Just in time for the Holidays...

I've been so excited to share these images with you, but they were a surprise to family and friends during the holidays, so I had to bite my tongue and hold off. But now I'm excited to introduce you to baby Camille!



Camille is the newest Meredith Angel or NC State Wolfpacker! :) I'm sure Mom & Dad (and me too) would be happy either way! Miss Camille wasn't due to arrive until sometime between Christmas and New Year's, but decided she didn't want to miss anything and actually arrived just a few days before Thanksgiving- just in time to share in all of the holidays! Although she had to spend a little extra time in the hospital until she could come home, she is loved none-the-less. Camille weighed in at just under 6 lbs. during her session, which I think might be the record for the smallest baby I've ever photographed. She was such a trooper during her session, sleeping most of the time, but would open her cute eyes and look at us for a quick second and then she'd go right back to snoozin'!











Since it was so close to Christmas, Mom and I discussed doing a flat art linen card where one side was their Christmas Card and the other was Camille's birth announcement information. So, we decided to take a few images with the holiday theme as well.





Congrats Laura & Nick. Thank you for sharing Camille with me. She's an absolute angel! :)

An Adoption Journey

My friends, Carey and Kristen Carsone, are planning to adopt through open adoption. I want to help them by spreading the word through my network of friends, family, and blog readers, so I thought I'd post a little about them here.



Kristen & Carey are anxiously waiting and hoping to expand their family through an open adoption. Many adoption connections (known as matches) are made through the efforts of adopting parents networking with family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers. You never know, and might be surprised that you may know, a friend-of a friend-of a friend who is looking to make an adoption plan.

You can learn a lot more about Carey, Kristen, and their family by visiting their website at http://www.carsoneadoption.com/. If you would like to contact them please feel free to email them at ckcarsone {at} nc.rr {dot} com or you can even call them toll-free at 1-800-620-7019.

They are are working with a nation wide non-profit adoption agency specializing in open adoptions. What does open adoption mean?—It is an adoption process in which birthparents and adoptive parents meet and jointly decide to work together to make an adoption plan. If you would like to learn more about the agency, please visit their website, http://www.adoptionhelp.org/. If you would like to speak directly to a birthparent counselor please call toll-free 1-800-877-6736 and they will answer any and all of your questions.


Thank you for taking the time to read this information. Any support or help of spreading the word would be greatly appreciated by me as well as the Carsone Family. However, if you do not feel comfortable spreading the word I do ask that you please just keep Carey and Kristen in your thoughts and prayers as they begin their adoption journey.

The Gurganus Family

I'm so glad this session finally worked out and we were able to get together for these images. This is my Mom's sister and her lovely family. We got together for some fun shots on the tractors and around the farm. Here are just a handful of my favorite images.

More of My Family

Meet my brother and his adorable family. I know the kids have graced this blog, but I don't think they've ever graced it together as a 4-some before. 'Bout time!







I sure do love these peeps!

Brothers | Raleigh Children Photographer

I first photographed this family just after 'little' brother was born. Here there are all grown-ey-looking, yes I did just say grown-ey! :) We meet for a quick session to get some images for their Christmas Cards. And I had such a fun time with these sweet boys!

The Swain Family

Talk about a windy day! I met up with The Swain family the day after Thanksgiving and it was very windy and cold! Here are just a few of the shots we got outside before we froze! :)







Allyson, below, is actually the one who contacted me about doing the shoot. Her and her husband dabble in photography as well.





And of course, the "butt" shot! :)



Thanks for having me!

Miss Lilley | Raleigh Children Photographer

Remember this adorable butterball from last January? Here she is now. These pictures were taken around the end of October in preparation for their Christmas cards. I have lots to post from Oct-Dec so stay tuned. Now that holiday card orders and most print orders are complete, I hope to get caught up in the blogging world.

Cousins

I can post this photo, because it's of my family! :) We ventured out this past weekend to try and get that one out of a hundred photos to use for my parents Christmas Card. I'll let you decide how it went...



Hehe... I **LOVE** those kiddos!

Happy Thanksgiving!

thanks⋅giv⋅ing [thangks-giv-ing]
1. the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors.
2. an expression of thanks, esp. to God.
3. a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. There's no hussle to buy things for others and worry if they're going to like their gift or not. It's a time to be thankful for the harvest but also to be thankful for the ways in which we all are blessed. As you all are traveling today to your destination for that turkey, ham, stuffing, etc. Or preparing to shop til you drop during those black friday sales, I hope you will spare a few minutes to think of a few things you're thankful for.

I thought I'd make a list of a few things that I am thankful for:
1-God
2-My parents & grandparents
3-My baby girl & her Daddy
4-My brother & his family
5-Cousins & Friends
6-Food
7-Good Health
8-Meredith College
9-To be able to do what I love (photography)
10-My clients
11-A life that includes love and laughter
12-Our soldiers

I really could keep going, but I think I'll stop there for now. What are you most thankful for this season?

And in the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, which I still like to have decorated with fall leaves, pumpkins, etc., here's another picture of my wee-one that I took earlier in the month!



Here's to a safe, relaxing, and fun Thanksgiving!
Gobble, Gooble!
Megan

Hampton

November 1st was a good day, because baby Hampton made his way into the world. Here he is at just 15 days old! He was awake for most of our session, but did so well as we moved him and molded him like we wanted him to be. WARNING: these images could cause some serious baby fever!

My baby girl...

I took a few minutes with Grace today and did a very small, nothing major, quick photo session with her. I just caught the tail end of daylight coming in through the windows, but I wanted to show this one particular image of her that says so much about her. She certainly is the light of my life!

Housekeeping...

Just a few "housekeeping" things to go over:

I received a heads up today that on the first page of my site that BLOG link wasn't working. Sorry for any troubles you were having, but the link should now be active again!

Remember that the deadline for Holiday Card orders is December 1st. That is only 12 days away and Thanksgiving is in between. The sooner you get your card orders to me the better! You can view holiday card pricing and other designs on the website by clicking on Design Gallery > Holiday Cards.



If you had a session with MLP since the summer, your images are back online in the proof gallery for holiday ordering. The deadline for print orders is December 11th. If you don't see your session, shoot me an email and let me know.

I have some more sessions that I haven't blogged so be sure to stay tuned for more adorable-ness! Above is 15 day old Hampton that I had the pleasure of visiting with Monday. More to come from his session and others soon!

And don't forget about the newest product added to the MLP line up! These necklaces are going like crazy! I'm so in love with mine! For more information about them, click here.



Another idea to display your photos are these bags, I have many different styles of bags for you to choose from. (Pocketbooks, Wallets, Toiletry Bags, etc.) Another great holiday gift! The 'Beach Bag' is shown below!

Preggers | NC Maternity Photography

You've seen this adorable family grace my blog many times before, from engagement photos to her bridal portraits and all things in between. Now, they're adding one more to their clan and February can't get here fast enough; not only for her, but for me too! I can't wait to meet this little person. Bridget & Stephen opted not to find out the sex of the baby. Delivery day is going to be extra special; not only will they have a new little person to hold but we'll know boy/girl- the suspense is killing me! And I think them too! :)

















Love you guys! xoxo