Getting to Know Rockport Family Photographer Mae Burke

It's so good to see so many new faces on my Instagram and Facebook page, Welcome!

I know that many of you are here because you saw my small contribution to Click Away during Ginger Unzueta's talk, and while I'm bummed I couldn't be there to hug you and teach myself as was planned, I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it in some small way.

Here are three things you probably already knew:
-My name is Mae Burke
-I'm a family photographer in Rockport, Texas
-I usually have 1-3 children under my feet (often times more, because... it's unexplainable really...)

Here are five things you probably didn't know
-I am equal parts Mary Crowley, Leslie Knope, and Peggy Olsen (with a dash of Selena)
-I can speak way more German than I can Spanish (which isn't saying much, on either account!)
-I have lived on the Texas Coast almost the entirety of my life and have yet to go surfing.
-I have had images on two major morning news shows and was REALLY DISAPPOINTED when my Skype calls with them were bumped for something else.
-I have seen every episode of every season of Boy Meets World, Dawson's Creek, Lost, and The Office at least six times over... I fall asleep if I read for leisure, people!

I have been in business, photographing families, falling in love with the connection between mothers and their loved ones, for nearly eight years. I have been mentoring other photographers on how to do the same (in their own beautiful way) for the past five. I built my client base in the DFW Metroplex and returned to my hometown of Rockport, Texas just a few short weeks after my third baby was born. I am forever grateful for each and every family who let's me into their home or meets me out at the park or beach and allows me to share their story. I am encouraged as a mother and wife, and affirmed as an artist.

Thank you all for being here.

Happy Valentine's Day!

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

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Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

I opened up an email today that read "Be your own Valentine, that's real Self Love goals #relationshipgoals" and I thought two things

1) Why do I sign up to read content from people who talk like this in real life? 😅
2) You sure 'bout that?

Now, I'm the first one to tell you I'm all for loving you for you in all your imperfect, fro'd out, freak-flag-flyin ways- BUT- (you all saw the "but" coming, right, you better have by now!) I think we've taken a step or 63 miles past that point and are straight in the self-absorbed, self-idol, self-centered, FEELS REAL GOOD, part of the journey as a society.

The idea that "we must first love ourselves before we can love others" has a place, but for the most part, WE'RE REAL GOOD AT LOVING OURSELVES, Y'ALL. Serving ourselves, catering to our needs, looking out for Number One. And Jesus KNEW this- He said "Love your neighbor (literal, actual, people living right next door to you; your family that drives you nuts, your coworker that stinks) as you love yourself. He knew we were full of it two thousand years ago!

So- PLOT TWIST- don't let the fear of taking the love you have for yourself into idolatry keep you from taking care of yourself. Don't deny yourself love and care and expect all of your outward devotion to be worth anything- it will be coming from a dry well.

Take me-

My main mission in life at this moment is to be my husband's number one fan and support, and raise our girls to know Christ (and read, I guess) I stay home and school them in our living room to accomplish this.

So I have potentially 24 hours in a day to work with

We'll say 7 of those are spent sleeping, 3-4 of them are spent alone with my husband after the girls are in bed, 2-3 of them are spent going to and from the gym for a weightlifting session, and 1 hour is spent taking, organizing, editing, and posting an image- that leaves me with 5 uninterrupted hours with the girls every single day. That's 1825 hours a year. It takes me 8 hours a day to prepare myself to be fully available for a 9 hour job- and I think that is fair.

I'd like to argue that "loving yourself" is preparing yourself to be the best wife, mother, daughter, friend, student, employee, etc. that brings glory to God. One that is loving, kind, selfless, and full of the fruits of the Spirit.

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I find so much joy in photographing families in Rockport, Texas - if you are wanting me to photograph you loving you and your babies, visit my shop or email me at hello@maeburke.com for more info on booking a session with me.

What to Wear for a Beach Session with Rockport Family Photographer Mae Burke

Spring Break is just around the corner and then, before we know it, SUMMER WILL BE HERE!
(This is the coldest, longest winter I've ever experienced as a Native South Texan, and I'm having a serious Olaf moment over here... "Let's bring back SUMMER!")

Your family has booked the perfect hotel, or you've found the perfect VRBO to share with your friends and in-laws, you know what restaurants are a must to visit, and swimsuit shopping has started. But have you thought about getting professional photos while you are at the beach?

If you are visiting the South Texas Coast this beach season and are looking for a Rockport Family Photographer, be sure to check out my portfolio. I grew up in the area and love finding locations for my clients that are fun and beautiful that exemplify the highlights of spending time in the salty air, whether you're a resident or just visiting.
Another fun part of my job is helping my clients figure out what to wear for their sessions! Encouraging my clients to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin through their wardrobe produces an environment that allows genuine connection and heartfelt emotion.

Here are some general guidelines to get you ready.

LESS IS MORE

From make-up, to accessories, to diapers on baby bums, keeping a simple, minimalist approach makes the big personalities of my families shine- not their outfits.

• MAKE-UP: Clean, natural, waterproof make-up is always the way to go. If you have the means to get in touch with a professional make-up artist, make sure they understand you will be out in the elements. Dark or bold "evening out" make up will look out of place, and you want to make sure that your eyeliner and mascara aren't going to be running due to high humidity or playing in the water. Concealer and foundation should be natural (because orange spots on other family members clothes is a nightmare to edit!) but feel free to add a pop of color with a fun lip. Most of my mamas and wives meet me at the beach with a little eyeliner and mascara and a light lip, opting for a fresh look

• ACCESSORIES: Simple necklaces, earrings, and bangles can add playful texture, sparkle, and color, but always keep in mind that we are out in the elements! I always remind my mamas not to wear anything of value that is loose and could potentially fall off and get lost in the sand. Men, keep wallets, sunglasses, and your favorite non-waterproof watch and phone in the car! They can be distracting in photos, or worse, fall out while you're chasing the kiddos or the family dog down the shore.

• DIAPERS- Mamas with babies still in diapers always ask about what kind of diaper their baby should wear. If you must keep a diaper on your little one, I suggest 7th Generation because of their plain, non-distracting design, or something from The Honest Company. Both companies are baby booty friendly, and Honest has some ADORABLE designs. Another option for cloth diapering parents, is to just wrap a cover around baby's bottom without a prefold or insert. However- as soon as baby gets near the water, that diaper is going to fill up. Conventional diapers with the strip down the middle that indicates a dirty diaper, start changing colors. All diapers (cloth or disposable) start bulking up or sagging, making it hard for baby to walk. So after you get pictures in that adorable outfit that you picked to perfectly coordinate yours, let that baby go free! Every baby I've ever photographed thinks it's hilarious and we don't have to worry about anything else!

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COLOR, MOVEMENT, & TEXTURE

Now to the clothes! Being out on the sand and in the waves allows you to put together outfits that you normally wouldn't get to wear. Long gone are the days of denim and white button down shirts. Now is the time to embrace the carefree days of the warm breeze blowing through your hair and feeling the sand on your toes!

• COLOR: As a general rule, if you just HAVE to have white in your photos, let's limit it to one family member. White can be blinding, can bounce other bright colors all around, and can be really boring if there isn't any texture through layers or patterns or movement. A plain white tee is iconic, so let's just have one person be the star with that one. As for everyone else? My personal preference lends to pastels, though I'm learning to embrace bolder colors (especially if I'm shooting film mid-day). Rose, champaign, olive, blues, greys and muave are some go-to favorites, but I'm not afraid of bold choices like black and yellow

• TEXTURE: Texture can be added in so many fun ways. Through fabric choice and patterns, the possibilities are limitless! Mixing stripes and polka-dots, layering wraps and jackets, or using see-through material all photograph so well.

• MOVEMENT: Being on the coast means, more often than not, we are dealing with some pretty awesome wind. Buying dresses or tops for the girls in your family that have lots of movement in them is such a fun way to make interesting photos. With the light shining through the fabric or the wind catching your dress just right, flowing materials add great depth to your photos. Also, wearing an outfit that doesn't cling to your body, maybe even helps mask some of the areas you aren't super comfortable right now, can help put you at ease. Toss those floor length, maxi, tube dresses from target back in the closet and find yourself something that MOVES!

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DON'T FORGET TO PACK YOUR SUIT!

More and more, my clients are letting their guard down and stripping down to their swimsuits. For me, this goes far beyond a body and what it looks like- my clients have become comfortable enough in front of my lens, that there are no more barriers- I'm getting all of them, all the smiles, all the laugh lines, all the stretch marks, all the jiggles, giggles, and joy, and there is nothing more that I love than honest joy.

I hope this is helpful to anyone planning and packing for their trip to the beach this summer. You can search the blog for more examples of what to wear to the beach, or contact me for more information on booking your Rockport and Port Aransas Beach Session.