Building Relationships

I once prepared a presentation for a photography conference that gave specific bullet points for how to create the "perfect" client questionnaire that had the "perfect" questions that would make your clients magically open up, giving you "perfect" pictures.
I ultimately scrapped that because it was too dry for me, and because it's total bull crap. I had bought the lie and I was about to start spreading it.

Some of the clients I shot this weekend in DFW have been with me since 2012. They trusted a 23 year old girl with their maternity or newborn pictures and we've been together ever since. We have watched each other grow into Parenthood, celebrated additions, mourned losses. The connection formed between us was made through vulnerability, trust, and a diligent commitment to improve the quality of my art and business year after year.

This kind of business plan isn't for everyone, and it isn't necessarily stable, and I don't know that I can fill any kind of presentations about it, but it is fulfilling in a way that is rare and beautiful.

Lynch Family at Home and On Shore

I have a handful of sessions from this summer that are patiently waiting for me to blog them. Their stories are all unique, yet intertwined by the same threads - love and persistence and commitment.

I have spent the last few months with a new fire in my belly, a new song to sing, a new story to write. I’ve photographed families in the Coastal Bend (Rockport, Port Aransas, Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Portland) in their homes and out by the water. I’ve listened to the stories of recovering homes as we approached the one year anniversary of Harvey, and all the life that has happened in between. Babies being born, first days of school, marriages flourishing as two amazing people draw closer together despite the world telling them it’s easier to just drift further apart.

The stress of life is real. We see it on our phones and tvs everyday. Our community has it’s own stresses, as does yours, but I’m here to tell you of our successes. Our triumphs over dirty diapers, mismatches shoes, remembering to wear a bra. I’m on a mission to sneak a shot of every smooch, every giggle, every moment of joy that my families allow me to see when I’m with them. Because these are the little things that are so easy to forget. I have been photographing mothers and the ones they love for almost ten years and believe I am finally settling into my happy place.

Charissa and Matt, thank you for stepping in front of my camera again and welcoming me into your home. Your teamwork has produced some amazing little humans and I’m lucky to have y’all in my life.

(I tried something new with my blogging format, to try to break up the huge walls of images. If you want to see any of the images in the grids fully, just click on an image and exit out, or scroll through to see the others!)

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Matt and Charissa chose to purchase my second package that I offer in my shop. It allows lots of time for me to get to know a family and shoot in several locations, and yields an heirloom box of the most amazing prints you’ve ever held. If you are looking to have your family photographed this fall, please visit my shop or email me at hello@maeburke.com to book your time with me.

Courtney and Chase Welcome Cecile | Rockport Family Photographer

I often feel like I'm quickly disconnecting from the newborn world

The blurred days and weeks (and months) of sleep deprivation, an aching body, an overflowing fountain of emotions, all tangled up with an identity shift. 

Courtney and Chase have been nothing but joyous to get to know as new parents. Their excitement for their daughter is contagious, and just as I thought I couldn't relate to that "new mom" feeling anymore, I turned to complete mush and was sucked right back into the days of smelling like sour milk, but completely engulfed in the smell of my baby's head when Courtney sent me this email

FROM COURTNEY:

"Oh man, motherhood... So many emotions. Nothing could have ever prepared me for the instantaneous love I felt for my child. It's truly indescribable, but I will try. It's like my heart just exploded at 12:02am April 3, 2018. I remember being in the hospital, looking at Chase, and saying, "I feel complete." I'm not usually an at-ease person because I'm too busy worrying about something, but after Cecile arrived I felt so calm. Like I was meant for this and she was meant for me."

"I'm sure every mother has had these emotions. None are specific to me, but with that said... I feel like I'm now part of this special club. I get what it's all about. It's THE deal in life. Nothing else matters as much as it did before. I look at all the wonderful mothers I know, particularly my own mother, with a new kind of profound respect. One that is only felt when you too have been through something so life changing."

"I feel like I need to mentioned my husband. Chase has been truly amazing throughout the entire time little Ceil has been with us. He was wonderful during my pregnancy, but absolutely awesome (the word is terribly overused these days, but I actually mean it) with our baby. I look at him and I'm mesmerized by his interactions with her. Not that I didn't expect him to be an incredible father, it's just so fun to be in the presence of a little girl and her daddy. He melts daily. His love for her and his involvement has been incredible to watch. "

"I feel like the pictures Mae Burke took reflect our happiness in the simplest form. We are both so in love with our child and she captured that perfectly! I'm so so glad we chose to do newborn photos. You know the moment you're faced with a cat 4 hurricane heading straight towards you and you have to decide what to grab? These pictures will be at the top of the list."

Getting to take part in such a huge transition in someone else's life isn't something I take lightly. And to see that my clients are going to be wonderful parents?! Even better. Thank you Courtney and Chase for opening up your little pocket of love for me to peak into.

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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.