Anna Mayer

Free Photo Day for Milwaukee Moms

Written on May 14, 2013 by Anna in General, Milwaukee Promos

Last week I wrote an article about the idea that moms need to get in more family photos regardless of how they feel about they way they look. The response was overwhelming; apparently, it struck a chord. I truly believe in the value and importance of Mom in the Picture (read this post if you need more convincing) and so, in honor of all you beautiful, wonderful and important moms out there, we’ve decided to do a free photo day for my Milwaukee families (sorry San Jose, it’s just a timing thing). On Friday, June 21, from 6-8:30pm I’ll be shooting at the Riverwalk downtown across the street from the Public Market.

There’s only one catch. Moms, you have to be in it the photos. (Dad is welcome, but not required)

Details

12 Sessions are available. These will likely be booked quickly, so don’t delay!
Each session will be about 7 minutes long.
Register in advance to save your spot.
Prints will be available for purchase, but there’s no requirement. To see our menu of options, click here.

Please share this with your friends at coffee, at the gym, on Facebook, Twitter, or whatever. Spread the word.

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This Mother’s Day, Mom, get in the picture.

Written on May 9, 2013 by Anna in General, Uncategorized

Last year Huffington Post shared a wonderful article by a mom who, like many of us, didn’t want to be photographed because she felt fat or unmade or just not “her best” but who forced herself into the photo for the sake of her children. That post, Mom Stays in the Picture, is a worthy read for we moms who feel less than excited about being captured “as is” forever. Last year my sister wrote about this very thing on her Northern Life blog. It’s something most women can relate to.

I have recently begun the entertaining, emotional and exhausting task of sorting through 101,000 family photos (you think I am exaggerating, but that is the actual number from just 2005-2013!!!). Just like so many moms out there and many of you reading this now I am finding a shocking dearth of photos with ME in them. My kids, it would appear, live with their daddy, play with their daddy, dance with their daddy and vacation with their daddy. I don’t appear to be there. Sure, I can hope the evidence of my love exists in the insane quantity of moments I felt deserved capturing, but will it? Even if they know I TOOK the pictures wouldn’t it be so much more meaningful if they had photo evidence that I was there? Proof that I lived, played, danced and vacationed with them. Even if my butt looked big or I had a zit or my hair was messy or I just felt unattractive. My kids don’t care about that. Not one little bit. They just see Momma. A Momma who plays and hugs and dances and loves them.

Last year I did a photo session with a long-time client who had been battling cancer. She was in remission and was looking, to me, beautiful and vibrant and alive. Her hair was still short, working it’s way back along with her health. That day we were photographing just the kids. Knowing her situation, I really wanted to see her in the photos with her children. I asked her “Don’t you want to jump in for a few?” “Not today, I don’t feel put together. Maybe in a few months, when I am 100% again.” I pushed a bit more, to no avail. She didn’t feel beautiful that day. Four months later I heard the news that her cancer had come back, with a vengeance, and she had lost her battle. I cried. I felt heartbroken for her beautiful children. And I felt a little bit angry that I hadn’t prevailed in my quest to get Mom in the picture. No one would care how perfect she had looked that day, because she was perfect. She was a momma who plays and hugs and loves her children. And she was there.

Although I already knew it on some level, that day I realized the incredible importance of this message. Moms, stop worrying about how you look. Who cares about your hair-do or your acne or your muffin top? I don’t, they don’t. You are a beautiful, wonderful, powerful and immensely valuable person, JUST. THE. WAY. YOU. ARE. One day those photos will be all that is left of this journey we call life. It is simply too fragile, beautiful, wonderful and important. I beg you, moms, GET. IN. THE. PICTURES.

While sorting those old photos I came across these photos from 2006. That’s me, chubbier than I wanted to be, bad hair day, blah blah blah. Who cares???! I did, back then. In fact, I almost deleted these photos when I downloaded them because I thought I looked fat. Thank God I didn’t. As I read my own words above and look at my sweet baby girl in my arms, I am literally sobbing. How absurd and selfish and ridiculous would it be for me to throw away this beautiful moment because of vanity?

Just look at us! I love my girl so so much and, thank the Lord, there is a photograph to prove it.

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A wall of happiness. What do you want to see every day?

Written on April 25, 2013 by Anna in Aaron and Amy B., General, Wall Galleries

This wall makes me smile from ear to ear. How happy does it make you? Years of life with one loving family captured and displayed in a fun, flexible and smile-worthy way. Are your walls this happy?

Being a family portrait photographer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and San Jose, California brings a lot of joy to my life and I’ve been told, a lot of joy to the lives of my clients. These awesome families hire me to capture their lives just as they are and even better, to create amazing wall displays for their homes. Sure, you could buy a disk of images and store it in your desk drawer while you wait to have time to do something with them. But better than that, hire a photographer who can create a wall of goodness like this for you and smile every morning while you eat Cheerios or organic eggs with your children. Not only will it make you smile but it will make your children feel special, loved and important. I know it will because I grew up in a house filled with photos and sure felt that love.

If you have a family you love and you want to smile every day, it’s time to contact us and get started. No one has ever said they regretted having their lives captured by Anna and a wall gallery put up in their homes. It’s an investment you will treasure forever.

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Professional photographer blog carousel l hobbies

Written on April 25, 2013 by Anna in Blog Carnival, General

This month’s Professional Photographer Blog Carousel theme is Hobbies of the Non-Photography Kind, which is actually pretty funny, considering we photographers rarely have other hobbies since we’re always at our computers, working on PHOTOS.

Lucky for me, recently I actually did start a non-photography hobby; go me! I learned to sew as a child at my mother’s dinning room table. In my early adult life I took a quilting class at the community center with a friend of mine. Then I had myself a few little babies and a whole lot on my plate and my sewing machine and my half-finished quilt collected dust in the corner of my closet. In a huge purge of all-things-guilt-inducing I sold that sewing machine and I sold the half-finished quilt (and guilt) right along with it. I all but forgot about that little hobby as my photography career began to take off.

A few years ago, well, maybe five, my daughter came home from Aunt Jenny’s house proudly waving her first sewing project “Aunt Jenny taught me to sew! You don’t know how to sew.” I ordered a sewing machine off eBay that day.

This time around I’ve had so much more fun. I’ve taught my children, and many of their friends, how to sew all kinds of cool things. Better yet, I have shaken off my old ideas about following a pattern or sewing an intricate quilt with a million little pieces, following a pattern with no room for mistakes. I’ve kind of gone wild. I sew cute sweatshirts out of reclaimed clothes. Make baby quilts into happy trees. Whip up a skirt with a little heart and toss on a button for the fun of it. Create the most comfortable hammocks ever out of worn out blue jeans. It’s a blast of creativity that makes me feel alive. I will never sell my sewing machine again. Maybe instead, I will buy some more.*

* Funny update: After this post I found myself at Goodwill in Grafton, Wisconsin with my family (we love browsing thrift stores) and my thirteen year old kept tyring to get me come see this sewing machine he thought I’d like. I kept putting him off but he would not be discouraged. After 45 minutes of his pestering I finally went to look (when he all but dragged me). I just about started to doing the kindergarten happy dance. That boy knows his mama! Sweetening the deal; the price tag: $6.99. Not kidding. It didn’t appear to work when we were there, which I figured was the cause of the $7 “value”. Once we were home I figured out there was nothing wrong with it; the needle was just jammed. This vintage sewing machine is everything you’d hope for. Solidly built, HEAVY, beautiful and, I am hoping, very effective. How cool is this thing? I mean, seriously!

Now, check out what my colleague and Seattle and Bellevue Family Photographer has to share!

White brand sewing machine from the 1960′s, model number 363. My new best friend.

And here is sweet baby Kate on her pennant baby quilt I gave her for her “birth”day. Quite true-to-form for me, I forgot to square this quilt up before I started putting on the binding, so you can’t exactly fold it square. Oh well! I told Molly to take advantage of this and just use the heck out of of this blanket. It’s not meant to be a precious heirloom; it’s a lovey. Just the way I’d hoped.

Milwaukee family photographer_808

And my next-door neighbor’s baby girl with her quilt I made. These babies kinda’ eclipse the cuteness of my handiwork.

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Growing up so fast in San Jose, CA

Written on April 23, 2013 by Anna in Aaron and Amy B., General, Locations, San Jose City Hall

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Little honeys in Oak Meadow park, Los Gatos, CA

Written on April 22, 2013 by Anna in General, jeniferC, Locations, Oak Meadow, Vasona

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Happy at Home l 2013

Written on April 19, 2013 by Anna in At home, General, kimw, Locations, Oak Meadow

I’ve had the pleasure of capturing this family since big sister was just a baby herself (you can see some of her photos from that first shoot in the background of some images. I was thrilled to have the chance to come hang out with them again and capture their new little love for them, as well as their daughter who is so grown up! What a treasure it is to be a photographer to all of my San Jose families and new Milwaukee clients, too. Good life!

This sweet family in 2010.

And all grown up in 2013

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Sweet little ladies at home in the San Francisco Bay Area

Written on April 18, 2013 by Anna in At home, General, Locations, vanessam

So last fall I had the absolute pleasure of photographing this family; beautiful, inside and out. These sweet girls just made me smile for ear to ear, as do their photos! Don’t they make YOU smile from ear to ear? Good heavens on the cute-factor!

Anna Mayer is a professional portrait photographer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She works with her clients to capture their families just as they are, at home, at play, together. Her unique eye captures kids like no other.

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Handsome little men at Oak Meadow

Written on April 17, 2013 by Anna in AlexandreaA, General, Locations, Oak Meadow, Vasona

How cute are these boys!

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Holy Cuteness! Milwaukee photo session.

Written on April 16, 2013 by Anna in At home, CorinnW, General, Locations, Snow session

Have you seen a cuter baby? I think not! Cuter than cute! I especially enjoy photographing Milwaukee family photo sessions these days. It’s so fun to see into the lives of my neighbors and fellow Milwaukeeans as I have slowly grown to see this area as my home. This sweet little baby was just about too much in the cuteness department. I mean, look at him!

Anna Mayer is a family photographer serving the Milwaukee area. She captures lifestyle portraits in Milwaukee and beyond. If you are looking to hire a professional family photographer, look no further. Anna’s unique style is unmistakably hers and delightfully special. Take a look through her photo galleries and then contact them today to start the process of capturing YOUR family in this special way.