It is a tradition, not long standing, but now a three year tradition.  For the past three years I have gone to a pumpkin patch with my friends, the M’s.  They have two adorable kids.  If you follow this blog you see lots of photos of Jackson and now he has a baby sister.  This year also the F family  joined in the fun.  The day was windy, dry and dusty.  Not the prettiest but the photos are really some of my favorites, conjuring up images from the early twentieth century.

Caroline, Jackson and Charlotte searching for THE perfect pumpkin.

Mom taking a photo of her enchanting child.

One of my favorite images ever.

And this one too.

The Great Pumpkin!

young love

Optimal viewing for the pumpkin cannons

the littlest pumpkin

I photographed this session on Halloween of last year and figured I should post this as I have completed Tate’s Nine Month Session.   Tate’s parents are documenting Tate’s first year as they did with their oldest, Ansley.    I love going to their house and seeing photos hanging and sitting on tables.  They buy small prints and Kaelin displays them with larger matts and beautiful frames.  Must be her interior designing skills!! 

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And Happy New Decade!  Two thousand ten. Twenty ten.  Sounds good to me!  Thanks to everyone who has supported my work and trusted me to photograph them.  2009 was a great year for change, learning, starting new things, getting back into art!   Over the Christmas holiday I headed to Baltimore to spend time with my brother and his family.  One day my sister in law and I went to Winterthur in Wilmington, Delaware.  It was a winter wonderland!!   

Canadian geese gather on clean, untouched snow at Winterthur.

At the front of the house, tree shadows provide a beautiful backdrop for this little holly tree.

Announcing new services and the January White Sale at Mary Claire Studio.  Contact the studio for pricing information and to get on the mailing list to receive white sale specials.                             

Classic Studio session                                  

• In studio session in our studio in the heart of Nashville
• Up to 30 minutes creating images
• On line gallery to purchase from with 10-20 images
• Phone or studio selection consultation available

Black and White Fine Art Portrait                                                                                   

            In studio session with all images captured in black and white.  A limited on line gallery with 10-20 proofs from the session will be presented to you to make your selection for a petite gallery print (4×6, 5×5 image size) matted and framed to 11×14.

This collection also includes 2 5×7 gift prints of the image chosen for your fine art piece.

Baby’s First Year Classic                                                                       

• 4 sessions in studio documenting 3, 6, 9 and 12 months
• 4 image panel, matted and ready for a frame
• On line gallery for selecting your favorites and ordering additional prints

I am still offering lifestyle sessions at your home or on location!  

A classic portrait in black and white.

I first photographed these girls about two years ago, the youngest was just a baby!   I see them about twice a year.  I feel like I am part of the family.  This session was especially fun and challenging.  Fun because I got so many cool expressions, we got Daisy, the dog into the photos and mom loved my favorite light!!  Challenging because the youngest would not cooperate at first as you will see in the first image.   

Such a diva! We got her to loosen up by playing peek a boo!

A beauty!

love this!

This made the Christmas card and they just did this on their own!

This also made the card!

Exercise for dad, fun for kiddo!

Sweet girl!

We found ladybugs!

This makes me smile!

LOL!

time for Daisy's close-up!

nap time

Today I carried (this is a total souther expression and I like to use it on occasion) my mom to the fabric store,  Textile Fabrics to be exact.   I had not been in this store in at least 5 years, probably more.  I used to LOVE to go there and look through the pattern books.  I looked at.every.bolt.of.fabric dreaming of the garments I was going to make.   Well today my sewing desire has been renewed.  I can not believe how hip sewing AND knitting are these days.  I am so happy, beaming really!    

This got me thinking about all those places and things I loved doing as a child that really fed my soul, although at the time I did not realize.  Anyone remember the Craft Shack in 100 Oaks Mall? or Sew Unique in Bandywood Village?  There were so many more of these little craft places.  I love PLA-ZA art supply but really loved the disarray when it was Griffins.   

Another I loved doing as a child was swinging.  I still like to swing.  When I lived in my condo at Belle Meade Highlands the swing set was literally in my back yard.  My neighbors and I would swing and let our dogs run around.   A few weeks ago I went with my neighbors to Grandma’s house to get some cool swing photos.  Imagine being 3.5 and swinging among the pine trees!  How freeing and delightful!!  

After the session we went down to the marina to feed the ducks. Here is Barnyard, the head duck, and his entourage!

After each session I always photo the pets. This is Oliver basking in the sun.

Blake. He was traumatized, attacked by two dogs a few months back and we are lucky he is still with us!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet family.  A great creative bunch they are!  It was so much fun even though the weather was a bit dismal.  Sweet kids with great style and Lucy, the dog who likes to hang out with the kids and is especially fond of chasing bubbles.   Here are a few of my faves from that morning. 

Lots of love for the pooch!

The youngest playing a vintage farm set that belonged to her mommy.

Reading to Lucy.

Lucy!

Bubble girl.

This is just too cute!

Reading

Beautiful window light.

with mom

Ballerina in the making?

I just love this family.  These kids have so much imagination.  Their personalities shine through in these images.   

Looking serious.

I really like this image. AC refused to join the group. She is wearing a dress that her mom wore.

The youngest...so sweet.

With mom.

The next few images are my favorites from the session. I love all the messiness and chaos.

and more chaos!

This makes me laugh!

The orange and pink tutu.

So great to have brothers and a sister.

Hamming it up for the camera!

Meet Tate and her sister Ansley.  I photographed their parents wedding about 6 years ago!  They keep coming back to me and I am thankful for their love of my work.  We did Ansley’s first year photos a few years ago and now have begun Tate’s.  Here she is at 3 months.   Check out these sweet girls and their Momma!! 

Tate and Kaelin. All window light.

Tate's big sister, Ansley. All window light!

I love this image.

"Cute, cute little baby, little fingers, little toes!"

I have always thought Ansley was wise.

Tate distracted by her sister.

Cuteness!!

The girls on the front porch.

My sweet neighbor Mollie

Blowing out the candle on her Hello Kitty cake.

 turns three and has a party to celebrate complete with hamburgers, hotdogs, cake and yummy homemade ice cream. 

Oliver, the birthday party greeter.

Mollie!!

Enjoying cake and her birthday stash!

Old Hickory Village is a fantastic place to live and I am blessed to have such wonderful neighbors.  Last Friday was a time for neighborhood wide block parties.  Ours was short lived thanks to the rain but was fun anyway!  

A two year olds life of drawing on the concrete with chalk.

Could it be young love?

Laughter!!

Friendship.