…….cute as a button bee.  Little miss evelyn is one of our brand new clients. She fit right in to our long list of “so much fun to photograph” kiddos! During a session, I pretty much hang out with children and direct them in a way so they don’t realize that they are doing exactly what I want them to do.  Now, that being said, with sweet evelyn, I have now met my match.  Not quite two, she very much knows how to handle herself. She knows what she wants to do and what she doesn’t want to do…all the while being very polite about it.  at times, I wondered if she must be older than two.

Her mommy brought wonderful outfits to play in. We had several different looks. Cute outfits. Great accessories. and even her halloween costume! I had a blast!

My favorite (besides the bee costume) was when we played with the hats and scarf that mommy brought. and really without my direction, evelyn was perfect! She played. She posed. She sat still. all of it. add that to whispy strawberry blonde hair and shiny blue eyes and golden sunset……makes me very happy!

Like this one, my favorite sessions are the ones with relaxed and “go with the flow” atmosphere.  When mommy & daddy just let go and let their child be themselves. Yes, the small details are taken care of like clean face and no boogies, but clothing is comfy and not binding, hair does not have to be perfect in all shots, constant smiling is not stressed,  and the child can have fun and truly show their personality.  If this formula is used then it is almost guaranteed that the images will portray the child in an honest and true to life way. The child that mommy & daddy sees everyday. the smiles, the pouts, the laughs, mean face, silly face, serious, curious, mischievous, and so on.  And, of course, those are my favorite images. The “real” ones. That means the images are unique to only that child. Some of my favorite are completely unplanned and unexpected. Ideas that just happen spontaneously because the session was not stressful and was allowed to flow naturally…..like playtime. That’s it! Sessions should be considered playtime.

well….while we are on the subject, I might as well add a little about clothing. I suggest bringing several items that coordinate and accessories to add and take away from the outfits. When deciding on color, just consider where the images will be displayed. Patterns can be mixed…colors can be mixed…have fun with it. example: for multi-colors use colors that compliment each other, mix patterns that match because of color, like plaid with paisley, add some solid to break up the patterns.  for one color use several shades of the same color, again mixing patterns and solids. for neutrals the same can apply, mix patterns, solids, textures. Don’t lock yourself into just solids or one pattern with a solid. Think in layers…just like you would in decorating a room.  And of course, don’t forget accessories!fun hats/caps, scarves, coats, boots, hair accessories like headbands etc, leg warmers, arm warmers, funky neckties, suspenders, fun socks, vests, sports coat, leggings/tights, belts, etc. Also, things that your child loves is always welcome in the images…things that will make the session fun for him/her like skateboard, ball, umbrella, tutu, hula hoop, a magic wand, favorite toy, blankie, etc. Use your imagination but more importantly, be true to your child. Keep in mind that the session should be customized just to fit him/her. If your child loves to draw, bring crayons and some paper. It would be wonderful to have images of them drawing. That is a cute storyboard…the child coloring and drawing and also an image of him/her holding up the art they completed! THAT is what capturing your child is all about.

ok. I have rambled again. sorry. here are a few more pics…..

hope everyone had a great halloween. I will try to post more halloween pics tomorrow.

Life: unPOSED

Melissa

the ART of your LIFE.

lafayette, louisiana, photography, newborn, infant, baby, toddler, children, child, kids, family, photographer, portraits, outdoor, session, on location, studio, natural, fun, candid, simple, art, lifestyle, life, life art, maternity, bridal, engagement, seniors, fashion, modern, urban, fresh, contemporary, true to life, wall art, wall displays, collages, storyboards, canvas portraits, natural personality images, coffee table books, custom designed, image art box, christmas cards, melissa andries photography

fabulous. quirky. funny. easy going. and super adorable. all full of personality! ….these are some of the words that I would use to describe the family I photographed this evening. I know I don’t normally post an image from a session this quickly….and I don’t mean to be unfair, but I was just so excited about this particular image. I thought the sun was absolutely perfect. And this was my first time shooting this location.

We just hung out and was pretty much entertained by their two little boys! all was fun and games except for the big tall horse that kept getting too close for comfort (according to me-everyone else seemed un-phased by his presence) and then of course there were numerous piles of horsie poo poo that none of us wanted to step in or especially sit in. but that is just all a part of a wonderful location!

as the session came to an end….finishing up some close-ups of the boys….all the while still being amused and entertained, I received one of the coolest compliments ever! (at least I took it as a compliment!) The dad said to me…

“I can see how people could get addicted to you doing their pictures.”

isn’t that a neat thing to say? I like it. alot. thanks so much Brett!

and then, as if that wasn’t enough to send my ego into puffy head status….mom (from the session, not my mom ) sent me a little message on facebook…

“hey melissa…Cooper said when we got home “I had fun today mom” wow that’s not something I’ve heard my kids say about taking pictures. Thanks so much we had a great experience….you rock chic!!!!”

aren’t they a cool family! love it! Thanks Erin….actually it was you guys that ROCK! I just photograph what I see. Ya’ll did the work!

I will stop typing now. It is kinda like talking….sometimes I just don’t know when to stop!

Melissa

Life: unPOSED.

lafayette, louisiana, photography, newborn, infant, baby, toddler, children, child, kids, family, photographer, portraits, outdoor, session, on location, studio, natural, fun, candid, simple, art, lifestyle, life, life art, maternity, bridal, engagement, seniors, fashion, modern, urban, fresh, contemporary, true to life, wall art, wall displays, collages, storyboards, canvas portraits, natural personality images, coffee table books, custom designed, image art box, christmas cards, melissa andries photography

my kids are growing up. that makes me sad and happy and scared all at the same time. for some reason, lately I have been really reaching for time. I want to make it stop or at least slow down. my baby, the youngest, is now five. that is probably why I am freaking out. and I am sure it does not help that my oldest will be a senior in high school next year. that just makes me want to say a bad word. I feel like I want to rewind and get some of that time back I feel I must have lost along the way.

always caught up in life, but not living in the moment. always waiting for the next moment to happen. yep, that’s me. then years pass and I am left thinking how I could have savored the years more. what could i have done, what can I do now to make sure I absorb every minute, every day of my life.

the solution has become clear.

stop.

just stop and listen.

stop and look…and really see.

pay attention. true attention to details. the small things that make me smile.

from now on I want to stop and not only look at what my kids draw but sit down with them, even if only for a minute and let them explain to me what they have drawn (and really listen-not just glancing and saying “oh that is so good. have you brushed your teeth yet?”)….I want to ask them questions because I truly love the answers they come up with. I want to notice more….I want to memorize every little detail.

I know. it is not always possible because life is busy. but I want to make an effort. more of an effort.

my kids have their good and bad traits.

I want to remember.  and as a photographer I can document so much. I can document life as it unfolds. I can freeze the moments that I want to stick in my mind. I may forget in years to come but when I look at that photograph, the memory will come rushing back to me and I can smile….and remember.

We always document “big moments” in life and that is great but the small moments are even more important. those tiny little pieces fill up every day. those small details define life. and believe it or not, are forgotten. gone. unless documented in some way. journal. pictures. video. all of the above. whatever.

words and photography. both are artistic forms of expression and when used together can be very powerful. and artsy. and i love artsy.

so. we are mixing words with photography. and focusing on the little things in life. good. now we need to think about how to put all this together and enter it in our lives.

photography of our children

+

words they say or things they do

+

a little creative thinking and design

=

wonderful wonderful art for your home. meaningful art. in any color you like. simple. dramatic. colorful. black & white. any size. all sorts of shapes. multiple pieces. or one huge image that defines your child’s personality. I am not talking about a portrait. I am not talking about a head shot portrait. I am talking about….wind in the hair…dirt on the toes…lips all pouty…or big crooked smile…feeling…emotion….being themselves. This art can be designed to fit the decor in your home. it can be simple, modern, contemporary, abstract, vintage, shabby chic, whimsical, serious, rich in color, vivid in color, even no color at all…whatever reflects you as a family. your style. your life. the ART of your LIFE.

This post is getting long. sorry. I get all fired up about this stuff. I can’t possibly explain all the ideas we are thinking about but, in a nutshell…

-Melissa Andries Photography is working on a new approach to photographing your child.

-We will be offering design consultations to help you better decide what to do with the art of your child.

-The art will be custom designed with your life and your decor in mind. I want every client to have an original piece of artwork, unlike any other.

-Not all pieces will be wall art. We have much more to offer. Not everything has to hang on the wall.

-Also, we are tweaking a few things to add more convenience to you, the client.

-But don’t worry…one thing that will NOT change with the beginning of the new year is our pricing. All prices will remain the same. We are just adding more options and easier ways for you to decide what to do with your images.

We are very excited! Especially me. It is what I love to do. create. Create art, but more than art. more than photography. more than portraits. Create something that makes you happy every time you look at it. something that blends in with your home but stands out because of the feeling and uniqueness of it. something that, in years to come, will bring tears to your eyes and happiness to your soul because you remember the little things. you stopped and looked when there was still time to see. and you lived your life in the moment. the important moment.

the ART of your LIFE.

yep. that is a chalk drawing of me by my little Reid. He was so excited. he ran into the house…”momma momma, come see. I drawed you! and you have rainbow hair. I like rainbow hair!” that is one of those moments I want to stick. the sparkle in his eyes. his excited stuttering. and being so proud of himself. so I stopped. and now I will remember.

Life: unPOSED

Melissa

when you think of a picture perfect family…isn’t this family exactly what comes to mind? I mean, look at those faces. the baby has a great smile and gorgeous eyes, dad is tall and handsome (I can say that, right Mia? haha) mom could be a model….she probably is! her hair is to die for, and little man there has such a cool look and knows exactly how to “turn it on” for the camera….oh yeah, and he has great hair too! now add wonderful clothing and color choices for the session and you’ve got a happy happy photographer girl! I say this alot but I had so much fun during this session…I can’t help it. I get so excited, and no it is not because of the Red Bull… I just really do get excited about photographing my clients.

I have to say, I am so lucky! I get to photograph families like this! babies like this! little boys like this! I get to play with them and act silly! I get to be their friend! I am watching so many babies/kids grow up. Not just my own but so many others. I get to document their personalities as they grow. I get to create art with their beautiful faces, smiles, pouts, hands, feet, etc.   aw. I think I am getting emotional. crap. i am such a girl. but no really…. I am lucky.

So. I want to say thank you! Thank you Mia for letting me photograph your family. Thank you for letting me watch your kids grow up. Thank you for trusting me to capture them as you want to remember all the little things that are important now and will so soon be forgotten without images, without art, without me…..haha! sorry I had to add that. It’s late and I am getting delirious i guess.

this thank you is for all my “mia’s”! ya’ll know who you are! and I adore you guys because ya’ll love what I love…emotion and feeling and little details… and you know, I not only get to watch the kids grow, but alot of my clients are moms my age or at least close to my age…ok so maybe most are younger…anyways…we as moms also grow with our kids, so it is so great to get to know each mom and watch how a baby, a child, can bring out so much in someone. it is great. it is life. yay! I am so excited about this season because I will get to see so many of you guys. I will get to see how big everyone has gotten. I will get to hear stories and things that are going on in your life. (well, I guess I have seen most of you throughout the year….that’s ok….I will still listen to the stories! haha)  It’s gonna be great!

(yawn) time for bed. I am pooped. if you actually read this whole post, congrats, you have a better attention span than me! sorry for all the rambling on. sometimes I just can’t quit typing.

night night.

melissa

the ART of your LIFE.

You know, there are some people that are your friends….and then there are the people that just GET “you”? Well, this lady is the person that “gets me”. We have known each other for several years now and during this time we have realized how much alike we are. And now that she has a baby, we have even more in common.  I look forward to watching her grow as a mother….it already suits her quite well.  She recently came to the studio so we could do a portrait session. She brought a million beautiful things to play with…clothes…hats…headbands….blankets…booties…bloomers…etc. etc.

Needless to say…I was in baby photographer heaven!

We spent all afternoon photographing this gorgeous child. And it was so much fun!

Now she is waiting patiently for her images to be done so she can see them! (I am almost done sweetie! I promise) Here is a little bit of what we did that day!

…..I will be doing lots more portraits of her and baby girl….they have recently moved back closer to me….and for this I am grateful!

more to come later. night yall.

hugs.

melissa

lafayette, louisiana, photography, newborn, infant, baby, toddler, children, child, kids, family, photographer, portraits, outdoor, session, on location, studio, natural, fun, candid, simple, art, lifestyle, life, life art, maternity, bridal, engagement, seniors, fashion, modern, urban, fresh, contemporary, true to life, wall art, wall displays, collages, storyboards, canvas portraits, natural personality images, coffee table books, custom designed, image art box, christmas cards, melissa andries photography