Kids and Dogs - Gotta Luv Em!

OK, as promised - here are some of the out-takes from Liam's session. These little Jack Russells's are soooo smart - just don't know how to pose! I think I've identified the culprit as the little brownie. But you know what - they both loved on me - and I gotta luv 'em back!

The Couch's on the Couch

Sunday afternoon I had the pleasure of working with Max and Holly Couch and their most handsome 6 yr old son Liam. Holly is an artist herself - check out her jewelry line at -www.thehollycouchcollection.com - and knew exactly what she wanted from the images taken. After a pre-consultation visit to her home she readily agreed to move some furniture around in her dining room to create our little studio. My friend and fellow photographer Colette and I showed up with our equipment and after making all the little adjustments we were ready to go. Liam proved to be quite the little model for us - but he is all boy too and I loved it. He had some of the greatest expressions - total boyish charm! I have to save my next post for the out-takes from the session - anyone who has ever worked with children and dogs at the same time can relate :)

You know - if Holly put her hair up and put on a suit and Max wore a suit and a John McCain mask - they sure would look like Sara Palin and John McCain. Hmmmmm .....

Campaign Stop

Imagine how surprised we were to attend the McGhee's Annual Halloween Party and see such VIP guests in attendance. I always knew Jacque and Steve knew people who knew people who knew people .... but OMG, for Sara Palin and John McCain to make an unscheduled stop in Memphis just to shake a few hands. Well, I considered myself very lucky to have my camera with me. They agreed to this publicity photo thanks goodness. But the real moment happened as I turned my back for a moment and caught them out of the corner of my eye - making out! In my rush - I blurred the shot - but there you have it. It's official - now we all know why he chose Sara - she's HOT!

2 Sisters + 2 Photographers = Magic!

Today I had an incredible opportunity to work with my friend and fellow photographer, Brian Grose. We met up at Starbucks and headed out to Coldwater, MS to photograph two beautiful girls for their senior portraits. And what better place to photograph these girls that have been home-schooled by their awesome parents Kathy and Tom, than at their lovely home complete with a pond, barn, and a wheat field! As Brian called it - "the compound" - it was an incredible acreage for sure. The temperatures had dropped considerably from yesterday and it was a chilly North wind that we had to contend with but Deanna and Jenna were brave enough to shed their jackets for short periods and let us get some awesome shots! I just love getting the opportunity to work with other photographers whether it is my project or theirs. Brian and I worked with each girl and while one photographed - the other worked my new favorite accessory - the simple reflector. It is amazing how much light can be bounced around outdoors. Now - the girls were freezing - but I don't think it showed. Thanks for a great day and the warm hospitality!

Great Expectations

Since Demi Moore's pregnant photograph appeared in Vanity Fair, people have definitely been embracing pregnancy more and more. Maternity photography is an extension of that. It's also a chance for a mom to feel beautiful and relaxed before she gives birth. I was so glad when Kelly chose me to photograph her maternity photos. Having already photographed her sister Lindy with her newborn Madeline I'm sure helped quite a bit! We had a packed house of girls in the studio with a football party of the menfolk in the next room. Not sure which room was generating the most noise but I know everybody was having a great time. Kelly I wish you all the best with your pregnancy and can't wait to meet your new little one.

Trick or Treat Special

I just love Halloween! When my kids were little - yes, my youngest is now 18 - but when they were little - Halloween was always such fun around our house. One year we even hosted a Haunted House in our neighborhood that was so scary some kids didn't make it down the hallway! Now we still get all dressed up and go all out with candy and ghoulish decorations for our Halloween Trick or Treaters. This year I am doing a photography special for all my clients and neighborhood ghosts and goblins. It'll be fun - REALLY!

Trick or Treat

Estanaula Trails Special Offer

From Candid Creations by Mary Photography

Bring your costumed Trick or Treater by my home studio

In Estanaula Trails for a mini-session for only $20!

When: October 30^th and 31^st

^{Where: 347 Chickasaw Land Cove}

^{Cost: $20 per child or add a sibling to the shot for only $5}

^{Please call Mary at 850-1757 or send an email to mdegreve@comcast.net}

^{to reserve a time slot either day – OR – drop by during normal Trick or Treat hours.}

^{No appt needed during Trick or Treat hours. Studio will be setup conveniently}

^downstairs.

One full-res 5x7 image will be emailed by Monday, November 3^rd.

A Passion for Fashion - Senior Style

I was so happy to hear that Kelsey was the one who did the research on the internet to find her photographer for her senior pictures and was willing to make the trip to Collierville all the way from near Jackson, TN to spend the day with me :) We had a very fun day together and when she came into the studio with all her clothes - well, I just wanted to go shopping in her closet! She had some great outfits and tons of shoes and hats and scarves to work with. Yes, Kelsey loves to shop!

She also has the longest and most beautiful hair! Can you believe she has never cut it! What a beautiful young lady - inside and out. Thank you for spending the day with me and I wish you all the best your senior year.

What a gift!

When Brian called me months ago to schedule his session I asked him what he wanted his portraits for. I loved his answer - to give as gifts for Christmas. In this day and age shopping for Christmas gifts for loved ones can be challenging at best. But an updated portrait is one of those gifts that will fit any decor, never go out of style, and will be treasured and cherished long after the holiday season is over. I so enjoyed my session today with Brian and have to give a special shout out and thanks to Kate for being my impromptu assistant and for being there to bring that sparkle to Brian's eyes. I have to confess - his "eye of the tiger" shot has to be one of my favorites - but I promised :) Thank you both so much for a great session.

JD at the Town Square

Thank goodness the day was so perfect for being outside. I hear the rains are coming later this week so looks like some rescheduling is going to happen. I met up with JD and his mom Janet this morning at the Collierville Town Square to finish up his outdoor portraits. In keeping with the family tradition - he wore a black shirt and we took a few similar poses that Janet really loved of her older sons - and then we tried some new things as well. Today he will head back to college at UT Martin where he is studying accounting. Safe travels JD and I really enjoyed working with you. See - having your picture made isn't all that bad :)

A Classic Match

I had the pleasure of working with JD and his mom Janet this afternoon to create a classic portrait of their youngest son - to match portraits of their two older sons - all taken at age 18. On my in-home client consultation visit I was able to see the exact size and placement on the wall where their portrait of JD was to hang. That was extremely helpful before we headed into the studio. JD and Janet were so much fun to work with - and isn't he gorgeous! All three sons are so handsome. I look forward to tomorrow's session with JD at the Collierville Town Square to get some great outdoor shots.

Avery's Eyes

My little subject this morning was Miss Avery Haynes - a gorgeous, and very happy 8 month old. I photographed her big brother about 2 and a half years ago and was so happy that Carrie called me again. I think Avery just has the perfect little baby face and you just have to check out her long eyelashes - she is going to break some hearts one day. She granted me with some beautiful smiles during our session. I think my favorite has to be Avery wearing her new hat. She was so patient and let me get plenty of shots - but when she was ready - that hat came off! Thank you Carrie and Avery so much for coming all the way out to Collierville! I had a great time this morning.

Creative Headshots

So what do photographers do for fun ...... they get together and play with their cameras and studio lights. That's just what we did yesterday here at my house. We had 10 photographers and 2 studios set up and 10 lighting challenges to work out. It was so much fun and I was able to try some new lighting techniques. One of my challenges was to try halo lighting - fellow photographer friend Colette has the best curly hair for a shot like this. Her hair just glowed! Then my other challenge was to light a subject with the main light behind them. Jason was great for this shot - it's more edgy than what I might use for woman - but it really works well for him. And Ronnie has the best face ever for low-key drama. The challenge on that one was to do a location shot and use a strobe but balance it with ambient lighting - Brian did a great job thinking outside the box on this one with how he set it up.

I just had a blast with everyone and learned so much. I can't wait to do something like this again!

Beach Portraits at Hilton Head

What a great little getaway I just had to Hilton Head with my sister Kathy and her extended family. I was able to meet my new grand-niece Genesis - just the happiest little baby girl I've ever met. Not to mention just the perfect little cutie who got photographed all the time on this trip.

We stayed at the beautiful beachside Marriott Grande Ocean. From the room we could see the pools and the beach and hear the live music being played around the pool. The second night there we decided to do family beach portraits. Kathy and I both packed up our gear and headed towards the beach. Having two photographers for the session was great and we were able to move quickly as the light was going down very fast. Not to mention I could take pictures of her and she could take them of me. Yes, it is very nice having a sister who is also a photographer :)

Pictured with little Genny is her very proud mom and dad, Patrick and Kelley. Patrick is Kathy and Robert's son. Kathy and Robert are in the blue shirts and blue jeans. And Robert's sister Becky and her husband Steve posed with little Genny as well.

We had such fun and I have to thank Kathy and Robert for inviting me to share their vacation with them. Next I'll post up some pictures from Harbour Town and the beautiful historic city of Savannah. Yes I made great use of all that photo equip that I packed for the trip! Now I have some new great photos to work on.