Never, before these two tiny showstoppers, have I photographed twins. Two little babies, all soft and peachy with their new baby smells was cuteness overload. I could have photographed them ALL. DAY. LONG. True story. In fact, I can't wait to go back!
Fern Camilla and Nelle Harper are the daughters of Dallas dynamos, Debra and Jon, who you will get to see more of during the next session. Though they are tired, they are doing one of the best jobs I have ever seen, handling these newborns...and they have TWO! They put me to shame. They are calm, composed, and full of love, swooning over every little twitch and murmur that their daughters make. I am beyond thrilled to get to watch Fern and Nelle grow and to get to see Debra and Jon raise them!
I started to pull images to make a long still image blog post, but changed my mind at the last minute. I have debated on how to do this post for weeks. I'm going with my gut today, and it is telling me to post one image and to show you guys the slideshow. This was my first celebration of life, or some may call it a funeral. What a ride it was.
For the slideshow of the eventful and emotional day, please CLICK HERE.
Give it a minute to load, and turn your speakers up. Grab a tissue.
Feel your heart crawl into your throat and remind you that you are so thankful to be alive today.
These images are very moving... what a wonderful celebration. I love that although a somber event, everyone wore happy colors!
(07.14.10 @ 04:15 PM)Wow! I don't even know what to say. Kate, these images are so moving and beautiful. His family looks so strong. I am sitting at my computer bawling like a baby looking at these, but they are wonderful!
(04.19.10 @ 01:07 PM)Your work will forever be a treasure in our families heart. Carson was larger than life and there was no other person who could have done a better job with the blessing of his life than you. I am so blessed to call you family....Nat
(04.18.10 @ 08:49 PM)Your images were very moving. You honored Carson and his family. As a parent and photographer, I can only imagine how humbled you felt to capture this and I respect your personal sacrifice in doing so. It must have brought you to your knees. I wanted to share with you another photographer (Jonathan Canlas) who took on the same assignment in case you needed a fellow photog to discuss the experience with. http://canlasphotography.blogspot.com/2010/04/remember-how-yesterday-was-easter.html
(04.16.10 @ 10:35 PM)Thank you so much for sharing it. What a gift you have, what an act of love this must have been.
(04.16.10 @ 08:14 PM)Filled with love, Kate. Beautiful!
(04.16.10 @ 06:10 PM)Wow Kate. The images took my breath away, for so many different reasons. You did such an amazing job for that family and I am so impressed with how strong you had to have been to be able to capture the feelings from that day.
(04.16.10 @ 03:53 PM)Things are getting heated up here at Kate Mefford Photography, and I don't want anyone to be left out of the fun! Weekends are currently booked up until Sunday September 11, 2010. Once the weekend dates are snagged, the best I can do for you is to work you in during the weekdays, but that only applies to Dallas-Fort Worth area clients.
Sunday, September 11, 2010 (no longer available)
Sunday, September 18, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Email me at katemefford@me.com for more info!
Wow! Glad I snagged that May spot, while I still could! You are one in-demand lady!
(04.15.10 @ 05:04 PM)Photographing Carson Richardson's visitation and celebration of life was a life changing experience for me. Though my brides and grooms and parents of babies trust me, the way that the Richardson family trusted me was a trust like no other. I had to honor it and photograph with the grace of a prima ballerina and the strength of a lion...simultaneously! My experiences as a mom, as well as my education through Foundation Workshop prepared me for this job, though nothing can REALLY prepare you for something like this. I also think the universe was aligned for me that day to focus on giving this family the gift that they couldn't begin to give themselves and to reflect back to them what amazingly brave and beautiful people they are. I was the mirror, and I'm so glad they chose me for that role. That being said, I was no robot, shooting off frames. It was literally the hardest thing I have had to photograph. Surely enough, I wept minutes from the end of the grave site ceremony when I saw one of my best friends, Natalie, holding her son Law (one of Carson's buddies) who was FINALLY breaking down. I kept photographing, and that is what I am truly proud of. I've never felt stronger than in that moment, and I will carry it with me forever.
Just to give you a bit more to chew on, here is a part of an email I sent Carson's mom, Kimberly, when I presented her with a slideshow of my images:
First of all, I do want to thank you for trusting me. This was an experience like one I have never had, and I feel like I was given a great blessing and a wonderful lesson about life, love, friendships, and then some. I could not have taken these images or have been so enlightened without you really accepting me and allowing me to do so, so thank you. In a somewhat surreal, and even fate-like (or God-planned) way, I feel like we could be great friends after sharing such an intimate and personal experience. As I clicked the shutter, I felt. As I watched you through my viewfinder, I felt. As I edited each image, I felt. I will never walk in your exact pair of shoes, but I feel like I was there with you vicariously through my camera, and I just want you to know that my heart was with you and Ryan, as a fellow parent, every step of both days that I photographed. I didn't get the chance to know Carson very well, but I think that was God's mission for him...to bring people together who might not have done so without him, and to bring those who were already together, closer. What a tribute to your little boy! He affected hundreds of lives and relationships in ways we might never even know. =)
Hugs to your entire family, and please thank them for being so gracious to me as I captured one of the hardest days of their lives. I pray that the images give you all some sort of comfort. Carson's life story is beautiful, no doubt. What is equally beautiful is the story of the people who surrounded him. I am so, so incredibly honored that I got to tell it.
These are very powerful, Kate. I'm so impressed with your ability to shoot with such empathy.
(04.21.10 @ 03:53 PM)Kate....your words and your pictures are out of this world. You have such a gift....
(04.14.10 @ 05:42 PM)I am truly touched.
(04.14.10 @ 03:31 PM)Bobby and I went to NOLA over Easter weekend for our first getaway as a couple in 3 years. It was glorious. Much needed, much deserved. I tried to keep the camera at bay since I wanted to just be present with Bobby, but as you fellow shutterbugs know, it's in our blood and sometimes when you see a picture, you CAN'T HELP but take it. So I did. And Bobby just smiled...one of the many reasons I love him! Enjoy...
Such amazing pictures! Its on my lists of places to visit, and you just enticed me even more! You are just flat out GOOD!
(04.26.10 @ 04:16 PM)wow. these are amazing. i want to go NOW!
(04.20.10 @ 08:18 PM)I love New Orleans! Haven't been there since I was 15. Thanks for sharing - awesome pics!!
(04.12.10 @ 12:04 AM)LOVE the crawfish sticker. Hide me away in your carry-on next time!
(04.07.10 @ 08:01 PM)Oh this brings back so many memories! The guy at the Clover Grill is my favorite!
(04.07.10 @ 08:00 PM)I see London
I see France
:)
Such GREAT pics. Makes me want to go there!
(04.07.10 @ 03:54 PM)
OMG! I'm in love with these little ones! The first picture absolutely blows me away - so so so jaw dropping cute! All of them - so so so jaw dropping cute!
(04.26.10 @ 04:08 PM)Perfection! Perfection! Perfection!
(04.25.10 @ 10:22 PM)SO SWEET!! Their parents will cherish these forever, believe me. Makes me miss when my twins were that small. Love their names too :)
(04.25.10 @ 11:18 AM)I love those little girls!!! I can't wait to meet them. Hopefully they will love their 4th cousin Kristy.
(04.20.10 @ 08:28 AM)These photos just warmed my heart and made my day. :)
(04.19.10 @ 06:13 PM)Precious! Though what else could they be but adorable? Love this sweet family! ; )
(04.19.10 @ 03:29 PM)Great images, Kate! I teared up. I may be slightly biased but my neices are the cutest little things ever!!
(04.19.10 @ 02:29 PM)Oh, Kate, they are precious! I love the first one, too!
(04.19.10 @ 01:55 PM)great shoot kate. love the twins on the furniture!
(04.19.10 @ 01:30 PM)Nice job, love the first pic.
P.S. All parents of twins are calm, cool and collected. :)
(04.19.10 @ 01:16 PM)