it was a sweet reunion to see alison and bill from kansas city who gratefully allowed me to record another really iconic time in their lives…it’s really touching and a huge honor to photograph a bride & groom and then see them again as parents.  i think because i just went on this same journey of parenthood recently, it’s particularly tender but there was a point during the session where alison had her cheek to elie’s head and i just *knew* she was having one of those great mom moments where you close your eyes, take a big breath of clean baby smell and make an image that you file under ‘amazing moments’ just hoping that it always stays with you.  i do this ALL the time. and so seeing another mother do it made me tear up.  so yes, i had to stop and wipe my eyes since you really can’t focus with tears :)

i learn so much from each couple and from alison & bill’s wedding i learned the power of music – they had a fabulous acoustic guitarist playing outside the little stone church…a simple touch that made a really big difference.  and they continue to teach me…we had a second session in the afternoon with her parents and elie.  a simple touch but it yielded so many great images that elie will treasure.  here’s to sweet elie who was endlessly patient with me…i love your toes little girl!  and i love the transformation you’ve caused in just 11 short weeks!   -m-

ohmi….i’m going to have dreams about these bikes, they’re so wonderful!  (are you picturing the big wicker basket on the front, too?) -m-

i really adore these two…as i imagine anyone who meets them feels, emily and nate really inspire GREAT love.   i knew it was going to be a special day when i photographed their ‘private moment’ before the ceremony…after talking for a bit, i saw nate hold emily close and since i prefer to photograph this meeting from a distance, it took me a moment to realize they were praying.  i was just impressed that in the whirlwind of emotion and excitement, they had the wherewithall to pause.  and something else about emily & nate…it’s evident how grateful they are for the good fortune to find someone wonderful to spend their life with.  so, typically, i’d share a handful of favorite images from the wedding but emily is SO on the ball that i actually have a few album layouts from her wedding! -m-

imagine the cutest gal around who has a cool job working for whoopi goldberg, then picture a tall stockbrocker who is equally wonderful and you’ve got beth & quin.  i met them at central park for their engagement shoot but this shot toward the very end happened to be my favorite…probably because it has a bit of the city that i’ve become smitten with in the background but mostly because it illustrates the joy you can have in relationships.  actually, i’m hopeful that that’s one of the themes you see often in my images.  as I post this, I think how sometimes i feel like I’m making images for their children (which no pressure, you’ve got plenty of time!) but wouldn’t you LOVE to have a picture of your parents/grandparents like this?   

we look at photos so often on the computer screen with the advent of digital photography but make sure you take time to get prints so they’ll be around for others to enjoy…the choices get us stalled!  just know that i’m your partner as much or as little as you need me – after the wedding you can say, "melanie, just make me a beautiful album" and it’s done…really!  or you can send me a list of favorites to include, and it’s done!  and the same goes with portrait sessions…i really think the dvd is the way to go so you can get tons of prints but i also think it’s important to pull a few you really love and get larger prints made or a cool box with matted images. 

beth & quin, thanks so much for living in a great city and taking time out of really busy lives to pause and just love each other for an hour in front of the camera!  i’m so excited for your wedding!  warmly, -melanie-

super super busy around mmp this week but wanted to pop in and share a cute bag!  -m-