Merry Christmas to All! ~ Idaho Children's Photographer

I'll be taking some time off to spend with my family the rest of the week. We'll see you after Christmas!

Family means... ~ Fruitland Family Photographer

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.  ~Barbara Bush

It was such a pleasure to photograph this family. They are such beautiful people, inside and out. We've gotten to know the family a little through church and Kim was Mackenzie's religious education teacher last year. MJ just adored her. She was so great with all the kids.

Little A kept us on our toes during their session, and he really had a ball once the leaves started flying in the back yard. I've been waiting to blog their session so they could get Christmas cards sent out because they chose some of these images to include. Remember if this post receives 10 or more comments, the H family receives a complimentary 5x7 from me! Happy Holidays to all of you!

Rejoice with your family ~ Boise Family Photographer

Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!  ~ Albert Einstein

I love all my sessions. I really do. Each one is so different. Each family shares something with me that makes me a better photographer as well as a better person. However, I knew as soon as I start shooting this session, there was going to be something special about it. Everything just clicked. I think part of it was mom and I spent time beforehand on the phone visiting about clothing choices, the style of their family session and about the location.

I offer complimentary pre-session consultations to clients and it has been such a great experience. I learn more about the clients wants, needs and likes/dislikes about photographs they've had in the past. They get to ask all their questions and learn more about me and my style. These are really vital to new clients as there is so much more time and resource investment for both photographer and client when you're working with a custom lifestyle photographer. I want my clients to come prepared, be relaxed and ready to have fun. Because we always have fun!

Mom did an awesome job choosing clothing that coordinated together, but wasn't all matchy-matchy. The location was spot on as well. We knew they were looking for some wall art pieces from this session, but also wanted to capture candid moments with each other and their sweet little boy. He just turned two and is full of wonder about everything. We were able to capture all of that in this session.

Mom cried when she saw the last one of her little boy with his hands behind his back. Not that I want to see my clients crying, but I knew that I had created an image that evoked a lot of emotion for her. She told me after her gallery viewing that he's done that since he started walking. They've tried to take pictures of it, but never got it just right. I was able to do that. Some day Little H will be all grown up, but when his mom looks back at that image, she'll remember that little boy. That's why I do this. I want to capture those memories-those little things-for the families I photograph so they can remember them forever.

I absolutely love this one. I kept coming back to it. It was as if I wasn't even there and was just catching a close-up glimpse of a family moment that happens with them every day.

Thank you H family for letting me capture these families memories for you. And for letting me see your little guy grow up through the lens of my camera!

If this post receives 10 or more comments, I will gift a complimentary 5X7 to the family.

A Snow Day ~ Getting personal

With all the snow we've had lately, the kids have had a lot of fun out in it. The girls love running around and making snow angels. We even collected some for snow ice cream. We still have nearly of foot of snow out on the lawn. Last week, I bundled Little J up and he went out for a bit. This was really his first time playing in snow as he too little last year to enjoy any of it. At first he wasn't so sure, but then he got tickled when he'd stick his hand in it and it's come out on his mitten. I just love seeing my kiddos experiencing something new.

P.S. Don't you just love his hat?! It's the only one he'll keep on. His great grandparents brought it back from New Zealand.

When you look at your life... ~ Fruitland Family Photographer

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.~Joyce Brothers

I just love this quote. I think I need to get it in vinyl and put it on my wall. When it all comes down to it, it's not our house, our job, our car or any material possessions or success we have that truly makes us happy, but rather the people we have in our lives, especially our family.

I love this family too. It's been fun watching the girls grow up through the years. They are filled with faith and love for each other. So glad I get to call them friends! They came out for a portrait session at our ranch this fall. I love the wide open spaces we have out here. And you can't beat an Idaho sunset! I'm so glad you enjoyed your gallery viewing. Share this post with family and friends too. If it receives 10 or more comments, I will gift a 5X7 print to the G family!

Leaves are Falling on my Head ~ Payette Children's Photographer

Okay, so maybe it's suppose to be to be "raindrops are falling my head", but this day we had leaves falling on our heads. I had such a fun time when I met up with little A and his mom a couple weeks ago. He is two now and just getting so big. We had great time strolling around town checking out the leaves and other curiosities that caught his eye. That's what I love about lifestyle sessions like these; just capturing kids checking things out. We even tried to take a little break to play with some toy trucks too, but A thought exploring was much more fun. He's grown a lot since I met him here! I just love it when clients come back again. It's great to catch up and see how much the kids have grown. Don't forget to say hi. With 10 or more comments on this post, I'll gift this little guy and his family a 5X7!

One of the best times of your life ~ Weiser Senior Portrait Photographer

Senior year is one of the best times in a teenager's life. They are at a crossroads, deciding where their future will take them. I was thrilled when Miss S and her mom contacted me about taking her senior portraits. I met her mom several years ago and our paths continue to cross. I've come to know and become very fond of their whole family. They raise cattle; we raise cattle. That instantly bonds us I think.

I just love it when clients become friends or when friends become clients. Photography is about relationships and trust. I love when my clients know and trust me to capture not only what they look like, but more importantly their special bonds and the true essence of them as individuals. And for me, a custom portrait session is also about the entire experience of capturing and creating timeless images, from the consultation all the way to delivery of beautiful albums and prints.

We had a questionable day weather-wise back in October, but I was beyond excited when I started editing these images. Shane is absolutely stunning and we had a blast with her mom and sister tagging along. I love being able to photograph on location at places that hold special meaning to my clients. In fact, during her gallery viewing and ordering session, Shane said these images just remind her of home and she loves that. I hope whenever she looks back at her senior portraits she is always reminded of home.

 

It was a little overcast, which I don't mind photographing in. But then, toward the end of the session, the clouds parted at the horizon and we would blessed with an amazing sunset!

 

Good luck with all you do this year Shane! I hope you have an awesome senior year. Don't let it go by too fast though. :0) And if you decide to go purple, we'll be excited to welcome you to the Wildcat family!! Don't forget, if this post receives 10 or more comments, I will gift a 5X7 to Shane and her family.

Busy, busy, busy ~ Idaho Family Photographer

Yes, things are busy--and fun--and going well. I know I've been a bit absent from the blog lately, but not for lack of desire. In fact, I've been composing several posts in my head and hope to get them all on paper-or screen-soon. I have a few business-related announcements so I'll get those out of the way.

First of all, I have stopped doing sneak peeks on my blog before my clients see their images. Another reason for the lack of posts-I'm focusing on editing and getting all the client galleries ready. A couple reasons have led me to that decision, but mainly it's about customer service. I am starting to offer in-person ordering sessions. Each client will receive a personal slideshow with their images at a time and place convenient for them. I am then available to show them product samples and answer any questions they have about portrait collections, print sizes and the differences in cropping for each and how best to display their images in their homes. I feel this service adds to the experience of custom portrait photography. So far, my clients have been thrilled to see their images presented this way. After each gallery viewing, I will blog the images and clients can share the posts with family and friends.

Also, I am booked for 2010 and am scheduling into mid-January 2011. The rest of this year will be devoted to finishing recent sessions and spending some much needed time with my own little family. I am available for winter outdoor sessions for families who would like some fun "in the snow" images. In addition, I am scheduling newborns, babies and children for indoor sessions during the upcoming winter months. I also hope to focus on "Your Everyday Story" Sessions next year. These are great for families who really want someone there to capture all the little moments that usually happen when no one is around, whether it be baking cookies, reading books, playing trains or having ticklefests. I want my clients to know that there is a professional, trustworthy photographer available to capture those everyday moments in your home. These sessions are about real life moments. They are fresh, real and fun! I often find myself wanting someone to capture those special moments with my own family-with me in them-so I want to provide this service to you! These sessions include a custom-designed 8X8 Keepsake Album and savings on a la cart items. Contact me to find out more.

Portrait orders should be placed by Dec. 13 to insure holiday delivery. All galleries and ordering appointments will be finished before the first of December. Don't forget to collect those canned goods and take advantage of the Fotos for Food promotion through the end of December.

The holiday season is upon us and Thanksgiving is just a couple days away. I am so thankful for my friends, family and clients who continue to support me and my business. I would not be anywhere without all of you. My mission is to create timeless storytelling images of babies, children and families. I pray each and every day that God continues to let me use my gifts and talents to capture beautiful memories for families. I realize each day is a gift and we never know when our time here will be over. Spending time with family and friends, and making memories is so important. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! Give Love, Give Joy, Give Hope, Give Peace!

Fotos for Food ~ Purchase portraits and help others this season!

I am so, so excited about this program I am started this week-Fotos for Food.

From now until Dec. 31, 2010, you can receive $1 off a portrait order for every can or box of non-perishable food item you collect. In addition, I will match each item donated with an additional item that I will donate. All food will be donated to the area foodpantries in the western Treasure Valley.

I know there are several clients getting ready to place orders for the holidays. This is a great opportunity to help out those in need in our community and receive your beautiful printed memories from Maggie Malson Photography! (Thanks again to Accent Design for this fun logo.)

Miss E ~ Fruitland Children's Photographer

I enjoyed getting to capture this little beauty a few weeks ago as she celebrated her 9th birthday! It's hard to believe how grown up she's getting; I bet her Mom really thinks so!! Thanks for a fun evening Miss E! If this post receives 10 or more comments, I will gift a 5X7 print to her family.

MCP Actions Launches New Template Sets

A few weeks ago, I was invited to test some new actions by MCP Actions. Jodi did a fabulous job with this new set of Rounded Blog It Boards and Rounded Print It Boards. Learn more about them on the MCP Blog. (As an aside, I realized that another tester, Heidi Lawson of Wishful Thinking Photography was also testing them. I happen to follow her blog, and love her work. Talk about a small world!)

Here are some of the samples I used when testing the actions. Some others also appear on the ordering website. If you are a fellow photographer and have never used MCP, I highly recommend checking out Jodi's products. Or if you're already a fan, go get this new set!

Linky Love and some other stuff ~ Idaho Family Photographer

Check out this great post from Erica May Photography about dressing your family for your next portrait session. And for more inspiration throughout the year, become a fan of Wardrobe Wednesday {where fashion meets photography} on Facebook.

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Also, as an added service and convenience to my wonderful clients, I am now accepting debit and credit cards-Visa, Mastercard and Discover. Session fees are due at the time of booking to reserve your day and time and can be taken over the phone or in person. 

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I have another fun little surprise in the works that I'm really excited to share. Let's just say, it's an opportunity to receive your sessions' beautiful images AND help those in need right here in our community. More details to come...

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And because a post just really isn't much fun without a photo, here's a little sneak from my fun session last night. I can't wait to finish editing these!

Mr. D ~ Fruitland Senior Photographer

I enjoyed a session with this Fruitland high school senior today. I have known D and his family for several years. His mom is one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met. I hadn't seen him in awhile, and wow, he's grown up! We had a great visit about his senior year, school, work, etc. Thanks D and J for a fun afternoon. Enjoy the sneak peek, and if this post receives 10 or more comments, the family will receive a complimentary 5X7 as a gift from me!

Sweet Seven-year-old ~ Parma Children's Photographer

Okay, maybe I'm a little biased because she's mine, but I think this girl is pretty sweet! We had such a fun time the other night with a photo session dedicated solely to capturing her and all her uniqueness. (She was nice enough to let little sis tag along and jump into a few shots too.) My M is a great big sister, kind, creative, sensitive and simply a beautiful gift from God. She is wise beyond her years. I see her blossoming into a wonderful young lady. It seems she is growing up way to fast for this mama. Fortunately, she's not too old to enjoy doodling with the sidewalk chalk and hasn't started rolling her eyes at me yet, so I guess we're okay so far. I love you Mackenzie! Thanks for being you! You make our family special! Enjoy being seven!! 

 

"Chalk" I Heart Faces Photo Challenge ~ Idaho Children's Photographer

 

I just love sidewalk chalk and so do my kids. You can catch me every now and then doodling out on our patio with them. Last night I took our oldest out for her 7-year-old photo session. We got some really fun images of her drawing and playing with chalk. Imagine my surprise and delight when I saw that this week's I Heart Faces Photo Challenge was "Chalk." I couldn't have planned it more perfectly! I just love this little moment I captured while she was drawing. Go check out the other fun entries this week. And stop by here again as I'll have even more of my little seven-year-old sweetheart.