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 The sippy cups are long gone and have been replaced by Star Wars coffee cups.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.