Mary Fields Photography Blog

Take Me Back Tuesday | There’s A Place

July 29, 2014

There’s a place where the letter ‘K’ is used where it shouldn’t be…yet no one corrects it.

There’s a place where time seems to stand a little bit more still.

There’s a place whose gates seem to catch the distractions of the world, working hard not to let them in.

There’s a place, where people run around in crazy costumes for no real reason at all…except just to celebrate the silly.

There’s a place where red, yellow and blue come together to paint a beautiful simple picture.

There’s a place where the laughter of kids and the trample of little feet reminds you of the sweetness that is childhood.

There’s a place where make-up isn’t necessary and high fashion is to be as whacky as possible.

There’s a place where people form quick and forever friendships because of the work they are doing side by side.

There’s a place where the ring of a bell is a sound that gets an uproar of cheers…because it means someone’s life has forever changed in knowing Christ.

There’s a place where crocs and socks isn’t nerdy…it’s practical.

There’s a place where encouragement makes a person feel like who they are, well, it’s exactly who God made them to be.

There’s a place where people dance like no one is looking.

There’s a place where adventure is had and a kid really can be a kid.

There’s a place where lives are changed…mine being one of them.

There’s a place in the Ozark woods that feels like home.

This place is called Kanakuk Kamps…and it is one of the dearest places in the world to me. Every summer, I get funny looks when I tell people that I’m going to ‘kamp’ for two weeks…and I look them right back and say, ‘It’s worth it.’ And it is. It’s without a doubt one of the highlights of my entire year because I get to go on a bit of a sabbatical. After several months of a crazy wedding season…these two weeks are a great way for me to hit the refresh button. It’s a retreat, with people I love in a place where life moves just a bit slower. It’s a blast…so with that…

In the name of places that feel like home and people who make it so,

I Say, Take Me Back!

WalkerEngage_0020 WalkerEngage_0019

Show Hide 1 comment

Make a Comment

Laura - July 31, 2014 - 1:03 am

Made me tear up a bit! Have fun Mary!

Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

333 First Avenue Wedding | Robbie + Lauren

July 28, 2014

View More: http://maryfieldsphotography.pass.us/peters-wedding-6-7-14

It was Friday night and all their closest friends and family were gathered together to celebrate the anticipated union of these two. One by one, their parents, siblings and friends stood and shared what this couple meant to them. They spoke of their love for the Lord, their steadiness, their leadership, their humility, their compassion and their love for one another. In all of the words and tears…the constant theme was easy to see. This couple is dearly loved and their union is a good thing. I love photographing rehearsal dinners for this very reason. It is a time when the people closest to them get to speak to who they are and how they change lives. It was a great celebration preceding an even sweeter celebration the next day.

They met 3 years ago when they both were volunteering for Young Life in Austin. They were friends first but it didn’t take long for them to notice each other as more. For both of them, the thing that stood out about the other was their passion and love for Jesus. It was different from what they had seen before and it caught their attention. Before long, they were dating and exactly one year later, he knelt to one knee underneath a beautiful sunset and asked for forever. She loves the way he makes her laugh, the way he wants everyone to know Jesus and how he is so kind. He loves that she will sing with him in the car, give her life away for others and celebrates what others are passionate about. They both love how the other pushes them to love Christ more. Their love for one another is easy to see and it was so fun for me to celebrate through my lens. Lauren and Robbie, I loved being a small part of your wedding and I loved getting to watch how your love for each other pours out on others. Your future as husband and wife seems bright and I can easily see how it will be used to impact those around you. Looking forward to watching from afar! Thanks for letting me be there!

Enjoy some of my favorites from their summer wedding!

Happy Monday!

no comments

Make a Comment

Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Behind the Lens | On the Go

July 25, 2014

In the last week, I was explaining to someone my schedule for the next three weeks and she said, ‘Mary, your life is not normal.’ And she’s right. Then I had someone, who I care deeply about, tell me that ‘I always talk about slowing down but I never really do.’ If you follow the blog much, I write a lot about resting…yet I am reeeeeallly bad at it. Always have been. It’s an age old story of trying to do too much and having a hard time with the idea that I ‘can’t do it all.’ If I’m honest, Internet, I like to think that I really can do it all. Superwoman. Well, recently it dawned on me that I can blog all I want but having healthy margin in my life and schedule is crucial. I know this may seem funny that I’d just now be getting this but it is true. Busyness doesn’t automatically equal success or happiness. Sometimes it just equals busyness. This is nothing new, it’s just the continuing progression of my understanding of not only what it means to slow down…but how to put it in to practice. Here’s to trying to teach myself to not fill every moment and to be still!

Happy Friday!

(Ran across the above pictures the other day and thought they were a fitting illustration for my current ‘addiction.’ Always on the go!)

no comments

Make a Comment

Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Scottish Rite Cathedral Wedding | Christine + Jonathan

July 21, 2014

They got set up on a blind date by family friends and it was a great time but she was finishing up her last semester of college so the two parted ways. Eight months later they reconnected and it didn’t take long before they knew it was going to be a ‘forever thing.’ She first noticed how considerate he was and he noticed how calm and confident she was. Their quickly growing relationship hit a snag when he had to move to Alabama for work but to them, the distance was worth it. Over the next several months they made visits between Texas and Alabama, creating fun memories and falling more in love with each other. Then one day he convinced her that he had to come into town on business. They had a date that night but she had no clue just how special that date would be. They were on a normal walk when he pointed to a rose laying on the side of a path in the park they were walking in. She knew then what was happening. He said that he had a little surprise for her and to sit down where the rose was. There were four roses along the path that we were walking down and they each represented something. The first was that she was his best friend, the second, that she was his love, the third represented what the meaning of marriage is, and the fourth, represented what he had been praying for them during their whole relationship. He prayed over them and then they got up and turned the corner to a bridge that was lined with candles and rose petals. There, waiting for her was a bouquet of roses and a question that would change her life forever. He knelt to one knee and asked her for the rest of her life…to which she heartily agreed.

A story of sweet love and a partnership that honors God. These two are just so wonderful to be around and their love story is just beginning. I loved getting to tell their sweet story and to watch as they stood before family and friends and, submitting themselves to God, made a covenant of marriage. It was a glorious day and I think the start of many more to come!

Christine and Jonathan, your wedding day was a blast to photograph and you two made it SO easy for me. You care for people well, you value marriage and you inspire others to love like you love God. I am so thankful for clients like you all and can’t wait to see the journey ahead for you as Mr. and Mrs.!

Enjoy some favs of mine from their wedding day!

Happy Monday!

no comments

Make a Comment

Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Friday Tips and Tricks | 8 Tips on Making the Prep Time Perfect

July 18, 2014

It’s time for another installment of Friday Tips and Tricks! I haven’t don’t one of these posts in a while because I have been in the midst of a crazy wedding season, not to mention, traveling like a bird during winter! These are some of my favorite posts though because they help my clients and other people plan a wedding day/session with a better wedding education! I’ve been doing this for a while and even though I don’t know everything, I do know a few things to make the day better.

Today’s post is concerning the part of the day that seems to get the least amount of attention. The prep time! Often times, this is the first thing that is to go when my brides are looking at how the hours will breakdown for photography on their wedding day. I totally get this, but honestly, the prep time is one of my favorite parts of the day. Why, you ask?! Well, because it is often the most relaxed part of the day. It is when you and your closest friends, bridesmaids or groomsmen, get to be together without the commotion of the rest of the wedding guests. It’s usually much more intimate and the anticipation of what is about to happen is so high. It’s a LOT of fun! Once the dress/tux is on, thing just don’t slow down until you’ve waved goodbye and it’s time to honeymoon.

As a photographer, I also love this time because it is much more candid. I get to photograph what I see happening and the interactions between the bride/groom and their friends and family. There is always lots of laughter, fun gifts being exchanged and a LOT of excitement as they prepare for their marriage ceremony and as they prepare to see their groom/bride for the first time. Grandmother’s cry when they see their granddaughter, bridesmaids cheer once the dress is on and groomsmen do silly groomsmen things that are always hilarious. It’s a great time and I love the images that come from it. So, here are a few tips on how to make it great!

1. Space is a Destresser– This is especially true if you have a decently large bridal party. There is something about tight spaces that makes stress increase all the more. You want room to move about and not get claustrophobic so pick a place that is proportionate to the people who will be getting ready there!

2. Ambiance Matters- This is where you will be getting beautiful/handsome on your special day and also where your prep pictures will be taken. If the place is dark, outdated, stuffy and cluttered…your photos and your mood will reflect it. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box on where you can get ready. Houses are often times much better than bridal rooms!

3. Clutter Is Not Pretty So Be Flexible– I always tell my brides to get ready in a place that has options for where to get dressed. Doing your makeup in the room where all 10 of your bridesmaids have planted is fine…but getting your dress on where their curling irons and overnight bags are cluttering up the background…not so much. Your dress shot is important to have because that’s when it becomes real! Help your photographer by being willing to MOVE to a different ‘less cluttery’ spot to put your dress on. It’s totally worth it and I promise, no one will see you.

4. Consider Lighting– Your make up artist will appreciate this too! I always tell my clients to get ready in a place with lots of natural light instead of overhead light. You will look less orange and it will be SO much more flattering to your skin tones. Trust me.

5. Your Groom Matters Too– I am always a little bummed when the groom gets ready a good 45 minutes away from the bride. I need my assistant with me for so many of the prep and detail shots, making it hard for him/her to head to the groom’s prep area if it is significantly far away. If you can help it, have the groom and his groomsmen get ready within close proximity of the bride. His prep photos matter too!

6. Make Up and Hair on Location- This is more expensive but if you can budget it in, I really do think it is worth it! You will get to be with your bridal party and family more on that day and have less travel time if they come to you.

7. Proximity Promotes Punctuality– You like that alliteration?! Choosing a location that is close to the ceremony site will be HUGE in helping the efficiency and the smoothness of the day. Your bridal party and family will be FAR more likely to be on time!

8. Comfortable Equals Relaxed– It is always sad to me when a bride gets ultra stressed on her wedding day. Sure, weddings are stressful but I am a firm believer that your environment can help. So, especially if you are prone to stress, pick a place to get ready that is comfortable to you, where you feel at ease. Houses make much better spots than hotel rooms or bridal suites!

The goal is to enjoy your wedding day…so I hope these tips will lead to that as well as allowing your photographer to capture some GREAT prep photos!

Happy Friday!

no comments

Make a Comment

Back to Top Contact Me Share on Facebook Tweet this Post Email to a Friend

Contact Me

Your Information:

Your Message:

Take Me Back Tuesday | There’s A Place

333 First Avenue Wedding | Robbie + Lauren

Behind the Lens | On the Go

Scottish Rite Cathedral Wedding | Christine + Jonathan

Friday Tips and Tricks | 8 Tips on Making the Prep Time Perfect

Search

Blogroll

Archives

Categories

Meta

Recent Posts

Pages