maternity | cows, cowboys and a baby bump | stillwell, ok maternity photographer

 Howdy folks! (Ok, saying that makes me feel just the slightest bit redneck). Time to get in the cowboy frame of mind though, yeeehaww!! Today I mailed off Cash & Gracelin's disc, so I thought I would share their session with ya'll! Isn't Gracelin beautimous?

What an awesome session location we had! It came complete with cows, cowboys, and perty sunrise (6am!! no late risers here folks) light. Aww yeah. 

These folks are all about the rodeo. They were actually training there while we were shooting, very cool! I do not remember what this thing they were doing is called...um...cow jumping? steer chasing? No hatin' guys - I am Seattle suburb born and raised so it's allowed to not know what this is called. Gracelin did tell me what exactly they were doing while Cash was making a quick egg mcmuffin run, but to be honest the cows thundering by were a bit too scary to commit that tidbit to memory.

Jumping from a galloping horse onto a cow is sheer madness. I'll have to admit it looks pretty cool though!

 And just so you don't think this whole post is about cows and horses, here's one of Cash, Gracelin, and yet to be born Cashlin (combination of Cash & Gracelin...awwwh). As you can see, they're not scared of the cows one bit. Fearless people.

 Helllllooo there big scary cow.

Let's move on to prettier things, shall we? You guys are too stinkin' cute.

Can't forget the feet shot!

You get these cool belt buckles when you jump on cows for a living. I have a feeling Cashlin is going to be born riding a horse. Giddyup!!

The farm came packaged with it's very own license plate wall on one of the outbuildings, yeah buddy! +10 points for awesomeness and laughter.

And +20 points for awesome light.

The farm also came with a dog prop. This little guy is so protective over Gracelin, so precious.

You guys kill me with your gorgeousness. 

So presh!

Thanks for choosing me to take your maternity portraits Cash & Gracelin! I can't wait to see your bump again in October. I'll end this post now with a picture of a scary cow, just to freak out Sheri because I know she'll look at this post. <3 ya girl!

Til next time,

Mel (and the cow)

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maternity | westville, ok maternity photographer | Baby Abilene is almost here!

Hey there! So um yeah...I'm a horrible blogger! I am running behind on everything (facebook updates, inquiries, and blogging), so I'm going to attempt to redeem myself with this awesome maternity session I shot last month. Yes internet, last month. Yowza.

This is the McKenzie family. Aren't they presh?

If you've ever had family portraits done, you know that getting your children relaxed and happy with their faces in the general direction of the camera is RARE. I, in a combined effort with Derek & Sheri, have found a solution for that. All you have to do is tell your kids that you will hold them upside down by their feet later, and boom! Happy children.

Looking at this family, one would never guess that they suffered a tragic loss last year. Lainee Pearl, was born last year at 32 weeks, asleep. Sheri brought along a weighted bear, and an angel wing necklace to represent Abilenes sister. This photo is by far my favorite image of our session, and I am so glad that Sheri thought to include Lainee in them. Rest in peace, little one.

I <3 these portraits of Derek & Sheri. So in love!

Evan

Roman

Awesome old barn! And an awesome wasp's nest! These boys be fearless.

Love the boys feet next to Abilenes dainty shoes!

Even though we got great portraits that day, had a lot of fun, and got stared at by a property owner until we left because there was a bull in her field (eeek!), we actually decided to shoot again on another day because we missed the sunset. I blame this on Derek for driving us all the way to Egypt (Egypt = anything that is 30 minutes from pavement). Man oh man, was that AC nice after being in that hot weather! Derek's secret motive for taking the long way around maybe? I'm just kiddin' ya, Derek :).

Both Sheri & I really wanted some images with the sun in them (sunflare...haaaay!!), so we decided to shoot again a week later. This time we were a bit closer to home, at the abandoned factory in Westville. I guess everyone decided to hay their fields at the same time, because this was the only one in town that still had part of the fields uncut. I'm glad, because this location turned out to be awesome! Simply stunning light.

37 weeks! Props to this momma, it was 100 degrees out and she handled it like a champ. Love this moment!

I. Love. Sunflare.

Sans kiddos, we were able to trample through the long grass to grab some intimate maternity portraits. This one is definitely my favorite from day # 2.

I'll end this post with one last gorgeous portrait of Sheri in that nummy light. For inquiring minds, the McKenzie family welcomed baby Abilene to the world two weeks later, in perfect health. Watch for her newborn session, coming soon!

Til next time, 

Mel

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maternity | muskogee, ok maternity photographer | The Russells have an announcement!!

My blog post today is a very special one. It's about the Russell family (and some ornery geese - more on that later), who have been my clients since 2009. They have a big announcement to make, and chose me to document this monumental moment in their lives. I couldn't be more honored! I met Brandie & Jared in 2009, when they hired me to photograph their engagement session for them, in Siloam Springs, AR. Aren't they cute?

In 2010, I photographed their Muskogee, OK wedding at Kilharens Lodge. It was here I learned that Brandie likes to hitch rides. Unfortunately for the driver, they chose not to stop. They missed out on a heckofa good time!

Seriously though, aren't they gorgeous?

Flash forward to fall 2010 - fall family portraits in Siloam Springs, AR. We got some gorgeous portraits!

and some funny ones too :)

Fall of 2011, more family portraits - this time in the lot behind their family business Aceco (if you need party rentals, or a tractor - this is the place to go).

I love these girls! They are by far some of my favorite mischief makers ;).

Onto the good stuffs! 

On 6.7.12 Brandie sent me a text. Our convo:

Brandie: Have you ever shot like a family get together? Or like a BBQ with a lot of people?
Me: Lol...define a lot of people!
Brandie: Close friends and family! We have a surprise for everyone and would LOVE to have pictures! ;)
(at this point, I would like to note - Brandie, it was your little wink that gave it away!) 
Me: OMG are you preggars?
Brandie: Ssshhhhh!!! NO ONE knows!

Wow. I didn't actually photograph their session until 7.22.12, so they sat on this secret for quite awhile! Now that the cat is out of the bag so to speak, I can share some pictures! Brandie asked me to be there when they told their twin girls that they were going to be big sisters, so off to Honor Heights park in Muskogee, OK (after I got lost) I went!

The girls had NO idea that there is a baby Russell on the way, so we started out like it was a normal photo session, grabbing the posed family portraits first:

Now the fun stuff! We had the girls close their eyes for their prize, custom t-shirts that Brandie had made. I just loved their reactions!

Look at those proud big sisters to be!

Why stop there? Even though it was hot (one of the notorious 105 days this summer), the girls were in high spirits so we kept shooting. Aren't they just the cutest little family ever?

Baby Russell coming 2.14.13!!

 

Listening for little brother or sister :)

Isn't this a great blooper! Love her face!

Can't forget the foot shot! Representin' baby Russell! Future clients, expect a picture of your feet in your proofing gallery.

Now onto the geese. Yes, geese. We were right by the water, so of course there were geese. Personally, I dislike geese. A lot. I dislike geese so much it's starting to give me the eebie jeebies just talking about them. Geese, geese, geese, geese, geese. Ha, say that one five times fast!

Anyways, when we got close to the water, it was a little hard keeping the girls from running off because they were chasing the geese. I did get them to stand still for one quick portrait though:

During this time, the evil geese were sneaking back up on them. Their reaction when I told them to look behind them (in reality I was about to run away myself!), was priceless. One look at their faces, and I thought they were scared too:

Nope, they were just secretly plotting their offense via twin telepathy.

 

And off they go again! 

 

Lets end on a sweet note:

Brandie & Jared, thank you for inviting me along to photograph this day for you. I am truly honored that you chose me to do so! I love that I have been able to watch your family grow. Here's to future maternity and newborn portraits!  *cheers*

By the way, Brandie is the best Scentsy consultant ever. EVER. She's having a 10% off sale for August, check out her page!


Til next time,
Mel

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