I wanted to share some tips for rainy day photography. Of course none of us want our cameras ruined, so if you think you may feel the urge to go out in a down pour invest in this stuff.




Tip 1.
An umbrella, and preferable someone to hold it over your head so you can keep your hands free.

Tip 2.
This little invention can save your camera. You can find them online for around $20. I like this one because of the clear panel over your settings, it really helps because you don't have to lift a flap or take the entire cover off to reset your camera.


Tip 3. Notice Textures. Look for Patterns & Reflections.

Once you have your basics you will see that shooting in the rain can be very rewarding. Colors outside are so vibrant after the rain. And if you are lucky you might catch an eery mist rising. Also look for reflective surfaces. A dull brick path or pavement becomes a slick glossy path of goodness after the rain.

Tip 4.
The lens hood has many uses. It not only used for lens flair. It’s also good for keeping rain drop away from your lens.

Tip 5.
Clear rain drops don't show up very well. There is a reason they use milk in Hollywood for rain. So if you want to capture the drops look for windows or glass, think puddles.

I am going to head out in the rain this afternoon. I will share a few of my pictures from the afternoon tomorrow. I would love to see yours too. You can e-mail them to me at msheetsphotography@yahoo.com or share them with me on facebook.

Happy Humpday!
Melissa

My house is full of antiques. Things that to the untrained eye may look like junk. When I moved into my new studio I had room to spread out and incorporate more antiques into my prop selection. My love of antiques was passed on to my boys who now love to go hunting for treasures of their own.



Because it is spring, and spring is the best time to go antiquing, I have decided to honor my love of all things old by running a special in my studio. For a limited time I will be offering silhouettes.





This special will be running until May 30th. These make a great gift for Mother's Day and for grandparents.

Yesterday I went to Reynolda and took a few shots of this sweetie pie. We couldn't get her to crack a smile, but we still had fun.

It is Thursday and the sun is out. Tonight I am heading up to Reynolda Garden's because the cherry trees are in bloom. And because I have an adorable little girl who will meet me to take pictures out there. I hope that your Thursday is shaping up to be as good as mine.

But incase it isn't here is a little inspiration to make you smile!







Happy Thursday!
Melissa

As promised here are a few from Monday's twin session. Don't they just melt you heart.

Here is a picture of baby Beckham before he was born.



Here he his just a couple weeks later.





Beckham was a sweet little guy, and since his mom is a very good friend of mine I am sure he will become a regular face on my blog. So get to know him folks because this little man doesn't know it yet but he is a model in the making.

Happy Wednesday.
Melissa

I am back after a week of inspiration and travel. Feeling refreshed and ready to create amazing and fun sessions. Thank goodness my first session back was with this adorable little man.





And after this guy left an adorable little girl came bouncing in.



More to come from her session later I just wanted to get one up before leaving my studio for the day.

Happy Sunday...(Stay tuned tomorrow I have twins coming in, yay!)

Melissa

I'm back, for a day at least. I just returned from a weekend full of inspiration and seminars. But now I am headed to Washington DC for a few days. I missed my studio miserably over the past 4 days and now I am certain that by the time I return I will be utterly and fantastically ready to spend days on end creating and playing.

One of the best speakers of the weekend was Jennifer Hudson. Please visit her website. She pours her heart into each of her handmade creations. She is an amazingly young artist who raises many wonders with her pieces of artwork.






http://www.jenniferhudsonfineart.com/

Happy Tuesday!
Melissa

Saturday is here. I will be heading to the Professional Photographers of NC convention for the next several days. So please be patient if you are trying to contact me.

I can't believe that the first week of March is well under way. My driveway is littered with little red buds that have fallen off trees. This to me is the signal to get ready for wedding season. And oh my, what a fun and busy time I have planned. I am so honored to be working with the cream of the crop when it comes to brides this year. Thanks to facebook I have gotten to know so many of the girls on a personal basis. Even the far away ones.... from Canada.

It is never good to wish that time would hurry up, but I must say that I can't wait to begin bridal portraits. I will be scouring the state looking for new and interesting photography locations. If you know of any little tucked away corners that look photo worthy please send them to me. I love your input and ideas.

Have a fantastic week everyone.
Melissa

Hello blog readers, I am sorry to have neglected your reading material for well over a week. Really no excuse other than,

The weather outside was sunny and warm,
Planned a birthday party for my TEN year old boy,
Been shooting like a mad lady,
Been editing like a mad lady,
The weather outside was warm and sunny,
Planning beach portraits,
Planning photo trips,
oh and the weather outside was warm and sunny.

Here are a few snippets from a session that I did during all that warm and sunny weather.