In the Spirit of Christmas...

I rarely use my blog for personal things. Instead, I prefer to keep it focused on my photography business but as it is Christmas Eve, I feel like sharing.
The holiday season always seems to bring out the best in people. We seem to be a little more patient, a bit kinder and filled with hope for the new year. 2009 was an interesting and challenging year. I met so many wonderful clients, made some new friends, had a few setbacks along the way and, best of all, became an aunt as my brother and his wife welcomed a son. A joyous event, because we have a new child to whom we can pass along our family history. I wish my grandparents were here to see him, but I know they are watching from heaven and will no doubt be a big part of his life as we share stories about and wisdom from them.
To me, that is what makes Christmas so special, the stories. We see family and old friends and share stories about the past, funny, sad and often embarassing but always wonderful. It is through the gathering of family and friends and the sharing of stories that we create our future.
It in this spirit, as the world looks towards 2010 that I hope we all have a bright and joyous future. One where we are all a little kinder, a bit more patient and eternally hopeful.
Where ever you are, with the family you came from or the family you created, may the blessings of the holiday season find you.
Peace, love and portraits, Marnie

Children's Portraits - Kids Photography Chandler - Arizona Childrens Portraits - Crescendo Kids Photography

This past Spring I had a great time photographing the kids from Dobson Academy Drama Club. To my delight, I was asked back to photograph the Christmas performance of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" held late last week. As usual, Mrs. Wilson did a great job of directing and producing. The kids looked adorable and some of them are really talented, too! Here are few of my favorite shots, enjoy!


This may be my favorite shot! Max looked perfect as a little urchin singing outside Scrooge's home. So cute!

For a bonus image, check out my Facebook Fan page here!

Family Portrait Session - Scottsdale Family Portraits - Crescendo Photography Portraits

Just before Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of meeting Yvonne and some of her family for portraits. She is from Michigan and was in town to support her son (and I suspect see the grandbabies) while he competed in the IronMan competition. We shot just outside the grounds to the Scottsdale Hilton, taking advantage of a green patch along a major street. With everyone's timetables we didn't have too long to shoot, but I was pleased with the results. Yvonne is such a lovely woman and truly understands the importance of marking time with portraits. She purchased the rights to her portraits and is having her family photographer in Michigan create her holiday cards with portraits of her other son and his family. Sounds like a nationwide operation to me and I am glad I was part of it!
The whole gang!

Granny and the children! Her grandson was such a cutie, lots of personality and really sweet!

I am furiously working to catch up on my editing and finish all 2009 projects in the next week. Expect a few more blog posts before the end of the year!

Family Portrait Session - Ahwatukee Family Portraits - Crescendo Photography Portraits

Wow! I can't believe it has been just a week since I last posted. It seems like months because the busy season is in high gear around here. Shooting, editing, ordering, packaging and delivering I am giving Santa and his elves a run for their money! Here is a recent family session at a pocket park in Ahwatukee. Christin and her family met me early one morning for a mini-session. Since her children are very young, I knew we wouldn't be shooting a ton of posed family portraits. My goal, when working with little kids, is to photograph a few family poses and then chase the kids around while they act like themselves. Most of my clients appreciate. I think is very important to remember your children as they really are, not as you want them to be. From the earliest days, your babies display personality traits that stick with them forever and that is what I want to document. Here is my favorite family shot. Soft light, gorgeous color, perfect!

While photographing the kids, I chased them around the grass onto the playground and back. It made for some really sweet images. Here are two that I think reflect little G and V's personalities perfectly! He is laid back and thoughtful and she is a little firecracker. If you don't think these two are adorable, there is something wrong with you! :D

Remember, there are still a few session times available over the next two weeks in case you want to have your family portraits taken in time for the holidays!

Pet Portraits - Charity Event - Dog Portraits - Arizona Dog Photography - Crescendo Pet Photography

As promised, here is a continuation of my last post. These are some of my favorites from the Sunday of the event. Meet Bruno, a very sweet and cuddly Bernese Mountain Dog. He was one of my favorites from last year's event, so I was thrilled to see him again!

This is Champ (or Champers), a Cairn Terrier. As illustrated by his look, he has a LOT of personality! He was the only dog to charge headlong into the backdrop and leave a hole. In typical terrier fashion, he looked at me like it was my fault.

Miss Emma was another repeat client and sweet and gentle as always. Such a lady!
This is Bella, a very smart and well-behaved girl. I think she had as much fun as I did!

Kai was also a familiar face. Fresh from the groomer, he was as stylish as always.

It was wonderful to see these pups, Wyatt and Emmett. They are rescued dogs and have a wonderful home with Carol. While they don't love having their photo taken, they are sweet, gentle and soulful. I could spend hours just loving up on them.

Finally, meet Willie. He was injured and the talented Dr. Beyer (my vet) performed his surgery and through a simple twist of fate, found herself being adopted by Willie! Read his story here! Doesn't he look like a Disney dog? Fluffy, curious and the hero of the story?

For a bonus image of Chelsea's pretty face and one of Willie's pout, head over to my facebook fan page here!

Pet Portraits - Charity Event - Dog Portraits - Arizona Dog Photography - Crescendo Pet Photography

Last weekend was the annual Portrait with Your Pet event that I have done for the past three years, proudly partnering with Tracy Wosaba of Spiritual Whimsy. This year, the beneficiary was the North Shore Animal League America. Despite a much lower turnout than last year, we still managed to raise almost $800 for them, the worlds largest no-kill animal shelter!
Here are some of my favorite images from Saturday. First up, Bert debating the merits of attacking the squirrel.
Dixon was regal and stoic, until the last frame when he became a dog!
The Bauer corgis were so well behaved and snappy in their holiday collars!
Many of those who came out to the event were past clients, like the lovely Issey. As always, she looked marvelous in her blingy collar.
Sonnie was too cute in his jester collar. I think he was watching his sister Shadie for this shot.
Here is one image that was too cute not to share! This is Marmaduke and his boys. All 3 have such expressive faces!
This sweet pup was so gentle and calm. Handsome, too!
Miss SugarDog was another past client. Her sister DaisyDog was running around somewhere with the kids, but SugarDog was sitting pretty for this shot.
I met Tank for the first time and was in love instantly. This snorting, huffing bundle of cuteness had so many expressions I could have photographed him all day. He even smiles on command!
This was the lone cat brought in for the event. Tienda is a Bengal cat, rare and beautiful. Like most cats, though, she was none too keen on the idea of being asked to pose for her portrait. I think this shot sums up her exact feelings.
In a few days I will post some of my favorites from the second day of the event. For a bonus shot of Tank guaranteed to make you smile, head over to my facebook fan page here!

News Flash - Crescendo Photography Accolades

I am not one to beat my own drum or rabidly self-promote BUT I am over the moon about my latest news. Read all about it! I already celebrated with a box of hand-packed Godiva chocolates last week, but now I am going back into my corner and quietly celebrate some more.

Photographer Marnie McCown Accepted into the WPJA

Chandler, Arizona – November 12th, 2009 – Marnie McCown today announced her acceptance into the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), an International, membership-based organization representing professional photographers skilled in the documentation of weddings and events in a candid, unobtrusive style. As a WPJA member, Ms. McCown joins the ranks of some of the most talented wedding photojournalists in the world as judged by their technical, creative and visual aptitude.

Leading the way in Wedding Photojournalism, WPJA represents the most discriminating talent around the world technically, creatively and visually. Members are held to strict membership standards regarding image quality and content, technical and creative technique, website and marketing professionalism, business ethics and communication.

“I am very pleased to have been accepted into the Wedding Photojournalist Association,” states Ms. McCown, owner/principal of Crescendo Photography. “To be recognized for my ability and photographic style is really satisfying and to be in the company of some of my favorite photographers makes this a true honor.”

Through Crescendo Photography, Ms. McCown provides engagement and wedding coverage to clients, locally and internationally, in a comprehensive and inconspicuous way. “Marnie captured all the moments of my wedding, big and small, and yet I forgot she was even there, it was like magic. She does amazing work!” explained one client.

To learn more about Marnie McCown, view her portfolio, request a media kit or schedule an interview, visit www.crescendophoto.com or email her at info@crescendophoto.com


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Family Portraits in the Park - Phoenix Family Portraits - Crescendo Photography Portraits

Autumn is THE season for family portraits in most of Phoenix. The temperatures are bearable and, with any luck, overseeding has taken hold and the parks are green and lush. Such was the case last week for what is probably my favorite family portrait session every year. I have been photographing Kelly and her family for the past 4 years and each time I marvel at how much the girls have changed. K & A are smart, funny and sweet and I cannot believe how grown up they look! Luckily, our session was about 2 weeks later than in past years, which meant we had green grass. BUT, we also had to dodge the sprinklers! Luckily, Kelly brought a blanket.Here are my two favorite famiy portraits from our session

I love to play with the theme of Grant Wood's painting, American Gothic (1930). I frequently conjure up the image when directing my clients. Something about the simplicity of the iconic image inspires me and I enjoy playing with variations of it. Of course, my clients always look happier than the paintings subjects! This is the inspired shot...

A bonus image from this session is on my facebook fan page here. Check it out and become a fan!

Children's Portraits - Studio Kids Photography - Arizona Childrens Portraits - Crescendo Kids Photography

So, last Friday I had a mini-session marathon for kids in their Halloween costumes. Princesses seemed to be most popular and I wanted to share two of my favorites. Little Misses H & B came as Disney princesses, Cinderella and Snow White. H was perfect as Cinderella!! The hair and dress worked perfectly!

Miss B was adorable as Snow White. A perfect little princess, complete with a wand...or was it a rpyal scepter?
A bonus image of these two is on my facebook fan page here. Check it out and become a fan!

Pet Portraits - Dog Portraits - Arizona Dog Photography - Crescendo Pet Photography

For the past several years I have been fortunate enought to partner with Tracy Wosaba, owner of Spiritual Whimsy to host a "Portrait with your Pet" event raising money for a charitable cause that benefits animals. This year is no exception! Our event is November 14th in Phoenix and November 15th in Gilbert and benefits North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill shelter. When we plan the event, I always try to change things up so our repeat guests can have something new for their portraits. This means I design limited edition custom holiday cards each year that feature my guests portraits. It also means I use different sets for the event. In years past, I have used a more formal set and a mid-key generic backdrop. This year, I am using a high-key white set up to firmly place the focus (pun intended) on the relationships of the pets and their people. On Sunday, I photographed Tracy and her inspiration, Sedona. Here are 2 of my favorite images from our session.

Sedona looking at Tracy, her stylist, to see if her hair was "just so".

Two blondes on high-key! I teased Tracy that this shot and another would be the portraits used when she was featured in Oprah's magazine.
If you like what you see, check out my website at Crescendo Photography. If you want more information on the Portrait with your Pet event, shoot me an e-mail. Don't wait until the last moment...each year we sell out of available times early!

Children's Portraits - Studio Kids Photography - Arizona Childrens Portraits - Crescendo Kids Photography

When it comes to children's photography, I love to shoot in a way that shows personality. I am not much for perfect poses. Instead, I want to capture the uncertainty, giggles and exuberance that comes with being a kid, whether I am shooting outside or in studio. Here is are two of my favorite shots from Friday. Little Miss K came as Snow White and wasn't exactly excited about the shoot to begin with. By the end, she was having a blast! How cute is she??

Pet Portraits - Dog Portraits - Arizona Dog Photography - Crescendo Pet Photography

As the well-loved human of three dogs, I really think my life has been enriched by their presence. So much so, that I can't imagine a day without any of my pups. My friend Bridget is the same way. She has been dealing with a tragedy in her Golden Retriever, Bailey. Due to the unkind nature of the cancer Bailey has, Bridget wanted to be sure we had ample opportunity to capture their relationship on camera. Bailey is sweet, silly, loving, lovable and very devoted to Bridget. As we wandered around the park and the home site, Bailey would trot around on whatever little doggie adventure she cooked up, but never strayed too far from Bridget. I hope I did their special relationship justice. Here are my favorites from the session.

Wedding Photography - Arizona Weddings - Crescendo Photography

Even though autumn in Phoenix is rolling in with 100 degree temperatures, it is the perfect time to plan your winter or spring wedding! Come see me tomorrow (Sunday October 18th) at the Bridal Open House at the Hilton Phoenix/Chandler! I will be in the Ballroom, by Az Family Florist and Dillard's. Stop by and say hello!

Children's Portraits - Studio Kids Photography - Chandler Children's Photography - Arizona Childrens Portraits - Crescendo Kids Photography

This week has been devoted to dogs, but today I am sharing two of the cute kids I have photographed recently. First up, is this this pint-sized precious girl. Initially, she wasn't too thrilled with the idea of being there, but as you can see we ended up getting some smiles and giggles!


Another cutie was this little cowboy. He was so easy to photograph. Very interested and animated, he was the definition of adorable!