Happy Anniversary Angela & Michael!!

Last February 17th, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Michael, Angela, and Angela's beautiful daughter, Sylvia. Michael and Angela had dated earlier in their lives, but as it turned out, it just wouldn't be the right time for them. Their journey back to one another would take years and heartache, Angela had married and then suffered one of the greatest losses imagineable, the death of her husband and father to her baby girl. Michael and Angela met again some time after that and as it turns out they would really click.

Michael & Angela traveled north to marry at the Country Hermitage Bed & Breakfast in Traverse City in an intimate ceremony surrounded by close friends and family. Only one day prior, a blizzard had ripped through the county shutting down all the roads in the area, but the skies cleared, the plows...well, they plowed and the Dusseau's were married on a perfect winter's day. Seeing this couple so happy together and the love they share for Sylvia...well, it just gets me all misty again! I'm such a sap.

Happy Anniversary my friends!
Melisa





I love musician's hands!








A Shout Out to Pastor Dan Herlein (he's the coolest!)

Girlfriends + Photographers = Good Times & Cool Photos!!

Chicago was so much fun!!

Driving there?



Yeah, not so much fun.

I drove through a blizzard, ran out of windshield wiper fluid, then the windshield wiper started streaking across the driver's side and I apparently just missed a 20 car pileup.


I just barely made it to my 5:30pm appointment scheduled with a gorgeous Chicago couple who has booked me to photograph their 2008 wedding in the Traverse City area. A big congratulations to Stephanie Barker & John-Michael Wheat on their engagement, I can't wait to work with you!!

After my meeting, I dashed up to my room to finally meet, in person, my good friends from our professional online photography forum.
Jeannie Turnock, Stacey Doyle & Kristin Cioffi



Leigh Miller



Vida Perez



& you know me...



As you can tell we are a sassy bunch of babes!! :)
We stayed two nights together in Chicago and had a great time eating, cocktailing and talking shop!

On Day Two, we attended an inspiring seminar by celebrity wedding photographer , Joe Buissink (he photographed J Lo, Christina Aquilera, Hillary Swank, etc) and Marcus Bell, Australian master photographer and one of the world's finest wedding photographers. It was truly fantastic! Joe & Marcus encouraged us to continue to shoot from the heart, to capture memories that will last a lifetime and to put a value on our art.
We met more peeps from our forum...the Johnstons, Mr. Stacey, Anne Ruthman, Jon Jacobson & Joan Grummels. A great time was had by all.

This trip was exactly what I needed. To find that I have so many friends in this often lonely career of photography...well that just rocks! Not everyone will understand the great amount of effort, pressure & sacrifice that goes into being a wedding photographer...we have these truly important jobs and just one chance to get it right. That's pretty cool, I think.

More Pics ...

You'll never see this again!

So, yesterday I had a fabulous experience at Pavlova European Salon & Spa in Traverse City where I received outstanding treatment from hair designer, Sherri Lynn Ricard. Poor Sherri, she worked her butt off! Actually, most hair stylists do not realize what they're up against when I walk through the door and I always tell them when I make my appointment that I will probably need more time than most because I have a ridiculous amount of hair. Seriously people, I have hair so big that I have zero peripheral vision when it's down.

Now, anyone that knows me is well aware that I've been struggling w/ finding a stylist since my best friend and kickin' hairstylist, Sarah Chile moved to Grand Rapids...5 years ago!! In fact, I've been so stubborn about the whole thing that I refuse to cut my hair until I plan a trip to Grand Rapids so Chile can make me over at her sexy salon, Design One Studios. But, I have this Girl Photographer's Get Together coming up in a few days and we are appropriately called the Hotties, so I must look hot, right? Right!

I wish I had taken one of those sweet "before" shots...you know, the sad face w/ mangled hair...but, alas I did not. Though, it must have not been all that bad, because Neil Morrison & Molly Hubbell booked their August 25th wedding with me just prior my appointment. I'm sooooo excited to work w/ them and come to find out I babysat Neil when he was a little dude...that was weird & cool all at the same time. I'm sure they would not even recognize me today as Sherri took on the great challenge of straightening the madness that is my hair. One hour and the strength of...well, a hair stylist, (she must have THE BEST arms)... well, just check out the hotness!!

Oh, and you will never see this again as I would surely end up in a rubber room from straightening my own hair and my family really needs me.

Thank you, Sherri! You rock!