Night time is the right time . . .

It's a beautiful {freezing} night in Maine. The sky is clear except for fast moving clouds and the moon is bright enough outside that with snow reflection it's like daylight. 30 second exposure : could have done more yet my pants were freezing.

Peace and love from the East.

2009

I'm extremely excited about 2009. I've made a huge decision to change my location based on what my heart told me to do. I have no idea what lies ahead and sometimes, I think that's best.



I hope 2009 brings us all enormous amounts of joy, success and love!

<3 M

A Pug Portrait

Leo, my fur child and I have been on many adventures over the past two years. He's now enjoying himself living in New England and my family and I spoiled him quite a bit over the holidays. He needs a long walk to work off those extra calories.

He's the sweetest and on Christmas Day he spent a little time posing for me.

His favorite seated position :







He absolutely knows I'm writing about him because he's scratching at my leg. Time to go for that walk. . .<3

Elizabeth Anne Designs :: {Resource for my ladies}

This post is long, long, well, well overdue. Last year, I discovered an amazing blog that draws a generous amount of my attention.

Rebekah Anne and Ami Elizabeth created the savviest, hands down most interesting blog about weddings that I've found yet. Please visit :
Inspirations & Creations - Elizabeth Anne Designs : A Wedding Blog

There are so many fun ideas, beautiful photographs and most importantly, these ladies are constantly posting which is a breath of fresh air!!

There are many ways to navigate through their blog. For instance, by the many categories listed or even by comments made from their readers. Keep up with the latest of the latest in the wedding industry and if you're a fellow twitter fan like me you can choose to follow Rebekah & Ami to be updated, up to the minute when new posts are added. Wahooo, technology!! I imagine brides at work just oozing over these posts while getting paid to plan their own spectacular event.

Another section to mention is The EAD Library. Here you can locate all of the hottest wedding professionals in the USA and beyond. Pretty fantastico if you ask me.

Enjoy Ladies!!

<3 <3

Mom and Dad : 29 years today

Today, is my parents 29th Wedding Anniversary. 29 years! And that's just how many years they've been married. Mom and Dad met in 1967 when they were 15. They both worked at the soda fountain in Hoffman's in Laurence Harbor, NJ where they grew up. . .the rest is history. . . .



Mom and Dad, I wish you a million more years together!

Dear Maine. . . .

I love waking up here!

Dear California. . .

I'm going to play a little catch up here as it's been quite a while since I've blogged!

On November 11, 2008, I embarked on a new chapter of my life. I relocated myself and Leo {my fur child} to New England to be closer to my family. For years, I personally debated the need to be closer and obviously home won me over. Seeing my family once or twice a year for a short amount of time just wasn't cutting it.

I arrived in California for an audition on November 11, 2001, I was a wide eyed 21 year old with no idea of what was in store. I spent 7 amazing years living in Southern California working for some of the best photographer's in our country and learning more than I could have ever imagined.

There is a novel waiting to be written inside me that will one day tell the story of my time there but let's fast forward to the present. . .

My Mom accompanied me on the cross country journey home which was so much fun and we got to spend much needed quality time together. It took us a week to get to New Jersey and then another two weeks for me to make it to Maine. My parents moved to Maine last October to a town where we vacationed my whole life. Their town is small and as they say in New England, it's a wicked small town. Located in the North Woods of Maine about 15 miles from the Canadian border.

Photograph taken last year during my first visit to the house



Last year, this area wound up with about 16 feet of snow. One of the worst winters in 50 years. We have absolutely no idea what we're in for this winter. This morning, I woke up and looked out my window. The sun wasn't even up yet so it was just barely light and I sat up and said, "NO WAY!" The snow was all the way up to my window and drifts had crusted the window panes. Yesterday, Maine received a nice dumping of the fluffy stuff from sweet Mother Nature. We guess we ended up with 2 feet of snow but it's hard to tell because we already had an accumulation of 1.5ish feet.

Today, I officially feel like I've arrived in New England. I got a true taste of what it's like to live here and although I love California and the consistent breezy 72 degrees, I love New England MORE. :)

Here are some photographs I took when the sun came up of our house.

First things first in the morning. Leo must do his business. Today, he was officially screwed because the snow was way way over his head. We dug him a spot and we stood there and laughed at him. He had NO idea what this was and just cracked us up.



View to the road




This is one of my favorites. Tunnel to the road.



A big topic in our house is how in the world the animals survive this weather. It's the ARCTIC!! Where do they sleep!? How do they move around!!



I got a little chilly so I headed back to the house.





My Mom's car



My hard working, frosty Dad







On his way back out to the road



My favorite photograph from this morning.



It sums up what this blizzard feels like, the hard work it takes to dig out and being home. So, California it's almost 7:30 am and you're just waking up. The forecast says you'll have a little rain today and your highs are around 58 degrees. Here it'll reach a high of about 11 and with the wind, it'll feel -2. LOL!

Even though it's rough outside, we have everything and more that we need inside.

To my California family, I'm wishing you were all here to experience Mother Nature and drink something warm with me while we watch the snow blow around from a warm, cozy house.

Lots of love!
Melissa and Leo from the Arctic!

Imelda + Raul from Washington

Imelda + Raul came to San Diego last week for some well deserved R&R. Imelda has been serving in Iraq and had an opportunity to take some time away with her husband Raul. They both serve in the Army and have had to be a part for some time.

We got together at the Ivy Hotel where they were staying and cruised around the area downtown together. I'm SO stoked on their session! They brought the love and laughter! I'm just about finished with production for their session and wanted to post a sneak peak.



Imelda and Raul, it was so much fun spending an evening with you two! I hope you enjoyed San Diego and I hope you went to Phil's BBQ! :) Lots of Love!

Sarah + Alex : October 4, 2008

Sarah and Alex were married on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Maderes Country Club in Poway, California. The day was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute! To me, the weather was beautiful and it sprinkled a little to bless their ceremony even more. Here is a sneak peak. . .stay tuned for more.

Inkbox Design Boutique :: Vendor Spotlight

Wow! I just discovered . . . .



Lisa Tse, created Inkbox Designs after planning her own wedding. Her tag line is. . .

. . . inking outside the box.

I absolutely LOVE what she's creating. . .!! By all means, stop what you're doing if you're getting married, having a baby or just enjoy good design and check out her work by clicking on her logo above. Check out her portfolio for the killer work she's done for baby announcements, rehearsal dinners, weddings, baby showers, bat mitzvah, charity events. . .beautiful, creative, clean design and really fun! And my favorite. . . she offers letterpress!!

Ladies, she's also created Cake which is her product line offering gift items for your bridesmaids, your maid of honor and even your fur children. Fun, pink and swirly!! Brides, I suggest the pink hoodie for your wedding day!! So cute, comfy for getting ready and you just unzip once your hair is finished and then easily slip into your dress.

Here are examples of the Cake products ::



One of my favorite designs that caught my eye is the : Nature Nuptials



and a custom wedding favor to go along with the theme . . .



I think these wedding invitation designs leave your guests feeling that your love is so put together. From the save the dates, invitations and packaging it's just so well done. When guests have these in their hands, they'll feel something and make a connection with the day that most likely won't be forgotten.

Thank you to Lisa for putting her heart and soul into creating beautiful work!!

Anna + Dino : Engaged!

Ahhhhh! I again get to say that I love these two. Having a photography journal to express the happenings in my world really reminds me on a daily basis how lucky I am to have an open door for great people to walk into my life. And walk in they did. . .Anna and Dino met on New Years Eve Eve at D Street Bar in Encinitas.

So, the story goes. . .Anna's friend had this friend, Dino who she wanted her to meet. Anna's friend begged her to come after she got off work and reluctantly Anna went to D Street in her work clothes and the rest is history. . .

We met at D Street and relived their meeting which was just too cute to see them sit at the same table and hold hands. Anna giggled the entire session which was awesome for me. I can still hear her giggles. . .between the giggles is just this beautiful silence and peace when they look at each other.







This story reminds me that you just never know when your person will walk through your door.

Thank you, Anna and Dino for sharing a Monday evening with me in Encinitas {one of my favorite places in San Diego}.

I'm really excited to photograph your July 2009 wedding!

XoXo.

Meredith + Andrew : Spruce Street

I recently had the pleasure of photographing two very special people. I met Meredith in the spring and it was an instant connection. She's a rare find in the world of ladies and I'm lucky to have crossed paths with her. Her husband of four years, Andrew is quite fantastic himself. The two of them were a blast to photograph and it was an honor to spend the evening with them.

















Andrew and Meredith, thank you SOOOOOO much for spending Sunday evening with me and for treating me to that AMAZING dinner at Urban Solace! Hmmmmmm, girl. . .those biscuits!! Mmmmhmmm!

XoXo.

Courtney + Sean : August 30, 2008

Courtney and Sean were married at Seagrove Park in Del Mar. The evening celebration with friends and family was shared at the newly renovated L'Auberge in Del Mar. LOVE these two, their wedding party AND their families. It was a whole package for me and could have kept shooting until the weeee hours of the morning. I stopped in at their rehearsal dinner the night before which started off on the deck at L'Auberge and dinner was across the street at Sbicca.





Their wedding was being filmed for the TV show, Who's Wedding is it Anyway.
I must say, I'm frightened to see myself {if at all} running around in the background. It was a warm one so. . .{O, dear!} Will update on the air time.

The day started off with a beautiful hour of getting ready with Courtney.



Heading into dinner after I snuck them away for a few minutes during the sweet light.



The end of a fabulous day. . .



To view their wedding story please check out their slideshow.

Thank you, Courtney and Sean for allowing me to capture your day and I look forward to keeping in touch. :)

XoXo.

Jacqui + Rob : August 23, 2008

Jacqui and Rob were married at The Ivy Hotel in San Diego. Their day was filled with laughter, beautiful details and coziness. Jacqui's dress was so unique! Plus, Jacqui's vibe is infectious. You just feel good being around her. . .







To view their wedding story please check out their slideshow.

So thankful to be a part of their day and to share an evening under the stars amongst their closest friends and family.

XoXo.

Sarah + Michael : August 16, 2008

Sarah and Michael were married at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. I'm absolutely in love with Sarah. I feel that we were destined to know each other and I'm so happy to see two such beautiful people come together. They were supported by their amazing family and group of friends on a perfect day in San Diego.
















To view their wedding story please check out their slideshow.

Thank you to the Delva and Grabinger families for making the day a pleasure to be a part of.

XoXo.