Oh my goodness, my baby has grown so much. I can hardly believe she is the same kid who started ballet and tap at 2 years old and threw hissy fits and nearly drove me to alcoholism. There is even SUCH a drastic difference in her looks, her behavior, and her coordination from one year ago! Now, she is (98% of the time) such a great listener and truly enjoys her dance classes more than ever. Millie adores her teacher, Miss Ryan, and can't wait for Fall since she is FINALLY old enough to take Jazz. She is convinced that will be the bee's knees!
(Just so you understand the ordering, the first 6 images are from Dress Rehearsal, and the ones that follow are from the actual Recital.)
I'm proud of her because she is finding out who she is and not just taking the classes because I suggested she should. It is a beautiful process, watching someone discover what they love and what they are good at, and I feel so lucky to have front row seats to Millie's show for the rest of my life.
(Just so you understand the ordering, the first 6 images are from Dress Rehearsal, and the ones that follow are from the actual Recital.)
Hey loves! Just got back from an insane 5 days in New York City and New Jersey, and have a fevah...and I don't mean for more cowbell. Hang with me as I get images worked up for you to see...I'm on it, but I'm just not moving at my normal work energy level of Amy Poehler's Caitlin on SNL.
Anywho, while I was up east, I got an email about the Wedding Photojournalist Association's 2010 1st Quarter Photography Contest and check out the winners. Discovered this little gem as I was lookin', and I was so glad to see that the judges liked this image of Diana and her homegirls just as much as I do!
Anywho, while I was up east, I got an email about the Wedding Photojournalist Association's 2010 1st Quarter Photography Contest and check out the winners. Discovered this little gem as I was lookin', and I was so glad to see that the judges liked this image of Diana and her homegirls just as much as I do!
Kathryn Krueger says:
BOOM. That's how Kate does. I love the intelligent humor here. The last thing the world needs is another cheesy wedding photo. This is the Arrested Developement of wedding pics!
(06.09.10 @ 03:54 PM)
Susie M says:
WOW! Way to go, Kate!
Bobby Mefford says:
Congrats, baby! You are the best!
(06.08.10 @ 12:30 PM)
Alyssa says:
That's fantastic! So happy for you! I am always impressed by your "outside-the-box" ideas for capturing a bride's special moments.
(06.08.10 @ 09:12 AM)
beth says:
Congrats! I loved this photo, too, and it's great to see the recognition for 'nontraditional' wedding pics.
(06.08.10 @ 07:55 AM)
natalie says:
Wow....congrats to you my friend!
(06.07.10 @ 10:08 PM)Yeah, she's been in dance for 2 years, swimming for 1 and a half, does gymnastics at her school, and only has 2-3 playdates a week, so we thought it was high time we added more to her schedule. I mean, we can't have anyone be bored, right? (I am being a total smart ass, by the way.)
Well, Millie's only on her second tennis lesson, but it's already been quite the rollercoaster ride. Last week, at her first session with Coach Debbie, she had a perfectionist's textbook reaction to not being awesome at something while doing it for the very first time. You know, pouting, stomping, and eventually crying, screaming, and blubbering. However, after a personal training session last Saturday from Bobby and moi, Millie is back on the rails and GUNG-HO about tennis...as long as she can wear pink, natch. That bad attitude turned completely around and my Peach actually hit the ball over the net SEVERAL times today...while SMILING. What a world of difference from last week, it was! More to come on this adventure, but I wanted to share this little Hipstomatic gem from today. God, I love my kid.
Well, Millie's only on her second tennis lesson, but it's already been quite the rollercoaster ride. Last week, at her first session with Coach Debbie, she had a perfectionist's textbook reaction to not being awesome at something while doing it for the very first time. You know, pouting, stomping, and eventually crying, screaming, and blubbering. However, after a personal training session last Saturday from Bobby and moi, Millie is back on the rails and GUNG-HO about tennis...as long as she can wear pink, natch. That bad attitude turned completely around and my Peach actually hit the ball over the net SEVERAL times today...while SMILING. What a world of difference from last week, it was! More to come on this adventure, but I wanted to share this little Hipstomatic gem from today. God, I love my kid.
Paula Hughes says:
Precious pic! I still love tennis & just FYI, you can also get her pink balls...LOL.
(05.14.10 @ 01:46 PM)
GranLyn says:
We love the Mills too! Glad it was you guys giving the practice. I'm with Millie on the kicking/screaming part when it comes to anything athletic! Love, GranLyn
(05.08.10 @ 09:01 PM)
Jenni says:
I love, love, love this picture!
(05.07.10 @ 11:24 AM)
Marti Mefford says:
Tell Millie we can all play at Padre! We have a court by our house and we hit the ball around. No formal lessons, maybe Millie can teach us!
(05.04.10 @ 10:37 PM)Whether you are a bride, needing to schedule your Unbridaled session, new parents needing to get on the books for your baby's next session in their baby plan, or a potential new client who would like to be photographed, ACT FAST AND FURIOUS!
Things are getting heated up here at Kate Mefford Photography, and I don't want anyone to be left out of the fun! Weekends are currently booked up until Sunday September 11, 2010. Once the weekend dates are snagged, the best I can do for you is to work you in during the weekdays, but that only applies to Dallas-Fort Worth area clients.
Things are getting heated up here at Kate Mefford Photography, and I don't want anyone to be left out of the fun! Weekends are currently booked up until Sunday September 11, 2010. Once the weekend dates are snagged, the best I can do for you is to work you in during the weekdays, but that only applies to Dallas-Fort Worth area clients.
Here are the last open weekend spots I have available for 2010:
Sunday, September 11, 2010 (no longer available)
Sunday, September 18, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, September 11, 2010 (no longer available)
Sunday, September 18, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Email me at katemefford@me.com for more info!
Email me at katemefford@me.com for more info!
Chrissie Saunders says:
Wow! Glad I snagged that May spot, while I still could! You are one in-demand lady!
(04.15.10 @ 05:04 PM)So, the overwhelming majority of things I post about on my blog are happy. I mean, some of them are so happy that it is almost downright obnoxious! So, this post and those that may follow might seem sad to you. It may even be uncomfortable for you to look at these images...and that is okay. For me to not post them, though, would go against my instinct to share everything with you. I am not a one trick pony, and I fall in love with all emotions on camera...not just the happy ones. My heart overflows with the desire to help others see how incredible they are, and I feel that my way to do this is through my camera. I literally "show the love".
Photographing Carson Richardson's visitation and celebration of life was a life changing experience for me. Though my brides and grooms and parents of babies trust me, the way that the Richardson family trusted me was a trust like no other. I had to honor it and photograph with the grace of a prima ballerina and the strength of a lion...simultaneously! My experiences as a mom, as well as my education through Foundation Workshop prepared me for this job, though nothing can REALLY prepare you for something like this. I also think the universe was aligned for me that day to focus on giving this family the gift that they couldn't begin to give themselves and to reflect back to them what amazingly brave and beautiful people they are. I was the mirror, and I'm so glad they chose me for that role. That being said, I was no robot, shooting off frames. It was literally the hardest thing I have had to photograph. Surely enough, I wept minutes from the end of the grave site ceremony when I saw one of my best friends, Natalie, holding her son Law (one of Carson's buddies) who was FINALLY breaking down. I kept photographing, and that is what I am truly proud of. I've never felt stronger than in that moment, and I will carry it with me forever.
Just to give you a bit more to chew on, here is a part of an email I sent Carson's mom, Kimberly, when I presented her with a slideshow of my images:
First of all, I do want to thank you for trusting me. This was an experience like one I have never had, and I feel like I was given a great blessing and a wonderful lesson about life, love, friendships, and then some. I could not have taken these images or have been so enlightened without you really accepting me and allowing me to do so, so thank you. In a somewhat surreal, and even fate-like (or God-planned) way, I feel like we could be great friends after sharing such an intimate and personal experience. As I clicked the shutter, I felt. As I watched you through my viewfinder, I felt. As I edited each image, I felt. I will never walk in your exact pair of shoes, but I feel like I was there with you vicariously through my camera, and I just want you to know that my heart was with you and Ryan, as a fellow parent, every step of both days that I photographed. I didn't get the chance to know Carson very well, but I think that was God's mission for him...to bring people together who might not have done so without him, and to bring those who were already together, closer. What a tribute to your little boy! He affected hundreds of lives and relationships in ways we might never even know. =)
Hugs to your entire family, and please thank them for being so gracious to me as I captured one of the hardest days of their lives. I pray that the images give you all some sort of comfort. Carson's life story is beautiful, no doubt. What is equally beautiful is the story of the people who surrounded him. I am so, so incredibly honored that I got to tell it.
Photographing Carson Richardson's visitation and celebration of life was a life changing experience for me. Though my brides and grooms and parents of babies trust me, the way that the Richardson family trusted me was a trust like no other. I had to honor it and photograph with the grace of a prima ballerina and the strength of a lion...simultaneously! My experiences as a mom, as well as my education through Foundation Workshop prepared me for this job, though nothing can REALLY prepare you for something like this. I also think the universe was aligned for me that day to focus on giving this family the gift that they couldn't begin to give themselves and to reflect back to them what amazingly brave and beautiful people they are. I was the mirror, and I'm so glad they chose me for that role. That being said, I was no robot, shooting off frames. It was literally the hardest thing I have had to photograph. Surely enough, I wept minutes from the end of the grave site ceremony when I saw one of my best friends, Natalie, holding her son Law (one of Carson's buddies) who was FINALLY breaking down. I kept photographing, and that is what I am truly proud of. I've never felt stronger than in that moment, and I will carry it with me forever.
Just to give you a bit more to chew on, here is a part of an email I sent Carson's mom, Kimberly, when I presented her with a slideshow of my images:
First of all, I do want to thank you for trusting me. This was an experience like one I have never had, and I feel like I was given a great blessing and a wonderful lesson about life, love, friendships, and then some. I could not have taken these images or have been so enlightened without you really accepting me and allowing me to do so, so thank you. In a somewhat surreal, and even fate-like (or God-planned) way, I feel like we could be great friends after sharing such an intimate and personal experience. As I clicked the shutter, I felt. As I watched you through my viewfinder, I felt. As I edited each image, I felt. I will never walk in your exact pair of shoes, but I feel like I was there with you vicariously through my camera, and I just want you to know that my heart was with you and Ryan, as a fellow parent, every step of both days that I photographed. I didn't get the chance to know Carson very well, but I think that was God's mission for him...to bring people together who might not have done so without him, and to bring those who were already together, closer. What a tribute to your little boy! He affected hundreds of lives and relationships in ways we might never even know. =)
Hugs to your entire family, and please thank them for being so gracious to me as I captured one of the hardest days of their lives. I pray that the images give you all some sort of comfort. Carson's life story is beautiful, no doubt. What is equally beautiful is the story of the people who surrounded him. I am so, so incredibly honored that I got to tell it.
Morgan Lynn says:
These are very powerful, Kate. I'm so impressed with your ability to shoot with such empathy.
(04.21.10 @ 03:53 PM)
Natalie says:
Kate....your words and your pictures are out of this world. You have such a gift....
(04.14.10 @ 05:42 PM)
Bobby Mefford says:
I am truly touched.
(04.14.10 @ 03:31 PM)
Oh my- I am in love with her. She is just so adorable and expressive and beautiful and you can see the maturity you wrote about in her face. I love what you said about having a front row to the Millie show for the rest of her life. That kind of makes me want to be a mom!
(06.16.10 @ 05:03 PM)OMG Kate she just keeps getting more gorgeous every time I see pics of her!
(06.16.10 @ 04:22 PM)My beautiful Millie -- truly beautiful and those gorgeous "blues"! I just want to take her out of the pictures & give her lots of hugs & kisses! Please save me a picture. Kate you really capture the very soul of your clients (& daughter)
(06.15.10 @ 08:14 PM)SIGH....i have a crush on your daughter. :)
(06.14.10 @ 08:23 PM)WOW! Mills has some mad ballet skills!
(06.11.10 @ 03:05 PM)I think it's a law that all girls should wear pink adn take Ballet! SO girly, precious and memorable!
(06.11.10 @ 10:38 AM)Kiss..kiss to swet Millie from Aunt Marti.
I would totally cry (if I did not have pink eye in both eyes)!!!
(06.10.10 @ 07:30 PM)Seriously, I am so proud of my girls and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE gimme a print of the one w/ both of you AND a book of all of them!!!!
Dang! You and Bobby made one adorable baby! Millie is fierce and clearly the most poised ballerina.
(06.10.10 @ 07:27 PM)Those are AMAZING pics! Love it!
(06.10.10 @ 05:51 PM)so gorgeous. i miss beautiful millie mills's smile. :)
(06.10.10 @ 05:05 PM)So freaking cute! Millie looks awesome on that stage!
(06.10.10 @ 04:30 PM)Breathtaking! I especially like the b&w portrait shot from below, love her attitude.
Millie is stunning and a gorgeous ballerina!
(06.10.10 @ 04:19 PM)Millie is so photogenic! I love her ballet poses! I wish I had photos of myself dancing at that age. Thank you for sharing them!!!
(06.10.10 @ 04:12 PM)