Any day is a good day when you get to spend it with a tiny newborn. I met Kelly and Ray when I photographed their wedding. I was thrilled to hear that they were expecting and honored when they came back to me to photograph their new little girl.

This morning I came across this moth creature on my porch. And when I moved him he flew down onto a path in the backyard.

At first impression I thought his markings looked like dead wood.



But then he opened his wings.






I don't know the type of moth, but I hope he sticks around my yard because he was really interesting.

(Click on these pictures to view them larger) I am glad I am not on his meal plan.

Last night I met a brand new family. They were all really sweet, but their little boy Carter stole my heart. You know how some 5 year olds are shy and have to warm up to you, well not Carter. He came in determined to be my helper. And when it was time to go outside this little guy slipped his tiny hand in mine and off we went.



And wow, don't even get me started on the cuteness of this little one. Madison had wrinkles and rolls that scream "pick me up and love me".



All in all it was a fun shoot with a great family.



More previews from this session to come,
Melissa

None of my 17 Aunts and Uncles live in Lexington with me. But this past Sunday was a real treat. Steven's uncle and family came to my studio for portraits. It was so nice spending the late evening in the company of family. Too often life's busy schedule keeps us all apart.

The Boyd's were up for anything and together we traversed the back alleys of Lexington and even headed to Boone's cave for a few sunset pictures.

Here are a just a few of my favorites.

Happy Sunday everyone. My web connection has been out all weekend, blah, but now I am back up and running. So here I sit coffee in hand at 9:30 editing pictures. Ahh the convenience of working from home.

Friday I spent the evening with a very fun Ballerina who turned:



Do you remember turning ten? It is that odd stage when you can't remember what your real smile feels like. To photograph a ten year old you need to pull out the jokes and enlist mom to jump around. For this double digit girl, the trick was her ballet shoes.

It is mid Sept. and there is a nip in the air past dark. Fall is definitely on its way and we can't wait. October for my family is full of football, Halloween parties, decorations, buying multiple costumes because my kids change their minds three times, and campfires in our backyard. We love it!! But on the other side, for Photography the Fall brings Gorgeous October Weddings, multiple shooting locations to capture leaf colors, and lots of new families and babies to meet.

If you are already booked great! I will see you then,
Melissa


PS> I will be at several fun locations this fall, and I am thinking of an apple orchard, let me know if you are interested in this fun opportunity.

The kids are in school, which has left me lonely. When not totally emerged in photography I love reading. Here are a few things I learned today. I don't know if I will ever need to know this stuff... maybe I will end up on Jeopardy.


1. Slugs have four noses. (Really!)

2. Crickets have ears on their legs. (Glad I don't)

3. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) was born on and died on days when Halley’s Comet can be seen. During his life he predicted that he would die when it could be seen.

4. A polar bears skin is black. Its fur is actually clear, but like snow it appears white.

5.The average chocolate bar has 8 insects’ legs melted into it. (YUCK)

Inspirational poster Wednesday.

Summer is dwindling down to its last days. My family decided to hit the beach to send summer out with a bang. I was so busy having fun that my camera stayed put away for most of the trip. But here are a few from the weekend.


Apache pier is the longest pier on the east coast.


Mmmm. Salty air, an ocean breeze and a frozen treat. Does it get any better?



Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend,
Melissa

Here is sweet Olivia. One look at me with those baby blues and I melt.

I spent yesterday in two separate hospitals. I was called to photograph a baby at Baptist yesterday morning, and then I was off to help with a presentation at Forsyth. It was an emotionally draining day.... but how lucky am I to have spent my morning with my arms around an angel?

Give your children extra love and hugs. Today I watched a mother grieve for a daughter whose life was too short. To learn more visit

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

Melissa