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Take Me Back Tuesday | Leveling Out the Horizon

October 30, 2012 Posted in Take Me Back Tuesday

Do you ever think about things you did in the past and go, “WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!”

Like those white wash jeans, or the neon scrunchies, stirrup pants, clunky Dock Martin’s and JNCOs. Don’t deny it, you had a pair. I have had a horrible realization lately (on my rare shopping sprees), that what I thought would never happen is actually edging its way back into American mainstream again….80’s fashion. Say it isn’t so! I will resist returning to the neon colors and white wash jeans thank you very much.

But seriously, there are so many pictures I look at of myself and think, ‘You had to be crazy! Did you seriously think that looked good or were you suffering from unknown ‘lost your mind and can’t make rational decisions’ syndrome?!?!!?…along with the rest of mainstream culture.

As much as this is baffling to me, I do think in a way it reminds us that life is a journey of growth and PROGRESS! This happened to me recently in a professional sense as I took a walk down memory lane from where I started to where I am today. I brought out my old portfolio and as I was sifting through it, my mouth dropped to the floor. I may have let out a confused, “What in the world?!?!? I thought that looked good?!” Or I at least thought it in my head.

My main mistake (and believe me, no matter how ‘artsy’ it is…it’s a mistake) was that I for some strange reason, thought it was cool to make the horizon line at a 45 degree angle. Was I cool or what? Definitely what. My subjects were suddenly defying gravity and I was giving my viewers a headache. See below for example.

DISCLAIMER: I am revealing growth as an artist. We all need growth…don’t judge. I’m already judging myself.

(please note that these were taken a long time ago and my sisters were troopers to let me practice on them when I first started. Also note that these were taken in Oklahoma and Texas. Two of the flattest states around…)

Seriously, why did I think that was a good shot?!?!

Apparently she’s walking up a mountain…in the plains of Oklahoma.

While I certainly don’t pretend to be an expert these days, I do think that I have learned a thing or two over the past few years in this industry and as an artist. One being, what is natural is almost always better.

Since I started this journey, I’ve learned the value of leveling your horizons…both literally and figuratively. To stand on solid ground. To not climb a mountain if I don’t have to. As I look to the future, I’m grateful for my ‘white wash jeans’ phases, but I want to keep growing and changing for the better. As a photographer and as a person.

So, in the name of white wash jeans and level horizons,

I say, Take Me Back!

Happy Tuesday!

 

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Lauryn + Taylor | J.Crew/Anthro Inspired Wedding | Dallas

October 28, 2012 Posted in White Lace and Promises

 

“The Allen Family: We will trust in Jesus. Be truthful. Find our identity in God alone. Let fun and joy overflow. Share grace abundantly. Always persevere. For our hope is in Him.”

This was the foundation they committed to building their marriage and their family on…til death do they part.

Every so often, I have the privilege of photographing a wedding for friends. It’s one of the many sweet blessings of this thing I call a job and I love it when I get that opportunity. Taylor and I were classmates together in the Kanakuk Institute in 2009 (Shout out KI-09) where we, among the rest of our classmates, experienced a year of great spiritual and ministry training in the hills of the Ozarks. During that time, I learned one really important thing. Taylor is hilarious. No really, he is. After graduation, he moved to the sunny state of Florida to do youth ministry with K-Life and coincidentally, so did my twin sister! If Beth were speaking for me, she’d tell you she had the best boss. Seriously. A little over a year ago, Taylor started dating Lauryn, whom he had met while working at Kanakuk Kamps in the summer time. They dated long distance since Lauryn was working for K-Life in Kansas City but that didn’t stop Taylor. This girl had quickly stolen his heart and when I first me Lauryn, it didn’t take me long to figure out why. There is really no way to describe her except to say she is beautiful. Equally as much inside as outside. (You may remember her from her gorgeous bridal session). Their wedding day was nothing short of perfect, not because of the two of them or anything they had done, but because it was a celebration of what God had done.

Lauryn and Taylor, I can’t thank you enough for allowing me the privilege of capturing your special day. I really do consider it that… a privilege. With a foundation and vows like those above, I am confident that your marriage will be rich and your ministry even richer!

Enjoy some of my favorites from their beautiful day!

DISCLAIMER: There are a lot of pictures below but believe me it’s worth scrolling. I was going to narrow it down but I ran out of time because I’m leaving town early in the a.m. …plus, I just couldn’t decide! Too many favorites!

Happy Sunday!

They got ready at the Adolphus hotel downtown which was perfect…especially since their last name is Allen!

Taylor, excellent job on that bling bling.

I’m going to send this picture in to J. Crew…look close.

LOVE her bridesmaids’ reaction.

Lauryn, you are too beautiful for words.

Some of Lauryn’s college friends started a tradition with a handkerchief. Each one of their wedding dates is embroidered into the handkerchief and passed around. What a great thing to do with your friends!

Lauryn’s dad was the ultimate Father of the Bride. So sweet. With a family of three girls and no boys (I can relate) Lauryn was his first to marry off. Watching him with her was my favorite part of the wedding. This is my new favorite Dad/daughter first look.

Exchanging gifts before the ceremony (not in person). Each marked with a strong foundation of faith.

Favorite.

Capturing moments like these is why I love what I do.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen!

Love. Love. Love this one.

Mary Fields Photography

Another favorite.

Mary Fields Photography

Looking so GQ gentlemen.

They thought I was crazy when I asked them to do this. Maybe it was because I was walking backward into oncoming traffic…I’m such a rebel.

Gorgeous women.

Stems of Dallas did an amazing job on the florals!

Lauryn, just stop it. You are stunning.

Quite possibly my favorite bouquet shot.

Mary Fields Photography

Now, get ready for a LOT of details! They were all so beautiful!

Hanging flowers over the cake = Awesomeness.

Time to party!!!

Love this shot.

Dad/Daughter dance.

Sweetest dance. Please note Lauryn’s sisters watching them dance…with tears in their eyes. Again, moments like these are why I love photography.

I did not plan this. Beautiful, the relationship these two have with their parents.

Lauryn’s dad gettin’ down on the dance floor. Awesome.

Members of KI-09 plus my awesome brother-in-law. This picture is just really great.

These two dancing is incredibly entertaining…

 

Vendors coming soon!

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Vina Mogg - October 29, 2012 - 1:00 am

Mary
These are absolutely beautiful. You captured so many wonderful moments, I especially love the ones with the parents! Such a beautiful, warm wedding! Congratulations Lauryn and Taylor!

Take Me Back Tuesday | The Knot Magazine | Featured » Mary Fields Photography Blog - July 9, 2013 - 2:14 pm

[…] you are in Texas, Lauryn and Taylor’s J.Crew inspired wedding is featured in The Knot Texas Fall/Winter 2013 issue and online at Real […]

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Jacqueline + Josh | A Fort Worth, TX Engagement Shoot

October 26, 2012 Posted in She Said Yes

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon as we walked around Fort Worth, our first real cold front. It didn’t matter for Jacqueline and Josh, however, because they were in love and love warms the coldest of circumstances. I didn’t have to spend but a few minutes with these two to know that they adored each other, which made my job way too easy and way too much fun (sometimes I feel guilty that my job is so fun…like that shouldn’t happen or something. But I get over it real fast).

I had met Josh several years back through his brother, a good friend of mine during my college days. Shout out to you, Dave! When I saw that Josh had gotten engaged to Jacqueline,  (thank you Facebook) I was so excited. When she contacted me about doing an engagement session, I was even more excited! Doing sessions with people you know is the best and one of my favorite parts of this job. Seeing old friends and making new ones. Jacqueline and Josh, thanks so much for letting me be part of your engagement. I had a blast and can’t wait to see where the Lord takes the two of you in the future. I know from our time together that you will keep Christ the center of your marriage and with that, I am confident of its success.

Enjoy some of my favorites from their session!

Happy Friday!

 

Yeah, I’m basically obsessed with this wall. I may take all my clients to Forth Worth now just to use it. It’d be worth it.

Mary Fields Photography

Fav. Fav. Fav.

Mary Fields Photography

 

Whoever owns this car, thank you.

For those of you that are wondering, this is what love looks like.

 

Nice, you two. Work it.

Jacqueline, you are gorgeous. I know Josh agrees.

Is this tree awesome or what? Thank you, Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.

A favorite.

 

They are Rangers fans if you can’t tell.

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jacqueline - November 5, 2012 - 3:19 pm

Just now seeing this today!!! Mary, we loved having you take our pictures 🙂 I’ll be sending my mom this link!

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Take Me Back Tuesday | Endorphins, Elle Woods and Happiness

October 23, 2012 Posted in Take Me Back Tuesday

 

Sometimes, very rarely but sometimes, Elle Woods is the wisest person I ‘know.’ You know, Elle Woods, the Pepto Bismol pink lawyer who apparently had earned her blonde-hood legally? Yes, her. Well, while her acclaimed ‘bend and snap’ has never really worked wonders for me, there is one thing she said that is incredibly wise. Legally wise if you will (you’ve got to give me points for trying).

“Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” – Elle Woods.

Now where am I going with this? Well, I’m definitely not about to tell you about my exercise habits because well…that would just be embarrassing. No, it’s more the endorphins part that I think makes Elle’s point a good one. You see, not only does exercise give you endorphins but so does the sun! My best friend. I drink in Vitamin D like it was a chocolate milkshake. A tall glass of sweet tea. A strawberry banana smoothie. You get the picture. I love the sun and it loves me. When I haven’t seen it in a while, you might want to stay away because well ‘unhappy people may kill their husbands.’ With winter approaching, it’s a good thing I’m not married. (that was a joke).

In so many ways, I am spoiled. I had the opportunity to do some work in Florida last week and mix business with pleasure by spending some time with my sister, my brother-in-law and my mom. Officing from home has its perks because ‘home’ can mean any number of things, including your laptop on a beachfront porch. We took one day, rented a condo on the beach, dug our feet into the sand, let the waves wash over us and drank in as many endorphins as we could. It was heavenly. Now, I am back to reality with a crazy busy week but if I close my eyes, I can still hear the sound of the waves.

So, in the name of Elle Woods, sandy beaches and endorphins,

I say, Take Me Back!!!

Enjoy some of my favorites from our beach excursion. I can’t take credit for all of these pictures because my mom and my sister had a lot of fun with the camera too. I put it on auto and they practiced their framing skills. I have to say I was incredibly impressed! It must be because they’ve watched me for so many years, right? Must be. I even had a chance to do something I don’t normally do which is pose in front of the camera. Weird. It was good practice but I prefer to be behind the lens!

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

I have been dying to have the opportunity to do a shoot under a pier because the light is so ‘yummy.’ Yes, yummy. I got to practice a little bit but if anyone would just happen to want to take me to a sandy beach with a pier and let me do a session, I wouldn’t be opposed….

My twins sister rocked the camera while I changed things up a bit and made myself see what it was like to be on the opposite end. I think she did a fabulous job. Me on the other hand… I need a little bit more practice.

My mom rocked the camera this time. I’m creating a family full of photogs and I like it!

We might look alike or something.

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Jessica + Reed: A Travel Themed Wedding | Dallas, TX

October 20, 2012 Posted in White Lace and Promises

Mary Fields Photography

A day of rejoicing. A day of worship. A day of celebration. That’s what Jessica and Reed’s wedding day was marked by. The sun was beating down relentlessly but that didn’t affect their attitude because it was a day they had waited for with great anticipation. God’s faithfulness made evident in each other. They had prayed for a spouse that not only shared their faith but also their passion for the nations and God had not disappointed. Thus, it was so fitting that their wedding had a travel theme, made complete with vintage cameras, globes, maps, and world outreach. As Reed and Jessica worshipped with their friends and family during their ceremony, it was evident to me that they were making a partnership that would ultimately impact the world.

Reed and Jessica, thanks so much for letting me be part of your special day. I cannot wait to see the places you will go as a married couple and the people you will reach across the world. Wishing you the best and richest days to come!
Enjoy some of my favorites from their beautiful day! As always, there are a lot. Sorry, I promise I’m working on it…baby steps.
Happy Saturday!

 

Jessica is a photographer herself and went to Africa last year on a humanitarian trip. Her pictures are stunning so I wanted to make sure and document the two continents that are close to her heart.

Their first look. I’m such a huge fan of doing this…

His reaction. So perfect.

Jessica and Reed exchanged gifts in a private room after their first look and I was able to snap this shot in the middle of it. So sweet.

My absolute favorite.

Jessica, you are gorgeous girl.

So content.

Beautiful couple!

She carried her grandparents with her. LOVE this new tradition.

I said get excited and well, they did.

Work it girls. Work it.

Such studs.

Yeah, I want this. A lot.

So many fun details!

So fitting for the day.

Praying before the ceremony.

Love, love, love this picture. Notice Jessica’s mom in the bottom left corner. Moments like this are the greatest.

My favorite part of their whole ceremony. Everyone worshipping together. What a great idea!

Married!!!!

Ready to party!

Love, love, love this idea.

Coolest idea for a guest book I have seen in a long time.

Favorite.

This guy had me so entertained. I need him to come to all my receptions.

They were roommates and apparently dance soul mates.

Super fun venue.

 

Venue: Hickory Street Annex Dallas, TX

Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets

Photobooth: 4 Flashes Photobooth Dallas

Coffee: Chic Coffee

Ceremony: The Village Church

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Kelly - October 22, 2012 - 4:30 pm

Such a cute couple, and some great photos to capture the day. I loved her flowers and the cake, they were so pretty!

Jessica Gardner - October 23, 2012 - 2:43 pm

I just want to keep looking at these over and over so I can remember the night! You did a great job capturing it all!

Vickey Dioley - October 29, 2012 - 6:03 pm

A beautiful memory, is it to early to start asking for copies of photos?

Whitney - May 24, 2013 - 5:52 pm

I am dying to know where they got those gorgeous bridesmaids dresses!

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