Megan Beth: Wedding Photography Blog

Getting our priorities in line.

January 25, 2010 – 8:17 am

We were on our way to dinner, and needed to stop at dad’s house to pick him up. Amanda opted to stay in the car while Brian and I went inside to get dad. Hi dad, you ready to go? Yes, he responded, but first let me show Brian something. He slowly gets up from the couch and makes his way over to the Wii console. Dad, let’s go, we can show him later. Wait he said, I just want to show him my skiing first.

I obviously need to get my priorities straightened out. Wii Ski first. Dinner, second.

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I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty good.
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By Megan Beth | Posted in Personal | 1 comments Add a Comment

Renee -

This looks like an awesome family night!

Annapolis Newborn Baby Photography: Skylar and Riley

January 12, 2010 – 7:44 am

The sun beamed brightly in the windows, just a few days away from Christmas. They quietly stood, cradling and soothing their most prized possessions, love just oozing from every ounce of Jen and Dan. It warmed the entire room, the same room in which they would watch Skylar and Rileys’ futures unfold before them. Jen placed her hand on Skylars’ back, and tears started running down Jen’s face. Happy tears. They had the most perfectly adorable little babies in the world, and there they were, finally a family.

Jen and Dan, Thank you so much for having me over. I still can’t believe how amazing Skylar and Riley are. They are truly blessed to have such amazing parents as yourself! xoxo, Megan

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Pink toes. They have a hard time telling them apart, so a little pedicure was the answer.
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Their skin was so soft and perfect in every way.
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I love this image.
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By Megan Beth | Posted in Families | 10 comments Add a Comment

Robin Chisholm -

Jen and Dan

Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience a part of your day with the babies. I loved it and they are truly amazing as you both are. I would love to watch their growth through your photo shoots.

Love,

Robin
Janet -

These beautiful babies’ Mom-Mom did not exaggerate one little bit. Beautiful! All of us ‘Fauves’ wish your family happiness and look forward to hearing about and watching your darlings grow.
Amanda Potter -

I confess – I don’t like babies all that much but these two had me saying “Awww…” out loud. What a beautiful family; they look so happy! Gorgeous, wonderful pictures – as usual! : )
Ryel j -

I love the painted toe nails!!! This session is so adorable, amazing job!
Kimberly Bush -

Amazing pictures! They are so beautiful, Jen! Thank you for sharing.
Sarah Hendrickson -

I’m literally getting weepy – what wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us. :) xoxo
Kerri Reyelt -

OMG, they are absolutely adorable – such precious pictures, I am sitting at work tearing up, saying “oohhhh, ahhhh”!! God bless them both. Hugs and kisses to all.

Great job Megan ;-)
Jen Yeager -

Absolutely AWESOME Megan! Thank you again – just beautiful, of course made me cry all over again. Can’t wait for another shoot when they’re six months old!! :) xoxo, Jen, Dan, Skylar and Riley
Eileen Caulk -

Your pictures often take my breath away or make me cry or laugh…these did all three! You shoot not with just a camera but with your soul.
The pictures from Ben and Jenny’s wedding still amaze and delight me and now I’ll have to put the pressure on for a new Grandbaby! lol
Mom -

Absolutely beautiful Megan. I’m so happy for Jen and Dan! Her little feet in Dan’s hand — so cute!

The Uncertain Road Ahead.

January 11, 2010 – 11:27 am

I remember the day I suspected something was wrong.
That was four years ago.
I miss the old him.
Unfortunately, I know it’s only going to get harder.
I struggle with it every. single. day.
My heart is aching.
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By Megan Beth | Posted in Personal | no comments Add a Comment

101 in 1001.

January 4, 2010 – 8:17 am

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. Ready, go.

1. Sing on stage in a gospel choir, robe and all.
2. Pay off my credit card (hi mom!).
3. Drive the speed limit for a month. Following all lights, signs, and guidelines.
4. Take flying lessons.
5. Go horseback riding. And take my horse where ever I want, not on some dinky trail.
6. Visit Nikki in San Diego.
7. Go skydiving…again.
8. Order canvases for my living room walls.
9. Cook more.
10. Visit Mexico again, preferably Cozumel.
11. Get back into the gym, and my daily gym routine.
12. Shoot a destination wedding in Hawaii.
13. Get a dog, and name her Sadie.
14. Go to a photography workshop.
15. Practice my Arabic once a week.
16. Scuba dive.
17. Travel to Africa.
18. Furnish my living room.
19. Mentor a photographer.
20. Go rock climbing.
21. Get a video camera. I hear the Flip is awesome!
22. Go to bed before 11, for a whole month.
23. Visit/volunteer in an orphanage in Africa.
24. Enroll in hip hop dance classes.
25. Take my vitamins everyday for three months.
26. Get rid of my migraines.
27. Travel to Europe from France to Austria taking the same route as Easy Company of the 106 Airborne Division (Band of Brothers)
28. Organize personal photos.
29. Take more time for myself, instead of working very single moment of the day.
30. Go to WPPI in Vegas. Vegas baby!
31. Learn how to ride a motorcycle, and buy one.
32. Visit 5 different states I have yet to see.
33. Go to a Battle of the Bands, just like on Drumline.
34. Get published.
35. Get a chance to go to Iraq or Afghanistan and shoot…with my camera.
36. See RENT or Stomp on Broadway.
37. Visit my aunt in New York.
38. Meet the president and photograph him.
39. Go to a USMC parade again.
40. Buy a house!
50. Frame my degree.
51. Learn to surf.
52. Invent something/develop something.
53. Buy a new computer!
54. Finish buying ALL my camera gear I want.
55. TAKE A VACATION to a tropical beach.
56. Get a new point and shoot.
57. Spend the night in a swanky boutique hotel in NYC.
58. Order letterpress business cards…YUMM
59. Buy a rolling camera suitcase.
60. Photograph a wedding for free for someone less fortunate.
61. Gain weight. You heard, GAIN WEIGHT.
62. Volunteer at a local orphanage.
63. Learn to snowboard.
64. Go to the gun range again.
65. Photograph Jackson S.
66. Join a pool for the summer.
67. Get an ergonomic office chair.
68. Volunteer in New Orleans.
69. Frame some of my images.
70. Photograph the Healys!
71. Participate in the Toys for Tots campaign.
72. Ride my bike.
73. Clean out and donate clothes from my closet.
74. Go to the top of The Pencil .
75. Take my dad on a vacation.
76. Go to the Newseum.
77. Photograph a trendy wedding in NYC.
78. Get family pictures taken of MY family, eek.
79. Set up my office.
80. Help Alberta finish decorating her house.
81. Have a business anniversary party for all my clients and friends.
82. Photograph Amanda and Brian.
83. Get a strawberry and Nutella crepe. In Paris.
84. Read a book.
85. Run a marathon.
86. Visit Italy!
87. Host a get together for photographers to network.
88. Climb a mountain.
89. Volunteer in a pediatric oncology ward.
90. Bake a cake from scratch.
91. Be IN a wedding.
92. Buy an antique chair and redo it for my living room.
93. Send out Christmas cards.
94. Cook for my whole family (ahhhh!)
95. Go to a Kanye concert.
96. Eat meals at appropriate meal times for one month.
97. Get a plant. Keep it alive.
98. Pay for the person behind me in the drive through.
99. Plan a surprise party.
100.Get reusable shopping bags.
101.Sand surf in Dubai.

By Megan Beth | Posted in Personal | 6 comments Add a Comment

Val -

Hey lady,

I have a friend who just bought a camera… interested in completing the mentoring piece? Call me or Shawn sometime :)
Katie -

this gets me thinking about my “to do list”… #34 is get engagement photos.
P.S. and if you want to do #61 before 7/10/10 i’d love to be the thinnest person there! haha i kid i kid :) But seriously, GREAT list!
Renee -

I like #27. I think Chris and I want to do that some day as well
Becka @Studio222 Photography -

I need to edit my list. Thanks for the inspiration!
Lindsay -

I got really excited for #60… then I read less fortunate and realized that I’m not that bad off. I thought if you read it and called dibs then you got it.

Doing that for someone who couldn’t even dream of having that is an awesome goal!

~Lindsay
nikki -

wow what a list… well I can help you accomplish a few of those once you come out here:) I guess getting here is the issue.

Oprah’s Quitting?! Now what?

December 24, 2009 – 8:46 am

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but Oprah’s quitting. Geesh, ONLY 25 years of the show and she’s throwing in the towel! Since she’s peacing out, I though I would graciously take over and complete her favorite things list for her. Here you go, MY favorite things:

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1. If you’ve ever been to Outback, you’ve probably stumbled across this hand soap and then died cause it was so amazing: Yardley London Antibacterial Hand Soap – English Lavender

2. Wool. Cotton. Fleece. You name it, my fingers hate it. Without fail I would take the gloves off, and my fingers would be blue. After twenty some years, I finally found mittens that are like little hand pillows. North Face Mittens, made out of down. Why didn’t they have those when I was little? North Face does outerwear right.

3. Not a big fan of makeup. Don’t know how to do it, nor do I ever bother to try. That was until a friend turned me on to her blush addiction and suggested L’Oreal Paris True Match. She said she was president of the blush twelve step group. I’m now VP.

4. I rarely wear nail polish, and if I do, my color of choice has been black lately. Opi is the bomb dot com, and although a little pricey, is totally worth it.

5. There was once a wedding photographer who was on her way to a meeting, and got lost. Really lost. Then she bought a Garmin Portable GPS Navigator.

6. Rent the Runway. Quite possibly the most amazing idea of the century. Want to wear that five hundred dollar gold sequin Alice and Olivia dress to New Years, but just can’t imagine spending that much on one dress. Rent the Runway now lets you rent designer high end dresses, and ships them directly to your doorstep. Think NY fashion meets NetFlix.

7. Once you get a fingerprint resistant, stainless steal, Simple Human trash can with patent non-slam close you won’t go back. Go ahead, try to slam it.

8. Fiji Water. Doesn’t get better.

9. My hair is frizzy, and I’ve been using this fantastic SÉRUM OLÉO-RELAX hair serum for the last five years. You put it in after you towel dry your hair, then blow it dry. It leaves your hair so silky and smooth, and smells amazing.

10. Medium point pens are by far my favorite. These Paper-Mate Retractable Ballpoint Pens are so awesome that I went back and bought three big boxes.

By Megan Beth | Posted in Personal | 3 comments Add a Comment

Megan Beth -

I die because I love it. LOVE IT. You die because you’re allergic.
Lauren -

I APPROVE OF #3!
Lauren -

Yardley London Antibacterial Hand Soap in English Lavender is to die for. Really. I’m allergic to lavender… so the last time I used it, I almost died.

Newborn Baby Photography: Skylar and Riley

December 23, 2009 – 8:22 am

What could be better than one brand new, super cuddly, amazingly adorable baby? Why, two, of course! Coming Soon!
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By Megan Beth | Posted in Families | 2 comments Add a Comment

Jen Yeager -

Megan! Oh, we cannot thank you enough for coming and taking the beautiful photos. If this one is any hint to the rest I will be balling for days. Sorry if I was so emotional – darn hormones. :-) Thank you again and hope to see you soon!! xoxo, Jen, Dan, Skylar and Riley
Megan Astor -

These are too sweet, can’t wait to see the rest!

Bethesda Winter Wonderland.

December 21, 2009 – 12:20 pm

This was a serious matter, I didn’t understand why we got so much snow when we were little, and now all we ever get is a dusting at most. Unfortunately her answer didn’t appease me, it’s all relative Megan. When you’re little, a couple inches of snow is a blizzard. Humph. Thus again, another drawback of growing up.

The days of being snowed in, schools closed, and winter wonderlands were just a distant past of childhood dreams. Or so we thought. And just like that it hit. On Saturday, Washington DC, and Maryland were dumped with twenty inches of fresh white powder. TWENTY INCHES of the most beautiful snow you have ever seen.

Thank you mom, for being wrong. For once in your life.
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Tip #43: Do snow angel at END of snow outing if you are wearing jeans as snow pants.
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And for a little slideshow goodness CLICK HERE for more pictures from the Great Snow Dump of 2009.

By Megan Beth | Posted in Personal | 4 comments Add a Comment

Auntie -

Really, really cool! Love the lights in that last pic. Also love that you got more snow than us for a change. XOXOX
Tricia -

So jealous! We’ve got a good few inches here, but nothing like you guys. Love the photos…your style really shines through even in the ‘for fun’ shots! :-)
Mom -

Oh, and I loved the slideshow and your choice of music for it — perfect!
Mom -

Only ONCE in my life I’ve been wrong? Wow! Beautiful show shots Megan! The lights on the trees look so pretty. I feel bad for those people who have to dig their cars out. LOVE my garage!!

We’ll Just Call it Even.

December 14, 2009 – 1:58 pm

She who always got better grades, slouched her socks more perfectly slouchy, AND won every game we played. We would play for hours on end, but I just couldn’t win. Every time I would try to one up her and pull out a tricky piece and place it on the top, the tower would come crashing down. She had a steady hand, and I, I was just the little sister.

And then this weekend at my mom’s birthday celebration (Happy Birthday Mom!) I realized that all these years later, it didn’t matter how many times she crushed me in the games we played, or just how un-cool I was compared to her. But that we both excelled differently, making each of us unique in our own way. And yes, she usually still dominates in Taboo, but I can kick her butt at taking pictures, jump out of a plane with ease before her, juggle free weights at the gym around her, and unbashfully sing and make a fool out of myself in front of any persons willing to listen.

Check out the concentration on that whopper of a daring move! Who’s got the steady hand now?!
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By Megan Beth | Posted in Personal | 5 comments Add a Comment

Megan Beth -

Renee, I didn’t win all the rounds, but LET IT BE NOTED that I did win some.
Renee -

did you win? was there actual victory or just the smell of it :)
Megan Beth -

@ Renee: I could smell the victory!
nikki -

I second that renee…
Renee -

You are deep in concentration … probably more than I’ve ever seen before :)

FAQ: Newbie Questions?

December 11, 2009 – 1:35 pm

This post is for photographers, mostly because when I was starting out, there was no one to answer my questions. I was a big deep dark black hole of a million questions, with no guidance. So I’m hoping that while answering these readers’ questions, people that are in the position I once was in can get some questions answered.

Do you bargain with people? And would you be afraid to turn someone down if they offered you something lower?
Great question! When you are first starting your business and building your client base, yes there very well may be some bargaining going on. Are you worth more, yes, most definitely, but you have to start somewhere and then you can slowly raise your prices. After you have established yourself, your style, and your target clientele, your willingness for the bargaining process decreases. By making your business unique to you, building a brand and a style that is exclusive to you, that sometimes means referring a possible client to someone else if they truly cannot afford you. Only you know your budget, bills, and all the hard work and effort you put into your business. And besides your work is probably worth way more than you are charging in the first place.

I’m looking for clothes that are stylish yet functional for weddings. You always seem to be dressed so cute, what do you wear to weddings?
Gah…me, dressed cute?! Clearly you haven’t seen my hoodie and jeans that I sit in front of the computer for hours upon hours. But, to weddings I try to be as comfortable as possible, and most importantly with wearing flats. I’m not a flats kinda girl, in fact I hate them. So finding a pair that was comfortable, stylish, and that I was actually willing to wear was definitely a challenge. I finally settled on a pair of Tory Burch patent black flats and in the summertime I wear t-strap black patent sandals. And depending on the weather and the venue, I have a black and white sleeveless dress, which is key for the hot and humid Maryland summers, or black dress capris. And for the cooler months I wear black dress pants with a nice shirt and jacket, or a sweater dress with black stockings and boots.

How do you get your bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony for a ‘first sight?’
I would say that about ninety percent of my couples opt to see each other before the ceremony, and in all honesty, all I do is give my opinion for why I love it and why I think it’s important. By suggesting a first look, it is a quiet moment to share in their wedding day before hustle and bustle starts. My couples have commented how they really enjoyed being able to share this moment with just the two of them and being able to share hugs and undoubtedly some tears. It is also a guarantee for some amazing relaxed portraits by themselves on the most important day of their lives. After I give them my personal opinion they decide if it’s for them or not, and most are for it, which I love!

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Feel free to leave your comments below, I would love to hear from you! Or if you have a question you’d like to see answered in the next FAQ, email me, Megan Beth at megan@meganbeth.com.

By Megan Beth | Posted in Business | no comments Add a Comment

Melissa and Bobby: Anytime Session Southern Maryland

December 10, 2009 – 11:47 am

Here are some of my favorites from Melissa and Bobby’s anytime session. Umm, yea, they rocked it. Thank you guys for being so willing with all my suggestions!

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This one blows me away every time I look at it. Definitely my favorite!
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And to see a slideshow with more of their awesome session, click here! Feel free to leave your comments below, I’d love to hear from you!

By Megan Beth | Posted in Engagement Sessions, Families | 4 comments Add a Comment

Rebecca -

These are great – so clean and well composed! Plus they have awesome style, which never hurts. :)
diane -

melissa – that’s exactly what i was going to say… love them!
Jessica Sievers -

Very nice! Melissa – You’re gorgeous! Great pictures!
Melissa Barrick -

YAY!!! Megan, I love them!!! You totally made us feel like a Polo Ralph Lauren ad. Awesome job :)

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