intimate photographs of their child. I have not blogged much about my experience with NILMDTS yet, but I am a local volunteer photographer and recently attended a training in Dallas where we learned more about the organization and how we can contribute as volunteers.

At the time, I left this training seminar with a warmth in my soul--feeling like what I do can contribute to something--feeling the incredible awe that I do when I am invited to share intimate moments with my clients--weddings, births, celebrations of their children. Feeling the responsibility and honor of documenting these incredible life-changing moments--my images would be what they would refer back to for years to come. My perspective on their day would ultimately shape how the memory would be described, remembered, passed on for further generations to see. That's awesome and makes me fee full, complete, and just bursting with gravity of this magnificent honor.

My work with NILMDTS is similar--these families will be leaving the hospital without their child--sometimes with nothing. Can you imagine? Nothing? I have the power to change that--to help them to have something tangible to remember every little detail of this child--and in turn, to help them grieve. It moves me to tears every time I think about it and I cherish this responsibility with all my heart.

Interestingly, I had received an email from our local coordinator regarding a need earlier yesterday but had been away from my computer. The story of the mother and baby in need was heartbreaking, but I knew that even if I had received the email in time, I would have not been able to fit it into my over-scheduled day. Fortunately by the time I saw the message another local photographer had volunteered to help. I had felt sad and guilty that I could not help today, but after a while I moved onto the next task in my day.

But after listening to the interview and being transported back to the training, to the emotions, to this wonderful feeling of responsibility and duty...it made me think about my own children. How much I love and cherish them...the way they smell...the way they smile...the way their soft squishy cheeks give under my lips pressed firmly against them...and I immediately found my moment of clarity. My life is not about my schedule--everything will happen in it's own time. My life is truly about my relationships with others--THAT is my focus and what I should devote my energy. I was re-centered, thankful, and blessed.

I looked at these beautiful images of the newborn on my screen and cried. What a wonderful miracle that life has to offer. I saw the connection between the parents--the look as if they wanted to drink in every single detail, and I was again struck with a moment of clearness...as if my soul was re-awakened. I sneaked into my kid's bedrooms and watched them sleeping--thankful that they are here and that I can experience every day of their lives with them...even the tough ones. I took a breath--reminded myself to again appreciate and celebrate the small special moments of my life, recenter and reconnect with my inner self. There will be a time when my kids are not an arms-reach away...and for many families, this moment comes too soon.

I am lucky. I am blessed. I am tired. I need to take better care of myself so I can be a better person for my family and friends. My 'to-do' list will be here tomorrow...it will probably be around forever...but small moments with the ones I love are fleeting.

I also realized that I have never posted the video about NILMDTS and resolved to do it today. Watch it--be moved, and then think about your life. How can you give? NILMDTS needs all kinds of volunteers, not just photographers. Please consider helping this organization in any way you can and know that you are part of something so much greater than any one of us alone.

I hope you are all making it through this first week of school and your own fall chaos--please take a minute to think about what is truly important to you. When your kids are screaming this afternoon, be grateful that they have a voice and that you are there to hear it. Believe me...I'll be right there with you during the witching hour, but with renewed perspective :)

Much Love,
--M

Rebecca & Matt: Engagement Slideshow [McKinney Wedding Photographer]

Sometimes I meet clients and something surreal happens--we begin talking like old friends...we find we have many common interests...and things just fall effortlessly into place as if it were meant to be. This is how I felt when I met Rebecca and Matt.

I cannot tell you how much I adore this pair! They are a fun, easy going couple that could have a great time no matter where they are. I know this will be a enormous strength in their marriage! And the way they look at each other...let's just say it's pretty clear that they are head-over-heels in love. It's infectious, beautiful and something everyone should experience in life--at least once!

Rebecca and Matt-it was a pleasure to capture your love on film! You guys are a gorgeous couple from the inside out--I can't wait for your wedding in December!

For the large version of the show, click HERE

Lauren & Chris: The Slideshow! [Frisco Wedding Photographer]

Remember Lauren & Chris...the beautiful couple with the edgy engagement session? Well, Chris is actually a very talented portrait artist--he can sketch a portrait from a photograph that looks strikingly real! I cannot wait for him to sketch my kids! Check out his new site: www.portraitsbyroz.com Be sure to tell him I sent you!

Oh...and their slideshow is ready! Check it out!

Baby Ellie's Newborn Slideshow is Ready! Check her out!

Baby Ellie's Newborn Photos are Ready!  See her slideshow here