I've moved

Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has arrived. I have finally moved to a new, more me, more color blog!! Yipee!

Check it out at www.mandimcdougallphotography.com/blog

AND sign up for the lifestyle session giveaway!

It's 1:38 and I can't sleep...

...and I don't know why. But, I'm guessing it has something to do with the venti iced coffee I consumed at 5 pm, and the fact that I just wrote this really intense paper, and that I am graduating in 5.5 days. Anyhow, get ready for a LOT of pictures...I have some catching up to do on here, and since it seems I won't be sleeping for a bit, I might as well be doing something...

Trinity Graduates Take Two



This is Iain. He is pretty cool, because he's really down to earth, easy to talk to, and living near him, we seem to run into each other often (like at Cold Stone last night). I appreciate that Iain usually has a unique perspective, and when he shares it, I think of things in a whole new light.



This is Luis. On Saturday, Luis and I will be the first two graduates from Trinity Lutheran College with a degree in Children, Youth and Family Studies. We've bonded a lot this year, partially because in most of our classes, we're the only ones who are married, and this gives us a different perspective. Luis has worked long and hard for this degree, and deserves it more than anyone else. I can't wait to meet his wife this weekend, either!



I really admire Rebekah. Not only is she funny and caring, but life has dealt her some junk, and she takes it all about as good as anyone could manage. And she's honest, which I also really admire. Even when it hurts.



Robin always has a smile on her face. When I showed up on campus with the pictures she ordered, she bounded out of the building to greet me, smile wide across her face. Robin loves working with kids, and I would guess her enthusiasm and joy helps!



Brittany...how I love this picture! If I had to pick a few words to describe her, I would say thoughtful and servant. She seems very dedicated to doing what she needs to do, and putting in 110% effort. I know she has big dreams to working with military youth, and that dedication and servant heart will take her far.



I don't know Grete well, but I do know that she is one smart lady! She spent a year with us, after having graduated with a BA, to soak up some more knowledge.



I feel like this picture of Karen captures her so well. She is a little like a butterfly...she just floats along through the halls, smiling and bringing with her a sense of lightness. Karen is on the quiet side, which (I think) is because she is such a great listener.



oh Julie! This girl keeps me in stitches whenever we are together. I appreciate Julie because she is dead honest, hysterical, and has a wild side. That is a great combination.



Katherine is like...super woman. She is married, has a one year old son, and is getting ready to graduate. I honestly do not know how she has managed to juggle all the hats that she wears on a daily basis! AND, she has taught me some lessons, whether she knows it or not! Katherine, her hubby and son are headed to Asia to teach English soon, and I know that if anyone can handle that, it is her!

Portrait Parties

Hey guys! Sorry I've been MIA around here lately...whoo, graduating has snuck up on me, and life has gotten crazy! I have several things to blog, and maybe next week that will happen.

Looking forward to this summer, I want to offer something fun and new: Portrait Parties! If you are interested in hosting a party, it's a fairly simple process and the hostess receives 20% of the sales from the party in print credit. E-mail me for details!

Ethan Riley Reed

Today I got to meet my cousin (sidenote...I tried really really hard to figure out what formal, official title for our cousin-ness would be, but it was...hard. I think he's my second cousin, once removed) and he is so cute and cuddly! I drove down last night so I could photograph him this morning before heading back up north for work this afternoon, and it was totally worth it. He was a snuggler, and totally content most of the time I was there...anytime he started fussing, we just wrapped him up and gave him the binky..and magically all was better!

We tried out a few new things...I tried out the babycozy, and I love it. LOVE IT! Also, I got some cheesecloth (thanks Kris!) and we suspended him in that...I love those images. Check out the slideshow, and leave a comment with your favorite image to win the family a free 8x10.

Trinity Lutheran College: Graduates

Yesterday I had the distinct priviledge to photograph seven of my fellow seniors. As I was looking back through the images tonight, I earmarked my favorite images, and then I began to think about what makes these images stand out to me. I believe that in ways both big and small, the images that I picked tell a bit of each person's story (or at least their story as I've experienced it).

Angie: What a lovely, if not quiet, person. What I appreciate about Angie is her behind-the-scenes magic, the organizing, the food she brings to capstone, her thoughtful, unassuming ways. I love this image because she just shines. She is colorful but not over the top, which is Angie.


Britta: oh Britta. She will keep you in stitches, and an hour later, you can go to her for sincere, honest advice. She is what the world considers a tom-boy, but look at her...does she look like a boy to you? Didn't think so. I love her eyes, which I think embodies that thoughtful soul, the heart to reach out to kids in need.

Greg: He has his own sense of humor, and he's another one of the quiet ones. I don't say that as a bad thing; in reality, it makes me appreciate everything that Greg says that much more. I love this picture, because it captures a bit of who he is...every other picture of him was all smiles, but I asked him to try a serious one...this was as close to serious as he managed!


Maureen: I don't know Maureen as well as the others, but I do appreciate what she represents; so often on campus we have an attitude of apathy, we don't want to be there, we don't appreciate what we are allowed to participate in. People like Maureen who make the choice to actively seek education, to do so while working full-time, I just appreciate their sacrifice and dedication. I like this picture because it captures the warmth of Maureen's spirit.




Meghan: What a beautiful friend. Meghan has seen her share of unhappiness in life, and what blows me away about these images is that you'd never guess. I think we've all seen each other in some of our darker moments, and to see Meghan so strong and bright makes me happy. She has truly come into herself in the last few months, and it is great to see her in a happy place in life.

Wen: This amazing woman is an inspiration to me. Wen came here (I think) 4 years ago, with her daughter. She was unsure at first about whether she would be able to "hack it" at Trinity, because english is not her first language. Not only is she handling it just fine, she is graduating next month with a really high GPA (3.9 something, I believe...) Wen has opened herself up to the students at Trinity, shared her story and struggles, and we've been changed for the better because of her vulnerability. What I see in this image is her strength, her endurance, but also a bit of that vulnerability. Thank you, Wen.

Meet the Johnson Family

I had the distinct pleasure of photographing the Johnson family this morning, and not only are the three of them totally photogenic, their little guy Brady is ADORABLE. Look at those eyes! When the show is over, leave the family a comment, and let us know which picture is your favorite...the image that gets the most votes will be given to the family as an 8x10, FREE!

New Item: Photo Charm Necklaces

I LOVE these. I just got the first one in the mail today, and it's lovely. The necklaces come with lots of options...black beads, pearls, or multi-color beads (large or small), and you can have a 1 image or 2 images. I want one...who's picture would I wear, though?

Sara: Maternity

My cousin's having a baby! I couldn't be more happy for her. Little Ethan isn't due for another month, almost, but the doctor thinks she's just about ready to pop! We snuck in a little Easter photo session...how cute is her little boy? Thanks guys, for letting me invade your house and get some amazing pictures!

Spring Break!

Today is my last day of school for 10 days. WOOO-HOOO! 3 hours left...3 hours left....

One cute picture of Jade, cause a post isn't a post without a picture...

JADE!

Jade is my most willing model...and is she ever photogenic! I took these with my 50mm, wide open...focus with this lens, especially wide open, has really been a challenge, but I'm finally getting the hang of it...I can't pick a favorite!

SO CUTE!

My sister's boyfriend has 10 lab puppies...I posted some pictures when they were a week old...here they are at 6 weeks..

Look at the cuties!

The last few weeks...us at the zoo, and the park!

I opened an Etsy store!

So a few of us were talking about selling fine art photographs on Etsy yesterday, and I was inspired to open an Etsy store to sell some of my fine art stuff. Check it out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=44563

Some recent ones from work

Late last week we had some really great afternoon light, and combine that with my new 50mm, and this is what you get:

I have an awesome husband!

Well, I hope everyone had a great Valentin's Day! I worked last night so we didn't go out for dinner, but when I got home Kris had these beautiful roses waiting for me. He had to come up with something good after last year, and he did good!

THEY ARE HERE!

What are here, you ask? GIFT CARDS! I (if you can't tell) am really jazzed about these gift cards. They are awesome looking gift cards, all hot pink and whatnot, plus what they say is really cute. Wanna see?


















The front says, "you must be be special...VERY SPECIAL...A gift card espcially for you from someone who loves you very much"...


















...and the back has all the pertinent information.

So, although they barely made it here before Valentine's Day, if anyone is having a last minute debate over what to give, what could be better than the gift of amazing memories, captured for ever....? You can give these cards to an existing client or a new one, and the card can go towards a session fee or prints, canvases, etc. AND, for the next week, I am running a special: buy one gift card, get double the purchase price! So, buy a $50 gift card, get $100 to spend! That means you can invest $50 and your whole session fee is paid!

Your giftcard comes in a cute little black pillow box, all filled out and ready to give to that special someone. Have questions? Do ask! mandiraemcdougall@gmail.com.

And, to include one non-product, actually adorable picture, here is Jade.

















Last but not least, I want to wish all my friends and clients a Happy Valentine's Day! I will be spending the day in class and at work, but late tomorrow night I will come home and celebrate the day that Kris proposed last year!

Odds n Ends

I had to post these quotes, they are from this book my sister bought this weekend about Redneck Wisdom (that's probably not what it's called, but she'll e-mail me later and correct me, and I will correct the blog!).

About as much fun as a warm bucket of calf slobber.

Just call me butter, cause I'm on a roll.

ahahahahahha. Ok, well, we thought it was funny.

In other news, I've been having fun taking pictures with my new lens. Examples (my school friends Luis and Casey):

AND, I found this awesome website where you can e-mail yourself, in the future. As in, you write yourself a letter, and can have it sent to you in a year, two years, ten years...it's also fun to read the letters others have written to themselves...http://futureme.org/

The announcement is coming later tonight. I promise. Darn Fed-Ex...

love, peace and all things pink,

mandi

Weekend Fun

Confession: Yesterday I didn't step foot outside my apartment once, and I needed that break from the world.

Today, Ali and Jessica came up to visit and we went to BellSquare (read: shopping ahead). I went on a big of a shopping spree, buying a new camera lens, a new purse (it's HUGE), a hot pink apron...I could go on, but those were the highlights. I've added some pictures...my beautiful sister and Kris (unhappily) modeling my new purse and apron. And one of Kris with my new lens, done in chocolate tones. Love it!

Tomorrow it's back to the daily grind.

Something is in the works...

...that should be ready by Valentine's Day! I'm excited! Keep an eye on the blog!

On a fun note, I'm getting a new toy! It's a waterproof case for my camera, so I can take it UNDERWATER! How stoked am I??? This case (called a Del Mar Camera Housing) is going to help me rock the pictures this summer in Mexico (yes, I said MEXICOOOO!), and I'm even excited for pool pictures this summer at the grandparental's! AND, they are going to spray paint the back of it pink. I'm in love already. swoon...what would Steve Whearty say...?

Lastly, I'd love to do some newborn (under 2 weeks old) or maternity shoots, to keep fresh. If anyone is interested, I'm looking for a session or two FREE OF CHARGE, with the option to purchase pictures. If you know someone who might be interested, lemme know!

love, peace and all things pink!
mandi

Be My Valentine

Just wanted to give everyone a sneak-peak at my fab Valentine's cards.

Want some for yourself? Drop me a line!