How did it get to be December already? It feels impossible that another year has passed so quickly. It’s been so much fun looking back at the pictures I’ve taken this year – the people I’ve met, the homes I’ve been welcomed into, the children I’ve watched grow, including my own little peanut. Being a parent has changed the way I connect with families and the way I photograph them. The memories I capture are more precious to me now that I’ve experienced some of them myself. I love bonding with new parents over talk about breastfeeding, starting solids, co-sleeping and pacifier use. I love hearing little ones speak in sentences after having photographed them as babies, and watching bigger kids with amazement at what Xander will do someday…someday very soon. It’s a pleasure and a gift and privilege that I get to share these memories with my clients, my friends.
The photographs:
If you don’t see your family among these, it’s not because I don’t adore you or didn’t love the pictures from our session. I have so many more favorites, but I decided to narrow it down to 15, so I couldn’t include them all. 
Each of these photos just has something about it that makes me want to look at it again and again, and makes me feel happy!
1. Sienna as a puppy
2. Kissable
3. Celebrity Sighting
4. I could have photographed them all day
5. Three
6. Little girl’s best friend
7. Beautiful boy
8. Mommy makes me laugh
9. There’s nothing better
10. New
11. Moments
12. Cousins
13. Ava ‘s Family
14. Luke
15. All of us
How to Vote:
Leave a comment on this blog post letting me know which picture is your favorite. All votes received by December 15th at 1opm will be counted.
For Extra Votes:
1. Mention this contest on any social networking site (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) / blog / message board. Leave a comment on this post to let me know, and include the number of the picture your additional vote is for.
2. Suggest that your friends “like” Maegan Dougherty Photography on Facebook. You can do this by going to my page and clicking “suggst to friends” at the top left. Then click on the friends you think might be interested. When you see that friend of yours is a new “liker, ” comment here to let me know, and include another vote!
The prizes:
I don’t know! The truth is, I want to customize the prizes for the winners. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?!?! It means that if you win, not only will the prize be great, it will be something especially for you! Could be mini albums, photo greeting cards, magnets, prints, gift cards, a free mini session. A grand prize will go to the owner of the picture with the most votes. Other prizes will go to the runners up, and to randomly selected voters during the contest! So leave a comment and then do some things so you can leave more comments…it could really pay off!
Looking forward:
As I look forward to my next year in photography, I have been thinking about how I would like my work to progress and what I want to do more of. I want my images to be creative, I want to capture real life, simplicity, raw emotion. I want the families I photograph to be completely at ease with me, comfortable in their homes. I want them to snuggle in bed and roll in the leaves and not worry about anything but having fun!
I’m excited about the possibilites! Are you???
273 comments
I vote for #2 – what a beautiful baby and family!
love #7, so cute. take it all the way Bauer. xo xo
Last week I recommendend your page to my friends and 5 of them added it!!! Extra votes for my baby boy Luca pic #11!!!
My vote goes out to #11, it’s so touching and beautiful. It’s a mother’s first touch and stare moment.
Team Luca #11!!! Hands down best pic!!!
I vote for Sienna #1! She is too cute for words!
Sienna the Puppy!!! #1
I BIG vote for Sienna #1
I vote for # 12 Cousins. Because it reflects not only how beautiful the children are. but captures their true feelings for one another and the importance of family bonding in the early stages of life.
I am voting for #1 Sienna.
#1 Sienna as a puppy – so cute!
Sienna as a puppy
#1 Sienna – the picture is just so different. You are amazing to capture that look! All the pictures are terrific, mother and child, mommy makes me laugh, beautiful boy, but I have to go with Sienna, just so simple and yet absolutely adorable!
I vote for #4 – such genuine love and joy between a beautiful momma and daughter!
Hi! My vote is for #1. There are so many beautiful pics in your contest and so many people I know. I wisj I could vote for everyone!
my vote is for #1, Sienna as a puppy-just beautiful!
#1 Sienna as a puppy!
# 1 Sienna
My vote is for #1. Sienna as a puppy! X0
WOW #11 the best pic!!! I love it!!! I posted as my status on facebook so another vote for #11!!! Team Luca all the way!
I love them all but “beautiful boy” is my favorite! He is absolutely beautiful!
#1 Sienna as a puppy! Love you!
#1 of course… best pic ever… photography skills are fantastic – This pic of Sienna looks like a professional model pic… get a portfolio and send to Fords Modeling Agency!
#1 – second vote – on Facebook
#1 of course… best pic ever… they are all awesome and your photography skills are fantastic – have recommended you to many of my friends and colleagues!! This pic of Sienna looks like it belongs in a magazine!
#1 of course… best pic ever… they are all awesome and your photography skills are fantastic – have recommended you to many of my friends and colleagues!! This pic of Sienna looks like it belongs in a magazine!
#1 – Sienna, the puppy!!!!!!!!!!!! Her eyes are mesmerizing…….beautiful!! <3
Going right now to my status on Facebook – - so another vote for #1… YEAH!!!
sienna the puppy those gorgeous blue eyes!!!!!!! <3
I vote for #10 because I feel that this picture expresses the love and tenderness of a new mother for her new baby, and I love it.
#4 is the best! Both Mommy and baby are beautiful!
I vote for #1 Sienna…..beautiful girl and gorgeous eyes!!!! Love the puppy dog hat!!!!
Most amazing and beautiful moment is pic #11!!!
My vote is #11!!!
I posted as my status so another vote for pic #11
Sienna is the best by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She takes after her grandma!!!!!!!!!!!
#1. Sienna as puppy… That’s the best photo…
I vote from #1! Sienna is beautiful!
I vote for New 10
Such a tender moment to treasure forever.
#1 Sienna!! Absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful little girl!
#1 most definitely!!! Gorgeous little girl inside and out!!! Look at her adorable puppy look with those Angel eyes!
Sienna #1 Adorable!
Sienna #1- How sweet is that puppy? She is so cute
Sienna #1 – I want to take that little puppy home with me!
#1…so cute!!!
sienna is#1 has my vote
Sienna as a puppy, #1 is adorable! She has my vote!
#1 Sienne as a puppy gets my vote!!!
I vote for #1, Sienna as a puppy! I also have you as a “like” on facebook!
#1…Just look at that cute little puppie face! How could you not vote for her.
I vote for #8, that is my favorite photo.
Sienna is def gorgeous and #1 she’s such a cute puppy
Hands down 1. Sienna as a puppy…I mean how adorable is that picture and those amazing eyes?! Sweetness.
#1 Sienna as a puppy – She is beautiful. Fabulous eyes.
Definitely #1 – totally precious!!!!
Tough to vote since they are all great. But I’d go with #1 – Sienna as a puppy. The eyes put her over the edge
#1 Sienna as a puppy
I don’t know anyone or any families on here, but I got something from Facebook. I hate to vote for “the best” because they are all great. But in the end, I’d clearly go with #1 – Sienna as a puppy. The eyes put her over the edge!
Sienna #1 So precious!
#1 Sienna as a puppy
#1 Sienna as a puppy. She’s beautiful!
#11 The warm touch of a mother’s child. Beautiful
#11 Each child touches his mother’s heart and Baby Luca is doing just that.You truly captured the feeling of every mother. Just beautiful
#1 Sienna as the puppy
My vote is for #10. Such a tender moment.
I vote for #8! So adorable!
I vote for #8! I love this picture, by far the best!
#7!!!!! Beautiful boy
#8 is my vote
I vote for #11 and think it is one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen -
#11 Luca. A beautiful moment between mother and child
I think #8 tells a really incredible story, showing both the kind of joy that a mother can bring to her son & the kind of joy a son can bring to his mother. It’s like a perfect feedback loop, a virtuous circle, if you like. Maegan, you capture human beings being human. Lovely work.
I vote #10. Great picture!
My vote is for image #11!!! The love between mother
and son really shows and just brings tears to my eyes!
Pic #11 all the way!
Hands down pic #11 is just beautiful and has so much meaning!!!
My vote is for Luca and Mommy pic #11!!!
Team Luca rocks!!!
I suggested to many of my facebook friends and family to visit your site. I think all of the pictures are amazing, but I would be lying if I didn’t say, “Sienna steals the show at #1.
Still loving and voting for #11-the gift of life from God!
Iris Z. Herrador
I wish I could vote for more than one! OK, I love #7 – he really is a beautiful boy!
I just love picture #11!
voting for baby Luca again #11 all the way!!!! with his beautiful mommy Debra!!!!
Number 11 gets my vote!
Voting for number 11 again- I suggested you to my friends
My vote is for picture #11… What an amazing moment!!!
#7 – Beautiful Boy!
#6.. you always see a boy and his dog, love the little girl!
I vote for #1 Sienna
#7. He is so sweet and cute
#1 sienna!!
1. Sienna as a puppy
#11 TEAM LUCA!!!!!! LETS GO LUCA!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
#11- I love how the emotion in this image just seeps right out. It is beautiful!
#1 – Sienna as a puppy. Look at those eyes!! Just Beautiful
#15 I love how you have all the generations together. Great shot!!!
Sienna #1, just look at those eyes!
#1-Go Sienna!!
#15 is priceless….Grandparents overlooking children and grandchildren…beautiful picture!!
I vote #15. Beautiful photo!
#15 great pic!
My vote #15! Love yall!
Definitely #11
#11 A Mother’s touch is so instinctual, unconditional, and forever.. & this picture describe’s it all in one.
Definitely Sienna…beautiful!!
vote for #1
#11 So touching!
Picture number 1 Sienna
#4! way too precious not to win!
#1 – Sienna as a Puppy! So Cute
I posted and recommended your photography on Facebook to many friends who would love your expertise! I also want to know how to give your session as a gift.
I have to vote for #1 Sienna in the puppy dog hat – so precious! This picture should be on the front of a magazine. I must say that I loved all the pictures and recognized some from people I know and they are really all great!
I love #4!! So precious!
I have to go with #10. But it is close. And I’m not promising that I’m done voting yet. They are all beautiful.
#11 Team Luca all the way!!!
NUMBER 12!! I love that picture they are so cute!
I love #12 but I am partial:)
They are all winners, but #8 is my favorite!!
Judi L.
I love all the pics posted above. I have to go with #1 because you captured Sienna to a tee. She loves puppies, and her puppy hat too. Her blue eyes and the expression on her face is beautiful! Maegan, you have a way of making children feel so comfortable. Sienna was able to be herself and you captured that! I hope they win!
#9….how could I not being that they’re family, but I do genuinely love how you captured Nicholas’s happiness. I can practically hear him giggling!
#1 The gorgeous and adorable Sienna!!!
My vote is for #11!!!!!! You can just see the warm connection between mother and baby. A beautiful sight!
#10 titled NEW is just gorgeous captures a mother’s true expression of joy.
No. 8 has my vote. What a beautiful Mom and Son.
They are all pretty neat but my favorite is number 10 – New
#1 – that is the cutest!!!
Our vote is for #4
A mother and child have been blessed.
yay #11!
#11 what a beautiful picture what can say more then mother and son. So beautiful.
#11 precious luca & mama
#15 – a beautiful family!
Sienna!!!! This picture could not be more adorable. She is the cutest!!!
I love picture # 12!! Beautiful!!
#11…hands down…best picture!
#1 Sienna!
#8 Laughter between a mother and child is priceless.
Number 1!!!!!!! Looks like a magazine ad! <3 it!
i vote for picture number 11. beautifull picture!!
A big vote for Sienna…#1. So Precious!
#11- Beautiful!
Team Luca My vote is for #11…So precious
Vote for #11….The Precious moments in one life are captured in this picture…
Victor
I vote for picture #11!!! Really is an amazing and touching moment!!!
#11! gorgeous
#11 is the best!!!!!!!!!Too beautiful!!!!!
Picture number 1 – Sienna.
I vote for #10 “New.” This should be the poster for new motherhood.
Baby 11 is the best
My vote is for #11. What love and joy you see on the face of the mother.
#8- could be the happiest smile I’ve ever seen!!
#2 is precious!!
#2 is so cute!!
I vote for #8, amazing picture!!!!!
#1 is stunning!
My vote is for #10. There is nothing more beautiful than a bond between a Mother and a newborn Child!
#10…how precious!
I love #10 titled “New”. It is a precious photo capturing the joy of holding her newborn. Just beautiful.
#10 is my favorite.
#1!!! Sienna is ADORABLE. This pic needs to be in a magazine its so cute!
My vote is for #1, Sienna. With those piercing blue eyes she’s so adorable and precious! Do you think she’s wearing colored contact lenses?
Im voting for #1 of course
All these pictures are amazing Maegan. We are all so lucky that you were able to capture such precious moments for each of us. Great work as always!!!
My vote is for that adorable puppy girl SIENNA!
#10!
My vote is for #1-Sienna, love her big blue eyes
I voted for #10!
Voting for #4 – beautiful girls!!
My vote is for #2!!!
My vote is for #2!!!! I love it!!! Can’t believe Will was ever that small!!!
I vote for photo #8.
The picture of mother and son.
Such a happy photo of both of them!
I vote for Pic #12..Love those matching outfits!!
Such a difficult choice – Maegan you are so talented and we are so proud of you. I’m going to choose #6, because I have never seen such love in a dog’s eyes, and such confidence in a beautiful little girl. G’ma Doris
my vote is for #11- the hands on the heart expresses it all!
My vote is for #4, so beautiful!!!
I vote for number 8. Simply beautiful!
Beautiful picture of Mother and Baby.
Beautiful picture….
My vote is for #11 – Luca A.
Jennifer A.
I vote for picture #8, they both look so happy….
I vote for #10, my beautiful friend Jenn and her adorable baby Luie!
I vote for picture #8, the very happy mother and son, the picture depicts happiness that is displayed in both beautiful faces!!
I love the expressions- my vote is for #8!
These photos are beautiful! My vote goes to #15!
I vote for #4! Mother and daughter – such a precious picture!!
My vote goes to picture # 1. Yes, #1 happens to be my little girl Sienna. The picture really captures who she is. I could look at it all day long. Love ya kiddo!
My vote is for # 11. Captures the innoncent nature of life.
I love #8. Mother and son laughing!
Every photo is beautiful… but my vote goes to #11 “Moments”… a beutiful moment captured between Mother and baby.
Baby Luca #11 – completely adorable!!
My vote is for #8.
I love #11-The picture is breathtaking….you capture innocence, true beauty and love! Will post your link on my facebook page.
Iris Z. Herrador
My favorite #4 – Two cute girls!
I vote for number 11…precious moment.
I am in love w my niece in #1 & my vote also goes out to my friend Jessica in #8
I vote for #8! so adorable!
#4 My beautiful daughter and her beautiful daughter!!!!!!!!!
#4-LOVE it!!! Beautiful Mom and baby Caitlin!!
Mother and son, what could be better?
#8 is my choice.
They’re all great photos. My choice is #8.
#10 Lil’ Luie and mom; beautiful together and you can just see the love and connection in mom’s smile.
I think number 4 is the most beautiful picture. It is such shows such natural beauty and love
definitely #11! so cute
I vote for #4- the princess in our family and my goddaughter!
You have my vote for # 15! What all families should always be!
#4 is my favorite photo “I could have photographed them all day”
#1 – beautiful baby girl!
I love #4!!
I think # 8 is the most adorable… it gets my vote
I vote for #15.
I vote for #11
Love #8. Mommy and Son.Beautiful pic. Shows true happiness.
Love #8 – Mommy and Son. There is nothing more precious, shows true joy from the inside out.
Mommy Loves me!! Such a cute picture!! # 8
#11 what a beautiful picture, the moment was perfectly captured!
Mommy Loves me!! Such a cute picture!!
i vote for #8
# 11 has my vote!!!! The most special bond of mother and child caught on film…just beautiful!!!
I vote for #8!
just shared on facebook, still love moments!
My vote is for Number 5 – Three!
I love the photo Moments- it is just that a wonderful moment captured on film!
I love #11 it is the best one
I love the pictures, #4 gets my vote. C & E!!!
I love them all, but Number 4 is my vote – all the way!
I vote for #4…LOVE IT!
Well I have to vote for #4!!! Thanks for entering us Maegan!
My vote is for picture #11!!! A beautiful image that will last forever!
i vote for #11 my cousin her little boy sharing a special moment together
I vote for #8 you captured a great moment of mom and her son.
I vote for number “8″!!
I vote for picture #10 – precious!!
My vote is for #15, what a beautiful family!! (:
My favorite is definitely number 15–a great photo of such a large family!
Picture #11 is just gorgeous, such a sweet and special moment captured.
I vote for # 11…. That is one hell of a moment caught on camera… Absolutely Gorgeous!
I vote for #10- New. How beautiful is that little guy?
My vote is for #8…Love that picture!!!
My vote is for picture #11… Prince Luca
#7 has gorgeous eyes-sure to be a heartbreaker!
one extra vote for #11.
I vote for number 11..the two most important people in my life..My wife and son….sharing the most memorable moment of his early life….so precious..
Posted on Facebook – one extra vote for #8.
I have to vote for #8!
#15…so nice to see a family gathered altogether!
My vote is for picture #11… What an amazing moment!!!
what a true bonding moment between mother and child photo #11.
My vote is for 8, made me smile right away!
I vote for #7 Beautiful Boy!
My vote is for #10- New. Beautiful moment captured of love & happiness.
my vote is for #2. the love for Will on Shannon’s face says it all
I vote for #7. Beautiful boy
Posted the link on my facebook page, so extra vote is for #15!
I sent your page to a ton of friends to become a part of your network and I also posted the contest on my facebook page so my additional two votes will go for #1 as well!! Luv ya Sienna!!
#1!! I love her plus she is my goddaughter!!
My vote is for #1…Sienna is adorable with those big blue eyes!!
I vote for Baby Luca #11, beautiful baby and gorgeous mother
Camille Colaiemma
I vote for Baby Luca – Picture #11.
Beautiful picture of Mom and Baby.
I vote for Baby Luca picture #11.
Beautiful picture of Mom and Baby….
#10 New – wonderful moment to treasure
All are great but I would have to say number 2 is the best.
#10 New. Precious Moment in time captured forever.
#10 melts my heart
I vote for #11. Look at dah widdle arms outstwetched! How cute! : )
My Vote is for #15
I’m so torn between 1 and 3!! I’m going to vote for 3 because I think they look like they belong in a magazine
My vote is for #10…New! A wonderful moment in Luie and his Mom’s life…what joy and peace in her face!
I vote for #10, no contest. There’s nothing more beautiful than a mom holding her newborn and feeling that bond for the first time!
I vote for #10. It is so sweet.
#7 – love those big blue eyes and you caught him just as I’m sure he was running around. Great photo
Oh no – what to do? I love 2 of these!
#1 – Sienna – what a cutie!!
I vote for #15. The pictures from that day are simply amazing.
My vote is for #2 of course! That feels like years ago! Thank you for including us Maegan…..you worked SO hard that day!
My vote is for #2-Kissable. I can’t believe my nephew Will was ever that little. And he’s still totally kissable.
My vote is for #15 of course! Thanks for including our family as one of your favorites. We had such a wonderful afternoon with you!
I think this picture is precious. You can see the love of Mommy and son.
My vote is for #1- Sienna as a puppy! My goddaughter is beautiful and I think this picture really captures her personality-fun and adorable!
I vote for #11 that is a beautiful moment that was captured. Just precious.
My vote is # 11 – just a beautiful moment captured — can’t get any more heartfelt than that.
I love this post and am so moved by your words and emotion. And each of these pictures is gorgeous. My vote would be #11. The feeling is so evident it springs tears to my own eyes, remembering looking at my own precious newborns. Awesome contest.
I posted a message on facebook and asked our friends to vote for Luca pic number 11!!!
My favorite pic ever – Number 11. The most touching moment in a life time!!! The feel is like no other!!!