My nephews Luke and Zach are great kids. When Luke's Mom married Zach's Dad a few years ago, they became a blended family and the boys became brothers. Both of them will be graduating in a couple months- Luke from El Diamante and Zach from Mission Oak- and I am so proud of the two of them. Both are HUGE Star Wars fans so we decided to have some fun at the end of the session and let good and evil battle it out with their lightsabers.
Shot on my Mamiya 645J with Portra 400 and Minolta Maxxum 7000 with Fuji Superia 400, developed and scanned by Pro Photo Connection
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I've said it before, I have a special place in my heart for blended families. I come from one and now have one of my own- so they are near and dear to my heart. It was such a pleasure to meet this beautiful family. We had a great time wandering around Simonian Farms in the early morning on a Sunday a few weeks ago.
Portra 400 shot on my Mamiya 645, Ektar 100 pushed +2 on Minolta Maxxum 7000, and HP5 pushed +3 on Pentax K1000 developed and scanned by Pro Photo Connection When I initially met Marc and Brittany they stressed that they wanted their day documented with as many candid moments as possible. As someone that loves documentary type of work, I was over the moon for this opportunity and couldn't wait for their big day. They exchanged vows at the beautiful Nonini Winery in Fresno County and it couldn't have been a more perfect day. Both the bride's and groom's families were so wonderful and genuine and the entire day was about the blending of two families. Congratulations to the Armstrongs!
Film shot with Portra 400 and 160 on Mamiya 645, developed and scanned by Pro Photo Connections I have had the pleasure of photographing the Alcala family for a few years now (since little Gabe was just a baby!) Robert and I have been friends since high school and it is always wonderful to catch up with him and his family. His oldest boy, Nicholas, is a charmer. Halfway through the session as we walked around the Fresno State campus, he slipped his little hand in mine and my heart melted a bit. I have so much love for the four of them.
I used a variety of cameras including my (new to me)Mamiya 645S, Minolta Maxxum 7000 and my Sony Alpha DSLR. For film choices I finished off an expired roll of Focal Film that was already in the Minolta and then switched over to Fuji Superia 800 and Ektar in the Mamiya. It's been kind of quiet on my blog over the summer. My husband and the kids at home, I try to spend as little time as possible on the computer and instead play and have fun with them. One of my dear friends booked a Momma getaway for a couple days in the middle of the week. We watched the sunset at the beach, drank wine, laughed and talked with no interruptions for three days and two nights... it was wonderful! We also wandered around and took in a few sights. I hadn't been to Hearst Castle since 8th grade! And I'm sure I didn't appreciate all the beauty of it back then. I only took my film cameras on this trip. Sadly, none of my medium format pictures came out (boo). But the 35mm didn't let me down. Here are a few favorites. Hearst Castle Dining Room (the only photo I attempted indoors) One of the guest houses among the expansive gardens at Hearst Castle Some lazy walrus seals lounging on the beach in San Simeon
You're off to great places, Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way! -Dr. Seuss Canon EF, Fuji Superia 400, The FIND Lab Canon EF, Fuji Superia 400, The FIND Lab Canon EF, Fuji Superia 400, The FIND Lab Canon EF, Fuji Superia 400, The FIND Lab
In this last year I have slowly been dipping my toes back in the water and using my old film cameras. Film is what I learned to shoot with, but in the last year I have found out that my knowledge of it ( especially color film) had gotten a little lost. I joined a group on Facebook and lurked around jealous of their beautiful images. Now I am trying to get back into shooting film, because when you get it right it's amazing and it's kind of like going home again. I'm adding film (both 35 mm and medium format) to my sessions, and I must say that I absolutely love the results I have been getting. Film makes you slow down and be a bit more mindful of what you are doing. I can't wait to share more! All images are shot on my Canon EF (35mm) and developed by The FIND Lab Fuji Superia 400 Fuji Superia 400 Fuji Superia 400
I have said it many times before; the best part of my job is that I get to see old friends from years past and meet their families! Stephanie and I graduated from high school together and I was so excited to meet her husband and boys. I brought along my film camera (a Canon EF) and shot images on it as well, and I must say that I loved the results that I got with it. Many thanks to them for navigating through tall weeds and brush to get to the spots I had scouted before the session.
Film images were developed and scanned by The FIND Lab “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” - Dr. Seuss Oh, The Places You'll Go! I've known this beautiful girl since she was three. Oh, how these little ones grow up so fast! She was always there with a big smile and a hug for me. Kyra has grown into such a lovely person, both inside and out. My heart is so overjoyed that I was blessed to become friends with her Mama so many years ago.
So excited that I get to share this wonderful little family on the blog today! Brittany and Marc will exchange vows in October at a beautiful little local winery. |
AuthorHi, I'm Melissa. I am a wife, mother, step-mother, Gigi (step-grandma) and a photographer. I started out as the family member always asked to bring my camera along and it has turned into my life dream. I just love being able to capture moments for others that they can always cherish.This is my little corner to share my sessions, projects, and a little piece of our daily life. Thanks for stopping by! Archives
July 2021
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