Brittney McKay Photography

Chealyn

2011-05-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

i just finished chealyn's graduation pics... and i love them! isn't she beautiful?! i had so much fun with her and her older sister who came to help. we were constantly laughing and catching up on the lastest news. i love my cousins!

Charly Mae

2011-02-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

when charlene was six weeks i took her newborn pictures. since i don't usually shoot newborns, i didn't have all the fancy backdrops and cute props, but i think charlene made the pictures turn out adorable anyway.

i know that some don't like pictures of their children's pouty faces, but i love to. i want to capture how her tiny face scrunches together and her tongue that almost always sticks out. i love how she creates her own chunky roll above her nose when she cries. i want to remember everything, including the sound of her newborn cry, which i can almost hear when i look at these pictures. sadly, she's already lost it.seeing the picture below reminds me of how she has a slight hiccupy-cough movement when she cries really hard. can't you almost see her do it? so adorable.calm and beautiful. i'm in love with all her chunkiness.

i tried to capture all the silly faces she made. some parents will only pull out the camera when their children are all smiles and happy. but that not who children are. take pictures of everything: happy, sad, and silly. in twenty years, looking at those pictures will help you remember your child with all of her quirkiness. you will be so glad you did.

charly mae is mine forever, and i love her.

The Woodbury Family

2011-01-08T13:26:00.000-08:00

funny thing about the world, it's so small. my sister and i went to school with two of the woodbury's together. i don't think brian and i ever hung out, but we knew eachother and sometimes sat at the same tables for lunch. michelle (my sister) graduated with brian's sister dana and even roomed with her at efy - where they introduced me to their counselor, the man i later married. my hubby kyle went to school with jill, the oldest woodburry. now, two of my younger sisters are going to school with the youngest - allison. it's funny to look back at all the times our circles overlapped.

this is the reason i always wanted a son first. i just know he'll be a great protector and he's already so sweet to his baby sister. love it. my favorite from th whole shoot:

all th ladies. they look so much alike, except for michelle.

the third 'grandbaby' is jet, michelle and jesse's first.

one of my favorites. love the color.

how sweet is she?! seven weeks old and so tiny!

nothing beats a boy and his dog.

Fall In Love...

2010-12-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

after laboring for nine hours thru the early morning hours on december 6th, beautiful charlene mae (charly) came nine days early at 11:06 am, weighing in at 8 lbs 14 oz and 21 1/4 inches long. i pushed for just five minutes and then she was here. the delivery was perfect and i have a perfect baby. charly has beautiful, round cheeks and bright blue eyes. i am so lucky. meeting mommy:

and daddy:

meeting big sister addison:

charlene was named after my grandma charlene (who got married two days before little charly was born). by naming our little girl charlene and calling her charly we honor both my grandmother and late grandfather charles brown. her middle name (mae) came from my great grandmother ella mae. our little charlene is named after great people who have done amazing things and i know she will be amazing too.

meeting her namesake:

we love you charlene and couldn't be more excited for you to be in our family!

Tellez Family 2010

2010-11-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

i loved meeting with the tellez's again. last year when i took their family pictures, raena was pregnant with the little man and now he is huge! and the sweet baby girl i took pictures of last year wasn't a little baby and more. make me sad to think about because my little addison isn't too much younger than this adorable one: and i chased her around just like i do addy. don't you LOVE those pigtail buns? i do!

this little man was uber chuncky and had the most beautiful brown eyes! can't wait to have one of my own someday.

so cute. so fun. thanks guys!

brittney

Growing Up: The McCleve's

2010-11-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

i took pictures for my family last week and maybe it's just because i'm pregnant, but i thought it was somewhat difficult to set up the scene push the timer and run into the picture. i don't know if any other photographers are experts at this, but without a remote i imagine not many photographers attempt it. definitely time for me to get one.

of course my whole family was late for the pictures (mccleve standard time) so we didn't get to take more once we changed into a casual outfit. these are my favorite - no blinking eyes, blurred hands, or mean looks into the camera. and hopefully next time i'll remember to feed addison before the shoot starts so she isn't crying so much. next time i'll have two babies to worry about, but who stresses over pictures right?

look at that tongue:
24 years of marriage, 6 daughters, 2 son in laws, and 1 1/2 grandbabies - that's amazing to me!

below: those still left at home. my dad is still surrounded by more girls than most men will ever be. many call him a saint.

maybe next time these two will add a third grand baby to the photo - hint, hint michelle!

The Sovereigns

2010-11-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

i took some of the sovereign's pictures near the pecans on a path that i'm sure many other photographers know about but i had never seen. it was a beautiful path lined with trees and shrubbery. if only it snowed in the valley, then it would be perfect for a bridal session in the snowy wonderland.

aren't these trees gorgeous? could you see a snow scene here? the sovereign's pictures turned out beautiful, i had a great time taking their pictures.

how about now? i think black and white helps to see how it could look in the winter with snow. can you picture a family session with mittens, scarves, and a snowman?

thanks guys, beautiful family.

brittney

Family: The Shutts

2010-11-01T21:24:00.000-07:00

it so fun to have returning clients, if only to see how much people change in one short year. last time i saw the shutts, their little "momma" was just a newborn and now she's walking!

isn't this so sweet?! bella was fighting them off, but i had to get a picture of them kissing her chubby cheeks!

thanks for all the fun

brittney

Charlene and Melvin: Soon to Be Hitched

2010-10-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

love can happen at any time, to anyone. my amazing grandma started dating melvin (or mel as she lovingly refers to him) and became like a twitterpated teen again. i couldn't understand what had come over this person that i thought i knew so well. she was always day dreaming, smiling, and couldn't stop talking about him. they held hands and danced in her kitchen after just two weeks of dating.

i was a little nervous about taking their pictures because:

1. it's my grandma and telling my grandma to hold or kiss someone was gonna be awkward.

2. it was my first engagement session where the couple was not in their twenties, how do i talk to them like i would a young couple?

i realized love is still the same whether you're twenty or seventy. as you can tell, i had nothing to be worried about. mel told me that they had no problem kissing for me, and my grandma told me that they were pretty much addicted to it. wow, they are a normal engaged couple. why was i even worried?!

i'm so excited for you grandma, december 4th can't come fast enough!

brittney

Last, But Not Least: Kinsey

2010-09-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

my youngest sister kinsey got baptised earlier this month. we took pictures at several locations and i loved how they turned out, i think kinsey looks like an angel. she's a beautiful, caring, and fun girl that gets along with everyone. she was the only reason i cried when i got married and moved out of my parents' home. she is a great aunt to my addison and will be a great mom someday, but for now she is newly baptised and perfect and i hope she waits to grow up any more.

We're Vacationing

2010-08-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

with mr. mckay just finishing summer school and me really staring to show with baby #2, i knew it was time for a get-away. we drove to california to visit the mr.'s brother and sister in law and spent time in cooler weather. we definitely had a blast and my little girl loved to run around with cousins. unfortunately, they all ran around so crazily that i couldn't get a picture of them together. sailing around the pier, beautiful landscapes, and the beach. i love california!
aren't these flowers gorgeous?! you don't see this kind of color is arizona!my husband actually took this picture of the LA temple below. i have been giving him tips for great picture taking and it looks like he is learning quickly.we're all happy to be together at the beach!hope you're having an awesome summer!

the mckay's

Taking a Break from the Heat

2010-08-01T17:54:00.000-07:00

i just wanted to let everyone know that i'm currently not taking photos during the summer. it's just too hot for everyone. i want you and your families to look relaxed and comfortable and there's no way that's going to happen in an arizonan summer! i have started booking my next clients in mid september and later which is perfect for your seasonal photos. so call or email me and we'll put you down.

Discount Time:

...oh and don't forget! if you have before and after pictures with a hairdresser at salon azul send them to me and you'll get 25% off your next photoshoot. engagement, family, whatever kind of photos you want. note that this is NOT a drawing, meaning that ANYONE who does this will get the discount - not just one person! so get your hair done and send me the pictures before september 1st and we'll get shooting!

"Hey Juliette...

2010-05-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

... i think you're fine. you really blow my mind. hey juliette, hey juliette!"

ever heard that song? well that's been my cousin's theme song ever since she was a toddler. her older brother and sisters love to sing it to her. this fun girl just turned eight and was baptised last month. with her gorgeous big browns and dark hair, she is absolutely gorgeous. she better never forget it!

Salon Azul

2010-05-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

salon azul in mesa teamed up with a cute boutique called contagious to dress up and show off fabulous hair, nails, and makeup with the boutique's clothes and accessories. i was asked to take pictures for the event. usually when going to the salon, i'm in and out, so it was a great experience for me to slow down and watch the whole team work.
i learned what products they like best and why, many tips for updos, and how to dry your hair the best way. after the models were all ready, they walked the line. and even though none of them were professional modelsand they were so nervous, but they still rocked it.
cute huh? salon azul is located in mesa on power and mcdowell. contagious is in downtown mesa across from milanos. go try 'em out and see what you think.

want a discount for your photos? go to salon azul then send me before and after pics with your hairdresser and you'll get 25% off your next session! this is not a drawing so ANYONE who does this will get the discount for just your self or for a family session. it's a summer deal so hurry and get it done before september 1st.

Love Story

2010-05-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

once upon a time......just a few short years ago, there was a boy and a girl who lived near eachother and were every good friends. this boy liked to tease his friend and tell her he liked her. sometimes he could be a little mean or annoying, but the girl thought he was just trying to be funny. time passed but his feelings for her did not. years later, when this girl realized that her friend was serious, she told him that she liked him too. they dated throughout in high school and as soon as they graduated, they became engaged. so this boy and girl have known eachother for half their lives and will finally be married in a few weeks.

and they will live happily ever after!

Just a Preview...

2010-04-20T21:26:00.002-07:00

i'm still editing my friend breanna's engagment pics, but my husband and i agreed that the pictures were too gorgeous to not give her a sneek peek. i am so excited... they're amazing shots, breanna and jay are just so sexy!

they have no reason to ever worry about being photographed. picture after picture is PERFECT! more coming soon!

brittney

Spring is Here

2010-04-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

nothing beats easter egg hunting in grandma and grandpa's backyard. hope your easter was as bright as ours!

love,
the mckays

Say Hello to the Cogburn's

2010-04-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

a couple weeks ago, i went on a shoot with this bunch...and as i snapped away i had so much fun watching them interact! what a happy family. i was so impressed with how this older brother played with his sister and didn't think he was too cool to hand with her. i sure hope my kids get along that well.

what a handsome man! he lives next door to my cousins, and i just found out that he and macall have been "married" in their front yard several times! i love it!

the picture below is my ABSOLUTE favorite! isn't she so sweet?!

beautiful family. thanks so much for inviting me over to share in some fun!

brittney

Family Love

2010-03-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

i am so blessed. i have a wonderful husband who just happens to rock at being a daddy to our sweet addison. and addison, well she just rocks period. the other day, daddy decided they needed a date and took addy outside to play. always looking for addison to have a new experience, my husband found a neighbor who was riding her horses and walked over to them to show addy. after showing her how to pet the animal, he put her on the saddle. she didn't know what to think!

the one below is my favorite, this i will frame. she just turned one year old and it blows my mind how quickly the months flew by.

i could just gobble up those chubby cheeks! yum.

The McCleve Clan

2010-03-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

this little one was carrying his new motorcycle and wanted it in every photograph. can you see how much he loves his prized posession?!

the holidays, moving, getting a new computer, and dealing with a very sick baby have set me behind on editing and posting pictures. i need to do better. i am constantly amazed at other mothers energy and time management. i promise to reform!

a while back, i took pictures of some more cousins of mine. what a hoot it was working with a male teenager who could have cared less about pictures, a nine year old diva who loved the camera, and chasing a four year old ball of energy! they couldn't have been any more perfect.

I Am In Love

2010-02-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

i was very excited to recieve this invite to macall's baptism. isn't it darling?! kassie from designs by kassie created this cute card. she does blog makeovers, buttons, logos, business cards, announcements, and invitations. check out her stuff, she's great!

Purity

2010-02-12T21:14:00.000-08:00

my fun and beautiful cousin macall wanted some pictures taken for her baptism in two weeks. she has tons of personality and spunk. if she doesn't know you, she'll be shy until she feels comfortable and then you'll be blown away by how talkative she can be.

she was very shy in front of the camera and had lots of nervous laughs. she certainly had no reason to be nervous. she.was. perfect.

macall was so brave in the one below. her mom and i wanted her to climb on a six-foot-tall wall so we could have some silhouette pictures. a shaking macall posed for me while mommy was standing behind her ready to catch her if she needed to.

congratulations macall - you're beautiful!

- brittney

For Courtney

2010-01-12T10:50:00.000-08:00

when i heard that courtney had never had any pictures taken of her and her family, i knew that it was time to change that. her daughter is the miracle baby that hubby and courtney never thought they could have after years of infertility. because of this, no one was more surprised than they were three years ago to find out they were pregnant.

children really bring more joy in life that you thought you could ever have! what a blessing their alli is.

sometimes i feel like she is my sister and not my aunt. so young and beautiful, isn't she? i remember spend the nights with her where we would do nails and hair - with all the 80's fluff and curl too! she married a great guy, and their little girl is so fun and feisty, i was laughing the whole time i chased her around. i love it when work isn't really work.

hugs and kisses

- brittney

And Baby Makes Four

2009-12-30T21:59:00.000-08:00

the shutts decided to have another baby when their only child is now in junior high. i was told how even mothers forget all the work and little knick knacks that go into having a brand new baby.

she was so brave to start over again, but looking at those sweet little cheeks and feeling your heart melt at every new smile, how could you refuse?

i loved meeting the sweet new addition to your beautiful family!! thanks for inviting me over. good luck starting over! (well almost)

- brittney

Tellez Fun

2009-11-21T22:44:00.000-08:00

can you believe i went to high school with her? it's crazy how things change in just a few short years!

i love the one below. so sweet.

i could totally eat those chubby little arms!

the cute tellez family wanted to snap some pictures before the size of their family gets bigger by one in early january! beautiful baby L was so happy the whole time and i loved how outgoing she was - a lot like my little addy. L also had plenty of spunk and it wan't hard to get amazing pictures.

thanks guys, let's keep in touch!

- brittney

Furture Missionaries

2009-11-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

don't these brothers look adorable in their suites?

how often do you think two rowdy boys do this? not often enough. i snapped quick!

isn't he so handsome?

i love the one below, crossing his legs. classic.

do you watch the office? in the picture below, i totally see michael and dwight. tell me you see it too!

my ward at church had a primary program. that means all the children in the congregation walk up to the stand a put on a themed program of songs and quotes of all they have been learning for the year. the theme this year was about families being together forever. these handsome boys did a great job!

i love you guys!

- brittney

Lately...

2009-11-09T20:15:00.001-08:00

i am know that i haven't posted any of my recent work in a while. i was "out of town" for a week and then halloween snuck on me before i knew what hit me. here is the baker family. the whole family is BEAUTIFUL!

isn't he eye candy?! totally a natural model.

what a stinker that youngest one was:

isn't their boy the cutest?! being half hawaiian makes these kids totally stand out in a crowd. i wish i was a tan as they are. aren't they all beautiful?

So This is Love

2009-10-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

heather is one of my sister's good friends from high school. isn't she beautiful?! i loved taking these engagement pictures for them. congratulations to both of you!

Look Out Argentina!

2009-09-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

my cousin voluntarily left today to serve and live amongst the people of argentina for two years. i am so excited for him and will miss him tons!

Family Reunion

2009-08-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

more new pictures! i have been gone for the past three weeks and haven't been able to post my most recent shoots. the hatch's called me to take their pictures while her brother and parents were in town from england. how great it was to see them joke with each other and just have fun.

What a Blessing!

2009-07-13T00:19:00.000-07:00

yes, she is mine. am i not the luckest mother in the entire world?! we didn't take pictures right when she was blessed so i took them a few weeks ago. she is a sweet, bright-eyed beauty, and i fall in love with her more everyday.

The Sharps

2009-07-12T23:42:00.000-07:00

they picked a location where you can't go wrong. great family. great pictures. great time. did i mention i love my job?!

Pricing and Info

2009-07-03T00:24:00.000-07:00

Sitting fees:

Families:

1 hour

1 - 4 people $75

5 - 8 people $95
9 - 12 people $160

Seniors and Models: $60
1 hour

High School Dance: $20

30 - 45 minutes

Engagements: $85

1 1/2 hours

Groom and Bridal Session: $100

1 1/2 hours

Engagement + Bridal Package: $160

2 1/2 - 3 hours

Basic Wedding Package: $400

engagements: 1 hour

bride/groom shoot: 1 hour

wedding ceremony: 1 hour

reception: 1 - 3 hours

* additional hours: $50/ hour

each package includes:

*up to 2 locations of choice

*1-2 optional outfit changes

*edits of select photos

*disc of full resolution images and release to print

Where do i shoot?
Depending on your style, I have several places I like to go in the east valley. My personal favorite places to go have grass, water, and rocks. Or old structures like abandoned factories. Have you seen something you like? Want to travel some? Let me know and we can work things out!

What Should I Wear?

2009-07-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

Babies: Especially newborns, put them in an easy-to-take-off shirt. Nap time is always the best for newborns so try to schedule a session when they are sleepy (older babies should be awake and not sleepy).

Children: Tutus or pettiskirts. Classic button-up top and khakis, knitted hats / jumpers / vests /etc. Children and babies also look great sporting mom and dad's stuff too (boys wearing dad's football helmet and holding a football; girls in mommy's high heels and jewelry)
Sun dresses or multi-layers always look great as well...stay away from big logos.

For feet: Most of the time, bare feet are the best! Bare feet in the summer, whether clean or dirty, look great. If you prefer shoes, I suggest something fun and sassy and "plain" (no emblems/logos/cartoon characters to distract.) In the cold winter months, worn leather or fluffy boots look fantastic. Rain boots are always fun as well.

For a family: You don't have to match completely but please consider dressing in similar color tones or harmonizing themed outfits. Choosing the clothing for your session is all part of the fun, so feel free to go crazy and bring a few outfits along with you to choose from. A little variety never hurts!

Engagement/ Wedding Session: Girls: frills and accessories (killer shoes) are perfect. Guys: color coordinate with your girl and have layers (tie/ blazer/ vests/ suspenders). Remember to stay away from logos and such. Bring changes of clothes and accessories if you would like. Want to bring a memento? Email me and we'll chat!

Seniors: Bring a bunch of different outfits that suit your personality. But once more, stay away from big logos and such. Hats, jackets, layers, themed ideas (athletics, etc), are all fun. Props are cool if done right so lets brainstorm.

You want balloons? A bike? Some furniture? Maybe even a puppy? Do anything that screams your own personality, that's what you should go with. Remember to have fun.

The Maher's

2009-06-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

i found this great spot on the railroad track with beautiful green fields nearby. i was excited to try it out with the maher family. didn't their pictures turn out great?!

A Bundle of Joy

2009-06-26T20:35:00.000-07:00

aren't these babies such miracles? what an amazing and welcome change to come to a family. congratulations to the smith family on their new addition. he's beautiful.

Lefler Family

2009-06-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

this girl is getting baptised soon and i was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take pictures of her and her two older brothers. my favorite is the last one of her with the temple behind her.

Chapman Sisters

2009-06-11T00:30:00.000-07:00

girls are so fun. these two were no exception. while i ran around chasing the younger one, her older sister always kept an eye on me to make sure i snapped pictures of her poses. i absolutely LOVED their flowers - so adorable aren't they?

The Boys

2009-06-02T21:56:00.001-07:00

these boys are so cool aren't they? this was my second time taking pictures for them and i chased them around the whole time. boys have so much energy! i love how you can see there personalities really come through.

Lewis Love

2009-06-02T21:03:00.001-07:00

it was fun to take pictures for such a great model family! (it's also fun when the mommy and i are friends already) what a gorgeous family. thanks you guys!

The Pedersen Family

2009-05-26T19:43:00.000-07:00

the pedersen's just recieved a new addition to their family two months ago. isn't she adorable!? i couldn't help take so many of the sweet girl that reminded me so much of my baby! mommy and daddy better watch her with those lips, she's bound to be a great kisser in a couple years.

Kerstyn

2009-05-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

kerstyn is in the 2009 graduating class of mesa high school.

go rabbits! she is beautiful, but men be careful, her dad has his shot gun at the ready! mesa is the school to go to if you have any sense at all. (i might be a bit biased since i am a fourth generation graduate from there.)

ASU Graduation

2009-05-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

he is a pilot and he's single! girls - don't let this one slip you by. grab him while he's still available! sorry kirt, had to.

Michelle and Jesse

2009-05-07T12:11:00.001-07:00

jesse and michelle are the hottest couple around! they were fun to take pics for and were a beautiful couple. look out scottsdale - the woodbury's are coming soon...

The Boys

2009-04-13T11:26:00.000-07:00

my brother-in-law asked me to take some pictures of him and his friends to tease some girlfriends of theirs ,who took the same pictures two weeks before at the same location. each of them is pretending to be a certain girl. they did a great job mimicking the faces and poses of the girls. the girls enjoyed the joke that these guys played on them!

The Brown Bunch

2009-01-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

i took the brown's photos for the holidays, just a few days before christmas. they were a lot of fun to work with and were so photogenic - especially the cute little boys! i couldn't help but take so many pictures of them.

Beauty Queen

2008-12-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

this is my cousin alli. every time she comes over to my parents house, she gets a makeover. she loves all the attention and will hold still forever, and then prance around with her new do. i just couldn't get her to smile for me.

Saturday Afternoon with the Girls

2008-12-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

these are my sisters - aren't they so cute?! we had fun driving around looking for places to take pictures at while they changed clothes on the way in the car. i don't get much time with any of my sisters since i got married in march, but when we get together we sure do have fun!