Archive by Author
Beau
Posted on 20. May, 2010 by maryanne.
I had the privilege of photographing the very distinguished Beau Brannon for his senior photo session last week. Beau is a very talented and intelligent young man, and yet so humble and sweet. I very much enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with him. It was very hot, (Georgia style) and he remained patient even while getting shots done in a black suit and a leather jacket. I was impressed! We had fun. Enjoy some of the results below. I think I see a little James Dean in here somewhere.
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Favorite Photo of the week 5
Posted on 13. May, 2010 by maryanne.
I love this image. Caught at an unexpected moment and angle, it feels intimate and beautiful. This is one of my elegant brides from this last year. I could choose so many photos of her. She was so free and fun to photograph. Who knows what she was thinking at this moment, as she was breathing in the last moments before her marriage to Jonathan. Stunning.
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This may take awhile…
Posted on 10. May, 2010 by maryanne.
Mondays are hard for me. They have been for sometime now. With our family being so involved in ministry at church on Sundays, it seems we never really get a rest before we head right back into another week. Sometimes I feel so down I have to find ways to rest and tell myself it is okay. Today, in search of a reprieve from the tension, I walked outside and found this ladybug emerging from her larval stage, or cocoon. I have never seen this before. I went inside and got my macro lens, and for the next several minutes watched her struggle to be free of her previous state. I knew I could not help her or I would somehow hinder the process, and possibly injure her.
As she struggled, I thought about my own life and how I am always in the process of becoming someone better, someone more free, someone more alive. At least that is my hope. It has been a hard but life changing year for me. I sent a daughter to Spain, and another one to Africa. I am learning to let go of and give my children to God. I began to discover my own heart for the first time in many ways, including some of the following:
- I love colors I didn’t know I loved! (I painted my kitchen red and my bedroom a spicy orange).
- I like being organized and will accept help in getting more that way.
- I want and now have canvases of my own family on my walls.
- I LOVE shoes!
- I realized that I need laughter, hot tea, good coffee, (Chris bought me a french press for mother’s day!), and to read books just because.
- I have learned to say no to things that kill my soul, like taking every job that is offered to me, and processing for hours every night.
- I need friendships and am willing to build them.
- I love and need to dance as much as possible.
- I can’t help but fall in love with the beautiful light I see clinging to the profiles of my children as the day progresses into night.
- I am married to the man God made just for me.
That is just a sample of my year and what I am learning about my own heart. It is a good journey, and worth the struggle.
As you can see in the second picture, there was a moment when she looked right into my lens. She looked panicked. She couldn’t see what I could see, and that is the myriad of empty cocoons on the leaves around her of those who had successfully made the journey, and that she was made for this. And so am I. Reminds me of Sara Groves’ song “From This One Place”
Here are the words to the chorus:
From this one place I can’t see very far
From this one moment I’m square in the dark.
These are the things I will trust in my heart. You can see something else. Something else.
Enjoy your Monday!
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Favorite photo of the week 4
Posted on 10. May, 2010 by maryanne.
I love looking through my archives for favorite photos. Each set brings back a world of memories and experiences not only with my family, but my clients as well.
This one of the Shogren Family is very special to me. I love this family! They are so warm and encouraging to be around. Karen mentors young women and is on the prayer team at our church, and you can always find Dan smiling and working with the parking lot team. I always feel loved when I am around them.
I adore this picture of them as they are being encircled with their now mostly grown children. All of them are also wonderful, each of them in their own way. This image just says “family” to me. We need more of this! May the heritage they have created continue for generations to come.
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Bad Eggs
Posted on 05. May, 2010 by maryanne.
Recently I found nearly two cartons of eggs in my refrigerator that were past their expiration date. After having stomach issues with bad bacteria, I don’t play around with the possibility of bad food, as much as it pains my husband to throw food away. I told Katie we were going to throw them out and left the kitchen. When I returned a few moments later, she had a sharpie out, labeling them. She was marking them with the things she wanted to throw out of her life. I loved the idea and joined her. Soon after, Chris joined in the activity. Frankly, there weren’t enough eggs to symbolize all of these undesirables, but we hit the highlights including: fear, guilt, condemnation, anxiety and pain. You know, the big ones. Then we took them out back and threw them into the woods, listening for a splat as they hit the trees. (Many of mine were duds, as I am not much of an athlete).
I loved this activity. We all have things we don’t want in our lives, and every day we endeavor to “work out our salvation” (Philippians 2:12 NIV) as we allow God to redeem and heal the difficult places in our hearts. Knowing God does not mean that our lives are instantly transformed into pure bliss. It does mean that we do not have to go it alone, as we have an Advocate in the Creator of all things to partner with us. He heals and makes all things new as He walks with us and fills us with Himself. It is a process. Sometimes just knowing that makes life doable. We are in process, but in the Hands of our Maker. ” Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who made us, and not we ourselves”.( Psalm 100:3 NAS). That takes the pressure off.
I think He stood there with us as we threw those bad eggs into the darkness. He may have thrown a few Himself. Pretty sure His made a splat.
Guess I need to go to the store now…
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Favorite Photo of the week 3
Posted on 03. May, 2010 by maryanne.
I am trying to continue my favorite photo of the week, in spite of the busyness of late. I came across this photo today that I took two summers ago on Peak’s Island in Maine. Our dear friends have a house there, and we have the relished the community we have found with them while on that beautiful and idyllic island. I took this while walking one morning. This photo describes the pace on Peaks so well. Everyone works at a slow pace, and doesn’t seem to mind hanging their underwear out on the line to dry, even if it is just out back on the main road through town. I love that. May we all be so free and transparent. Here’s to summer, friendship, Peaks Island, and letting it all hang out!
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Favorite photo of the week 2
Posted on 20. Apr, 2010 by maryanne.
I love this photo of my Annie. She will be twenty this week. Although this photo was just taken last year atop our horse Jackie, you can still see the little girl in her. My little girl. The little girl that loves to come home and ride horses, sit and read on the porch swing, dance in the kitchen and make me laugh. Annie. Only one.
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Can I do this all the time?
Posted on 19. Apr, 2010 by maryanne.
I got to go play at my friend Kelly’s house last week. There was no agenda, except to get a couple shots of her for the Veterinary Clinic where she works. She is a vet, and I secretly envy her. I wanted to be one when I was a little girl. I brought home every struggling animal I could find as a kid. My poor mom. Every spring I would bring home a baby bird that had fallen from the nest and do my best to nurse it until it was ready to fly. Don’t think I ever succeeded.:( Anyway, when I hit Chemistry in high school, I assumed God had other plans for me. Therefore, I have deep admiration for anyone with the brains and skills that Kelly has. She is also an artist, so she got both. Not sure how fair that is, but I love her anyway.
Here are some pictures of her and her two youngest boys just playing on her farm. She has baby chicks right now and I loved just walking around observing and photographing all of it combined. Joy, sunshine, laughter, innocence and just sweetness. Wish I could do that all time. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did shooting them.
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Eli
Posted on 17. Apr, 2010 by maryanne.
We had a wonderful day photographing Eli and his mom and dad last Saturday. We had baby sheep to play with as well as some sweet chicks on loan to me from my friend Kelly. I think Eli thought he was at the zoo or the park. I am not sure who had more fun, but I am pretty sure it was me. Eli is the apple of his mom and dad’s eyes, as you can see from these photos. Photographing children is so much fun as they are in a world of their own, and not worried about how to smile or behave. We just let him play and the magic came through.
Enjoy the photos of sweet Eli. ~
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Favorite Photos
Posted on 16. Apr, 2010 by maryanne.
While sorting through my photos for a new project, I came across many of my favorite photos. So, I decided to start a category just for them, and post them from time to time.
I love this one of little Camden Chupp taken for his one year birthday.
Enjoy~
