Well first of all, I try not to take myself too seriously, so it's hard for me to think about what I want to say about myself! I grew up in Florida with a very large family. My entire family has art running through their veins. My grandfather was a professional photographer, Mom and Dad both have artistic talents, and all of my siblings have a knack for being creative one way or another. so here I am, married with children and wondering how in the world I'm going to channel my passion for creativity into something beautiful, productive, fulfilling, and find joy all at the same time? So, photography became the answer and a much needed outlet.
I love people, I love love, and I love adorable little baby fat rolls! I have to be creating beautiful things at all times. Though being a full time mother and homemaker takes up most of my time, I just can't keep myself from dreaming about being an amazing wedding photographer.
Over the past five years in the wedding industry, I feel like I have become a regular wedding junkie! By recognizing the latest styles and trends, I am prepared to capture everything that is unique and fabulous at your wedding and wrap it all up into an amazing timeless package. And that amazing package is the work of art you will walk away with when the day is all said and done. How well do you want to remember it?
Recently I have also reached one of my ongoing goals of being published in a national wedding magazine. They are but two small pictures, but I am so blessed none the less (baby steps!). You may recognize some images from Kyle and Christina's Wedding at Gorge Crest Farms in Town & Country Weddings, Fall 2010 issue. I have also been featured in a few wedding inspiration blogs such as Style Me Pretty, Snippet & Ink, Style Unveiled, and Marry You Me!
I thought that Josh and Laura had a particularly cute engagement session! They have never had professional pictures taken before, so they were new to all of it, but they were naturals!
I was thrilled! And I have to say that her hair was perfection…
Love.
SO, this has been a CA-RAZY summer! I have been so busy since the spring, that I am now the worst photographer blogger of all time! Well, I was not great to start, but I think this span of time between blog posts is a record for me! Among other things like losing 30 lbs, putting in a garden, raising 3 boys, seeking growth spiritually/mentally/physically, I have managed to book a full wedding season!!! And since I am so behind, and I am going to start blogging backwards. I will start with the most recent, and go back in time to when I started to let the entries slip.
First up is my latest wedding! Ben & Michelle finally got married after a long engagement! They are both super duper sweet, and I think they make a perfect match…
First of all, Michelle was very smart to hire a wedding coordinator! Some people have the ability to be the bride AND run the show, but most of us really should be hiring that job out to someone like Shana with Sheer Bliss Wedding & Event Planning. She did an excellent job, and I really enjoyed working with her! She was on top of it, day one.
Next, I have to give a little shout out to my neighbors, Elegant Catering! No seriously, they are my neighbors. The owners live about 3 houses down from my own. Anywho, the food was FABULOUS!
Congratulations Ben & Michelle, and thank you for letting me be a part of your special day…
September 6, 2011 - 12:00 am - You've captured this wedding beautifully!
My poor blog, how I have neglected you! I have a LOT to catch you up on…
May 10, 2011 - 6:38 pm - Thanks Bunn, for letting me use your 50mm 1.2 for this one!
…has been my worst enemy this year! I can’t stand all of the rain, it’s torture. BUT, we have had a few good moments, and if you can’t beat it, join it!
Michael LOVES being outside! Even if he is soaking wet…
Henry lives in a world of make-believe these days…so cute!
Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit my home town for my little brother’s wedding! Matthew is #5 in 15 kids in our big fat crazy family to get hitched, and so far it’s been wonderful to watch our family grow. The more our family grows, the more talent we gain, and this is why I say that…we were able to pull this wedding off for under $1,000! The wedding was held at my Mom & Dad’s (John) home, Margret designed and made her own wedding dress, Matthew ran around like a chicken with his head cut off, I was the slave-driver/coordinator & wedding photographer, my mom made all of the girls dresses, my Dad (Mark) was a power horse and got a lot of junk moved, my uncle Paul was a lifesaver and covered the music (LIVE MUSIC!) for the ceremony and reception. Everything else was done by the rest of the siblings to git-er-done! I think they paid for their cake, tux, bouquet, food (cost only, the food was put together by family), some decorations, rings, and I think that’s about it! I was just blown away with what came of everyones hard work…
Their wedding was in a 1920′s theme, so we all tried to dress the part. Our week was full of dress making and hair piece gluing! It was a blast…
Margret was stuck up in the loft for about four days straight finishing her dress! She’s going to fit right in with our family, always waiting till the last minute!
She was finishing her dress clear up until the last minute…it looked amazing! Literally sewing herself in…
Above: my grandma Elsa, talking to my Michael…I traveled with him while the boys stayed with the GP’s here in Oregon.
It was exhausting, but we survived!
The perfect red lipstick…
We rushed through a few family pictures before the ceremony, and I stole a few of my mom and sister looking fabulous in their 1920′s dresses!
Jessica, looking absolutely stunning!
Mom, radiant…
They were given a copy of The Family, A Proclamation to the World…
Our uncle Paul was AMAZING! He and his preform for weddings and other events all the time…
Because we were so rushed through pictures on their wedding day, they decided to hang back the next day and do it all again!
They were so glad they did, so that we could get some more once-in-a-lifetime memories for them…
(plus, I got to do her make-up this time, so it was extra fun for me!)
February 18, 2011 - 8:44 pm - Those pictures were great. I really enjoyed reading and looking at the stuff in your site. You are very talented.
February 18, 2011 - 9:50 am - beautiful, whimsy, and so charming!
February 18, 2011 - 9:44 am - Oh Bunn, you're too sweet! Thanks guys :)
February 18, 2011 - 4:07 am - The pictures are amazing. Everyone looked great. Mel your talent amazes me. You have such a great eye for beauty. I really enjoyed looking at all of the pics.
February 17, 2011 - 10:50 pm - BEAUTIFUL!!! Such a spectacular example and inspiration for any bride who doesn't want to spend a ton, but still wants a remarkable, never-to-be-forgetten day! Fabulous images - also such a an example of how wonderful photography can make bring out the most gorgeous moments. LOVE it!
February 17, 2011 - 10:46 pm - Now, THIS is the kind of DIY wedding and wedding photography that DESERVES to be published. EVERYWHERE. You are SO talented! I'm so proud to call you friend.
February 17, 2011 - 10:29 pm - Melanie, These are absolutely lovely!! -M
Here’s my Michael. He is getting so big at 1 year old already (It helps that he eats just as much if not more than his big brothers!). I think that the year between 1-2 is just the cutest! The chubby legs, belly, and arms stage. All the gibberish. The “I-understand-you-but-I’m-going-to-see-how-long-it-takes-for-you-to-realize-it” stage. It’s all my favorite. They are still sweet, still so innocent…
…but by the looks of this irresistible face, you know I’m in for it!
by Melanie Jade
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