Welcome Baby Noah! | Birth Session | Lynchburg, VA Photographer

Jessica asked me months ago about photographing her birth. After a missed opportunity in June, I got even more excited about it as time grew closer. I was unsure at first if I would be able to do it as I had hoped for a teaching job. Since God (thankfully) had other plans for me, I was able to commit to the birth session! Sunday night, I got the text that things were in motion...after a week of constant contractions. I headed to Lynchburg and arrived a little after 10PM. Jess was in the tub, seeking some comfort, waiting for her water to break...we had no idea how many hours lay ahead...

The contractions were intense and very close together... [take notice of the clock throughout this post].

And they just kept coming...at one point they were last for 2 minutes and were only 3 minutes apart!

Jonathan was by her side the entire time! Soon the pain reached the point where Jess said "I tap out. Get me some meds!" She did so well, and considering how long her labor lasted, I'm so glad she decided to get an epidural! Her family was there to comfort her as well as popsicles:)

After 20+hours of labor, the doctor decided that it was best to do a c-section. Jess didn't dilate past an 8, and the doc didn't want her to continue to just lay there waiting. The two prepped for surgery at about 4PM. As I'm sure you know, I wasn't allowed back there for the actual "birth"...which I know was disappointing for Jess. We sent a camera back with Jonathan though, so he got some good captures:)

Headed back for the c-section...

I was waiting for them to come out...camera ready!

Here is Noah, headed to the nursery! He hadn't even had a full "bath" yet! So "fresh" to this new world!

I had to take the rest of my photos through the window...

He was flicking his tongue!

That's one proud Daddy:)

Welcome to the world, Noah James! It was a long ride! Congrats to you both, Jess and Jonathan, as well as little sister Kaylynn! I feel so honored to have shared these special moments with you! Can't wait to get your album ready! Now get rested up for the nights ahead:)

- MB

Hannah | 2013 Senior | Chatham, Virginia Photographer

Hannah is a 2013 Homeschool Senior...go HS! (Just a plug here, but I'm currently homeschooling a child (not my own) and totally support the idea!) Hannah was a ton of fun and up for anything that I asked her to do:) When we started, I asked her if she liked having her photos taken...to which she replied, "not really." HA! Hopefully she has a different opinion after her session with us:) I just wrapped up editing her session, so I thought I would share a few faves until I can get them all uploaded for her into her gallery:) Check out this beautiful young lady!

Love her personality:)

A little black and white...

A little sass in purple...

Loved this dress...

And for something a little different...my little Thumbelina!

Hannah, we hope you love your senior photos! You were tons of fun and we are enjoying getting to know you!

2013 Senior? We still have a few slots left for September, and October is almost totally booked! To get started planning your session, just scroll back up and click the "Contact" tab at the top of the page. We look forward to hearing from you!

- MB

The Custers | Family Session | Chatham, Virginia Photographer

The Custers are some good friends of ours who live out of town...so since they were in for the weekend, they booked a session with us for their little family, and for Layla's turning ONE! We were so excited about this session! Layla is just too cute...and her Mommy and Daddy are so much fun to be around! I seriously think this is one of the cutest families ever!! It was too hard to pick only a few faves, so here are quite a few;) I'm not quite finished with the whole session yet, but these will hold them over!

Sun-shots are some of my favorites:)

Layla knows "nose!"

Daddy love:)

Mommy love:)

I don't know about you, but I think Layla looks a lot like Mommy here:)

There are too many of Layla on the quilt that I love!

Sigh.

Such a sweet, fun family!

Need a family session? Just scroll back up to the top of this page and choose the "Contact" tab to get started!

- MB

Kattie | 2013 Gretna Senior | Gretna, Virginia Photographer

Kattie is yet another beautiful senior that I've had the honor of photographing this year. Kattie's friend, Marissa, our first 2013 Senior, talked her into booking with me after she tagged along on her session:) So, I had already met Kattie prior to her session, and I knew she was going to be tons of fun! I loved her use of accessories, her hair color (it was lighter the last time I saw her), and her willingness to pose however I asked her to! I am not quite finished with her session, but here are a few favorites so far...I had a hard time narrowing them down!

We started downtown...

She has simply gorgeous eyes...

My absolute FAVORITE here...

Look at those LASHES!

Of course, as always, field shots are some of my favorites! Look how warm the light was! I was in LOVE...I could shoot there everyday and not get tired of it:)

When I told Kattie that I wanted to try a hat with her, she was hesitant at first..."I don't like hats!" I told her just try it...I must say, we were both happy with the results. I told her she might as well start wearing one everyday since she works it so well! :)

Yep, Kattie is a baller! She also plays volleyball! Quite the athlete:)

Thanks, Kattie, for booking your senior session with us! We had tons of fun with you! We hope you LOVE your photos:)

2013 Senior? It's not too late! Scroll back up to the top of the page and choose the "Contact" tab to start customizing your session with us today!

We look forward to working with you to make your senior photos memorable!

- MB

Mary | 2013 Gretna Senior | Gretna, Virginia Photographer

I had the pleasure of photographing Mary, a 2013 Gretna Senior...may I say that she is beautiful inside and out! When I first arrived, Mary and her Mom showed me all these neat things that Mary's grandmother had a hand in: a quilt, a painted milk can, a basket...her whole session would be centered around her Grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimers. I was touched! She would bring her Grandmother into the session through all of these things...

We started off at Mary's house, with her Grandmother's basket...not to mention some beautiful flowers:)

Isn't she gorgeous?!

Mary was so full of personality...

Here with the quilt her Grandmother made...beautiful! I wanted to take it home with me:) The pearls belonged to her other Grandmother...whom she was named after!

Mary comes from a farming family...and is a member of the FFA at her school:)

And this truck...my goodness, I loved this truck! Her parents actually dated in this truck! How awesome!

The sun was setting, but we squeezed in a few more poses...LOVE this one:)

And this bike matched her boots! How could I not use it?!

Thanks so much, Mary, for choosing us to do your Senior session! It was truly a pleasure meeting someone so strong in their faith as well:) We hope you love your senior photos...and can't wait to see you again soon!

2013 Senior? It's not too late! Scroll up to the top of the page and choose the "Contact" tab to start customizing your session today! We look forward to hearing from you!

- MB

Kolton is 1! | Chatham, Virginia Photographer

My sweet boy, Kolton, is 1 already!! I just can't believe it has been a whole year...it seems like just yesterday that I was pregnant, then in the hospital having this sweet bundle of joy. He truly was a bundle of joy...I can't remember life before him! My husband and I couldn't have asked for a bigger blessing...we have watched him grow from a little peanut to now a toddler! Kolton will forever hold a HUGE place in my heart...now, before I cry, here are some photos (just a few that I grabbed real quick!) that give a glance into the past year...

One of my favorite photos from the hospital...he hadn't even taken his first official breath yet!

Proud Daddy cutting the cord...

My little thumb sucker:)

3 months...the red chair photos begin!

The next few are from his 5 month session:) Some of my favorites!

LOVE the one below!

Sitting up like a big man!

March!

I SOOOO wish we could have gotten him smiling here...one of my favorites of the chair photos...we figured out a few minutes later that he just wasn't feeling well...

Teefies!

Look at him all big! Standing with his chair!!

May at the Beach:)

Walking at 9.5 months!

Kolton's first 4th!

My adventurous little man:) The next few are all 11 months...

First Haircut! At 11 months...

Here, he is almost 1!

This photo was used for his Birthday Party invitations...

I still haven't blogged his cake smash session...I am WAY behind on editing his photos! He enjoyed it, that's for sure! We used my old high chair--yep, you heard that right, this was my high chair when I was a baby! He uses it every time he is at Nana & Poppa's:)

At his Birthday Party...a "barnyard" theme:)

Running around with is candle:)

And...on the 15th...his 1st Birthday! Such a big boy now! And no, I didn't make that amazing birthday poster prop:) Nor the onesie! All thanks to Etsy!

Sigh. I can't believe it. I just can't! And I'm sure the years ahead will fly by just as quickly...I'll just watch him grow and steal all the hugs and kisses that I can:)

Thanks for taking the time to read my sappy post!

~Blessed beyond measure~

- MB

Kristen | 2013 Gretna High Senior | Gretna, Virginia Photographer

Kristen is a 2013 Gretna Senior. We were stoked about doing her session down by the sunflower field! She is a country gal and fit into the location perfectly:) There were even a few moments when Pocahontas popped into my head! Ha! I haven't quite finished her session yet, but here are a few of my favorites so far!

Thanks for choosing us to do your Senior photos, Kristen! We hope you love them:)

2013 Senior? There's still time! Scroll back up and choose the "Contact" tab to get started customizing your session with us!

- MB

Rae Anne | 2013 Altavista Senior | Altavista, VA Photographer

Rae Anne was a ton of fun to photograph...I didn't know her before, and found out that she survived a really bad car accident in January. She is so blessed to still be with us! She was so excited about her session...and you know we LOVE excited clients!! Here are a few favorites from her session:

Thanks, Rae Anne for booking MBP for your senior portraits! We hope you love them:)

2013 Seniors! It's not too late, but Fall is booking fast! Just scroll back to the top of the page and choose the "Contact" tab to start planning your session with us!

- MB

I Heart Faces Challenge | Pets | Chatham, Virginia Photographer

This month's IHF challenge is Pet Faces. I just took this photo of my son yesterday, then I got online this morning to find out that pets were the challenge! How awesome?! I will cherish this photo for many years to come...I didn't plan for the dog to be in the photo, he just showed up! Sweet Lil'Bit!

Sigh. Melts my heart!

Head on over and check out the other challenge entries!

-MB

Jessica | Maternity | Gretna, Virginia Photographer

Jess is a good friend of mine...so I was so excited when I heard she was expecting! With that being said, I was even more thrilled when she asked me for a maternity session! She is very creative, so I knew she would have tons of ideas to throw at me:) Together we came up with some cute things to celebrate this special time for her and her hubby, Jonathan! I was bummed we ran out of daylight, but we still got a lot of photos! Here are a few of my favorites so far:

Alexis | 2013 Senior | Danville, VA Photographer

Alexis, a 2013 Gretna Senior, contacted us about her Senior portraits and we were thrilled to do a downtown shoot with her:) I think it totally "fit"  her and we hope that she loves her photos! Teresa and I were so excited about her photos that we talked about them the whole way home! I couldn't wait to get started editing!  Seniors have become my favorites to "shoot." For now, here are a few favorites from her session!

She has gorgeous eyes!

Thanks Alexis for choosing MBP to do your senior photos! We hope you love them all:)

2013 Senior? Want photos with flair? Just scroll back up and use the "Contact" tab to get started planning your session!

- MB

Previews! | Danville, VA Family Photography

Jennifer called to book a session with her and 4 kids...I was excited to do it because I have "shot" her kids before and already knew how beautiful they were! We discussed the style she would like and she mentioned using a chair. I told her I didn't have one, so we both set out looking. Well, Jennifer scored the chair, and it was the perfect color for the field shots she wanted in front of her house! We started off downtown...then headed back to the field. We had such a great session...Here are a few previews to hold them over until I'm finished:)

Aren't they all gorgeous?! I can't wait to finish this session! Be sure to add us on Facebook so you can keep up with our latest sessions!

- MB