Melissa Tuck Photography Blog bio picture
  • WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

    Hi there! I'm Melissa, and I am a visual storyteller based in Athens, Georgia, who specializes in documentary wedding photography and portraiture.

    I am passionate about telling people's stories fully and authentically from a unique perspective. I love what I do, and I'm excited to share my life and work.

    If you use social media, please consider liking my Facebook page to stay updated on new content.

    So happy you stopped by for a visit. Look forward to hearing from you!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

I’ll be out of the office for the next week! I promise I’m not crazy taking a week off in the height of wedding season. ; ) The hubs and I are flying to NYC for the week to see his brother graduate. We’re SO excited to visit the place where we fell in love and where he proposed. We haven’t been back since we moved almost three years ago! AND next weekend my beloved graduates from law school (FINALLY!). : ) I’m so proud of him and can’t wait to celebrate his graduation with family.

SO. If you don’t hear from me for a week, this is why. : ) Lots of festivities and a little bit of R&R. I’m sure to be fully refreshed on my return to wedding season. See ya on the flip side, Internet!

I’ll leave you with some Holgas from New York and two of Bella when she was a PUPPY! : )

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May 14, 2012 - 10:20 am

Shannan - Have a great time, and please send Ryan my early “congrats” on graduating!

May 15, 2012 - 1:04 am

Alison - Bella is SO cute! Have a super fun trip and congrats to Ryan!

KARA + JON ENGAGED!

When Kara asked me if I’d like to do her and Jon’s engagement shoot on an island wildlife preserve, I think I responded like this: ummmm YES! : ) Dewees Island, South Carolina is a residential community designed to live in harmony with nature, and Kara has been taking vacations there with her family for years. You can only get to the island by private ferry, and golf carts are the only mode of transport allowed. The island’s unspoiled beaches and quiet forest were such a pleasing backdrop for our shoot — I think we saw a total of four people the entire session. A dream! The ONLY battles we had that day were mosquitoes and a snake… YES, a snake. Kara and I were quite surprised by our little friend. : )

These two are so adorable together. At first, Kara was a little nervous about being in front of a camera, but once we got going with the shoot, I could tell they both relaxed once they were just simply… together. : ) I had such a lovely, peaceful time during this session. Thanks for having me, you two! I can’t wait for your wedding this fall. Enjoy some of my favorites, y’all!

Gorg.

LOVE this one…

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May 12, 2012 - 2:15 pm

Love the B&W one in the middle - Great use of light and the natural backdrops in all of them. Love to see a couple in love and so happy. Wanna visit this place now!

PATTY + SCOTT – Mansion on Forsyth Park Wedding

Let me introduce you to the latest newlyweds to hit the blog… Patty + Scott! You’re in for a real treat today, folks.

Scott and Patty grew up in Connecticut and currently live there, but when they started looking at wedding venues up north, they were quickly discouraged. After a trip to The Hostess City of the South, they fell in love with Savannah, Georgia and decided to have a destination wedding. I think they’re Southerners at heart. ; )

Patty and Scott got married in late April at St. James Catholic Church, and the AMAZING celebration was held afterward at the Mansion on Forsyth Park. I LOVED shooting this wedding. Not only because my family was there (Patty is my sister-in-law’s sister and I consider all the Mikans family!), but simply stated — because it was an INCREDIBLE wedding. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much love and energy poured into one event. Here are the talented people who made the magic happen:

Bride’s dress: Alfred Angelo
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Alfred Angelo
Groom and groomsmen attire: Camillo
Makeup: Rachel with Spa Bleu
Hair: Joni with Spa Bleu
Florals: Vicki of Kiwi Fleur
Ceremony music: Helen Beddow, organist with St. James
Cake top tier and cupcakes: Gigi’s Cupcakes
DJ: Chris Capodicci with Classic Events Entertainment, Lighting & DJ Service
Caterer: Mansion on Forsyth Park
Invitations: Sharon with Celebrations
Trolley transportation: Old Savannah Tours
Rings: Rumanoff’s

I’m convinced that Patty is one of the sweetest people alive, and Scott meets her match as one big teddy bear. I can’t express how much of a privilege it was to hang out with them and photograph their wedding day. I’m crazy honored and humbled. You guys ROCK!

Thanks so much to Rachel Browne for helping me shoot — always a pleasure! Enjoy this beautiful wedding and COMMENTS are always appreciated! : )

Such a cute one of Patty’s parents. : )

Patty was one BEAUTIFUL bride!

I was dying over the peachy florals. LOVE!

Love this one!

Rachel did a great job with the guys prep. I love how this image illustrates tough (football on TV) and soft (Scott figuring out how to pin his delicate flower). : )

LOVE this shot Rachel grabbed of Scott waiting on the ceremony to start.

Yes! Married!

Love the next two “admire the rings” shot.

Our (Patty & my) nephew, Dylan! : )

Patty & Scott had prearranged for a trolley to drive us around Savannah for the portrait session and picked out some of their favorite spots ahead of time… River Street!

On top of The Bohemian Hotel overlooking the Savannah River and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge.

These two little girls were enamored with Patty. Love this moment.

Lastly, we hit up Forsyth Park, which actually had SCAD’s sidewalk arts festival going on (so there were TONS of people there, along with the many tourists). Cleverly, we made it work. : )

Tebow in front of Forsyth Park Fountain? Yes please!

The mansion was decorated to the nines.

These cupcakes smelled SO delicious as I was photographing them. It took every bit of discipline in my bones not to eat one. ha!

Patty & Scott let us take a few more photos of them in the soft light. Having ample time for portraits always makes a photographer happy. Thanks again, you two. : )

Love this!

Best. cake. feeding. EVER!
It wouldn’t be a Savannah wedding without Paula Deen and shrimp & grits!

The dance floor was busy ALL NIGHT LONG! I’ll let the remaining photos speak for themselves. : )

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May 10, 2012 - 11:04 am

Caroline - Okay, I had a running list of favorites to comment on but it got WAY too long. These shots are AWESOME!!!!!! Stunning bride, gorgeous wedding party, adorable nephew…and loving the setting & details and everything. Great job, Melissa!

May 10, 2012 - 11:37 am

Nicole H. - Love this wedding! Soooo beautiful! Love how many images you post too… you get a feel for the whole day! :)

May 10, 2012 - 11:55 am

Jenny Tenney - Oh my gosh, I have so many favorites!!! Wow, what an amazing wedding and you captured all of it beautifully.

May 10, 2012 - 12:58 pm

Ryan - If I wasn’t sad I missed it before … Wow, looked like a beautiful day. Congrats again to a really great pair!

May 10, 2012 - 8:34 pm

Erin Williamson - OK, so maybe I’m a little biased but I LOVE ya Mel! These are absolutely…lovely. The pics so perfectly depict the day and are absolutely fabulous. Pete, you look like a model in these pictures and I think it’s funny how you couldn’t look any different from the rest of us girls ;)

May 11, 2012 - 4:31 pm

Maura - I’ve honestly looked through these pictures 15 times in 24 hours…I can’t get enough of them! Melissa – I cannot get over how talented you are. I’m beyond inpressed with how many amazing moments you captured….I especially love the candids!

May 11, 2012 - 11:10 pm

Erin - Beautiful photos, beautiful couple!! Congrats to Patty and Scott – looks like your day was amazing! :)

May 12, 2012 - 5:25 pm

Loretta - What a beautiful wedding and the photos shown here are testiment that all of the beautiful and meaningful moments were captured. Going through the photos made one feel as if they were there, what a wonderful experience for those fortunate to have been a part of this wonderful celebration of love.

May 15, 2012 - 4:05 pm

Rachel Browne - I had such a blast working with you, and getting to know Patty and Scott! :) Beautiful wedding, inside and out.

JUMP AROUND!

I can’t WAIT to share Patty & Scott’s GORGEOUS Savannah, Georgia wedding with you tomorrow. Until then, turn up your sound and prepare to be wowed by the groom’s rapping skills in “Jump Around” by House of Pain. Personally, my favorite part of the video is when he says, “VERSE TWO!” Too good not to share… so much fun!

For best viewing results: press play and pause, let video fully load, and then watch! : )

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