Demonstrated by my beautiful and rather exuberant clients. ;) Now get out there before they’re all gone!

MG

I have so many shoots to post, and I suppose I’ll just have to start from the beginning! A gorgeous, spunky girl that joined Cameo as a model and talent. You’ll recognize Kate from my banner up there. :)

While Kate was changing into more wardrobe, I took her brother, Jack, into the backyard to get some shots. I asked him what he liked to do, and he emphatically stated “FOOTBALL!”. So, it was football we did.

 A fun sibling shot for their mama:

Aren’t they gorgeous? :)

Until Next Time,

MG

…and that is literally just the beginning. I didn’t make it around to absolutely everyone, as I was instructing, but I made it to most of you to grab a few shots- more tomorrow. I have a couple gorgeous model shoots I have to blog as well, so this will be a busy posting week :)

Until Next Time,

MG

Until Next Time,

MG

Our beautiful venue was the Boston Studios, run by Fabrizio Cacciatore:

The natural light in the studio was gorgeous, with floor-to-ceiling windows and rustic floors:

Cheryl doing’ her thang (with essential Starbucks and Hershey’s kisses):

More images of the venue (and the gift bags):

Cheryl demonstrated a newborn shoot for the group. We were so grateful to have our newborn model, 2-week-old Gracie (see her posing on the beanbag down there?):

Find the newborn model!:

Here’s Mackenzie, one of our models, being photographed at our instructional hands-on shoot. We had around 20 shoots going on at the same time (another in the background), and they all had so much fun, amid the chaos!

I shot like a madwoman, trying to make it around to all of my clients and models that came. Kim sent me this image she took- yours truly, showing off one of my shots that I’ll post tomorrow:

Check out the pose on this one! The venue was in a cluster of old mill buildings, and we were able to take advantage of the ‘urban’ locations surrounding it. You’ll be amazed at the shots we got here:

Finally, the staff, from left to right, Kristie Serra, Myself, Cheryl Muhr, Joyce Smith, and Jaleen Lessard:

We’re missing Heather Crowder, another member of our staff that had to catch a plane back to Annapolis before the group shot! Image taken by Todd Muhr, Cheryl’s husband.

I have so many images of our models, as I was instructionally shooting as well. I’ll post those up tomorrow, so stay tuned to see all the beautiful faces we photographed! THANK YOU again to all of our models. Your presence made such a positive difference.

 Until next Time,

MG

In other news, I’ve been tagged! Excuse my lack of knowledge in this whole blog ‘tagging’ business, as my good photog friend Amanda actually had to GChat me to let me know I should DO something about her tagging me, haha. She’s a fellow photog out in Cali whom I adore for her always being online for me to bounce ideas off of, and to share recent work with! Check out her 5 interesting things- one of them is the fact that her hubby learned Portugeuse (having only spoken English) so that he could speak fluently with her family (she’s from Brazil). He learned a whole ‘nother language, people. I think he earns husband of the year award :)

So here goes, I have to come up with ‘5 Interesting Things About Me’:

1) I eat my cereal with Orange Juice in it. Oh gosh, did I just admit that? I was made fun of at breakfast mercilessly by my college rowing team as, every day for breakfast, I would pour myself some Kashi ‘Heart To Heart’, and skip the milk, beelining straight for the orange juice dispenser. I still have my H to H with OJ, and don’t drink a drop of milk with anything. Even brownies.

2) I have a collection of National Geographics from the 1910’s and 20’s. Something about looking back at the ads for Ford family cars for under $1000 makes me very happy.

3) I have a thing for family albums and photographs. No really, stay with me on this one! I know it’s hard to believe that I actually like pictures. ;) But seriously- anyone’s house that I went to, and still do, my favorite thing is to look through their family albums and watch their home videos. I love making family connections, piecing together the history of a family by the moments that they have chosen to keep. Give me a family album of someone I don’t know and I’ll be entertained for hours. :)

4) I am one of the few people that I know that drives a minivan, with no kids to put in it (yet!). :) The mileage may drive me insane, but the room in the back for all of my props and equipment is priceless. The Honda Civics are miiiighty tempting to me right now though, as are these. Imagine me showing up to sessions in one of those! Ha!

5) My dream is to live on a farm, when all is said and done. A farm with acres upon acres of fields to photograph in, a farmhouse with a wraparound porch, and horses, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens that I can take care of while not photographing in my state-of-the-art natural light studio on one of my many acres. Gosh golly, a girl can dream.

And the second part of being ‘tagged’ is tagging back! Right? Maybe one of my interesting things should have been that I’m “tech-culturally challenged”, haha. I tag:
Heather- Fab photographer down in Maryland. She’s traveling up to Boston to help with the workshop, and I’m making her asking her nicely to take some new website headshots of me :)
Erika - My fabulous painting friend and new business partner. Clients can look forward to their images painted on canvases in her signature, whimsical style this season and beyond. I also love her blog- she JUST moved out to CO and got married, so wish her well over there! Oops- did I just give away some of her interesting things? ;)
Stacey - Besides being the master of black and white emotive images, this is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She’s from Florida, and I suppose one of her interesting things might be that she JUST had a baby girl! Head over there and wish her some congratulations!
Amy - Also one of the sweetest- and busiest- photographers I’ve had the pleasure to meet. I stalk her blog like none other, haha. It’s okay if you don’t have time to tag back, Amy :)
Kyung - Her style is so fresh, fun, and lovely. And I absolutely adore her branding. She’s coming out with a new photo album line, so stay tuned for that, fellow photogs!

Okay, and here are the rules of the tagging:
* Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog
* Share 5 things about yourself that others might not know
* List 5 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs
* Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs

And a post is not a post without some images. More of Baby B:

Until Next Time,

MG

 (I just thought of those ‘interesting’ things I put up there, and realized they consisted of Orange Juice, National Geographic, Family Albums, Minivans, and Farms. Lord. I am absolutely the most interesting person you know.)

 :)

He’s a folk singer with a novel out, and his book signings have become impromptu folk concerts. He has more guitars, banjos, organs, mandolins, and other assorted instruments in his studio where these came from!

His booksigning will be combined concerts from now on, and here’s a promo window poster that I whipped up tonight for him (with another picture from the day):

You can visit his website here, with update on his blog about where he’ll be next!:

http://captkevinm.com

 Until Next Time,

MG

You begin this way:
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
this is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like.  This is yellow.

Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colors of these nine crayons.

Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.

This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colors
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.

-Margaret Atwood, “You Begin This Way”

I love that poem. Its heartbreaking simplicity carries such a profound message- that the world is so big to hold such a tiny, precious, loved life. It illustrates a parents’ job so eloquently: this is my hand, this is your hand, this is the world, this is my hand again and always. This is why we capture it.

And man, that sweet, beautiful poem made me tear up when I first read it. So, to keep things upbeat over here, here’s a song that, well,  Makes Me Happy. :)

Until Next Time,

MG

Oh yes, didn’t you know? I traded in the minivan for a VW bus! Isn’t it fab?!

Ahem.

Yeah, that bus isn’t mine. It’s not even registered in this state. Sorry…anonymous New Hampshire residents. ;) We were headed to the beach out on the Eastern edge of Plum Island, and found this parked in the beach parking lot. Score.

It’s pictures like this that illustrate creative photography perfectly…because…pro photogs raise your hands..if you’ve ever “borrowed” things that aren’t yours for shoots, or even “trespassed” onto, uh, yeah, properties that aren’t yours.. to get “THE shot”. You’ve done it, you know you have.

But- if you were the owner of this VW, would you mind this beautiful creature leaning up against it? Didn’t think so. You’re welcome, anonymous New Hampshire residents with-a-sweet-ride.

Another series of shots from this shoot (part of Megan McCormick’s modeling portfolio):

If you didn’t see it, the Holiday 2008 Schedule is posted below. Check it out, and shoot me an email to book your slot!

Secret Workshop Models: I have sent out the electronic release/registration form that you need to sign to model with us! Please fill that out (literally takes one minute) by September 5th to secure your spot. If you didn’t get one, please check your spam! We are FULL for models- thanks to everyone who is participating. :)

Until Next Time,

MG

Saturday, September 27th (raindate Sept. 28th): Mini beach sessions at Plum Island Point, Newburyport MA

Saturday, October 11th (raindate October 12th): Mini Sessions at Atkinson Park, Newburyport, MA

Saturday, October 18th (raindate October 19th): Mini Sessions at Atkinson Park, Newburyport MA

The beach sessions will be at the lighthouse end of Plum Island, and will be held on the beach (I added this extra weekend date because I really want to give you the opportunity to get beach portraits in before the summer leaves for good!). Weather permitting, we should catch the last warmth of early Fall for these. Park sessions are in one of the most beautiful parks in Newburyport- with gardens, paths, bridges, fountains, and a variety of places to relax. More dates will be added with popular locations should these fill.

You may have some questions on these elusive ‘Mini Sessions’!:

What is a Mini Session?

A mini session is a regular photo session, but is a half hour long, which is just enough time to get those great family/kids shots in for your Christmas Cards and gifts. No hassle, no stress, just a half hour, and you’re done! These are perfect if you need updated family portraits and family gifts. Mini sessions will be scheduled in the mornings and afternoons of the above dates.

What do I get with a Mini Session?

Your mini session includes at least ten edited final photos, and a CD of these for printing as gifts and wall art. It also includes a pack of 50 Holiday Cards, of which you’ll get to choose from our exclusive designs. Holiday Card designs will be a mix of traditional and chic to accommodate every taste and style.

What kind of shots will I get?

I will shoot in my signature style, but I will work to supply you with a mix of traditional family photos, individuals of your kids, and some fun shots as well. Perfect for the grandparents AND your friends!

When should I have my order for cards/products in by?:

All orders, to be received by Christmas, should be in by November 1st. All orders placed after this date will not be guaranteed to be in by Christmas.

What if I want a full, regular session?

Of course, full sessions are still offered year-round, and can be scheduled on any weekend days other than these dates. A regular full session is 2 hours long, with at least 40 images presented. Full sessions include travel to homes, which may be a more convenient option if you would like a more extended update of your family photos.

Can I buy prints and products?

Prints and products will be on-sale year round as well, and are available for mini session bookings. I will be offering special holiday products (albums, gift albums, and frames) starting September 15th. I have a surprise product line up my sleeve as well, and here’s a hint: painted canvases and jewlery. Okay, here’s another hint: Erika Jones (now go Google! :) ).

Please email me for pricing. Booking is on a first-come, first serve basis. Please use the form on this blog, the form on my website, or simply email contact@mariahmphoto.com. These slots will fill fast, as this is the most popular time of year for family portraits (who can resist having all of their cards, portraits, and holiday gifts done in one fun, hassle-free half hour?). These sessions will be a blast- I can’t wait to see my repeat clients again, as well as new bookings!

And since no post is complete without pictures, here are a couple from my recent meetup with a fellow photographer who traveled out here from California with her little guy:

We shot in Boston Common, and this red wagon was conveniently…not ours, haha. A fellow toddler let us borrow it to shoot in. Such an altruistic little guy- couldn’t have gotten these shots without it. ;)

I have to add this one, because it shows off his gorgeous eyelashes. We were looking for planes, a rare still moment:

Thanks for hanging out, Helene!

(I just added this yummy striped background. I’m not sure how it looks to you guys on smaller monitors…mine’s 24″…so let me know if it looks alright or not!)

Until Next Time,

MG

The chill outside we felt a couple days ago made me want to break out the corduroys and head to Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Mmmm. My favorite Fall drink, other than hot apple cider. My sister and I got into an argument over which season was better- Fall or Spring? I was on the Autumnal side of things, and I think I won. I mean, c’mon. Think of the Topsfield Fair, the cozy sweaters, the excuse to buy new leather knee high boots. Well, it’s MY excuse.

Speaking of my sister, she was just accepted to Cameo as a model, through their new adults division. I took her out for a shoot today at a local farm, Cider Hill, in Amesbury MA, and we hiked to the top of the hill to the peach orchard to take a couple shots.

Isn’t she just adorable?

A couple notes:

-I’ve been having phone problems, where my voicemail box has been literally filling with sales calls. I’m sorting it out with my phone company (sorting is the nice way to put it), so please bear with me. The best way, and quickest way as always, is to email me- for booking or for questions. Please use this method until I can convince my phone company that no, I do NOT need ‘new, lower car insurance!’. Thank you very much.

-I’ve sent out the information for the September Modeling Shoot previously announced to all the models and families that volunteered. Thank you to everyone that’s participating! If you volunteered and did not get an email with details for the day, please check your Spam folder. If anyone would still like to join, please email me ASAP. I am willing to take two-three more kids.

-The Holiday 2008 Schedule will be posted Monday, and booking for these sessions will start then. I will be offering both mini sessions and regular sessions, both of which include digital files and Holiday Cards. Mini sessions will be held on two weekends in October.

Okay, business is done. If it weren’t dark out, I would be outside again. Here are a couple images to remind us of Summer when the chill sets in (coincidentally peach-themed as well):

Until Next Time,

MG