As Kenny whispered, “I love you” just above Megan’s shoulder, her face turned ever-so-slighty in his direction and she smiled softly and whispered “I love you too”. It occured to me in that moment, if I had blinked I would have missed it; the scene happened so fast and in such a natural way that it was clear it really wasn’t meant for my benefit. They weren’t acting because I had a camera in my hands; they were doing what they always do and that was simply to love one another.

Those are the moments I live for; the moments that, everytime, stop me in my tracks and make my heart explode.

Megan & Kenny reminded me of my passion. Together they brought back the heart pounding that literally floods my ears and brings tears to my eyes and I will never be able to thank them enough for that.

Location: Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

i’m yours,
melissa

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I had so much riding on this trip to Southern California; so many hopes, so many wants, so many needs. I still have much left to process but I know this: I know that trip changed my business. I know that trip changed me. I know that the JNP Workshop set things in motion that will forever determine how I function as a businesswoman and it will forever remind me to remain true to myself.

I made lifelong friends that I am thrilled to grow with and I deepened existing friendships to a level that I can’t even speak about without getting emotional.

It was the best and worst trip of my life and I wouldn’t change one single thing.

Can’t wait to share.

ps – isn’t my Gina friend simply stunning?
i’m yours,
melissa

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I’m a BIG Christmas fan. Always have been. Up until the year Matt and I married, I spent most Christmas mornings from 2:00am to 5:00am tossing and turning having internal fights with myself about the merits of staying in bed versus getting up to snoop ONE MORE TIME. I was an expert level tape unsticker and had mastered the art of rewrapping a gift to perfection; if there were an award given, I would win it. Hands down.

At some point during the years where my little brother was old enough to understand the Santa concept, I took my sneakiness a step further. At 6:00am every Christmas morning I would sneak into my little brother’s room and wake him up, whispering that Santa had come and eaten the cookies we left out (yes, this makes me a manipulator). He would run from his room to my parents room, inevitably screaming that SANTA HAD COME, SANTA HAD COME. People, I did this almost every year for 10 years. TEN YEARS.

My parents could never figure out how my little brother – who has always been fan number one of the concept of sleep – would miraculously wake up at 6:00am every Christmas morning. I should be hanging my head in shame. Should be. But I don’t because, secretly, one of my favorite memories of Christmas was the look of pure joy that my little brother’s face contained when I would wake him up.

I’ve never told him that but it’s one of those special moments that he and I would share every Christmas morning and this Christmas, as I knocked on his door to wake him up (at a very humane 9:00am, thankyouverymuch), I was vividly reminded of those looks of his.

You may be wondering what this has to do with Matt & Lizzie. I promise there is a point to this long story.

If you’re new to the ol’ blog; Matt is my little brother (not to be confused with husband Matt; we’re totally a nickname family) and Lizzie is his beeeeeautiful girlfriend Lizzie (whom I adore). That look of pure joy that I was referring to earlier? I see it all the time when they are together. And to this sister who is her little brother’s biggest fan? That look means more than I can say.

While I was home for Christmas, we headed into the Big Apple for some Central Park goodness.

i’m yours,
melissa

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I’ve sat down to write this post 3 or 4 times this week. It’s not unusual for me to take some time to write the story for but this story has been the hardest for me to write. Cinnamon contacted me about getting her extended family together for a lifestyle session; she explained that instead of purchasing individual gifts for each other at Christmastime, her family chooses to get out and do things as a family as their gift to each other. Yes! I’m in! But then the next line hit my heart; she told me that her father was sick and under hospice care and that really, they wanted family photos to look back on and remember.

I almost emailed her back and told her I could do it. Almost. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, or I didn’t care enough about Cinnamon, Steve and Cece to want to do this for them; the opposite in fact. I didn’t know if I could do this. I love to invest in my clients; I love to get to know them and connect with them and on that level, I didn’t know if I could be strong enough to do this for them without turning into a puddly mess of tears. But I realized my fears of being connected were the exact opposite of what I have based my business on. I knew that if the tables were turned, Cinnamon would go out of her way to help me and I knew I wanted nothing more than to do the same for her.

We met the weekend before Christmas and this family blew me out of the water with their laughter and kindness. I showed up expecting nothing and they gave me such a beautiful example of the love of a family.

i’m yours,
melissa

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I want to tell you a story. There once was a girl who believed so much in a fundraiser for cancer that she offered to shave her head if donations were to reach a certain level. Well, they did and she did. And she is fabulous.

i’m yours,
melissa

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I made a promise with myself this year that I would only book weddings & couples that I had an honest and true connection with; not because the connection was lacking with my 2009 couples but because, by the grace of God, I had formed a deep and heartfelt friendship with the bride and groom for every single wedding. For me, that connection has become an integral part of my success and quite frankly, adoration over the images I produce.

Well, I love Kristina & Rob; dotting-my-i’s-with-hearts-and-using-bubbly-exclamation-points kind of love. I first met them for a late morning breakfast and over french toast and coffee and we laughed together for almost THREE HOURS. We clicked like peanut butter and jelly. They told me how they first met, how Rob proposed and what they dreamed their wedding to be. (It’s going to be amazing, in case you are wondering…) I fell in love with the way Rob looks at Kristina, the way she rests her head on her hand, Rob’s hair color (redheads unite!) and the fact that at the end of the day they just want to be with each other. They pretty much rock.

Does anyone know how hard it is for 2 Fuji Instax pictures to develop in 30 degree temps? WE DO! (Totally worth it.) i’m yours,
melissa

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For me personally, last year will be known as the year I grew more as a human and in passion than I ever thought possible. I started out 2009 not knowing what or where to point my camera (yes, really) and to look back and compare where my head was at on that day versus where I am today is so humbling. Truth be told, I didn’t set a single goal last year (that fear of failure thing is a powerful road block) but 2010 should watch it’s back because I have plans.

To my 2009 clients: thank you. I would be nowhere without your trust, encouragement and fanfare. I love you all and will never forget the faith and kindness you showed me.

To my 2010 clients: I am honored and thrilled to share this journey with you. This year is going to rock. I hope you guys are ready because it’s about to get interesting.

i’m yours,
melissa

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It’s for certain, my favorite thing about Jessica and Jon is that they laugh together – a lot. Not small, polite laughter but real genuine you-are-the-funniest-person-in-the-world laughter. And it was cold. Really cold. Like 18 degrees Minnesota cold. But THIS is why I have the best clients in the world – they don’t even look cold. They laughed and cuddled and kissed as if they were in the tropics. (If I were cheesy, I would say their love keeps them warm but, you know, I’m not cheesy. So. Prettysuretheirlovekeepsthemwarm.)

If Jessica & Jon look familiar, we did a fall engagement session in October. See how awesome they are? Fall engagements, winter engagements…bring on the spring.

i’m yours,
melissa

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Sometimes I look back on life and see the experiences that brought certain people into my life and I feel so blessed to see these friendships come full circle in the manner that they do. Keri & I met in the first few months after my move from Utah to Minneapolis and I can truly say to know Keri is to absolutely fall head over heels in adoration.

Ryan & Keri’s love is pretty phenomenal, so it wasn’t at all surprising when an entire school stood behind and supported their marriage. When Keri emailed me a couple months back to let me know that their wedding plans had changed from eloping to a small wedding in the library of the school where they first fell for each other I knew it was going to be something special. When I saw the work the teachers and students had put into creating a library and hallway worthy of a wedding, it nearly brought me to tears. These two are not only special to me but also to so many others and it was tangible.

To Keri & Ryan – thank you for creating a wedding that was truly about your love and allowing me to capture that. I adore you both and can’t wait to see where life leads you.

Keri & Ryan opted to do a First Look which, of course, I am a HUGE fan of because…

…this face. This face is about 99% of why I love photographing weddings. The look a groom has when he first sees his bride contains enough love to power New York City.

So, this was a first for a wedding – Nordy, the Minnesota Wild mascot came by for a little photo op. He’s a sassy guy.To view Keri & Ryan’s engagement session – click here.

i’m yours,
melissa

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Hi, my name is Melissa and I am a member of Infrequent-Bloggers-Anonymous.

That’s right, my name has been conspicuously missing from your Google Reader listing this month, and while I’d love to claim that I was actually doing you a favor this holiday season and staying out of your hair, the truth is that I have been busy learning some very important lessons. Lessons (I think) would be beneficial to share.

Lesson #1: While it is muy-muy important to back up your images, it is also muy-muy important to back up the OTHER information on your computer. Because one day, when your hard drive dies after only 10 months, you will spend countless hours recreating custom Photoshop actions, bookmark links and redoing all your computer settings that made life so easy before crash. And it will always happen at the worst possible time during the busiest time of the year. And you will start rocking back-and-forth in the fetal position, praying for strength when you encounter yet another thing that you didn’t back up. Just saying.

Lesson #2: If your gas or electric company offers a household service plan that covers furnace/water heaters/washer-dryers? Purchase that bad boy this minute. Sure, there is a possibility that you will never need or use this service plan but if by chance the temperature control on your water heater goes out on a Monday and the average temperature outside is a very brisk 20 degrees and all you want is a hot shower because taking a non-hot water shower from water pipes that are coming from a 20 degree outside temperature is NOT AN OPTION – trust me on this one – you will be glad you have the service plan. Even if it takes 5 days and 2 part delivery attempts… It. Was. Free.

Lesson #3:  Make besties with your neighbors. This is important when your water heater is out. They have hot water; you do not.

Lesson #4: Learn to feel blessed through the stress. Eleven photo sessions in 20 days is draining, but without my amazing clients I would be nowhere. And for that I am grateful.

Lesson #5: It truly is better to give than to receive. A post on this later.

I have so much to share with you and can’t wait to do so but first I’m taking a week off to love on my (very neglected) family. I wish you the very Merriest Christmas.

i’m yours,
melissa

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