Once Upon A Summer...

This wedding was actually from May, but seriously, it could NOT go un-blogged! I met the bride through another bride I had last September! She and her friends had booked a Ladies Night with me, so we were all already *very* comfortable with each other! It really is the relationship that I build with my clients that means the most to me. This group of ladies are amazing, and I can't say enough about how happy I am to have them in my life. Now, with that said, get ready for a MASSIVE look into Krystal and Clay's spectacular event!

A little "Pass the Bottle" fun!

My favorite part of ALL of my weddings is to watch everyone fuss over the bride :)

The friendships in this room were radiating. I have NEVER had a group of groomsmen more attentive to each other. These guys truly made my job super easy! No mocked or setup shots here! They were doing this all on their own!

Krystal and Clay wrote letters to each other and then read them before their First Glance. I've heard about this, but I've never seen it done. Now, I HIGHLY recommend it. So, so, so sweet.

I also find myself recommending the First Glance more and more. While there is something to be said for waiting for that moment at the aisle, this gets the massive jitters out of the way. It also allows for your photographer to get *more* awesome pictures, which is what everyone wants anyway, right?!

With the First Glance behind us, we can now get on with the bridal portraits! Another bonus to seeing each other before the ceremony is that you don't have to rush through before entering your reception!

And now, they will get married! At one of the most beautiful locations I have ever seen. No joke.

What's a wedding ceremony without a lot of laughing?!

Since the majority of wedding party shots were finished before the ceremony, we gathered family for a few shots and then hit the reception!

Oh, these parent dances were tearjerkers!!!

I always like to grab my bride and groom and do a couple sunset shots before I leave for the night. I am *so* glad that this bridal party decided to join. Not only did they get a bunch of extra shots, the sky was putting on a show for us!

Congratulations, Krystal and Clay! Your day was absolutely incredible! Thank you so much for having me!

For information on 2015 wedding rates and specials, contact MHP today!

Now Offering...

MHP is introducing...

The Kindness of Strangers.

Last week was a rough one for me. Not only because I was sick, but also because it was the one year anniversary of losing our third baby. I was behind on deadlines, panicked when looking at my unbelievably packed calendar, and exhausted. Just flat-out drained. Over-committed. Stretched as thin as possible without crumbling all together. And feeling completely defeated.

I arrived home from my part-time gig as a preschool teacher, knowing I was walking into a giant mess of a house, a stomach-sick husband, and a workload that consistently swirls around my brain. I grabbed the mail from the mailbox on the way in, attempting not to drop it as I juggled 4 bags, a purse, and 3 coffee cups that had been left in the car from the previous morning's rituals. As I throw open the front door, I notice a package off to the side of the porch.

Hmm..

I wasn't expecting anything. I had a print order due in a few days, but definitely not from them. This actually had a hand-written label. That's something I rarely see anymore.

Still frazzled, I drop the load I was hauling in the entrance of my house. I reach out and grab the box, trying to not stumble over the pile I had just created and fall flat on my face. With a huff, I collapse in the chair closest to me, grab some scissors, and begin to open the package.

On top was a card. I resisted the urge to dig straight in and see what was under the packing material, as if I were 5 years old again. On the inside of the beautiful card was printed "Mother's Day Forecast: Sunny with a chance of hugs." The first paragraph went as follows:

Dear Megan-
     Each year for Mother's Day I select a mother I admire to honor on Mother's Day in memory of my mother, who died in 2000. This year, I selected you - for so many reasons....

 Before reading the next paragraph, I sobbed. Right there in the chair, still holding the scissors, pile of mess at my feet, with the mail I was so previously careful to not drop strewn about. I was selected. Not just selected, but admired. And honored?

After composing myself, I continued to read the beautifully hand-written card I had received from someone who is virtually a stranger. Someone who mostly knows me by my photos, my blog, and my Facebook posts. An acquaintance.

And I cried some more.

I dug to the bottom of the box and pulled out two gorgeous pieces of jewelry. One representing positive energy, and the other prosperity. The exact combination that I needed at that moment.

It would not have mattered what was at the bottom of that box. All I needed was the card. The card that let me know I am doing it the right way, despite my feelings of defeat some days. I am so thankful for the kindness of other people in the world. My heart overflows with gratitude for you, as you will never know how much I truly appreciate this gift. You have selected, admired, and honored the correct mother this year, and I will be paying this forward for years to come.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

fall, non-profits, & a little Gandhi

Going back in time for this post. Remember how I stopped posting blog links for a while there? Yea. That was because I wasn't blogging. I was slacking. I'm really trying to get caught up though, so why not head back to the fall? It was pretty freakin' gorgeous. Right?

Each fall, I try to do a mini session series that will help to assist a local non-profit. Last year, I chose to assist The Center for Women and Familes, a non-profit organization that has been serving survivors of intimate partner abuse and sexual violence for more than 100 years. During November and December, they collect gift cards to various department stores to give to the families they are currently helping. This way, those parents can go shop for their children for Christmas. Through these mini sessions, MHP was able to give The Center $150 worth of Target gift cards :) So a huge 'THANK YOU' goes out to all of the families who helped make that possible.

I will add the pictures here soon (I know it's the real reason you've visited the link!), but before I do, I need to give a quick update on The Center. Recently, they have had to relocate, due to some massive roof damage. With the unbelievably bad winter weather we had, the roof deteriorated much quicker than anyone had imaged it would have, forcing them to close the doors at their 2nd Street location.

Although they have relocated and are operating from a temporary office building, they are now facing 3.2 million dollars in repairs, clean up, and roof replacement. If you are able, please DONATE to help with this massive undertaking. Not only is this organization raising funds for this unexpected clean up, but they are still serving women and families in our area at the same time.

And now, for the pretty stuff :)

Don't forget to go back and DONATE to The Center for Women and Families! There is no donation too small (or large!).

"The best way to find yourself is to 

lose yourself in the service to others." 

- Gandhi

Art Gallery

While I've done this once before, I was just as excited to be hanging my work, my photographs, my art on the walls in Breadworks at the Douglass Loop in the Highlands. There is really nothing like it. Unless it's hung in my own home, I rarely get to see my work once it's complete and hanging for all to view. So this is seriously a special treat for me! It will be hanging until the end of April, so go check it out while you can. These pieces are from my freelensing collection and were *so* much fun to create!

To purchase these and view other fine art creations by MHP, visit the gallery!