Mara Lish Photography

Family, friends, clients…

I honestly don’t even know where to begin when I say how much your support has meant to me over the years. And I know that sounds so cliché because most business owners say that but when you’re a small business owner you truly mean it. We couldn’t do what we do without the encouragement, word of mouth advertising, choosing us time & time again, & so much more.

I remember being so excited opening my first camera for Christmas (canon rebel) and like most photographers who started years ago immediately wanting to start my hobby. And soon that hobby grew into a business.

A business that has allowed me to make SOO many new friends. Truly I feel like most of the time when I meet someone new they leave as friends. And of course the clients who have used me for years that I know get to be a part of so many cherished memories. Being one of the firsts to know about your new bundle of joy, getting to watch a baby born, the first looks of siblings and grandparents, watching them grow month after month & year after year, seeing your family grow, seeing extended families come together and have fun, when your baby is now a senior, celebrating birthday ls and big milestones in your life… I mean it when I say I LOVEEE getting to be apart of those memories and they are now my memories too!

People talk about “seasons” of life and how during different parts of your life you go through changes. And right now we are in a change of season. Some of you may know that my husband & I are now foster parents. We have had the privilege of loving on 3 foster babies in just 4 short months & one that’s currently still with us. I wish I could describe to you how much this has changed my life. I hear so often “I couldn’t do it I would get too attached” and it has made me feel awkward at times because I do get too attached. I’ve cried everytime a foster has left but let me tell you they need us to get too attached. They need us to give the same love we give Rosie. They need the hugs, the kisses, the I love yous, the attention, the tickles, & all the stuff that you would do when you love a child. But with each new kid also brings new challenges and hurdles- Rosie has been SOO good 9/10 on our attention being divided but like most kids do have trouble some days getting used to 100% attention not being on them anymore. And don’t get me started on how little time I have right now for my amazing husband because if you are a mom & wife you get it.

As of recent months, I haven’t been able to put my full time and energy like I want into a business. I don’t have time to post to social media, to update a website, to return clients messages in a timely manner.. basically to do what any business owner should do and that’s not the image I ever want my business to have (that I’m disorganized) because if you know me at all that’s not me typically.

If you are still reading- I have a point to my story…

With that, after much discussion and prayer. I have decided to shut down my business to the public. I know this is sad news to some but trust me it’s been gut wrenching to me and I’ve dreaded making this post for weeks. I do NOT make this decision lightly. I love photography as I think I explained but I love my family more and right now they need me home more. I need on the days I’m home to actually be home and present and focused fully on my kiddos. I need after the kids go to bed to watch a show with my husband on the couch, to go to bed at the same time not at 1:00am when I’m done editing for the night, to not say hi & bye in the first 10 minutes of him being home because I’m headed out the door for a session. For our only full day home (Saturdays) to be filled with me gone all day to sessions.

Every year I say I’m cutting back but I am terrible at saying NO so I know if I get asked 8/10 I’m going to make it work somehow. So ultimately this decision had to be made for my sanity, for my health, for my kids, for my marriage.

Clients that have already booked for 2025- do not fret you are still on my books & I look forward to the sessions that I do still have on the books!

I’ll be shutting down my website and Instagram page soon. I won’t delete my page but just know at the beginning on 2025 I will not be checking messages on there.

Thanks to those who read my novel and allowed me to express myself fully. Thank you to each person who over the years chose and trusted me to be a small part of your life. I’ll forever be indebted and grateful for you. It’s hard for closing thoughts but ultimately thank you to my husband. He is my rock and without him this wouldn’t be possible. He works incredibly hard to provide us with an amazing life leading us to Christ and that allows me to stay home fully and be with our babies. I’ll never take this life for granted and the main reason I want to make changes in order to give back to my family, my friends, and others more!

Again thank you for all the amazing years-
All my love, Mara

thanks to my husband for being Chris's friend so I gained Megan as mine.

but seriously- over the past few years this family has become family to us with raising our kiddos together and just doing life together when we can. thankful for their friendship and that I get to watch all four of those handsome fellas grow up!

some photographers don't like extended family sessions but they are some of my favorites. I love getting to see the whole family together and watch brothers & sisters interact along with everyone all giggly over the littlest loves. don't skip out on the opportunity to photography the whole group- I know it will take 279 group text messages to agree on a date during everyones busy schedule and plan & coordinate outfits but I promise it will always be worth the hassle before🩵

My second fam since I was 5 years old- having a life long friend in Ashleigh has brought me so much joy over the years and getting to be around her family has always been an added bonus

Love to see this growing family update their yearly photos that mom loves to get.

we added a family portion to this milestone session but had to change the dates a few times so they ended up at one of my fave locations & I'm so glad because summertime on the lake with those cute girlies ended up being perfect!

something about taking photos with your littlest love on your family homestead means a little more these days. I truly love when families want to take their photos at places that mean so much to them & helps their roots run deeper

I've known this sweet family since that oldest boy was in mommas belly and they have been coming back to me ever since. goodness that's the best and greatest compliment to me and I'll never take all the years of support from SO many clients (now friends) for granted

Long time no post-
I have SOO many sessions on my computer to share. Starting with one of my faves from the summer of the Kelly family.

Simple Minis- I typically see milestones for these but I had 2 families this year and I'm so glad because they turned out even better than I expected. It's also fun for families to change up their typically outdoors session and get a different background!

Sadly, my simple minis did not fill up this year and I was out 3 spots so I most likely won't offer these again next year.

Simple Minis- a quick session to capture this little fellas ONE year milestone and he showed up ready to give me all the smiles.

Happy First Birthday Beau🩵

Simple Minis- Black & White always steals my heart in the studio. I love getting up close for those sweet features but also pulling alway for some full body as well.

Simple Minis continued with this sweet family of 6. I have loved watching them grow over the last few years but something was so sweet about these "simple" photos of them.

Dad said they looked like an ad for Gap and I said hey I will take that as a compliment 😉

Simple Minis were a TOP fave of mine this year.
Every session turned out amazing & perfect in their own way.

This session was for some updated milestones & sweet Reese gave me TONS of personality and some sweet lovings for bubba!

Now that summer is here, I guess it's time to finally share my spring minis.

I still have Sunflower/Wildflower minis open in July. These are located in Sparta & only 15 minute spots. Perfect for a quick family, milestone, or couple updates just like these! Message to claim your spot!

Her children arise & call her blessed.

watching this little one grow into a mommy boy has been such a joy🩵

I will always say YES to adding in your mom or other family members into your session. You won't get these moments back and these kiddos grow way too quickly to miss out on photos like these.