It’s that time of year…

Yes, I can definitely tell it is that time of year…where it seems as though I have fallen off the face of the earth.  The only people who get to see me are those who are getting their photos taken.  Ha!  I’m being somewhat sarcastic, but a whole-lot serious.  We are in hard-core, don’t-get-behind mode.  So, there you have it…the reason for such little posting here recently.

We will be leaving soon for a much needed vacation to Colorado.  I will be sure to share some of our travels with you, so check back soon.  Once we return and get settled back into normalcy you will begin to see this place getting back to normal, as well.  In the meantime, this is what we have been up to this summer…besides the obvious.  Thank goodness for our little point-n-shoot…it is about the only thing documenting Gabe and Claire right now.  Oh, and yes, I am wearing the same zip-up in several pics…please disregard my wardrobe.  I could use more variation…someday I will go shopping.:)

Looking forward to sharing more life, photography, and kiddos soon!  xo

I know, I know…

I really should be working right now!  This is one of our craziest months and I have so much to do (and it is getting done!)! However, there are times where we have to stop and smell the roses, right? Well, this is one of those times for me…and it was so very worth it!

I recently found this random hill of black-eyed susans…had to take advantage of them! Hopefully, they will still be in bloom for one of our upcoming sessions. This little place was full of summer-goodness! Enjoy!

She looks way too big for me in this one!

Gabe was more interested in throwing rocks with daddy, so I got this series of Claire.

We were singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” during this one…;)

I have a slight obsession with this one!

My sweet boy and his missing tooth…

Angie Rajski - Mel these are totally awesome pictures!!!! Your talent is amazing and the best I have ever seen in photography hands down!!!July 1, 2010 – 10:11 pm

Julie - Oh my goodness! I LOVE these pictures!!!! They are so cute of both of them. I love the flowers!June 30, 2010 – 10:22 am

Jenni - WOW i really have no words. Amazing photography. Amazing flowers. Two beautiful kids. WOW.. love!June 29, 2010 – 6:25 pm

Jackie - WOW! Melody, these are great! I love every one of them. Your work is amazing!June 29, 2010 – 5:27 pm

Vangie Lindner - Love these pictures–they are all good. thanks for sharing.June 29, 2010 – 3:02 pm

Jenny Tallent - I love all the color! Awesome photos…as usual!!!June 29, 2010 – 1:56 pm

Michelle Dalton Kight - Love the pics….beautiful as usual:)June 29, 2010 – 1:47 pm

Morgan Zoeller - I have a slight obssession w/ the last one. BEAUTIFUL pics, Mel!June 29, 2010 – 12:10 pm

joy - These are so cute! This makes me want new pictures.June 29, 2010 – 12:07 pm

What to wear, what to wear…

Well, I have had several of you ask…what do we wear for our session?  Honestly, I get this all of the time when talking with our clients prior to their session.  I have heard it enough that I actually included a section in our portrait packet that our clients receive when booking a session with us.  It is a hard thing to put together…you’ve got money invested in your session and you are more than likely investing in clothes that will, hopefully, make the session everything you had hoped.  Yet, there is a fear that you chose the wrong colors or that you thought wearing the exact same shirt was the right thing to do.;)  Please, don’t do that!!!

So, what do I recommend?  I recommend wearing something that fits each person’s personality.  Every person is a unique individual…why dress the same when we are not the same?  You are going to remember clothing based on what fit the personality…not because everyone wore the same green shirt.  Secondly, compliment each person…hair color, eyes, figure.  We are all made differently and look different.  I have somewhat of a tendency to buy clothes for Gabe and Claire that I know will compliment their little features.  That alone will make your pictures stand out. I always take individual photos of each child…that is when the outfit they are wearing really makes a difference–the photo is all about them.  And, finally, don’t be afraid to mix and match your pattern scheme.  I actually like seeing different patterns with our families.  In our family photo above (taken by our dear friends, Nate & Amanda), Gabe and I wore solids and Claire and Jeremy wore clothing with patterns.  It allowed variety without being overtaken by the same pattern.  The best part was that I was able to find clothing that complimented each of us individually in regards to our personalities and features.  Once I saw the final images I was able to see the big picture and realized that our family photos were just as they should be…

Hope this helps…now you can book your session!;)

Happy Wednesday!

Jenni - Love the family photo. You look gorgeous!July 19, 2010 – 11:52 am

Happy Father’s Day!!!

There is nothing better than celebrating someone you love…

Happy Father’s Day, Jeremy!  You are an amazing husband and a wonderful daddy to Gabe and Claire!  I’m pretty sure that this picture sums it up…

Hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating the fathers in your life!

For the love of B/W…

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” -Henry David Thoreau

What is it about black and white photos?  I just love them…  They draw your attention to the details of the image that you may overlook if the color was there for you to see. 

Of course, I love color too…;)  Happy Tuesday!!!

Laura - i agree jenni, i would love to read a post on what to wear for family shots. LOVE these bw’s mel! what colors to coordinate, what styles colors not to combine….so confusing to me!June 12, 2010 – 6:37 am

Meredith - Yes Jenni! I would like to know too!! ;) June 10, 2010 – 3:15 pm

Jenni Hufford - love these!!! where is claire’s outfit from? LOVE. Speaking of outfits… i think you should do a post on what (or what not:) to dress kids/family in for a prof session!!!!!June 9, 2010 – 2:30 pm

admin - Meredith-I shoot in color and edit in b/w. There are times when I know immediately the image is going to be in b/w and other times I like it in both color and b/w. Thanks for writing…glad to see others who love b/w. ;) June 9, 2010 – 11:50 am

Meredith - I totally agree! i have a love hate relationship with color photos. I’m trying to love them more but for me, my and own pictures, I sometimes get distracted with the color especially with all the editing you can do these days. I can’t figure out what style I want my colored ones to have. I really LOVE bw though because there is focus, emotion, and almost another story to be told. Beautiful pictures! Also do you shoot in bw or do you like to take in all color and then edit them to bwJune 9, 2010 – 11:34 am