Archive for October, 2007
The Apple Dumpling Gang
This family was referred to me by Shelly, mom to Emma. Shelly is a cousin of Chris (the daddio) and that sweet-natured all-around goodness definitely runs in the fam!
We met at Storybook Ranch for some fall family fun, and boy did I get my weekly cardio crammed into one morning (not that I actually work out, but if I did, I wouldn’t be going to the gym anytime soon after this session). Chris & Denise have 3 lovable little guys that are bundles of energy, but are also sweethearts if you can get them to stop moving for a minute! =)
Here they are…happy viewing!
Somebody (a terrific two-year-old named Reid) did not want to get on the swing for the picture. He was more into pushing. That’s ok, cuz I like this picture better this way, personally. It is my FAVE of the session!
Denise & Chris have been together for over 11 years and this is their first time to get a portrait of them as a couple since their engagement & wedding pics!
Reid graces us with his presence after hiding behind the swing.
Leaf fight!
Grant is the middle son, and is quite the gentleman.
Kyle had some cool Tony Hawk shoes that helped him accomplish lots of feats…
…such as climbing up this railing!
Time for an apple break.
On your marks…
I may have been tired by the end of our session, but I have an inkling that I WAS NOT the only one! We had some MAJOR FUN!
Thanks, Jessens, and have a wonderful holiday season!
love #2…and love the kids running!
What delightful pictures! The boys’ personalities really show in these pics. Nice job! The part I like is that Chris and Denise are always look so happy, in the midst of so much activity! Great family!
Ava is 2 Months Old!
Talk about six degrees of Kate Mefford…again. This very very photogenic family is good friends with Miss Pickles & Ice Cream herself (Reece’s mommy) PLUS, mom Christine’s BFF is a girl (Jenny—holla!) I grew up with from Brenham. How CRAZY is that?
The stork delivered Miss Ava to Christine and Mark just 10 weeks ago. She is not only a gorgeous baby, but is the sweetest, calmest little thing. Plus, she had that new baby smell. Loves it! I can’t wait to watch her grow over this next year…we will be taking loads of photos of Ava, so stay tuned. She’s a JP Baby, baby!
OK. This is my favorite photograph I have ever taken of a client’s baby. There are so many layers to it that just make it such a special capture. Notice the picture of Christine and Mark and also the way Christine’s arm is protecting Ava. Plus, it is a bonus that the bassinet is a family heirloom also…how cool is that?
I absolutely adore attentive daddies. They melt my heart. Mark is so in love with both of his girls!
Notice Cuatro, the dog, who thinks Ava is his baby.
Ahhh. Now she’s comfy. No more costume changes. Night-night, Miss Ava. Sleep tight. See you in a couple of months, darling!
Leave Christine, Mark, Ava, & Cuatro a Holla Back if you have a second…I know they would love it!
YUMMMMMMY baby girl!
Too precious! That last my favorite…so perfect! From the eyes, to the blanket to the bedspread pattern. Beautiful. On a side note, that Dr. Brown baby bottle is giving me flashbacks of bottle cleaning duties when Lucas was little…hate cleaning those suckers! 
oh, heavens — my heart is soaring! we had such a blast at the session and to see the outcome is enough to make me scream in utter happiness!! can’t wait to see the rest of the pics! (cuatro sends his thanks for being included too!!)
The pictures are so beautiful!
awww, these pics are simply fabulous! she has the sweetest face and such brilliant blue eyes…i just love her! the tummy time pic is so precious. a beautiful family for sure.
i can’t wait for reece and ava’s wedding.
WOW!! Ava’s baby blues are mesmerizing!! Beautiful little girl!
aww…She is so sweet! Such cute pictures!
i love these! i don’t know which one is my fav…but i do love the first one!
Ooh, love these Kate - especially the first 3!!
Oh my gosh, I can get over how great an eye you have. I found your site from my sisters ashleyrehermanphotography.blogspot.com, and we went through your pics together…not only are you a fabulous photographer, but you’re hysterical! We laughed the whole way through @ your comments!! I loev the angles you shoot from, and the real emotion that comes through in your pictures. Wonderful job, and never lose that great sense of humor! Your homies here in NY love it!
On a side note, the pictures in this set of the Mom and baby in the mirror and the baby burrito are just too much…so cute I can barely stand it! (yes, I use a lot of exclamation points, too!)
The only thing cuter than Ava is Ava in a tutu. Its just about the cutest thing I have ever seen. I just can’t stand it. What an adorable family. Too precious! I can’t wait to see the next batch!
It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This…
It is only Monday, and somebody already MADE MY WEEK!
Mrs. Jennifer Featherston, wife of Wes, just got back from her honeymoon and sent me this super sweet email. Talk about MAKE ME SMILE! I love making people happy by capturing their special moments. Life is good. Here is her message:
Hi Kate!
We just want to thank you again for such wonderful pictures and for doing such a great job! It was well past our expectations and Wes really loves how are pictures are so different from most people’s weddings. We were just fun and caught in the moments, instead of horribly posed shots. I loved the ones with Wes and the groomsmen having fun. Those are great shots! There’s also one picture after we were married by the old town where the sky is behind us a little and we are walking on the gravel path……..it looks so artistically beautiful with the texture and the crackels with the gravel beneath us. I’m not sure how you do it and see things the way you do………I’ve always wanted to see things in life that way and you completely captured it all. There are so many angles and shots that we never knew or even noticed were taken and those are the ones we just love.
We can’t thank you enough Kate!! I can’t say enough great things about your photos!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! I’m recommending you to anyone who wants pictures taken, either for their family, weddings, anything…….and I’ve taken a look at the great pictures you took for the mommies on your website! Love those! When we get pregnant I’m coming back to you to capture those moments too!
Love Always, Jenn
WOW! I bet that does make your week! I know that is why you do what you do! yay you!
Amazing pics! And I must agree with every word she said - you just have a way of catching beautiful moments….
P.S. You will be proud to know I FINALLY did the whole “tagged” thing Only took me about a month!
what an awesome email filled with compliments… their pictures are so fun!
Melissa + David :: The Big Day
Melissa & David’s merger has been a long time coming…they have known each other for decades, and fate brought them back into each other’s lives. During this special day, they not only committed to each other, but also to David’s two sons, making for a very special occasion.
Big thanks need to go to my fantastic mother for being my associate photog…we are the dream team, baby! Chicken dance forever!
Happy viewing!
Am I the only one who gets this joke?
“Remain in Me”, Ozarka!
We girls sure do have small bladders, and one would not want to pee while standing in front of the church wearing satin. I love showing you guys my warped sense of humor. =) It’s endearing, right? (Please say “YES”.)
Little guys can look cool, too!
Instead of rings, Melissa gave David’s sons these necklaces as a manifestation of her devotion to her role as a supportive role model for both of them.
Of course, she and David exchanged bling of a fancier variety!
Melissa’s Aunt Mary gave her this sixpence when she was 10 years old. The intention was to wear it in her shoe on her wedding day…who would have guessed that the shoe would be a Lucchese boot?!
I LOVE this shot. I love it. I love it. I love it.
Look for the guest who is entertaining himself!
First dance!
Melissa’s sister could MOVE IT!
This little cutie patootie was cutting a rug all night long. She belongs to fellow fabulous wedding photog, Dan Watkins!
Shakin’ it down with a little YMCA.
Later gators! We’re going to get our honeymoon on!
Melissa & David~~~Thanks so much for choosing me to document your big day. It was a blast, and I wish you both the very best!
Kate, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shots of her dad giving her away through the leaded glass and the picture of their first dance in the mirror. You are BRILLIANT as always!!
Great work Kate! Thanks for the nice comment about Katia (my little dancing queen…er…princess!) Hope to see you again soon. –Dan
Kate, you captured all of the fun and romance out at the ranch. What fun I had shooting with you…and BTW you’re the best “Chicken Dance” partner ever!!! I love you….Mom
Capital “F” Capital “U” Capital “N” and you captured every bit of it!
I am in awe!
mills is just beautiful…your site is fabbbbbbbb—-you——luscious…..like a dunce…i lost your number and email……please send me another shout out so we can visit……..missing and loving you, faith……………..hugs to mama mac and mills and bobby too!
Terry :: Unbridaled
Oh, Miss Terry and I had SOOO much fun a couple of weeks ago during her bridal shoot. We had the formula for perfection working for us that day.
TRUST IN THE PHOTOGRAPHER + EXCITEMENT + ENERGY + VULNERABILITY = the MOST AMAZING SESSION, like EVER.
Terry is an English teacher, and is quite well-read. To use an SAT word, I will call her “erudite”. Like that? I got more. She is the “epitome” of a Juxtapose bride. Not only does Terry exude confidence and strength, but she is also feminine and even maternal in instinct. She is simultaneously high-fashion and down-home. Being an intellectual never stopped her from being silly and vice versa. Terry is possibly the only human on the face of the earth that reads Chaucer AND plays Playstation. How can you not love that? And Casey sure does…he knows he is a lucky man! 
Happy viewing!
First, we (Terry, her fabu mom, and little old me) started at the Frisco Library. I just adore those yellow chairs!
Terry’s reading one of her faves, Pride & Prejudice.
Terry got thirsty, so I had to hook her up with her absolute favorite, Dr. Pepper. Yep. She’s a Pepper!
Shake those earrings, lady!
Thinking about gettin’ some powdered sugar donuts.
Yeah. It’s a done deal. They’re white, after all, so any crumbs would blend into the dress. The perfect bridal snack!
SCORE!!!
One of my faves from the session.
I. Heart. Bystanders in my photographs.
On the serious tip.
She is so fun!
Working with Terry has been a dream. I am so excited to photograph her wedding and meet the rest of her family. Stay tuned!
and the greatness continues….
and the greatness continues!!!!!
this might be my favorite bridal shoot ever. my favorite is the coors light. I’ve been wanting to shoot a belly in a grocery store foreEVER. These ROCK sister!!
love the yellow chairs!
These are sooooooo Terry! I love the one at the check out line!!! You are a genius at capturing a subject. I love the creative settings. We had so much fun that day. I don’t think that Terry stopped laughing at all during the whole session. I can’t wait to see the wedding pictures!
What fun….from the yellow chairs to the Dr. Pepper to Powdered Sugar donuts. What great shots….what a fab bride to enjoy such artistic creativity!!!
Who Needs Prozac?
Just use exclamation points! I just returned a TON of emails this morning, and noticed that I use a TON of exclamation points. I thought of the famous Coco Chanel advice about over-accessorizing…
She said before women leave the house, they should look in the mirror and remove at least one accessory. Then, they are free to go out the door.
I totally feel like I need to remind myself of that when I am writing. Maybe I should look at the message and remove at least one exclamation point. Then I can hit the send button. What do you think? Should I just go for it and be myself? Is it annoying for you all to read something that is “over-accessorized”?
I do that too! Oops, see? There’s another one. I like the idea of trying to remove one before I send out an email.
I’m guilty! But I try to stick to one or two per paragraph. It seems to be contagious. That was good. Yay me! Ooops
Yes, Coco was a fabulous icon of fashion and blah blah blah. However, she is her own girl and so are you….I kinda dig the Dolly Parton look-more more more! Life is short and we should be excited that we have each day….wear all your gaudy jewelry at once and add an extra exclamation point!!!!!
WHAT’S WRONG WITH EXCLAMATION POINTS???!!!!!!!!! :0)
…MAKES ME FEEL NORMAL, BECAUSE I DO THE SAME THING. DON’T CHANGE!!
Obviously, I heart exclamation points!!!! You just go, girl. It fits your personality–you know, the model-esque look (your fab cheekbones!) juxtaposed with the cheery exclamation points! Woohoo! There is absolutely no reason not to throw them whenever and wherever you want to…and this, from an English teacher!!!! Hehe!!!
Oh, I am so glad I am not the only one…thanks for commenting so I can feel like I am not TOTALLY insane.
I over accessorize with…well… with… dot dot dot. But I think it’s how I talk too… (there I go again) to emphasize all the drama in things like pants not fitting, spilling coffee on my keyboard, etc.
Terry + Casey :: Engaged!
She is independent and a firecracker and a sweetheart all in the same breath, and if I could find a girl that could give me as many expressions in one minute as I could capture, Terry would be IT. Casey is her love, and what a great guy he is! He is simultaneously a gentleman and a man’s man…just what every girl wants. Best of all, their chemistry translates on camera in a way that could make a church lady blush in the matter of a second…which, ya know…makes my job kinda easy. =)
I could write about them for days, but I will try to let the photographs tell you the story of our adventure last Thursday…I think these are truly reflective of their relationship and I am so proud to be the one who gets to broadcast their love!
Man these kids love to play. They love to play Playstation…
Competitive games of checkers can break out ANYWHERE!
Casey loves to play his guitar…and does it quite well. (I’m hoping he’ll bring it to the wedding!)
They love to play like they are serious. And model-like. And oh-so-high-fashion. Even though they are big goofballs!
And they love to play, well, in a different kind way.
At the end of the day, they are so taken with each other that just being in their presence will make ya want to snuggle with your snugglebug. And I am so NOT PLAYING!
Thanks for the fun session, Terry & Casey, and I can’t wait till December 8th!
these are so great! i want them to be my friends! they look so fun! it always says soo much about your gift, when someone personality comes through like it does here!
A-MA-ZING! Their personalities absolutley do translate and I think they’re gonna love these! Great job as always Kate! Maybe I should start a collection of my faves of all my couples you photograph…
OMG, it’s the new Faith Hill (brunette) and Tim McGraw duo!
Talk about chemistry captured….you did it, Kate the Great!!!!
I just love the last picture! The look that you captured between Casey and Terry defines their whole relationship. He has that special sparkle in his eye when he looks at her. It’s the same sparkle her Dad had on our wedding day! Great job!
Kate, I have never looked so good! And Casey admits that his crooked smile (that I LOVE) is actually wonderful–finally! I don’t think anyone else could have taken our pictures in a way that captures us the way that you do. I adore these pictures. I can’t get webmail at school, so my mom told me that this was up before I could check email, and she said that we had gorgeous pictures–she was right! I can’t wait to get prints of these and put them up in cute frames and show them to everyone in a five-hundred-mile vicinity!
i love all of these! what a great session!
Wonderful! You did a great job and I had a lot of fun…but it is hard not to have fun with Terry. For the record I never said that my crooked smile looked wonderful. The exact words were: “…Kate even made my crooked looking smile look wonderful.” I am looking forward to having you there the big day. I need all the help I can get looking good…especially when standing next to Terry. Thank you!!!
TERRY! YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL I LOVE THESE PICTURES
[…] this happened last Saturday at Terry + Casey’s wedding. And yes, my hero of a mother saved the day by stomping out the flames with her size 10 […]
[…] you, Terry and Casey, for your warmth, your vulnerability, and for choosing me to capture your wonderfully passionate […]
Six Degrees of Kate Mefford
Bobby often jokes that between his boss and me, we know the entire state of Texas. This might be true. Meet Exhibit A…
These clients are the daughter, son-in-law, and grandson of my mom’s former team teaching partner at Brenham Middle School. So, you know…the sister of Peggy Sue’s boyfriend’s uncle’s dog. Yeah…Kevin Bacon has nothin’ on me!
Anywho, this was the coolest family to work with. I can’t wait to hang out with Steph & Ted sometime soon and cold kick it with some margaritas. Also, Steph and I have picked out Millie and Rex for each other, respectively…is it too early to start the matchmaking? Let’s ask Millie who just tried to hug Rex through my computer as I was editing a picture of him. =)
This next series is great on so many levels. What I like best is that Ted, Mr. UT Longhorn to the max, is caught doing the Gig ‘Em sign. Closet Aggie fan? Steph, who went to Texas A&M can definitely use this first picture for leverage in some way…get crafty, girl! Don’t you need a new purse? New shoes? A massage?
How do I know he is perfect for Millie? Rex gave ME this flower after he picked it. He’s already charming his future mother-in-law. =)
very cute shoot!
I LOOOOOVE THESE! That has to be the happiest little kid ever - look at him! Gorgeous family and gorgeous photography (and photographer, BTW!)
O.K. that is the cutest little boy I have EVER seen! Millie is one lucky gal!!
I am also cursed with the SIX DEGREES syndrome. It is hereditary in my family and we think it actually skips a generation because I apparently got it from my grandfather. Anytime I meet someone and we find out we mutually know someone my husband always exclaims “Of COURSE you do…” Why is everyone so jealous of our ability? Glad to know that there are others with the curse.
Love this session. Great job as always!
LOVE catching a tu alum giving a GIG’EM sign!!! That is a picture she can use for YEARS to come…worth a lot of stuff to not have his friends find out!!! Anyway, that little boy is precious. My favorite is him peeking his head through the bench…framed him perfectly.
Love your work! Just stumbled on your blog looking for some photography help. I’m new at this and want to learn everything I can.
your work is awe-inspiring and so authentic and genuine…just like you……..i have terribly missed you and need to talk with you soon……do you still have my e-mail? phone number?………..i am so proud of you and think of you often…..let’s connect soon dear….there is much to share………love, faith
[…] little Metropolitan car feeling like we were in a parade, and let’s not forget yet ANOTHER six degrees of Kate Mefford. This time, it turns out that by sheer serendipity, Kathryn went to school with Paul of Liza + […]
I Can’t Get It Out of My Head {Ozomatli}
I love this song! Millie shakes her thang in her car seat when we jam out to it. Gotta love a dancin’ toddler!
Sit tight…I have a family sesh, an engagement sesh, and a bridal sesh to share with ya! Until then, ROCK OUT!
You’re soo cute! Hadn’t heard that song yet, but you better believe I was shakin my thang just a bit!
Julie + Rick :: Engaged!
Laughter is the best medicine, and if you are ever feeling sick, you should hang out with these two. You may remember their family session from blogs past, but this time around, I got them all to myself.
What a blast it was to follow them around Downtown McKinney on a breezy Saturday morning. We hit up the Farmer’s Market (where I learned that Julie can’t stand fruit…not even fruit CANDY!), several alleys, and of course they just HAD to make out in front of a boutique. You know…just another day in love for these crazy kids. =)
En fuego!
Check out that rock!
C’mon, Julie! Eat the fruit!
Thanks to the ladies at Bling! for not calling the cops while we um, blocked your entrance. =)
Classic Rick! Always laughing his head off!
I LOVE this portrait of Jules…the light was perfecto!
Much to Rick’s dismay, they are taking dancing lessons at Davindy Ballroom. Twinkle, baby, twinkle!
To the most hilarious couple I have ever worked with—I can’t wait to photograph your wedding next month!
Thanks for such a fun session, Rick & Jules!
These are awesome!!!! Once again, you really captured people at their best and enjoying life!
They look so happy!
I am speechless!! I must say we had a blast with you and felt so at ease. The pics are absolutely fabulous. I am so glad we found you to capture this time in our lives!! The pic of me, will be going to work with Rick…no excuses now!! Big HUGS to you, Kate!!
These are just soo REAL. I mean it! I love them!
this looks like a fun session. i love the bling with the pumpkins shot!
Cool shoes! Looks like you got a workout and they probably slept well that night!
I really love they way I can almost feel their personalities when I look at the screen!