Mary Fields Photography Blog

Take Me Back Tuesday | New York City and Wider Lenses

November 17, 2015

NYC_0035

I’ve always dreamt of doing an engagement session in NYC in the fall. It has been a professional bucket list item and last week I got to check it off! One of my 2016 couples lives in NYC and so we took advantage of a beautiful fall day to walk around the city and snap some gorgeous photos. More on that later! When I booked my ticket though, I decided (as I often do) that if I was going to travel for work, I should make it a pleasure trip as well. So, I invited my mom and sister to come along and make a girls adventure out of it. We had all been to NYC before but never with each other so it was a fun few days of exploring such an iconic and BUSY city. By the end of it, our feet were screaming to go home and we were anxious for a bit of open Texas sky, but we had loved walking around such a unique city and taking in all the sites. Central Park in the fall is unbeatable and the energy of NYC is unlike any other place. Our people watching was at an all time high and we enjoyed the excitement of a city that literally never sleeps. Not to mention, it was just fun getting to make memories with some of my favorite people.

One thing that struck me as I walked the streets of the city, was the number of people we passed. Let’s just say our ‘people watching’ pool increased astronomically. As they walked by, I kept thinking, there are SO many people on this planet and it is amazing to me that each one has a story to tell. Each life matters and each life story is unique. In the four years I have been in business, my camera has taken me places and allowed me to witness all kinds of life. It’s a privilege really, that my job has taken me on adventures all over the world as I get to share people’s ‘stories through my lens.’ That has been Mary Fields’ tag line since it’s inception and while it is catchy, I hope that as I get the honor to travel and tell people’s stories, that it challenges me to see the world through an increasingly wider lens. To see the world beyond my own little circle and to care because they are equally as important. As my mom always said, ‘I want you to always broaden your horizons.’ Remembering today to be thankful for such a perspective and to use it well.

So, in the name of wider lenses and NYC adventures,

I Say, Take Me Back!

NYC_0001 NYC_0002

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Lakeside Park Engagement Session| Morgan + Chad

November 16, 2015

They were both out with friends one night, not having any idea that their lives were about to be changed forever. He noticed this beautiful girl with eyes that lit up the room and he was captivated. In his words, ‘I just couldn’t stop talking to her.’ Morgan was equally taken with this young man who was noticeably polite and as she says, had the most adorable accent. They talked the night away and started a relationship that would grow to be something they both say makes them better.

Over the year that they dated, Morgan and Chad starry-eyed conversation began to form into a deep relationship of love and friendship. When I asked him what he loves about her, he replied ‘I love that she is such a servant and takes joy in helping others. It makes me want to care for others, especially her, more than myself. And, I also love that she is super hot.’ His candid-ness made me laugh out loud and made Morgan laugh too. Her sentiments were just the same as she loves his heart for others and the way their relationship makes her better in every way. As she thought about Chad and all that he brings out in her, she said, ‘he truly is my better half.’

Well, in the few hours that I was with them for their engagement session, I got to see just that. These two love each other, feel at ease in each other’s arms, appreciate what the other person brings out in them and are so excited to enter into the covenant of marriage. He still loves to look in those beautiful brown eyes and she was equally entranced with the man who had captivated her heart. This is why love stories never get old…because each one is unique and they tell such a great tale of how two people can come together, being better together than apart.

Morgan and Chad, I can’t wait to share in this journey to the aisle with you as we anticipate your spring wedding! Even more so, I look forward to watching your love story unfold as the years go by and as you continue to see how you make each other better!

Enjoy some of my favs from their engagement session!

Happy Monday!

To see more of Morgan and Chad’s engagement session, view the gallery below.

Lakeside Park Engagement | Morgan + Trevino

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The Stillness is For Us. Making ‘It All’ Happen Is Not.

November 13, 2015

I haven’t figured it out yet. I’m not even sure that ‘figuring it out’ is the goal exactly. Maybe it’s a never-ending process and the benefit is just in that…the process. The ‘not there yet.’ I don’t know. If I figure THAT out, I’ll let you know.

No, I’m not just rambling (or maybe I am). I’m just using this as a bit of an online journal to tell about the craziness of life and how sometimes, well sometimes you can feel like it’s just too much. You see, life lately has been spinning at rapid speeds and while most of it I’m sure is no one’s fault but my own, I do think that some of it is just the nature of life. The nature of how this world distracts and pushes us to feel like we need to do more, be more, say more. The way that it tempts us to leave very little room for margin and instead fill it with a list of ‘To Dos’ and subsequently, a list of ‘Shoulda Done’s.’

It has hit me hard these last couple of weeks and there have been many moments when I can feel my heart rate start to rise as I consider the never-ending question of ‘How do I make it all Happen?’ The ‘It All’ part seems so overwhelming and the days seem to never have enough hours. Where does this pressure even come from? Why does it seem that others miraculously find a way to make ‘It All’ happen? Do they have special super powers I don’t know about? If so, can they share the love?! I have convinced myself that it is a pressure that exists for my good, to push me to do better and be better, to get more done, help more people, say more important things and just be overall a better somebody! In the end, though, all that effort and expectation never seems to quite make the ‘It All’ possible nor satisfactory. It’s at this point that it occurs to me. Something very important. That is that it’s not about me and there is nothing I can do, say, be, accomplish or make happen that has any merit or worth outside of Christ. He IS my worth, my value and my significance. He is the one who makes ‘It All’ happen and only when I am doing, saying, being, accomplishing or making things happen by HIS power and grace will I ever be at rest. So much easier said than done but on a day when I feel behind, my house is a mess, there is a long list of To Dos and I am tempted to ask myself ‘what else can I be doing,’ I am grateful for this verse.

‘Be Still and Know that I am God’- Psalm 46:10

Oh what a glorious call…stillness… and something of which I am no expert. It doesn’t stop there but goes on to encourage us that in the midst of stillness, we should take notice that He is God, which means that we are not. What a relief. He is in control. He gives all of it purpose. He is our value. He finds enough hours in the day because He created the day. He makes It All happen.

I haven’t figured it out. I still wrestle with how to balance this kind of mentality with the call to also be diligent and hard-working. I still think maybe the benefit is in the process of learning that balance. Today, though, when I feel like my ‘To Do’s are longer than the hours available and I find myself on the move once again, I will take note that He is God, I am not, and stillness is a good thing.

Praying that you, reader, find encouragement in this today! The ‘It All’ is only for Him. The stillness is for us.

Happy Friday!

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The Gilland Family | A New Addition & A Sweet Family of Four

November 5, 2015

Since I blogged on Tuesday about the addition of my newest nephew, I thought I would go ahead and post the session I did for my sister and her sweet family of four! I headed out to their house, walked in the door and my nephew said, ‘Mae Mae, you’re back!!!’ To which, of course my heart was then found as a puddle on the floor. I snuggled him up tight and said, ‘Judeman, who is this?!’ He got a little bashful and said almost in a whisper, ‘that’s baby Ssssepad.’ With this two year old attempt at saying ‘Shepard,’ my heart, which had started to attempt to reform and make it’s way back into my body, just surrendered and re-liquidated back onto the floor. Doesn’t take much for my heart to liquidate.

Lately, I’ve loved just photographing families in their homes as not only is it more comfortable, but it tells THEIR story… a story that is simple, real and authentic. It takes place within the walls of their home and showcases a little bit of everyday life. So, we sat on their bed, told Jude to love on his baby brother (something he is still not quite sure about) and just photographed the joy of new life in their home.

I love this sweet family. I know, I know…they are my relatives so that seems obvious but it’s more than that. I love that they laugh together regularly. I love that they take their child to the race track and the airfields because it’s his ‘thing’ right now. I love that they have traditions, like having ‘Nonut Day’ every Saturday (a tradition that seems to be spreading in my family at large). I love that they celebrate regularly, making it a point to thank God for what He has already done and what He will do. I love that they are imperfect and unafraid to tell you so. I love that they love each other well, even when it isn’t easy. I love that they have always welcomed me into their fold. Most of all though, I love that they see their family as a means by which they can share the joy of Jesus Christ to the world around them. They are truly special.

So, it is needless to see that I loved photographing this special time as their family grows. Enjoy, some favs of mine from this sweet session!

Happy Friday!

He found baby Shepard’s nose.

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Take Me Back Tuesday | Sweet Shepard West

November 3, 2015

Being an aunt is by far one of the greatest privileges of my life. Last week, my twin sister and brother-in-law gave me one more to add to the list of little ones to whom I get the joy of being Aunt Mae Mae. They found out they were having baby number two right before Jimmy and I got married and announced it with my oldest nephew wearing a ‘Best Big Brother’ shirt. You might say that I squealed with delight. You might.

They decided to wait and found out the gender until the baby was born so we needed a name for him/her in the meantime. Since big brother Jude would need a ‘side kick’ to all of his future heroic adventures, they lovingly named this little one, Baby SK. So, for the last several months, we have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby SK!

Well, Beth went in on a Sunday night to be induced but miraculously she started labor on her own. I guess SK just needed to know he was in a hospital before he would feel comfortable starting the process! Beth had asked me if I would take a few photos of the baby right after he/she was born and of course I was thrilled. I went to bed around 11 pm thinking that it wouldn’t be until around 5 or 6 am until I got the call but no, David called me at 1:50 am saying, ‘well I think you better hurry.’ I hopped up in a somewhat sleepy stupor, jumped in the car and raced to the hospital. Sidenote: Let’s just talk about how eery the roads are at 2 am in the DFW metroplex! It was wide open (which never happens) and the few cars that were on the road, I kept thinking…’now, why are YOU out here?!’ Anyway, my mom met me at the hospital and I was all prepared to run in and be ready for baby. Well, Baby SK decided to slow down just a bit and so we sat in the waiting room for the next six hours. Ha! Totally worth it…but comical. We entertained ourselves with chatter about whether or not it was a boy or a girl, what the name would be etc. A little before 8 am they called us in and it was time. I’ve never been so proud of my twin sister. She is a champ and though I like to blame it on lack of sleep, I cried in the corner out of pride and joy. When they placed Baby SK on her chest, the tears continued to well in my eyes and I heard them say, ‘It’s a BOY!’ What an incredibly precious moment! Since Baby SK would no longer suffice, they announced that his name would be Shepard West. I will have to explain the wonderful name in a later post as there is such a strong and beautiful meaning behind it. A name I pray he grows in to!

My mom and I left the delivery room just laughing. Another boy!!! You see, I am one of four girls and all my life, my dad has joked that since he didn’t have boys, we each had to have four boys to make up for it. 16 grandsons! The first three grandchildren have been boys and now the fourth!? Well, I don’t know about four each, but four in a row when we were a family of four girls is pretty crazy! Maybe God heard his prayer! Looks like I will definitely need to be brushing up on my destructo skills, my athletic abilities (yeah right), my knowledge of cars/legos/superheros/trucks and all things boy… and so much more. Not sure how Aunt Mae Mae will pull that off but you better believe I’m gonna try!

So, in the name of being Aunt Mae Mae to four BOYS, 2 am wake up calls that are totally worth it and the absolute gift of new life,

I Say, Take Me Back!

Mae Mae and Uncle Yimmy love you little Shep!!!