Another family session...

Today I did another family session (I am lovin' these family lifestyle photo sessions!) Get ready for some fall colors!

Meet the Sheaffer Family

The Sheaffer family found me through CA. They adopted their little bundle of joy this spring, and from the sounds of it, she has changed their lives! They were super nice to photograph, and the boys reminded me so much of growing up with my own two brothers! Fun abounds...as do photographs!

Chloe has arrived!

Chloe is a member of the Sabol Family. She is blessed to arrive in this vast world with a crew of siblings to keep her company (4 others), and she is their little miracle baby. She is cute, sweet and crinkly...all things that a 2 week old should be!

This (beyond) adorable little guy is Daniel, Chloe's older brother. I captured this cute picture of him while Chloe was taking a little break, and had to post it!

Maternity Pictures
A maternity session can be a wonderful way to capture your pregnancy in a artistic and memorable fashion. These pictures are done in your home, and at your comfort level (fully clothed, partially clothed, covered in cloth or tastefully nude). They are a beautiful way to embrace the changes your body is going through. The session could be done all at one time (I recommend doing this at 7-8 months) or a few times, starting when you are just showing and documenting the growth along the way.

Christmas Cards, 2008 Photo Calendars, Oh MY!

Hey everyone. I just launched a new product, custom Christmas cards, Birth/Adoption announcements and 2008 calendars. Here is an example of each:

It is never too early to book your family session for Christmas cards! If you are interested, check out the newly revamped website! http://www.mandimcdougallphotography.com/

Two CA shoots in one!

A while before the wedding I was contacted by Tracy, who had just adopted a son from Ethiopia. By time we got around to scheduling the session, her sister was going to be in town with her newly adopted son. We did a duel session...Tracy and Zavion, 6 months old and Bradley and Sebastian, 13 months old.

Sabol Family

Today I had the pleasure of photographing the Sabol family. They found me through Celebrating Adoption. Amy and Toby have four children that are fosted to adopt; Katelyn, 4, Daniel, 2, Kaelee, 15 months and Abby, 12 months...and Chloe, due in October!

As soon as I walked in the door of their house, love and chaos surrounded me. Seldom have I ever met a mom who handles the challenges of four little ones so well. She was firm with Katelyn, sung to Daniel, and played with Kaelee and Abby until they giggled.

Without any further ado...

The Reinmuth Family

This last Sunday I participated in my first Celebrating Adoption photoshoot. It was fun...such a warm, loving family to photograph. They adopted both of their children when they were infants.

I am back, and I am officially Mrs. McDougall!!

Boy, does that feel great.

The wedding was wonderful. Beyond words wonderful. I think our wedding was exactly what a wedding should be...first and foremost, a celebration of our love, undying devotion and unity. Beyond that, it was fun, hectic, and just a really good time. I left for my honeymoon thinking...dang, I've got an awesome family. They cooked, cleaned, set up, took down and HANDLED life for a few days for me. Stunning, amazing, loving. And I'm not just talking immediate family, although they worked their tails off. I'm talking friends of family, grandparents, cousins (Jeremiah and his to-die-for cake), friends (hello Dionne, Mike, Paulette and my Wedding Coordinator extrordinaire Melissa).

And now that the honeymoon is over, we've returned to "normal" life (that is a joke!) and are starting to put things back in order. Not our apartment, mind you, but the rest of life.

I've had a few inquiries for Celebrating Adoption, and I thank you ladies. I am bubbling with anticipation over our photo sessions in the next few weeks. Work is crazy...I'm on track for a 50+ hour work week. Yikes. 2 weeks left after tomorrow and I get on day off...then school starts. I am so ready for that. So ready.

All I have so far is one little wedding picture...it was when we were leaving, during the confetti toss:

Peace, love, and all things pink!

Mandi McDougall

it's been a while...

...I've been so busy with life (moving, wedding planning, being sick, work, etc.) that I've taken a ton of pictures but haven't gotten around to actually editing many of them. These are from Kellee and Andrew's wedding July 7th:























With the wedding only 10 days away (omg...tomorrow is single digits!) life has gone into full-swing berzerk mode, as much as I try and deny it. I am keeping a level head, trying to focus on the positive and not get too stressed, but I can feel the anticipation building. By Monday we should be totally moved, and from then on (I hope) life will begin to get a little better each day!

This may or may not be the last post before the wedding/honeymoon...! If anyone needs to contact me for Celebrating Adoption, please send an e-mail and know that I will get back to you as soon as the wedding/honeymoon festivities are over!

These pictures are not taken by me, but they are *of* me!

Had session 2 of our engagement pictures tonight, with my best friend, Dionne Bossart. Here are two faves:

check out her website at: www.dionnebossartphotography.com