Fort Worth Portraits & Social Shoot with Bella Pop

The weekend before last Brandy and Brandon, of Bella Pop Photography, kindly invited me on a social shoot in the museum district of Fort Worth with about seven other photographers.  I had a blast getting to know everyone there including Brandy and Brandon, of course.  They were so nice and helpful answering questions and giving us a little bit of their background in the industry.  They even had a friend of theirs, Merry Jett, come along and model for us.  It’s so great to be able to just shoot for fun and find new inspiration and locations for future sessions.  The Modern Art and Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth are great places to shoot senior, engagement and bridal portraits.

I really hope Brandy and Brandon continue to do the social shoots monthly, biannually or something because I had an amazing time with everyone.  If you are interested in joining them (and me) on their next social shoot, subscribe to their newsletter and I’ll try to announce it on here as well.

Molly

Here are a few pictures from the shoot

Brandy, far right, helping some of the photogs.

Merry was so sweet and so much fun to photograph.

I probably couldn’t pull these off but Merry sure does.

I love her feather headband.

So beautiful.

My favorite photos of the day, hands down, are the next two.

Just amazing!

Trying to make some fun out of a parking garage.  You have to get a little creative.

All of the pictures were taken on the grounds of the Modern Art Museum and Kimball Art Museum.

“These boots were made for walkin’…”  Not sure if these were but they looked awesome.

This is a favorite too.

Thanks again to Merry for braving the 100 degree heat for us and Brandy and Brandon for hosting this fun social shoot.

Merry - Molly your website is so cool! For some reason your comment didn’t post to my blog and I just found it in my dashboard. But you took some great shots! I’ll link you on page :)September 3, 2010 – 12:03 PM

Molly Kate - Thanks Vanessa! I plan on it.September 1, 2010 – 11:03 PM

Vanessa - Hey great shots Molly! :) It was great meeting you out there, hope to see you at the next one.September 1, 2010 – 12:27 AM

Mercedes : Fort Worth Senior Portraits

I briefly met Mercedes and her mom, Roxanne, at the Dallas SmugMug Meetup.  Mercedes was one of our beautiful models for the Trash the Dress Shoot.  Mercedes let us photograph her while Roxanne held an external light on her wherever and whenever the photographers wanted.  I have to say what troopers!  They were both so much fun to work with and easy going.  I was so excited when Roxanne contacted me to do Mercedes’ senior portraits at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.

This time around I had the chance to get to know Mercedes a little better.  Besides being absolutely gorgeous, Mercedes plays a mean ‘middle’ position at club and school soccer.  We were both sad when USA dropped out of the World Cup.  Also, after you see all of her photos you will find out she knows how to have a good time.  Thanks, Mercedes, for giving me the chance to photograph you at this special time in your life and being so open to anything I wanted to do.  I also have to thank your mom for being such a big help.  For instance, making sure I didn’t forget my bag around the park.  I wish you all the success your future can hold.

It doesn’t look like it but this bridge was a little treacherous.  I almost fell on my face going across.

We went down in to this creek and I didn’t feel like we were in Texas anymore.  Mercedes looks amazing!

How cute is she?!

There is a little bit of everything at the FW Botanical Gardens, ponds, creeks, trees, flowers, you name it.

I loved the one on the right.

We had fun with the willow tree.  Every time I see one of these trees I can’t help but to think of The Little Mermaid.

I love that look.  It’s like woah!  So fierce.

Simple, natural yet so beautiful.

Mercedes braved it and walked up this amazing tree limb.  I just knew it would be a great picture.

I don’t know what was said but something was funny.  I love a good laugh.

This is probably one of my favorites from the day.

She said, “I could jump in the fountain” and I said, “Sure, that would be awesome.”  Well, she did and this is what we got.  It’s not your traditional senior picture.  It’s so Victoria Secret.

The water was cold but you can’t tell by Mercedes’ face.  She looks relaxed and gorgeous.

Creeks, trees, and fountains, Mercedes did it all!  Thank you again.  If you would like to see more of Mercedes’ senior session click on the slideshow below.

Molly Kate - Thank you guys for the support! It means a lot.September 1, 2010 – 10:57 PM

Isabel - Molly – YAY! These look great! I love the willow and fountain pictures; so beautiful, classy, yet diff! Congrats on getting out there!September 1, 2010 – 6:54 PM

Chad - Molly, these photos are spectacular, and the quality is second to none. You have really upped your game!August 21, 2010 – 11:53 PM

Carol - WOW! You are amazing. The pictures are amazing. Some of my favorites are the ones in the weeping willow tree and also where Mercedes has her feet in the water, however they are all great.August 20, 2010 – 3:28 PM

A Sneak Peek : Mercedes : Fort Worth Senior Portraits

Every year when summer comes around I think it’s going to be relaxing and fun.  I imagine myself sitting out on the patio with Todd having a bbq, eating snow cones under the warm sunshine, or hanging out on the lake.  Finally, summer arrives and I’m lucky if I get to enjoy one of these dreams of mine.  Not to say I haven’t had a fun summer but relaxing might not be the word for it.  Todd and I have been looking for our first house and haven’t found it and of course I’ve been working on this photography business.  In between those two activities I’ve been trying to help my sister plan her wedding as well as host a couple of parties for her.  So, like I said I’ve been having a lot of fun but I feel like it has been a busy summer to say the least.

Last week I designed my business cards and made a profile and business page on Facebook.  That’s right, I finally joined Facebook people.  I have been so reluctant but I know it’s great for communicating with friends and family.  Not to mention it is a great business tool.  Then on Thursday I had the privilege to photograph a beautiful senior girl at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.  I will have the full post on her senior portrait session later this week but for now I wanted to give you a little teaser.

Meet Mercedes and her “signature pose”!

Carol - Great photo.August 5, 2010 – 4:02 PM

Dallas SmugMug Meetup at the Tower Club

I heard about SmugMug through Jasmine Star‘s blog.  She used to host the SmugMug group in Orange County and for a year I have wished I lived in California so I could attend a fun and free photography group.  I loved the idea of a free (yes, I said free) meetup for local photographers to get to know each other and learn about photography.  I am happy to announce Dallas finally has it’s own SmugMug group a couple of weeks ago they had the second meeting.  There were almost 40 photographers in attendance, some professional and some hobbyist (all are invited).  There was a small talk on metatagging by a SmugMug employee and then came what we were all waiting for, the “Trash the Dress” photo shoot.  It was such a blast!

I meet some really friendly, talented photographers and got some great experience shooting at night with an on and off camera flash.  If you want to join us for the next meetup go to the Dallas SmugMug Group homepage for information.  Hope to see you there!

Molly

I have to say thank you to all the models and real life couple for allowing us to photograph them.  We shot at a small park near the Thanksgiving Tower and it was a great location with lots to offer.

I love how they are looking at each other with so much love.

I love how romantic this one is.

So stunning!

I love the tulle peaking out from under the dress in this shot.

Another photographer had the idea to have her close her eyes and take a deep breath and I just think this picture turned out beautifully.

Thanks to…

-SmugMug for making this group possible and for the umbrellas and shower caps to keep our gear dry.

-Candice Cunningham and Eric Trimble of SmugMug

-Models – Ruth Woodling, Jennifer Hensley, Micaela Rosinski and Mercedes Garcia

-Hairstylists and Makeup Artists – Morgan Causey and Danielle Escamilla

-Group Leaders Thomas Garza and Andie Smith

If you’re interested in a Bridal or Trash the Dress shoot after your wedding contact me in the top menu or email me at molly@molly-kate.com

Brandy Frank - Brandon and I need to check out a SmugMug group sometime! We’re having a Social Shoot in FW this month – you should join us!August 12, 2010 – 11:52 PM

Roxanne Garcia - Thank you for taking such great pictures of my daughter Mercedes..I would like to know how much you charge for senior pictures?July 22, 2010 – 12:00 AM

Celebrate our Independence : A Fourth of July Party

I mentioned Kristian, in my post last week, making the flower arrangements and helping me with the decor at Olivia’s bridal shower.  Well, today I have a real treat for you.  Kristian designed and decorated a Fourth of July summer party that was absolutely amazing.  I was honored to be able to help her with the set up and take some pictures.

Her and her mom did all the food themselves and Kristian made all the cute pinwheel decorations as well as the flower arrangements you see in the pictures.  Kristian is so talented and if you are having a party of any kind contact us for an unforgettable event.

I bring to you lots of eye candy and hopefully inspiration for a real party too!  (This party could be done for an outdoor shower, birthday party, or even a summer wedding reception.)

Happy Fourth!

Molly

The backdrop of the party was gorgeous.

As you can probably tell, we had to battle the famous Texas wind.

I love the place settings.  All the table decor was Kristian’s own.

Kristian made the drapes on both windows.  She doesn’t miss a thing!

I just love the pinwheels that were used on the invitation banner and drink bucket.

The Constitutional Corn on the Cob and fun party favors filled with candy mints and red hots.

The “Stately Sliders.”  How cute are those little flags?

The Patriotic Parfaits and Summer Salad.  Kristian and her mom are great cooks/bakers.

The Liberty Lemon Curd Tarts.  Sadly, the flies got to them so I didn’t get to eat any but they look wonderful.

Looking at those Izze drinks makes me thirsty.

I love the flowers Kristian used in this arrangement.  They remind me of fireworks.

Okay, so I couldn’t get enough of these beautiful babies.  They were also super delicious.

Even the wording on the invite stuck with the theme.  Notice the hostesses ;)

Between the two of us, we were able to come up with fun names for all the food using alliteration.

This is so rustic chic.

My favorite!

If you want to connect with Kristian or me please leave a comment or click on contact or email me in the top menu.

Brandy Frank - I have that very same lantern! Love the detail shots!August 12, 2010 – 11:53 PM

Raegan - This is awesome! You two are very talented and should do this more often. The pictures look like they could be in a magazine. I love it!July 8, 2010 – 11:22 PM

Leslie - your martha stewardness is really starting to amaze me! so is party planner part of the new business plan now? we must catch up!July 5, 2010 – 12:50 AM