Brand New Offering for 2016! :: Happy New Year!

Its been a bit of a quiet ending to our year, J and I have spent a lot of time together with the pups, just soaking each other up. Our little family had some really joyful news, and some really tough news to follow rounding out 2015. Pardon the less-than-professional backstory, just skip to the bottom for the announcement if you want ;)

My husband and I have struggled with infertility for years, and this fall we were finally able to get pregnant. I was excited, nauseous, and mortified. I guess women really do have some intuition, because I knew something was wrong. We found out a few short weeks later that the baby had stopped growing around 9 weeks along and we would eventually miscarry. Most of December, I could be found curled up on the couch crying, or watching HGTV to distract me from crying. But we were able to send our little angel to heaven naturally just before Christmas, which is what I wanted to prevent any further health issues.

So to say that I am ready for a new year is an understatement. We are truly encouraged by some progress and the pregnancy certainly made things a lot more real for us so we can prepare for a future babe (God willing). 

Why am I tell you all this personal stuff? This tough stuff just solidifies why I pour my heart into capturing timeless images for your families. Whether that "family" word means a couple waiting and hoping, a couple with their fur babies, a family of 3, or a house full of kiddos. Thank you a million times for sharing your lives and your littles with me and allowing me to capture your amazing pesonalities! We are so very blessed and hopeful for the new year.

Now check out the new Baby Steps plans! This bun has been in the oven for years now and I am so excited to finally introduce it to you all. Please let me know what you think, send all those pregger mamas my way, and contact me to book. I want to make sure every milestone is captured as your family grows (it happens too fast)!

From womb to walking, I want to capture all your sweet babe's milestones. And these plans include the gorgeous elite products that would look great in the nursery or on a coffee table. They make great gifts for that expectant mama in your life too.

 Full details here: http://www.mhaasphotography.com/About/Baby-Plan

XOXO and Have a blessed New Year,
Mich

P.S. I love providing birth photography too when my schedule permits, hope to add to a plan down the road. Let me know if any babes are due this summer. Birth photography in the hospital is the most amazing stuff ever, and completely PG rated ;). 

P.S.S Stay tuned for some fun mini session options coming soon too! Happy New Year.

White Bows + Twinkle Toes + 10 Things Mom and Dad Were Thinking | Louisville, KY Family Photographer

I really think this adorable family nailed it.

It is certainly not their first time in-front of my camera, and they are pretty much pros by now. I mean look at that baby, doesn't get any sweeter.

If you follow me on facebook, (see the little circle F link to the right --------->) you might remember this little one from a couple months ago. She was the gorgeous girl in her momma's heirloom dress, EATING HER OWN TOES. Gah so sweet!

And now here she is with her beautiful big sisters just hamming it up for the camera.

But you will see they are laughing at something just to camera right. Mom and dad were doing a great job of cracking them up and I wanted to give you just a little peek into mom and dad's brains during the before during and after the shoot.

1. How did you feel before the photo shoot? Did you have any concerns?

Great! Only concern was if the baby would make it through, always tricky with naps!

 2. Did you prepare for the shoot? If so, how?

Just some shopping for the girls dresses and of course hair!

3. Did the girls undergo any smile/giggle practicing?

No!

 4. What makes your family giggle the most?

Unfortunately it's poop stories. Haha!

5. Was any member of the family bribed?

No!

6. What were your hopes for the session?

Sweet pictures of the girls

7. Based on the few images you've seen, do you think we accomplished goals?

Yes!!!!!

8. What were you thinking during the session?

I hope the baby cooperates.

9. Is there anything you would have done (or had Michelle do) differently?

Nope, everything was perfect!

10. Mark, What advice would you give other dads before their family photo shoot?
Do whatever your wife tells you to :) 
 

I'd say the baby cooperated, and this sweet family did such an amazing job. No giggle practice needed.

Xoxo,
Mich

P.S. Have you done a family portrait session recently? What other advice do you have for a successful family photo shoot?

Leave me a little love note below in the comments, shoot me an email with the "Contact Me" link at the top of this page, and as always, go ahead and share this post with your family and friends.

They are too cute not to!

Bow Ties + Baskets | MHP Louisville, KY Newborn Photographer

To start off today's post, I just want to say how thankful I am to each of you.

Even if you haven't booked a session with me yet, or are taking a peek at a friend's photos, I appreciate you so much! Without each and every set of eye balls looking at this blog, I wouldn't be who I am or be doing what I'm doing today.

And I am oh so blessed.

So THANKS!

And that was brought to you by my new blog design.

 As a creative person, when I sit down to write, it is sometimes difficult. I have to yank stuff out of myself that I normally keep tucked inside. Words are not nearly as much of my forte as say... images :)

So my new blog wasn't going to write its own welcome section - See right sidebar------>
- and I got to thinking about what makes me tick, and it might sound corny, but its all of you.

When I was growing up and my mom asked me to draw her a picture, I would always respond, "a picture of what?" My imagination had tons to draw, but I needed something to inspire me.

You inspire me.

I want to make art that you ADORE. Art that speaks to your soul and captures your heart. And I cannot possibly do that in my line of work without your gorgeous families, kids, pets, and YOU.

So thank you and with out further ado, little Mr. Jack.

He is oh so loved too.

 Mama had a super long delivery, and little Mr. Jack was too comfy to leave hotel Mama. The morning of Jack's shoot, I arrived and he had just eaten, usually a good way to make itty-bitties milk drunk and groggy. Well, we started the shoot and had a few of a very alert little Jack.

We got a few yawns and I thought we were getting groggy, then Boing, eyes were back open.

And this photo about half way down, he was literally laughing at me. Haha I am not sleeping for you!

His little Lullaby Lambs Soother helped quite a bit, and he talked me into snuggling and bouncing him for a while (geez twist my arm:)). Jack finally fell asleep and let us pose him with Bow Ties + Baskets like the little blond-headed doll that he is.
 

I sure hope mom and dad are able to enjoy these photos as much as I enjoyed making Jack's first bit of art.

 He did great, after being slightly over interested that he didn't miss anything, but we will call that determined.

 Oh my word... those sweet little toes. Those snuggles ended up being pretty dang sweet for me too.

Xoxo,
Mich

Cowboy Boots + Kisses | Louisville, KY Family Portrait Photographer

This little family was so much fun, I cannot believe how long I have gone without sharing some of these photos!

When mama said she was bringing her little boy I was excited to meet them, as I always am with new friends - Stacey was one of our giveaway winners from last fall. But when she told me COWBOY BOOTS, I got a little giddy.

I knew the perfect spot was over at a local farm and historical home called Blackacre. After a ton of awesome idea emails and a crappy rain out day, we found a beautiful morning, and boy did we get some great shots.

I may be a bit quirky at times, and during our shoot you may feel weird when I ask you to do something. But, there is usually a prize for putting up with me, awesome photos like these :)  (Disclaimer: As long as your kids - and I - have had a nap :))

 

This little cowboy though... oh my gerd!

Long Grass and Gardens [family] | Louisville, KY Family Photographer

This special family is the epitome of the client turned friend. I cannot tell you how many times this sweet family has been in front of my camera and I must say it is such a joy to watch then grow. Just look at these sweet girls and the love their amazing parents share.

We started the ideas for this family shoot at their house via text, like so many times before. But when I heard of Randi's idea for photos of the girls playing in the garden and on their new playground, I thought... how fitting. These girls are growing like the tomato plants in compost, tall and healthy in the element they were intended.

I was delighted that we would be capturing some amazing lifestyle photos of the family being authentic, in their element. It is how I hope to photograph every single person I have the honor to shoot - REAL - in their element, their comfortable, authentic selves.

I look forward to our shoots and ordering sessions not because of any monetary gains or business advances I may make. But because we get to talk about David's business and the fun things the girls are doing in school. I make plans with Randi to visit the parish picnics for some games and fun.

This wonderful family is not only an amazing client family that I enjoy working with a few times a year, they are friends and I am so blessed to call them that... Dusty and all.

The Smith Clan [Established 1930] | Louisville, KY Family Portrait Photographer

This family was so much fun and they came with some great ideas.

I couldn't wait to share some sneak peeks of them but there were so many great photos of this amazing group I had a hard time figuring out where to start.

We had some amazingly meaningful pieces to this shoot - just look at that gorgeous frame made by G-Daddy.

I am so honored to be able to create some lasting art for this family to enjoy and pass along for many generations to come.

Reid [10 days new] | Louisville, KY Newborn Photographer

Will you take a look at these sweet boys? They are the cutest with their new baby brother Reid. At one point Dad said putting Reid in between his two big brothers was like putting him in a lion's den, thank goodness everyone came out of the shoot okay :) Being the youngest, I know he is going to be extra strong thanks to that lion's den training.

 Ahhhh the cuteness... Meet Reid!

Axel [14 days new] | Louisville, KY Newborn Portrait Photographer

This little heart breaker is going to be a world traveler... and might hit a few tennis balls in his time too. Such a sweet little man with a very cool name --he knows it, check out the sunglasses -- and a couple of studly fur-brothers too.

 Meet Axel!

Everett [4 months] | Louisville, KY Baby Photographer

What a happy little man E was. I can only hope that I am blessed with such a sweet, happy little one someday. He and his sweet parents were an absolute joy to work with and I'm pretty sure he knew he rocked these photos. Meet four month old, Everett (and he fur brothers of course).

More handsome little studs coming to the blog soon!

Xoxo,
Mich

Daniel [18 days new] | Louisville, KY Newborn Portrait Photographer

This little guy is such a fighter, he spent some time in the NICU and he has come out bigger and stronger and oh so studly. I already know hes going to be a stud. He looks amazingly like his big brother, Logan [3 years old] whom graced us with his cunning charm during the whole shoot... and graced us with a few photos of his studliness too :) Love these boys and their amazing parents.

Xoxo,
Mich

© MHaas Photography | All rights reserved. Feel free to like, share, tag yourself and use as your profile photo. But, please respect my work and do not save, crop or alter in any way.

Holden + Hadley [6 months] MHaas Photography | Louisville, KY Baby Photographer

These two precious babes are just right off the side of the diaper box. They were just a couple of hams and we had tons of fun making them and everyone else laugh. Their precious pup was even ready for the camera. Meet these gorgeous twins, only half-way into their first year here, Holden and Hadley. ::Swoon:: :)

Xoxo,
Mich

© MHaas Photography | All rights reserved. Feel free to like, share, tag yourself and use as your profile photo. But, please respect my work and do not save, crop or alter in any way