yay, more wedding posts! kristen & kyle (as well as their respective families) are a-m-a-z-i-n-g! this day was a dream and i feel fortunate that years down the road as they look at their images, they’ll have the imprint of affection i have for them as a couple in each one. warmly, -melanie-
wedding notes:
reception location & catering: Spindletop Hall
cake: The Sugar Forest
florist: Martha’s Vineyard – 859.885.6069
we’ve been enjoying the best (but also busiest!) winter! we’re so excited about our duet [limited edition] mini session coming up march 13th @ keeneland!
it’s the perfect chance to throw on a great scarf & snuggle in with someone you love!
a few ideas on who this session is ideal for:
- as a gift for your adult parents (photo note: the darling mr & mrs dixon who braved the snow!!)
- get a babysitter and have an updated photo made just with your spouse (note: it’s sec tournament time so set the tivo and promise a whole interrupted day except for this one hour…and the session itself will just be 15-20 minutes)
- some ‘mom + little one’ shots (or whoever doesn’t typically get photographed because they’re always behind the camera (if it’s mom, i think it could be a sweet surprise fathers day gift for dad to unwrap)
- you with your dog :)
- two siblings
- any two people who love each other :)
details: a 15-20 minute session, $125
where: beautiful keeneland, lexington ky
times still available: All Booked!
email us (info@melaniemauer.com) soon – we’ll be taking reservations through next friday, march 5th!
can’t wait to see you! warmly, -melanie-
50 best romantic getaways via cup of jo
lots of babies are headed our way…i think this baby naming site is one of the best.
love this chandelier that’s on sale right now :)
{ show } 6 comments
friends, i’ve missed writing here more often..as we were working on the new blog, i hesitated posting too much on the old one since we weren’t sure we’d be able to import the posts (and who wants to leave cute photos behind?) but now that we’re up & running, i’m so excited to chat more often!
i’d love to share some weddings from 2009 that we’ve yet to post…first up, sweet ashley & hunt. i met ashley a few days before her wedding for a bridal session (so incredibly wonderful to have all that time with a beautiful bride – on a wedding day, our time is fairly limited) and was instantly smitten with the grace and manner with which she walks through life. warmly, -melanie-
p.s. i adore the light in the top right image.
wedding notes:
wedding planner: Alicia DeBoor of Great Expectations
location & catering: Spindletop Hall
cake: Tinker’s Cake Shop
hair and makeup: Marriott Spa
the most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.
[ morrow schwartz ]
{ show } 1 comment
big news…BIG news!
we are on the hunt for an amazing and darling person to be our office manager/client liason
here are the details:
- approx 10-15 hours per week
- must be sweet beyond compare
- pleasant & friendly
- quick learner
- incredible attention to detail & love for what you do
- organized
- on-time, super reliable
- outstanding communication skills
- cute handwriting
- available each weekday during the late morning/early afternoon for email & client communication (Mon-Fri)* and one full day per week
- familiarity with quickbooks is a plus, not essential
- available to start feb 19 (we are flexible on this for the perfect candidate)
- pay $10hr**
If you’re reading this and know that you’re the perfect person for us, please get in touch – info@melaniemauer.com with the subject line: office manager (along with a resume that may highlight special skills we haven’t listed like bookkeeping, sales, pr, design… and a little or a lot about yourself). No calls please.
And as much as I love those of you who are considering photography, my strong preference is for someone who is *not* a photographer (or hoping to be one) – we’re specifically looking for someone who is able work here long-term.
* This portion will be done via telecommute after training is complete.
** We believe that documenting our clients happy lives is SO important, and as a photographer, I want to extend that same gift – a session for you and your family will be done each and every year that you’re a part of MMP.
I’m so excited to see who writes! You’ll be a huge part of the wonderful way we spend our days and are key for keeping our life/work balanced so I’m looking forward to meeting you! -m-
resumes due feb 2nd
image via martha stewart
{ show } 3 comments
i love the start of a fresh new year…
and 2010 has heralded in so many nice things already – a bit of travel, a too fun catalog shoot. i have a pretty good idea that it will be the best year ever. and we're working on projects galore. thank you to all the incredible clients who are already setting up spring & summer shoots.
while i have that great big 'year at a glance' out, i'm jotting down fun trips & time with family because anticipation of something sweet just happens to be one of my favorite feelings aside from contentedness which is the spot i've loved being at. if you happen to have a photo shoot idea that requires travel, chat with us soon. happy 2010 to you! warmly, -melanie-
follow me on twitter
sweet emma – two days ago :)
no comments
photo: melaniemauer.com
happy holidays! we’re out of the office but wanted to pop in with a treat!
our new addition, ashleigh, brought these oh-so-yummy cookies in and we had to share the recipe!
ginger cookies
3/4 cup of shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger
2 cups flour
2 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
additional sugar in a bowl
Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and molasses. In separate
bowl, combine dry ingredients. Slowly add dry mixture to wet (this
batter becomes very thick, using a stand mixer helps.) Chill dough in
refrigerator for an hour (or in freezer for 10-15 mins). When dough is
firm, roll into balls. Roll balls in bowl of sugar (until the entire
ball is covered) and place on ungreased cookie sheet (leave room for
dough to spread). Bake at 350 for 8-10 mins. (or until they start to
crack at the top) Let cool for a moment on cookie sheet, when able to
transfer let them finish cooling on a cookie rack.
(handed down from her college friend, Allison)
snuggle in close to the people you love – see you in 2010! warmly, -melanie-
{ show } 1 comment
it’s hard to describe how lucky i feel when a couple that i witnessed marry has me to their home when a baby arrives…
and a lot of those babies are being born which makes it such a fun reunion! i look at that face and see little bits of
mom, dad, and grandparents.
i think to myself, what a lucky baby to have arrived in a home with so much love. such is the case with you baby ella. -m-
you will always be your child’s favorite toy.
[vicki lansky, trouble-free travel with children]
the cutest personalized stamps…i think i’ll make audrey one of these for her birthday
i love dreaming up getaways (and this article has lots of great ideas)
a poster to give at valentine’s day for anyone with a fiance in med school
{ show } 1 comment
i was a little weak in the knees over emily’s great boots & silk top! we were lucky enough to have an unseasonably warm day to shoot and i loved getting to know them, see how they interacted…how happy they are to be together!
i fell in love with emily (who couldn’t – she’s sweet as pie!) months ago and so I was excited to see who she had fallen in love with and picked to be beside forever. enter chad…sincere, kind & incredibly funny :)
thank you, emily & chad for pausing life for a moment to be photographed! -m-
my whole heart for my whole life.
[saying used inside rings in france]
* the perfect engagement treat for an ice-cream loving couple
* with a toddler in the house, we should stock up on these! so cute!
* i picked up some books to read during our holiday time off and think they would be so lovely with these on the pages. (sweet patterned page corners)
* cute month-by-month signs for bebe
{ show } 2 comments
happy news, my work has been published in Professional Photographer Magazine (ppmag.com). i talk a little about creating work/life balance and photography gear i prefer. yes, i’m totally blushing. and when i blush, it’s not a lovely pink to the cheeks, it’s a full ‘red as a tomato’ sort of deal ;) i’m pretty sure i’ll be this way until at *least* next tuesday. really thrilled with the wonderful company in the same article: davina fear, laura cottril & claudia kronenberg.
i’m so looking forward to the workshop (and think it’s sort of funny that this is the same beautiful inn that the wedding crashers movie was filmed at) – i’ll be speaking about…
* balance/simplicity – having a business that enriches your life
* love & kindness – their place in the business world (answer: right up front!)
* beautiful business collateral/systems that foster connection
(if you’re a photographer headed there, please feel free to write me beforehand
with any questions and i’ll make sure they’re addressed during the class)
have the best week! -m-
p.s. tonight i’ll be at bella bliss’s open house…come stop by!
{ show } 3 comments
i had a moment this evening to work on a gift for audrey’s grandparents and thought i’d share in case you have a little downtime this weekend! i think this little set of 4×6 prints (edges cut with a corner rounder) and set on a small easel are sweet. and a great way to use some of the photos you’ve taken throughout the year. if you’ve done a session with us and ordered the high resolution files, this would be easy-peasy & so cute!! warmly, -melanie-
a few options: mine below, and another
love these hangers for organizing clothes for the week
the most enjoyable registry ever to peruse
a fun list of questions to ask your children each birthday
{ show } 4 comments
This has been such an amazing week…and it’s topped off by announcing a workshop i’ll be speaking at next march. registration starts dec 1 and i’ll be joined by these wonderful photographers! i’m looking forward to meeting all of you!
Melanie Mauer <- one very excited photographer
lots of incredible content, an amazing location for learning, shooting and relaxing – so glad to be there!
we are busy elves in the office working on your orders/proofs…oh, and we have a new too cute blog in the works!
happy thanksgiving in advance wonderful clients!
out of the office: november 25-27, december 23 – january 1 warmly, -melanie-
{ show } 5 comments
hi there!
popping in with a quick reminder to come to the holly day market this week! so so excited to be there…and i’ll be available in the afternoons to chat & answer any questions you might have about family portraits. wondering where to go? what to wear? what to do with the gorgeous images you’ll get afterwards? i’ll have ideas for you about all of that along with a cozy couch to sit on while we visit :)
oooh, i want to share images of too-cute lesley. so adore this family!!!! seniors are SO fun and lesley is amazing…sweet as pie! thank you for making the drive in to lexington for this fun session…so happy to see you again in a couple days! warmly, -melanie-
A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
[coco chanel]
a commercial i love
video notes: fast forward to minute 4:30 if you want the abbreviated version. minute 5:18 makes me tear up.
thank you for letting me preserve your happy moments.
{ show } 2 comments
love a cool day where i can spend some time proofing :) here's a peek at what's on my computer! anne & frank, you are so incredibly wonderful…i feel so at home with you and anticipate your wedding with delight! -m-
the cutest playroom…look at those sweet books lined up on open shelves, bliss! let's sit on that cozy window seat and chat :)
via here
a great post on 14 books to help ease children through transitions (arrival of a sibling, starting school, moving…)
{ show } 4 comments
i love my sweet yoga teacher. i love my sweet dentist. i love a very sweet cupcake bakery. i find that my interactions with others are a highlight of my life. this week audrey’s goldfish (version 3.0 mind you) died…she was heartbroken.
as a parent, i walk into her room every day with my breath held to see if he’s still swimming…and he was…until after some friends left one evening and we were getting ready for bed. tears are falling on the floor. we removed the tank from her room and just talked a bit. and after the tears stopped i said “do you think we should end the day on a happier note?”.
“let’s play the glad game“…and so while she listened, i went on and on about all the things about her and our family and our happy life that made me glad.
and it was surprisingly wonderful. and she wants to do it every evening ;) (granted, i can’t sift out exactly what percentage of this is a delay of bedtime but we can always throw in some gladness at the end of the day to indulge a little) so, on the eve of november…i challenge you to do a little glad game of your own and see how mood elevating it is! will you share with me your thoughtful thanksgiving traditions? it’s a favored holiday of mine and i want to spice it up a little this year :) warmly, -melanie-
to the simmons family – you make me very very glad!
{ show } 3 comments
i adore the junior league’s holly day market…so fun, so many great gift items that make shopping a breeze*…
and i’m so happy that they’d like me to do mini sessions concurrently! gladly, cute junior leaguers! and while i’m at it,
thank you for the good effect your work has on our community!
this year we’ll be at the civic center…a more contemporary setting (so dress your cute kiddos accordingly)…
we’ll have options in case of inclement weather (big yay!).
details: a 15-20 min session, $125
where: downtown lexington, lexington convention center
1-2 children (or you and a child), for additional siblings please add $25/child. since these will be outside, please have children bundled in warm winter wear – maybe think darling patterned tights, boots, scarves, mittens and especially hats :)
in 4 weeks, we’ll present 3-4 too cute images. since it’s so close to the holidays we won’t be able to make to get prints back to you but if digital files are part of your purchase we’ll send those to you ahead of time so you can make prints for gifts
(shop ahead for great frames!).
* tickets for the holly day market can be purchased here
p.s. the photo above is of sweet lauren in bardstown…truly one of my favorite images of the year. oh that hair makes me smile! can you imagine having that lovely face look up at you? what a dreamy, happy life it is to be your photographer :)
{ show } 2 comments
hello to you! so, we had *the* best summer…and now *the* best fall and frankly, you haven’t seen too much of it on this dear little blog! but, i have been twittering with some regularity :) it’s been an amazing year…and I’m looking forward to sharing lots of images once the holidays wrap up!
a quick reminder that prints you’d like to have in time for holiday delivery should be ordered *this* week…
we need a bit of extra time to deal with the amount that comes in this time of year!
On to sweet Jennifer & Trey! Over the years I’ve noticed a ‘gap’ in photographs.
Too often it goes from wedding images to family shots with nothing in between.
Perhaps because in my particular case there were several years in between getting married to having Audrey, I think that can be far too long so I’ve been delighted with the anniversary shoots clients have arranged this year!
Totally smitten with these two and their ability to relish the great moments (I particularly love their travel adventures)….
i feel so strongly that photography holds a key to helping us preserve our memory of happy times. And seriously, who wouldn’t love photographs of their parents like this? There’s an image of my grandfather sitting on a fence holding a darling beagle puppy that stands out as a favorite in our collection because of the sweet smile on his face. Thank you, Jennifer & Trey for being beyond wonderful! -m-
make-up: ana crane simpson
check out: a great blog series about having a ‘first look’ with your groom from a fun wedding planner
(saundra hadley in indiana)
this talk by james nachtwey really moved me…not only are his images incredible but they stir my heart in a deep way
and I think they are powerful enough to illicit change. Well worth 20 minutes to view.
the most delightful building swathed in liberty print
all the choreographed first dances at weddings this year have been so fun!
Here’s one via Cup of Jo (you’ll see three small boxes, click on the 2nd):
love these mini chalkboards…I’m a message sort of girl: a smile on the fogged up window for Audrey, notes in a shoe or emails in the middle of the day to jason saying ‘I love you’…when I was little I had a box that I put messages back and forth in with my mom, perhaps that’s where the love stems…write a sweet note to someone you love soon.
{ show } 2 comments
photo via here
The sound of children singing
Dogs bathing in a sunbeam
Toddler girls in jumpers with striped leggings
Baby birds in a nest
Eating tomatoes fresh off the vine
Peonies the day before they fully bloom
Stepping out of a cold building into the sunlight
The moment right before the curtain opens on a broadway show
My grandmother’s voice when she discovers it’s me on the telephone
High school football games – and all that goes with them –
crisp fall evenings, marching bands, cheerleaders, proud parents
warmly, Laura
From Melanie: we’ve been thinking lots lately about our favorite things…will you join us by adding yours in the comments or offering to guest blog on the topic? thank you for letting us share so many of your happy moments :)
{ show } 2 comments
no comments