i heart grand rapids

you know what’s fun? traveling to a place with no expectations and being totally blown away by how wonderful it is.  embarrassingly, i thought grand rapids was like a mini version of detroit.  and well, detroit has seen happier days, right?  but no, grand rapids is f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c…particularly when you’re invited by the most fantastic photo lab on the planet, stay at this wonderful hotel (close to the art museum pictured!) nestled in one of the nicest mid-sized downtowns i’ve seen in ages, meet tons of great area photographers and wrap up the day with a gathering here and get to know dee, from red letter words. what a wonderful tuesday and wednesday :)

we choose our vendors carefully…and while I’ve been so happy with our lab, it means a lot to now *know* them.  to meet Tim & Dee and see the impact for good they have on the lives around them. i’m not typically one to be impressed so quickly (well, client cuteness at a photo session aside!)  – but when i see a business that operates to the ideals that i hold close, and a couple that moves so happily through this life as they do…I walk away feeling enriched and grateful for the time in their company.

glad of heart for the chance to have been blown away by Grand Rapids…thanks for letting me gush!  (hope to get back there one year for the art prize event GR hosts!) A big big thank you to everyone at Color Inc…you are wonderful beyond compare!

summer afternoon [ lexington portrait photographer ]

just a little encouragement to sit back and enjoy all that summer holds. warmly, -melanie-

summer afternoon – summer afternoon;

to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the english language.  [ henry james ]

fabulous finds

here are the links to the items above!  diy play kitchen, disguise kit enjoy the weekend!  warmly, -melanie-

come see melanie – july 29th 3-7pm

We’re thrilled to participate in the book signing for author, Sharon McGukin who will be demonstrating bridal bouquets and florals for your wedding day along with signing copies of her new book, Flowers of the Heart.  Have you been in the Best of Flowers recently? So many cute things!  If you’re a bride, or just love flowers…please stop by!  I’d love to see you!

Also in attendance:

Lundy’s Catering * Martine’s gourmet wedding cakes * Jacki Allen

Thursday, July 29th – 3-7pm – @ the Best of Flowers – 807 Chevy Chase Place

rachel + roy [ lexington photographer ]

i love anniversary shoots…since the first anniversary gift is paper, i think they’re a perfect way to celebrate! this session fell on a really incredible day – rachel’s graduation celebration (she was on her way to see wicked later)!  i feel so honored that clients choose a session with me as a way to mark these really iconic times in their lives…and all the moments in between.  this sweet couple lives right around the corner from me so i’ve had to resist knocking on their door to say ‘hey, i just made great lasagna – want some?’.  so, without further ado, the crazy cute rachel & roy…yes, rachel has *the* sweetest bike around and she picked up the most darling bunch of huge peonies prior to the shoot!

To love is to find pleasure in the happiness of the person loved. [ Leibnitz ]

P.S. If you’re a photographer in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, I’d love to meet you at the School of Photography later this month.  I welcome your questions in advance (just email me) and I’ll address them during our Q & A or work them into the presentation.

quote of the day

bella bliss [limited edition] mini session

i happen to love a great bow tie…and these ties are such fun!  via the always great once wed

have you been enjoying a lovely summer?  last night, jason & i went with audrey to ‘the music man’ at the kentucky (i love their summer classic series), it was packed and so much fun…if you head to roman holiday next wednesday, be sure to pick up tickets *early* – they’ll be on sale beforehand :)

it’s mini session time….yay!  we’ll be at gratz park near bella bliss (and sweet bella bliss is offering you 20% off purchases that day and prior to that day for outfits that you’ll be wearing in photos…yay!)…just 6 openings so email becca for a spot as soon as you can!

bella bliss [limited edition] mini session
when: friday, july 30th
where: near bella bliss (in lovely gratz park)
details: a 15-20 minute mini session with your cute kiddo, $125

kindly pick your preferred time:

3:00

3:30

4:00

4:30

5:00

5:30

1-2 children (or you and a child!), for additional siblings/persons please add $25ea.

in 4 weeks, we’ll present 3-4 too-cute images in a special online ordering gallery.  our digital file set* (available for purchase) might be the perfect thing for getting updated photos on your tabletops. so between now and then, keep an eye out for darling frames, pop in a 5×7 and you’ll have a fun surprise for grandparents/godparents/dad’s office desk!

write soon, these go fast! can’t wait to see you! -m-

sam and avery

totally, absolutely, unabashedly smitten with this wonderful mom of two…she’s a rare talent with design/paper (a big melanie weakness) and couples that with incredible professionalism (and oh, how i love that combo!). i felt like this was a true collaboration…the loveliest way to create family photographs.

we find such delight in the

beauty and happiness of children

that it makes the heart too big for the body.

[ ralph waldo emerson ]

lexington engagement photography: ashlie + anthony

i adored meeting ashlie & anthony…we went to a beautiful family farm (what a treat!!) and of all the images, this one probably tied as a favorite because it speaks of holding those you love close.  there’s something incredibly sweet and unassuming about these two and they seem perfectly content with one another’s company. ashlie & anthony, i’m glad to have met you a few weeks before you become mr & mrs…grateful for your warmth that made me feel instantly at ease by your side.  i’m so hopeful that there are more moments to document your family as the years unfold.  enjoy each day together (somehow, i already know you will)!  warmly, -melanie-

we’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant.

you can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s

going to get on by itself. you’ve got to keep watering it. you’ve got to really look after it.

[ john lennon ]

summertime

summers are always so busy on my end, but this year, i’ve also been especially conscientious about savoring the season.  there’s something about this time of year that has left me mindful of countering the rapid pace of life with a more balanced way of living that picks quality over quantity.

last week, my husband called and asked if we could head to hilton head…in a few hours!  so after delegating and rearranging, we were on the road for our previously scheduled staycation and found ourselves beachside.  so grateful for this new summer memory to hold in my heart.  here’s to you, to summer…and to life.  so glad to be near you.  xo, -melanie-

love*love*love silly 4 yr olds!  (audrey + a bottle cap on a bicycle break this past weekend)

lexington baby photographer [wells elizabeth]

newborn sessions have been incredibly stirring as of late…yes, there’s sleeplessness, and piles of laundry, and lots of new baby gear but there’s also a sweet peace that wraps a home.  life slows down a bit so you can get to know the newest member of the family, family and friends stop by and you work out a new rhythm (ie: who is taking the 3am feeding?).  welcome to the world, baby wells…you’re doing an incredible job making your corner of the world happier :)

be ready. here comes life. [ maya angelou ]

Quote of the Day – Simplicity

happy monday: wedding & engagement session find

thinking these umbrellas would look mighty cute with some bridesmaids in navy :)  (they also come in yellow and are just $15 – insert smile here-!)  warmly, -melanie-

cute stamps for kiddos

a wonderful baby shower gift for your fave mom-to-be

p.s. our garden is bringing us so much happiness, and likely lots of tomatoes sooner rather than later!! To be prepared, do you have a favorite salsa recipe :)?

if you work really hard, and are kind amazing things will happen

via jonathan canlas

conan came on waaaaaay past my bedtime (friends know that i’m not a night owl!) so if you stitched together the times i saw him, it might add up to 5 minutes ;) but i loved this heartfelt closing.  have a great day everyone!  warmly, -melanie-

st. joseph east women’s care center

thank you, thank you to the brand new saint joseph’s women’s care center for requesting my images for their hallways & patient rooms.  i’ve always been glad of heart that my photographs were in homes – an incredibly intimate setting and yet, as i took a tour, i was a bit taken aback at how much it meant to see the clients i love and adore in one place.  saint joseph has featured over 100 of our gallery wrapped canvases in their wonderful hospital dedicated to women’s health.  i gave birth to my sweet daughter at st. joseph east and ashleigh, our production manager will have her son there in the fall so we know a bit first hand about the incredible nurses and wonderful experience they provide. we felt so connected to this project which, by the way, wouldn’t have been possible without ashleigh…thank you for adding your talent, organization & gifts to this project :)    i’m one lucky photographer!  (and i figure a public pat on the back is well-deserved even if i made you blush a little)   -melanie-

p.s. brittany & angela, thank you for making the call and inviting us to be a part of this!  we’ve heard so many sweet comments!

kristin + adam

i see a few more weddings than the average person, i’d guess ;)  and amongst the most stunning, will always be this one.  soaked in beauty from the first moment to the last.  kristin & adam, so impressed with the way you gather your friends and family to celebrate life’s incredible occasions!  warmly, -melanie-

wedding notes:

ceremony and reception location: Stone Creek Farm

florist: Crist Creona Designs

caterer: Dupree Catering

cake: Martine’s Pasteries

dress: Jim Hjelm

shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti

quote of the day

hats and handbags [ lexington cancer foundation event ]

hello friends!  i love showing you how i spend my days – and this was such an incredibly lovely one with the lexington cancer foundation.  definitely plan to come next year if you weren’t there this year!  have the best weekend…i’m dodging the rain (fairly successfully, right ashlie??) today and having a wonderful time doing so :)  warmly, -melanie-

quote of the day

association of bridal consultants meeting

a few months ago, i co-hosted a meeting for the wedding planners & professionals in our state alongside the amazing mackenzie spalding of one fine day. here’s a peek :)  huge thanks to the incredible businesses who made it a dream of an evening:

dupree catering

best of flowers

purdon’s rental

martine’s

the blu sash

silverbox

location: the bodley bullock house

if you’re a bride-to-be looking for a planner, i think this organization is incredible!  warmly, -melanie-

p.s. we’re booking sessions in the fall (i know, already!!)…so if you have your eye on the calendar and think that would be the perfect time to scoop up your family and play for an hour or so, send us an email!