Children | Maundy Mitchell Photography

Portraits to Celebrate Turning 16

My son, David, turned sixteen this week. Each year he wants me to create a few portraits for his birthday. So much happens in a year! He is learning how to drive, he got a job, he began studying Historical European Swordsmanship, and he even took his first college tour! For his portraits to celebrate turning 16, he described the look he wanted: serious, urban, casual, and stylish, along with one look with his practice sword. He chose the gray hand-painted backdrop, and even showed me the kind of lighting he wanted. These are his favorite portraits.

A casual portrait of a 16-year-old boy, leaning against a gray, hand-painted backdrop, wearing a blue waistcoat

A portrait of a 16-year-old boy, wearing a blue waistcoat, holding a practice sword

Challenge Yourself This Mother’s Day: Get in the Picture

I’m talking to the moms reading this. Everyone who loves you needs to see YOU in portraits. Challenge yourself this Mother’s Day. Get in the Picture. You are always behind the camera. Or hiding from it because you don’t feel you’re perfect. Maybe you’re never in the family photos because at family gatherings you’re too busy taking care of everyone to stop and be in a picture. I understand. I do the same thing. But this Mother’s Day–and all year, I am challenging myself to get in the picture more often. One day, I’ll be glad I did–-and so will my son. I hope you’ll challenge yourself to get in the picture, too.

Mother’s Day 2022 is Sunday, May 8. If you’re interested in a mother/child or three/four generations portrait session, please email me (maundy@maundymitchell.com) to schedule a consultation and book your session. I’d love to photograph you.

Five New International Awards

I am proud to announce five new international awards from the Portrait Masters Awards competition & accreditation program. Five of my portraits have each won a Bronze Award, and one earned the additional merit “Bronze with Distinction.”

Nearly 7,000 images were submitted from around the world and were judged anonymously by thirteen international, renowned photographers. The judging criteria involves not only the technical aspects of a portrait, but the emotional aspects as well. The accumulation of accreditation points is based on a judging system which also takes into account styling, composition, focus, lighting, connection, posing, post production, and overall technique and presentation.

In 2017, I began the process of submitting images biannually to the program, which is for portrait photographers of all genres worldwide. It recognizes the highest professional standard through judging, awards, and the accumulation of points to three levels of accreditation.

In September 2019 I achieved the level of Portrait Masters Associate Photographer and am now working on the next level, Master Photographer. The next round of entries will be in September 2022.

This process is another way I can continue to grow, to learn and perfect techniques in my art. I am grateful to everyone who trusts me to create portraits for you. Thank you.

Bronze with Distinction Award: Portrait of Laurel wearing equestrian gear — Bronze with Distinction Award in the Teen & Senior Category: “Laurel”

"Phoenix" - a black and white portrait off a woman holding twig "wings" — Bronze Award in the Contemporary Portrait category: “Phoenix”

Portrait of "Pretzel," a dog with blue eyes - Bronze Award — Bronze Award in the Pet Portrait category: “Pretzel”

Portrait of Ellie - Bronze Award — Bronze Award in the Children’s Portrait category: “Ellie”

Black and white closeup children's portrait - Bronze Award — Bronze Award in the Children’s Portrait category: “Molly”

The Annual Black-and-White Closeup Event

Limited Edition, Fine Art Portrait Sessions for Children

The Annual Black-and-White Closeup Event will be held on Saturday, January 22! This limited edition, fine art offering is your chance to have a beautiful, exhibition-style closeup portrait of your child on your wall.

A square black and white closeup portrait of a young girl with a neutral expression.

These short photo sessions are for children ages four and up. Pre-booking is required, and spaces are limited. Your $395 booking fee includes a 16×16 ready-to-hang, fine art metal print. You may also choose to add other square prints and larger metal prints at your viewing appointment.

These closeup portraits make a gorgeous statement in your home, and they also make great gifts for grandparents!

A living room with sofa, pillows, and a square, Black-and-white closeup portrait of a little girl on the wall.

Please email maundy@maundymitchell.com to book your child’s session.

I can’t wait to see you on January 22nd!

COVID-19 safety protocols: I am fully-vaccinated against COVID-19. I welcome anyone who is also vaccinated to the studio without a mask, however I ask anyone who is not fully vaccinated to please wear a mask until I’m ready to photograph them. Scheduling should ensure that clients are not in the studio at the same time, but if that does occur, there are several rooms in order to maintain social distancing.

Acting Headshots for Chloe

Chloe came to the studio recently for a portfolio of acting headshots. She has several upcoming opportunities, but as a teenage actor, she isn’t sure what kind of role will be her favorite. She can imagine herself playing everything from the villain to the “girl next door.” This called for a variety of looks. Now, Chloe is ready to audition for any role that she might be interested in. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does!

Hair and makeup by Donna Cotnoir

Portrait of teenage girl with dark background

Portrait of teenage girl wearing sweater and jeans with a black background

A to Z – a Family and Branding Photo Session

When their birthdays were coming up, Adam and Zi decided to treat themselves to a portrait experience. This photo session was not only a birthday celebration, but a celebration of their young family. It was about who they are individually and together, personally and also professionally.

They are pianists who teach and perform together. They have also developed A to Z Music Studio, where they teach students of all ages and levels.

Now, Adam and Zi have an heirloom portrait collection — one their daughter is sure to cherish many years from now — plus “branding” photos they can use for their websites.

Here are some of the couple’s favorite portraits from their collection.

Hair and makeup styling by Donna Cotnoir

Portrait of piano duo Adam Mayon and wife Zi Liang, wearing dark colors

NH studio portraits of musicians Adam Mayon and Zi Liang

Studio portrait of pianist Zi Liang in pink flowy dress

Black and white portrait of piano duo Zi Liang and husband Adam Mayon, wearing casual clothing

Black and white studio portrait of a family with young daughter in Plymouth, NH.

Black and white portrait of a mother and young daughter

NH family portraits - father and daughter

Plymouth NH studio portrait of a family with young daughter

Photo collage of pianist Zi Liang wearing a velvet jacket

Studio portrait of pianist and professor Adam Mayon

Portrait of Zi in lace dress with gold background

Portrait of Zi, seated, wearing a lace dress with gold background

“This was the best birthday gift that [we] could ever ask for. Thank you for creating such beautiful memories for us! [Thanks for] giving us a great experience throughout the process.” – Zi & Adam

The Ultimate Holiday Gift: a Portrait Experience and an Heirloom Collection

This year, give a gift they can look forward to – a magazine-style photo session at Maundy Mitchell Photography. It’s a day of pampering in my beautiful studio, with professional hair and makeup styling and guidance throughout. They can enjoy this experience on their own, with their partner, mother, daughter, sister or a best friend.

The portrait experience at Maundy Mitchell Photography starts with professional hair and makeup styling and ends with the choosing of favorite images and collections.

Whether they would like to celebrate the holiday, or a milestone, or perhaps they could use a boost in confidence, treat your loved one to a portrait experience and an heirloom folio collection.

Like a trip, the planning is part of the fun! Once we choose a date, we will create an online mood board together. We’ll talk about styling and how they would like to look in their new portraits. It’s a lovely thing to look forward to.

About two weeks after their session, they’ll return to the studio to choose their portraits. They will leave that day with the portraits they love, portraits that will be cherished by them and those who love them for generations.

This winter, I’m taking a very limited number of bookings, with Covid-prevention measures in place. (The lucky recipient of your gift could even schedule their session for spring).

To give this gift or to find out more, email maundy@maundymitchell.com

Family Portraits for Diana, Bobby, & Belle

I was so happy to welcome this beautiful family to the studio recently. Diana and her husband, Bobby, wanted some personal branding images for a new venture. Their daughter, Belle, needed new images for acting. The family also wanted to have some casual as well as more formal portraits, individually and together.

Behind the scenes at the start of a family photo session at Maundy Mitchell Photography - professional hair and makeup styling — Hair and makeup styling by Melissa Hanson

They love their new collection of images. Here are some of their favorites.

Women's business portrait and women's portrait

Studio portrait of a family in casual outfits

Portraits of a tween girl in floral dress

Portrait of a tween girl in floral dress and black and white portrait of a tween girl

Vanity Fair inspired mother and tween daughter photos

A Portrait Experience for Three Generations

When Kathy booked her portrait session, she had several goals. She owns Gate of Life Acupuncture in Laconia, NH, and she wanted new headshots for her website. Her daughters, Hillary and Liz, also needed new headshots. The most important thing to Kathy is family. She wanted spend the day with her daughters and her grandson, Max, feeling beautiful and creating heirloom photos for all of them to enjoy now and forever.

Kathy and her daughters began their portrait experience with professional hair and makeup styling by Melissa Hanson

Women's studio portraits in Plymouth, NH - Kathy in black dress

Individual portraits and black and white mother-son portrait

A collage of photos - children's portrait and family with child

Family portrait photographer Maundy Mitchell in Plymouth, NH - Casual, Vanity Fair-inspired family photo

“The entire experience was amazing! Maundy was a gem to work with. We all felt so comfortable. We all had a wonderful day! It was fun, exhilarating and so very special! Maundy really captured our spirits; the fun we have when we’re together and the love we share for each other! The photos are beautiful!” – Kathy

“I have never had professional photos like this taken before. What a wonderful experience!” – Liz

“Maundy Mitchell is not only a wonderfully talented photographer, she’s so kind, genuine, and makes you feel so at home in her studio! Her hair and makeup artist is friendly, sweet, and talented, too! What an amazing experience with my mom, sister, and Max.” – Hillary

“Am I going to be in a magazine now?” – Max

Portraits to Celebrate Turning Fourteen

My son, David, turns fourteen today. Each year he wants to do a few portraits for his birthday. In March his school went online because of the pandemic. He started playing his guitars more, especially this electric one. For his birthday photos this year, he described the look he wanted, and he chose the dark hand-painted backdrop. He said he wanted portraits of himself having fun with this guitar. These are his favorites.