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.

Not only beautiful but she was so good to me too. She let me do whatever I wanted.

She must take after her older sister, if you remember she was the natural from the maternity session, who was even helping me and guiding her mom into poses.

She told me at this session that she wanted to be like me when she grew up and she wanted to take pictures too. ::smiling:: Again helping me during our session.

I had so much fun getting to know your family Vanessa, just hearing you and T interacting with your older daughter while I quietly worked away with the baby was so touching. There is so much love.

A real Love,

a bond,

that left me feeling peaceful.

Keep loving one another because family is so important.

They are trusting me, they are allowing me into their homes. Into their safe haven.

So, I make it a point to reach out to every client, and capture not only their outer beauty but their inner beauty as well. To do this, and do it well, means putting down my guards, my reservations and allowing people see me. The real me. The one that used to be so shy and self conscious. The amazing thing about doing something you love, is that it gives you a confidence that was never there before. But having been that shy girl in school allows me to relate to my clients and how intimidating having a camera in your face can be. So I do everything I can to make them feel comfortable, to feel at ease, to feel good about themselves. I make it personal.

You know that feeling, the one where you feel you have known someone even before you meet. This happens more and more with the online social networks we have, some people are extremely cautious and worried about what they put out there, but overall I think it is an amazing tool we have. Even if we feel alone, people are listening, people are understanding, people are helpful and people do care. With having an audience there are more chances to be heard, for someone to relate and give a helping hand, or even just an ear to listen. There are endless possibilities to make a difference and I know this to be true with Cassie. She doesn’t just sit on the sidelines quietly, she supports, she encourages, she loves. She is a special human being, who in fact I never met until a week ago, but I have known for some time. Both Cassie and Chris have colourful souls, which shines through the beautiful children they created.

So, although Cassie and I have never actually met, I felt instantly connected to her beautiful family.

C- I had so much fun. I hope you  and your family did too!

So I search for quotes, sayings, poems and I work around it and the feeling it gives me. Today, my first thoughts about this family was that they were playful…

and so I came across this description…

“Playfulness means being able to explore and to do things, for the sheer delight of doing them. It means relaxing, being spontaneous, and allowing a situation to carry you where it will. When we have a playful attitude, learning and discovery are fun, and even hard work can fly by.”

“Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that playfulness actually accomplishes things! When children play, they become smarter because new neuron connections are formed in their brains. Play has been described as the work of childhood, the place where the greatest learning occurs. Great scientists and spiritual leaders often are similarly playful.”

“Playfulness reduces stress, and brightens the atmosphere. It engages people to do things that make them more connected with other people. It makes people happy.”

I love it.

Who knew being playful could be so good for us!

While we are here to teach our children,

I think we can learn a lot from them too.

So…

Lets all take a break from our stressful days

from rushing

from worrying

and lets just be playful today.

Enjoy your little preview!

xox