I am so thrilled to be seeing this family again this summer after 4 long years and probably my favorite beach session of my career!  xoxo

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the #1 genetic killer in children under the age of 2. Yet, most people, have never even heard of this genetic disorder. I know I had never heard of it before reading Avery’s story, and I know her parents hadn’t either. If Doctors would start making testing for this disorder standard, the number of babies born with this disorder would greatly decrease, and the parents having to experience heartbreak when they have to bury their babies would also decrease.

It’s a simple blood test with one parent to determine if he/she is a carrier of the gene. If that parent is a carrier, the other parent can be tested.  If both parents are carriers of an abnormal gene, there is a chance that each parent will pass the abnormal gene on to their child. An individual with two abnormal genes for an autosomal recessive disease will be affected with the disease. When both parents are carriers, with each pregnancy there is a:
25% (1 out of 4) chance that the child will inherit two normal genes, and will be neither a carrier, nor affected with the disease
50% (2 out of 4) chance that the child will inherit one normal and one abnormal gene, and will be a carrier of the disease (but not affected with the disease)
25% (1 out of 4) chance that the child will inherit two abnormal genes, one from each parent, and will be affected with the disease

Per labcorp.com, “Given the severity and frequency of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) recommends SMA carrier screening be offered before conception or early in pregnancy to everyone. The primary goal is to allow carriers to make informed reproductive choices.” So, why is it that most doctors have never even heard of this genetic disorder, and it’s not a standard test being offered?

Parents should have an option to be able to find out if they are carriers, and if it’s a possibility their child could be born with SMA. At that point, there are several decisions that can be made:
have prenatal testing (amniocentesis or CVS) done early on to determine whether or not the baby has inherited the two abnormal genes (if the mom is already pregnant)
accept this level of risk and have children without further testing
go through in vitro fertilization and test the embryos using preimplantation genetic screening (PGS)
adopt children
use donor sperm or donor eggs
not have children

We need to spread awareness of this genetic disorder, so parents know about this and can make an educated decision to get tested. There is no reason another baby should be born with this disorder. Please remember…this petition is to spread awareness about SMA and to get testing to be offered as a standard to parents. This is in no way intended to promote abortion.

SIGN THE PETITION

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

I had the honor and pleasure of capturing this precious family.  As many of you know, I do a lot of work with families with children who have SMA Type I and it is the most rewarding thing I do.  This session was no exception.  I love the love we captured, especially between Ashley and her sister.

Some of you loyal blog followers may remember this cutie as being on my blog header for quite a long time:

I am happy to say that her cheeks have not gotten any smaller and she is just so darn cute!

On a cold and rainy Sunday, I got my snuggle fix with this little darling!  xoxo

I had the most chaotic and fun time photographing about 40 dogs at Powderly Meadows Doggie Daycare in Lakeville.   I went in with ideas and much like my toddler sessions, the dogs had their own ideas.  Guess who won?!

Just a few of my favorites…..

Where do I even begin with this post?!  I was recently given an exciting opportunity to work with the ladies of Boutique Fitness.   Boutique Fitness strays from the traditional concept of a gym. They offer a welcoming and clean environment with a fitness solution that consists of comprehensive programming to address functional movement and movement patterns that will accelerate metabolism and improve body composition.  Lara Harrington and Angela Corrieri-Johnson are two incredibly fabulous women who opened Boutique Fitness in Downtown New Bedford this year and they are taking the city by storm!  Or as Lara’s husband coined the phrase….making New Bedford sexy!

On hand at the photoshoot was the very lovely and talented Denell Pepin of MoPa to offer artistic vision and direction.  Along with the incredible Larissa McLaughlin who just so happens to be the best make up artist in the area!  We had so much fun, I feel guilty calling it work!

If you haven’t already, please do check out Lara and Angela at Boutique Fitness.  They are amazing, down to earth, real moms who know how to make you feel comfortable and get you motivated to make positive changes for your life!

op·ti·mal (pt-ml)

opti·mal·ly adv.

I had a fantastic time photographing this handsome guy!  Funny thing is, he taught me what my new “occupational hazard” is with pet photography!  You see, Rex, being  an American Bulldog likes to demonstrate his dominance to those humans around him!  Let’s just say, he liked my leg a LOT!  ;-)  Oh it was so funny!

I have been so excited to announce MCP’s first ever Fur Babies Special!  We’ve all seen the really adorable studio pet sessions that involve artificial light, props and of course, the cutest dogs, right?  I love those shots, I really do!  However, I can’t help but feel that they could be anyone’s dog.  For me, I want images that capture MY dog and his quirky but undeniable personality and I believe you do to!  That’s where I come in!  I spend a good portion of time getting to know your dog.  What makes him make his expressions?  What is the one thing that he just loves to do? I want to capture it all for you to remember for years to come!

So…now is your opportunity to finally capture your precious dog in his/her own setting that really allows his/her personality to shine!

Offer expires 4-19-12.  Very LIMITED dates available.

I have had the pleasure of knowing this family for almost 2 years when I photographed their first son, Zeke, as a newborn.   The funny thing is that I knew I would be photographing Sam within the next few days as soon as I saw mom change her Facebook Timeline Event to his birth!  Oh technology, I just love it!

We had a great day together!  Sam was a champ!