Three facts about smiles;

*Smiles use from 5 to 53 facial muscles: Just smiling can require your body to use up to 53 muscles, but some smiles only use 5 muscle movements.

*It’s a universal sign of happiness: While hand shakes, hugs, and bows all have varying meanings across cultures, smiling is known around the world and in all cultures as a sign of happiness and acceptance.

* Babies start smiling as newborns: Most doctors believe that real smiles occur when babies are awake at the age of four-to-six weeks, but babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they’re born.


I love how quick a baby can change their expression. These shots were all taken in less than one second intervals. Thank you "O" family for sharing him with me again!!!

Hello world! I'm back from my mini vacation to the beach. I hope everyone else enjoyed Easter Break as much as I did. We went camping, which meant no technology around, and no choice but to relax and enjoy family time. It was a blast, I challenge any parent to hop in a camper for a few days and really get to know their kids. You will realize all sorts of things... good and bad.

But now I'm back to the grind and I owe a few folks some sneak peaks. I've photographed this little guy a few times in the past and now he is almost two.





More to come.
Melissa

It is Tuesday, Easter is right around the corner. I have had a bunch of wonderful sessions in the past few days. Here are a few of my favorites from an evening session a few days ago.
This family was the best, and even put up with me when my scatter-brained artist mind met them in the wrong location.









Have an amazing Tuesday!
Melissa

Sunday Morning I headed out to a super cool farm in Thomasville to capture these two lovebirds. The weather was perfect for an early morning session. There were so many places around this farm to fall in love with.
I had such a good weekend, lots of shoots equals one happy photographer. A huge Thank you to all my clients from this weekend.






Happy Monday everyone. I hope that you are at a job today that you love as much as I love mine!!!
Melissa

Our power went out this morning at 4:00. I stumbled up two flight of stairs to check on the boys and then crashed on the couch for the rest of the night. It took me a while to go back to sleep so I went through ideas in my head for today's sessions.





I'll be posting a few more throughout the day of some of my other rainy morning clients.

Happy Saturday!
Melissa

Oh, good gracious! Is there a better way to start your day at work than with twins? This is my second time in company of these sweet little girls. They are addictive, I hope to see them again and again!

Here is a little snippet of their session that I wanted to share with you.





I hope you all enjoy a fantastic weekend!! Here we are expecting rain all day Saturday, wherever you are in your corner of the world I hope it will be warm and sunny.

Happy Friday!
Melissa

Today the mail man brought me a wonderful treat. I usually only get envelopes. So, when a box arrived today I knew that it must contain something great.

Thank you Linda from "Clothes Befitting" for such a special gift.





Linda sells clothes for all body shapes and jewelry that is unique and stunning. Check out her website to see more of her hand picked items.

Just cut and paste into your browser bar:

Clothesbefitting.com

Happy Thursday!!
Melissa

My house has been ruled for the past three nights by an ongoing game of monopoly. I forgot when I agreed to set it up and play how LONG this game truly is. Did you know that the longest MONOPOLY® game ever played was 1,680 hours long. That is 70 straight days!


After 6 hours of playing time, we decided as a family that at the end of the third night of playing whoever has the most money wins.



My youngest son won the game, owning most of the properties and with over 4,000.00 in hand. He won by a landslide. The effect of power and money (even fake money) are a bit troubling on an eight year old.



Of course in a house full of competitive boys this left for a few sore losers.

And while all this commotion was going on Esme enjoyed a new place to sleep.



Games are a great way to have fun with your kids. My husband and I laughed so hard at the silly things our boys said while playing this game. Over 250 million sets of the MONOPOLY® game have been sold worldwide, I bet there is one in your closet. I hope this will encourage you to break out a board game and have some fun with your kiddos!
Happy Wednesday everyone.
Melissa

Ahh the difference a year can make. A year ago my studio space was in a different location. A year ago Easter was already over.

A year ago we were here, strolling along a hillside street in Rome on our way to the Villa Borghese.



And a year ago we were here too. Learning about the gladiators and the tree lined streets that Mussolini built.


This was our view from above the Spanish steps looking out onto Rome.



And this, Saint Peters Basilica, the place that each time we walked miles to get there they were closed.


This was the best. A year ago we were napping under olive trees somewhere along the Apian Way.


Ok, snap back to reality, today its time to edit ahhhmazing portraits. And schedule more appointments. If you aren't on the books for spring you are running out of time.

Happy Tuesday-
Melissa

I have been finishing up editing a few sessions today and wanted to share a favorite with you guys.



Happy Monday!
Melissa

Three days ago the weather forecast for Saturday claimed warm sunny weather with a slight chance of rain. That's not exactly how the day panned out.

It was cool, foggy and rainy. Thankfully though the rain held off until the end of my outdoor wedding.

To pretty to be stuck inside on my Birthday!! After a morning with 24 4th graders at Lazy 5 Ranch, I am heading to my studio to shoot bridal portraits. Don't forget to comment on my Facebook fan page to win a free session.

Happy Friday.
Melissa

The ceremony was moved inside because of the wind. And it was a good call on the brides behalf.

Every inch of the vineyards is beautiful, but this time of year the vines aren't so hot. So we stayed around the main building and photographed in a few different spots. It was chilly and windy but everyone cooperated and then was rewarded was a beautiful sit down dinner.




This sweet little fella would not kiss the bride. Like there was an invisible force field around her or something. I say give him a couple years and he'll be chasing the pretty girls.