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Valentine's Day

Looking for a creative way to send Valentines this year?

I'm selling these customized Valentines Day cards for $10. If you're interested send me a picture and which card you like! Payments can be made through checks or paypal (as long as its a bank transfer, not a credit card.)

Enjoy!





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New Beginnings

Its a new year... and with a new year comes the endless attempts to make ourselves better people with less bad habits and more good ones. Its a noble gesture but one that I have yet to accomplish. No more than 90 days into a new year and my resolutions are either long abandoned or have recently fallen prey to my indifference or laziness.

This year is different. I've resolved not to make any new years resolutions that I don't want to do.  For example, I do NOT want to stop eating McDonalds. I do NOT want to work out every day (or ever for that matter), I do NOT want to start back up with a rigorous weekly cleaning schedule. I simply don't.

I mean I get it... the whole purpose of resolutions seems to be to motivate yourself to do the very things you don't ever want to do... but it simply doesn't work for me! And to be honest it doesn't seem to work well for other people either... hehe

So, this year I am trying something new. I'm trying to put together a list of things I really WANT to do.  All of them at this point include photography but I have other things brewing in my mind - including a variety of areas of my life.  One of them is to take a picture/week. I've written out themes and asked a good friend who is good at photography to join me in my endeavor. (If anyone else wants to join in just shoot me an email!)

Who knows, come March I may end up dropping the ball and count it as another 90 day resolution but for now its something I'm actually excited about. I'm being challenged... even at the get go.  I'm the one who made the themes and still this week had me stumped. I have a couple other ideas I'd love to try to post before the weekly theme is up but since the goal is one per week I'm counting this one done as completed!

So here you have it....

Week 1 Theme:  New Beginnings

New Beginnings

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Susan's Maternity Pictures

I'm glad to say that this little guy was born already and I had the joy of being present during his birth - even the C-section! Did you know I offer birth photography? Its seriously SUCH a beautiful thing. I'll post a slideshow soon!


Susan Maternity 29 vintage blog


Susan Maternity 28 vintage blog


Susan Maternity 25 vintage blog


Susan Maternity 21 blog


Susan Maternity 15 bw blog


Susan Maternity 20 blog


Susan Maternity 14 bw blog


Susan Maternity 13 vintage blog


Susan Maternity 10 blog


Susan Maternity 11 vintage blog


Susan Maternity 9 bw blog


Susan Maternity 5 vintage blog


Susan Maternity 4 blog


Susan Maternity 2 bw blog






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Brooklyn

Another blast from the past. This little girl is so precious and her Mom & Dad were so sweet with her. Makes me excited for baby #4!

Confession: Brooklyn is about to have her first birthday... yikes! Bit late in posting... hehe

Rosenbaum family 8 bw blog


A born soccer player. :)


brooklyn crib 2 blog


Brooklyn floor bowl bw blog


Brooklyn 18 bw blog


brooklyn 3 oclock bw blog




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Brent & Corinne .Tie the Knot.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... photographing someone's wedding is such a privilege. To know someone is trusting me to accurately and beautifully capture one of the most important days in their lives is so humbling... and so fun. I love being able to spend the day with brides and grooms and see their excitement, their nerves, their first look, their joy. Thank you Brent & Corinne for letting me share in your special day. It was beautiful.




Corinne was breathtaking. Watching her get ready with her mom and her friends was contagiously exciting!


Corinne Getting Ready 1 bw blog


Corinne & the girls web


And Brent was equally handsome.


Brent 2 bw web


Corinne and her girls didn't stop laughing the entire time we were taking pictures. They were all having a blast!


The Girls 3 web


the girls 2 web


the girls web


And the guys, looking tough.


The Guys web


I couldn't get enough pictures of Corinne.


Corinne 3 web


Corinne 2 vintage web


Even the details were beautifully done.


flowers vintage 1 web


I loved the white pumpkins!


the rings web


Okay, I loved the orange ones too. :)


rings 3 web


rings 2 web


And the moment everyone was waiting for. :)


Brent & Corinne 5 web


Ceremony 1 bw blog


Just Married 2 blog





And my favorite part... time with the happy couple. :)

Weddings this late in the year are always tricky... but we managed to catch the tail end of the sun. :)

These next images take my breath away. 

B&C 2 blog

B&C 5 blog

*fave*

B&C 4 bw blog

B&C 3 blog

B&C 1 vintage blog

Brent & Corinne 4 web

Brent & Corinne 1 vintage blog

Brent & Corinne 3 bw web

Love this.

Corinne 1 blog

Brent & Corinne 2 blog

But who needs the sun? A little off camera lighting made these images some of my favorite of the day!

Brent & Corinne OCL 2 gts blog

Brent & Corinne OCL 3 blog


Brent & Corinne OCL 1 gts blog

And the whole crew:

Bridal Party 1 vintage blog

The reception was a blast. I loved how they incorporated Brent's Texas home into the cakes. :)

Cake 1 web

cake 2 web

texas web

First Dance 1 blog


Congratulations again Brent & Corinne!









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Sophia - a blast from the past

This is back blogging at its best. I'm not even willing to admit how old this session is!

I'm pretty sure Sophia is the trendiest baby I've photographed... so of course I was in heaven. I think she comes by it naturally since her mama is so trendy too! This was a bittersweet session since they were about to say goodbye to Sophia's daddy as he serves our country.

Cohorn Family 4 bw blog


One happy girl!


Sophia 10 bw blog


Sophia 22 blog


You wouldn't know it but it was FREEZING!


Sophia 2 bw blog


Sophia 3 bw blog


holding hands blog




A request from Mom:


Sophia Frame 1 a blog




Sophia 9 bw blog


Sophia 14 blog


Cohorn Family 5 blog


kiss blog




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Argh, Matey

On any given day you can find John Michael dressed up as a pirate. Last year for Christmas Tara & Adam bought John Michael & Addy pirate costumes and the novelty has not worn off since!


He's also my little drama child. He's the most expressive and I think the most imaginative. I'm regularly overhearing him fighting imaginary bad guys or rescuing people in distress. It warms my heart.


Pirate John Michael 2 webPirate John Michael web




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Chloe

This session had me nervous, I'm not gonna lie. When Sara called to schedule Chloe's 4 year pictures she warned me several times that having her picture taken was like a 3rd world torture device for her sweet daughter. I assured her that we'd get along famously and not to worry... and inside I worried! Its times like this I know why people bring assistants. Entertaining little ones is a full time job.. and doing it while manning the camera is not easy.

But, alas... Chloe and I really did hit it off famously. She was happy and excited and a complete and total JOY to photograph. She was in her element... and I daresay, she could have a modeling future if she wanted, she's that good!

Straight out of the gates... how precious does she look here?

Chloe 5 vintage blog



*fave*

Chloe 12 vintage blog


Chloe 2 bw blog


*fave* (I am allowed to have two, right?)


Chloe 1 vintage blog

Chloe 10 vintage blog

Well, its clear to see where she gets those good looks from!

Doug & Chloe blog

Sara & Chloe vintage blog

MacFeely Family 1 vintage blog




One thing I love about family sessions is snagging a couple of pictures of Mom & Dad. I hear, more often than not, "Wow, I think the last time we had our picture taken together was at our wedding!" Shame on all of you who can say the same! Schedule a session, you'll be so glad you did!


Doug & Sara vintage blog




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Creative Christmas Cards! **UPDATED OPTIONS!**

Looking for an alternative to the standard Walgreens photo card? This year I'm offering a variety of Christmas Cards.  Here are some examples of what you could do!

(all wording & colors are fully customizeable)



Option 1


A


Christmas Card 1a copy web


B


Christmas Card 1 copy web


Option 2


A


Christmas Card 2a copy web


B


Christmas Card 2 copy web




Option 3


Thinking a different color suits you? Request a color and we'll find something that's perfect. :)


A


Christmas Card 3a copy web


B


Christmas Card 3 copy web




Option 4


A


Christmas Card 4a copy web


B


Christmas Card 4 copy web




Option 5


A


Christmas Card 5a copy web


B


Christmas Card 5 copy web


Option 6


A


Christmas Card 6a copy web


B


Christmas Card 6 copy web


Option 7


A


Christmas Card 7a copy web


B


Christmas Card 7 copy web




Option 8


A


Christmas Card 9a copy web


B


Christmas Card 9 copy web


All colors & words & sides are fully customizeable! Don't be afraid to ask for what you want! For example - if you'd like Option 8A with Option 9B in red go for it!


Email me at michellehamstraphotography@gmail.com for prices and information!



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Jessica & Nick

I'm super jazzed about Jessica & Nick's wedding next year. :) This was one of my favorite e-sessions in a while.


These are my faves. :)



Jessica & Nick 18 art blog

Jessica & Nick 11 art blog



Jessica & Nick 1 art blog


Jessica & Nick My Pick 1 blog


Jessica & Nick My Pick 2 blog


Jessica & Nick 5 art blog


Jessica & Nick 15 bw blog


>Jessica & Nick 10 art blog


Jessica & Nick 3 bw blog


Jessica & Nick 7 vintage blog












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Caleb

Some 1 year pictures of this ridiculously cute little man.... who is now 18 months. Gotta love back blogging!




Caleb 1 texture blog


This picture is so Caleb. On the move. :)


Caleb 3 blog


Caleb wraps it up 1 blog


Caleb 12 bw blog


Caleb 7 blog


Caleb 8 vintage blog


Caleb 9 vintage blog


Caleb 10 bw blog


caleb up close and personal bw blog






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I can't help myself.

I'm behind on blogging sessions and this is only the first picture from their session that I've edited... but I had to post it I love it so much. :)

Olivia%20&%20Matt%201%20web

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Mark & Erica

A super fun engagement session!

I love engagement sessions. Its no secret that they're my favorite things to do! This one was super fun. :) And I just couldn't bring myself to narrow it down for the blog post... So get ready for a blog novel. :)

Mark & Erica 9 bw blog


mark & Erica 75 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 65 blog


Mark & Erica 54 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 55 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 56 bw blog


Mark & Erica 58 blog


Mark & Erica 59 blog


Mark & Erica 47 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 41 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 44 bw blog


Mark & Erica 31 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 36 bw blog


Mark & Erica 34 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 35 blog


Mark & Erica 27a vintage blog


Mark & Erica 30 blog


Mark & Erica 17 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 22 bw blog


Mark & Erica 12 bw blog


Mark & Erica 1 vintage blog


Mark & Erica 11 blog


Mark & Erica 8 bw blog


Mark & Erica 6 blog


Mark & Erica 3 blog




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Michael & Max

I think the one thing that stood out to me the most about this session was what a good Mommy Michael & Max have. She was patient and peaceful and kind throughout the entire session... which of course resulted in joyful and happy children. She made my job easy! And she has super cute kids to boot!


Check out this grin!!




Max 5 blog





Max 6 bw blog


Max 9 blog


Michael 11 vintage blog


Mom & Max 1 vintage blog


Mom & Max 2 blog


Max 10 vintage blog


Max blog


Max 8 blog


Michael 10 blog


brothers blog


Brothers 2 vintage blog


Mom & Boys 1 vintage blog


Mom & Michael 1 bw blog


Mom & Michael 2 vintage blog


Michael 7 vintage blog


Max 2 blog


Max 3 blog


Michael blog


Michael & Max vintage blog










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My oldest clients

Triniti is my oldest client. I've shot her since she was in the womb. :) I'd like to say that's why she's one of my favorites but I'm torn between that and the fact that it seriously doesn't get any cuter than Triniti! Not only is she naturally gorgeous but her Mommy & Daddy dress her in the coolest outfits. Triniti, like her parents, always looks 100% put together.

Fave.

trin

trin




I really can't tell if Triniti is a Mommy's girl or a Daddy's girl. It seems like she loves comfort from her mama and silly play time with her daddy.


trin


trin

Hooray for smiles!! Right Lori?

trin

trin

trin

Good genes. :)

trin




Love this picture - its so them!

trin

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