fall 2014 mini sessions

Adoption Mini Sessions, Part 2 // Sandy Bottom Park, Hampton Photographer

I woke up the morning of my second mini sessions, a little worried about what the day would bring. It had already started sprinkling, and there was the chance of rain the whole day. While I don't mind braving a little wet and cold to take pictures, I truly wanted the experience to be wonderful for each of my families and couples that were coming that day.

Despite the freezing wind and threatening clouds, the rain held off until after the very last mini session! The overcast skies made the fall colors pop, and the temperature didn't stop us all from having so much fun. There are a few sessions that are surprises, so I can't share them yet, but I wanted to share the ones that I could - they were so much fun, and made standing outside for a few hours more than worth it!

To all the families and couples who came out for mini sessions, especially on such a cold, almost-rainy day, thank you isn't enough. I'm truly grateful for your support and your spirit. You make my job an easy one, and I'm so thankful for each one of you. I hope these pictures carry across the miles in your Christmas cards, and bring joy to all your friends and family!

James and Kayla, and their feisty huskies Cosmo and Paisley

Sweet anniversary kisses in the fall
Christmas card pictures with husky rescue dogs

Daniel and Elizabeth, with their precious kids Hunter and Aiden, found me through a mutual friend - and I'm so glad they did!

Christmas card pictures with brother and sister in a beautiful fall park
A married couple shares a sweet kiss (black and white)

Ross and Emily came all the way from Pennsylvania to visit family, and wanted their portraits taken while they were here with their 3 kids!

Three kids in fall leaves for Christmas card pictures
Gray, red, and black plaid Christmas card picture

Toby and Christi, singers who tour all up and down the East Coast and beyond, came with their amazingly talented kids, Jerrod and Jewel.

Kissing Christmas card picture for couples
Christmas card outfit ideas - pink, gray, and white

...and a few more to come as I'm allowed to share them!

More Fall Mini Sessions! // Hampton Roads Family Photographer

Today's post is short and sweet, mostly because I'm writing it at 10pm after a good, but long, day of travel from Texas. Yesterday, my day consisted of: eating eggs Benedict at a cute local breakfast nook, playing paintball for 2+ hours, chowing down on BBQ with new friends at Grapevine Lake, fueling up twice at Starbucks, taking two flights, and rushing back to finish up some work before Sunday came.

But, despite the craziness of this last week, it was wonderful. And one of the most wonderful, and humbling, things has been the amazing response to my fall, Christmas card mini session announcement (if you missed it, click here). So, in response to the AMAZING people who are as excited as I am about photography and adoption, I'm opening up another date! Saturday, November 1, will be round 2 of mini sessions to support our adoption. Here are the details for both dates:

Saturday, October 25 (Windsor Castle Park) 
OR Saturday, November 1 (Sandy Bottom Park)
15 minute session; 5-10 hi-res images
$100 suggested donation (all proceeds go towards adoption)
Email mariagracephotography@gmail.com to book your session

I love all of you so much for your friendship, support, and love! I can't wait to see so many smiling faces on both these dates!

Fall 2014 Mini Sessions in Hampton Roads

How YOU Can Help with Our Adoption // Hampton Roads Fall Mini Sessions

Since announcing that we are adopting (see post here), we have been absolutely overwhelmed by the kindness of people, some of whom we had never even met. Our friends, family, and even strangers have been beyond kind and gracious to us. I even had the privilege of sitting down with a new friend just last week and talking through adoption in full, as they are just a few steps ahead of us in the process. What an incredible blessing that has been!

One thing that some know and some do not is that adoption through agencies comes with a large price tag. There are pros and cons to going through an agency instead of through the state for adoption, but Nathan and I have chosen to do the former. I have a blog planned soon to detail exactly why agency adoption costs so much - from pre- and post-birth counseling for the mother, to the amazing amount of paperwork and legal processes, it's a time consuming and expensive process no matter which way you look at it!

To offset some of the costs associated with adoption, Nathan and I have looked at a few different ways to raise money, while at the same time helping others and providing something that YOU would want. Of course, my mind turned to photography!

So in light of this, I'm holding Christmas card mini sessions! What that means is I'll be scheduling 15 minute sessions for a lot of families on Saturday, October 25. Once you book the session, you'll come with your family and whatever outfits you'd like to be 'wearing' on your holiday cards this season. I'll shoot pictures, then deliver 5-10 edited images within two weeks. You can download these images and use them on your Christmas cards!

With this set of mini sessions, I'm not charging the normal amount - instead, ALL donations will go towards bringing home our next little Spady! All you have to do is email me at mariagracephotography@gmail.com to reserve your spot for the day. I can't wait to serve you and celebrate our growing family!

Details
Saturday, October 25
9:00am - 5:00pm
15 minute session; 5-10 hi-res images
$100 suggested donation (all proceeds go towards adoption)
Email mariagracephotography@gmail.com to book your session!

Hampton Roads Fall 2014 Mini Sessions
Hampton Roads Fall 2014 Mini Sessions
Hampton Roads Fall 2014 Mini Sessions