Downtown Annapolis Parking : FAVORITE PHOTO FRIDAY : 10

This week's Favorite Photo Friday is a photo from downtown Annapolis, Maryland.  I love the story behind this photo and someday would like to print this for my garage!

So, if you know me, it is no secret that I LOVE Annapolis.  The water, the shops, the Naval Academy - it is an awesome place to spend the day!  My in-laws came to town and wanted to tour Annapolis. I gladly agreed and my hubby just rolled his eyes.  I knew some spots to park downtown by the shops, but everyone else in tow wanted to follow a GPS.  Our lovely GPS parked us no where near the downtown strip and we actually had to carry the GPS with us from the car to help us find our way to the main street.  It was quite the adventure.

I had originally taken this photo so I could look back on it, if we couldn't remember which garage we parked in.  I'm glad I did, cause it will always remind me of our adventure.

Highland Maryland Family Photos : Marshall Sisters 2012

This is so late, it is embarrassing. Oh well!  Better late than never :).

I have a big family.  A HUGE family, and I LOVE it! My Mom-mom and Pop-pop had 9 children, 3 boys and 6 girls.  There are currently 39 grand children and 23 great grand children.

One thing my family is awesome at is making traditions.  This post is about one of those traditions....

When my grandfather was alive, he would always take all of his girls out on a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I remember my mom looking forward to this day.  They spent the day shopping and having a nice dinner and sometimes my mom would come home with flowers, sometimes she would come home with a box of her favorite candies.  He took a day and made it all about his girls.  They loved it and looked forward to it.

Now that he is gone, my Mom puts together a Christmas Brunch for her sisters every year.  It is usually held the first Saturday in December and each year has a specific theme.  My Mom prepares for this for days.  Each sister brings a dish for the brunch, they do a gift exchange and then they all go shopping.  After they are done shopping, they all go out to dinner and end up back at my Mom's where they have a sleepover.

Growing up, we all knew that "Brunch Day" meant we would be gone for the entire day.  When I was younger, my Dad used this time to take all of us kids out to breakfast and shopping.  I was spending this particular "Brunch Day" at home in my pajamas.  I started getting all of these phone calls and finally decided to listen to the voice mails.  My aunts were calling and asking me to come over and take photos of all of them together.

Each one of my aunts are so special to me and I'm so thankful to have them in my life.  My grandma is a rock star.  I love her so much.  I'm so glad I was able to do this for them.  Here are a few of my favorites! 

I hope your family has traditions and you have special memories with your loved ones.  Hold them tight.  Life goes by way too fast.

J Bar W Ranch Rodeo : FAVORITE PHOTO FRIDAY : 9

Happy Friday y'all!

I always have and always will be in love with black and white photos.  Colors can so drastically change the feel of a photo, but a black and white photo just is what it is.  It is transparent and timeless.  This photo is one of my favorites.  Black and white, a horse, a cowboy, and some sun flare - I wouldn't change a thing about it.  If I ever have a little boy one day, this is getting blown up for the nursery.

Have a great weekend!

Warsaw New York Dairy Farm Engagement : Jordan & Margaret

So, so, SO excited to share Jordan & Margaret's engagement session with you!! We met up for their engagement session when we were in NY over 4th of July. 

Jordan & Margaret met while they were both working at a dairy farm.  They enjoy fishing, 4 wheeling and just spending time with the people they love.

I asked Margaret to tell me about the engagement and this is what she had to say.. "He took me out to dinner at the Red Lobster on April Fools Day and he had been playing jokes on me for a while. So, when he finally asked me, I didn’t believe him. Then he pulled out a fake ring and laughed at me because I thought it was the real thing.  Then we got in the car and he pulled out the real ring and asked me to marry him again."

Thank you both for showing me around; I had a blast.  Thank you to Jess for assisting me with this shoot!  Thank all three of you for helping this city girl see the true beauty of the country.  :)  Here are a few of my favorites from their session!

 

Jordan and Jess's Uncle Jack owns Keough Dairy Farm and since Jordan and Margaret met at a dairy farm, we thought this would be the perfect backdrop for their photos.

She is going to be an absolutely stunning bride!!

I have never been around so many cows in my entire life.  It. Was. Awesome!

Thank you so much Uncle Jack for letting us use your farm!! After the farm we headed to Jordan's house so we could use the corn crib.  On the way from the farm to the corn crib it poured.  Like buckets.  We got a little wet, but I'd say it was worth it!

Do you know what a corn crib is?  I didn't.  At some point of the year, that entire thing will be stacked with corn.  I believe for the cows.. I hope anyways.  :)

I took one look at this willow tree and gasped.  I LOVE willow trees.  We were done taking photos, but I talked them into a few more.  It is a good thing we captured this tree because according to the Strathern family, Mr. wants it down and Mrs. wants it to stay.  :)  The last photo is a photo from a tree in Jordan's front yard.  Can you imagine waking up to that view every day?!

Thank you again Jordan and Margaret!! I'm looking sooo forward to your wedding! :)

J Bar W Ranch Rodeo : FAVORITE PHOTO FRIDAY : 8

I'm behind on Favorite Photo Friday posts!  The past few weeks have been really busy.

I took this photo at a rodeo at J Bar W Ranch.  I love the rays of sunshine, the crowd looking on and the look of determination on the bull's face. It makes me think of the perfect summer night! :)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Glenelg High School Senior Photos : Senior Rep : Landry

I have said it so many times.  SENIORS. ARE. AWESOME.  This is Lauren E Merrill Photography's 1st ever Senior Rep, Landry!!  Landry goes to Glenelg High School and these are my favorites from his mini session. 

Landry is my super sweet, super talented cousin!  He is one of the most down to earth people I know and would do anything for you.  Just to give you a glimpse of the type of person he is... January I got a submission for my senior rep program and it was from him.  In the "why do you want to be a rep for LEM Pics" he wrote, "Because I love my cousin and want people to know what a great photographer she is."  Landry, I still have that and look at it when I have not so great days!  Thank you Landry for believing in me and for representing Lauren E Merrill Photography, it is a pleasure to have you on my team!!

Want to know more about being a senior rep?  Head over to my website and check it out!