Love Printable ~ Thank You ~ New Blog | Idaho Lifestyle Photographer

I have been blessed to have worked with many great families, babies and seniors during my last four years (and even before) of being in business. And I appreciate each one of them; what they shared with me about their lives and how they helped me grow, both as an artist and as a business woman. This is just a small thank you just in time for Valentine’s Day (since I missed getting out Christmas or New Year’s cards.) It’s a FREE Love printable just for you. Print it out and frame it or send it to a friend. Use it however you want. Credit goes to my great friend and designer, Deanna at Accent Design. 

I have a new blog now too, so visit www.maggiemalsonphotography.com/blog from now on...

Thanks again for all of you who have shared your lives and trusted me to capture your memories. It's been a true pleasure!! 

Still Waiting on Baby ~ Giveaway | Boise Maternity Photographer

So today, Aug. 27, is baby's due date. I thought it would be fun to get all my friends, family and fans involved in this little waiting game and have a contest. Anyone can participate from anywhere and I have a really fun prize for the winner! Let's see who can guess the baby's birthdate, weight and height. The one closest to the correct stats will be the winner. Time of birth will be the tie-breaker if we need it. Please submit your guesses as soon as possible in the comments below.

The winner will receive a custom-designed print with their family's important dates on it. You can see a sample below (dates/names were modified for privacy). Winner will get to pick first/middle name/birthdates and color of accent font. The finished print will be 11X14 and will be ready to frame. Print can be mailed anywhere, so no excuses not to come join in the fun. Also, I have some modified wording if you happen to have not started your family yet. :0)  Come play along and see who can guess when Baby M will make her appearance.

What a difference a day will make!

Couldn't resist sharing some sweet moments with my boy before he becomes a big brother.  

Of Love and Marriage ~ Idaho LIfestyle Photographer

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I remember thinking how fast it went by and how I just wanted it all to slow down. We were surrounded by our closest family and friends. It really was a wonderful day. We said our vows in a faith-filled ceremony, then enjoyed a wonderful dinner and dance to celebrate the joining of our lives. It was our wedding day, July 20, 2002.

Looking back on the last 10 years, so much has happened and it seems to have flown by! We'll be welcoming Baby #4 soon. We're living in our second home. We've grown older, and hopefully, wiser too.

I love looking back and remembering all the details of our wedding day and how wonderful it was. Yet, what fills my heart with greater joy is thinking how I love my husband even more today then the day we wed. And that is an amazing feeling.

Now sure there are days when I think, "have we not learned anything about each other in the last 10 years?" It's like I'm looking at a stranger. But, those aren't too common. For the most part, we're on the same page. I guess more importantly, when in a committed marriage knowing that it truly is 'death due us part', you just concentrate on working through those tough days. You know that the good outweighs the bad. For me, I'd rather go through all the ups and downs with my husband than without him. He loves me so much and really offers a lot of forgiveness. He works extremely hard to provide for all of us. He has a tender part of him that just melts my heart when he shares it with others. He makes me laugh-every day. He's a great dad and I love seeing him interact with our children. And I love spending time with him--even if it's just to run errands. Any one-on-one time spent together helps strengthen our marriage.

I feel extremely blessed to have found this man to spend my life with and look forward to many, many more years with him! Happy 10-year Anniversary to my hubby!

 

7 Days of Marriage Tips : From Proverbs 31 Ministries

{Day 1} Be the person you'd like to be married to. If you'd like a little more grace for your faults, give a little more grace for theirs. If you need more love and understanding, give more love and understanding to your spouse.

{Day 2} Nobody is perfect. Don't let the world at large find out about your spouse's imperfections via your mouth. "The heart of her husband trusts in her..." {Prov. 31:11}

{Day 3} Make it a point to give your spouse the best of you: the best of your smiles, the best of your touch, the best of your (good) attitude, the best of your laughter, the best of your words, etc. Don't always bring them what's left of you after the world has drained you.

{Day 4} Greet your spouse with a kiss. It's a mood enhancer. Science says touch releases endorphins, so you begin to associate seeing your spouse with a pleasant feeling. And you can't say anything you'll regret when your lips otherwise occupied. Voila! Mood enhanced!

{Day 5) Be intentional. Every day, look for a way to bless your spouse either secretly or openly. A thankful, giving heart will repulse the weeds of blame and discontent.

{Day 6} Love "Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." {1 Cor. 13} Choose to believe the best about your spouse, even when they aren't communicating well. Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to express yourself. Some folks find it hard to communicate with words at all. Grace, grace.

{Day 7} Keep in mind that time affects all of us and no one remains the same as we were when dating. Life's circumstances can make us lose our sense of humor, change us physically, act less romantic, etc. Take some time to find those two people who fell in love and reconnect. (Trust me, they're still in there somewhere.)

Hope those dating or in a marriage find these tips helpful too!

"Your Story" Belly to Baby Plan ~ Idaho Lifestyle Photographer

I've always thought there was something beautiful and special about an expectant mother. And it's no secret how much I've loved being pregnant myself. Babies and toddlers happen to be some of my favorite subjects too! I find what brings me inspiration in my photography is my own need and great desire to preserve for other women and families what I so desperately want preserved for myself~TIME.

When I'm feeling and seeing that movement inside my belly, sitting in the rocker holding my tummy or reading our little one a book, I know I won't always remember these moments. I yearn for an image, a photograph of the moment captured so I can be transported back in time.

It's all the unseen moments I have with my children I want to remember even more than what we all look like. I want to evoke the emotion that parents feel when they hold their babies and gaze into those sweet faces relishing in the present, while hoping for the future.

A "Your Story" maternity session takes place at the location of your choice. It can be at your home or someplace special to you. I do have a few outdoor locations I can suggest, depending on the look you want, but I really love when clients want to use places unique to them. It only adds to your portrait experience and makes things even more special for you.

The "Your Story" newborn session takes place on location at your home. This is something that adds to the custom experience with Maggie Malson Photography. There is no need to bundle up that brand new babe because I come to you! My style is documentary in nature, so along with capturing all the precious details of your new baby, we'll also be photographing the decorated nursery and capturing moments of you and your spouse snuggling with, rocking, reading to, and taking in all the newness of your wee one. Siblings are also welcome at both maternity and newborn sessions.

My work is best displayed in custom-designed fine art albums or as wall gallery collections. Clients have chosen me because of my storytelling and timeless style and love having beautiful art to share throughout the years.

If my style appeals to you and you want to know more, or to book a "Your Story" Belly to Baby Plan, please call ASAP.  I look forward to telling your story during this wonderful time in your life.

~M

A first year baby plan is available so please ask for details about it as well. 

Portrait Products ~ Gallery Wrapped Canvas ~ Idaho Portrait Photographer

What better way to share your images from

Maggie Malson Photography than with beautiful wall art!

If you have been thinking about a canvas or canvas cluster for your wall, now is the perfect time to order some ART of your children or family for your home! Here are some samples. Call or email me today and we can design a gallery for your home!

30"X40" canvas

We can take all your favorite images from your session and create a beautiful wall gallery.

 Canvas Art Panels-One image is split into three separate gallery wrapped canvas panels.

A Tribute to Dads ~ Idaho Lifestyle Photography

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~ Clarence Budington Kelland 

God bless all the dads out there! Hope you were able to relax and celebrate Father's Day, as well as reflect on how important you are in the lives of your children-no matter what age they are.

Glimpses Week 19 | Boise Lifestyle Photographer

 

Daddy: "Little J, do you want to watch a movie with Daddy and eat popcorn?"

Little J: (Jumping up and down with fists clenched, grinning ear to ear-his really excited reaction.) "Yeah, Daddy!"

Daddy: "What do you want to watch?"

Little J: "Bob the Builder!" (He doesn't get to watch it much as it only comes on as we're headed out the door for church on Sunday mornings.)

Me: (Thinking to myself) I have the sweetest boys ever. Not going to miss this moment!

For more Glimpses, check out Chic Critique Forum.

Schedule Update ~ Idaho Lifestyle Portrait Photographer | Babies, Children, Teens and Families

Hey folks, I know it's been awhile, but I have so many things in the works right now, it's hard to decide what to share yet, and what can wait. Stay with me though; some exciting changes to Maggie Malson Photography are coming!

I'd love it if you could leave some comments and let me know what you enjoy most about the blog or you'd like to see more of in the future. Do I blog enough? Too much? Do you want to see more recent sessions? Before/After edits? Tips for future sessions? More personal stuff/less personal stuff? Talk to me friends; love hearing from you!

Scheduling Update:


Two "Your Story" album sessions and one "Essence" session available in June, July and August. I will not be accepting any sessions in September (more details to come) and will have limited availability this fall. If there is enough interest, I will be offering family mini-sessions for Christmas cards in October. Please leave comments if you would like to be contacted about the date for it. Thanks!

Don't wait until the last minute to think about capturing your child's milestone moments or your family's lifestyle and relationships. "Your Story" album sessions include an in-person consultation to discuss style, location, clothing and all the details that will make your session unique. These sessions result in a custom-designed, heirloom quality album telling "your story", as well as custom wall art created for your home. 

Here's a sample of a spread from a recent senior "Your Story" album. Oh how I love designing albums for clients!

Fall Family Session ~ Boise Lifestyle Photographer

This beautiful mama was the winner of a "Your Story" portrait session from my 2011 Mother's Day Giveaway. I was so excited to photograph her family because 1) they had never had professional portraits taken and 2) Little Ryker is just the cutest little guy. Little ones are my favorite. Happy, silly, shy or outgoing--I just love capturing who they are!

It was a slightly overcast morning, but the fall colors were still beautiful in Kathryn Albertsons Park. I had never photographed there, even though it's a rather popular place. My eyes were jumping every which way seeing all the amazing natural backdrops. But, more importantly, I wanted to capture the love between these two and their little guy. You could tell they are very much in love with each other, and their little boy. It was a pleasure hanging out with them for a morning. I had so many favorites from this session, it was hard not to want to blog them all.

Which one is your favorite? If this post receives 20 or more comments, this family will receive a complimentary 5X7 image from their session. Happy Monday everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today, and every day, I am thankful for many things--my faith, family, friends, work, food, shelter... The list really can go on and on. I feel very blessed. I'm also very thankful to wake up each day and see these beautiful smiling faces, as well as tell stories with words and my camera every day. Take time to give those you love a hug or if you're far from home, at least a phone call. Happy Thanksgiving! God bless!

Fall Family Freebie ~ Idaho Lifestyle Photographer

It's blustery outside today, but a warm mug of Green Chai tea is keeping me toasty inside my office! I was being a little creative the other day and made this Family Wordle. The file is my gift to you and available to download. Or you can make your own at www.wordle.net.

Click Family Word Print and you'll be directed to the original file. Right click on it, download, save it to your computer, print it out and frame. You can send it to a photography lab to create greeting cards or other prints. I recommend Mpix for those wanting a quality print lab. I thought it might be fun to create a canvas gallery wrap with it to hang on my wall. I'll let you know how I use it in my home, and if you use it, then please send a photo and share your ideas. Have a great Thursday!

Urban Family Session ~ Nampa Lifestyle Photographer

I just love repeat clients! It's so great to photograph them throughout the year or at least once a year. And, I've been getting to photograph this little munchkin since she was in mommy's tummy! We had a lot of fun walking around downtown, capturing some sweet moments and all of their fun personalities.

I've had a hard time picking a favorite from this session. Which one do you like best? If this post receives 20 or more comments, this fun family will receive a complimentary 5X7 image from their "Your Story" session!

Two Girls and a Boy Bring Lots of Joy ~ Idaho Children's Photography

I was so excited to hear that Baby T made a safe arrival into the world in June. This sweet little boy is already loved so much by his family. You may have remembered his beautiful glowing mama I photographed before he arrived.


It was fun to not only capture the newness of this sweet little guy, but I was also invited to a lovely little tea party with his big sisters!


I love photographing newborns at their home. Everyone is relaxed and comfortable, plus I get to capture all the details of the baby's nursery. Dad's a big car lover. And Mom was super creative in decorating his vintage car themed room, complete with old tools from baby T's grandpa used.


Thank you Deanna and Stuart for welcoming me into your home and letting me capture these fleeting moments for you. As the kids grow, I hope you look back at your portraits and remember this special time.


Just looking back at these images makes me think of my own babies and how much they've grown. Ahh, time goes by so fast. Enjoy each minute of it!!


Leave this family a little blog love. If this post receives 10 or more comments, this family will receive a complimentary 5X7 image.