It's A Boy!!

Congratulations, Joe and Nichole!!

I wish you all the joys that come with parenthood.
Cherish every moment! Take lots of pictures!!!!

And a little tidbit for down the road...
Raising kids is part joy and part guerilla warfare. :)
--Ed Asner

Love you! Miss



American Gothic-esque - I love this shot!


Nothing more beautiful!

WPPI Accolades of Excellence

Another nod!
This image was awarded by the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International for a high standard of professional skill, creativity and technique.

I Won An Award!!

The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association or [AG]WPJA is a group of international wedding photojournalists, who capture unscripted wedding moments as they happen, and excel in the art of post-production image processing. The [AG]WPJA is a division within the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA); one which specifically promotes Fine Art Wedding Photojournalism.

I entered my first professional photography contest thinking it would be cool to be recognized, but I wasn't really expecting to win anything. But, whatdaya know? I took a first place in Details and an 8th place in Ceremony. AND, I placed #4 overall!!

I'm really excited.

From Jack & Julie Csernits wedding, this detail shot jumped out at me. Julie was chatting with friends, enjoying a sunny October day by the water and everything was working...the angle of the sun, the cut of the dress, the shadow & color of her wine glass and all that beautiful bling. I LOVE that bracelet...Tiffany's. Yummy. :)

1st Place: [AG]WPJA 2006 Winter - Details


And, this photo from Nicole & Kevin Senko's wedding at St Francis Church took an 8th place in the Ceremony category. I love photographing ritual and the faithful and being Catholic myself, this moment meant so much to me. I could feel it then and knowing the power of this faith, I can still feel it now. There is so much love and support being bestowed upon this couple at this moment.

8th Place: [AG]WPJA 2006 Winter - Ceremony

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

Wow! What a year so far!

I have officially shut down the calendar on all photography coverages for Saturday or Sunday from May 19th to Oct 6th.

Dates Booked:
March 17, 2007
May 19, 2007
May 25, 2007
May 26, 2007
June 02, 2007
June 09, 2007
June 16, 2007
June 23, 2007
June 30, 2007
July 14, 2007
July 20, 2007
July 21, 2007
July 22, 2007
July 28, 2007
August 04, 2007
August 11, 2007
August 17, 2007
August 18, 2007
August 25, 2007
September 01, 2007
September 08, 2007
September 15, 2007
September 22, 2007
September 29, 2007
October 06, 2007
October 29, 2007
November 16, 2007

2008 Dates Already Booked
June 21, 2008
June 28, 2008
July 19, 2008
Sept 06, 2008

A Winter Engagement

I love this session!!!

Finally, someone took me up on a winter engagement and I have to say, it's one of my new favorite backgrounds. Of course, our session started just as a blizzard rolled into town, but what can I say, I'm a better photographer than a meteorologist. :)

Next time I'll wear better boots, but I'll always take one for the team if we can have this kind of outcome.

Thank you Rita and Dave for an awesome time!

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!)

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!

Wendy & Wyatt's Wedding Slideshow

The Wedding of Wendy Gardner & Wyatt Courtney
Date: Sept 30, 2006
Wedding: Leland Country Club
Reception: The family's summer home on the shores of Lake Michigan. Gill's Pier, Northport, MI
Catering: The Riveside Inn
Dress: Vera Wang

Flowers: Distinctive Florals

Cake: The Underground Cheesecake Factory

Band: The Tom Taylor Band, Detroit

Welcome To My Blog!

WooHoo!! I'm so excited to unveil my new website and blog!

Welcome!

So, you might be wondering, "What is a blog and why am I here?"

Well, it's kind of like a diary.
If you check in periodically, you'll get the latest news and
the opportunity to see what I'm working on.
I'll be sharing some older work to start, then, as the year
progresses, you'll see sneak peeks of all the cool people and places I'm shooting. You'll definitely see some personal work too and probably be able to get a good idea of what I'm all about.

My goal is to post at least weekly, but I can't make any promises,
I am a busy woman, ya know?
SuperMom, wife, photographer...eat your heart out Martha!

So, without further ado...

Welcome & Enjoy!
Melisa

Friends call me Missy, but if you don't like my work you can call me Melisa. :) (hee)