Rachael+Ryan {Houston Engagement Photographer}

This was my first engagement session, and I truly hope it won’t be my last.  Even though I do not plan to get into wedding photography, engagement pictures are right up my alley.  Beautiful couple…check.  Beautiful sunset light…check.  Lots of laughs and fun and snuggling…check, check, check.  I would say the only downfall to this session was the amount of sweat!  It was so hot…like middle-of-the-summer hot.  Rachael and Ryan were such good sports as we traipsed all around the ditch we affectionately started calling “the vineyard” to make it sound fancier.  You know, since I am fancy engagement photographer after all (ha!  yeah, right.)

I just love Rachael’s face in this one, full of love and happiness for her future husband.

I thought this one was pretty fun, and I was happy that they went along with it even though it was so darn hot and by this point I’m pretty sure they were ready to go home!

But I think this candid moment is my favorite picture from our session.  Their smiles say it all.

Rachael and Ryan, I hope that y’all always know and always remember that God’s love and your love for each other will carry you through all of this life’s ups and downs.  I pray many blessings on you as you begin your life together!

Loved {Houston Family Photographer}

This couple is so loved.

Penny contacted me awhile ago for a family session.  Her son is about to head out on a great adventure–extreme mountain climbing in Chile, to be precise, and she wanted to make sure and get some family photos before he heads out.  Little did she know that there was so much more to this night than just a simple family session!

After we had the session on the calendar, Penny’s daughter contacted me to fill me in on a little plan she and her husband along with her brother had in the works.  Penny and Paul recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary, and their kids decided that a big surprise party was the perfect way to celebrate.  They invited friends and family from all over the country to come to Houston and surprise Penny and Paul.  So a few weeks ago, Penny tells me that her sister and family have decided to make a trip down to Houston, and the only weekend they could come in just happened to be the same weekend of our photo shoot.  Of course, I totally knew why they were coming in and thankfully I was able to keep my big fat mouth shut and not let out a little squeal about how fun the surprise was going to be.  Penny asked if they could join us for the session, and of course I said yes.

I love a good surprise.  And I can assure you that Penny and Paul had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.  I tend to get a little nervous before each and every session, but this one was especially nerve wracking.  I’m not known for my secret keeping abilities, and I definitely have a tendency to be a speak before thinking.   But somehow, all of us made it though the photo shoot without a single slip up.

We traipsed all around, sweating bullets, I might add.  Not only was there the added pressure of timing the photo shoot just right so they could get Penny and Paul to the restaurant at the right time, but it was stinkin’ hot!  Their outfits were perfectly suited for a nice fall session, but let me assure you, there was nothing fall-like about the weather!  I promised them I would photoshop out any visible sweat.

I took pictures until our light was completely gone.  As they left, I was totally giddy about the surprise to come. Penny and Paul still had no idea that anything out of the ordinary was going on.  She informed me they were going out dancing after our session.  Uh, huh…yup…keep a straight face…don’t make eye contact…I’m a horrible liar.  But off they went.  Derek picked me up and we hightailed it to the party.  I took some photos at the party–not my normal type of photography for sure, but I’m going to share a few anyway.

The room was completely quiet as they were led in with blindfolds on…

And as you can see by their faces, they had no idea and were totally shocked!

A good surprise always leads to tears.

Such a special couple with such loving family and friends.  It was definitely a night to remember, and a huge success.  I count myself lucky to call these two my friends.


thoughts

You would think that now that we are almost a month into the new school year, I would have everything all organized both in my head and in real life.  I have been meaning to blog.  It goes on my to-do list almost daily.  Am I done with this thing?  I don’t think so.  I just know it sometimes feels like it’s too much effort to think of creative and fun things to write about and edit and post pictures at the end of our days.  I actually think I need to do a week in the life project again.  I haven’t done one since 2008, and, goodness, have things changed since then!  (You can read all about that week here if you’re so inclined.)

Life these days…soccer (one boy), cub scouts (two boys), school, homework, exercising (4 days a week…making it a priority), bible study, youth group (man am I loving working with those kids), church commitments (a new building space means long Sundays for Derek as an audio guy, and I teach kids church), a long daily commute for Derek (at least an hour each way), and my business that is heading into to busy season. There just isn’t a lot of time left for other things, and for whatever reason, this blog used to be more of a priority but now it’s admittedly on the back burner.

But I think that’s okay.  I’ve come to the realization that things are constantly changing and I constantly have to adapt the the “new normal”.  Years ago, I had longs days at home with 3 little ones and not much going on outside our little home.  That just isn’t the case anymore.  I’m learning to balance, learning to let things go, learning to change expectations.  For example, the expectation of having Derek walk in the door by 5:30.  That just doesn’t happen anymore.  But, for the most part, I just do my best to make it work.

I’ve given myself 10 more minutes to post.  Then I have to get dinner ready and get everyone out the door for soccer.

And…case and point.  I gave myself 10 minutes to post but then someone needed something and then dinner needed to be put on the table.  Soccer practice, second dinner (aka the after practice snack that seems more like a meal), baths, reading time, cleaning up from the day and I’m ready to sack out in my pj’s and watch a little Parenthood.

Yes, this is indeed a busy season of life.  But I’m doing my best to soak it all up, be present in the moment, and remind myself that this will soon all change.  I’m sure someday I’ll be back to regular blogging.

And finally, to round out this random post, a picture.  It’s probably the best one ever of the three kids where they aren’t being crazy.  And don’t get me wrong, I love my crazy kids, but it sure is nice to see this side of them, too.

Holiday and Fall Mini Sessions {Houston Family Photographer}

I’m excited to announce that the 2011 fall mini sessions are officially on the calendar!  I will be offering one date in the Arlington and Flower Mound, TX area (October 1) and two dates in the Clear Lake/Houston area (October 15 and November 5).  These are booked on a first come, first serve basis and times are available in the morning and the evening.  Times are already filling up, so contact megan@meganthurmanphotography.com to book yours today!

lucky {Clear Lake Maternity Photography}

In about 2 months, my extended family is going to be growing by one sweet little boy, thanks to my big brother and my sister-in-law.  I cannot wait to meet him!  He is going to be such a loved and welcomed addition to the family.  Not only is he going to have the greatest aunt in the world, but he’s also got a pretty fabulous mom, dad, brother, and sister who are waiting and ready to meet him.

Seriously, this family is amazing.  And I’m not just saying that because it’s my brother.  They love and serve God in all that they do, and it’s just really neat to see a family that showers love on everyone around them.

Kathy is beautiful, plain and simple.

And isn’t her backyard gorgeous?!  All of these photos were taken in and around her yard.  We doubled up her maternity session with a good old fashioned family cookout.  James grilled the most delicious salmon (seriously, my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.)

It was a great night.  I cannot wait to meet you, little baby-with-almost-a-name-but-it’s-not-set-in-stone!

It was like she grew up overnight

Camryn started preschool today.  She’s been going to a mother’s day out program for the past 2 years, so this wasn’t the first time that she’s done the whole school thing.  But somehow this morning, it just felt different.  More grown up.  Last night, she picked out her first day of school outfit and laid it carefully on the top of her bookshelf.  This morning, she eagerly helped me make her lunch and asked me every few minutes if it was time to go yet.  She cried after we took the boys to school and realized she had to wait another hour for her turn.  She was so aware of what was going on and so very excited about it all.

But I really thought that when it came down to it, she would cry a little bit and cling to me when it was time to say good-bye.  I was prepared for it, and had even warned her teachers about it.  As we walked into the school, she wanted to be held, and she clung tightly to my neck as we walked into her classroom.  But she immediately wanted down, found her cubby, put her purple blanket away, and hung her bag on her hook.  She gave me a sweet little hug and kiss and marched right over to the dollhouse and started to play.  She didn’t even look back at me, even though a big part of me really wanted her to.

She’s growing up.

And I’m just not sure how I feel about that.  Sure, it’s a beautiful thing.  It’s what’s supposed to happen.  But she’s my baby. And I don’t know if I’m ready for her to be so big and independent quite yet.

I guess I better just get used to it and accept all this growing up business.  Because ready or not, here it comes.