Category: Family Portraits

Happy World Down Syndrome Day from Miss Adalyn-Katy Photographer

Katy Photographer – MJ

I was given the honor of taking Adalyn’s Valentine portraits when she was 5 months old. Her mommy had told me that she was extra special, that she also had down syndrome. She also had told me about the hole in her heart, so I had to get a special outfit for her.

Her mommy, Carrie, has written their story to share with all of you. Here is one of my favorite images of her! <3

Katy photographer

“As many first time parents, much thought, planning and intention go into having a child. Through Chad and I’s 10 years of building our relationship we often pondered the idea of one day having a child. We both put a lot of thought and consideration into what this would mean for our lives and how things would change. Having a child is the absolute biggest, most life-changing experience one could have. After much deliberation we decided it was time.

A month later it happened! Even though we “planned”, we were still beyond shocked. We were both in disbelief for the first couple days, maybe even weeks. The day after discovering the news Chad headed out to a training mission in California for a month and I headed off to Hawaii with a good friend, Erika, for a Salsa Convention. I had the time of my life! We danced, hiked, zumba’d through the week and before we knew it, we were on our way back. It was a wonderful distraction since I decided I wanted to wait until Chad’s return to see the doctor.

He returned and doctor confirmed we were in fact pregnant. During this first appointment the doctor asked if we were interested in completing an optional triple screening to potentially detect chromosomal and other various deficiencies with the baby. We opted in because we wanted to be prepared and educated if something was to arise.

A few weeks later we received the results, the day after Easter to be precise. I was 12 weeks along and it was a day we could never forget and never in a million years would we have imagined that we would be the 1 in 700 individuals to test with a 99.9% possibility of trisomy 21. Trisomy 21 is triplication of the 21st chromosome resulting in down’s syndrome.

It took a couple of days of just Chad and I internalizing the diagnosis and then we jumped right into embracing it and started really educating ourselves and trying to prepare. We started sharing the news with each individual family member in which case everyone was extremely supportive. For extended family and friends we wrote a letter and explained that we were expecting our baby girl and that we were fairly sure she would have down’s syndrome and we hoped everyone would be as willing and excited to welcome our baby Adalyn into the world as we were.

The pregnancy from that point on was scary! Everything was scary! Absolutely traumatizing. I had lots, and LOTS of ultrasounds. In fact one every other day for two weeks. They nearly took her at 22 weeks due to lack of fluid. Yes, traumatic! Long story short we had Adalyn 4 days shy of full term! That same day we discovered she had a massive hole in the center of her heart therefore, where normally there are four chambers, she has a mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. She spent 2 weeks in the NICU but from day one she was surpassing any and all expectations doctors had thought. The main objective during this time was weight gain and getting her to complete feeds in case heart surgery was imminent and the fact that she was born at 4lbs. 6 oz. They wanted to beef her up before going home and ensure she would thrive.

She is now 6 months old and heart doctors are boggled with how much progress she’s had in closing her holes in her heart all by herself, no medication! With her particular heart defect the majority need immediate surgery. Her heart doctor is now projecting surgery won’t be necessary until she’s around 1 years old. This is amazing because the larger they are the easier the surgery is for them. There’s also a chance she may not even need the surgery however our doctor said she would be his first if this is true.

With this being said, we can plan all that we want, but if you are the chosen one for an exceptional circumstance you simply re-write your plan. We couldn’t be any more happy, proud, or love our daughter anymore than we do. Adalyn having down’s syndrome has increased our awareness as well as our families. It has educated us and lastly it has opened our hearts to an entire new population of individuals that bring such a joy to life. We could never be more thankful for those three reasons alone.

So Happy World Downs Syndrome Day!! We know ours will be!!”

Here are some of the images from Adalyn’s sessions. Isn’t she beautiful?

MJ’s Photography is a Katy Photographer

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Katy Photographer – MJ’s Photography

Portraits with Grandparents- Katy family photographers

MJ’s Photography is a Katy family photographers.

What is the thing that helps us remember our childhood? Portraits. What is the one thing we hold on to when we lose someone? Our family portrait. It is so important to get photos as a family, but I think there is one thing that we forget. We need pictures of our children with their grandparents. Not only are our children getting older, but so are our parents. We need to make sure to take the time to get those very special portraits with them as well. We need something to pass down to our children when they are grown.

Luxury photographer in Houston — Katy family photographers

I took my own advice and dedicated a shoot for my Mother in law, Kay, and my daughter, Emma Lyn. They had a lot of fun and I am so glad they we captured these priceless moments. It is so important to get Family Portraits.

My daughter is now 7 and I adore going back to these images and seeing the bond that they have always had. Both have gotten older, but their bond has gotten stronger.

MJ’s Photography | Katy family photographers|

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Traveling Europe-Amsterdam. Cypress tx family photographer

~~Cypress tx family photographer – MJ’s Photography~~

After London, we flew to the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam. There were so many beautiful things about this city. Flower shops are everywhere, its quite a site. Fresh flowers line the streets.

I was so shocked at the amount of people who bike there. They definitely rule the roads there. I will never again complain about loading my child into the carseat of my car in Killeen and going grocery shopping. These mommas head to the grocery store, kids in tow on the bike…while it’s raining!!! Then their groceries either hang on the handlebars or sit in a basket on the front. Did I mention it was like 30 degrees and raining. Wow. Hats off.

Jordan and I did a lot of walking. We walked the streets up and down. Some people live on boats in the river. House boats. I was amazed, I have never seen this. Of course I had to photograph it. Nice and neat, tucked away.

House Boats in Amsterdam-Cypress tx family photographer

We also ventured into the Red light district…I had to see it, just for a moment. No pictures are allowed there of course. I walked the street once and was done. Prostitution is legal in Amsterdam, as well as weed. So if you didn’t know already, that is the basis of the Red light district. A whole different world that my mind cannot comprehend.

One of the most memorable sites that we saw was the Anne Frank house. The line wraps around the building, so if you decide to go, buy online. When we went inside, it’s like a time capsule. You are instantly taken back to the 1940s and you feel a lot of emotions. The house where they hid has been kept exactly like it was, unfurnished by the wishes of Otto Frank, but even the magazine clippings that Anne had hung are still there. If you ever go to Amsterdam, this site is a must. Pictures are not allowed inside, but below I will post an iPhone picture of the outside.

Anne Frank house-Killeen Photographer. iPhone picture — Anne Frank house-Cypress tx family photographer

Here are some more random photos that I took. I hope you enjoy them!

To read more about Amsterstam, below is a link.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam

Amsterdam streets-Cypress tx family photographer

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MJ’s Photography

Traveling throughout Europe-Houston Couple Photographer

Houston Couple Photographer

Every couple of years my husband and I decide to travel. Most of the time it is throughout Europe, this time was no different, but of course we traveled to different places.

We started our trip by flying to London. We stayed 3 nights total. It was everything I imagined. Beautiful city! If you ever have the chance to go, do! Of course the first thing you notice is the cars traveling on the opposite side of the road and the vehicles have the steering wheel on the opposite side as well. Every time we crossed the street, I was so confused!

We visited some amazing sites while we were there. The Tower of London was an all day affair. It was fantastic. In the states, we don’t have things that date back that far, so it is always amazing to see them in person. It dates back to to 1078AD. Insane! It was used as a prison for a while and you could see the markings people left while being detained. Prayers, pleads, confessions of innocence, you name it.

Here is an picture I took just as the sun had set.

Here is one of the torture methods they used at the Tower of London. It was a stretcher…

Houston Photographer — Torture equipment at the Tower of London

Ravens are seen all throughout the Tower of London. They are not afraid and come quite close. Their presence is traditionally believed to protect the crown and the tower; a superstition holds that “if the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravens_of_the_Tower_of_London (for more information)

We also walked around the city streets in London. Westminster is a popular place to go. It is known as the Parliament of the UK. Of course it also has Buckingham palace, where the royal family lives! I didn’t take any professional images, but we of course snapped some selfies 😉

Buckinham Palace-Houston Photographer — Buckinham Palace-Houston Couple Photographer

I forced my husband to be my “model” so that I could capture this gorgeous sunset on the London streets! <3

Next we fly to Amsterdam, Holland. The Netherlands captital!

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MJ’s Photography

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MJ’s Photography – Houston newborn photos

MJ does Houston newborn photos. I live for the sweet baby poses. I had the honor of taking Tyler’s newborn portraits. He was 8 days old at the time of his shoot. His big sister, Emma, is two and was amazing for newborn and sibling shots.

He wasn’t having the sleeping part at the beginning, but I love awake shots just as much as those sleepy poses. If you do not know how to swaddle, learn! It is so important for those times where baby just wants to be awake. Embrace it. He was awake for a good solid hour. We went ahead and did sibling shots, family shots, and then moved on to swaddled poses.

Newborn photography tyler tx — Baby Tyler was awake for a good portion of his Newborn session. How could you not love those eyes? Houston newborn photos

Newborn photography is unpredictable. You can have a plan, but that doesn’t mean you will get to follow it. The babies run the show, we just follow their lead. You have to learn to be able to adapt to any situation and learn how to pose each individual baby. Once Tyler fell asleep, he let me pose him whichever way I wanted. So we did around 5 poses in 30 minutes. Just in time for him to have to go, if you know what I mean, and wake himself up!

Here is one of my favorite shots from Tyler’s newborn portrait session at my in home studio in Houston Texas. The taco pose. This pose is no easy task, if you have tried it, then you know!

Another helpful tip. Do not get frustrated or stressed. The newborn can sense this and it will only make matters worse. Stay calm, play white noise, keep it warm, and if all else fails, swaddle them up!

Here are some more images from Tyler’s newborn session. I love changing out wraps and poses.

Most of all. Remember to be safe. No pose is worth the risk.

Houston newborn photos

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Cypress family photography

I am a Cypress family photography. I service Central Texas which includes, Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, The Woodlands, Conroe, Sugar Land, and Pear Land.

I get a lot of requests to take clients sessions at certain times of the day. I always reply with ” I hold all of my portrait sessions during the Golden hour.” I then explain why. So for people wondering what the Golden hour is and why I choose to shoot then, here you go!

The golden hour is that hour before sunset (or sunrise…but most people do not want to get up that early). It provides that soft, dreamy, golden hazed light that I live for. I love the effect that it gives to my images. Sure some of those can be achieved in photoshop, but it is not the same. The golden hour changes with each season, so there is not an exact time year round.

Are there any exceptions? Sure there are. If it is a cloudy day or if the portraits are going to be taken indoor(I mostly do newborns sessions and sitter sessions indoor). If it is cloudy, the sun will not produce that harsh sunlight, so it is then possible to shoot outside of the golden hour.

Will I really decline a session if the client insists on shooting outside of that time frame? If it is not cloudy, then yes I will. Professional portraits are an investment and are timeless. I strive to make every image worthy of hanging on your wall for years to come and if the lighting is not there, it is limited. If you are going to pass down your family portrait to your children, it deserves to be perfect. I am a family photographer that strives to create that perfect piece of art for your family.

I am going to show a couple sessions that I have taken during the golden hour, here in Killeen, Texas. I will then upload an image that was taken at noon, when the lighting was harsh. If you look for it, you will immediately notice the difference in the skin tone.

MJ’s Photography |Cypress family photography| Sugar Land family photographer|

Now for the noon session. Notice the shadows, the highlights, and his skin tone. He is still cute, but imagine what the image would like like with amazing light.

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Cypress family photography

Serving the Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pear Land, and Conroe.

All work and no play? Do you have mom guilt? Fulshear family photographer – MJ’s Photography

Fulshear family photographer – MJ’s Photography

I decided today…I do not take enough pictures of Emma Lyn playing…being herself. I am always so busy building my business in Fulshear that I sometimes forget why I even started this. Her. I love what I do, but it is so time consuming. There is no time outside of her and photography. I miss a lot of events, get togethers, and friend time because I want to be successful. I can deal with that. But I cannot deal with missing all of the little moments she provides for me. So I’m not. I will capture more memories of my own daughter. Her silly expressions, her personality, and most of all her heart!

Mom’s have it rough. We want to do something other than be a mom, but when we do, we feel guilty. At least I do. Everyone says we can’t have it both ways. But can we? Can we do both? I think so. I think it is tiresome and I think your free time will be non-existent (not that there was much to begin with.) But I think if you want something, go for it. Our kids are not holding us back, they are why we are doing it! (Don’t worry, I have to keep telling myself that too 😉 )

Here she is today peeping at the neighbors in Fulshear. She swears they have a dinosaur.

Fulshear family photography — Fulshear family photographer

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Serving Fulshear, Cypress, Katy, and the Houston areas.

Best photographer cypress tx

Miss Savannah was born with a hole in her heart. Here is her story from her mommy as well as some photos from her “My scar is beautiful” session.

Savannah. She just went through heart surgery! We are showing off her scar with a photo shoot!

“Savannah was born with AVSD, atrioventricular septal defect, or better
known as a hole in her heart. The main side effect Savannah
experienced with AVSD was poor weight gain (only barely reaching the
3rd percentile for her age on some occasions) and even with the
medications and extra calories added to her milk, her little heart was
working overtime burning those calories. She would become tired
quickly, therefore not eating as much as she needed to grow. We decided
to ahead with the surgery to repair her heart when Savannah was 7
months old and with a great surgeon and God’s hand, Savannah’s surgery
was successful and we do not anticipate any future surgeries. She
gained a whole pound in less than 2 weeks post-surgery and is now in the
28% for her weight and age!”

Best photographer cypress tx – MJ’s Photography

“Mary Ann (MJ’s Photography) did Savannah’s newborn photos and at the time I did not share her condition but when her Daddy was able to take emergency leave from his deployment, to be with Savannah during the surgery, we had a small window for a family photo session that of course we asked Mary Ann to do. At that time we shared with her the circumstances and Mary Ann offered to do a special session for Savannah after her surgery and at first I was hesitate. I know my daughter will not remember her time in the hospital or the many
prayers over her, but she will always have her scar. Savannah will
always have these beautiful photographs showing the beauty and
strength she has had since she was a baby and she does not ever need
to hide or be ashamed of her scar.”

Best photographer cypress tx – MJ’s Photography

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www.mjthephotog.com

Weston lakes photography

MJ’s Photography captures Weston lakes photography in the Houston, Cypress area.

I finally took some time to take some pictures for me. For my soul if you will. Sometimes you just have to pick up your camera and see where it leads you. Usually it leads me straight to my two year old, Emma Lyn. I usually get her running around, as two year olds do. But this time, I wanted some close ups. Some that really capture her beauty and her soul.

Little back story. She tells everyone, “mamma takes pictures of babies.” (although I do all portraits and not just babies lol) She is always curious about the beanbag I use for the newborns, the wraps, the outfits. Anytime I drop her off with daddy or at Mothers Day out, she says its because I am taking pictures of babies. She is obsessed!

Capturing newborn, children, and family portraits is my speciality, I love capturing each child’s personality.

If you are in the Weston Lakes area, check out my website!

Now back to her photos. I asked her if she wanted to get on the beanbag and act like a baby for me to take pictures. Her little eyes lit up and she was so excited! So I stripped her down and swaddled her up(with a maternity gown ha ha) I placed a 12 month knitted bonnet on her and posed her! She followed my instructions and of course pretended to sleep for some. This only lasted 5 minutes, let’s be serious, she is two! But it was enough for me 🙂

Weston lakes photography – MJ’s Photography