crafts, camp and friends in uganda

Looky Looky! I kind of got crazy and crafty-ish the other day! I made a couple initial banners, some flower headbands, and a little pennant banner! Ok, so I love crafting but not as much as I love crafting for other people. I don't know why, I just do. It's just a thing, ok? I hate that I only got pics of one of them, but the others were already getting boxed up to be sent to camp friends in Columbus, Tx! But here's the one I made for my friend Jennefer Wilson!

Dang that's a dirty wall, how did that even happen?!

ALSO! MY FRIENDS CHRIS AND LEISHA JUST LEFT FOR UGANDA LAST WEEK!

Ok that just made no sense as a photo caption, let me try and rephrase that. On this day (that I took these banner pics) Leisha and Chris flew out of DFW to UGANDA! (well not directly, but you know) So of course I was wearing their shirt on the right day, you know praying for them and all, but of course I forgot to post this on the right day. Sorry guys. But they're still there and def would love love love and appreciate your prayers. Chris and Lei are beyond fabulous people who just really love the Lord like crazy. Leisha has served in Kenya before but this is their first time to serve together as a married couple! Ok, beyond precious. Can't even handle it. I know they're having a blast and loving being able to follow the Lord in this way, right next to each other. They're traveling with Parental Care Ministries, go check them out! And I think there's a blog about their trip on that site too! If not, Leisha's blog is here, so you can go read more about their trip and what they have specifically asked prayer over, and such! So please join me in prayer for these two as they finish their time with the people over there, and as they leave and travel back home.

Also, I LEAVE FOR PINE COVE FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER ON THURSDAY (and/or Friday, who really knows) BUT I'M SO STINKIN EXCITED. I'm super anxious to finally be a part of camp again instead of being so far away and just praying for the kids and staff there. Not JUST praying, but you know. I'm pumped to be in the midst of it.

Wait, what's that? You want to send me mail while I'm at camp? OK! If you insist!
Just send your treats and treasures and words of encouragement to:
     Megan "Photografeet" Fortner
     Pine Cove Outback
     1237 Papa Bear Lane
     Columbus, TX 78934

Maternity: Meredith & Jacob

I am so beyond excited about these pictures! Last time I was home I got to shoot Meredith and Jacob Ramos, along with soon to be baby Adalyn Grace! This couple is a part of that wonderful Phillips family I told you about here! Meredith and I were childhood best friends, we were inseparable. It was kind of out out of control. But in a good way, of course! :) I can remember each of us being at the hospital when each of our siblings were welcomed into the world, so the thought of MEREDITH JOY PHILLIPS RAMOS GIVING BIRTH TO HER OWN BABY GIRL is literally blowing my mind. Literally. I am so incredibly proud of this girl, and the wonderful man she married. Jacob has already become a part of our family too, he's just too much fun! Seriously! I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for Meredith. They're going to be the greatest parents to little Adalyn, and I can't wait to watch them go through this season in their lives.

Left: Me and Mere as acrobats Right: Trevor, Meredith and I on Halloween as Aladdin and Jasmine(s)! Costumes made by the lovely and talented Mrs Sheryl Phillips!

 I had a blast shooting these two and their cuteness. Because the cuteness was never ending, let's be real! I didn't have to pose them at all, they just did their thing and rocked it. I was in awe. Also, if you need a dog whisperer, give Jacob a call. Wish I would have gotten pics of this guy in action with the Phillip's dog Scott, yes I said Scott. Best dog name ever right? I'm completely obsessed. But I was too busy being amazed by all of his clever behavior tricks! But anyways, here's some of the final images we ended up with! Hope you guys like them as much as we do!

Addie was actually kicking! Love it!

You are such a beauty. So so so pretty.

And then it was canoe time!

They just have so much fun together! Precious!

MEREDITH! Gorgeous!

We may or may not have been singing "Just Around the River Bend", it seemed appropriate.

So thankful for these two, and our time together.

And that's all, folks! If you want to see the rest, go check my fb summertime album! And as always, if you have any pricing questions send me an email here! Thanks for reading, and for all the encouragement I've received while I'm trying to get my photography stuff started. It seriously means so much to me, I have the greatest friends! You people bless me like crazy!

father's day

Father's day came and went!  And I'm so thankful that I got to spend it with my daddy dearest. It was wonderful, and much needed. I hate that it takes a day like this to make me realize just how rarely I tell him how much I appreciate him. Not that I'm trying to justify that, but even if I did make it a habit to tell my dad how incredibly thankful I am for all that he does for me, my sisters, my beautiful mother, and now, my little brother, that wouldn't even begin to cover it. Because he's simply the best. Really. Love you more, Dad.

Sunday I got a little photo happy because that wonderful father of mine let me play around with his 1.4 50mm lens. MY FAVORITE. So please don't judge the ridiculous amount of bokeh in these pics. Thanks.

During dad's gift opening time, Max was the most precious little gift giver ever. He was literally giddy while waiting for dad to get to his gift. He painted a little motorcycle at the mud hut with mom a couple weeks ago, and he couldn't have been more proud, and I think dad enjoyed Max's excitement even more than the actual gift.

There was also a lot of wii played this weekend, which is always fine by me.

Oh and Max got a new bike on saturday! He's completely obsessed, and we just love it.

My lovely sister.

Side note: I love love love this girl, and I'm so glad we got to catch up this weekend. You're great, Rach.

Mr Matthew Brooks on a pink kids sized bike, ladies and gentlemen.

Also, I'm just realizing how incredibly hard it is to not upload a million bazillion pics when I post. Like, how am I supposed to decide which ones make the cut?! Oh the life of an indecisive retriever.

Hope you had the best Father's day, celebrating your dad!

My engaged friend, Brittanie

So I guess it's official, I'm getting older, because EVERYONE I KNOW IS EITHER MARRIED, GETTING MARRIED, OR GETTING ENGAGED. It's out of control, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was super crazy ridiculously excited for each and every one of them. Because I absolutely am.

But there's one couple that is especially near and dear to my heart, Brittanie Lane Hayden and her soon to be hubby Mr. Nathan Brandenburg. Nathan just popped the question a couple weeks ago, and I feel so incredibly blessed that I got to be there to witness this huge life changing convo. Here's how it all went down. Nathan and Brit were supposed to model for this upcoming Oh Deery shoot that our brilliant photographer friend Jennefer Wilson was going to capture for us, so this had been planned for several months, but apparently the more Nathan thought about it the more he thought it would be the perfect time to ask Brit to spend the rest of her life with him. And it was. It was perfect. She had no idea, and was totally beyond shocked. It was awesome. I had been at gone to Pine Cove for a couple weeks so I rushed back so I could make it to the shoot, so it didn't really hit me until we were there and it was actually happening that it was actually REAL LIFE. So needless to say, my eyes got a little leaky on me. After all the pictures had been shot, the question had been asked, the answer had been given, faces had been kissed, and necks had been hugged, we all drove to Nathan's family's house in Sachse, Tx for the after party, it was presh to see how excited their families were, and how proud Nathan was of having actually just pulled it off and of course of his new bride to be. Loved it.

You can def join me in prayer for these two, and their future marriage, for unity, and a whole hearted desire to glorify the Lord with their time together, even while they're trying to figure out what this part of their life is supposed to even look like. Even though this is a beyond exciting season for them, I'm sure the uncertainty of it all will get a little hard to deal with at times.

On another note I would just like to share with you people the ridiculously large amount of love that I have for Brit. She was one of the first people I met at DBU, and we've been the best of friends ever since. I can't imagine what in the world my life in Dallas would look like without this girl, she's wonderful, and has such a sweet sweet heart for others. She's changed majors about a bazillion times, but last summer while she was working at Pine Cove's Ranch camp she felt the Lord tugging on her heart to change her major to education. I remember getting that phone call during our time off one weekend, and I literally couldn't have been more proud of her, for not only intently listening to His calling but deciding to obey even though she was fully aware this would mean a lot more time at DBU before graduating. The Lord is so good to provide such a mercy that he would even care about what we major in or how we get our living. I seriously can't get over the fact that He wants the best for us (even when it seems like the worst to us). He makes all things work together for our good, but more importantly for us to bring the most glory to Him. I love that. But all that to say, Brittanie is going to be a teacher! Haha! And it's literally going to be out of control because now that she's received this calling, absolutely no one can picture her doing anything else. She's going to be so so great at it.

Anyways, I just wanted to tell y'all about this wonderful girl I know, and her most recent joy.
So enjoy these silly pictures of my newly engaged friend, Brittanie.

Brit came along when I shot Justin and Brittany's Engagements last weekend. So of course I took a couple of her while we were waiting on the couple to arrive. Why wouldn't I?

Oh and did I mention that she has THE BEST facial expressions ever?

Or that she's the queen of wardrobe malfunctions?

Um best model ever, obvi.

Please notice the difference between this picture and the next.

And that's when I almost died of laughter. She's real proud of her new accessory.

And who wouldn't be? It's BEAUTIFUL!

Nathan did good. That's for sure.

I love this girl so much, she's such a blessing. So excited to watch the Lord mold her heart in preparation for marriage in the next several months. You're an absolute joy, Brit.

Justin and Brittany

Here's one of my most recent shoots! This is Brittany and Justin, they're engaged! And getting married in October! So excited for these two! They absolutely love Fort Worth, so we shot downtown, and a little at the stockyards! They were such troopers, the wind was crazy that day, and it was still (ironically) super super hot. But they didn't complain! Thanks for being so great guys! Here's some of the final images!

Email me here for dates and pricing! Thanks for reading guys!