Music: Images that move me....

This is so beautiful

Lucky

I've always considered myself lucky to have this wonderful opportunity to do what I do. Photography is so much more to me than just taking pictures. It's an emotional release and a creative outlet. It's an avenue for meeting new people and traveling to exciting new places.
Most of all photography is an opportunity to give a beautiful a lasting memory, not just on paper but in the heart.

Today at an engagement session, we were walking through a field and I started a story about 4 leaf clovers, right while I was telling it, the bride looks down and says "IS THAT A 4 LEAF CLOVER, RIGHT THERE?"
Sure enough it was lol! I couldn't believe it, what are the odds of just walking through a field and finding a 4 leaf clover? Especially while talking about it. Just another way God reminded me of how lucky I am. =)

Seems like I find myself here each year...

Do I lose sight of who I am along my way? Yes. I look through my work and I search for me. Am I in there? Is the passion there? Did I open a tiny spout to my heart and pour a bit into it? I struggle, I lose sight, I sink low but each year around this time I search for my original eagerness to pursue a moment and pounce on it like a cat creeps through the tall grass and captures it's prey. Then the ecstasy of the moment when I find myself alone, in front of the computer, in the wee hours of the morning staring at a perfect moment. Tears mist up my eyes and I am breathless.

Then wedding season creeps up and I struggle to deliver on time and I fear I rush to fast and those moments seem to be coming farther apart. I miss them. I miss who I am during those times. When the room is quiet, only the humming of the computer can be heard and I am honest. I admit just who I am and I don't run from it... a dreamer, a lover, escapist, fantasizer, idealist, and a romantic. For a small amount of time life is simple and I am happy.

Tonight I decided to take more time to pursue inspiration.
I chased a sunset.
Have you ever tried it? Get your gear, jump in your car around sunset time and just drive until you find THE SPOT. You will know it because you will see it with your heart and when you look through your camera you will feel it in your soul.

Summer sunsets with corn stalks blowing in the wind....




I know this one is a little grainy but it was a beautiful memory between me and God. It was a cloudy sunset and right as I found my spot the sun sank behind a dark cloud. I closed my eyes and asked God if he could drop it out just for me. If you look right above the sun you can see the cloud. It was amazing. Right before it disappeared behind the tree line God dropped it out just like I had asked. I was breathless...

God touches my heart with photography....

Glad sometimes I can do the same with my clients. (*tears) Thank you for sharing Leah =)

Leah sent me this message on my facebook....

Today would've been my Mamaw's 81st birthday. We lost her in December. So, my aunt wrote on my facebook wall that she loves that picture of me and her mom. I wrote her back and said I love it too and I wonder if wedding photographers know how much their work really means. So I decided to pass this on to you!!! I'm so incredibly thankful for all of the pictures I have with her...especially on my wedding day. Your work really means everything...THANK YOU

To love.....

You've Got A Way

You've got a way with me
Somehow you got me to believe
In everything that I could be
I've gotta say-you really got a way

You've got a way it seems
You gave me faith to find my dreams
You'll never know just what that means
Can't you see... you got a way with me

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
♥ The way you show me just what love's made of ♥

You've got a way with words
You get me smiling even when it hurts
There's no way to measure what your love is worth
I can't believe the way you get through to me

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you show me just what love's made of

Oh, how I adore you
Like no one before you
I love you just the way you are

It's in the way you want me
It's in the way you hold me
The way you show me just what love's made of

It's just the way you are

Love is real.....

I've just had three AMAZING weddings in row and I'm emotional so please bear with me....

I know love is real, I felt it, experienced it and live it.

Whether it be the way He lifts me up and brings me back during a sweet hour of prayer, or the way He draws a sinners heart to repent. God has shown me love.

Maybe it's in the conversation of a newly wed couple just after they are wed, both discussing how their rings fit and that they can't believe they are finally married. (I listen Leah and Nathan) and you inspire me.

Or perhaps it's the excited way a groom peeks over a crowd of people to catch the first glimpse of his bride as she walks the isle. Amanda and Josh you have shown me.

Maybe it's the way people who don't even know me swoop in and take care of me as I almost pass out from the heat. You have shown me.

Perhaps it's the way the Dad says his knees almost buckled when he saw his daughter for the first time as a bride.

Maybe it's a very fist kiss at the alter (no I'm not kidding I do mean first) with flower peddles falling or the way a bride and groom are so lost in each other that the Pastor has to step in and remind them to light the unity candle!

It's in the wonderful and emotional slide shows

It's the brother who dances twice with his sister during the dollar dance!

Or the mother who runs around and makes sure there are seats for the photographers.

Or the friend of the bride who steps up and does everything she can to make the brides day perfect.

It's the dipping kisses at the end of a bubbled filled road

It's my mother-in-law who takes the kids for a night when I need it

It's my husband who whisks me away to dinner and then (the best part!) takes my car and completely cleans the whole thing out lol!

It's my friends who follow my blog and encourage me

It's my assistant who announces during my apologies for getting sick that "it's ok, it's an adventure" ! (I loved that) Made me laugh... I needed that

It's my kids running to me screaming MOMMMMMMMMMMY as I just get in the door far enough not to fall out when they jump on me!

Most of all it's forgiveness and open arms from my savior Jesus Christ.... He keeps me and draws me back even when I don't deserve it.....

Which ever of these moments it is, or maybe the combination of them all, I don't know. Whatever the case I am inspired and I know real love does exist and for that I am so thankful!
♥ Melissa