This is proving to be difficult with how busy this year has been.

This is a good thing, of course, but it has meant temporarily putting the blog on the back burner until I can catch up.

~~~

I have been able to shoot some product shots of my very favourite products found within The Gold Collection.

With the way photography has changed, so has the products we have had to offer. At first, I hated the thought of giving my digital files away.

These are my little pieces of art, and I worried if put into the hands of my clients, they may alter my visions and/or  print in less than perfect photo labs;

then showing these to their friends and family, without the MellanieD approval I put into everything that is given to or shown to my clients.

That is my name that is being altered and printed through labs that may not care on quality.

Finally though,  I did have to break.

After being asked for the 100th time, I decided I did have to make changes to better cater to my client and so

My Digital Collections were born.

Each Digital Collection comes with the very minimum of a 5×7 proof.

WHY? You ask.

You go it! Because quality is *that* important to me.

I want you, the client, to know…should you print professionally through me, then this is how your little piece of art *should* look.

If you print your photos and it looks nothing like the Proof I have provided you with, then you know it is the lab you used.

I really mean it when I say: every detail matters.

….

Take a look for yourself ))

Have a happy weekend.

Thank you to all for  sending their thoughts and prayers our way, please continue to do so, my dad’s surgery will be done  this Thursday

and we are hoping and praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

xoxo

She gave me 2 straight hours of play time,

never fussing,

not even once and I loved… every…. single… second of it!

so with that I will leave you with the natural beauty of a one year….

who trusts unconditionally

who loves attention

who will give a hug when asked– just because

who thinks every single thing should go through a taste test

who giggles at the silliest, little things.

Happy Birthday sweet muffin.

I hope to watch you grow through all your years

xoxox

And a favorite quote and reminder to all of us….

“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

Ok…time to catch up…

Last week the results of the Mellanied BEST OF 2011 CONTEST were revealed via the actual poll but I wanted to do an official announcement here.

The results were SO close, that I just had to re-think a couple of things…

First of all- I am feeling extra giving today so all Photos entered are going to receive a little gift since you are *all* winners in my eyes.

I am donating a 50$ gift card to each family to be used for a 2012 session!

YES- every single family! HURRAY!

I think all of us who were following the polls saw that the first and second place winners were going head to head to the very last second and I know how hard they worked getting there friends and family to vote.

I couldn’t let all that hard work go unnoticed and so, I have decided that the second place will be getting a little extra surprise….

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OK….. so as we know the GRAND PRIZE WINNER goes to this amazing photo.

We had our session on a very hot day in July, and it is a day I will never forget because regardless of the struggles that brought this sweet boy to his new home, it was very obviously meant to be, as was winning this contest.

You can go look at the blog I posted about their session  “Angels Amongst Us” .

They really are angels!

GRAND PRIZE GOES TO Mary & her family.

You WIN:

 A SESSION with Mellanied Photography for 2012

Including 15% OFF any Collection Purchased

and we must not forget

a thin wrapped CANVAS of the winning photo!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

xoxo

SECOND PRIZE  photo goes to Tanya & her beautiful newborn baby girl who is actually turning ONE very soon!!

You win:

a $200 Gift certificate to be used for any session in 2012

AND as an added bonus:

you will  also be receiving a thin wrapped CANVAS of this beautiful, touching photo!

Only fair, I think, because I know how much the contest meant to you!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

xox

 Last but certainly not least:

THIRD PRIZE goes to Caroline.

You win:

$100 Gift Certificate to be used on any session in 2012!

Another touching story and it makes my heart happy knowing that you also won. Life really does work in mysterious ways!

I can not imagine losing my mother at the same time that I was becoming a mother for the first time myself.

The strength you have is admirable and I know your mother is looking down on you with such pride and love.

Congratulations!

xoxo

there are many projects and big plans for Mellanied Photography…

I just can not wait to share with all of you.

I hope to continue with a line of “Newborn Art: by Mellanied Photography” and have it published: so stay tuned for some details on that.

Everyone knows how much I love babies, how I love to spend hours perfecting the shots and loving on all my babies.

A newborn baby,

is a piece of art

all their own.

Each and every newborn baby I meet

allows me

to create beauty.

I feel so very blessed to do what I do.

I wish each and every one of you happy holidays, a Happy New Year and love lots love xox

Through the eyes of a child…

a whisper tickles their little ears and makes them giggle until their belly hurts.

Through the eyes of a child…

playing in the leaves feels like their world is magical.

Through the eyes of a child…

a cat is like a big, cuddly teddy bear that moves and reacts.

Through the eyes of a child…

everything is *something* to explore and discover.

Through the eyes of a child…

we are the world!

Let’s look at the world today…

through the eyes of a child and discover how the simple things can light up the world and put a huge smile on our face.

I can’t believe it had been close to a year and a half since I last saw them, how time flies…and although little Caden has grown so much, he still has that wonderful spirit and SMILE that won over so many hearts.

Keep smiling buddy, I predict you will charm lots and lots of girls with that smile, and sweet personality!

It made a change in me, that not only was obvious to myself, but also to those around me. I could literally feel it.

When I am working- when I am doing an actual photo shot,

I feel myself become completely aware of my surroundings, appreciating the moment, not worrying, being at peace and being one with myself and my art.

I hope you can also feel it, through my art, through my eyes.

A few favourite Eckhart quotes:

“All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness.”

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.”

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”

“Accept – then act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it.”

“Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose”

Eckhart Tolle

Enjoy your sneak Peek T & L. It was so wonderful working with you. I am so excited to meet your little one!

Why have times changed so much, what is so different now than it was back then?

In a world with instant gratification, with literally anything at our fingertips, has this made us more lazy?

Less capable?

Less family oriented?

I know I constantly hear (and say!) how kids are just so different now, how we were outside at the crack of dawn until our parents would be yelling at us to come in. Yet our children now have to be forced to play outside and use their imagination.

But who is really at fault?

Is it us?

Is it society?

Or is this just how the world is progressing?

These are questions I constantly wonder about and would love to hear your opinions.

That being said, everyone knows we have a ton of kids in our home, and I always have a soft spot of any other large families. So when Cassie asked me to be part of her 4th baby’s arrival, I was thrilled.

A perfect addition to a perfect family.

Congrats! You are all beautiful.

I seriously think I have a little crush on this sweetie, he is so charming and just so happy all the time. Always smiling.

I have the perfect little girl here for you A

Here was one of four families to jump on the mini sessions I offered this past month.

I have to be honest that I am still on the fence about offering these, since everything about my photography business is about taking the time necessary.

Without rushing, without stress,

with originality, catered to each and every family.

Having a 30 minute time frame with young children makes this near impossible and it is very hard for me to let that go.

But, I do realize that the economy isn’t exactly the best right now, and I do realize that people may just want a couple of nice art pieces for their home.

Or perhaps you are on the fence about investing into a custom photography session.

I realize this is an opportunity for those families to get a glimpse of what I do,

plus the added bonus for me to see my families come back for a quick milestone photography session.

Here is Miss Mia…. has she ever grown.

I love her gentile demeanor and delicate features.

A true beauty.