Ryan is 2!

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with a High School friend I haven't seen in over twelve years 

(wow, are we really that old?)! 

I was honored when Austin asked me to photograph her unbelievably cute fella to celebrate his second birthday.

Everyone, meet Ryan!

Such a sweet face!!  

Diana and I had so much fun chasing after this little guy during the shoot.  He is FULL TILT, 100% boy!  We ran, we hid, we played in the leaves, we snacked, we tossed a frog around and acted all kinds of silly.  

Good times were had by all!

Here are some of my favorites shots of the day.

What fun we had with this fella and his sweet parents!  

Austin and Iain is was great to see you.  

Thank you for your generous donation to our adoption fund. 

It means so much to us to have the support of old friends on this adventure.

And we all wish sweet Ryan the happiest of birthdays!

Meet the Ostby's!

This fall shoots season has been such a FUN one!

Recently I had the opportunity to photograph a family of 5- 
3 of whose member's happen to have 4 legs!

Everyone, meet the Ostby family!

 

The kids in this family were AWESOME!  

Ginger (Australian Shepherd), Lulu (Beagle) and Cheese (the cat) kept us on our toes and acting like CRAZY people to get them all to look at the camera.    

So fun!

Here are a few of our best shots-

 

 

 

 

 


Thank you, Ostby's, for your support!  

You guys were a hoot to shoot!

 

Dunn Family

It brings me such joy for my friends to refer new friends for me to photograph.  It's even cooler when one of those new families refers another!  

Recently after my shoot with the beautiful Wood Family, they referred another precious family to me.  

Everyone, I'm happy to introduce the Dunn Family!


 

This family was hilarious to hang out with from the first shot!  Nicole is truly the Princess of this family of 6- even their pup is a boy!  We had a great time hanging out in the shadows on this insanely cold but BRIGHT morning in Fort Mill.

Here are my favorites of the day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Dunn family, for your support!  

It was wonderful to meet you!


And to close, a 

MERRY
CHRISTMAS 
from the Dunn boys!

 

Baby Madison

In the middle of a flurry of fall family shoots I had the absolute pleasure to photograph a precious newborn baby girl.  

Everyone, I introduce to you Baby Madyson





This precious baby reminds me of a beautiful passage of scripture in 1st Samuel.  In the passage Hanna is praising the Lord for giving her her heart's desire- a baby.


I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.
1 Samuel 1:27

Madyson's parents and their community prayed fervently for her... and we are all so blessed to see this beautiful fulfillment.

What a sweet, sweet gift.

Please enjoy some of my favorites from my time with baby Madyson.

I love this shot, sweet Madyson in her Mama's hands

This one is my #2- Madyson and her proud Daddy

Congratulations Zach and Katherine!  
She is a beautiful answer to many prayers.

 And thank you for your support of our adoption!  I look forward to the day when we too meet the answer to the prayers of many.  I hope my Ruthie is home soon so that our girls can be sweet friends.

Much love and gratitude, Maria

Beckwith Family

Several weekends ago I had the opportunity to photograph a BEAUTIFUL and genuinely sweet family at the Dairy Barn in Fort Mill.

Everyone, meet the Beckwiths!

We had a great time together!  We had all kinds of Fall FUN playing in leaves and jumping from hay bales.

Well… then… I forgot to give them their CD AND show you fine folks a few of their best shots!

OOPPSS!

Then today the Lord whispered "Beckwith" in my ear and I quickly got to work!  Fortunately for me these sweet friends were completely understanding and weren't one bit upset.  Phew! I told you they were genuinely sweet!


Anywho- enough about me and my failing memory (turning 30 has ruined me! :) )



As I mentioned earlier- this is a beautiful family.  As you check out my favorites make note of all of their eyes- spectacular!!

 

I had a great time with you guys!  Thanks for a chance to capture your beautiful family.  And thank you for your support of our adoption!

Much love and humble gratitude,

Maria 

Crissinger Family "Summer Shoot"

I love it when my friend Michelle calls- especially when it's to tell me about a picture idea :).

Recently she called to tell me that she had found some matching summer dresses that a friend had brought home from Guatemala.  She said she was afraid the girls would grow out of them before next summer so we decided now was the best time!  Now if only we could do it without the girls freezing... and of COURSE the Lord provided us a BEAUTIFUL day! 

Check this out

Amazing right?

I've often thought Michelle was one of God's favorites ;). 
So we took advantage of the mock summer day and got lots of beautiful shots of the girls.  Then we decided to throw in a few family shots before the sunset.  It was awesome.  :)



Here are my favorite favorites (so many to pick from!)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little sassy model (below) is going to make me famous one day- I just know it! If you've never seen her birthday shoot you should check it out.


 

 

 

 

 

There are so many things I could tell you about this precious family... but I'd probably cry.  So lets just say I truly believe they are a gift to me (and everyone else they know!) from the Lord.  I am blessed to call them friends.

I love you guys! 

 

 

 

PS- I'll end with this teaser: stay tuned for a secret WINTER ending to this summer shoot.  So fun!