The OLD Blog - New Blog is at www.melodyhood.com

Blog Moved!

2008-04-17T10:08:00.001-05:00

This blog has moved to www.melodyhood.com - all updates are there, so you guys can stop sending me emails about how long it's been since I updated it ;)

Alé and Alex

2007-05-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

I've been blessed with wonderful, amazing, and beautiful couples this year! Alé and Alex are no exception! They drove up from Birmingham for their e-session and we took an interesting tour of downtown and found some really cool new spots too.

I had an amazing time with you guys! You're both just gorgeous inside & out! Thanks for putting up with me and my interesting ideas. You guys are an amazing couple and I can't wait for your wedding!

Ryan

2007-05-01T22:39:00.000-05:00

I loooved this session! I wish more people would opt for outdoor sessions, I had an absolute blast chasing Ryan around Point Park and watching him enjoy his ice cream at the Cafe on Lookout Mountain.

I really enjoyed meeting you guys and hanging out with you for a few hours! Here's a little preview from your session, the rest will be in your gallery soon!

Catherine, Alex, and Cassidy too

2007-04-27T19:37:00.000-05:00

Catherine & Alex are just amazing! They have this chemistry that's just plain incredible and they're sooo sweet to each other. I absolutely adore them both! It was so great to finally meet you guys after the months of emails & IM"s. I knew I was going to adore you both when I met you but I had no idea how MUCH I would adore the two of you! Thank you for driving all the way to Chattanooga for your e-session, thank you for dinner, and most of all thank you for choosing me to photograph your wedding. I'm so looking forward to it! And if you ever decide to give Cassidy up (yeah right!) give me a call, cause I fell head over heels in love with her too!

Beautiful Bella

2007-04-27T19:18:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Bella is the daughter of one of my Kindergarten friends. I hadn't seen or heard from her gorgeous Mommy, Brooke, since I was in the second grade. Thank you Miss Sherry for referring Brooke to me! I truly enjoyed seeing you again, Brooke, and meeting your stunningly beautiful daughter. Here are some favorites from Bella's first birthday.

After Session

2007-04-19T07:26:00.000-05:00

Sometimes couples don't get exactly what they want from their wedding photographer. Sometimes they'd just like to do something hotter, more artistic, more them, after their wedding day. We call these "After-Sessions". We spend the entire session focusing on you and the passion between you. This amazing couple got married in Florida and this is their After-Session.

Taylor & Bryan

2007-04-19T07:23:00.000-05:00

Here are some favorites from Taylor & Bryan's Engagement session. I absolutely adore this amazing couple AND their amazing Mom's (I haven't had the pleasure of meeting their dad's yet). I can't wait for your wedding guys!

Rachel & Crawford's E-Session

2007-04-03T08:20:00.000-05:00

I swear you guys are the most fun couple ever. Thank you for being such a dream couple to photograph, for modeling for the class for us, and for talking me in to trying crab cakes. I loved photographing you guys and it was great having Rachel at dinner to make faces at the nasty things you guys were eating (ewww). I am SO looking forward to your wedding! It's going to be amazing! Here's a little preview from your engagement session. I can't wait to see you guys again!

Baby Trace

2007-04-03T08:14:00.000-05:00

Baby Trace has more hair than I've ever seen on a newborns head, I love it! He's just a little doll baby. I had a fantastic time with this session and just adore you guys!

Baby Zayne

2007-04-03T00:06:00.000-05:00

Baby Zayne is the cutest little blue eyed baby boy. I had such a great time photographing him. For a 5 week old he's extremely alert. His Mommy sure does love him too!

Shopping for Camera Stuff?

2007-03-13T17:18:00.000-05:00

Or electronics in general? B&H is where I buy all of my camera goodies - they have amazing customer service & the best selection & prices of any reputable dealer. My buddy Zach Arias is now an affiliate for them. Here are his own words:

"It wasn't until I was in my early to mid 20's that I figured out I could make photography a career. Even though I was interested in photography back in high school, no one ever told me I could do it for the rest of my life as a job.

I really want to take a special photo class of 101 skills and the OneLight to photo programs in high schools and community colleges. Many of these schools have no money to bring speakers in so I am starting a fund to pay the expenses myself and do it for no charge to the schools.

Buy gear - Help young photographers!!!!!"

So, get the best prices & customer service AND help young photographers learn! Can't beat that!

Here's the link:

Asian New Year

2007-03-13T10:01:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago Isabelle celebrated Asian New Year at school. Each 2nd grade class studied a different Asian country and they were allowed to dress in that country's traditional clothing the day they held the celebration. Isabelle was the only girl in her class to have traditional Korean clothing on (one of the boys wore a Taekwondo uniform). It was very difficult to track down but we did manage to find her a traditional Korean Hanbok. It was a great day for Miss Isabelle - they took a field trip to China Moon for lunch, she got to lead the parade because of her traditional dress, and she was able to help the principal hand out the New Year candy we purchased with the Hanbok to give to her friends. Here are some photos of my beautiful girl, in the studio and at school. I am SO proud of her!

The Sweetest Girl

2007-03-13T07:52:00.000-05:00

This little girl is just the sweetest kid I've met in a long time. She sat in my lap, gave me hugs, and is just stinkin adorable to boot. Not to mention that she has a super hot Mommy & a really handsome Daddy too. This was a FUN family to photograph, I had a great time with them!

Miss A. had a little boo-boo on her knee, she was *very* concerned about and had to point out. She's such a character!

Splish, Splash!

2007-03-05T22:27:00.000-05:00

My adorable two year old decided he was ready to wash his own hair. On one hand it makes me sad to watch him become so independent but on the other hand he's so stinkin adorable when he decides to do something on his own. Sometimes capturing something so simple as a regular bath lets you look back and remember those amazing moments, the little ones, that light a spark in your heart.

Amanda & Clay

2007-02-26T17:51:00.000-05:00

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to photograph your wedding. You guys are amazing! Your families are amazing, and I just fell in love with all of you. Your box ceremony was the most creative & unique thing I've ever seen.

I wish you guys many years of love and happiness. I hope you enjoy your honeymoon! I can't wait to photograph you guys again when you return. Here are some of my favorite images from your day:

I *know* your entire family thought I was nuts when they pulled in and I was photographing the front door of the church. It was so worth it though... the key to your hearts...

I'm still so proud of you guys for not sneaking a peek at each other when we took this before the ceremony!

Amanda - you were SUCH a gorgeous bride!

My favorite image of the entire day.... You guys have a very special bond, an amazing love. Congratulations!

Lunch with the Nudds

2007-02-22T00:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had the pleaseure of having lunch with two of the best photographers in the country, Joy & Garrett Nudd, and their beautiful daughter, Graycen. I had a wonderful time hanging out with these guys and look forward to getting to know them even better. Being around two wonderful and incredibly nice people and hanging out in their amazing studio is always a treat. Here's a photo of the four of us, taken with my daughter's point & shoot that she'd left in my purse.
Thanks for lunch guys! Let's do it again soon!

My Valentines :)

2007-02-15T23:52:00.000-05:00

I woke up with Sam snuggling with me (rare!). Took my beautiful niece and daughter to school. My husband bought me roses and candy. I got to take a nice nap. I had a blast at Isabelle's Valentines Day party at school. We all four went out for a Chinese dinner. After the kids went to bed my husband & I played video games all night. I had a very happy Valentines day! I hope everyone did! Here are a couple of images of those little people who have my heart.

Brand New Baby Spencer

2007-02-12T13:40:00.000-05:00

There's nothing in this world that I love more than a brand new baby. I swear they just melt my heart! Meet Baby Spencer, my latest love...

View the slideshow here!

Mark & April's E-session

2007-02-12T11:13:00.000-05:00

I think one of the best things you can do to connect with your wedding photographer is the e-session (engagement session). It is a fabulous opportunity to get some amazing photos of you & your spouse-to-be. It's also the perfect chance to get used to the camera following you around all day. It allows me to determine what styles you prefer, which angles you photograph best at, and it lets me get to know you - without the wedding day stress.

I adore Mark & April and cannot wait to photograph their wedding. Congrats guys! I had a blast dancing with you downtown. You guys are awesome!

View your slideshow here!

Cake!

2007-01-30T10:34:00.000-05:00

First birthday sessions have to be one of my most favorite things. The look on their sweet little faces when they first see that cake is just priceless. Happy birthday beautiful one year old girl! View the session slideshow here.

Sharing

2007-01-30T10:31:00.000-05:00

My sweet babies... actually sharing... *sigh*

Doggies!

2007-01-14T09:58:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilidge of photographing my favorite (and most beautiful!) doctor & her beautiful, beautiful dogs. I had so much fun! Thank you for welcoming me in to your home & for being one of the most amazing people I know! Here is the slideshow.

A Late New Years Resolution

2007-01-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

I'm going to *try* to update my blog at least once a week this year. I miss writing in a journal and I think this will be a great way to keep my clients and friends updated on what's going on with business and with my beautiful, wonderful family.

To start the (late) New Year off right, I'm going to share some of my favorite images from 2006.

No Wonder Fish are Afraid of People....

2006-10-05T08:52:00.000-05:00

Look how we appear through the fisheye... Thanks to my good friend Jason Connel for letting me use his Canon 1ds and his new fisheye. Oh, and for making me spend more money so I could have my very own fisheye for my wedding this weekend.

Sam

My assistant, Leigh.

Leigh's son, Isaiah.

The Whitman's

2006-09-28T00:52:00.000-05:00

Such a fun family! Mom is a photographer in Virginia Beach and was down for a wedding over the weekend so we decided to hook up and photograph each other. We had a blast! This is one of my favorites!

An Experiment, What do you think?

2006-09-28T00:43:00.000-05:00

Beautiful, beautiful, Bride!

2006-09-28T00:39:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Abbey!

2006-09-28T00:32:00.000-05:00

View the slideshow here.

Miranda & Jay

2006-09-27T00:08:00.002-05:00

It's been a month since thier wedding - but I wanted to share a couple. Congrats guys! It's about time you two tied the knot! It's so wonderful to see two people still so in love after 9 years together. You guys are beautiful and wonderful together & I love you both & wish you all the happiness in the world! View the slideshow here.

Annie

2006-09-26T01:43:00.000-05:00

I love photographing my friend Andrea! She's VERY photogenic and up for just about anything - including getting in the lake at sunset in a vintage dress with a ton of people staring.

It's always worth it though, right?

It's been a while, huh?

2006-09-26T01:40:00.000-05:00

I thought it might be time to post an update or two. I've been ridiculously busy with weddings, portrait sessions, and volunteering for the Heart Gallery (photographing adoptable foster children in the area). I'm not complaining! But I am behind on fun stuff. So, here come some updates!

Maternity Sessions

2006-07-29T17:31:00.000-05:00

I've loved Maternity Sessions for as long as I can remember. Lately they're becoming popular again and I'm soooo glad! I photographed two GORGEOUS expectant moms last week.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

2006-07-27T11:20:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated my blog in way too long! I've been busy having fun photographing babies, weddings, and some truly gorgeous children. Here are some highlights!

My kids are way too smart

2006-05-12T18:54:00.000-05:00

Last week Isabelle informed me:

When parts come off of rockets or spaceships after they take off, those parts "disengage" (okay, so I knew *that* already).

Apparently there's another use for the word "disengage", it means divorce.

Of course, when she said that I had to make her explain. Here's her explanation:

"Well, before you get married you get engaged. Since "Dis" means "un" or "not" then "disengaged" means that you're not engaged anymore. If you get not engaged then you have to get a divorce."

I swear I thought I was going to die laughing. I love that kid!

A few minutes ago I had Sam sitting in my lap and I had the Bette Middler "Baby Mine" mp3 playing and I was singing it to him. He was really in to it at first, laid his head on my shoulder & acted all sweet (very rare for Sam) then he lifted his head up and gave me about 20 kisses (also very rare) so I thought he was really digging me singing to him (he'd be the only person in the world to really dig my singing, hah). Then he looks at me & says "Stop it" (which he's never said before so I kinda thought it was a fluke) and I keep singing to him... so he puts his hand over my mouth and says "NO!"

Then I realized he was kissing me to try to shut me up.

Well, at least they're intelligent.

New Stuff, since it's been a while

2006-04-28T22:58:00.000-05:00

My website has been completely revamped. Though it's not entirely finished, I still have to redo my gallieries, I think it looks fantastic. I'm very excited about it, so check it out... http://www.innamorata.com

Holly was gracious enough to be a princess-for-a-day for me.

My birthday party was a blast, I'll post some pictures from that later.

My (Not-So) Little Baby

2006-02-27T17:56:00.000-05:00

Little Man

2006-02-26T23:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the World

2006-02-22T08:37:00.000-05:00

Little Willow

Senior Green

2006-02-08T18:47:00.000-05:00

Isabelle waiting to recieve her senior green belt!

What's up?

2006-02-08T18:39:00.000-05:00

Rub-a-dub-dub

2006-02-08T18:37:00.000-05:00

Something's Fishy

2006-02-08T18:35:00.000-05:00

Classic

2006-01-08T02:11:00.000-05:00

Happy, happy birthday, Baby!

2006-01-08T02:00:00.000-05:00

Shhh! Don't wake them...

2005-12-30T02:09:00.000-05:00

Nana's Dress

2005-12-29T16:14:00.000-05:00

Eyes of a Child

2005-12-29T02:50:00.000-05:00

Rose Colored Glasses

2005-12-28T01:29:00.000-05:00

2005-12-27T23:48:00.000-05:00

Baby, it's what's for dinner.

2005-12-27T23:40:00.000-05:00

The Pampered Chef

2005-12-27T23:10:00.000-05:00

Exasperation

2005-12-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

Baby Boy

2005-12-18T22:31:00.000-05:00

Sam

2005-12-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

Mystical Garden

2005-12-17T23:29:00.000-05:00

Fairy

2005-12-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

My Christmas Joy

2005-12-15T22:48:00.000-05:00

Trapped

2005-12-13T01:23:00.000-05:00

Christmas

2005-12-13T01:19:00.000-05:00

A Tennessee Sunset

2005-11-13T18:22:00.000-05:00

Photographer

2005-11-06T02:14:00.000-05:00

First Real Try at Major Photo Editing

2005-11-01T20:56:00.000-05:00

Before & After

I decided to practice with a snapshot of Sam. I'm fairly happy with the results.

Happy Halloween!

2005-11-01T02:10:00.000-05:00

My Little Pumpkin

2005-10-22T15:45:00.000-05:00

More Halloween Shots

2005-10-21T16:41:00.000-05:00

Getting Ready for Halloween

2005-10-20T23:25:00.000-05:00

Sam Today

2005-10-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

New Albums

2005-10-04T23:05:00.000-05:00

I'll get around to organizing my photo links eventually. For now I've added a few new albums. I have a new album of images I took in the studio of Sam, Isabelle, and Haily. There're some that I took with Greg a few weeks ago when we hiked up to the quarry at Greenway, we also took some in an old cabin that used to belong to his family.

I uploaded some negative scans from a black & white shoot last year on the railroad tracks. And I uploaded pictures from Greg's moms family reunion. Enjoy :)

I <3 New Orleans

2005-10-03T23:57:00.000-05:00

New Here

2005-10-03T23:39:00.000-05:00

Profiles

2005-10-03T23:30:00.000-05:00

Serious Conversation

2005-10-03T23:27:00.000-05:00

Tattoo

2005-10-02T22:16:00.000-05:00

For Mom...

2005-09-13T15:46:00.000-05:00

I hope you're enjoying Alaska! We all miss you! Here's Isabelle and here's Sam. We love you!

Tracks

2005-09-07T00:35:00.000-05:00

Sam at the Beach

2005-09-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

My Babies

2005-07-22T23:56:00.000-05:00

Samuel

2005-07-19T21:36:00.000-05:00

Great Grandmother

2005-07-15T23:52:00.000-05:00

Butterfly Girl

2005-07-09T22:55:00.000-05:00

Todays Picture

2005-07-03T22:01:00.000-05:00

New Picture Links

2005-06-30T22:25:00.000-05:00

I added new links to some of the pictures I took this weekend, enjoy!

Tattoo Shop

2005-06-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Andrea & I went out "shooting" last Saturday. We went everywhere from downtown in "the hood" to North Chattanooga. I took a ton (498 to be exact) of pictures. Here are a couple from a Tattoo Shop where the artist and his customer were kind enough to let us in to photograph a "work in progress".

A Supremely BAD Decision

2005-06-24T22:32:00.000-05:00

This is the worst decision I've seen the Supreme Court make in a long time. Did the US just turn in to Communist Russia? Your home, your land, can just be taken to build office parks and shopping malls so that the government gets more tax money?!?! Does our government even know what Democracy is?

Watch out for the Angry Wife

2005-06-24T22:29:00.000-05:00

It's really not a great idea to say idiotic things on the radio... especially when your wife, who's name is on your car title, is listening.

Picture of the Day... Tuesday

2005-06-21T19:16:00.000-05:00

Monday's Picture of the Day

2005-06-20T22:25:00.000-05:00

Picture of the Day

2005-06-19T22:54:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try to start posting a "picture of the day" on a daily basis. Of course I'll forget for weeks on end, but I'll do it as often as I remember/have time to. These pictures are my photography, edited (or not edited) by me and are my intellectual property so don't steal them, use them, abuse them, blah blah blah.... you know the drill. So... here's my picture of the day, I really do love this one.

Tiny Dancer

2005-06-05T21:33:00.000-05:00

Isabelle had her second ballet recital last night. All went wonderfully, she was so beautiful up on the stage and performed like a star! I am so proud of her!

My neice, Haily, twirled baton in the recital and deliviered an amazing performance as well. Congrats to my pretty girls!

I'll post the rest of the pictures soon!

Uhhh...

2005-06-03T23:15:00.000-05:00

Up for a good laugh? Check out this copy room video.

How Normal are You?

2005-06-03T22:27:00.000-05:00

You Are 60% Normal

(Really Normal)

Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal

You're like most people most of the time

But you've got those quirks that make you endearing

You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so!

How Normal Are You?

Which Star Wars Character are You?

2005-06-03T22:25:00.000-05:00

My sweet baby...

2005-05-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

I finally managed to get a picture of Sam in his "Getting ready to go to sleep" position. He holds on to his blanket and sucks his thumb... What a little sweetheart!

Roses & Honeysuckles

2005-05-29T10:50:00.000-05:00

I walked out my front door the other day & realized, for the first time in years, why I love spring. This is our first spring in this house and I didn't expect the smell when I walked out the door that morning... all I could smell were honeysuckles and roses.... No exhaust fumes, reeking garbage, or smog. Literally, all I could smell were honeysuckles and roses. I guess after living in Atlanta for so long then living in the city or right next to a major road when I moved back to Chattanooga I'd forgotten that it was even possible to walk out the door and smell something nice. It reminded me of being a kid again. I catch myself standing on the front porch a lot now... just to savor the smell :)

My New Film Scanner

2005-05-13T23:50:00.000-05:00

My Mom bought be a film scanner for my birthday this year. I spent a lot of time reading reviews and shopping around before deciding on a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual IV. It seemed to have the best features for the price range I was looking in. Setup was easy, configuring the settings to get the scans to look the way I wanted them too was a little bit frustrating but I think I have it all set now. I've scanned about 30 negatives so far, they're a little grainy and scratches show up like you wouldn't believe... but all in all it was a good value. I'll just be doing a lot of Photoshopping for the next... oh... ten years or so. I'm so glad I went digital... My husband has no idea how wonderful he is for buying me a kickass digital camera for Christmas. I love film... but once I'm done scanning these negatives (which I have thousands of) I don't think I'll be using it much any more. More pictures will be posted soon, I'm not scanning all these for nothing :)

I decided to do something with it

2005-05-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

If I'm paying for it I may as well use it, right? So I've decided that this will be the place I post my non-work related photographs so I can share them with family and friends. Maybe I'll use it to rant from time to time or to share interesting happenings.

Goofing Off...

2005-04-17T23:38:00.000-05:00

I found a site with $2.95 per month hosting and a free domain. I thought I'd try it out, so here it is! Maybe I'll do something with it.