A note to my own two miracle babes: The gift of my relationship with each of you allows me to be the attuned photographer that I am and to see the world, and the relationships between parents and their kids, as I do. Thank you for changing my life. I love you 🤎🤟🏽
This day is years in the making ….
… A stirring of the heart that began nearly three years ago.
… A transition solidified when I first emailed @withgraceandgold in December of 2024.
Since then, I have been working so hard, and so intentionally, behind the scenes to create a website and brand that reflects a new era for Maison Meredith Photography. My heart is poured onto the pages of this site — I hope you will take some time to visit it, and to read more about my journey to get here 🤎
“Thank you” could never be enough to express the gratitude I feel for all those who have been a part of our story, but I will say it anyway: THANK YOU 🙏🏻 Here’s to following my heart, and to the next chapter 💫
#maisonmeredith
I have the most difficult time knowing how to show up on social media, especially in a “personal” manner. I really do see the benefits of it, however if I wasn’t a business owner, I would no longer have any social media accounts. In my personal life, I have found that the benefits do not outweigh the cons, and I believe to my core that the same is true for my children. I am the best version of myself when my phone is not around, and I want to share that person with the two little humans who are watching (and modeling) my every move.
I do think having a phone is a necessity in my life, but the amount of time I spend on it can feel like it correlates quite closely with my happiness. While I have noticed and accepted this over the past few years, I really do struggle because how do I show up here?
Trust me, I have no doubt in the power and significance of what each click of the shutter button on my camera means; it helps families to know that this moment in time, this season, this memory will not be forgotten. I truly feel like I have one of the most important jobs in the world and I am honored to be entrusted with such a big task.
But, simply put, my passion for taking pictures doesn’t coexist with a passion for social media. I really do understand and appreciate all the differing perspectives of this internal wrestling I experience on a regularly basis. Maybe this post is simply to say — I am here, messiness and all — on what I imagine to be a lifelong journey as a photographer, a mom, and a human being pursuing a mindful life 💚
After 13+ years of being a full-time photographer, there is something I have come to believe to be true with my whole being:
While it is important to find a photographer whose work you love, it is far more important to find a photographer you *trust* 💫
When trust is built, you are able to show up to a session with comfort, ease, and excitement! Photos start to feel like spending time with a family friend, instead of someone you or your kids barely know. This familiarity allows EVERYONE to be the most authentic version of themselves, and creates an environment in which honest connection happens — and is documented!
When you know who, and what, to expect, family photos become a part of your family’s yearly rhythm AND even something that you all get to look forward to year after year! It can be a collaborative effort that you plan for, have fun doing, and celebrate after with a special tradition like pizza or ice cream! 🍦❤️🍕
I feel so thankful for the families I have built this kind of trusted connection with. My #1 goal is that they would leave our time together feeling more in love with and connected to their family than when we first started. When the photos reflect that kind of love? Well, that is what I think we are all just trying to bottle up a little bit more of 💞
Now booking summer family sessions — please reach out for more information!
[email protected]
Reclaiming Family Photos ✨
I am on a personal mission to help families enjoy, and even look forward to, taking family photos! Over the past 13+ years of being a photographer, I have seen how stressful family photos can be for parents (myself included!) while simultaneously experiencing firsthand how detrimental this stress can be for everyone involved. In (knowingly or unknowingly) striving to capture the “perfect” photos, parents often do the opposite of what is needed to have a session that feels enjoyable, authentic, and fun.
So ... how do you eliminate stress, have fun, and actually enjoy your session? All my thoughts in my most recent blog post, written just for parents who resonate with this 🤎 Link in bio.
#maisonmeredith
I can’t describe the struggle I have with knowing how to show up online — I really do wrestle with this so much❣️ On one hand, I find a lot of value in social media. It has lead to some really special relationships in my life, allows me to stay connected with beloved clients, and has given me incredibly helpful information as a mom navigating the highs and lows of parenting. AND, on the other hand, I am continuously seeing how being on my phone pulls me away from the life right in front of me, often going against my #1 life mantra to “be where your feet are.”
I *deeply* value connection with others, and especially my clients! If there is anything I believe to be true about my job as a photographer, it’s that clients must feel safe, seen, and known in order to produce images that truly capture who they are. I want to show up for them, and for those interested in working with me, in this way — nothing matters more! This desire gently nudges me to show up here more often, and more authentically. When I first started my business, this came so naturally! But as time goes on, and I’ve gotten older(?), there’s this other “voice” that constantly questions, wondering if personal peace really is found apart from my phone.
There has to be another way!
As a business owner, I know I’m not alone in this. For those in a similar boat, how do you share who you are, if showing up online in a personal way doesn’t come naturally? And for clients, I’m genuinely wondering(!!!) — what matters to you when looking for a photographer? What do you want to see? What helps you gain trust?
#maisonmeredith
The air was sunny but crisp as I joined the FC family for their in-home lifestyle session this past spring. I was welcomed immediately by a smiling, curious toddler and his furry best friend. He showed me his toys — a favorite, his dyson vacuum cleaner — and we spent time moseying around the family home together getting acquainted with one another’s presence ☺️
Upstairs, I found baby sister getting changed and ready to snuggle up with mama in the rocking chair. Every time I have the privilege of photographing a mother nurse, I am instantly brought back to the incredibly special and sacred breastfeeding experiences I was able to share with my own two children. Time sure does fly by.
Once baby sister’s belly was full, everyone played together on the floor of her room as the sun poured in through the windows upstairs. Serenity. Amidst the busyness of life, I love how these sessions allow parents to slow down … to pause … to really, truly notice the gift of life right in front of them. How often we miss the extraordinary in the ordinary. My hope is that the photos from these sessions would be a reminder of our everyday extraordinary.
After awhile, we wandered downstairs where a necessary snack was had before heading outside to play in the yard. It was that time of the year in Wisconsin where the feeling of sun on your skin hits just a little bit differently and reminds you that longer, warmer days are surely coming soon.
As I finally get to writing this post, these two babes are year older (and that much bigger) than when we spent time together for their session. I’ve never been more aware of how precious time is, and how fast is seems to pass by. And yet, the gift of the work I do is that with each snap of my camera’s shutter button I get to say — “This moment? This one will never be forgotten.”
#maisonmeredith
Celebrating a new season of life, in the home they built together, with the happiest pup who fills their lives with joy 💞 I love how this family chose to put a ’time stamp’ on it all. What in your life is worth documenting? I’d be absolutely honored to come along for the ride 💫
#maisonmeredith
Let’s work together to brainstorm what you want to remember most about this season of life. What is meaningful to your family right now? A place? An activity? Harvesting your garden together in the summer? An annual outing to your favorite county park for a hike and swim? Evenings playing basketball at the park down the street?
Sessions don’t always have to follow the “traditional” model — instead, I want to encourage parents to think outside the box about what they *truly* want to remember of this chapter in their family’s story 💫
Let’s preserve it, forever: /inquire 💌
#maisonmeredith
Mini sessions are one of my most popular offerings — and I sincerely LOVE doing them! I was actually just talking to Caleb about this the other night. While I completely understand why some photographers shy away from doing mini sessions, they are something I always plan to offer.
That being said, I also wholeheartedly believe that mini sessions are not the best fit for every family. My goal for today’s blog post is to offer clarity on mini vs. full sessions, with the hope of helping parents decide what is truly best for their family! Going into a session, I find that not everyone has the same hopes and expectations for their photos. And, those hopes and expectations can change from year to year! Reevaluation can be really important as your kids, or family, grow! It is incredibly helpful to think about these things when booking your session 🙂
The post can be found here: /blog/2026/03/19/mini-vs-full-session-madison-wi/. As always, please let me know if you have any questions! I am here to help however I can 💫
#maisonmeredith
If you are someone who chooses to intentionally preserve your family’s story, today’s post is for you! While I truly believe that any documentation of your family is a worthy effort (yes, iPhone photos and videos included!), there is one decision I consider a must:
Photographing your family at home.
By far, the majority of the time we spend together as a family is at home. And for many people — especially kids — home is our most comfortable space. It is where we find it easiest “let our guard down” and show up as we authentically are. At home, we fall into the rhythms and grooves that bring out the truest version of ourselves; the ones that, I believe, we will want to remember most as time continues to pass us by.
While I completely understand why people have hesitations about doing family photos at home, I want to encourage you to really think about what will matter most to you (and to your kids!) as time goes on. While there is certainly a place for everything in life, I have a feeling that the “perfect” family photo or the “perfect” aesthetically-pleasing house won’t be at the top of that list. Please don’t let those things be what prevents you from taking photos at home! What will matter is the choice to document your family, in the space where so much of your life was lived, together.
This is why I believe that everyone should schedule at least one family session in their home before their kids are out of the house! I feel confident in guaranteeing you would never regret it.
More thoughts and resources on the blog — link in bio 💞
#maisonmeredith
