JOY~ by Mel

This is week 3 for the i heart faces contest. So far the past two weeks were "anything goes" categories. This week however the theme is "JOY." These entries are different than my previous posts as they were not part of a photo shoot per say. They were just moments that happened organically and I was there to intercept life as it was. These are people in the moment no strings attached. I wasn't aiming for any particular outcome I just turned my camera and captured life as it evolved.

About my kid's entry for this week- This is as student in my Kindergarten class. (I am a teacher as well as photographer)- During the warmer months (oh where did those go???) I took my camera gear out to the playground and took some photos. This was the second in a series of 3 photos that I snapped of this particular student. She was running, enjoying the sunshine, elated with the JOY that childhood can bring. I love the look on her face, the way her arms are flailing, the subtle way the light brightens her skin, and the bounce in her hair that looks like a Pantene commercial. I thought I'd try to give it a bit of a vintage feel in it's processing as there is something so nostalgic about the capture. Seeing childhood memories in photos can help us all sit back and remember our own days of play and childhood joy.

About my adult's entry for this week-So can you think of anything more joyful than guys and their incessant LOVE of football? From fantasy football to the reality that is this picture it seems that it brings joy to the masses of the masculine kind. (and hey lots of ladies love it too)-- This particular photo was taken at the annual "Turkey Bowl" that my husband along with his brothers, many of his uncles, cousins and friends play in the day after Thanksgiving. This year I decided to take my big boy zoom lens (other wise known as Canon 70-200) out to the field to get some shots. Now while I am used to taking lifestyle portraits and am not as versed in the sports setting I do have to say that I found it actually enjoyable to shoot the boys as they were in motion. I almost got ran over a few times but it was great fun and I have lots of memories from that day. This is one of my favorites. (PS- my hubby is the one on the far bottom right corner wearing the Browns hat--isn't he handsome?) Notice how he has a camera ready smile? That smile got me. Hook. Line. Sinker. Done! Being married to him...now that is JOY!



Head on over to www.iheartfaces.com and enter their weekly contest. It is sure to bring some JOY into your week!

I Spy Ashlyn & Avery~by Mel

Shout out to Angie Roth Arthur designer of these super collages and  co-creator of i heart faces!

Can you spy two familiar faces in these collages put together by the iheartfaces team? Last week my photo of Avery (in the collage below) didn't win a top spot but made into the collage! I find that to be a special honor since 100's of photos were entered. This week we my photo of Ashlyn (in the collage above) was also selected to be included. There were only about 48 photos chosen for collages this week out of 330 so I was pretty happy to see one of the faces I entered included. It is really neat to see all those precious faces together in such a way. So many lives and stories are represented. You can check out the other collages, the entries for the week, and last week's winners posted on www.iheartfaces.com. 

(and you know I'll be back at it again next week!) 

i.heart.faces (kid's entry) ~by Mel

Isn't she a doll? This is Ashlyn and she encompasses all things that are beautiful about children. Eyes that sparkle, an infectious smile, and charm that is easily visible through a camera lens. I was taking photos and she ended up putting her hands on this fence in such a natural way and I had to capture that moment. My camera went click and here is the result! (Don't you just love natural outdoor light?  And I also love the little wispy hairs that children get when they have been playing!) 

I heart faces is at it again with their weekly contest. Head on over to their website and enter a photo or just browse many others for ideas, inspiration and encouragement. Just click on their button below and you will be taken to their website. Or you can click on this link: www.iheartfaces.com

i.heart.faces (adult entry)~by Mel

Here is my post for the adult category. To me there is a certain magic about a couple in love. Jess and Alex had a great engagement shoot and were really up for anything. I think you can see their fun personalities perfectly in this picture. It ended up being a favorite of theirs and mine. Maybe you'd like to post a favorite photo. Check out www.iheartfaces.com and post your own entry into their weekly contest.

A Day At The Fair

We headed out Sunday for another bridal fair at Meadowbrook Park. I (this is Mel talking) couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic as this is where Chad and I got married and I had not been back since our reception. Hint hint to all brides...this is a fabulous spot to hold a reception! It is just gorgeous! This fair was put on by Altrusa of Tiffin and the women were so sweet to us. This time we felt more comfy with our set up and it took us half the time to get things arranged. We met many wonderful brides and even had some who stopped by again to see us after meeting us last weekend! This time we circulated the room and spoke with some vendors and took some photos. There are many wonderful local businesses who are doing a great job here in Tiffin. Web links or contact information is listed below. Mar and I enjoy sharing our passion and look forward to working with some wonderful couples this year and next! We have an upcoming bridal fair at The University of Findlay in the Koehler Center on February 3rd from 5-8pm. Come out and see us there!

Websites & Contact Info:
Altrusa of Tiffin-www.tiffinaltrusa.com
Phat Cakes-www.phatcakes.net (contact Natalie Wertz)
Tom Rodgers Flowers-www.rodgersflowers.com (contact Tom Rodgers)
Mohawk Country Club-www.mohawkgolf.com (contact Jimmy Jones)
Ye Crimpers Shoppe-419-447-8372 (contact Jaime Alley)

(Of course we also posted a picture of our booth. You can see Mar in the corner with our set up--isn't she the cutest?)

Snow Day~ by Mel

Life's simple pleasures... The chilled breeze on an early spring day, the look of love in they eyes of a beloved pet, the way a piece of chocolate tastes in your mouth after a month of dieting, the joy from a deal on shoes that were way too expensive to buy anyway, the way sand feels between your toes, the sound of the voice of someone you love, an unexpected text that makes your day, the ring of the phone announcing the words...snow day! Today the weather is beyond frigid. My weatherman said it is something like 20 below. And while the icy temperatures outside are not as welcomed by most in the world they are certainly welcomed by teachers and students everywhere. Happy snow day to all! The picture above is some of my students watching the snow come down as it has many times this year while we were at school. The poem below was actually sent to me from my principal who thought we teachers might get a kick out of it and of course I did!

Teacher's Prayer for Snow

Oh Lord, let it snow. 

Let it drift and let it blow. 

In the morning, no real fuss, 

Just enough to stop the bus. 

Enough to make the county say: 

"There will be no school today." 

Let the radio report: "Snow's deep!"

And I'll roll over for more sleep. 

Then later on, say maybe ten, 

I'll turn the radio on again. 

Just in time to hear them say: 

"It's strange, the snow has gone away." 

And then I'll know, You made it stop. 

So I can go to the mall and shop. 

Please Lord, just hear my teacher's plea, 

And make it snow for the kids and me.

- John Hillen

i.heart.faces~ (adult pic)~by Mel

Here I go again! I am entering this picture in the i heart faces adult category. I entered a child's category photo the other day. I mentioned this unique and wonderful sight in my previous post. It is all about sharin' and showin' love for your own photos and those of others! I encourage you all to check it out and if you didn't get the web address the first time here it is again www.iheartfaces.com. Go there...enter...comment on other people's pix...get great ideas...feel the LOVE!

i.heart.faces~by Mel

Today I have posted my entry for the "I heart faces" weekly contest.  It is a very cool website put together to encourage photo sharing.  They have categories for kids and adults photos and a new contest takes place every week.  Anyone can post a photo so check it out at www.iheartfaces.com. It is such a great way to get others interested in the power of images to link up, chat, and see some amazing pictures.  My kid's entry for this week is a photo of my niece Avery.  Isn't she just beautiful? 

Rockstars

We saw one of our future brides at Camden yesterday and she got a chance to see the new music video that we put together of her engagement session.  Check it out!  Shout out to Jess and Alex!  

Been There...Done That!

What an amazing time we had yesterday at Camden Falls!  Of course we arrived early and were the first to set up.  After finishing our booth display we rushed home for a quick wardrobe change, a dash of makeup, and chance to catch our breath and then we were back again to start the show.  We met many wonderful brides-to-be and you couldn't help but feel the LOVE in the air.  We look forward to being a part of many upcoming weddings. We will be at Meadowbrook Park next Sunday and we anticipate another fabulous experience. 

Camden Falls Here We Come!

We will be attending our first bridal fair this Sunday January 11th at Camden Falls in Tiffin.  The fair is from 12:00-3:00.  There will be 500 brides attending this fair and we are very excited to meet many new future clients!  Pray that the snow will subside and that there will be a good turn out!   We will have displays and videos that are different from what others will showcase.  The following weekend we will be at Meadowbrook Park in Bascom.  More info on that to come.  Please come check us out.  We hope to see you!  

Long Time No Blog~by Mel

So, it has been quite some time since my last blog and while Mar coined me as the "Bloginator" I feel I have to give up my crown.  In an effort to restore my title I have decided to blog a little collage of photos I have taken over the past few months.  They include new beginnings and old traditions.  While it is usually customary for me to write more I think I'll stop now and leave you with some of my favorites.  And while New Year's has actually passed,  I think I have yet another resolution to keep.  Maybe this one will be easier than my diet! 

Family pictures anyone? 

Long Time No Blog~Part 2

Long Time No Blog~Part3

Some holiday cheer...

Holiday Cheer... Christmas decor at our house...taken on the night of our Very Perry Christmas Party.  And above my husband played Santa for my students.  

The Turkey Bowl 2008.  Chad (my hubby) and Alex (Mar's hubby) play in this annual football game that takes place the day after Thanksgiving.  My brother in laws and other family members also play.  Each one thinks he is an all star! 

Our first "Thanks-for-Giving" meal.  We got together with friends and cooked a Thanksgiving meal since we all spend the actual Thanksgiving day with our family.  

Eden...my God daughter and Mar's daughter...isn't she a cute bee?