Aren’t you excited about what’s to come!?  I am!

Kori and Brian met at a party in college and from the details I’ve heard, they knew almost immediately that they were meant for each other.  And really, I’m not sure I’ve met a couple more perfect for each other.  From the jokes they told to the stories one would start and the other would finish, they just had a way about them.  They were game for anything and everything I asked them to do, and never complained when I stuck them waist deep in wet grass.  (I love it when clients trust me!)  We dodged rain, dark clouds and freezing wind, but I am so excited about what we got.  And Kori, you are simply stunning.  You make a gorgeous pregnant lady!
Thank you Kori and Brien for being game for anything and everything. I had a blast in our makeshift flower patch.

To book a maternity session with Meg, please contact meg@megsextonphotography.com

We got rained out of our first attempt at shooting Madison’s 1 year portraits, but luckily, we came up with an even better, and even more fun location for the make-up session.  Canyon Creek Ranch.  Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. (And I’m holding myself accountable for taking Grayson there when he is old enough to get on a horse!)

I had a lot of fun with you guys, so thank you Renee and Jason, for being willing to follow me and my crazy antics. I think the photos we got were worth every mud covered shoe!

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To book a family session with Meg, please email Meg@megsextonphotography.com

Little Mia was 11 days of perfection. She tolerated costume changes, location changes, and even a few diaper changes all without making a peep.

We had a few seconds in between rain storms, but I could help but take a quick few outside.

And this is almost the same photo – but I just love it in black and white. So I’m sharing both!
 

Thank you S family for letting me capture sweet baby Mia.

To book a newborn session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

A little cliché?  Perhaps.  But when it comes to portrait photography, clothing plays a huge role in the success of the finished product.

Before we get going – let’s be clear what you’re clothing does NOT need to be:

1. Brand New
   I’m down with your favorite ripped jeans, retro band T’s, and worn converse shoes – as long as you know how to rock them in your own fabulous style.
2. Fancy-Schmancy and Uber-Expensive
   Unless it’s your thing (If it’s really your thing, then by all means baby, bring on the bling).   If you’re not normally a dress-up kind of person, don’t feel like you have to be one for your session.
3. Matching
   No need to focus on matching everything from the color of your fuchsia headbands to the stripes in your socks.  In fact, I beg of you, please, please don’t.  If you’re heart is set on everyone in white button downs and khaki pants, I’m probably not your girl.
4. Stressful
   No need to worry about each and every item, or fret about the suitability of each accessory.  This is supposed to be fun.   If you’re unsure – call me, and together, we’ll make sure you look fabulous.  I promise.

I want you to be happy, thrilled, over the moon about your images, and I know that this is much more likely if we take the time and work together to help you choose clothing that fits these few simple rules:

Feels Good.
During your shoot you could be sitting in a pile on the grass having a tickle battle, rolling down a hill with your fiancé, throwing your kiddos in the air or climbing a tree. Wear clothing that lets you do all that (and more) comfortably.

As for the kids? Well…uncomfortable kids have a tendency to look…uncomfortable, and are often cranky to boot. Happy kids make for happy pictures.

Bottom Line: Don’t choose outfits that make any of you feel constrained, stiff, itchy, scratchy, like you’re dressed up for Halloween, or that leave you with a nagging worry that a button might pop if you bend the wrong way. Trust me.

Looks Good.
This can be tricky, looking good is totally subjective – right? If you’re not a Carrie Bradshaw fashionista in real life, you might want to pull in some extra help from a straight-talking friend or your trusty photographer (that would be me) who knows about such things and has plans in place to help.

Sometimes last year’s of-the-moment dress has already become hopelessly untrendy. Sometimes the current fashions just don’t look or feel like you. Sometimes outfits that look good in the mirror might not be ideally suited for photography. If you’re really looking for extra help, I can put you in touch with some incredible folks who make people look good for a living.

Bottom Line: If you don’t feel fabulous-fierce-take-on-the-world gorgeous in your outfit, you’re not going to love, love, love the end result – and I’m all about you love, love, loving the end result.

Makes Sense.
Here’s where we pull it all together. It’s not just enough that everyone look good and feel good – you’ve gotta look and feel good together AND the outfits should fit with your location and the desired mood for your portraits.

Glup. That seems like a lot, doesn’t it? (quick – revisit #4 in the top list, and remember, don’t stress).

Before you even begin figuring out your wardrobe, we’ll have an in depth consultation to narrow down what you really want for your pictures, choose the perfect location and make sure you have an understanding about how that all comes together in the finished photograph.   I’m with you every step of the way.

Bottom Line: It’s easier than it seems.Think twice about having Emma in a lace prom dress if you can’t get Tommy out of his spider man cape and favorite Star Wars pajama top. If we’re going to be running around in a park, you’ll likely not decide to wear your starched Sunday best. Hate the way stripes and plaids look together but Dad has his favorite stripped polo ready to go? Best steer mom away from her beloved family tartan. Easy-Peasy. [unless Mom is really attached to that tartan, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it).

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If you’re still not certain, and you can’t decide between the yellow wrap dress with your red heels or your dark skinny jeans and purple  belted shirt – I’ve got good news.  You don’t have to decide.   Bring lots of options.  Heck – throw your whole wardrobe into the back of the car.  When we get to the session we’ll wing it all with fabulous results.  Trust me.

Now take a deep breath.  Close your eyes.  Imagine how blow-everyone-away-fabulous-ready-for-America’s-Next-Top-Model  you’re all going to look in those pictures….

Can you see it yet?  I totally can.  OMG, you look INCREDIBLE!

I can’t wait for your session.

(used with permission from the amazing Phoenix photographer Jeanette LeBlanc)

Rachel’s session was doubly fun because her daughter S was one vivacious and happy little girl. She was meant to be in front of a camera! We had a ball rearranging her living room to create an in home studio, jumping on the bed, and even basking in bubble baths, all for the sake of some gorgeous lifestyle images. Thank you Rachel, for letting me into your home and allowing me to get to know your beautiful family.

To book a maternity session with Meg, please email meg@megsextonphotography.com

Sheila contacted me a few months ago to set up a shoot when she was back in California for the Thanksgiving holiday.  (Can you tell I’m behind on my blogging!?)  She has a close family and they all wanted to take pictures.  It was a blast.  And, thanks to Sheila, I now have a lovely new location in Palo Alto.

Thank you all for braving the cold with me!

Isn’t she just a ham?  I’m CONVINCED this one is going places.  With a personality as big as hers, she’s bound to succeed!

Jenni and her husband have wanted a baby for a long time and little baby B is just perfect.  It melts my heart to see them with her.

Here are just a few shots of little baby Blythe sleeping peacefully.  She couldn’t have been a better baby!

This dress was special to Jenni, so we took a few shots of it.  I thought Blythe looked so cute!

And above that, I’m thankful that everyone around me has encouraged me to find the strength to change my future. It wasn’t so long ago that I was LONGING to start my own business. I spent a good deal of time wondering how the photographers I admired found the courage to pick up their cameras and just do it and aching to do it myself. I couldn’t be where I am today without the love of those around me. I feel blessed to be walking down the road that I have chosen. And I can only hope that I can continue to grow in my craft.

Since I’m all mushy and this post very quickly turn into a warm and fuzzy sob-fest, I’ll just go ahead and post some of my favorites from a recent family session.

Emily contacted me when she was traveling to California from the East Coast. She’s a photographer herself and wanted some family photos now that her little guy is getting bigger. I’m always incredibly flattered when other photographers choose me to capture their families, and I always get a little nervous. (It’s a lot of pressure when a client knows as much about the technicalities of a shoot as I do!) But of course Emily and her husband were complete sweet hearts and it was a blast to talk shop during a shoot. And the best part was that they pretty much posed themselves.

We spent the morning wandering around the Stanford University Campus and had a blast playing around and getting completely lost. Thank you Steve Jobs for putting maps in all of our iphones. I’m not sure anyone could function on that campus without one. It’s huge!

Thank you J family for spending some time with me on your trip. I enjoyed finally getting to meet you and little Topher.

To book a session with Meg, please contact meg@megsextonphotography.com

But really, I should have known that anyone who names their child Grayson is one of the coolest people on the planet. I mean, I did. So, I swear it’s cool.

Our day couldn’t have been more fun. And for all of your East Coasters with you perfect fall colors – I have now found a solution! Grapes. Perfectly fall colored vineyards are the new West Coast solution to seasonal colors. I love it.   (Although, Domain Carneros is gorgeous any time of year!)

I’m pretty sure J should model.

Thank you D family for spending a Sunday with me. (And trusting me when I asked you to stand new the stinky wood!) I had a blast!