mellaniedphotography.com » teens

Real Life ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:28:03 +0000

I decided that rather than only posting about my wonderful sessions, I would start blogging a little about my family life.

I am constantly stressing that I value giving my clients a personalized experience. That it is one of the most important aspects of my job and my creative mind, that it is what gives me the results that I strive to get. I live for it. Not only behind my camera but I try to keep it real in all aspects of my life.

Starting now and continuing once a week, I will share a little about me and my life, my thoughts, my feelings. What better way to personalize my services than sharing some personal stuff about myself. Even the not so great stuff. I just want to keep it real.

Since I know a big camera in your face can be intimidating, and if you value photos the way I do, then you will want to know a bit about the person behind the lens, the one handling your days old baby, the one asking you if you want shots of your bare belly when you are carrying that beautiful baby.

So here goes.

My main issue is keeping up with all I have to do. Can you believe that! I swear I never have enough time to get all the things I need to get done, I do my best but sometimes(many times), yes, I feel like I am spread too thin. I am a real person, I am not a super woman. I am a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a business woman. I am expected to be so many things all at once it can get slightly overwhelming but you know what…I am just me.

I am not perfect.

I cry,

I laugh,

I scream,

I sing off key,

I sometimes forget to brush my hair before running out to bring all 5 kids to school.

I am not perfect but I have finally learnt that perfect is unrealistic. I make mistakes.

One thing you can guarantee, and I hope most people who know me would agree is that I put my heart into everything I do. This got me thinking. Though everything appears to be so perfect on the outside, things on the inside were actually falling apart.

I decided very recently, that I need to learn to better balance my time. I have been working so hard at getting this business off the ground, having babies and raising them … that somewhere along the way, the special time with my Carmine always seemed to get pushed to the back burner. I realized through our fighting, that he needs me too, and I need him. We are the foundation of our home. If we aren’t good, everyone feels it.

So this is for him. I had to share this photo of him with our youngest. As strong headed as he is, he has such a soft side and I captured it perfectly here. It is what I love so much about him.

I love you baby. xoox

THE WINNER IS ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:56:36 +0000

I bet all the contestants were anxiously waiting for the results yesterday, and I do apologize. I ended up getting a gastro from my son and couldn’t make it to post the results. PLEASE forgive me?!

So without further delay….

The Grand PRIZE winner is :

This beautiful family wins a 11×14 Canvas or floatmount of this photo and a FREE Photo session to be used any time in 2011.

Congratulations!!

RUNNER UPS…

Second Prize Winner get a $200 Gift Card good towards any session in 2011!!

And Last but not least the 3rd Prize winner get a 100$ Gift Card good towards any session in 2011:

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to all my wonderful clients in 2010. It was a wonderful year for us and without each and every one of you it could have never happened!

With a random number generator out of the 99 comments lucky number 13 came out…

The winner of the 50% off their session fee Coupon for 2011 is CASSIE FAREWELL. Congratulations!

Best Photo of 2010 ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 04:35:01 +0000

Here we are again… and I still can not believe a whole year has gone by since the last Best of Contest.

I love doing this, it forces me go through each and every session I did throughout the year and reminds me of all the good times I have had.

The babies I have had the pleasure to meet, the parents who trusted me enough to handle their day old babies, the siblings, the kids…. and most importantly the friendships I have created.

There is just something so personal about you allowing me into your homes, and into your life to capture the very soul of who you are…or at least that has been and always will be my goal. I thank each of you for giving me the chance to do that for you.

And so in return, I want to do something special for you…

The photos I picked were ones that meant something to me, something that tugged at my heartstrings…but trust me this was so hard since I love each session for different reasons.

Like last year, this will be a contest which you can have anyone and everyone vote… only one vote per person, I will be checking, since I want this to be completely fair.

Now for the PRIZES……

Grand Prize winner will win : 11×14 Canvas or Float mount of the winning Photo and a Photo Session to be used within 2011

2nd Prize Winner will win a $200 Gift Certificate good towards any session in 2011

3rd Prize winner will win a $100 Gift Card good towards any session in 2011

PLUS for each person who comments below: a chance to win a 50% coupon good for your session fee to be used in 2011

Good-Luck to all the contestants and Happy voting…now go share the link with everyone you know.

The contest runs through the end of the month and will be over January 31st at 11:59pm. Winner announced shortly there after.

Just look at what a wonderful year it has been…..

VOTE HERE

don’t forget to hit vote at the end of the poll

******* Please make sure you vote via the poll and hit VOTE at the end of the list found with the link above “VOTE HERE” . Any Votes in the comments below do not count – Though a comment in the comment section does give you a chance to win the 50% off coupon******

True Friends ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 23:59:22 +0000

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though she knows that you are slightly cracked.”

Of all the people I know, she is one of the most loyal, inspirational and beautiful; a true friend.

I envy how she holds it all together with a smile on her face at all times. Seriously, she has the patience of a saint!

She really is beautiful inside and out!

We all know I am a slightly (ok-ok very) cracked egg and she still loves me– so that says a lot!

And if you don’t believe me, all you have to do is spend an hour with her kids to see what I mean. They are all well mannered, as funny as they get, happy (yes, even J who refused to smile for me, since of course it is much cooler to be serious in pics but I GOT YA SMILING )

plus they are all adorable toboot!

I am not sure you hear it enough E but you are a heck of a woman, be proud, there are not many like you in this world.

You know how to balance your life with such ease, even if you struggle inside – nobody would never know it, because you always, always put everyone before yourself.

One of these days, you will be repaid tenfold for all that you do without ever wanting anything in return. Because more than anyone I know– you deserve it!

I feel so blessed to have you in my life!

xoxox

These were when I whisked them away to have some fun…

This is just the tip of the iceberg my friend…I have so many more.

Love ya to bits

xoxox

New at Mellanied Photography ~ Montreal’s Family Photographer

mell — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:34:26 +0000

With the holidays around the corner, I thought I would bring out an all new favorite of mine…I actually finally got up a wall display of photos of the 5 kids…and decided to try the all new *LUXE* Floatmounts.

These babies are to die for! Honestly, or maybe it is because they really are taken of “my babies” but what an amazing combo.

I have canvas up on my walls and swore by them but I wanted something a little more subtle for my living room and these were the perfect fit…I love having a variety in my home and these just make me smile!

Take a look, what better way to get a feel for what they are that to see some photos.

Enjoy!

Fall Mini Sessions ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:50:54 +0000

Fall Mini Sessions : September 25th & 26th

Outdoor locations to be announced

With the holidays creeping up so soon and many requests, I am excited to offer Fall Mini Photography Sessions of 30 minute slots*

Included in your Photography Session will be:

Approximately 10 edited photos on a private on line gallery for 5 days

1 Digital File of medium resolution perfect for creating your own Christmas or Holiday cards.

2 (5×7) prints of your choice

All this for $225.00

Limited space available ~ all on a first come first serve basis. Purchase your time and date by clicking on the links below.

Mellanied’s Custom cards & additional prints or boutique items may be purchased after your gallery comes up.

September 25th sessions

Secure your session now & please be sure to add a note to the payment with your date & time

September 25th, 2010 1:00 pm

September 25th, 2010 2:00 pm : Reserved for Trini & Family

September 25th, 2010 3:00 pm: Reserved for Antonia & Family

September 25th, 2010 4:00 pm

{September 26th Sessions}

POST-PONED to October 3rd, 2010

Secure your session now & please be sure to add a note to the payment with your date & time

September 26th, 2010 12:30 pm

September 26th, 2010 1:15 pm

September 26th, 2010 2:00 pm

September 26th, 2010 2:45 pm

September 26th, 2010 3:30pm

I will update my blog as often as possible to show the times reserved.

* Maximum of 4 family members, 25$/each additional person

Fun Contest ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:48:58 +0000

In light of my upcoming birth I thought I would have a fun contest for all my fans and previous clients.

It is simple….just guess when the baby will be born in the comment field below.

You *must* enter a date and time.

A little background:

This is my third child.

My first son was late, and I was induced 2 days after my due date. I was in labor for 18 hours and had him at 3:41 AM.

My second son came 10 days early. I was in labor for 6 hours and had him at 12:05 pm.

During my 20 week Ultrasound the Doctor said he/she (it is a surprise) was measuring small.

At my Obgyn appointment last week she said the baby was neither small nor big and should be the same size as my last baby which was 7lbs 8oz.

I am now 28 weeks pregnant and my estimated due date is July 23rd.

Good LUCK and the winner will receive 50% off a fall session with me when I resume working.

Feel Free to ask any questions in the comments below..I will gladly answer. This contest will be open until further notice.

Mothers Day Mini’s ~ Montreal Baby, Child & Family Photographer

mell — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:05:05 +0000

I am so excited to offer these limited edition Mothers day Mini Sessions. But it isn’t limited only to mothers…good for so many occasions, maybe to celebrate a child’s age, how about for some engagement shots, bridals, siblings, oh the possiblities!!

Everyone must know by now that I am expecting our 5th child (yes FIVE!!) and with that I want to squeeze in as many sessions with you as possible before it becomes impossible So what better way to honour motherhood and the miracle of birth by giving all of you a great opportunity!

Of course I do have limited space. The all inclusive fee does need to be paid in full in order for me to secure your spot for that day. I still haven’t decided where I will be shooting, but I do have a few favourite places in mind!

Please read the details below.

Strike a Pose ~ Montreal Family Photographer

mell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:36:50 +0000

So what could be better than finding the perfect location, on the perfect day?

Having the perfect family who was game for anything!!

So when I told them… OK everyone go choose a door and everyone strike a pose… they were all for itand I love the outcome.

I honestly had so much fun with this family, oh and can we say photogenic??? How did I get so lucky? Take a look for yourself…these kids could be models… I tell ya!

Last but not least….and I know it has been done a billion times, but I just knew this family would have fun with it…and boy did they ever…seriously…DAD, you are like 3 feet off the ground! WOW…now that is impressive. I adore every single expression here….so fun!

Thank you for letting me play with your family. It is really one I will never forget.