Thankful for.

My husband, who loves me, period. End of story.
My mom, who showed me that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
My incredible (!!) 2010 clients who taught me much about myself and became my biggest fans.
Lara Casey. Emily Ley. Gina Zeidler. (For giving me back a piece of myself.)
My amazing second shooter, Phil, who kept me sane, laughing and hydrated at every single wedding.
My friends, who made me love more than I thought I was capable and who made me laugh harder than I thought possible.
My best friend, Claire, for showing me what a Godly woman is in the midst of personal trials.
Taylor Pemberton for working so, so diligently the last 11 months on my brand (and for putting up with me).
A God who loves me even when I am not faithful.
My last year shooting with Photogen Inc and the lifelong friendships that union created.
Jenni Undis for her amazing skill in letterpress and her never-ending encouragement when I most needed it.
My 2011 clients who have already put their trust in my hands without second thought.
My family, who cheered me on and picked me up when I fell.
My MTH Besties who bless my life daily.
My blog readers & commenters without which this would not nearly be as fun. (And then I would be that girl talking to myself.)

To every single person who has sent encouragement, laughter or criticism my way, thank you. Melissa Oholendt Photography would not be the force-to-reckon-with business it is without you. I would not be who I am without you.

Please pass the mashed potatoes.

I grew up watching a lot of Walker, Texas Ranger. (Just going to let that sink in for a line…)

Now that you have recovered from the shock, I guess saying “grew up” is misleading; like someone else was watching the show and I just happened to be in the same room when the reality is that I watched it on my own. In secret. With passion. Oh, yes. This city girl has a very, very small and until now very, very hidden country side. If I owned cowboy boots, I’d wear them probably more often than would be socially acceptable as a tribute to my love for Chuck Norris and his Cordell Walker character (if J.Crew starts carrying cowboy boots, someone will need to take away my Visa, please).

I’d watch his roundhouse kicks and the way he was able to stop charging animals with his signature Chuck Norris stare (You thought I was joking didn’t you?) and while the already forming mini-city-girl in me laughed at the true campiness, I did kind-of think that maybe one day I would live near Dallas, Texas and own a house surrounded by miles and miles of open space.

So, that said, it may come as no surprise that this super-secret-part-country-girl longs to photograph couples in fields of tall grass and open space. Throw in a red barn in the background and I’m in heaven. Of course, the irony is that I am indeed a city girl; even dreams of country living couldn’t stop that from happening. But give me a camera and I turn into that denim-skirt-pigtailed-Walker-Texas-Ranger fan and I find myself pulling off the side of the road to bring my (infinitely trusting and wonderful) clients into open fields drenched in sunshine.

Oh, Walker. I think I love you.