I am a Christian 🤍
I’ve been thinking a lot about identity this week. When we introduce ourselves, what do we say?
“I’m a mom.”
“I’m a lawyer.”
“I’m a teacher.”
“I’m a wife.”
“I’m a content creator.”
“I’m a gym rat.”
We tend to introduce ourselves by our occupations or what we love most.
You already know I’m a photographer. Yet, as much as I love my job, I don’t want to be known first as a photographer. I’d rather be known as a child of God.
If you’ve ever seen me exhibit love, grace, kindness, or peace, know that it’s not due to my own natural abilities but because I experience HIS love, joy, grace, and peace daily. No matter how crazy or scary the world is (or how chaotic the kids are), I’m able to rest and laugh and sing because He is my refuge and strength.
Will I lose some followers and some clients over my faith? Yeah, probably. But I’m ok with that, because I understand not everyone will take the time to talk to me about it. Just know if you do, you won’t find an angry, judgy person. You will find the open arms of grace that says “come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”
Per usual, pretty behind the curve on sharing what I’ve been up to over the past several weeks. 😅 Taking a break on editing and responding to emails to share some of my favorites from the cherry blossom peak last month!
16 years of Captured By CM! 🎉
What better way to spend this morning than photographing amazing people in an amazing place - something I’ve been able to say now for more than half of my life! 💛
Sometimes I wonder how many photos I’ve taken in the past 16 years…. I don’t think it would be quite off the mark to say it’s probably over a million! Any guesses?
Per tradition on Captured Day, feel free to use it as an excuse-er-reason to spam your followers with your favorite wedding, maternity, newborn, or family photos from ages past. I know I for one would absolutely love to see them!! 😘
The beauty of working with returning clients is that I walk into each session knowing how to tailor their images to their preferences.
💛 One returning family prioritizes candids over everyone looking
🧡 One returning client prefers one side of her face over the other (and I remember which side)
🤍 One returning client doesn’t like walking photos, so we don’t do those
💛 One returning client loves creative composition over traditional composition
🧡 One returning family doesn’t prefer swaddled newborn photos, while another wants me to wrap and pose their little bundles
🤍 One returning family enjoys my loud laugh and really, really bad dad jokes
💛 One returning family needs my voice toned down so I don’t spook the kiddos
🧡 Returning kids can’t wait to say hi to “Sally” (IYKYK)
I don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach to family photos. Each family has their own preferences and unique story, and my goal is to get to know those preferences so that you walk away with memories you want to display for years and years to come. 💛
Soooo can I take Heirloom Portraits all the time please?!?! Seriously, I have the best time connecting with your little one, making silly faces and doing my best Miss Rachel impersonation. 😉
Been enjoying every slow moment of this month. 🩵💙🤍
January used to freak me out in years past with little work and few inquiries. I’ve learned to embrace the ebbs and flows knowing that before long, I’ll be trading out my baking time for editing and my reading time for emails.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back to making hot coco for the kids after a long snow play outside! ❄️
Closing out ‘25. Hello 2026 and all you have in store. 🥂
(P.S. Sorry if you are waiting on an email response from me - I’ll be back in full business swing on Monday!)
Ok, starting the catch up of sharing favs from 2025!! Just about wrapped up with sessions and editing for the year. Reflecting on all the joy I’ve been privileged to capture and am utterly humbled. Thank you all for one of the best years yet. 💛
I counted. I only posted 46 times in all of 2025. 🙈
However, considering that a large percentage of my 140+ clients this year said they found me through Instagram, I’m not inclined to change my posting habits. 🤣
That being said, I just had to share the smallest of handfuls from the Christmas minis last weekend!! We had a blast in the studio and I’m grateful to have captured these memories for all the families.
I’m also hoping to post some of my favorite shots from the numerous other sessions this year, so stay tuned…
