We've MOVED!

Just to avoid any confusion-

Melissa Jean Photography has moved. Please bookmark our new URL:

www.melissajeanphotography.com/blog

Changes are a'comin!

With the new year came a lot of new changes for my business. Both visible, behind the scenes as well as ideas that unfortunately I hadn't had the time to implement.

Well, with the end of Family Portrait season, and before the full surge of engagements, weddings and senior portraits I've decided to dedicate my efforts to those ideas of change that have been floating in my mind.

My business is my customers. That's who I'm dedicated to. That's why I'm in this business - to meet you! When the day of your scheduled shoot comes I'm all about making you comfortable, capturing your day, and making it special for you, no matter what personal obstacles I may be facing (like lack of caffeine ;) )

With my customers in mind I've been trying to figure out what else I can do to make my services memorable to you. I've added an online viewing/printing gallery for easy viewing and sharing of your images. I've created a customer satisfaction survey to see what else my customers would like to have happened.

And now, I have created a cleaner, nicer blog - incorporated into my site - so all new and existing customers can easily view my recent work and my site all at the same time.

I feel like this blog was a really important step in bringing my new professional look full circle. Check it out and leave some comments:

www.MelissaJeanPhotography.com/blog

{and I know, where's the pictures?? Every post should have them - gotta go to the new blog =)}

I am my Mother's Daughter

Around Thanksgiving my husband built our desk that we call the "Techno Cubby" into a nook in our bedroom. It's all set up with his computer and two monitors and often I join him there when we watch movies or netflix together.

Recently I've noticed that about three feet above the desk level on my side the wall is smudged and dirty. Why? Because for whatever reason I'm most comfortable sitting with my feet propped up. It's like a compulsion. One that I have to constantly fight at work so I don't appear to be a slacker. I'll prop them up on anything, the desk, the wall, on top of the computer tower - anything!

Recently I've come across old pictures, from my childhood and even my parents' weddings and before. All of them have been fun to peruse, however, one in particular stood out to me. Though my sister resembles my mother much more in appearance I am her twin in personality (and yes mum, I'm referring largely to your dancing and singing around the kitchen/house, your love for music, lack of self control with chocolate, love of Bones, and of course, your feet propping and much more).



I am my mother's daughter. This explains so much. I love my mother =)

Rainy Days!

Rainy days make me a little crazy! I love the rain, I always have. But since falling in love with photography I tend to get a little more antsy when the rain comes and stays. I still love when it's pounding on the ceiling but sometimes I just want to be able to be outside doing a shoot.

But I will not be thwarted! I still was able to have fun with my camera today (much to the amusement and possible annoyance of my husband.... what can I say, Fun Dip makes me crazy!)

Here are some pictures of my birdcage candle holder... I was definitely feeling caged in by the rain today. Let's just hope this rain ends soon or it's going to be more of this!








And a rare one of me!

Behind the Scenes

There's a lot that goes into photography.

There's all the physical parts - the camera body, the lenses, the memory cards, the editing software, etc etc.

There's the creative aspect. Seeing the world from behind the lens but focusing on the details that capture more than just the moment - the emotion. Getting past the pasted on smiles and capturing the seconds when the smile reaches to the eyes.

There's the people person aspect that is necessary to catch these moments. To make the client feel comfortable and relaxed enough to let those moments happen. To be vulnerable and authentic in front of the camera so that the second that I hit that shutter button I'm not just capturing a moment but instead I'm freezing you in the middle of your story.

All of that is integral in being a photographer. But really that's only just the beginning.

From the time we say goodbye until you receive that disc in the mail I'm working behind the scenes to refine, enhance, and create your story through photos.

All of this creates my style as a photographer. It's not just how I interact with you and your loved ones. It's not just the moments, kisses, and glances I capture. And it's not just the post processing I implement. It's all of it.

Those of you who've done a shoot with me know my style of interacting.

All of you know the finished product that I put out there.

But so far none of you know what I'm doing behind the scenes to get there. What creative aspects I put in to your story.

So for all of you, here's some examples of my before and after edits. So you can see what it is that I'm doing to help transform the images from your day into your beautiful and artful story.

Before

>

After


Before


After


Before


After


Before


After


I hope you enjoyed this look into my behind the scenes!

I look forward to being able to be a part of many of your stories in the future.

Couples Portraits - San Luis Obispo

My oh my I have been behind lately. Definitely not in my usual groove. But I'm working on getting back into my groove... if only this rain would settle down and let me get some more shoots in!

Anyway, a few weeks ago I did a shoot with an old friend from junior high/high school. It was a really great shoot, they were such a cute and fun couple. They're really fun and easy going so we decided to use the park in downtown SLO which gave us easy access to some downtown urban looks. And we even lucked out with some great flowery plant things (that of course being their scientific name... =P) that gave us some great shots (last ones here).

This is also the shoot I got to take my sister in law too while our boys stayed home and played their video games. She had some great photos here too which I've made sure to give her credit for here.












(by Natalie)


(by Nat)

And here are my favorite ones from the shoot! Loved the flowers!





And a fun little edit technique you'll see popping up here and there. It's quickly becoming one of my funky favs.


I thought this one was an awesome representation on their shoot. It's the hat that Garrett almost always wears and then a pretty awesome playground sign. Nat snagged this one. I love the creative eye she has!

(by Nat)

Until next time!! (Which will hopefully be sooner than it's been lately)

Valentine's Photos

It's a day late, but better late than never right?!

I'm not much for Valentine's Day, but this year I did pull out all the stops and do the grand romantic gestures for Erik that are usually reserved for girls. But hey, guys can appreciate romance too, right??

Anyway, in the spirit of Valentine's day, here is an adorable shoot with Lilly, all geared up for Valentine's day! Isn't she precious?? Oh to be young and still able to pull off the tutu and leggings look. (I'm not alone in that wish, am I??)



Aren't these props adorable?! Her mom brought all these! I couldn't have picked them better myself!



And that's actually a wash cloth all rolled up, not a cupcake =)





The weather had turned on us and it was actually freezing this morning. But she makes shivering look pretty cute!





Enjoy the season of love!!