Just because I love them and want the Interwebz to see their adorable faces from our walk yesterday. : ) (In order: Bella, Riley & Sadie.)
This sweet family was such a delight to photograph! When the hubby and I moved to Rome last summer, we needed a new dentist and we chose Doctors Weldon & Blackmon. On my first visit late last year, Dr. Weldon shared with me that his wife was due to have a baby soon and the rest fell into place. I’m SO glad they invited me to take pictures — Sim has the biggest laugh you can imagine! And you can just tell how much these parents love and cherish their baby boy. Enjoy my favorites of this adorable fam. : )
William Sim Weldon — a named rooted in family. Love it (and the reclaimed wood letters!).
Baby modeling is hard work. ; )
Even though it was rainy out, we still had to sneak outside for a couple of photos. : )
January 23, 2013 - 10:40 am
Caught some great expressions, my goodness. He looks like a delight.
I meant to get this post up a lot sooner in January. But alas, you can only control some things in life and timing/circumstances at the end of 2012 weren’t among them. : ) I wish I could, but I can’t say that all of 2012 has been rosy. Personally, it has probably definitely been the hardest, most trying year of my life. Due to things out of our control, the hubby and I have been on a roller coaster of emotions, but no matter what, we’re stronger and hopeful for what the future brings. My newest mantra: you can’t always control the situation you’ve been dealt, but you can control how you react to it.
So, back to 2012. : ) Here are some fun things that stand out in my mind…
Impromptu trip to Sunset Beach, North Carolina (my favorite beach!) with the hubs and his brother:
The hubs and I took a vegan cooking class in Athens, Georgia at Gymnopedie with the talented Sarah Dunning:
We traveled to Florida to visit my husband’s sister at Jacksonville University and also my brother, sis-in-law and nephew, who was almost one-year-old at the time (now almost two!):
My good friends, Mary & Nick, got married (and I was IN the wedding for a change!):
The hubs and I tripped it over to Australia to photograph a wedding (and we snuck in a few days of sight-seeing in one of my favorite cities, Sydney):
Ryan argued a case for his appellate litigation clinic in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (kind of a HUGE deal, y’all):
I photographed another wedding in the Bahamas!
Ryan’s youngest brother, Alden, graduated from NYU film school, and we helped celebrate:
Ryan graduated with top honors from UGA law school! So proud (and a little relieved that it’s over). ; )
We moved to Rome, Georgia, where Ryan is now working for a federal judge (postcard designed by linkedesign):
I photographed a wedding in California for friends, and the hubs and I made a mini-trip to LA out of it:
Another impromptu beach trip to Jacksonville Beach to visit with Ryan’s family:
Bella turned four, Sadie turned two, and we got a new pup and named him RILEY! : )
I had the privilege of photographing my music idols The Avett Brothers for CNN:
Business-wise, I found myself shooting 28 weddings, 14 engagement sessions, three bridal sessions and 17 family/newborn sessions. That’s a whole lot of clicks of my shutter! I am so grateful to all of my clients for continuing to make my dream a reality — you guys are my inspiration, and I’m so happy to have shared in your moments this year, however grand or quiet.
Whitney + Reed at the Biltmore Ballrooms in Atlanta, Georgia
Natalie in Smyrna, Georgia
Em + O’Hara in Hobart, Tasmania [Australia!]
Monica in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The Crawford family in Charlotte, North Carolina
Donna + Chris in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Stevens family in Belmont, North Carolina
Janna + Ike at Hotel Indigo in Athens, Georgia
Bethany + Garen in Lake Hartwell, South Carolina
Clancy + A.J.’s rehearsal dinner in Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Bahamas
Clancy + A.J. at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge in Hope Town, Elbow Cay, Bahamas
Darcy + Daniel at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina
Marina + Justin in Charlotte, North Carolina
Suzie Marie in Athens, Georgia
Patty + Scott at Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia
Kara + Jon on Dewees Island, South Carolina
Chris + Katherine’s rehearsal dinner in Monroe, Georgia
Chris + Katherine at Vines Mansion in Monroe, Georgia
Ella in Newnan, Georgia
Claire + Blake at Artspace in Raleigh, North Carolina
Benjamin in Athens, Georgia
Megan + Trey’s rehearsal dinner in Camden, South Carolina
Megan + Trey at Camden House in Camden, South Carolina
Marina + Justin at The Westin in Charlotte, North Carolina
Laura Beth + Keith in Athens, Georgia
The Lunsford family in Belmont, North Carolina
Meagan + Oscar at VanLandingham Estate in Charlotte, North Carolina
Karie + Laird at Whitefield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia
Katie + Kyle at The Georgia Club in Athens, Georgia
Heidi + Eric at Rock Quarry Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Meredith in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Laura + Chris at The Carl House in Auburn, Georgia
Melanie + Collin at The Walters Barn in Lula, Georgia
Lauren + Ryan at The Classic Center in Athens, Georgia
Bernadette + Casey in Baltimore, Maryland
Rachel + Andy at Verandas in Manhattan Beach, California
Patrick + Erica at Carnegie Institute of Washington in Washington, DC
Kristen + Bobby at The Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC
Charles + Meredith’s rehearsal dinner in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Charles + Meredith at The Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Brooke + Hunter in Charlotte, North Carolina
Kylie + Matt in Colbert, Georgia
Rachael + Jaran in Rome, Georgia
Chris + Victoria’s Greek Orthodox ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia
Chris + Victoria’s American ceremony at the Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, Georgia
Caroline + Robert in Atlanta, Georgia
Bethany + Garen at Cedar Hill Lake in Calhoun, Georgia
Joey in Athens, Georgia
Meghan + Thomson at Claxton Farm in Weaverville, North Carolina
Rosemary in Charlotte, North Carolina
Emily + Travis at 128 South in Wilmington, North Carolina
The Walenczyk family in Charlotte, North Carolina
Victoria + Ben at Castle Ladyhawke in Lake Tuckasegee, North Carolina
Sasha + Sinisa in Adairsville, Georgia
Chris + Donna at The Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Kelly + Hudson in Dacula, Georgia
Fall mini-sessions in Atlanta, Georgia
Janelle + Tim in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Irvine family in Belmont, North Carolina
Hank in Charlotte, North Carolina
Thanks for sharing my journey with me — here’s to 2013!
January 18, 2013 - 10:01 am
“Warts,” bumps in the road, successes, and all, there’s no one with whom I’d rather have spent 2012; and you’re the only one I want to “take the ride” with for each year we have left. Your clients are so, so lucky, but I’m definitely the luckiest!
Congrats on another amazing year. The best is yet to come …
January 18, 2013 - 10:31 am
so very, very proud of you. can’t wait to see what 2013 brings for you. as for my 2013, i’m going to do my very best to resist the temptation to hurry up and get engaged, married, and pregnant like a zillion times, just so i can bask in your talents to the max. love you. xo
January 18, 2013 - 11:58 am
SO beautiful, Melissa! Congratulations – so cool to see your business growing and your dreams taking off! So happy for you!!
January 18, 2013 - 12:01 pm
Wow, what an awesome year! I know it’s had its ups and downs but despite it all there is still so much to be thankful for – and you’ve captured it all beautifully :) Love you cuz.
January 18, 2013 - 12:53 pm
LOVE this post, congrats to you for making 2012 a more beautiful place. A highlight in 2012 for us was being able to see you TWICE and meet your wonderful Hubby! Hoping to see you again in 2013 :D x
January 18, 2013 - 5:12 pm
wow Melissa, You have been SO busy!! I love following your blog and facebook, I hope 2013 brings you and Ryan a little less stress and a little more relaxation!
January 18, 2013 - 9:36 pm
You are a busy busy lady! Loved the recap :). Your photos are BEAUTIFUL.
January 19, 2013 - 1:28 pm
GREAT recap of 2012! You capture the MOST AMAZING moments! Think you should slow down in 2013. Love you, Mom
January 20, 2013 - 8:04 pm
As always, truly look forward to yours posts because your work is always so creative & a glimpse into the happiest times in the lives of those you photograph. Great work.
January 22, 2013 - 8:05 pm
you’re so wonderful!! amazing and inspiring post- wishing you a fantastic 2013… beautiful photos- LOVE.
Last November, I met up with Natalie of N. Harris Photography and her son, Logan, for a quick shoot for swap. I HAD to post some of these images, because they are just too adorable. Happy Tuesday, y’all!
I’ve got some more baby cuteness coming your way today! : ) Eunice & Nick are friends of ours who live in Athens. Eunice was due to have Benjamin in late January (yes, in 2012). I went to her baby shower, and the day of her baby shower, she was scheduled to be induced THAT evening. After the shower was over, she essentially kicked people out of her house so she could go to the hospital to give birth. Ha! Crazy lady, huh?! ; ) At the shower, I gifted Eunice & Nick a session. We ended up taking the photos in May, when Benny was ~three months old.
Now, fast forward to present. Benjamin is now almost a year old. I feel HORRIBLE for not getting these photos to them sooner, but better late than never, right?! I really enjoyed photographing this family. Benny makes the best faces everrrr!
January 18, 2013 - 9:45 am
[...] Benjamin in Athens, Georgia [...]
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by Melissa
TRISH - LOVE MY GRANDDOGS!!!!!!!!!MIMI
Nicole - I know you can’t play favorites with your babies, but Bella still steals the show. So adorable. :)