Over the past year I have had ideas filling my mind with ways that I can help moms take better photos of their own children.  Do I offer a workshop?  Do I offer a series of organized gatherings?  Should I set up a blog?  The list goes on and on.  My mind is one big mess most of the time...lots of ideas to sift through.  It's amazing...  ;)

A few months back as our season was starting to wind down I had a chance to think things through again.  You see it is rather common for me to be asked questions on how to choose/use a camera, lighting, angles, basic editing (b/w, cropping, etc).  While I truly believe there is an obvious need for professional photography and having your family documented is a must, I do realize that a photographer cannot follow your children around day in and day out.  I always have moms tell me that they got a new camera, but have absolutely no idea how to use it...such a waste.  I'm not trying to build a slew of new photographers, just moms who want to document their "every day" better.  This is where my idea finally landed...

I have started a blog just for moms...a place for moms and their cameras.  I will be sharing ideas, tips, answer questions, giving things away, etc. and hope to begin thinking along the lines of some small workshops here and there in the future.  I realize how important it is to document my own children and I hope that as I help other moms, I can also encourage myself to document the "every day" better with Gabe and Claire.  Life is too short to not use a camera.  ;)  There are many times where I will look back at photos of Gabe and Claire and have tears well up.  I miss those first moments, those messy times...and while I do a great job of capturing them in fun locations and all cute I also want to remember the other times when life just happens.  Our business keeps us busy and I am forever thankful, but I don't want to miss the moments in my own life that I will not be able to capture later.  I hope that this blog will be something that we can all hold ourselves accountable to.

So, here it is:  PhotoMommas

I would love for you to go and check it out...bookmark it, add the link to your own family/personal blog, share it with other moms you know...  Feel free to submit questions you may have or things you would like to learn.  Hopefully, together we will capture every day life with our litte ones better.  

xoxoMel

And, finally, our weddings of 2009.  It is so hard narrowing these images down to just a few favorites...took so long for me to decide.  I almost did 2 slideshows, but thought I should keep it to one this year.  ;)  

In all reality, as I was looking back through our weddings I was in awe of so many amazing moments.  It is quite honoring to be able to capture someone's day, but when you go back and relive it you realize how wonderful those moments truly were.  I felt like I was a part of the day all over again...so many memories.  Every couple we come in contact with makes us want to be better...people and photographers.  Thank you all so much for choosing us and giving us the opportunity to walk into your lives...where you are.  It's because of you that we love what we do.  Hugs to all of you...love you guys...

These are in alphabetical order...easier for me to keep them organized that way.  ;)

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for such an amazing year!  

During the time that I was making this slideshow (weddings/engagements coming soon :), I was reminded of how wonderful it is to capture life for our clients.  I get teary-eyed every time...  You see, it is humbling to see the number of connections we have made with our clients.  When you celebrate with people during those big life moments (weddings, newborns, seniors, times as a family, etc) you take a little piece of them with you.  I can look back through so many of these moments below and tell you story after story...maybe because I like to talk, but even more so because they have found a special place in our hearts.  It is such a blessing to be able to do what you love and, in return, share it with others.  

As we begin this new year we are so anxious to see what it holds...new memories for new friends and new memories with old friends.  We can't wait to share life with you...it's going to be an amazing 2010!!!

Enjoy a bit of what we experienced with our portrait season in 2009...along with a few pics of Gabe and Claire.  ;)

Jack and Amy have developed a special place in our hearts.  As you will see below, they are not new to this blog.  The first time I met Amy was when I took pictures of her sweet boys, Asher and Cooper, a few years ago.  Soon after, I met Jack.  Soon after that, was another session for the boys along with Jack's proposal to Amy.  From there was their engagement session in New York and now the wedding.  It has been a fun journey and I look forward to seeing it continue.  :)

As for their wedding day...it was simply beautiful...just what they had hoped for.  Every detail fell into place just like it needed to.  Amy was absolutely stunning and Jack adored her.  As for the temperatures?  Well, a January wedding in the midwest is more than likely going to be cold...or in this case arctic-like.  So, we worked fast to still capture a winter feel without losing any limbs.  ;)  In all seriousness, we were honored to celebrate with these two and have enjoyed every minute of this journey.  They are wonderful people who happen to make an amazing couple.  I love seeing people in love...we have such an awesome job!  ;)

We are so happy for you guys...love to you both.      

Waiting patiently for his bride...love this one.

Amy checking out Jack...  ;)

The stunning bride...

Braving the cold for a few minutes...glad we did.  ;)

I love this picture of Amy...

I love this series...

The next two are my favorite...

The guys decided they wanted to climb into the tree...  ;)

These next few pictures happened within about 2 minutes, I believe.  ;)  Love it...

Amy told them to bring their boots for a few quick shots outside...and they did just that.

Love it...

Jack...your expression kills me.  I laugh every time I look at it.  

Amy seeing her boys for the first time at the chapel.

The perfect escorts...

I had to share these...  Like I said, it was more than chilly out.  It was bitter, bitter, bitter.  We supplied them with handwarmers or in Jack's case...ear warmers.  ;)

Yes, silly, I know.  We were cold and a bit...desperate.  Go with it. :)

And, if you would like to see a few more...SLIDESHOW!!!