Ok, so I didn’t make Friday this week for the fashion ideas. But I’m only a day late. So in celebration of Valentine’s Day, this week’s clothing ideas all have a red theme.

I love the new Villa collection from The Gap. I actually just picked up some very similar pieces at our local GAP outlet. However, the outlet pieces are in white, green and blues rather than the red. But the designs are the same and the cuteness factor is still high. Besides, I love green so I was not disappointed!

Baby Girl from The Gap

Toddler Girl, also from The Gap

The boy clothes this week come from Gymboree. Very stylish!

Baby Boy from Gymboree

Toddler Boy from Gymboree

Well, it’s not Friday but it’s close! Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. In celebration of V-day, the theme for today’s fashion showcase is red and white! The GAP has some adorable outfits in their new Villa Collection for spring. Outfits for the boys are from Gymboree’s Rock On line.

Well, it’s not Friday but it’s close! Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. In celebration of V-day, the theme for today’s fashion showcase is red and white! The GAP has some adorable outfits in their new Villa Collection for spring. Outfits for the boys are from Gymboree’s

Michelle and Troy are expecting in April! I am so excited. Not only is he sure to be as cute as his big sister, but I get to be the one to capture his newness in those first few days…I am so lucky!

Michelle was such a great model this weekend! I had so many ideas and she just went right along with me. It is so fun to photograph expectant mommies. Sometimes, I don’t think we realize how truly beautiful we are when we are pregnant…even when we feel like a house! But what is more beautiful than the promise of new life?

Thanks you guys. It was so fun to spend the day with you! Love you all and I can’t wait for the little “man cub” to arrive! xoxo

One of the questions I get asked the most is “What should we wear?” And it’s true, what your child wears to a photo session is very important. After seeing a fellow photographer post something similar on her blog, I have decided to showcase some clothing and outfits that would be perfect for photo sessions. Hopefully, this will get some ideas flowing for you! This is just a starting point, but if you like what you see I will provide a link to the store.

Spring is on its way. The spring lines are in the stores now and oh my, there is some CUTE stuff!

This week I have chosen clothing from The Gap and Old Navy.

First, for little boys (size 0-5T) from Old Navy. They are having a great sale too!

and for little girls, also from Old Navy. I was hoping to find a cute pair of rubber boots to pair with the striped tights and skirt, but Old Navy didn’t have them… that would make this outfit to die for!

Here are a few more adorable choices for little girls, this time from
Baby Gap. These are from their Lawn Party collection in their toddler girl line.

and for toddler boys…layers are key. Baby Gap

Oh how I love green. This little green top is just too cute… paired with the yellow short cardigan and bright white capris. Does this scream Spring Is Here or what? For bigger girls, from Gap Kids

and the ultra cool, older boy in your life… most from Gap Kids. The polo shirt and bracelets are from American Eagle kids line 77 Kids. Cool stuff there!

Hope these were helpful. I will be posting more in the weeks to come. Remember, you can always email me with questions!

Don’t look so surprised!

You will now have the luxury of purchasing the digital files from your session! I have created several different options that range from purchasing the entire session to buying single images (a 5 image minimum is required). I will also be including a musical CD slide show of your proofs with the purchase of a portrait collection! How cool is that? Please send me an email if you would like more information on the details and pricing.

I have also created a client site that will be available to all of my fabulous clients before their session. It includes information and pricing on all of my photos, collections and specialty items. It also is a great place to get ideas on what to wear and find out just what to expect at your photo session. I’m very excited about it and hope you will find it very helpful.

I have been an admirer of Nancy Noel and her angel art for many years. Her book, Believe, is filled with beautiful paintings of angels, each with a special name that describes her.

This is my angel.

If you would like me to use the angel wings with your child during a photo session, please let me know before the session so I can include the wings with my props. I have wings for newborns, babies and toddlers.

there are angels among us.
Sent down to us from somewhere up above.
They come to you and me in our darkest hours.
To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.
To guide us with a light of love.

“Angels Among Us” – Alabama

New Year’s Eve and I’m sitting here with my Starbucks white chocolate Americano catching up on some of my favorite blogs. I probably should be folding the mountain of laundry that is staring me down (again!) but who wants to fold laundry on New Year’s Eve?

2008 has been such an amazing year… and definitely one that has gone by way too quickly. We have had the joy of watching Maddy grow from a sweet and cuddly newborn into an even sweeter and happy little one year old. My little man learned to ride his bike like a pro, is learning his letters and sounds and is wanting to read so badly, and continues to amaze me when it comes to his imagination and his artistic, creative abilities. In 2008 our family said good-bye to our old boy Louie, the yellow lab we had for 13 years. He is waiting for us with Payton and others at the Rainbow Bridge. Have you seen the movie Marley and Me yet? Well, Louie could give Marley a run for his money in the wild and crazy department. He’s already been gone 5 months… but we still miss his joyful spirit and goofiness everyday.

And 2008 was the year I got to know so many of YOU and had a chance to do something that I love and have become so passionate about…photography. I have been updating my website this week (check it out!) and it’s funny how photographs take you back to that place in time. Looking through them put me right back there with your sweet, precious newborns and your joyful and giggling toddlers. I hope they do the same for you. Thanks again for an incredible 2008 and best wishes for 2009!

And of course… there has to be pictures too! I wanted to include pictures of my kids as I see them right now at the end of 2008. It’s not always about the *perfect* picture – for me it’s about capturing the moment… here are two …

This is Will’s idea of posing. He likes to point his fingers. You wouldn’t believe how many pictures I have with his fingers pointing just like this. He is a silly one, a completely adorable goof-ball!

And Maddy…the sleepy one. She has truly been such a dream baby from the moment we brought her home. Here she is cuddling with her bunny that she can’t sleep without. This picture is far from *perfect* but it will help me remember those quiet moments when I sneak into her room to watch her sleep…

Just wanting to wish all of my clients and friends a Merry Christmas! Thanks so much for a wonderful year. During this little holiday break, I will be updating my website with many of the images from our sessions this year. So be sure to check it out soon! Looking forward to 2009 (especially those newborns that are already scheduled!)

I hope you enjoy your holiday with the ones you love most…

xoxoxo
- Melissa

Well, it happened today. My baby girl took her first steps. Only 2 little ones and then she quickly sat down because crawling is much faster. But it means she is growing up way way too fast.

She celebrated her first birthday this week. It’s hard for me to believe that her babyhood is almost over. But I must say, I am the luckiest mommy in the world to be the mother of two wonderful children. Will with his never-ending spirit and Maddy with the gentle soul. They compliment each other so well.