Mary Alice Duncan Photography

so lovely : tori, class of 2010

02.03.10 at 12:14pm

I am so happy to introduce you to the lovely Tori – oh my, isn’t she gorgeous?

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When Tori’s mom contacted me about shooting her senior pictures, my first thought was YES! Then I immediately had visions of Big Hair, shoulder pads, feather boas, dressy shorts {with tights!}, white patent flats {with bows!} and paint-splattered backgrounds. Then, I came to and realized I was remembering my own horrific senior portrait experience in my high school gymnasium and knew right away that I must never subject any young woman to that kind of torture. {Can I get an AMEN, class of ‘93?} For Tori’s portraits, we opted for something a little more relaxed. She has such a natural radiance that just shines thru in every image.

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Tori’s sweet momma, Melanie, and little sister, Abby, came along for our little excursion and got in on a little of the action towards the end of the shoot. I’m so glad they did! I mean, seriously – They’re ALL gorgeous and have such a tender connection to each other.
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Don’t even get me started on how much I love these next two. Makes me wish I had a sister!!

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Tori, You are positively adorable. Your sweet spirit just shines every time you smile! I absolutely loved shooting your Senior portraits and hope you love them as much as I do. I know that there are many amazing things ahead for you and I pray that you have an incredible Senior year!!

* nashville, tn portrait photographer; nashville, tn portrait photography; nashville, tn senior photographer; nashville, tn senior photography

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Laura Troup - Wow! Wow! Wow! I LOVE these! You did a phenomenal job. But, of course, you did have an amazingly beautiful subject to photograph.

they definitely win the longest distance traveled for a session award

01.28.10 at 10:46pm

And just how far did they travel, you might ask? How about all the way from Boston? That’s right – Boston. As in Massachusetts. As in Hometown of NKOTB. As in nearly 1,000 miles. And I could leave it at that and let you all think that I am so special that these lovely, charming people traversed this great distance just to see me … but oh well. A liar I am not. Truth is, they were here in Nashville visiting family for the holidays and my sweet friend Alicia emailed to see if I could squeeze them in. And once you see all the lovey cuddly goodness to come, you’ll see why it was a no-brainer for me!

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Before she moved away, Alicia and I used to work together at a little company here in Nashville called Aegis Marketing Group. I often credit my time as an employee there with giving me some of the sweetest friends I have ever had, and I count Alicia among those. We were cubicle buddies while I was pregnant with Jack. She was on the front lines of listening to me complain about being hot, and dizzy, and hungry. It’s quite possible that she talked me down from a panic attack or two, but I didn’t say that out loud. She helped to throw me one of the nicest baby showers any mommy-to-be could ever hope to have. Until these photos were taken, I hadn’t seen her in nearly 5 years. When she emailed to set up a session for her family, there was NO WAY I was going to miss the chance to see her and her handsome hubby Gabe – and meet their two beautiful boys, Colin and Eli!

And oh yeah – Here’s some of that lovey cuddly goodness I mentioned earlier.

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And here are reasons number one and two why nice, pretty people should reproduce:

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I just love these next two. They just scream F A M I L Y – Who doesn’t cart their kids around this way? Love it. I have always thought that Alicia and Gabe looked like they were tailor-made for each other. And I still hold that opinion! Alicia has a mega-watt, movie-star smile that totally lights up a room. I remember when she first interviewed at Aegis – I wanted to hire her for her smile before I ever even heard her speak!

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Big props to anyone who can spot my Jack in the photo below … Sometimes when you hire me, you get a package deal!

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Oh, Alicia, it was absolutely delightful being with you and your boys! I will be posting this link on Gabe’s Facebook page, so this would be a wonderful time for you to cave and get your own profile as well. {Alicia is a Facebook holder-outer, y’all, so lets all give her a little encouragement to sign up, shall we?} I hope you love these as much as I do and that your blog debut was painless! I’ll be in touch soon, sweet friend …

* nashville, tn family photography; nashville, tn family photographer; nashville, tn lifestyle photography; nashville, tn lifestyle photographer; nashville, tn portrait photographer; nashville, tn portrait photography

Posted in nashville children's photographer, nashville family photographer, nashville portrait photographer

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Deanna Cornelius - OK...these are GREAT!!!! HEY ALICIA!!!! You have a beautiful family and of course Mary Alice captures it all just perfectly!!!

baby love

01.27.10 at 10:59am

Sweet little Skylar has grown so much since I first photographed her when she was three months old. She was six months old when we shot these images and it’s almost time for me to see her again for her nine month photos. Time sure flies when you’re little and positively adorable! Skylar’s mom, Angie, has such a beautiful, elegant and simple style. Her only request for this session was that we get some good shots of Skylar in her white dress with a neutral background. I don’t do a lot of studio-type shots, seeing as how I don’t really have a studio {YET} – but ah, yes! We have discovered that my dining room doubles as a wonderful studio when you move most of the furniture out of it!! Once we got the more formal shots, Angie told me I could do whatever I wanted to. Having grown up as a somewhat spoiled only child, I will rarely say no to that! I had lots of fun with this little lady, and she was so good to just sit and smile. I also had lots of fun in with the post-processing as well, which you will be able to see more of as you scroll down!

Angie, as always, it was delightful being with you and Skylar. She has the BEST facial expressions and is just so absolutely beautiful! I hope you love these as much as I do, and I’ll have the rest to you soon!

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* nashville, tn children’s photography; nashville, tn children’s photographer; nashville, tn portrait photographer; nashville, tn portrait photography

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Shannon Steen - LOVE these photos!!! She is adorable!!!

Angie Wilson - Thanks so much, Mary Alice! These are SO cute! I look forward to seeing you again soon. :)

admin - thanks, angie! i want to eat her. and i realized that i didn't post any of the full-body shots in the white dress. not to worry, you will see those soon!! kiss her for me!!

Judy - LOVE the feathers :)

celebrate love at the loveless :: 2010 sweetheart sessions!

01.09.10 at 2:56pm

sweethearts

I am beyond THRILLED to announce that the 2010 Sweetheart Sessions will be taking place at The Loveless Cafe! I really don’t have words for how excited I am about this. THE LOVELESS CAFE! I mean, seriously, when you think of Nashville Landmarks, the Loveless has to be awfully high on your list. As a lifelong Nashvillian, and a huge fan of Miss Carol Fay’s biscuits, this is an absolute dream for me. Thanks to Phillip’s hard work and the kindness of the good folks at the Loveless, we are going to have total access to the grounds & barn and will even have one of the main restaurant tables reserved for some cozy inside shots! I really don’t even know what to say about this other than this : It. Is. Going. To. Be. E P I C !

So here’s the deal. In bullet-points!

Sweetheart Mini-Sessions will be held February 6 & 7 and are 30 minutes each.
The cost is $200 and must be paid in full at the time of booking to secure your time slot. {I accept cash or personal check and can take debit or credit cards thru paypal.}
Sessions will be booked on a first-come first-served basis.
I will be accepting bookings thru Tuesday, January 22nd, unless the slots fill up before then.
You will receive a disc containing no less than 10 beautiful, custom edited high-resolution images of you and your sugar-pie with an unlimited printing and sharing release. You are also free to print with me thru my professional lab {at my regular printing prices}, but the normal $200 minimum order is NOT required for this special session.
I can not guarantee that you will have your discs by February 14th – in fact, I can almost guarantee that you will NOT have your discs by February 14th! However, I will get discs in the mail to you on or before February 28th.

The sweet people at the Loveless have asked to advertise this offer to many of their regulars, so I anticipate spots to fill up fast. Message me TODAY for details and to reserve your time before they’re all gone! Just think … photographs and breakfast or lunch at the Loveless just in time for Valentine’s Day – Are you kidding me? And I know that I mentioned a potential second location for these shots … but I have decided to hold off and save that for another time. Two days at the Loveless was just too good to pass up!

So, again, I ask for your help in getting the word out. Please feel free to share this post on your Facebook page or email the link to friends, family and neighbors who you think might be interested. I am totally dependent on and grateful for your referrals!

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just tell him how it’s gonna be, girls

01.07.10 at 12:06pm

sweetheartspromo1

I am absolutely thrilled to tell you that Phillip, fantastic husband and Business Manager extraordinaire, has secured at least one of two possible locations for the 2010 Sweetheart Sessions. That’s right, ladies, go ahead and tell that man of yours to get ready for his close-up! This is going to be so amazing!!! I am waiting to announce the final plan until I know for sure about the other possible location, but let me tell you – if it comes thru, it will be an absolute dream weekend for me. I had hoped to have the official location announcement ready by now, but both possible sites require permission to shoot, so it’s taking just a little longer than anticipated to get the final word out. But, trust me, it will be worth it!

So remember : February 6 & 7 are the dates. Cost is $200 for a 30 minute mini-session and no less than 10 beautiful high-resolution images with your beloved burned to a cd with an unlimited printing & web-sharing release. PRETTY PLEASE share this with anyone you think might be interested - Dating couples, engaged couples, newly married couples, older married couples, couples with kids, couples who need time away from the kids… and how about some grandparents?! Can I get an Amen?

Keep checking back. As soon as I have confirmation on location two, I will pass along the information to you and open the calendar for booking. Here’s to love!

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better than a snuggie, guaranteed

01.05.10 at 2:35pm

If you are like me, you are wrapped up in a snuggie while nursing a cup of coffee, hot chocolate or warm apple cider. If you are like me, you are avoiding the cold any way you can. And if you are like me, you are a sucker for an adorable baby. Uh – huh, I’ll take an adorable baby over a snuggie any day and I love my snuggie!

This is Miles, whom you might remember from his first blog appearance here. Miles turned ONE back in October and I am just now posting his photos. Oh my! Can you say B E H I N D? I certainly can, but I digress. LOOK AT THIS CHILD! Is he a lovie, or what? Miles stole my heart with his roly-poliness and big blue eyes the first time I met him and now – and I didn’t think it was possible – those baby blues are even more beautiful!

Miles, his mom Jami and I met one chilly, drizzly day in October. Mr. Sugar-pie was in such a great mood that we were completely done in about 20 minutes. What a pro!

I hope these images warm your heart today like they have mine. Enjoy!

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looking back … and moving forward

01.02.10 at 11:54pm

I’ve been sitting here watching and re-watching, crying my eyes out over how many beautiful people have been a part of my life in 2009. This past year has not been the easiest, or even the best, of my life – but because of all of you, I have been able to walk a path of joy that would have otherwise been closed off to me. I love each and every one of you and am so, so, so grateful that you let me into your life. I hope you enjoy the video … It was so hard to choose favorites, to not make this three hours rather than three minutes long. {I am terrified that I left someone out, so if I did, please email me and I will correct it!} My prayer is that you will be blessed by watching, by seeing the love & joy that is all around us and in us. Peace & love to you and yours in 2010. I can’t wait for what’s to come!

Posted in life as i know it, nashville children's photographer, nashville couples photographer, nashville event photographer, nashville family photographer, nashville maternity photographer, nashville portrait photographer

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Judy - I love that I recognize several of these smiles... love you!

Amy W. - Thank YOU, Mary Alice for capturing these precious moments in time for us so beautifully.... You are the BEST! :)

Christy McInturff - Why should I even be surprised that all of those pictures were so beautiful?!?! You are amazing and have captured some wonderful moments

The Sweetheart Sessions 2010

12.31.09 at 2:14pm

Happy New Year, everyone! In honor of what I know is going to be the B E S T Y E A R E V E R, I am completely STOKED to announce the Sweetheart Sessions, 2010! This is something that has been brewing in my wacky brain for some time now – and I have been dying to get it out of my head and into yours!

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As we all know, February is the love month. And if you are a sappy romantic like me, you enjoy making Valentine’s Day special for the ones you love. Also, if you are like me – you likely have tons of photos of the little people in your life, maybe even a lot of pics of your significant other. But, do you have many images of just you and the one you love? Images that capture who you are together? Your connection? What makes you who you are without kids, jobs, stress or responsibilities? I have to confess that Phillip and I do not. The last photos we “officially” had taken together were done on September 8, 2001 – three days before the Twin Towers fell and our world changed forever. Now, I am unspeakably glad we have those photos – We still have a huge 24×30 of just us hanging above our den fireplace – but when I look at that beautiful portrait, I am reminded that just as our world has changed, so have we.

This February, I want to celebrate couples. Young couples, older couples, dating couples, engaged couples, married couples…all kinds of couples!! I adore seeing and capturing the electric connection between people who love each other and it is my hope to be able to share that with many of you this February. So, what does that mean exactly?

I am going to be offering a limited number of mini-sessions in February that focus on nothing but love, love, l o v e. I have yet to decide on an exact location, but I do know that it will be somewhere local – either in Nashville or Franklin – and will have to be a place that offers many different places to shoot. The dates of these sessions will be February 6 & 7. Each booking will be for 30 minutes and I guarantee that you will get a minimum of 10 beautiful, fully edited images of you and your beloved to cherish forever!

So, how will this work? Sometime early next week, I will officially announce the specific location of the sessions and open up my calendar for booking your spot on those 2 days. Once the schedule is full, I will not be offering any more of these mini-spots.

And what will you get? A 30 minute mini-session with me where we will work together to capture the essence of who you are as a couple. I will then prepare for you a disc containing a minimum of 10 beautiful high-resolution images that you may print at your leisure. You are, of course, always welcome to print through me using my professional lab.

OK, so how much does it cost? I am offering each mini-session and high-resolution disc for $200.

And now, here’s where I need your help. This session might not be right for you – and that’s OK! – but it could very well be just what someone you know is looking for. I depend COMPLETELY on word of mouth and referrals to build my business so if you are reading this, could I ask a favor of you? Would you consider telling some people you know about me, and in particular, this offer? Would you share my website with family members, church friends, co-workers, parents of your children’s friends from school? Even better, would you consider posting a link to this post on your Facebook page? It really would mean the world to me! And remember – every person you refer to me earns you a credit of 10% of their total purchase with me. So, if you refer just ONE person who books a Sweetheart Session, you will automatically receive a $20 credit with me that NEVER expires! So, PLEASE, help me spread the word – and together let’s help spread the L O V E !

xoxo

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just tell him how it’s gonna be, girls » Mary Alice Duncan Photography - [...] and Business Manager extraordinaire, has secured at least one of two possible locations for the 2010 Sweetheart Sessions. That’s right, ladies, go ahead and tell that man of yours to get ready for his close-up! [...]

celebrate love at the loveless :: 2010 sweetheart sessions! » Mary Alice Duncan Photography - [...] am beyond THRILLED to announce that the 2010 Sweetheart Sessions will be taking place at The Loveless Cafe! I really don’t have words for how excited I am [...]

in case you needed convincing that wintertime family photos are the BEST…

12.30.09 at 12:56am

…then let me introduce you to the incomparable Tamara, Dave, Ethan & Zach!

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I met Tamara {although she’ll always be Tammy to me!} in the fall of 1993 when we both arrived in Suite 302 of Fanning Hall on the capus of Lipscomb University. Being a Nashville native, you would think that I would have known someone else starting Lipscomb that same year, but I didn’t. So – I went total potluck in the roommate department – and hit the jackpot! Tammy had come to Lipscomb – from CANADA! – with her good friend Judy {Hey, Jude!} and praise the Lord, they were both assigned the room across from me and my roommate, Laura. And so began friendships that I cherish to this day. Oh, I can remember the midnight pizza parties, taking naps every afternoon and waiting anxiously for Jude & Tam to get their next care package from home. Such fun and sweet times!

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It’s hard to admit, but until we met to shoot, I hadn’t seen Tammy since our college graduation. Once again, thru the miracle of Facebook, we have been able to re-connect. She was always beautiful, but holy cow hot momma!! I would say that Dave, Tam’s college sweetheart, hit the jackpot, too!

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It was an absolute joy to reconnect with Tammy for so many reasons, two of which are named Ethan and Zach. Oh my goodness – they are the most delightful little boys!! Sweet, funny, gorgeous and oh, so charming. This little doll-baby is Zach, who Tammy calls her Rogue. Perfect. Oh, what personality! collage21 collage82

And this little heartbreaker is Ethan. Such a sweet and funny boy – with a smile that just lights up his whole self {and hello dimples!} You can tell that he really loves being a big brother – and that his baby brother thinks he hung the moon.

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I have to say, these are some of my most favorite images ever. Such a beautiful example of F A M I L Y! The morning we met to shoot was absolutely FA-REE-ZEENG. As in Mary Alice couldn’t keep the camera still because her teeth were chattering so badly. But the smiles, the love, the connection … the warm clothes, rosy cheeks and snuggles … No way the cold could compete with all that warmth!

Tammy & Dave, you have such an incredible family! I don’t even have words for how honored I am that you chose me to capture such a precious time for you! I am completely in love with your boys and can’t wait for next time. I love you dearly and am dying to show you the rest of your images – I am almost done!!

And, dear blog readers, now that you see how incredibly lovely wintertime shots can be, I’d love to set up a fun & unique session with you and your family! To help streamline things as far as scheduling, I have added a new feature here on the site. In the menu bar above you will see a link called “Book a Session”. This link will take you to my calendar where you can browse my available session times and then book and pay half the session fee {to hold your spot} completely online! SO COOL! Once you reserve your spot, I will then get in touch with you about planning the details of your custom session. Any questions, just shoot me an email at madphotoinfo@comcast.net!

So, what are you waiting for? Your walls are calling – Let’s go make some pretty stuff!

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Carrie - what great shots. I LOVE that background/location!

merry christmas to you and yours from me and mine!

12.23.09 at 11:46pm

I can’t seem to get a very good scan of the 2009 Duncan Christmas Card, so instead I thought I’d share the photos of our sweet Jack we used this year (plus a couple extra favorites)! I wish nothing but Christ’s love, peace and joy for each and every one of you reading – and pray that 2010 is full of blessings for you and your family! I am so grateful for all the support I have received here on the blog, as well as in person, over this last year. I am humbled and honored that so many of you asked me to capture your most special moments in 2009. I am thrilled to start another year with all of you, because you are such a special part of my life!