Happy HALF-Birthday, Ruthie B!

 

A Thank You and Annoucement

Dearest friends and Ruthie B Photography/ 5Mariposas Family,

I am honored by the support you have all given me over the past 2 and a half years.  When I began this little fundraiser project with a simple post entitled Can I Take Your Picture,  I never imagined the Lord would use it to bless ME so richly.  


Each and every session I was encouraged by your kind words and your promises to pray for us as we waited to bring home our sweet baby.  You all genuinely cared for me and for that I will be forever grateful.


Based on a quick look back over this blog and my original adoption blog in the last 2 years I have had the absolute pleasure of photographing over 50 families!  

Add to that the families I photographed during last year's Spring Portraits shoot and you're looking at closer to 65 families.

Many of the families I photographed booked me for multiple sessions-  allowing me the opportunity to shoot approximately 75 total sessions!


Friends, my best guess is that you beautiful people have helped us raise well over $10,000.  I wish there were adequate words to thank you all... unfortunately, words fail me.

Instead of words, how about a picture?

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for helping us bring this sweet baby home.  She is such a joy  to us all... we can't imagine our family without her.  Thank you for beautifully living out the words of Christ in Matthew 25 by giving to us when we were in need.  

And I have to say a most special thank you to my sister, Diana, that so beautifully and sacrificially assisted me during almost every session.  Diana, this project wouldn't have been nearly as successful (or fun!) without you!  I love you!  

An Announcement

Since our baby girl is now home,  we have raised all our necessary funds and I'm now a busy mama of 3, I have decided to take an extended break from photography.  

But don't worry, I'll be back!  

The last 2 years have awoken a creative side in me that I didn't even know was there!  Plus, I'd miss you guys so I cant stay away long!  My goal is to return some time next year with new and better tools in my belt to better serve you.  I plan to come back rejuvenated, better equipped and with fresh ideas.  I also hope too to have a plan in place that will allow me to help other fundraising families bring home their babies too!

Again, thank you, for 2 and a half most encouraging years!  Please stay in touch with us via our adoption blog!  I'll see you from behind my camera again soon!

With deep gratitude,

Maria and Niles, Turner, Calvin and Ruth

A Prom shoot with Kyle

Several months ago I had the opportunity to photograph a young man I've know since he was a year old- and NOW he's a High School Senior!

Everyone, meet my neighbor, Kyle!

 

Such a handsome fella!  

Kyle and his family moved in next door to my parent's home just shy of his first birthday.  They have watched my family grow up- from proms to wedding showers!  And now, it's a joy to watch as Kyle step into adulthood!  It was my pleasure to photograph him and his date and friends for their prom.  We had the opportunity to shoot in Historic Brattonsville- such a beautiful place!

Here are a few of my favorites from the day!

 

 

 

Thank you, Dix family, for your years of friendship and support!  Kyle has grown into such a wonderful young man!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for his future!


To close, a sweet shot with Kyle and his Mama :)

 

An End and A Beginning- Ashely's Graduation

Late last spring I had the distinct pleasure to photograph a beautiful Winthrop graduate. 

Everyone, meet Ashley!

 

She is such a beauty!

One of the things that was so neat about this shoot was that it was a gift to Ashely from one of her sorority sister!  Such a thoughtful gift!  I also loved that we shot on location, at Winthrop University.  It was a touching experience for me to walk with her through the campus where so much of her life began... from her career to the place she met the love of her life! 

I had a wonderful time with Ashely.  She is truly a lovely young woman, both inside and out.  Ashely, I pray that the Lord walks with you all your days and that he blesses you abundantly!

Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.

 

 

 

 

 



Much love and well wishes for a bright future,
Maria

Stunning Bride- Beverly Sheehan

"An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels"


It was my absolute pleasure to capture the future Mrs. Sheehan 
just days before her wedding.
  
Everyone, meet the beautiful bride, Beverly


 

This stunning young lady has a heart that matches her exquisite beauty.  She is kind, sweet and one of the most thoughtful people I have ever encountered!  It was a joy to photograph her at her childhood home in McConnel's, SC with her Mama close by. 

Here are a few of my favorites from the day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Bev, it was a true pleasure to be a part of such a special time in your life!  
I pray that the Lord blesses you and Ryan with a long life of serving Him hand in hand!

 



PS- a special thank you to my friend Danielle  that cheerfully assisted me during this shoot, even though she was 30+ weeks pregnant!

Before they were Mr. And Mrs.

Everyone, I'd like to introduce to you the newlyweds,

Ryan and Beverly Sheehan.

 

There is no denying these two love birds are head over heals for each other!  


I had the priviledge of spending a summer afternoon with these two just days before they became husband and wife!  Rain had delayed our shoot for WEEKS and we decided we couldn't wait any longer!  So on a warm, slightly "buggy" but finally rain-free evening I made my way to their soon-to-be newlywed home and shot their engagement pictures in the back yard. 

When you have two beautiful people that love each other so deeply location simply doesn't matter!



Here are my favorites from the day!

 

 
Isn't she stunning!  

 

 

 

 

Bev and Ryan, thank you for allowing me to capture your sweet love and excitement.  It was such a pleasure!  I pray the Lord blesses your marriage abundantly!

Love you both!



"My beloved is mine, and I am his."
Song of Solomon 2:16

 




Can't get enough of this sweet couple?

Tune in later this week to see Bev's STUNNING bridal portraits!

Russo Rewind- Expecting!

Our Ruthie B is HOME!


The baby girl we have been praying for for two years is finally home- and she's already almost 11 weeks old (sorry for the delayed announcement here!).  Please visit our adoption blog to read her birth story and updates in coming weeks!  We are completely in LOVE with our Ruthie B!

  

Since she has been home things have been going well... everything except blogging that is!  

Yikes! 

It's hard to sit down after a full day of parenting 3 sweet kiddos and attempt any sort of creativity...

That being said- I'm inspired to get back to it!
I have had the absolute pleasure of photographing several dear friends lately, at oh so special milestones, and I am eager to share them with you.


Today, in honor of my precious NEW MAMA friend, Danielle, 
I'm happy to share her maternity photos!



 

I mean, is that not the cutest bump, or what??


Danielle and her husband Darren welcomed their sweet Adeline just two weeks after these photos were taken!  

But lets not skip to the end of the story quite yet... first lets admire this beautiful Mama to be.

 

She is so stunning.

And we can't forget to include some with the doting Daddy to be...

  

It has been my ABSOLUTE pleasure to photograph so many milestones for this beautiful couple and my great honor to call them some of my dearest friends!  I know the Lord has great plans for the two of them as Mommy and Daddy and I can't wait to see it unfold!


Thank you guys for your LOVE and your continued support of our adoption!

 

Tune in again this week as I share a sweet engagement shoot, a stunning bridal shoot and a prom shoot from early spring!


Thank you all, as always, for your support of this little fundraiser.  

I am so blessed to do WHAT I love 
to raise the funds we need FOR our littlest love.

SPRING!

Hello friends!

Thank you to all that have called to check on us or have emailed encouragements over the last month.  

Our failed adoption was incredibly difficult... but we continue to hope!  We are certain that the Lord has great plans for us and for our family- so we will press into him and wait patiently(ish) ;).  Our baby girl will come home in God's perfect timing.


That being said, there are funds to recoup and more funds to raise so back to the camera I go!  

(Honestly, I've missed it- and I've missed you guys!)

SO...

who is ready for 

SPRING PICTURES???

With just a little sunshine, some bright flowers and smiling faces I'm sure we'll have ourselves a great time!

Email me today for more details or to book your shoot!

FergusonAdoption@gmail.com

I can't wait to see your smiling faces again!

Much love and sincere gratitude,

Maria

Finns Family

Recently, it was my absolute pleasure to spend a beautiful February morning with a sweet family of 4.

Everyone, meet the Finns!




I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet family in 2011 when I photographed them and their extended family in a super-sized family shoot.  I had a wonderful time hanging out with them again and am EVER so grateful for their continued support and prayers for our adoption!

Below you will find a few of my favorite black and white shots from the day.

Enjoy!

Thank you again, Finns family, for a chance to capture your beautiful family!  I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

The Finns were such a great family to be my "grand-finale-for-now!"

As my baby girl will be arriving any day I will be taking an extended maternity leave from photo shoots (with the exception of a very special friend's bridal portraits) to enjoy and get to know her!

I thank you, all from the bottom of my heart, for your support of this little project and look forward to helping other families "fundraise with photography" for their adoptions in late spring/early summer.

Stay tuned to our adoption blog for updates on our soon-to-be family of 5!