Archive for December, 2009

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.)

Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0008Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0016Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0025Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0058Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0074Untitled-2Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0147Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0284Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0313Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0317Kuklok-Schlemmer Winter_0439If 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

my portfolio | email me

keri & ryan | wedding

December 30, 2009

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.

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

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…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.
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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.Untitled-2Johnson-Stanzel Wedding_1028Johnson-Stanzel Wedding_1088Johnson-Stanzel Wedding_1126Untitled-3Johnson-Stanzel Wedding_1581Johnson-Stanzel Wedding_1727To view Keri & Ryan’s engagement session – click here.

i’m yours,
melissa

my portfolio | email me

life lessons

December 20, 2009

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.

Buege-Ginter_EN_0370i’m yours,
melissa

my portfolio | email me

fossey family | lifestyle

December 13, 2009

The fabulous Fossey family found me through a recommendation from the equally fabulous Glassbrenner’s and trust me, they are truly fab. I met them at their house for a little Sunday afternoon lifestyle photo shoot with Rowan and his adorable baby sister Addison. Little did I know that little Rowan is a model; his photo was recently in an ad circular for Target. I might have asked him for an autograph and he might have ran away from me when I asked; clearly he is not a fan of fame.

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FosseyFamily_0001I’m usually not big on black & whites for my photos but there was just something about this image that made me love a little b&w action.

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FosseyFamily_0301FosseyFamily_0229So, there’s a story. While brainstorming shots Ben asked if I would be willing to photograph Rowan in front of the house with the family cars and, of course, I was all about it. He set the little guy up in his ‘hood outfit and Rowan gave me his best tough moves. Pure awesomeness.

FosseyFamily_0844Untitled-3i’m yours,
melissa

my portfolio | email me

frerichs family | lifestyle

December 11, 2009

I met the Frerich’s family at their Elk River home during a weekend where I was definitely feeling the stress of the holiday season but the most wonderful thing happened the minute I walked through their door; at the same moment DeDe greeted me with a huge smile, a gorgeous puppy came bounding up to me with exactly the energy I had been lacking and I felt all of the ickyness and tension melt away in a puddle at their doorstep.

There is just something about the Frerichs family and the warm and inviting atmosphere they have created in their home that made me want to stay all day (and if I didn’t have a commitment, I probably would have). DeDe and Billy are fantastic parents and love their boys with such passion; it’s so beautiful to witness.

FrerichsFamily_0034Seriously the sweetest 2 year old on the planet; Jack is a cutie.

FrerichsFamily_0110And Noah, those CHEEKS.

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FrerichsFamily_0158FrerichsFamily_0005FrerichsFamily_0207FrerichsFamily_0248FrerichsFamily_0284FrerichsFamily_0409FrerichsFamily_0439FrerichsFamily_0466FrerichsFamily_0289FrerichsFamily_0642FrerichsFamily_0655FrerichsFamily_0704I leave you with the cuuuuutest set of 6-month old portraits ever taken. Frerichs Family – you guys are awesome; I miss you already.

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i’m yours,
melissa

my portfolio | email me

matt: When are we coming home from xmas with your parents?
me: January 3rd, why?
matt: Parents are coming to Minneapolis.
me: Your parents?
matt: Yes.
matt: By the way, that was a here’s your sign moment.
me: Boo.

I thought this needed to be posted somewhere for posterity sake.

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(from Allison & Vinny’s FAB Lifestyle session)

i’m yours,
melissa

my portfolio | email me

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