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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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.

I’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.

So, 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.

i’m yours,
melissa

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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.

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

And Noah, those CHEEKS.

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

i’m yours,
melissa

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I first started blog-stalking following Allison when she commented on my Facebook Fan Page so when she emailed to set up a lifestyle session I just about fell over with excitement. I tried to be super coy about my excitement but by the end of our session I – literally – blurted out, “you know, I totally blog stalk you.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I am smooth like crunchy peanut butter.

As it turns out Allison is funny, sweet and charming; exactly like her blog. Charming enough to completely gloss over my word vomit. (Which means I love her.) And Vinny? Vinny laughed at my terrible, terrible Chuck Norris joke. (I don’t care if it was a pity laugh; I love him too.)

You’ll have to forgive me for the amount of images. I think this is what they call getting carried away.

I emailed Allison a vague description of this graffiti wall in downtown Minneapolis and she knew exactly what I was talking about. My kind of woman.

Cute kissers, cute kissers! I looooove cute kissers.

Look who worked in a reference to their recent Paris trip. THIS GIRL.

Gorgeous Allison.

Charlie (their pup) nearly came home with me. I loved him a little TOO much.



I want hair like Allison’s please.

Yeah, I made them kiss a lot. It’s sort-of my thing.

i’m yours,
melissa

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I wasn’t originally supposed to meet these three but when Mandy at Glimpse of Soul Photography got the flu I put on my puffy vest and flower headband (killer combo if I do say so myself) and headed out to meet this sister-sister-brother trio. Ashley, Alyssa and Cody were incredibly sweet to hide their disappointment; I think it was the magic of the flower headband.

Nothing like a little St. Anthony Main in the morning.

Ashley explained that they had booked the shoot as a Christmas gift to their parents which I LOVE. It completely put me in the Christmas spirit. (Finally!)

St. Anthony has the most amazing backgrounds to play with. I loved how game they were for my crazy “go there”….”no there”….”how about this; just trust me”. Fantastic.

Thanks guys! I had a blast laughing with you!

i’m yours,
melissa

Becky (of the fabulous Lucky Mutt Photography) and I recently arranged a photo swap where I somehow coerced her into agreeing to photograph our lab-of-craziness in exchange for a lifestyle/headshot session for Becky, her husband and their sweet-and-easy-to-photograph pup. (Let’s be honest, I totally had the easier end of the deal.)

I will admit, in the past I maybe-might-have rolled my eyes when a peer spoke about how difficult it was to photograph another photographer. With zero experience to back up my cynicism, I figured it would be like any other session; still pushing creatively (ideally) and striving to produce the best.images.ever.  

To  anyone and everyone I may have rolled my eyes at, I give to you my formal apology; my eyes will roll no more because I get it now.

PS – if you are looking for a Twin Cities Pet Photographer, I cannot explain in words (and I am a wordy person) how much I adore Becky. She has more patience in her shutter-finger than I have in my entire body. Her images of Gunnar captured exactly who he is – non-stop craziness and all. I can’t wait to be her groupie when she hits the big time.

Since she’s a pet photographer and all, I thought it appropriate to start with a photo of her gorgeous Newfie, Phaneuf.

They’re still newlyweds! And I looooooove newlyweds.

I think Ryan and Becky are crazy cute together.

I think there is something to be said for people who are fanatical over their pets. I think the capacity for that kind of love is pretty incredible. (Says the girl who is obsessed with loves her so-psycho-he’s-cute dog.)

And so starts the headshots. And so starts my pounding heart. (I was NERVOUS.)

I’m pretty sure I, very literally, jumped for joy when we cleared the bushes and saw the train tracks with the bridge and wires in the background. I l.o.v.e. it.

Becky’s megawatt smile. Believe it.

Bah, I love her.

I can’t believe I haven’t said anything about her eyes until now but have you guys seen her amazing blue eyes? So jealous.

Ending the appropriate way with my favorite shot of the day. I am a aperture nerd.

i’m yours,
melissa

If I hosted an awards show for my clients, the Graham’s would win the award for “Most Mishaps EVER to Prelude a Totally Awesome Session”. First there was the weather that cancelled the fun before it even could start, then there was what will be known as the War Melissa’s Stomach Raged Against the World, and THEN (oh, it gets better) there was the time I was 20 miles into my 40 mile journey and stopped for fuel only to find out that I had forgotten my wallet. Considering that 2 out of 3 mishaps were my fault, I would not have blamed them had they arrived with frowns on their faces but they could not have been kinder or more understanding.

It was love at first forgiveness.

I present to you the winning family of Totally Awesome-ness.

The cutest dog and little boy combination EVER.

Marianne and Ryan have been married four years and they are still so wonderfully in love. Bah, I love it!

i’m yours,
melissa

I could have photographed Dusty & Greg all day. Seriously. I loved the way their eyes lit up when they laughed together, the way she reached out for his hand, the way he protectively guided her; not as if she was fragile but in a way that shows that Dusty and their yet-to-be-born daughter are the center of his very existence.

Dusty and Greg were more fun than I could have even hoped for (Who else has offered me candy corn mid-shoot? Future clients take note.) and to witness their interactions with Dusty all adorable and pregnant made my heart feel like it was going to burst with love.

To G&D, happy 6th anniversary next weekend! I can’t wait to see where life leads you. I heart you both very much.

Love, love, LOVE

Dusty has the most perfect baby bump in the whole world.

They are the kindest, most generous people. I really adore them.

i’m yours,
melissa