It is the last day of 2010. Looking back it has been one crazy and great year. The youngest of my clan just turned eight yesterday and we celebrated by having several eight year olds spend the night.....whew.
But 8 years old, my goodness it seems like a few days ago he was 5 minutes old. The sippy cups are long gone and have been replaced by Star Wars coffee cups. Gone are the baby board books, now their shelves are full of comic books, Lego sculptures and rock collections. They don't want tear free shampoo, instead they want ax body wash. And they say things like " Don't kiss me in front of my friends." ...sigh... where has the time gone?

Reflecting on my business is easy. I can't say it enough that I am so lucky to be doing a job that is wonderful, fulfilling and creative. There is balance in my work, photographing happy moments for some and capturing treasured moments of short lives for others. You know that sense of being and doing exactly what you were meant to do, well I feel it constantly.
The upcoming year will be greeted with open arms. My new shop is coming along nicely and will offer great shooting opportunities for myself and other photographers. I am so excited.... I bet you can't tell.

Happy New Year all, make it count!
Melissa

It is time to spill the beans....

My studio has moved to a new location. I am very excited about this and it has been in the works for about a month. Today some final touches go in, and then it will be open for business.
I am anxious to share this new space with everyone. If it all goes as planned I will be posting a couple pictures in the next day or so. But, if you are curious and you want to check it out before then, come on down to 207 South Main Street.

Hope to see you soon.
Melissa

Today is December the 3rd. I have been on blogging hiatus for about three weeks. I have missed posting, and I am happy to be back up and running.

Lots of things going on. Tonight I will be taking pictures with Santa for Charity. This event will be from 6-8 on Main Street in Lexington. Tom Hall has been gracious enough to set up a tree in the lobby of his art gallery for the portraits. And our wonderful Santa from last year will be returning. All proceeds will go to The American Children's Home in Lexington. This is a great chance to give, and for just $25.00 you will recieve one 5x7 and 2 4x6 prints. Please come out and get in the holiday spirit.

Joyce Suggs will be helping me this evening.... I wonder if she will show up dressed as and elf?

There is also some other BIG news.... I can't say all the details just yet... but it involves a new set of these:



The details will have to wait. For now I leave you with a sweet picture of an adorable little gal.

It was a beautiful fall day to be outside taking pictures. Here are a few from this weekend.

There is something to be said about the love you feel for your close friend's children. These two little girls have been my guinea pigs from day one of photography.

I have to say that they are both getting good at modeling, but watch out world because the youngest is only three and she already knows how to work it!!

I have frequented Tanglewood dozens of times over the past couple months. It is my favorite park to shoot in because it offers so much diversity. I am amazed that more families don't take advantage of the great local escape.









Here is a little history on the park.

History of Tanglewood Gardens

Tanglewood Arboretum was claimed by Sir Walter Raleigh for Queen Elizabeth on
March 25th, 1584.

Among the earliest European settlers of the Yadkin River Valley was William Johnson, an immigrant from Wales. In 1757, just four years after the Moravian settlement of the Wachovia Tract, in the nearby communities of Bethabara and Salem, Johnson purchased the mile square portion of the present Tanglewood Park.

Johnson built a fort overlooking the Yadkin River to protect his family and neighbors from attacks during the French and Indian War. He died in 1765. A simple frame church was built in 1809 next to his grave and remains as one of the Park’s architectural attractions.

Into my studio bounced two little balls of energy and joy. These sisters were sooo adorable, I think if I were their mother I would never put down my camera. Oh, wait I never put down my camera anyway.

This web-savy bride found me while in town for work. I am ever so glad she did because I had a fantastic time shooting at Tanglewood with them.





At the end of the session they shared a really neat new product with me. This is the FujiFilm Instax 210 Instant camera. It brings back the old school Poloroid technology. And with film costing less than a dollar a shot, I think this is a great deal.

This very sweet little boy had a equally sweet little sister.



The rain kept us inside for this session, but lucky for me both of the kiddos did great in the studio.

After spending Sunday afternoon around a somewhat angry dog (I swear I could hear him think he would like to take a bite out of me) I am happy to report that I am still intact. The grumpy dog's friend tried to make it up to me by bringing me an egg plant and instisting that it be used to play fetch. I have never seen a dog so fond of vegetables.



This house was a perfect spot for pictures. The pictures turned out fantastic, and it was hard to pick just a few for the blog. We had so many great areas to work in. And my goodness we couldn't have ordered better weather.

The air is really changing and so is the light. My last session of the day has now moved back to the 5:30pm time slot. I can't believe how fast the year has flown by. It seems like it was just spring and I was looking forward to longer evenings of shooting. Now here we are surrounded by Christmas decorations at the local box stores.

I was thrilled to head to a new location tonight and was happy with all the variety. Is there anything cooler than old cars? An who would ever have thought that soy beans would make for a perfect backdrop. Here are a few favorites.










Have a great weekend everyone, I will be missing out on the BBQ festival to shoot a wedding. ( I must say I am more excited about the wedding)

Melissa

I had the treat of seeing a client on Monday that I adore. Here are a few from the session.

One baby is great, but two melts your heart into a big pile of mush.

Two leaves your heart saying ... "another baby would be so great".

Two babies makes you realize what a blessing a sibling is.




Have I ever mentioned on this blog how much fun I have at work?

So here's the deal: Send in the story of a couple who really deserves free photography for their wedding. You can even send in your own story!

You MUST attach a photo. Send the email to: msheetsphotography@yahoo.com

What I am looking for:
-A couple who has a wonderful story or who has overcome great odds -The couple must be getting married in 2011
-The couple must be willing to appear on this blog and website and have their story on this blog -
The winner will receive:
- 6 hours of wedding day coverage
- Online posting of all images -
- DVD of high resolution images.
- All travel fees for myself, if applicable

The specifics:
SEND IN ENTRIES TO:
msheetsphotography@yahoo.com
NO LATER THAN December the 15th 2010

The winner will be chosen by myself and my team of judges and announced on December 25th 2010.......SO email this link out, nominate a deserving friend, and spread the word--I want a really wonderful, deserving couple to do this for this year. GOOD LUCK! I can't wait to read all the entries!

Melissa

Today was such a great day for a session. Not to hot, not to cold and some great kids to work with. We met at Glendale for a fun session with cousins. Here are a few favorites from the afternoon.