Category: Portraits

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cypress first birthday portrait

MJ – cypress first birthday portrait

Have you heard of a Cake Smash session? There are a lot of trends that come and go, but a Cake Smash session is here to stay. I am a Cypress baby photographers and I love doing Cake Smash Sessions. I typically schedule them when the baby is around 11 months old. That way they are done by the time the Birthday party is thrown!

Here’s how Cake Smash sessions go down at MJ’s Photography |cypress first birthday portrait

We plan a theme. Since most of my Cake Smash sessions are of clients who are part of my “grow with me” plan, meaning I have done their newborn portraits and 6 & 9 month milestones, we usually already have a consistent theme going with their little one. I do get new clients that come in just for their Cake Smash session, in that case we put together some ideas. I am more of a simple background kind of photographer, so I stick to the basics. What colors do they want? What theme is their birthday party going to be done in? I provide most of the props, such as the large number 1, the things for them to sit on, the background banner that displays O-N-E, and some other accessories. Of course lots of parents choose to bring more and that is completely ok!

cypress first birthday portrait – MJ

We plan outfits for their Cake Smash session. I allow a couple outfit changes. We usually do one outfit before the cake, that way we can get an “official” first birthday portrait. Then we change them into their “cake smash outfit.” For girls, some opt for the tutu and necklace look, a romper, or a cute onsie with a number 1 displayed. For boys, my favorite option is the shorts with suspenders and a little hat! Some other cute options are bloomers and a matching bow tie, or just a diaper cover. Again, less is more.

Parents bring the cake for the Cake Smash session. The main reason for this is because of allergies. Each baby is different and it is safer if the parent brings the cake. I am big on baby safety whether it is a newborn portrait or a cake smash session. Most opt for the smaller cake. There is not need for a huge cake to make it a success. You want to bring the cake at room temperature, that way it is easier to dig into. Of course, living in Texas, this is never a problem! Colors to avoid? Red. Why? It is so hard to clean off of them and leaves them with a skin dye for a little while. For icing, avoid fondant-it is really hard to break into and can create a choking hazard.

Can I just assume that my baby will dig in? No. Not all babies will. My daughter wanting nothing to do with the cake and avoided it at all costs. Some do that. She also had never had cake before. Babies are hesitant with new textures, so give them a little practice run before with a small cupcake, this will help.

Lastly, make sure to bring wet wipes, extra clothes, and plan on giving your little one a good bath when they get home! There will be cake everywhere, but that’s the whole point of a Cake Smash session!

Cake smash sessions are a blast. It is such an amazing way to capture their personalities for their first birthday. I love photographing first birthdays. So much personalities in such little babies! The only problem with cake smash sessions is, WHY DIDN’T THEY COME AROUND SOONER! I wish I had one of myself ha ha!

MJ – cypress first birthday portrait

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When is the best time to book a newborn session? Weston lakes newborn photographer

Weston lakes newborn photographer | When should I book a newborn session? – MJ’s Photography

Baby Dynver| Weston lakes newborn photographer

The best time to book your baby’s newborn session is during your pregnancy. Here is why!

You will be tired. With a new bundle of joy running the schedule in the house, you will easily forget what day of the week it is. You will want to nap any chance you get and will not have time to search for that perfect newborn photographer. If you do already have that newborn photographer picked out, but haven’t contacted them, they may already be booked or you may not get around to calling them while your baby is still young enough to be posed.

Time flies by quick. Most newborn photographers prefer to photograph newborns under 14 days old. If you wait until you are home from the hospital to book your session, the photographer might be booked during that time frame. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of them being booked. If you wait past two weeks, the sleepy poses that you see floating around on the internet, are not as possible. You may not get the photographer you want, meaning those precious moments you wanted photographed perfectly, won’t happen.

Baby Jaiden | Weston lakes newborn photographer

Newborns are Unpredictable. Newborns can come early, they can come late or they can come right on time, you never know! If you wait until the very last minute, there is no guarantee that you will have time to research your newborn photographer. So it is best to start your research early and get your photographer booked.

For MJ’s Photography, it is never to early to book. Some of my clients book me as soon as they find out that they are pregnant. They want to make sure their spot is secure and that is one less thing that they have to worry about. I typically write down their due date and make sure to keep the week before, during, and after open for their session. If their baby comes early, I adjust.

Baby Nathan | Weston lakes newborn photographer

You want to make sure you budget for your newborn session. Good newborn photographers are not cheap. Professional newborn photographers are legal and pay their taxes. They are trained to handle your newborn baby safely. Most will provide everything you need for your newborn session. From outfits, to headbands and wraps, you will be covered. Some have professional lighting in their studio, others will travel to you and prefer natural lighting. For me, I have an in home studio in Killeen, Texas equipped with professional lighting and a closet full of amazing props.

Here is an example of posing safely. This is a pose that is composite. Professional newborn photographers will NOT try to pose your baby like this without using a composite done in photoshop. Below is the final image and the two images I took to create this portrait. Safety is always a priority.

Baby Harlyn| Weston lakes newborn photographer

Photographing newborns takes patience and training. Make sure your precious newborn is photographed perfectly, they will never be this little again.

Weston lakes newborn photographer

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Best photographer in Sugar Land

I am a Newborn Photographer located in Katy Texas. Best photographer in Sugar Land.

Harlyn was just 11 days old during her newborn session. The ideal time for a newborn session is 15 days or less. During this time they are still sleepy and they really curl into all of those beautiful poses. Harlyn slept during her entire session and was such a joy to photograph.

Here are some sneak peeks from her precious newborn session taken at my studio in Central Texas.

Here are some more favorites from her newborn session. All of the beautiful head pieces are made and designed by Lucky Crickets. Below is the link to her Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LuckyCrickets?ref=shop_sugg

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Best photographer in Sugar Land

www.mjthephotog.com

Newborn photography in Sugarland tx

MJ’s photography does Newborn photography in Sugarland tx.

I have an in home studio where I photograph these precious newborn babies! Kannon was born at 36 weeks, on the night of his mom’s maternity portraits! He spent around a week in the NICU, but after that he was allowed to go home! Being an Aunt of a NICU baby was hard. I cannot imagine the toll that it takes on the parents. If you have ever went through it, my hat is off to you.

Kannon in the NICU- Newborn photography in Sugarland tx

Once he got out of the NICU, they brought him to me for his newborn pictures. I was so excited! I had some new poses that I wanted to try out and he was the perfect model! He loves his legs right up by head, so of course the “froggy pose” was a must! For the non-photographers out there, that is the pose where they rest their chins on their hands and their feet are up by their head. Here it is below, he nailed it!

MJ’s Photography- Newborn photography in Sugarland tx

Kannon is around 2 weeks old here. Isn’t he the cutest! The froggy pose is done by taking two images and compositing them together. It is always done safely.

He was so sleepy during his session. I was able to capture a lot. Here are some more favorites from his gallery! We went on for about three hours! Look at his little smile. It was the cutest moment.

And the glasses! Aaahhhh I love it!

Mommy really wanted the pose with the aviators. I think we nailed it! Newborn sessions are some of my favorite types of sessions. I just can’t get enough of these sweet babies!

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Newborn photography in sugarland tx

https://www.facebook.com/coutureparfait/?fref=ts

Cypress maternity photographer – MJ’s Photography

I am a Cypress maternity photographer. When my little sister told me she was pregnant, my first thought was, “Maternity Session!!!!” We decided to do something a little different and head to downtown Austin. It is around an 3 from Cypress, not to far. She was 36 weeks at her maternity session. We had her session scheduled for a Wednesday, she called me on that Monday and stressed that she needed her session tonight. As in that day. I moved some appointments around and we went to Austin to do her maternity session. She started having contractions at the end of the session. She went into labor that NIGHT and had Kannon the next morning! When you know, you know! I am so glad we were able to get her maternity session done!

Below is one of the street shots in downtown Austin from her Maternity Session. She is in one of my favorite gowns from Couture Parfait. Check out her shop below, let her know that I sent you 😉

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoutureParfait

We of course had to go on the top of a building for that one of a kind shot! Isn’t she glowing with her baby bump!

City shoots are beautiful. I can’t wait to do more in downtown Houston. Here are some more from her Downtown Maternity Session.

MJ’s Photography-Cypress maternity photographer

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Cypress maternity photographer

Are you looking for a maternity photographer in Katy? Let’s talk about photographing your baby bump!

You should try to book your maternity session before 20 weeks, to make sure I have availability! I only book a certain number of maternity sessions a month. Ideally maternity sessions take place between 30-34 weeks. Once you hit 36 weeks, swelling tends to come up, as well as being tired! Some mommas do go earlier than 40 weeks, so 30-34 is usually safer.

I have a large collection of couture gowns and dresses for you to use for your session. You are welcome to do your maternity portraits in studio or outdoors. Most maternity clients want to order custom wall art for their home, so I want it to be perfect for you!

All maternity sessions can include your family! Professional hair and makeup is included for you, as well as use of gowns and dresses! This session is mainly about you and your pregnancy bump, but I love capturing your family with you. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and you want it to be perfect, let me create these for you.

After your maternity session, we will go over your gorgeous images together and select which product suites your needs best. From custom wall art, heirloom albums, and gorgeous printed products, we will find what is best for you.

Twin Boys 1st Birthday – Baby Photography Sugar Land, TX

Baby photography sugar land tx

I am a Baby photography sugar land tx who enjoys photographing 1st Birthdays! What’s harder than having a toddler? Having two toddlers of course! I was honored to be chosen as their photographer in the Sugar Land and Houston area to capture their First Birthday. Ezra and Enzo were a joy to photograph. Ezra was as fast as lighting, while Enzo would take his time getting from A to B. Photographing them in the same shot took a little bit of work, but we got amazing portraits of both of the Birthday boys. Two completely different personalities in two adorable little boys! Their daddy is currently deployed and he is scheduled to come back soon! I know they are all ready to be back together.

Of course we had to get a couple portraits of them in the Bluebonnets! They are on a perfect piece of land around the Killeen Texas area. There are quite a few fields of them in the Killeen and Temple area, you just have to be on the lookout! I just love these of the boys!

*Ezra and Enzo in the Bluebonnets-MJ’s Photography- Baby photography sugar land tx

Mommy even ordered some cute shirts for their First Birthday portrait session! Remember how I said they moved at different speeds? This is how we got some of them together, a crate! <3 By the end, mommy, grandma, and myself were tired. The boys…not so much 😉

MJ’s Photography- Baby photography sugar land tx

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Baby photography sugar land tx

Newborn photography katy tx – MJ

Killeen Newborn Photographer Temple Newborn Photographer — Fay’s Story-Newborn photography katy tx

MJ does Newborn photography katy tx. I was scrolling through a moms group on Facebook one evening when I saw a post by a mother who had delivered her baby girl at 26 weeks. I had just recently moved to the area and didn’t know a lot of people, but I saw her post and I knew instantly that I wanted to offer to drive to Austin from Katy, Texas to photograph sweet Fay in the NICU. Right away Krystal responded with a yes! There were only certain times that Fay could be held. At 1 pound, you can imagine how fragile she was. If I am remembering correctly, it was around 11:30am when I got there. I remember scrubbing in to go into the NICU, talking to Fay’s dad beforehand, and then the first time I saw her. She was so tiny. She looked like a Barbie doll. But oh was she beautiful. I could see the personality in her right away! When Krystal finally got to hold her sweet girl, she busted into tears, which I did capture. What you don’t see, is me crying as well. I enjoy photographing newborns, this was a first for me.

Fay’s mom, Krystal, wrote a little bit about Fay’s story.

“Fay was born March 17, 2015 weighing only 1 lb 13 oz and 13 inches long. She was born at 26 weeks which is 14 weeks early. She spent 98 days in the NICU at St. Davids Medical Center in Austin. During that time she had 4 blood transfusion, was brought back to life on day 2, had a tear in her esophagus, was on a c-pap, NG tube to help her eat, got staff, and scolding skin. Fay stayed strong and on June 22, 2015 she came home. After bringing her home she had 3-4 doctors appointments a day until December of 2015. Fay had a NG tube(feeding tube) placed placed in September due to the fact that she was not growing as much as she should. After going through many different tests and seeing multiple doctors, the conclusion was made that Fay was going to be a slow growing baby. She would only gain 6-8 grams a day (average 20-30 grams a day) and had the NG tube removed. Now during all of this Fay has grown and developed beyond what anyone thought she ever would. She is eating one her own, crawling, has one doctors appointment a week, and is slowly catching up with babies her age. Some of her favorite things to do are feeding herself, chasing her two dogs around the house, getting into whatever she can, splashing in the bath, being read and sang to, and most of all she loves exploring the world around her. It truly is a blessing to get to watch her grow and become her own person.”

I had kept in contact with them after the session and we discussed her newborn session. I was so excited to be her Newborn photography katy tx. After Fay’s 98 days in the NICU, she finally came home. That very next day, they brought her to my in-home studio for her newborn portrait session. I was overjoyed to see her and enjoyed her session so much! I finally got to hold her!

Fast forward to now. I was honored to be chosen as the Newborn photography katy tx to capture Fay’s First Birthday portraits. She was born on St. Patricks day, which you will see in her portraits. We took them in a gorgeous field in Katy, Texas. She is 14 pounds and doing great!

Here are some images from her First Birthday and Cake smash session!

MJ’s Photography-

Newborn photography katy tx

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Newborn photography katy tx

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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