Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Abby & Nilah

Another set of precious sisters!

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Sarah & Nebiyah

I had another group of sisters join me for Easter Mini Sessions.

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Mom even jumped in for a photo! Royce and I grew up in school together, graduated the same year, played volleyball together, etc. It was great to meet her two beautiful girls.

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The Foster's

This family probably looks famiilar, as they frequent my blog multiple times a year. You might remember their recent beach session or Emmie's newborn session that have all been posted with in the last 4 months. I love photographing this family, how could anyone not will all this cuteness! :)

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The newest addition, Miss Emmie, growing up way too fast.

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Mr. Ayden, 2, loved the bunny and chicks that I had for sessions. The bunny was extremely aggitated but Ayden was determined to hold him. Once Ayden's Daddy got him out of his cage the bunny calmed down in Ayden's arms. He didn't want to give him back! :)

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Mr. Luke, who's heading to Kindergarten this coming school year is a wonderful big brother who looks after his two younger siblings!

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Hallie & Abby

I had so much fun photographing these beautiful sisters, they are both so full of spunk & gorgeous smiles!!

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Greyson

Greyson came to visit again! See if you can pick which baby is him from my 2008 Easter Sessions! :) I'll say it again, they grow too fast. Greyson's family is growing too as he is expecting a new baby brother this year!

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Miss Natalie

Don't you just love these blonde curls? Too cute for words!

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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tucker & Brody

Are these two brothers not adorable? Such sweet boys!

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Tuck & BoBo- Cooler than cool, I'm telling ya!

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Laney & Evan

You can certainly tell that Laney is so in love with her baby brother & that she's a great big sister! Love photographing these two kiddos!

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Monday, March 28, 2011

Rachel

How cute is this little one? Just 9 months old and already has killer blue eyes! :)

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Nate & Evie

These two cuties have graced the blog before, in the meantime they've certainly done some growing!

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Easter Mini Sessions

Last Saturday my day consisted of these kiddos plus others. Just wanted to give a small sneak peek of what's to come on the blog next week! :) Can't you see what I love my job so much?

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This Saturday consists of a wedding. Which means next week I also get to share her bridal portraits! Yay, finally! It's so hard holding on to those images and not being able to share them right away!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Jonny Waters & Co.

Remember this band shoot? Well Jonny Waters and Co. just announced its CD release!

"A stunning debut album with a dynamic collection of songs that it is sure to please the ears of anyone who appreciates truly American music!"

You can preview / get your digital copy of the album here:
*(the album will be available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Zune and other major digital distribution platforms in the coming days and weeks!)

The album will be available for sale at any of the upcoming live performances by Jonny Waters and Company, such as the one on April 21st at ECU'S 32nd Annual Barefoot on the Mall festival.

He also has a Facebook event page, here!

Way to go Jon! It's awesome to see people following their dreams!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Cutler

Little Cutler was my first session for Easter Mini-Sessions. His Mommy sure worked hard for some smiles, and I'm so glad because it definitely paid off.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

101 things in 1001 days: Take 2

I decided to do a 101 list again; having done it once I had a few new ideas for this time around. Last time I only completed 33 tasks on my list. Even though I didn’t complete all 101, I don’t know I would have completed some of those if it hadn’t been on my list to begin with. I feel that sharing them helped me to accountable and motivated. Only 33 tasks doesn’t really scream motivation does it? Well I’m hoping that this time around I’ll have even more motivation!

Goal setting is used by many in all fields. Setting goals gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It focuses your acquisition of knowledge, and helps you to organize your time and your resources so that you can make the very most of your life. By setting sharp, clearly defined goals, you can measure and take pride in the achievement of those goals, and you'll see forward progress in what might previously have seemed a long pointless grind. You will also raise your self-confidence, as you recognize your own ability and competence in achieving the goals that you've set.

I learned through the past 1001 days that I change and life changes over the course of 1001 days. Ways that I wouldn’t have known when I first started. While 1001 days gives you plenty of time to check off goals especially those that are seasonal in nature, I’m also going to use that time to add other things to my list which is why you’ll notice that it isn’t completed just yet. Over the course of the last 1001 days, I'd find myself saying I’d like to do that or I need to put that on my next 101 list, but now I couldn’t tell you what those things are. Now I have space to add those things to this particular list as they come to mind. I've also given myself a date to revise my list if needed. During the last 1001 days I would have never thought I’d have a baby, but now I couldn’t imagine my life any other way! That's just one example of when it would have been the perfect opportunity to revise my list.

Most of the tasks on the previous list that weren’t completed were the first on this list minus a few. And the only reason those didn’t make the cut is because they don’t have relevance to me anymore because of the changes in myself and the life that I live now. So, without any more rambling, I introduce to you, my NEW 101 list...

START DATE: Wednesday, March 16, 2011
REVISION DATE: Saturday, July 28, 2012 (approx. half way through)
END DATE: Wednesday, December 11, 2013


1. Take a road trip (must be over 3 hours from home) and document the journey in photographs.
2. 2nd shoot a wedding.
3. Buy a new lens for my camera.
4. Sit front row at a Kenny Chesney concert (a girl can dream right?)
5. Enter photos into a print competition
6. Go to my 10-year high school reunion
7. Visit Hilton Head again
8. Attend at least 2 photography workshops
9. Photograph a birth story
10. Build a snowman
11. Go to the Biltmore
12. Apply and go back to school
13. Go to a Garth Brooks concert
14. Go one week without drinking soda
15. Vote in the ’12 Presidental election
16. Read 3 books to learn more about photography / business.
17. Read 20 books (non-business related)
      *House Rules - Jodi Picoult (finished April 2011)
      *The Help - Kathryn Stockett (finished July 27, 2011)
      *The Best of Me - Nicholas Sparks (finished November 1, 2011)
      *The Hunger Games: Book One (finished March 26, 2012)
      *The Hunger Games: Book Two- Catching Fire (finished March 30, 2012)
      ***The Hunger Games: Book Three- Mockingjay (currently reading)
      *Book One: Fifty Shades of Grey  (finished June 10, 2012)
      *Book Two: Fifty Shades Darker (finished June 13, 2012)
      *Book Three: Fifty Shades Freed (finished June 15, 2012)
      *The Sweet Series: Book One: Sweet Surrender (finished June 26, 2012)
      ***The Sweet Series: Book Two:  Sweet Persuasion (currently reading)
18. Travel outside of the United States
19. Visit a US state that I’ve never been to
20. Organize my home-office
21. Go snow skiing
22. See a musical at the DPAC
23. Go on a carriage ride (central park preferably, but any will do)
24. Go on a picnic
25. Take photos of my parents
26. Take photos of each set of grandparents
27. Go to the Zoo
28. Donate Blood
29. Create a cookbook with all of my great-grandmother’s recipes
30. Have my photo taken in a photobooth that does the skinny strips
31. Do better about blogging each of my tasks as they are completed.
32. Watch the movie “Born into Brothels”
33. Go ice skating
34. Have one/some my images in a published in a magazine
35. Read the bible completely
36. Spa day! (Ahhh!)
37. Learn to play bunco and start a bunco group to meet/play monthly.
38. Learn to play bridge.
39. Sit down with my Nonnie and get her to teach me to knit.
40. See Jack Johnson in concert
41. Have a yard sale
42. Dress in costume for Halloween
43. Find at least 5 new outdoor locations for photo shoots
44. Document ‘a week in my life’ with photos
45. Upgrade/redesign my blog
46. Upgrade/redesign my website
47. Can at least 20 jars of tomatoes
48. Put up corn (on and off the cob)
49. Visit / Photograph all the lighthouses in NC
50. Join a book club
51. Play with sidewalk chalk
52. Go kayaking
53. Visit Nashville, TN
54. Have a girls night/weekend
55. Go white-water rafting
56. Watch The Lost Colony
57. Get engaged!
58. Go bowling
59. Spend a whole day at the beach
60. Add a bio page to my website.
61. Updated headshots of me.
62. Develop a new system to organize client information (address, emails, etc.)
63. Develop and begin send a gift to wedding clients once they book with Megan Lane Photography
64. Encourage 3 friends to make their own 101 list.
65. Pick grapes in Gum Neck
66. Visit Beech Mountain’s Land of Oz.
67. Teach Children's Church one Sunday
68. Go to the 2011 Jones Reunion
69. Enroll Grace in a ballet class
70. Vacation in Hatteras for a week
71. Have family portraits made in Gum Neck
72. Pay off my car!
73. Teach at my church's VBS
74. Design and have bridge tally's printed for my Mom
75. Go to San Diego
76. Second Shoot with Marc Montocchio
77. Go to NC Museum of Art
78. Take Grace to Marbles Museum
79. Visit Shannon and family in FL
80. Go to Vegas
81. Get a sewing machine
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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

"Giving is Awesome" Winner

I was amazed at the number of entries that I had for the Giving is Awesome giveaway! I had to ask my friends to help me vote for a winner because there was no way I could do it on my own. I thought that by having others I trust read the emails that this would be an easy feat. I would tally up the votes and tada- a winner. Not so easy! It was tough on them too. But, finally a decision was made and the particular family that has been awarded with the "Giving is Awesome" package is "The Mason Family". Here is the email that was sent to MLP by someone who would like to remain anonymous...

"I know a young couple, Todd and Rebecca Mason, who are going through an extremely difficult time in their lives. When I saw your blog post, I immediately thought of them. Todd is in his 30s and has had heart trouble for some time. He had to quit his job with ECB last year because of complications. He has had several procedures and tried several different approaches to treat his condition, none of which worked. He was told a few months ago that a heart transplant was one of his only remaining options. He and Becca decided the transplant was what they wanted. Todd has been in and out of the hospital for several months and has recently spent a great amount of time at UNC hospital in Chapel Hill.

Just last month Todd had a LVAD procedure done, which I am told is a stepping stone to receive a heart transplant. Once this procedure was done, Todd had to be removed from the transplant list for 30 days, but will be put back on it as soon as that 30 day period is up. He will be close to the top of the list, but I've been told that his transplant will be hard to match. He currently has to have a battery pack or electric power hooked to him at all times to run the LVAD. I think this device actually pumps his heart for him. [They recently had to leave their home that they've lived in for the past 7-8 years.] They moved to Greenville last summer so that Todd could be closer to his doctors. Becca continued to work back home at Social Services, spending Monday - Friday there and the weekends with Todd and their girls in Greenville. Todd and Becca have 2 girls, Porsha is about 13 and Mary is about 7. Becca had Porsha when she and Todd got married and Todd adopted her. Once Todd's condition worsened in November, he was in the hospital at UNC for long stays, sometimes 2-3 weeks at the time. Becca didn't feel like she could continue her job back home and be away from Todd, so she opted to take a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act. Last month Becca's request for additional FMLA time was denied and she resigned from her job. I know that they have had financial struggles since they have both had to quit their jobs. Not only has this been a very difficult time for Todd and Becca, but also for their families. Todd's mother and father have taken care of the girls while Becca and Todd were in the hospital. Todd's sister has also been very helpful for them.


Even though Todd has struggled so much with his condition, he continues to have a positive attitude and a sense of humor. Becca has been by his side and I can’t imagine what she must be going through as well. She continually updates all of their friends and family through facebook posts. I know a photo shoot may be difficult to schedule with them since they are going through so much right now, but I had to nominate them. I know this couple because I have worked with Becca and we became friends during that time. She and Todd are both very sweet, loving and faithful people. It breaks my heart that they have to go through this at such a young age."

Rebecca and Todd have won a session with Megan Lane Photography as well as a print package to include: one 8x10, four 5x7s, and 16 wallets (valued at $175).

Thank you to all who entered a deserving family! This wont be the last Giving is Awesome giveaway, so stay tuned! XOXO

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

101 List

Anyone remember my 101 List to complete in 1001 Days? If you just started following this blog you probably don't as I haven't blogged about it much because I haven't completed many of the tasks on my list. My 1001 days has come and gone. I started my list 5/1/08 and my last day was 1/26/11. You can click the link above to see my list.
The final count for my first ever 101 list is:
*33 goals completed
*Only 12 of which have been blogged (this makes me sad)
*7 or so goals I'm not interested in doing any more
*61 goals remain unattempted but I am still interested in possibly completing them

Tonight as I was going through my list and rather disappointed in myself for not completing more yet I was still determined to make a new list which I will share shortly! Stay tuned...

Take it or Leave it Tuesday

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*Lies/Rumors* Things these days can get so twisted from just one person to the next. I saw a quote today that really spoke the truth about rumors/lies and I just had to share it: "A lie can get half way around the world before the truth can even get out the door." I guess this goes for the news too. So many bad things are recognized before the good. Its just about depressing to watch the news.

*Weather* - We've been having some crazy weather lately, 70-80 degrees one day and then 50 the next. Can we just skip to spring already? :) Last Friday and todays wind will about blow you away, I guess the saying is true to far because March sure did come in like a lion! Let's see if it will go out like a lamb?!?

*Time* - Speaking of March, where has time gone? Seriously. I feel like I was just ringing in the new year a week ago. March not only means another month has begun but it also means that I'm that much closer until my daughter turns two, which I'm not too hype about. She's growing too fast.

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*Army Wives* The new season of this TV show starts next Monday, March 6th. I dont think I've ever watched an episode that didn't touch me and left me with either sad tears or happy tears or that I wasn't on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend taking a look at this TV show. I attached a preview of Season 5 below for you to check out...



*Temple Grandin* - I had a lazy Saturday this past weekend and watched the Netflix I had on hand. I saw that Claire Danes had won some awards for her acting in this movie so I wanted to see what the hype was all about myself and I'm so glad I did. This is one of the BEST movies I've seen in a long time. I dont know if I felt a connection to this movie because of the autistic children I've had in my classroom or just because of the story itself, but its nothing short of amazing. I'd highly recommened it to anyone.



*Something Borrowed* - The MOVIE! You may remember in this post where I could check off my #23 on my 101 things to do in 1001 days (which I have to update by the way because my time is up!) but I raved about Emily Giffin's four books. The first of her's, Something Borrowed, is now a movie and comes out in May! I can't wait, think I might treat myself to a theatre showing of this one!