Looking back to see my last blog post was in the spring just drives home how busy life has been since then! The pandemic sure hasn't slowed down clients wanting updated family photos. And I'm happy to oblige! I'm so glad I've been able to continue to
offer outdoor options for families that are safe and still fun!
Fall Mini Sessions were no exception! We had a great new location, thanks to Manchester's Equinox Valley Nursery, and two days to get so many families photographed! The crazy weather is something we won't soon forget. Cool weather with on and off sprinkles one day (but with an amazing triple rainbow!) and then 75 degree weather the next, it seemed like Mother Nature wanted to show off every season for us! But all in all, we had a great time with lots of smiles, snuggles and silliness!
Here are just a few from both days:
Phew! So many photos of so many fabulous families! Thank you again!
I hope everyone has a healthy and happy holiday season!! Looking forward to the New Year and the opportunity to photograph more babies and families! <3
If you're interested in booking a portrait session, please contact me to start the planning process!
Newlyweds M & J
I know you're all used to seeing lots of baby photos and family portrait sessions from me but occasionally I get to photograph sweet Couple Sessions like this one.
This session was a long time in the making, having to be rescheduled a few times on account of weather, a pandemic and a few other things. But the stars aligned a few weeks ago to give us the most beautiful evening here in Southern Vermont. And how beautiful is this pear orchard located right next to their place of employment?
Having missed out on professional photos at their recent wedding, I was so pleased we were able to get portraits of these newlyweds that celebrate the love and bond they have. I know they'll cherish these photos for years and years to come!
If you've been waiting to book your portrait session with me, don't wait! I have limited availability for the remainder of the year so get in touch now to get more information and your preferred date!
And we're back!!
Opened back up last month after I was given the go-ahead by the powers that be and it was so great to be photographing families again! I missed it so much!! It was a bit different this time of course. I had a mask on, there was no contact, and I kept my distance as often as possible. There were no high fives for the big kids, no brushing the hair out of their faces nor helping them put on the stickers they earned when we finished. But this was a small sacrifice to ensure everyone was safe.
First family back was one I've photographed at various times for the last couple of years, but this time they were all together and with a new baby to coo over too. Aren't they just beautiful?
I was worried I'd be rusty having had so much time away from photographing clients, but they were sweet as can be and I think it all turned out great! Helps when you have amazing people, a lovely location and the most beautiful light!
Thank you again M family for the amazing welcome back!
I hope you and yours enjoy your photos for years and years to come!
If you want to book a Family Session with me, there's still time to get on my summer calendar. And if the Fall is more your jam, get in touch soon as there's limited availability then!
Megan Cross Photography
is now booking outdoor portrait sessions!
I am very happy to report that I'm now officially reopened for business! While it won't be business as usual, we can still capture memories of you and your family, just with some extra precautions in place to ensure everyone's safety and comply with VT's Department of Health and CDC's workplace guidelines.
Here's how that will work:
-now booking for sessions June 1st onward
*already booked clients should contact me to confirm their session dates and details
-all portrait sessions will be outdoor sessions
-my in home studio will remain closed for several more months, therefore I will not be taking on any Studio Newborn Sessions at this time but will have alternative options available
-I'll be wearing a face mask for all work with clients
-extra sanitation steps for any supplied props
*additional steps added when more contact is required
For more information and to start the booking process, please get in touch! I've missed you all and am looking forward to photographing again! 
Year in Review
2019
After a busy holiday season and some downtime in January that unfortunately included sick kiddos and colds that just wouldn't quit, I finally have a moment to look back on all the fun we had in 2019. It was an amazing year and I continue to feel so grateful to all of you who made it such a great year full of so many beautiful smiles, adorable babies, loving families, and fun adventures.
I'm looking forward to seeing what this new decade has to offer. My words for the new year are connection and growth in both my personal life and photography business life. I'll be focusing my sessions more and more on highlighting the connection and relationships I see in front of my camera. I'll be offering some new types of sessions, new locations, and more! I've been doing lots of work behind the scenes and can't wait to show you!
But for now, I want to share some highlights from this past year and say another big THANK YOU to all my amazing clients! I've loved working with you all and hope to continue to have that privilege in the future!
There are just too many photos to include them all! I've had to edit this down so it will fit in with the size requirements of my blog. But this is going to jam-packed with so many photos from 2019!
Boy! That's a lot of photos! If you made it this far, I thank you! What a year! <3
Looking to book a portrait session with me? It's never too early to start the planning process! Click over to my Contact page and let me know what type of session you're looking for. I look forward to hearing from you!!
Holiday Mini Sessions
Holiday Mini Sessions this year were such a blast! And we lucked out weather-wise as it happened to be last day of the warmer weather before the cold fronts and snow moved in. While snow would have been lovely in our tree farm setting,
(thank you again Geannelis Tree Farms!), shivering and almost frostbit fingers on little ones is not.
The sunshine that day was abundant as were all the beautiful smiles!
Thank you again Geannelis Tree Farms for sharing this beautiful area and these beautiful trees with us! If anyone needs a tree this year, be sure to check them out! They have some of the most beautiful trees we've ever gotten!
And thank you to all my amazing clients! I always feel so honored that you chose me to document you and your beautiful families!
I feel so lucky to have this job, one that I find so much joy in and can share it with you all.
I wish you all the happiest of holidays, filled with all the warmth and love of the season!
And let the year ahead be the one where all your dreams come true!
Fall Mini Sessions
2019
What a fabulous Fall season it's been!! The foliage was beautiful as always and
held out so much longer than expected. Such a nice treat!
And with the Fall season naturally comes my cherished Fall Mini Sessions! These are always a client favorite but also a favorite for me! This is my favorite time of year so photographing so many great clients, some who I've been photographing for years now, is always extra special. Photographing so many families in one day, (11 this year!) always leaves me exhausted but always feeling so blessed to connect with so many lovely people and be a part of their yearly tradition documenting their family as they grow each year. I feel even more honored when those photos are shared with their friends and family on their holiday cards that year or displayed for all to see in their home.
So my deepest thanks to everyone for these blessings. You're all amazing!
Here's a recap of all the fun we had that day:
So many fun memories captured that day of so many special families!
N Family
After photographing this little guy at a few recent mini sessions, his mama booked a Family Session on their family farm. I couldn't wait to photograph him and his beautiful smile again!
When I pulled up (after gps lead me very astray as I was told it would) to scout out the property the week before, I couldn't believe my luck! It was a photographer's dream location! Over 600 acres of rolling fields, pastures, barns, woods, ponds and so much more! I was so glad I brought my camera because some of my scouting shots of little Oliver and his mama showing me around are some of my absolute favorites ever! And we were lucky to have the same beautiful weather and gorgeous light for the real session with dad there too!
As we neared the end of our time together, the heat was getting a bit much for all of us. By then, Oliver was done but was cooling off with some much-needed rest in the shade and some well-earned snacks. As I drove off, I made sure to stop for an ice cream treat myself to celebrate a beautiful night with lovely people and knowing there'd be some great shots to share with them.
Family Sessions are some of my favorites to photograph as each family is unique and special. Getting to know you and capture your story as it unfolds throughout our time together is an honor for me. And having photos of you and your loved ones together to share with your children and even their children someday is something every family should have.
Contact me today if you're interested in booking your own Family Session! I look forward to hearing from you!
L Family
What better way to start the summer off than a sun-filled Family Session with one of my favorite mamas, her son and her growing family? I can't believe I've been photographing Landon since he was a baby. Watching him grow up in front of my camera has been such an honor. And I couldn't be happier for his mother too, who has always been such an amazing mother and role model to so many.
These kids gave me some great smiles followed by some truly awesome silly faces!
And then a cow got a little too curious of my camera bag and all of us. She hung around for a while too, disregarding all of my attempts at distracting and diverting her. It certainly made this night something to remember!
After the nerves and fear of being trampled passed along with the cow, we got some lovely group family shots and I went home with only a little bit of cow slobber on my camera lenses and a newfound respect for the size and weight of our friendly local bovines. And my clients got a portrait session and a show, while watching me herd cattle. :)
And as we said our goodbyes and I started packing up my car, the clouds parted and we saw the most beautiful sunset and the most golden light, which of course meant we needed to take just a few more pictures. Can't let such gorgeous light go to waste, now can we??
It was a great night, and with the cow, one I certainly won't forget any time soon! I can't wait to photograph this family again and this location never disappoints.
If you're interested in booking a Family Session with me, contact me soon as my availability is limted and sessions book up fast!
Picture Day at Oakhill Children's Center
What a fun couple of days photographing all the little cuties at my daughter's daycare a few weeks ago. Almost fifty kids, aged four months all the way up to five years old, definitely gave me a workout! But I enjoyed every minute of it and made some adorable little friends too.
Thanks again Oakhill Children's Center!
Mommy & Me Mini Sessions
So wonderful celebrating all the amazing mothers and their babies who came to Mommy & Me Mini Sessions recently! Check out the beautiful setup created at Catamount Connections for the event too!
Happy Mother's Day!
You're doing an amazing job and you deserve every opportunity to celebrate all your hard work. 'Cause it's hard work to be a mom, especially an amazing one like you all are!
Introducing Piper
Can't believe it's been almost a year since this little cutie came in for newborn photos. She was so a tad older than most newborns I shoot so we got lots of fun awake shots in addition to a few sleepy ones. But overall, Piper was sweet as can be and big sister was so smitten with her.
They made adjusting to a family of four look easy!
Can't wait to photograph them all again this summer!
If you're currently expecting and interested in booking a Newborn Session, you can find more information here and here. Feel free to contact me with any questions or to book yours!
*Be sure to book early, as I only take a few newborns a month. I look forward to hearing from you!
Z Boys
I couldn't wait to photograph these two cuties, especially after I pulled up to their family's bucolic Vermont farm! Not only was the location beautiful, but so were these two's smiles. Aren't they adorable?
Can't wait for next time boys!!!
M Family
This family session was a long time in the making. Booked almost a year in advance and then rescheduled several times on account of rain, it was so wonderful when everything finally came together for a beautiful family session on a historic estate on North Bennington, VT.
Three generations are represented here. It's a family tradition of theirs to get everyone together for family photos. What a great way to stay connected and close with loved ones!
I loved hearing the story of how these two lovebirds met many moons ago. <3
And what a bunch of fun grandchildren!
Thanks again M family for the honor of documenting your family!
Mommy & Me Mini Sessions
Wow. It's been months since I've taken the time to blog. I apologize. In addition to it being one of my busiest years yet for my photography business, it was also busy in my personal life. I was finally pregnant after over a year of trying. This was a difficult pregnancy for me for many reasons but I'm so thankful for every moment of it. Our daughter was born the end of October at 34 weeks 1 day healthy and beautiful. Stay tuned for a blog post all about her in the near future.
Motherhood is always on my mind. It's a powerful, complicated, wonderful force. The bond between mother and child is incredible and one worth celebrating. Mommy & Me Mini Sessions I held in the Spring just in time for Mother's Day were designed to do just that.
I know I'll treasure every photograph I take of me with my children. These test shots I did with my son are some of my favorites. Can't wait till this coming Spring to get new ones with my daughter too.
Because of one of the rainiest Springs to date, we had to photograph on a few different days and at different locations. It was tricky tracking down any flowering blossoms that the wind and rain hadn't taken away. But we found a few spots and made it work.
First up was this gorgeous mom and her daughter duo, Lindsay and Brixton. Lindsay is one of the strongest moms I know and her strength sets an incredible example for her daughter.
Isn't this little lady just stunning? The camera definitely loves her!
Kaitlin and her son were my next mother and child combo. I feel so lucky to have been photographing these two for several years now and watching Landon grow has been a joy! He's turned into quite the silly, smart, funny and loving big kid! And those curls! I'm envious!
I love the connections and memories I captured of and for these two women. Their convictions and bonds with their children are some of the strongest I've ever witnessed. Keep up the amazing work ladies!! Your children love you so much and they are so blessed to have you as their mothers. And I feel blessed to have such amazing clients whom I consider friends. <3
Cecilia
Whoa. This summer has been flying by and I haven't blogged at all!!! Time to rectify that with the adorable Cecilia's session from this past May.
This sweet little lady and her siblings were in the studio and brought with them so much cuteness and just overall sweetness. The big kids all helped me get great smiles and giggles from their baby sister. And at the end, they all got to get in the photo with lots of snuggles and smooches!
Also got to break out one of my favorite props, my doll crib, which I recently repainted too!
Doesn't she have the most sparkly eyes?
Love how this group photo turned out. There were so many giggles and a few tickles in there too to get those beautiful smiles all around!
It was so wonderful photographing these kiddos again. They're always so sweet and anytime I've hung out with them, I'm always left with a smile as big as theirs because they're just so cute and such a great group of kids! Hoping my son and his future sibling will have the kind of bond these children do. <3
If you're interested in booking a Child Portrait Session with me, I have a few openings left for September and October then I'll be taking a break to get ready for the birth of our second child. You can find out more information about Child Portrait Sessions here. Feel free to message me for more info or to book yours today!
Cooper's Baseball Cake Smash
When little Cooper's mom contacted me to schedule a baseball themed Cake Smash, my brain started spinning with so many fun ideas for the setup. Dad agreed to bring some of his baseball items from home including the batting hat we ended up using. I managed to find a mini baseball bat, just his size, at the local thrift store along with some mitts and weathered baseballs. I made the banner out of more vintage style baseball stripes and colors and Mom ordered a cake from A-Frame Bakery in Williamstown, Ma that was the perfect baseball cake for the occasion!
Cooper was hesitant at first but eventually got into it. Jury's still out on if he liked the taste of it or not, but he seemed overall happy. And no tears! Oftentimes babies have no idea what to do during a Cake Smash and cry, which is a totally normal reaction to this new situation. Cooper was very chill and just rolled with the punches.
And I'm so excited to now be offering Splash Sessions following the Cake Smashes!!! I found this awesome tub at one of my favorite local antique shops (Seiferts if anyone's interested) in nearby Hoosic Falls. It was perfect for a quick little scrub after getting all sticky with frosting beforehand. And Cooper really seemed to enjoy himself! Even splashing and giggling! What a cutie!!!
It was so great meeting this lovely family and photographing them to mark this milestone. I hope I get the chance to photograph them again in the future!
If you're interested in booking a Cake Smash Session for your little one, you can find out more information here. Or contact me to start the planning process!
Michael
Michael was recently in the studio to celebrate his first birthday with balloons and photos!
Initially, he did not want to leave Mom's side.
But we managed to coax some smiles and giggles out of him by the end. And boy were they cute!
Big brother Daniel even got in on some of the shots. I'm sure Michael felt better with his brother nearby to make him smile.
Such a sweet family. It's always a pleasure to photograph them! Can't wait till next time!
Spring Baby Sessions:
Collin
Collin's mom answered my Model Call with a few cell phone photos of her son and the minute I saw those big baby blues, I knew I wanted to photograph him in my Spring Baby Session setup!
He looks absolutely perfect in the hat I found for him. What do you think?
And this one too:
Kid can rock a hat!
After an outfit change and a bit more time to get used to the studio, he brought out all the smiles!
Even when he wasn't smiling he was adorable.
Baby in a bucket, because well, why not?
Then Mom had the excellent idea to turn over the metal bucket so he could drum it! He seemed to really like that. Plus, what little kid doesn't like to make music?
Then eventually, he sat on it.
Collin and his mom were such a joy to have in the studio! I just wanted to squeeze all that adorable baby squish he had! Plus he was just sweet as can be! Thank you again Brandy for bringing him in!!
Spring Baby Sessions are happening this Saturday, April 1st! There's still time to sign up! Follow the link here for more info and to reserve your spot!
Or if you're interested in booking a Child Portrait Session, head over to the Booking A Session page to learn more or contact me for details and to start planning! I look forward to hearing from you!!!
Spring Baby Sessions:
Eleanor
Was so pleased to see this little lady again! I photographed her as a newborn and now, seven months later, she's back and full of smiles and loads of personality!
Isn't she just the cutest??
She came in to the studio in the cutest outfit that highlighted her big blue eyes. After a few shots in that, we switched to the outfit I'd purchased for just this occasion. I think she can probably rock any color she puts on but pinks and blues always look so nice with strawberry blonde hair (I should know! lol)
Since it's Spring time, my studio is currently filled with lots of flowers. They paired perfectly with Eleanor. She's quite the little flower herself.
We got some beautiful photos of her while she was here, perfect for promos for my upcoming Spring Baby Sessions (coming April 1st). If you're interested in booking one of the Spring Baby 20 min portrait sessions, you can get more info and can reserve your spot here.
Sawyer's First Year
I first met Sawyer when he was still in mom's belly over a year ago. She contacted me needing maternity photos a.s.a.p. (check out the blog post here). Then I had the privilege of photographing him as a newborn.
Those big blue eyes had me hooked. I couldn't wait to photograph him again!
It was obvious his parents were hooked too. They were and still are so head over heels for this little guy.
They booked Milestone Sessions for him for his first year and I couldn't believe how much he'd already grown when he was in for his three month photo shoot.
Just look at that smile!!!
Ahhh!! It's cuteness overload!!!! Even his little stink face is adorable!
When he came back for his six month photos, he was even cuter, if that's at all possible. All smiles and the most adorable giggles.
It was near the holidays when he returned for his nine month session so we incorporated a bit of holiday cheer into some of his photos. He makes an adorable little elf.
Still cute as ever in his regular attire too. Then we had to put him in a bowl, 'cause babies in bowls are just adorable.
And then just last week, he was in for his twelve month session. The last one. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit sad to be at the end of his photo sessions. Hoping I'll get to see him again soon for family photos in the Fall.
They grow up just too fast.
Thank you to Sawyer's family for the honor of photographing his first year! It's been a pleasure!
If you're interested in having your child's first year documented, contact me for more information and to start planning the fun!
Teens
While much of my time is spent photographing pregnancy, newborns and children under the age of six, I also photograph many teens throughout the year. Whether it's back to school photos or senior photos or just-because photos, I always welcome the opportunity to photography this age group. As children on the cusp of young adulthood, it's a very special time. They're growing into themselves and really showing it. I love capturing their personalities shine!
The Fall is a great time of year for outdoor portraits but if you need them done when it's just too cold outside, studio portraits are also an option. This sophomore needed school photos in mid February on one of the coldest days of the year, so we got some great shots in the studio instead.
So before your babies grow up too much, schedule a photo session to preserve those moments of the end of childhood for just a bit longer. Before you know it, they'll be moving out and possibly off to college. Such a bittersweet time for a parent. And such an exciting and amazing adventure awaits for teens as they enter the world of adulthood.
If you'd like to book a Teen Session, contact me to start the planning process. I look forward to speaking with you!
Jaimee's Maternity Session
This mom to be is expecting her second child any day now. Her 4 year old (almost 5 year old) son joined her for photos on a beautiful winter day two weeks ago.
We found a beautiful spot in the nearby woods with just the right amount of snow for her photos.
Bentley is so excited to be a big brother!
Wishing mom and her family a smooth transition into parenting two little ones. I know they're so excited to meet their new little one.
Are you expecting a little one soon? If so, check out my Maternity Session info and contact me to schedule your maternity session.
Miss Maren
Maren's parents contacted me to do portraits for her first birthday. They wanted the photos to include their Norwegian heritage with a little touch of Christmas too since she was born on Christmas eve. I was so excited to meet this little lady and to create something for her that incorporated the holiday and wintery Norwegian aspects.
I created this winter wonderland setup which fit the bill perfectly! Maren wore her traditional Norwegian sweater and together everything looked classic and festive!
Everyone had fun and everyone ended up with bits of fake snow on them afterwards.
Then we shot photos of with a more Christmas feel. Maren came with this great black, white, red and green dress. It was beautiful and went perfectly with a simple wooden setup.
Isn't she just a doll?
If you're interested in booking a Child Studio Portrait session, contact me for more information!
Introducing Andrew
When my friend Dave, whom I've been friends with since middle school, and his lovely wife Ashley announced they were having a baby, I was beyond thrilled for them. And I was secretly wishing I would get the chance to take pictures of their new little one once he or she arrived. Just before Christmas they were blessed with a beautiful little boy and then a few weeks later, I was blessed with the opportunity to photograph him and his adoring parents too.
Andrew took a little bit to settle down, he must have been going through a growth spurt since he was quite the hungry little guy, but once he did he was snug as a bug. Doesn't he look comfy?
I had also just received my new posing bag for Christmas and couldn't wait to try it out. I love these shots we got with him there. Isn't he just the most handsome little guy?
Check out that sweet little cowlick. How adorable!
I know they're cherishing every moment as a new family of three!
Are you expecting a new bundle of joy soon and interested in getting newborn photos of your little one? If so, contact me to schedule your session. I limited the number of newborn sessions I take each month since they're born on their schedules, not ours so let me know as soon as you can that you'd like to book. And to help prepare for your session, please read my handy tips on just that.
Introducing Eleanor
This little peach and her family drove a great distance to get her photos taken and boy am I glad they did. She is such a sweetheart!!!
Isn't she just beautiful?
We got so many great setups with her. We got to use my new farm pail I had just purchased from TFJ Designs.
It looked awfully sweet next to the little lamb stuffed animal her parents brought along.
Eleanor's parents couldn't be more in love with their new bundle of joy and I couldn't be happier for them. They're such a sweet family of three!
If you're expecting a new little one, contact me soon to book your newborn session. Since babies are born on their schedule, I only take a limited amount of newborns each month to ensure each family gets the time it needs for their photo shoot. Find out more about my Newborn Sessions and how to prepare for your child's newborn session and then send me a message to book yours!
Emmett's First Year
Fellow Vermonters Emmett and his mother Chelsie were my first clients in my new studio in early 2016. I was so thrilled for the opportunity to photography this little cutie for four Milestone Sessions documenting his first year. He was such a sweetheart during all his photo shoots with an amazing smile to boot!
Here he is at 3 months old, the first time in front of my camera.
Such a cutie!! Here he is at his 6 month session:
And here at 9 months old:
And lastly, a 12 months:
He's grow up so quickly and it's been an honor to be a part of his first year. I love being able to give parents these photos to treasure for years to come. It was so nice getting to know him and his mother over the course of the year. I was kind of sad when it was over. Hopefully I can photograph them all again soon!
Are you interested in having photos of your little one's first year? I have a variety of packages for every budget.
Check out my Milestone Sessions page for more info and contact me for pricing and to schedule you child's photo sessions.
Valentine's Day 'Lovey' Sessions!!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so why not celebrate with photos of your little one with their lovey! Bring your child with their favorite stuffed animal or blankie for photos together. What better way to remember this special and often fleeting relationship your child has with their special lovey?
Kids have such a special bond with their favorite stuffed animals. My son does and it’s something I want to remember and cherish long after he’s grown up and forgotten about his Teddy. I want to give you photos for you and your child to treasure for years to come.
Here are some of the photos I created of my son with his Teddy.
He sure does love his Teddy! I hope they have this special relationship for a few more years.
And if not, I'll always have these photos to remember it by.
For more information and to reserve your spot, click the link. I hope to see you there!!
B Family
There are few families that I will drive great distances to photograph. This is one of them. I've been photographing them for years, starting when they were college roommates with my brother out in Boston, then their wedding in New Hampshire a few years later, then family photos with their new infant daughter. Now after the birth of their second daughter, they needed new photos of their growing family and I was happy to drive out there and photograph them. They're such a sweet and loving family.
For more information on booking a Family Session, check out this page and contact me to discuss scheduling.
K Family
This family will always be near and dear to my heart. Jen is one of my best friends. We met in 6th grade when we both moved to the same town and were in the same school. We quickly became friends. Her family has always been so generous. I spent so much time at their house growing up that I had my own toothbrush there.
Their son is my unofficial god-son. Every time I see him I can't believe how big he's gotten. I'll aways think of him as that little baby I met so many years ago now. And his little sister is almost as tall as him! She's growing up fast too and the two of them make such a great team.
I'll be forever grateful to her parents for opening up their home to me and all our friends. We're all so grateful for all the time we got to spend there making many great memories.
G Family
I photographed this mother and son here in Southern Vermont on one of the most beautiful days of the summer. They were new clients and boy was I excited when they pulled up and I saw this little cutie pie!
I want to just squish those adorable cheeks of his!!!
He and his mama have quite the bond.
We had a great time and made some lovely memories too. Looking forward to next time!
What to Wear :: Fall 2016
Wondering what to wear to your upcoming Fall family photo session? I've put together some great ideas to help in choosing your outfit for your photo shoot that will go well with the rich warm tones of Fall.
Coordination is key. Neutrals with splashes of fall colors and textures are always a great choice. You don't want to be identical; you want to compliment each other.
In general, it's a good idea to stay away from clothes that are super bright and busy, items with characters, logos or text on them and highly reflective items. We want real smiles and laughter during your shoot so please pick pieces you're comfortable in.
Anything you're unsure of, I'm happy to help with. Just send me a snap shot of the item you're thinking about wearing and I'll let you know if it will work for your session's location.
S-G Family
It was so great catching up with this family to photograph them again! It had been a few years since I'd been on their family's beautiful Vermont estate for a Family Session.
They're all growing up so fast! Off to jobs, colleges, fifth and third grade.
We even managed to get the grandparents in for a few shots. Nothing like three generations all together.
While I was there, I got some wonderful honey and got to see the hive. Plus got to see more of that beautiful pond and a fun show of some of the boys' rope swinging skills over it.
I'm always in awe of the beauty of this place the moment I drive up the driveway. Thank you so much Venetia for having me back again to photograph your beautiful family! You have so much to be proud of.
If you're interested in learning more about booking a Family Session, check out my page.
Scout's Tea Party
When Scout's mother called me up and wanted to do a Tea Party themed shoot for her little girl, I couldn't contain my excitement. I have a son and take lots of 'boy themed' (if there is such a thing) shoots so I couldn't wait to photograph something so whimsical and feminine.
I scoured my favorite local antique store for the perfect table linens and glassware. I used a teapot set I had been given years ago and rarely got used any more. I picked roses from my gardens to adorn the table with. I set everything up in my front yard to do a test run a few days prior. My son couldn't wait to drink tea and play along.
The day came and I borrowed a truck, drove all my props to the location and setup. It was so buggy but the light was just gorgeous that evening. And we got some beautiful shots and had a good time photographing and getting to know each other in the process. Hope we get to do this again. I'm really starting to enjoy more styled shoots like this one.
And after the tea party, with her special American Girl Doll as her guest, we explored the grounds in search of more flowers and whimsy.
We found our flowers!
We found a pretty summer fairy too!
If you're interested in booking a Child Portrait Session with me, check out my session page and contact me about availability. I look forward to hearing from you!
L&G Wedding :: Manchester, VT
When I first moved back to my home state of Vermont after several years elsewhere, I moved in to an apartment next door to Julia's house. We shared a yard basically. After a little while, she started dating Dan, a sarcastic hard working guy with a wicked sense of humor. The two of them seemed to laugh all the time. They both really seem to love life and when you hang around them, you'll find their happiness contagious. I couldn't be more happy when they decided to tie the knot and asked me to do the honor of photographing their big day. It was a day filled with love, laughter and light. Two families becoming one. <3
The ceremony was at the beautiful Ye Olde Tavern in Manchester, VT.
Their grounds have such beautiful buildings and grounds! Barns a plenty and a beautiful pond too!
Congratulations Dan and Julia! I wish you all the best in your future together!
Introducing Sawyer
This not so little guy needed to heal a bit before having his newborn session after a few complications when he was born. Five weeks old is older than I usually recommend for newborn photos but he was a dream to photograph!
Such a little cuddle bug! So squishy and sweet! Can't wait to cuddle him again.
Is there anything sweeter than a mama and her new baby?
If you're expecting a little one soon and are interested in booking a Newborn Session, be sure to contact me soon to schedule yours. Check out my Preparing for your Newborn Session page as well. I look forward to hearing from you!
Introducing Olivia
This little one came to the studio with her sweet family for her newborn photos and was such a doll!
Her big sister wasn't too keen on getting photos with her baby sis but we got some cute ones of the whole family together.
Got to use some new props for this sweet girl and looked just darling on her!
After a couple different setups,
this little lady was tuckered out.
What better way to end than with snuggles from mom?
If you're pregnant and interested in booking a newborn session, please check out my Newborn Session page and read the tips I have for Preparing for your Newborn Session. Then contact me to schedule your session. I look forward to hearing from you!
Miss Auden turned one recently and we had a wonder of a cake smash planned for her!
Her family wanted a Wonder Woman themed shoot and provided the adorable outfit and accessories. I paired that with a simple grey background and some gold balloons. Plus blue ribbon with stars on it on the cake stand to match Wonder Woman's outfit.
Mom made the perfect sized cake for this little lady and she loved it! She got so upset when we took it away.
It was messy, as most cake smashes are but it was so much fun too!
Even her big sister got in on the fun!
If you have a little one who's turning one soon and are interested in booking a Cake Smash, check out my Cake Smash Session info and contact me soon to book yours!
Sawyer just turned 3 months old!!
I've had the pleasure of photographing this little guy since before he was born and still in his mom's tummy. Seems like only yesterday I was photographing his Newborn Session. He's back now for his 3 Month Milestone Session and has grown so much since then! Look at that amazing smile!
And so much personality already!
It's been so great watching him grow!
Such a cutie! And so loved by his adoring family.
Can't wait for the next session in a few months!
Family Sessions are my favorite kind of session because I get to spend time really getting to know the family. Every family has a different story; a different dynamic. I love learning about them and photographing the special bonds between them all.
This family had just recently welcomed a new addition, making them a family of four!
Big brother James was so excited to have a little sister!
They have the same smile too.
So much love here.
And some silly faces too! :)
We photographed at Mile Around Woods in North Bennington and it was the perfect spot for James to run around and have fun being the energetic 3.5 year old that he is.
While James explored, we got some shots of little Sarah working on some tummy time and then gazing up at the clouds.
When hiking up to the back fields, we met some nice canine friends along the way.
And who doesn't love an old red Vermont barn?
We were also met with tons of beautiful dandelion puffs! Everyone had fun playing with them and blowing the seeds into the wind.
And of course, we got lots of shots of snuggles too.
It was a beautiful day spent with a beautiful family! I hope they had as much fun I did!
If you're interested in booking a Family Session with Megan Cross Photography, contact me soon as my calendar is filling up fast for the summer. Fall's just around the corner though, which is also a great time to get photos of the family. Here's more info on my Family Sessions.
As I've been preparing for the busy upcoming summer months, I almost forgot to blog about my recent Spring Mini Sessions held at One World Conservation Center in Bennington, VT! The weather forecast did not look promising for this event and I was refreshing my browser window every hour to see if the rain and thunderstorms predicted would blow over. And sure enough, they were scheduled for just after my last mini session but turned out to never arrive at all! We had gorgeous weather instead! Sunny with a light breeze. Perfect for lots of outdoor family photos!
First family arrived with three boys who were super cool and fun to photograph. The youngest wasn't so sure about me with my big camera, but once he snuggled with mom a bit, he was all smiles!
Next up was a mother and son who I photographed during Spring Mini Sessions last year. Couldn't believe how tall the little guy has gotten! And he has the most beautiful hair too!
Another family from last year's Spring Mini's returned to this year's. It's been so much fun seeing how much everyone has grown since last time.
These two are always fun and I feel so fortunate to have been able to photograph them for a while now. Everyone's growing up so fast!
I brought tulips for the occasion but luckily there was an abundance of dandelions also available to amuse all the kids.
This beautiful family came down from Manchester for photos and purchased two time slots so as to get lots more photos of their fun and energetic girls.
And again, the flowers were a hit.
Last family of the day are acquaintances of ours already. Our sons go to the same preschool together! And they came for my favorite time of the day; the Golden Hour. The sun setting behind them gave off the most lovely light.
So all in all, it was a great day. I photographed some new faces and some familiar ones and got to spend time with them doing what they do best; playing together and just being a family.
If you're interested in my upcoming Mini Sessions, check out my website for updates. I usually offer an indoor Easter Mini Session and outdoor ones in the Spring and Fall. Depending on how cold it is, I also offer Holiday Minis outdoors or indoors. So be sure to check back for more info on the next one!
First Family Session of 2016
Had the pleasure of photographing this awesome family again. Been photographing them for years now and it's been so great watching little Landon grow. He just turned 3 years old!
We were at Field Farm in Williamstown, MA. If you've never been there before, I highly suggest you go and see it. It's just beautiful there and full of trails for hiking. And it's dog friendly too! Plus they have an extensive collection of outdoor sculpture from William's College's collection.
Landon's mother is one amazing mom. She's so patient, nurturing and enthusiastic. And she's one badass breastfeeding babywearing mama to boot! And of course, super photogenic too! How lucky am I? And it's obvious how much she loves this little guy and he much loves her.
Last year when I photographed Landon, we tried to incorporate some cake. He wasn't that into it, until he learned he could fling frosting everywhere, including at me! He got me good a few times and we all laughed so hard as he chased me around trying to get me with his frosted hands. It was such a fun photo shoot! This year, I got off easy this time with him just throwing grass at me. But we still had lots of fun.
He's such a sweet, silly and energetic kid. He was all smiles when I photographed him this time making my job extra easy.
His Yaya was with us too, just like last year. You can tell these two all have a very special bond.
And just as this family session was coming to an end, the clouds parted and we had some gorgeous golden sunset light. It was the perfect ending to a very fun photo shoot.
Family sessions will always be my favorite kind of shoot. We always have a good time. And I always leave feeling so happy that I got to know each and every one of these families a little better and capture some great memories for them to treasure for years and years to come.
If you'd like more information on my Family Sessions, click here. Or contact me to book yours today!
Cake Smashes!!!!
They're a mess but always so much fun!!!
Here's a few shots from the most recent cake smash we did in the studio with this little cutie pie, Kaelyn, who just turned one!
At first, she wasn't quite sure what to do. But after one taste, she was hooked!
Things got messy really quickly, with frosting all over her legs, feet, arms and face. Mom and Dad came prepared though with tons of wipes and eventually we had to strip her down to her birthday suit (+ diaper).
This was the first cake smash in the new studio. I made the decorations myself! If you'd like the tutorial on how to make these pinwheels, you can find them here.
When the weather's nicer, we can also do cake smashes outdoors. Still messy, but of course, still fun!!
If you're interested in booking a cake smash for your little one, check my Cake Smashes Session page for more info and then contact me to book yours.
As the weather's been slowing getting nicer and nicer out, I've been scouting around Bennington county looking for the perfect place to host my upcoming Spring Mini Sessions. I contacted a few places and heard back from Betty at One World Conservation Center. The Greenberg Reserve, across the street from the Center's main building, has a large field at it's entrance next to the parking area, which will be perfect for the event.
Collecting the perfect props is next when preparing for any mini session. I found a beautiful basket at an online antique shop and it will be perfect once filled with daisies or tulips.
Went to my new favorite antique center with my son last weekend and found the perfect vintage galvanized metal watering can too.
And with a handmade quilt found at a church bazaar by my husband's family 20 years ago and a white wooden crate, and we're good to go!! Once we get closer to the big day, I'll buy lots of beautiful flowers too. Can't wait!!
If you want to reserve your spot in my upcoming Spring Mini Sessions, click here for more info and to sign up. And to get you excited for the big day, here are a few shots from last year!
Looking forward to this year's Spring Mini Sessions! Hope to see you there!!
If you want to know more about One World Conservation Center and all the great programs they offer, check out their website here.
Newborns, newborns, newborns!
I've had a lot of newborns in the studio lately. I feel so lucky to be around so many sweet babies! Definitely makes me want another one. Mine is already almost 4 years old!
The first was Miss Harper. So sweet. She settled right in after just a short amount of soothing.
And her mom and dad were just so smitten with her. Who wouldn't be? And just look at those adorable little feet!
Next was Mr Sawyer. He was so alert and wanted to see everything that was going on around him.
Sleep was just not on the agenda for him. At least not until he was ready to leave.
I felt so lucky to have photographed this little guy when his mom was pregnant with him and then again once he was earth-side. His parents could not be more in love with him.
This little lady, Miss Eleanor, was in most recently and she's just beautiful! It was tricky getting her to sleep but once she was out, I managed to snag a few shots that I just love and her family loves too.
Her mother and grandmother were there to help and I'm so thankful for their assistance and patience. And of course, for the opportunity to meet Eleanor. This is my cousin's new baby so they're family.
Can't wait for the next newborn to come to the studio! I've added a few more props to my arsenal (they're just too cute not to buy!) and have a few more poses to try.
If you or someone you know might be interested in booking a newborn session with me, check out my Newborn Session page for more info. *The best time to photograph newborns is before they're 14 days old so if you're pregnant, contact me soon to book yours!
The new studio being in my home means lots of time to play and experiment. Just before Valentine's Day, I toyed with the idea of hosting Valentine themed Mini Sessions there, and even made some promos for it. But eventually I realized that I really didn't have enough time to get things off the ground. I did, however, have time to take some adorable photos of my own son while I was planning.
Promo 1:
Promo 2:
I even played around in Photoshop with some previous photos of our friend's kids. Here's one of them that I just love:
I'm so glad I have these now, as the theme of Love is so much more universal that just on Valentine's Day. I think if I'm to do them again, I'll start planning earlier, but instead of them being Valentine's Day themed, they'll be Love themed. I've always wanted to do portraits of kids with their 'Lovies' and that particular holiday seems like a good time to do them. So next year, hopefully I can get this idea off the ground. In the meantime, I'll always have these sweet and loving photos of my son blowing me kisses and holding my heart. <3
A mother-to-be contacted me stating "I'm looking for someone to do maternity pictures asap." As the mother of a preemie, I know all too well how tentative timing is with pregnancies. You can go into labor at any moment. She was due a little less than a month later so we had to act fast.
Having just got my studio up and running, I hadn't set up maternity packages just yet but we were able to work it all out and got her in that weekend.
She and her boyfriend came in and we got some great shots. They were such a sweet couple and were so excited to meet their little one. They booked a newborn session as well so I couldn't wait to meet that little guy too and photograph his sweet little face!
If you're pregnant and interested in booking a maternity session, you can check out more information on my Maternity Session page. I look forward to hearing from you!!
After a last minute reschedule because of a large fire at our next door neighbor's apartment building, Easter Mini Sessions went off without a hitch the following weekend. Saw some familiar faces and met a whole lot of new ones too!
First session of the day were these adorable twins, Ginger and Arthur. They were busy, busy, busy!! When one went here, the other went in the opposite direction! So impressed by any parent of multiples. It's a lot of work and they have my full admiration!
Next up were some familiar faces, Blake and Rowan. I photographed their family a year ago and they've grown so much since then! Still cute as ever and with the best cheeks in town!
A friend from back when we lived in the Berkshires came next with her youngest, Nina, who just turned one. I was so smitten with her and her stunning eyes! She was such a sweetheart!
Eight month old David was next up and had the most adorable smile! And mom and dad brought some pretty stellar outfits too. Bow ties on babies? Cutest thing ever!
And once he'd had enough of the cute clothes, he got to debut my newest prop, this doll crib I found at a thrift store and cleaned up, reinforced and then painted. I LOVE how these turned out. Can't wait to use it again, perhaps outdoors next.
Last session of the day was for Max, who's growing up just too fast! He'll be 7 soon!! I photographed him a year and a half ago and it was so nice seeing him and his mother again. Aren't his curls just to die for?
I had such a great time photographing all this cuteness! And it worked out great in the new studio! Thank you so much to all the families who made it out! I look forward to photographing you and your little ones again in the future!
Next mini session will be outdoor Spring themed ones. I'm hoping to time it just right to coincide with the blooming trees and flowers. I have no idea when that will be, especially after the odd (to say the least) 'winter' we just had. But hopefully it will be around the beginning of May. So feel free to message me if you're interested!
I had a mom contact me around the beginning of January inquiring about my Milestone Sessions. She had a little one who just turned 3 months old. We booked the session and in a week she showed up with the cutest little 3 month old I've ever seen (except my own baby, of course).
Little Emmett was all smiles and seemed to love being in front of the camera and in the limelight! Just check out those smiles!
I quickly realized that I LOVE this age. He was so much fun to photograph and was so expressive!
And of course, we had to get a picture of him with mom. More moms need to get in the photo with their little ones. Your kids will love looking back on these memories of you all together.
Once the new studio was built, I needed props for it. And once that first newborn wrap was purchased, it opened a shopping floodgate. Now everywhere I go, I look for things I can photograph in my studio. I think to myself how good a baby would look in that basket or that bowl or that fabric. It's quite easy to get caught up in it. There are just too many cute baby things in the world!
Here are some of the items I've procured and used or are waiting to be used and sometimes test driven my my 3 year old son.
Then I spotted this sweet cake stand and I knew I needed to start offering cake smashes.
And things soon led to buying cute little newborn-1 year old clothing that I could use to style my studio sessions with a more vintage feel.
But sometimes babies just look their cutest when they're in their birthday suits (with a diaper and cover, just in case).
Having the studio so close by made it easy to do lots of promo shots for my seasonal Holiday Mini Sessions, make holiday cards to mail out and get photos of friends and family when they were here to visit.
Here are some fun ones I did with my son Oliver, to test different setups and decide the look I wanted for the Holiday Mini Sessions:
Our holiday card. I kinda love the outtake where my son is trying to give me a raspberry. :)
Had a visit from our family friends who's daughters are just beautiful people inside and out. So of course, I had to photograph them!! And my son being a typical three year old, couldn't stay out of the shots. Fortunately, their mother entertained Oliver with fort making long enough for me to get a few shots of the girls on their own. And then we got a few of them all together, with a Santa hat in tow. I was quite proud of how these photos turned out and am so honored that a large canvas print of this one hangs in their home now.
The morning after Christmas, my brother and sister in law had been staying with us for the holiday and were generous enough to let me take their picture before they had to drive back home to Boston. I love these shots of them. I feel like they highlight what fun loving human beings they are and shows the great bond they have with their nephew, even with living so far away and not getting to visit as often as we'd all like.
Plus they're just awesome people:
My husband lovingly converted half our basement into a working photography studio for me this past fall. He put in new flooring, a drop ceiling, new walls and wiring and much more. Even our 3 year old son helped out with the construction! It has been an excellent addition to my business. I now have a space to photograph when the weather's too cold for outdoor sessions and the perfect setup for newborns and infants. Plus cake smashes!!!
Here are some cell phone photos of the space and it's construction:
And the finished product (cell phone photos again, ugh!):
Back wall painted in a cream color with several other backdrop options hung above and easy to pull down when needed. Baby doll modeling on the rug :)
Other wall, called my 'barn wall'. Stained wood boards to match the dark wood flooring. The flooring can be moved around and added to as needed.
Storage area and changing table: My son is too big for his changing table now, so this was the perfect spot for it for clients who come in with little ones. Diaper changes, outfit changes, plus storage for bonnets, hats, blankets, baskets and more underneath! Hanging on the wall there is an assortment of newborn wraps, blankets and hats. And for toddlers who need an activity while being photographed, who doesn't love a rocking horse?!
Here are a few shots to show you how the studio backgrounds look when they're photographed with my studio lights and my real (non cell phone) camera.
Barn Wall:
Cream Wall:
After many months of construction, the studio was up and running for clients starting the beginning of 2016!