Susanna | Fairfax, Virginia

The beauty of spring in Virginia is something everyone should experience. The green grass, cherry trees blossoming and fresh spring air were a welcome delight after such a long winter. What was even better was getting to spend a little time behind the camera, photographing, and breathing in the sweet aroma of the fragrant trees. A few laughs into it and we were both rolling and having a good time. The joy and happiness captured below is far more beautiful than an east coast spring though. Here, see for yourself.

Susanna, you are beautiful and were so much fun to photograph! I loved being able to have a good time with you and share in the happiness that radiates from your genuine smile. Thank you for inviting me to Virginia, showing me the sights and thank you for your friendship. Here's to you, beautiful friend.

 

Birthday Beautiful

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Virginia to shoot some beautiful portraits. The weather was lovely and the cherry trees were blossoming in full force! More to come of the pretty you see here, but it's this lovely lady's birthday today, so I thought I'd share a sneak peek!

Happy Birthday Susanna Hope!

I am so grateful for our friendship. May God bless you in all your pursuits; may your cup runneth over.

Welcome home

Spring has finally arrived in Minnesota! Spring is such a wonderful season. It is full of promise, refreshing spring showers, beautiful blooms, miracles of new births and a taste of summer in the air!

This spring also brings new changes to McKenzie Smith Photography, including a new site launch (yay!) that has been in the works over the winter. It too, is finally here and will continue to be updated frequently with all the shoots I have been saving for this lovely new place McKenzie Smith Photography now calls home. After two years at the old site, a new, refreshed look was overdue. Welcome and thanks for stopping by! Check back often for new things!

 

Elyse | Winter Portraits

Let me tell you about this lovely lady. She gives real hugs. I am talking about the genuine, good, hug-you-like-a-teddy-bear, with both arms, longer-than-one-second hugs. They are pretty awesome, as is she. And bonus; did you know that hugging someone for 20 seconds or longer boosts your "happy hormone" levels?! Although it was bitterly cold outside, about -7° to be exact with the windchill factor (crazy, I know), this girl was such a trooper. She was willing to tromp around in the snow and even take her gloves off! Through chattering teeth and sitting on our hands to warm them up, we still had fun and caught some snowflakes in the process.

Elyse , you are such a beautiful woman inside and out. Thank you for sharing your genuine personality and for being brave and kind. I hope you enjoy these winter portraits.

Melanie + Brady | College Station, Texas, Wedding

This lovely wedding was like a fairytale! Complete with a groom in dress blues, a ball gown style wedding dress with beautiful beading, lovely soft colors and floral arrangements, a grand mansion, and of course a glowing couple, this wedding reminded me of the fairytale of Cinderella. What a dream come true!

• • • •

Melanie and Brady, may you write your own one-of-a-kind fairytale! What a special couple y'all are to me. Thank you for choosing me to help capture your beautiful wedding. May your love for each other grow as the years pass and may God bless your marriage abundantly! Special thanks to Madison Bamert who served as the first shooter for this wedding.

Vendor love: Venue, florals, and catering: Astin Mansion

Hairstyling & Makeup: Funky Cheveaux

Wedding dress: Marry Go Round

and they lived happily ever after...