Thank You! | Giveaway| Idaho Photographer

 

We hit 400 likes on Facebook, so I decided to say thanks with a giveaway! First go "like" Maggie Malson Photography on Facebook. If you already do then leave a comment to that. If you "share" the post you receive another entry. Also, leave a comment here on the blog about what is the most important thing to you when having a photo session. Ready, set, go!

Here she is... | Giveaway Winner | Boise Newborn Photographer

So many of you know our baby girl is here! She arrived three days after her due date (so did I when I was born, ha!) And, it was simply perfect timing--it was my grandma's 80th birthday too! (She also has her other great grandmother's middle name.) I really had hoped she'd come that day, and I even had a doctor's appointment for the afternoon. I was quite restless that night thinking about when she might be coming, praying that God would give me a sign. Well, at 3 a.m., he did; my water broke. I've journaled her birth story for myself and for her scrapbook, so I'll save you all the details. Just know it was another wonderful birthing experience and I am very thankful for that.

Looking back through the giveaway guesses, my mom actually was the closest to the correct stats. But Crystal was a close second, so I'll be giving away two prints! Thank you all for playing along, and for all your well wishes.

Introducing...

Brynleigh Marie

Aug. 30

10:12 a.m.

6 lbs., 10 oz.

20 inches long

We are totally in love with our precious new babe.

Don't Miss the Little Things ~ Boise Children's Photographer

It was such a pleasure to capture this little sweetheart! He's grown so much since his newborn session. Looking forward to seeing him again at one-year-old!

 

They grow so fast! Let me capture all the details of your little one for you.

Call today to schedule your "Essence" mini session for ages 3 months and up.
Booking for October and November 2012.

One of the fun products offered for mini sessions is this adorable accordion album. They are 3X3 squares with a magnetic closure and frosted plastic cover. Up to 10 images can be displayed in them. Perfect to carry in your bag/purse or give as a gift.
Ask for more details when you call to book your "Essence" Session!

If this post receives 20 or more comments,
this little guy's family receives a complimentary 5X7 gift print! Leave them some love!

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.  

Waiting on Baby ~ Boise Maternity Photographer

 

Only 10 more days (give or take a few) until our precious little one arrives. Have had another great experience carrying this child. Need to take some time to journal all my thoughts.

Feeling very blessed! 

Newborn Props ~ Boise Newborn Photographer

Topic of the Day: Newborn Props 

I don't use too many props for newborns as I think brand new babies are just perfect as they are. My sessions are lifestyle in nature as I photograph newborns and their families in their own homes. However, I think incorporating meaningful family heirlooms, special items or blankets can add a very personal element to some newborn images.

For example, we just received an old metal tub for our 10-year anniversary. It was used as a table decoration at my grandparents surprise 10-year anniversary party. It's the perfect size to hold our little newborn we'll be welcoming in a few weeks.

If you could use one prop to photograph with your newborn (whether you're having a baby right now or not), what would it be and why?

And congratulations to all of you having babies this year! 

Here are a few examples of how we did incorporate some family treasures into newborn sessions.  

This little sweetheart was photographed on the handmade blanket her great, great grandmother made. Definitely a treasured keepsake for her family and will help remind them of her every time they see this image.

   

 This handmade doll cradle basket was given to my sister for Christmas when she a little girl. She loved playing house with it. Her baby girl fit perfectly in it and now all of her girls enjoy playing dolls with it. Both blankets used in this image were also wedding gifts from special friends. 

   

During this 9-month session, my client pulled out a blanket given to her baby girl as a gift. It made the perfect backdrop for simple images that captured this growing little baby.   

As you can see, these images are simple and focus on the baby, but by including an item special to the family, the image can evoke even more memories as it's cherished through the years.

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!