We Have Moved!

It is time to say good buy to Blogger. Please come over to my new site here. I am loving it over there and can't wait for you to come see all the new changes! Be sure to reset your reader or RSS feeds.

Casting Call!

Winter is when a lot of photographers start getting antsy sitting indoors due to the chilly temperatures. I am no exception so I thought this would be a great time to hold a casting call and try out some fun new props/poses, etc. for a major update of Melissa West Photography.Models Needed:

March 10-13
1. Newborn - must be under 10 days old on the day of the shoot
2. 6-9 month old - must be able to sit unassisted
3. 9-11 month old - able to stand while holding on to something but not yet able to walk
3. Family with 2 children under 8
4. 6-9 year old
5. Pregnant Mama - in her 8th-9th month

The Details:

• Sessions will be FREE of charge.
• Participants will receive a complimentary 8×10. Additional prints and products may be purchased at my current pricing.
• Sessions will take place between March 10-13 in your home.
  
• These sessions will be focused on capturing 1-3 specific setups and poses that I have in mind in order to expand my portfolio. If there is time and baby/child is still happy, additional setups/poses may be attempted.
• Requirement to sign a model release so that images can be used on my blog, website, marketing materials, etc.
• 10-20 proofs will be presented in an online ordering gallery approximately 4 weeks after the event.

If you are interested, please email me at melissawestphotography@gmail.com with your child’s name, birthday, and a recent snapshot of him/her. Please pass this onto your friends that have children this age or know someone that may.

And of course a post isn't a post without a picture! Here is Bella ready for all the winter weather=)

Tim and Meredith: Annapoils Area Engagement Photographer

I think Tim and Meredith should change professions and work for the post office because they sure didn't let the 22 degree weather stop them from getting some amazing portraits on Saturday!  I mean it was COLD! Of course, Tim loves the cold weather so he didn't mind so much ;)  Looking forward to your wedding in July!  And thank you, Christal, for your awesome warm-building-finding!

Go BIGGER it will make it all better!

When ordering session portraits for a wall, many people hesitate to order larger than a 11 x 14. I mean that's huge right? Wrong! Take a look at an 11 x 14 portrait on the mantel. It looks ridiculous and out of place.

photo from Amy Ro Photography

Well while browsing, I came across this blog post about the size of portraits. It is amazing the way Amy Ro explains the sizing of pictures for your wall. Go. Read. Then order...Bigger!

P.S. Meredith sneaks are coming I promise!

Santa!!!!!!!! I know Him!!!!!! He's Coming Here!!!!!

Okay, sorry I got carried away with the title -- I love Christmas movies=) We took Bella to see Santa yesterday and I fully expected for her to scream. Arrabella cries unless she is in my arms. So I placed her in Santa's arms and quickly got of the way. The lady didn't take her picture because she was waiting for Bella to look at the camera. In my head I was yelling, "Take the picture before Bella has a melt down!" She didn't have a meltdown...didn't even cry. I was shocked. Shocked. It was magical=) Here is what happened...

"Um, Santa? Hi, I just wanted to tell you a few things" said Bella


"Well little girl, have you been a good girl?" Santa replied in a deep voice.
"I've been a very good girl, you can ask my mama. And all I want for Christmas is 3 cupcakes, a teddy bear, a baby and a unicorn."



"Okay, Mama, I'm ready to go now.


I love that girl!
Merry Christmas

He's Back!

My brother come home from basic training this morning. We were right on schedule until I realized I had forgotten my battery! Ahg! We rushed back home, and while we were still on time, my mom called and said he had already landed...luckily it was a hurry up and wait situation=) Sorry for the slight blur on the pictures in the second set...I had to deal with a lot of excited family=)

He's here!

Mamma Tortilla and Co.: Annapolis Area Family Photographer

Can we say gorgeous? I am in love with these pictures - they turned out so beautiful! My good friend Les and her family stopped by for a few fun photos for their Christmas cards. In the short time we had to work, we were able to get some awesome photos...

I'm on a roll... : Annapolis Area Family Photographer

Wow, two posts in one day - you should be proud of me=) Here is another family who took part in the Holiday Mini Sessions. It also happens to me my brother and his family. My niece is such a trooper with her parents lugging her around in the grass when all she wanted to do was eat leaves and sleep!

Enjoying the Sunshine: Annapolis Area Family Photographer

Yesterday, I had the privilege of photographing this fun family. I first met them when their daughter was part of the 50/50/50 collection. It was so fun to see the way she loves her daddy and mama flying her around and tickling her. On the other hand, she wasn't so sure about me=)

Blue skies! : Annapolis Area Family Photographer

The rain finally gave us a break this afternoon, and my oft rescheduled session took place. I was so excited when I saw this family's outfits. They didn't match...they went! So important for natural looking photographs. A good tip to remember is to dress the family like it is one big outfit. Everything in an outfit does match exactly (blue pants, blue hat, blue shirt) but it all goes together.

Okay on to the gorgeous family I shot today!









I must say the "real life" pictures are my all time favorite=) Thanks G family, it was great to capture these memories for you!

Vibrant: Annapolis Area Family Photographer

Here a few more favorites from a family session I had last Sunday. I adore the vibrant colors of the changing leave. If Autumn didn't lead to freeze-your-toes-off winter, it might actually be my favorite time of year!

Sometimes: Annapolis Area Family Photographer

ometimes life is a little overwhelming.

Sometimes there is no time for a break.

Sometimes life flies by and you never can quite remember.

Sometimes you want to sit down and rest but there is too much required.

Sometimes you want to quit.

But...

Sometimes life is a little out of focus and just perfect.

This is my favorite picture from today's session. It isn't perfectly in focus but it is art.

Melissa West Photography on Mamma Tortilla

Head on over to the amazing Mamma Tortilla’s blog to check out the interview she did with me:

Click HERE!

She just started spotlighting area artists and I was honored to be in her first super fun interview!

And because I can’t post without a photo, here are some of one of my favorite families...

PS: Become a fan of Melissa West Photography on Facebook!

Sugar and Spice...

We recently received this super cute card from Grandma Micky with a note that said to treat ourselves to something special. So off we went to the store to buy...
this lovely pumpkin. Well it looked lovely before I had Rob cut it in half and then I baked it (but at this point it smelled lovely!)


Bella helped me stir together the cream from Farmer Dan, the pumpkin from Grandma and the eggs from Christal's little farm=) I can almost hear her thinking, "Mother, I do not need your help holding the bowl!"
You have to keep your eye on this helper...teething???

All together it was a lovely pie. Bella may not get any, but as Kate says, she'll get some pumpkin milk later=) Hilarious!

Emilie {day 13} Annapolis Area Newborn Photographer

Though not really happy about being the center of attention, I was able to get some ubber cute pictures of my new niece, Emilie, who looks just like her older brother! I'll post more next week once I visit again and try one more time=)

ps this post especially for Leslie;)

Melissa West Photography: Holiday Mini Sessions Are Here! - Annapolis Area Family Photographer

I am thrilled to announce the wildly popular holiday mini-sessions! These limited-availability sessions will be offered on two Saturdays this October--the 17th and the 24th. Sessions on each date will take place at a Ft. McHenry (I have already scouted it out and it is going to be amazing!).

So what is a mini-session and for whom are they ideal? Read on . . . Your mini-session fee of $40 (yup you read that right...$160 off the regular session fee!!!) includes 30 minutes of shooting time, 25 beautiful press-printed custom holiday/New Year's cards and 3 or 6 digital images. After your mini-session, you'll be shown a minimum of 8-10 images in a private online gallery and will work with me to finalize your order and create your custom cards.

This is a great idea for gifts for your family... what grandma doesn't love pictures of her kids and grandkids? And you'll wow everyone with your custom holiday cards!

A mini-session is for you if you've recently had a session but would love new images for your holiday cards or to mark a milestone, but aren't quite ready for a second full custom session yet. Or perhaps you've been meaning to try a session but just haven't gotten around to it. Or maybe you're a friend of a client who wants to get a small taste of what it's all about. Or maybe you just want a few gorgeous fall images of your family! While mini-sessions cannot compare to the completely custom experience of a full session, they are perfect for any of these situations.

These limited availability sessions are expected to fill very quickly. If you'd like to book, contact me soon. 443-934-9335 or melissawestphotography@gmail.com

Note: if you prefer the luxury of a full custom MWP session at your home or outdoor location of your choice, the calendar for the remainder of 2009 is open and a few dates remain. Finally, if you have recently had a session and wish to purchase holiday cards featuring an image from that session, please e-mail before November 7th to order your cards.

Below are some examples of the holiday cards this year...

Melissa West Photography: my little family - Annapolis Area Family Photographer

Yeah! We finally have pictues of our family!!! Thanks Christal for your help=) And no, we do not have our daughter on a working train track. Crazy, why would you think that? We're responsible parents=)

This is the same spot I took Rob's pictures right after we were married. Loved it so much that we had to go back. Would love to do your pictures there as well... ;)

Melissa West Photography: Postponed - Severn School Photographer

Computers! they are the bane of my life today=/ Due to technical errors, school photos will be available in the client section on Monday and orders due October 8th. Thanks for your understanding!