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  • WELCOME TO MY BLOG!

    Hi there! I'm Melissa, and I am a visual storyteller who specializes in documentary wedding photography and fresh, stylized portraiture. I'm based in Rome, Georgia, but I love to travel!

    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.

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

SASHA + SINIŠA – Antler Hill Barn Rehearsal Dinner

05.13.13 Posted in PARTIES

One word: SINASHA! : ) This is the term everyone used to affectionately describe this happy couple during their rehearsal dinner. I got a nice giggle out of it.

I traveled up to Asheville, North Carolina to photograph Sasha + Siniša’s rehearsal dinner at Antler Hill Barn at the Biltmore Estate in early May. Despite the random cold, un-spring-like weather, it was a beautiful event. I particularly enjoyed all of the heartwarming toasts. Every family member/friend/guest who spoke about Sasha + Siniša had such lovely things to say — about them individually and as a couple. It really was endearing. Enjoy a glimpse into their special night!

Siniša’s family is Croatian, and I loved all of the Croatian touches — the table setting names, the appetizer flags, the authentic desserts.

How adorable is Sinasha’s nephew?!

Everyone got a good laugh when Sasha’s dad needed a music stand to hold his mile-long roast/toast. : )

Ahhh the wonders of technology. One of Sasha’s bridesmaids couldn’t be there due to pregnancy, so she pre-taped her toast and a fellow bridesmaid played it for her!

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May 13, 2013 - 11:13 am

Leslie Marshburn - Melissa -
These are wonderful! You really captured the evening – great having you there!

LOVE ON YOUR MAMAS

05.10.13 Posted in PERSONAL

Mother’s Day is this weekend. Remember to give your mama some extra special love and appreciation. I’m thankful that I get to see my mom early next week! Here are some of my favorite moments of her from my wedding day in 2011. Common theme: Mom likes to show excitement. Love that. : )

And also, because it’s the first Mother’s Day that my mom won’t have her mom here with us, here are a couple of my wonderful Nana, who is missed a whole lot:

Thank you to The Schultzes for these treasured memories. Love you, Mom.

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May 10, 2013 - 4:23 pm

Dad - Incredibly sweet! Touching. Yes, I’m crying like a baby. Excuse me while I get more Kleenex.

May 10, 2013 - 8:46 pm

Mom - You are such a wonderful, caring, and sweet daughter. Thank you for the Mother’s Day tribute! What a joyful memory of Nana-she looked beautiful. In my heart always! And I love you dearly!

RACHAEL BRIDAL: UNVEILED!

05.08.13 Posted in BRIDAL, PORTRAITS

This session…. it just puts a BIG ol’ smile on my face. I photographed gorgeous Rachael in her stunning Pronovias gown at Primrose Cottage last week, which just so happened to be the week of her wedding. She and Jaran got married last Saturday on the rainiest day of the year (I’m deeming it so, at least) in Georgia, so I can share these photos with y’all right away. No waiting this time. : )

Rachael is so much fun in front of the camera — I had a great time photographing her (and special thanks to her sisters and mom for the help!). Enjoy. : )

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May 8, 2013 - 11:54 am

Jenny Tenney - These are so pretty!!! This is one of my favorite bridal shoots you have done! What a gorgeous bride! Love her dress. I bet she is really happy that she had you do her bridals on a sunny day if her wedding got rained on.

May 8, 2013 - 9:12 pm

Brenda B. Parker - All I can say is “Wow”. These are so pretty. I guess it doesn’t hurt that your subject matter is gorgeous and so was the dress & venue. As always Melissa, just beautiful.

COURTNEY + SHANE – Pretty Place Wedding

05.03.13 Posted in WEDDINGS

Courtney and Shane got married on a BEAUTIFUL spring day. Look at that dreamy light!

The ceremony was held at the Fred W. Symmes Chapel — aka the pretty place — in Cleveland, South Carolina. My GOODNESS this place has gorgeous views; it is tucked away in the Appalachians near the NC-SC state line. Love those mountain backdrops! And it is so peaceful there. The reception was held at the Highland Lake Inn in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Both were lovely landscapes for a wedding day!

Bride’s dress: Modeca
Bride’s shoes: Coloriffics
Bridesmaids’ dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom and groomsmen attire: Vera Wang
Bride’s hair and makeup: Carley Smith of Lather Salon
Florals: Debi Warren, family friend
Coordinator: Moxie Studios
Ceremony music: Four Seasons Ensemble
Cupcakes: Donna Threlkeld
DJ: T&B Sound Designs
Caterer: Season’s Restaurant at Highland Lake Inn
Programs: Delphine Press
Rings: Diamonds Direct

Courtney & Shane, y’all were a pleasure to be with and photograph. Thank you for letting me be there! And a quick fun fact for everyone: the groom’s twin sister was a past bride of mine. And get this: the bride has her own twin! I LOVE twins — so great! : ) Enjoy this wedding, y’all.

Twin moment. : )

Love the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses!

Courtney placed her late grandmother’s brooch on her bouquet.

Shane was so pumped to see his bride!

Twin getting emotional. So sweet.

Gorgeous girl!

LOVE this one.

So adorable!

Courtney’s late grandmother’s sister. She and her sisters got a little emotional when saying goodbye.

Hilarious bouquet toss sequence. I think Courtney and her twin planned it?! : )

Shout out to Amy + James on the left! Heart y’all. : )

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May 3, 2013 - 10:50 am

Amy - Melissa, these are AWESOME! I’m so glad you did their wedding!! :)

May 3, 2013 - 11:15 am

Photo fan - LOVE that ring shot. What a beautiful setting! My goodness those mountain views … Everything looked just perfect.

BERNADETTE + CASEY – Four Seasons Baltimore Wedding

04.26.13 Posted in TRAVEL, WEDDINGS

This wedding was EPIC, y’all. I flew up to Baltimore, Maryland in mid-April on a picture-perfect weekend to capture these two lovebirds tie the knot:

I first met Bernadette while studying abroad in Sydney, Australia during college. From our first conversation miles away from both of our homes, we pretty much clicked and spent a lot of time together. I couldn’t have been MORE thrilled when she asked me to shoot her wedding (I think I did a happy jig/dance while talking to her on the phone — not exaggerating!). : )

I’m so happy she met Casey in Baltimore; they couldn’t be more perfect for each other. My favorite part of their wedding day was simply witnessing how they looked at each other. It melted my heart from behind the camera, that’s for sure. They got married at Old St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and the GORGEOUS reception was held at the Four Seasons in Harbor East. I think Baltimore is my new favorite city… at least, the harbor views left me breathless. ; )

Bride’s dress: Augusta Jones, purchased from Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaids’ dresses: Monique Lhuillier
Groom and groomsmen attire: Black Lapel
Hair and makeup: Alison Harper and Company
Florals: Uncommon Events
Coordinator: Uncommon Events
Ceremony music: String Poets
Cake: Patisserie Poupon
Band: The Source
Videographer: CinemaCake
Caterer: Four Seasons Baltimore
Invitations: Green Kangaroo
Rings: Nelson Coleman Jewelers
Rolls Royce: Her Majesty’s Service

Coming away from this wedding, the beauty of it and feelings from it leave me without words. It really was a perfect day. Everyone had a smile on their face the ENTIRE time! Let me get to the photos because I had SO many favorites. Bernadette & Casey, y’all know I love you guys and wish you a lifetime of happiness and FUN!

*Special thanks to Alison of Freckle Photography for helping me shoot and Melissa and Amanda of Uncommon Events for making the day go flawlessly!

Love these two gals.

Gorgeous bride!!!

Sweet mama/daughter moments.

Father of the bride taking in the awesome views…

Studs!

LOVED Bernadette’s sparkly nails!

Adore this mom/sisters shot. : )

Grandmother’s dog couldn’t WAIT for the bouquets to be used — thirsty pup!

Such a fun group of ladies!

Casey & Bernadette’s first look was so, so sweet.

Iconic Baltimore…

The ring bearer and flower girl (brother & sister) were SO CUTE.

Love this moment between Casey’s dad and the couple.

Isn’t this cake SO unique!?

Great toasts throughout the evening…

I LOVED all of the floral details at the reception!

The band was AMAZING!

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April 26, 2013 - 12:32 pm

Jenni - Melissa, you are so talented!
Beautiful wedding.

April 26, 2013 - 1:26 pm

Ex-Marylander - These photos are beautiful. Baltimore has some new post card material! And those varying reflection shots … amazing! Sure they’ll be thrilled with these forever. Congrats C&B!

April 26, 2013 - 5:15 pm

Emily - B you look incredible and your wedding is beautiful!!
Mel these are awesome! Love the BM dress back one and reflection shots. All so beautiful!
p.s is that marzipan fruit on the cake? wow :o

April 26, 2013 - 5:17 pm

janelle - another GORGEOUS wedding :) aMaZinG pictures, Melissa!!

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