Little Ones

So, I have finally found a second to sit down and blog! Sorry I have been such a slacker lately, I have been blessed with a lot of shoots but that means most of my time now is being spent in editing mode. Last Sunday I had a second "Christmas Mini Session" with some really precious kids..so I couldn't help but share a few of my favorites with you all! Here is Mr. Daughtry..can you believe those eyes?

Gracie & Bryson giving big sis Cheryl Lynn sweet kisses!
Maddox..how cute!

Maddox & McKinley..I love the color!

and Will, who still looks cute even if we woke him from his nap!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

Will you Mary me?

So, for those of you who may be interested in where the name "Mary me Photography" came from (besides the obvious reason)..let me explain. My first taste of photography was my senior year in high school when, during my senior project, I had the priveledge of job shadowing Missy Mclamb, a local wedding photographer in Raleigh, NC. I had always had a love of pictures, but this was the first taste I got of the "photojournalistic" style that is so popular today. I was amazed at her images, how honest and beautiful they were...and so natural.

When I first started playing with the idea to actually pursue this interest, my strongest desire was to get into wedding photography. I love everything about love. I love being in love, I love the way it changes people for the better, I love how unconditional and forgiving it is...and I LOVE that it is eternal. I feel like the love between two people is a (small) representation of Christ's love for us and marriage is our promise to another person to love them as Christ loves us...unconditionally.

So, for those of you that may have wondered where "Mary me Photography" came from..it's not just to plug my own name (although that is being accomplished, i guess)...instead I intended it to be a play on the words "Marry me".

Do I not love working with children and doing senior portraits?!....of COURSE I do! The "Little Ones" I am currently working with have absolutely stolen my heart they are so precious! And I love working with high school seniors because that's when I think you really start to get a feel of your own skin and you really start to feel beautiful..and I love to capture that. So don't worry...I'm not going to be one of those photographers that only specializes in one age group....I love them all!

Okay, the whole point of this post was to tell you about my huge, HUGE announcement...I am so excited I can barely contain my happiness...

I HAVE BOOKED MY FIRST WEDDING!!!

That's right...my first one...and lucky me, the bride is gorgeous...AND they are getting married at the old Salisbury Train Depot (built in 1907...I love me some antiques!)....I am ecstatic to say the least. Thank you Hannah & Dru!

So, are you getting married? Have you found that perfect photographer you just can't live without on your special day? Give me a call...because I just may be the person you are looking for. : )

And just in case you thought I was exaggerating about how gorgeous this bride is I stole a pic off her facebook (hope it's ok with hannah..ha) to prove it....

..and bam....beautiful...can't wait!

Remember..

your childhood dog who was more like a member of the family than a pet? I remember mine..she was the most sweet natured little girl, she was more like another mother to me than a dog. We were never sure exactly what kind of dog she was, she was a mix but she won our hearts from the first day she showed up in our yard. She watched over me as I played outside, she walked me down the path from my grandma's house next door back home. And whenever I would pat my stomach and open my arms wide she would jump up and very gently put her front paws on my waist and we would "dance"..oh how I loved her.

Two Sundays ago at the end of my first Christmas Card session I met Lady Bug & her family, the Tarts. They had asked if they could bring their dog, and of course I said yes! Lady Bug was very old and couldn't walk very well, so the family had to drive her right up to the place where we were taking the pictures and carry her to her spot. It was so touching to see how this family took care of her so gently and even though she was sick, she was a good dog throughout the whole shoot. The bond between Lady Bug and Mr. Mike (dad) was very apparent and he asked if he could have a picture of just him & his best friend.

Yesterday, Lady Bug passed away. Thank you Lady Bug for the many years of unconditional love you gave this family. Today is dedicated to you.

CharlesAnna & Jonathan

Friday night was a blast with CharlesAnna & Jonathan at their engagement party down on the farm! Their families did some real magic with a tractor shelter..everything was gorgeous! The food was delicious, the band was awesome & all their loved ones danced the night away. They had a "western theme" so everyone came in their boots and CharlesAnna & Jonathan gave away pink & brown bandannas to all their guests. They were such a fun couple and so photogenic..we got some really cute shots! CharlesAnna is also a photographer so I am very grateful that she asked me to shoot the party (and thanks to Brittany for referring her) and the possibility to work together on some things in the future! I'm posting a couple of the "detail" shots and then some of my favorites from Friday night..

..they had markers & cards for their guests to write them sweet messages..




..they made a poster of the invitations they sent out..how cute!

..all the bridesmaids..

..CharlesAnna & Jonathan..

..everyone was in boots & cowboy hats..

..I love CharlesAnna's expression in this one..


..towards the end of the night Jonathan got up a sang!..


..his number one fan..haha..so precious!..

Thank you CharlesAnna & Jonathan..I wish you both all the happiness in the world!

I would like to introduce you to...

..my sweetheart. I don't normally post personal things on here, but I figured since it's mostly just friends & family that are reading this thing right now anyways, I could "gush" a little about this man that I think is so amazing. Let me tell you a little about him...

Imagine getting up in the morning just in time to get a quick shower and food, then heading to your job where you'll be for the next 8-10 hours. You'll be in the hot sun..hitting, throwing, running and sliding..and maybe you'll get out by 11 that night. You'll come home tired & sore..grab some food & watch an episode of "Mythbusters" or two and head to bed. Wake up & repeat...for 150 days straight...on top of travel days where you're riding on a busload of guys overnight for 8-14 hours, losing track of days and what state you're currently in. Don't forget the weeks of spring training before your 150 games even begin. And forget about summer vacation..no beach trips for you.

All this being said, you have to understand how much respect I have for him...I mean, I couldn't do it...no way. This lifestyle isn't the most conducive to a relationship either..there really is no time for "date night" and the majority of the time that i'm with him, i'm not actually with him.. just watching him (which I wouldn't trade for anything). And the stuff I mentioned is really only skimming the surface of what all he has to deal with. I know the emotional highs and lows of this game are much more than he ever lets me know. I admire so many things about him..his "hard-work" mindset, his kind heart, the fact that he never wants anything just given to him, how important his family is to him, how he recognizes that our faith is central to everything about us, how excited he gets over the smallest things, & the way he makes me feel.

He's currently in Arizona for 7 weeks (I don't like saying 2 months) and in a few days i'm flying out there for a long weekend...and I can't wait. I got my new equipment the day after his last home game so I will definately be taking some shots of him while i'm out there..so look for a future post with some of him doing what he does best. Last night on the phone I asked him how we could make these next 10 days go by any faster. He answered, "You keep taking pictures & I'll keep playing ball." He made me laugh but it is so true..I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to do as many shoots as I have since he's been gone because it really does help take my mind off of how much I am missing him. I'm so happy to have found something that makes me (almost) as happy as he does and I pray that it will continue.

My goodness, I really did not intend to write this much when I sat down..I have never claimed to be good with words, but this is what was on my heart at the moment and maybe he'll read this and it will make him smile. Oh, and I just couldn't post without a picture, so here is a really old one of us but I think it's still my favorite...and oh yeah, his name is john..

"Cotton" Candy

This afternoon around sunset Cathryn, her mom, & Lily (the dog) came to my house. Cathryn was one of the three girls I had done a session with together a couple weeks ago, but today was a day all her own! It was a quick session but we got some great shots...here are just a few, i'll try to post more of her and Mary Michael (my sweet potato girl) later this week. I also had a chance to get some pictures of my brother & his girlfriend while they were here for the weekend..so look for those within the next few days also!

I absolutely LOVE this one..

..Cathryn let me get up close & personal..
..sweet lily..

Thanks Cathryn! : )

*Sweet Potato Girl*

It doesn't get much better for a little girl than to spend the day with her daddy at work! This morning Mary Michael & I got down and dirty in the sweet potato fields near Roseboro..and let me tell you, this girl knows how to have a good time. I think this daddy would do just about anything for his girl!

I just had to post this shot..Mary Michael's red fire truck tattoo! How cute!

Just look at those eyes..I think someone's going to be a heartbreaker when she grows up!Thanks Mary Michael for a fun day! : )