Photodex Corporation; September Contest Slideshow Winner 2nd Place!!

I was recently awarded 2nd place in the September slideshow contest for Photodex. The theme for September was "Wedding". This was a lot of firsts for me. It was the first wedding that I shot at, as a second shooter and it was also the first slideshow that I created. I really had no expectations of winning, so imagine my suprise when I opened my email. I've inserted a link to the right if you're interested in viewing the winning contestants. Unfortunately, the slideshow had to be cut down in order to meet the time contraints, so I've also included a link to view the slideshow in it's entirety.
You will also see a link to Erica Spencer Photography, she was the main shooter for the wedding event. If you need a photographer in the Michigan area, please visit her site.
Here's just one of my favorite images from the event.
Note: Click image to view full size

OH MY GOSH; ARE ALL BOYS THIS WAY???

Please tell me it's not just my son??!!! I quit, I'm throwing in the towel, packing it in, shutting down, terminating this endeavour. And just to prove that this is not just a one time thing, I'm posting an oldie but maybe not so goodie. Taken shortly after receiving studio lights for a practice session.
Ahh, ok... we're going back out tomorrow for some fall pictures, wish me luck!
Note: Click on image to view full size

Showcase Of Sassy Sadie

She's one of the best (beautiful) models I have and you'll likely see her a lot on this blog. There's so many things I can say about Sadie... like... Don't you just love that name??? It screams fun, unique, different and just plain sweet. It's almost like her mom just knew she was going to be all these things! She has a soft spoken way about her but has an awesome sense of humor.

Fall, fall... I love the fall!

I went out yesterday and took a few pictures to share. One is Tippy, the cutest 'lil doggie. She's a 2 year old Cocker Spaniel who belongs to a great family. She's not one of mine but still adorable to say the least. After a little coaxing, she was in the leaves laying down. Ok, so it took bribery to get her there, but hey... it worked! Who says you have to be a people to have a nice, flattering picture?

What it takes to be on the "Cover"
I had the privilege of photographing two very beautiful girls. Their inner beauty is just as apparent as their outer beauty. They are high school seniors this year, full of dreams and aspirations. Meet Ashley and Cassondra!
Note: Please click on the image to view full size

My Path
Photography for me all started with my kids, as I think it does for most. I guess I never really thought to much about it with the birth of my first. She's nearly 20 now, and in her second year of college. But as the years pass, and more children came... I started to see how quickly in just what feels like the blink of an eye, time seems to rush through the seasons. Now, our youngest is just shy of turning 2 and as I watch him with his devilish grins as he scoots a kitchen chair across the floor, trying to reach into one of the cabinets, I'm reminded of his older sister, not so long ago trying to do the same thing. It puts a smile on my face, but in my heart, there's a little saddness that she's grown into a young woman and those days when it was all just her are gone.
So, with that, I started taking pictures... of EVERYTHING. I don't want to ever forget these moments. The smiles, laughter, tears, their sports, holidays, the bond they have with each other. It's my way to remember.
Tonight I will post 2 pictures of 2 of my sons, doing what they do every day after school. They set chairs up outside, write up a game plan. And, play football! These will be just snapshots, nothing fancy.

I'm BLOGGIN'!!!! After having some difficulties with my website and needing to find a new designer, I've decided to start a blog until I have another website up and running. This will be a compilation of recent work and anything new, interesting, and exciting happening with my photography, and a little piece of my life. I hope you enjoy it!
-Melanie