I love capturing the spirit of families with vibrant, joy-filled photos! When I’m not taking photos, I’m likely off adventuring somewhere – hiking, roadtripping, or exploring some quaint little town. And definitely singing in the car on the way there.

Speaking of, music is my love language. I live for Taylor Swift’s lyrics, Glen Hansard’s soul, and a good Motown bop. I’m an Enneagram 3, Wing 4. Basically I’m ambitious and goal-oriented, but also have a soft, artsy side. If you mention your Enneagram to me when you reach out for a session, I promise we’ll be fast friends. Oh and I love autumn. Like, LOVE. Give me all the pumpkin everything, always. I am truly THAT girl and proud of it.

I'm Mary Catherine!

washington, DC based family & newborn photographer

I’m originally from Southwest Florida. And don’t get me wrong, I loved life as a Floridian - beaches, year-round pool weather, Jimmy Buffett on repeat, palm trees galore - but in 2012, I decided it was time for me to head north to pumpkins and cherry blossoms and American history that dates back farther than 1950. I also just really wanted to escape the humidity so I could actually have a good hair day once in awhile.

Here’s the thing though. I came here with little to no game plan - and I’m so completely and utterly amazed at how things turned out in the end. In my 10 years here, I’ve built lifelong friendships, enjoyed many years of fun and super interesting work at National Geographic, and fell head-over-heels in love with the city. Oh, I also got a wild (but not frizzy) hair in 2017 which led to me quitting my full-time job and road tripping across the country (solo!) for four months.

from florida to dc

My road trip experience taught me a lot of things, like don’t speed in the middle-of-nowhere Wyoming, you’ll regret it; and that it’s nearly impossible to find gluten-free fries after midnight in New Orleans - who knew! But my biggest takeaway is that you don’t need to be looking out over the Grand Canyon to have take-your-breath-away moments. 

My life since the roadtrip has been surprising in the best way possible. What started out as a little inkling in my heart has turned into a full-blown photography business, and I can't even begin to express how thankful I am to have a job that allows me to witness and capture the beautiful memories of so many families.

Beautiful moments arrive on boring, mundane Tuesdays just as much as they come to you on once-in-a-lifetime trips. And those small, everyday moments are the ones you'll ultimately miss the most.

hitting the road...

I believe that family is everything. And the moments that you share with your family - no matter how small or unimportant they may seem at the time - will end up being the most meaningful, beautiful and worthwhile.

Life flies by in the blink of an eye. Don't wait for what you think are the big beautiful moments to start capturing life with your favorite people.

but, why families?

^Some of my most cherished images from childhood.

it's these people who continue to inspire each of my portrait sessions to this day.

I’m always on the hunt for the next adorable coffee shop to work from! If you have a favorite in the DC area, you MUST let me know.

I’m a coffee shop connoisseur.

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

Yup, I have celiac disease, which means gluten and I are NOT friends. It's a cruel world.

Gluten is my enemy

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

If you know me at all, you know that I love fall and literally cannot get enough of pumpkin everything. Not sure how I lived in South Florida for so long.

fall is my favorite

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

Sounds scary, but it's actually an amazing podcast that has evolved into a community of empowered women. SSDGM!

I'm a Murderino

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

My goal is to read 25 books in 2022. If you have any recommendations, please let me know!

I'm challenging myself to read more

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

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Seriously. I barely watch anything else. Broadchurch, Prime Suspect, Happy Valley, The Fall. Oh my gosh, such.good.stuff.

I could watch British crime dramas all day

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

I know there are a bunch of you out there who agree with me. Come on, is there anything better than coming home to a dog?!

I might love dogs more than humans

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

I used to work at National Geographic and loved every second of it. If I could somehow clone myself so that I could continue to work there and ALSO photograph families, I would do it in a heartbeat!

 I’m a Nat Geo Alum!

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

Mark my words. I will live there someday. But until then, I'll just listen to a ton of John Denver and try to visit as much as possible.

I love Colorado

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN COMMON?

but wait, there's more!

FIND JOY IN THE LITTLE THINGS.

gratitude

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING. CHERISH YOUR PEOPLE.

family

My Core Values

DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY. LAUGH A LOT.

fun

EMBRACE THE JOURNEY. DEVELOP AN UNWAVERING ZEST FOR LIFE.

adventure

ALWAYS BE YOURSELF. LET IT GUIDE YOU.

authenticity

CONSTANTLY SEEK NEW IDEAS AND APPROACHES. LEAN INTO YOUR IMAGINATION.

creativity