Courtney and Chase waiting for Baby C | Rockport Family Photographer
Courtney and Chase are fellow Rockport natives and RFHS graduates.
The memories I have of them growing up are all the same - smiling.
Courtney, the upbeat, ear-to-ear grinning, cheerleader with the always bouncing blonde ponytail. Chase, the basketball and football player always right by her side doting.
But these two high school sweethearts had more than just puppy love. The display of deep friendship and genuine adoration they have for each other was evident from the moment we arrived at the beach, and the excitement it brought to me as an artist was palpable.
I've said it a million times, photographing expecting moms is my favorite thing (other than my kids) but photographing first time moms - that might be my favoritest thing. Being a little bit ahead of these first time mamas in this motherhood journey is indescribable. Having the ability to watch them and see their beauty that is new to them, and ever-changing, remembering the excitement and anxiety of each new kick, ache, and Amazon purchase, it is all so precious.
Here's a few words from Courtney
"The more and more I look at these photos the more I fall in love. They are just so beautiful! I can't get over it. As the morning went on, you can tell we started to feel more comfortable. You put me at such ease and made me feel so beautiful. Thank you for that. They are simply perfect. "
"Mae took my maternity pictures and at a time when even my wrists felt fat she put me at ease and made me feel as though I was the most beautiful woman in the world. I was absolutely dreading our session (as no one likes to take pictures of themselves when they don't feel their best), but after she met with me the day before to discuss outfits and the final details I knew I was in good hands. The session was truly one of the best experiences. My husband and I left feeling so full of her infectious joy and as though we had made a lifelong friend in Mae. Our pictures are indescribably beautiful and I cannot wait to schedule our next session. Mae has created a lifelong client in me and my family."
Here are a few more of my favorites
Courtney and Chase, again, thank you a million times over for spending your morning with me out on the water. Your love is so deep and so true, this little girl you are waiting for is so lucky. I can't wait to meet her.
I find so much joy in photographing expecting couples, babies, and families in Rockport, Texas - For more information on these sessions, 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
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.
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!
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!
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.
lisa & mark waiting for baby h
Lisa is someone who makes you smile when she's around.
I met her at a five am workout class, and everyday, her smile made me smile.
She was a newlywed when I met her, coming into her own as a wife all while being an encouragement to those around her. When I found out she was expecting, I was thrilled for her! I was thrilled that she was going to get to experience motherhood, thrilled that her happy husband was going to get to watch his wife take on this new role, and thrilled that this baby is coming into a world of love that is just precious.
Thank you, Lisa and Mark, for meeting me at sunrise with your fur-babies to celebrate this beautiful time in your lives.
“I met Mae at the gym shortly after moving to the Rockport area, and her enthusiasm and love for life automatically caught my attention. Once I discovered what her passion and profession was, I (not yet pregnant or even wanting to be) started envisioning my maternity session with her. I’m a planner, and apparently sometimes I plan for things that aren’t even within my grasp. Fast forward a year and here we are - baby in belly and Mae’s beautiful photography on my computer screen. ”
“Pregnancy has been one of the best periods of my life. I feel very fortunate to not have gone through any difficulties or complications thus far (minus a few weeks of morning sickness and acne that just won’t go away). Pregnancy has strengthened my marriage and positively changed my husband (and myself) in ways I wasn’t expecting. It has also helped me to bond even more with the women in my life. I can only hope to be the kind of mother that my mom, grandmas, aunts, and friends have been.
My husband and I decided to go the ‘natural’ route with our birthing experience shortly after becoming pregnant, and after reading and learning so much about the process, I find it hard not to try and sway others to do the same. A few friends, including Mae, have inspired me to birth naturally and it is what I’m looking forward to most in my pregnancy. Women’s bodies are designed to create, birth, and care for babies. I encourage any future moms-to-be to explore the option of natural birth too!
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“ My husband and I are so pleased Mae captured the love we have for each other and the excitement we have for our growing family. She even got our fur babies in a few! I was nervous about the vulnerability of showing my bare belly, but Mae actually snapped all of these shots as we were just catching up as friends. Mae has an eye for beauty through a lens. I can’t wait for our next session once our precious baby has arrived!”
Thank you again Lisa and Mark for having so much fun with me at the beach. I cannot wait to meet this little fire cracker!
Love what you see down here on the Coast?
Will your family be visiting Rockport, Port Aransas or Corpus Christi this summer?
To book family or maternity session while you are in the Coastal Bend,
be sure to visit the shop for all the details
or email me at hello@maeburke.com