2012 Holiday Mini Sessions {Allen, Plano, Frisco and McKinney Portrait and Family Photographer}

It's that time of year...time for football games, fall leaves, the state fair and crock pot meals...the return of sweaters (sort of), hot chocolate and all thinks pumpkin flavored!  I love fall, although it always seems so very short here in Texas...as if we go from [blazing hot] summer to two weeks of cooler, gorgeous gold and red foliage...and than one strong storm comes along and blows all the leaves from the trees--launching us straight into winter.

Along with this beautiful time of year comes our Annual Holiday Mini Sessions.  This is always my busiest time, but I find that the majority of my clients who participate in the Holiday Mini Sessions have made it a tradition for their families...and I have LOVED watching each of them grow and change--it's truly such a blessing.  I end up feeling it's a bit like a homecoming for me and I cannot wait to see everyone!

Our dates are later in the months of October and November this year to accommodate the fall sports schedules that should be wrapping up soon!

I know it's difficult to think about Holiday cards while out partaking in all the fun fall activities, but it will be here before you know it, so remember that not only is our Mini Session space limited, our availability for full sessions will be as well! We currently have space in our Weekend Mini Sessions, but there are no FULL weekend session appointments left until the third week in November!

Thank you to everyone who still reads this blog--I promise a facelift and more regular updates are in the plans...it's just less important than photographing all your smiling faces at the moment!  See you soon!

 

Baby V {Carrollton and Dallas Area Newborn + Baby Photographer}

Meet the most adorable Baby V!  This was a very exciting session for me because I had the honor of photographing her parents wedding a couple years ago...and now I am blessed with taking her very first photos as well!  I just LOVE doing this--it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!  I adore watching my clients grow and change--it is such a wonderful gift to watch this part of the circle of life, and even though it sounds cheesy, I can't get enough.

Little Miss V was extremely cooperative and sweet...as long as I didn't make her unfold her little arms:)  That was pretty easy to accommodate.  Check out the sneak peeks from her recent session.

Check out the wreath on the right--this was something Baby V's crafty Momma made from the bows she received at her baby showers!  It hangs in her room at home.  Isn't that a cute idea?

Hello? Is anyone out there?

Ahem...testing, testing...is this thing on?

Hello everyone out there...IF there is anyone left out there :)  It's been an eternity since I've posted here--it feels almost like I'm typing a message to myself! 
I've been busy working on tons of client work and have sadly let this blog fall to the lowest of my priorities...but, the truth is...I kind of miss it!  I miss the excitement of posting the latest session and being able to come back and look through them in one spot.  I miss talking about my sessions and adding the additional personal touches that make me smile...so, I'm going to try.  That's the best I can promise a the moment, but I'm going to try to get myself back into routine posting and may even go back into the sessions from the past year to highlight some of my favorites! I am looking forward to it--and I hope you will too!

What to Wear: Vintage Couture's Silver Bells Line

Another of my favorite lines from Vintage Couture's Fall Collection.  The Silver Bells line makes it easy for you to coordinate for holiday photos without matching perfectly!  Even Mom is included!  Put Dad in a charcol or black shirt, and you're good to go!



Today is the last day to receive the $5 shipping and complimentary 8x10!

To order, go to http://vintagecoutureinc.net/cricket
Click 'Shop'
Scroll to my name, Melanie Johnson

2011 Mini Sessions: Full Release!

Here they are! The Fall/Holiday Mini Sessions are officially open to everyone!  
Wow, we are filling up very quickly! 
We currently have the following times available: 

Oct. 1: CLOSED
8-8:20
8:30-8:50
9-9:20
9:30-9:50
10-10:20
10:30-10:50
11:11:20  

Oct. 29: Almost Full!
8-8:20
8:30-8:50
9-9:20
9:30-9:50
10-10:20  
10:30-10:50
11:11:20
3:00-3:20
3:30-3:50
4:00-4:20
4:30-4:50
5:00-5:20
5:30-5:50


Nov. 4: CLOSED
9-9:20 
9:30-
9:50  
10-10:20  
10:30-10:50
11:11:20
11:30-11:50
12-12:20
12:30-12:50

Nov. 5: CLOSED
9-9:20
9:30-9:50
10-10:20
10:30-10:50
11:11:20 
11:30-11:50
12-12:20
12:30-12:50

Also, don't forget--the Vintage Couture special will be valid until Saturday 9/17!  Buy something and you'll receive a complimentary 8x10 from your session!  To purchase go to http://vintagecoutureinc.net/cricket
Click "Shop" and Scroll down to my name: Melanie Johnson

2011 Mini Sessions to be Released This Week & What to Wear

I'm so excited to release the 2011 dates for our annual Fall/Holiday Mini Sessions! Current clients will receive an email tomorrow (9/14), and I'll post the details for the public here on 9/15! In addition, I have a very special treat on Thursday! The studio will be open on Thursday 9/15 from 2:30-6 pm--feel free to stop by to ask any questions, see card samples or just say hello! Additionally, Cricket Martin with Vintage Couture will be here with some items from their most recent catalog (which I adore!). Vintage Couture has some perfect coordinating outfits for your Fall/Holiday sessions--they have stylish options for both boys and girls and they do a great job of providing options so that you can be coordinated without all the kids wearing the same exact outfit! I love the style, versatility and durability Vintage Couture while my kids love wearing it because it is so comfortable! Too many boutique brands are not comfortable to my sensitive kiddos and their beautiful clothes spend their lives hanging in the closet; however, even my kids get excited when I pull out something new from Vintage Couture--Harper wants almost every dress in the line this fall!

I'm super excited because I get to offer a special for Vintage Couture during our open house! Order something from Cricket at the open house on Thursday or online (see the link below) and you'll receive $5 shipping and a complimentary 8x10 from your holiday session with me! To order online go to: Click HERE! Click "Shop" at the top of the page and Scroll down until you see my name on the list to receive the $5 shipping and 8x10 Hurry, the special only lasts through 9/17!

And here are some photos I took of my kiddos in the Silver Bells line! And here are some of the other options in the Silver Bells Line!

Angel & Josh: Engaged and InLOVE [McKinney Wedding Photographer]

Angel and Josh are getting married! After being together for over 5 years, this romantic couple says it's about time they tied the knot! I had a wonderful time photographing their engagement session in the gorgeous weather--we explored, laughed, battled insane wind...all in the name of capturing their love for each other on film--such a heartwarming sight. I hope that they look back on these images years from now and see the adoration and happiness in their eyes...the silent joy conveyed when they look at each other. Gives me goose bumps! I cannot wait for their big day!

Enjoy your sneak peek guys!

Drew is 6 months!

Sweet baby Drew came into the studio last month for a session to capture him in his adorable six month cuteness! Mom, Dad and I all resorted to some pretty silly antics to keep him entertained, but the resulting facial expressions are priceless!

Here are a few from his session!

Kennedy as a Newborn [McKinney Newborn and Baby Photographer]

Apparently I'm further behind on blogging than I thought! When posting Kennedy's six month session yesterday, I realized I had not blogged about her birth! Whoops! So, without further delay, here is this sweet little one fresh out of the oven!

Kennedy is 6 months! [Frisco and Little Elm Baby and Child Photographer]

Sweet baby Kennedy--what can I say? Six months is my FAVORITE age for babies...especially when they are this adorable! I love that you can sit them in one spot...and they'll still be there 2 seconds later :). I love their delicious roles and dimples...and how they feel emotions with their entire bodies!

Darling Kennedy is the epitome of everything I adore in 6 month-olds. We had so much fun playing around in the studio with various props and outfits, and she was nothing short of an angel for the entire session! Kennedy is part of our baby plan which means I get to photograph her again! Stay tuned! (I just realized I did not blog her newborn photos, so I guess I will do that next! Sorry!)

I'm Back! And a New Beginning [Dallas Newborn and Baby Photographer]

As many of you know, my step father passed away last week after a long, hard battle with brain cancer. It was obviously a difficult time for my family and I feel so very blessed to have been able to spend time helping my mother to grieve her loss and begin to make plans for her future. Thank you so very much to all my clients who have offered their condolences, messages of support, and have so generously gave me the time I needed to focus purely on my family without worrying about any editing or deliverable deadlines. My time means more to me than anything in the world, and both my family and I will be forever grateful!

Now that I am back and things are settling down, I thought I should get myself back into gear with my blog posting. I've let it slide quite a bit since the busy holiday season! I'll go back through some of the fall sessions to post them here, but I thought today would be nice to start with a new beginning.

Meet the newest addition to the Love family (they have such a great last name!). This darling little girl is already breaking hearts and wrapping her big brother around her delicious little finger! I had a great time catching up with the family and seeing their beautiful portrait wall constructed with prints from several of our previous sessions--hopefully they'll have an easier time deciding which images to add to the wall from this session than I because there are lots of cute ones!

Giving everyone the 'thumbs-up' (top middle)



With her big brother--Mr. Personality. This kiddo always makes me giggle in person and I think it translates into film!


Grandma is an avid and skilled quilt maker--the family had at least 10 quilts in various places around the house, so I couldn't resist our own take on 'The Princess and the Pea."


Our last photo of the day--some conceptual fun. Doesn't she look like a sweet little hatchling?