Does it get any better than this?

Bethany Kathleen

My adorable little niece... only two weeks younger than Bella... I can see trouble brewing already =)

My baby Bella

As you may have guessed I have a new favorite subject for my photos=)

Giving is Awesome

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $2600 worth, to be exact. To include: session fee and a digital collection which contains a session proof box(5x7 of entire session) and all inclusive full resolution digital files.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in the Baltimore/Annapolis area. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : melissawestphotography@gmail.com.

The winner will be announced on June 1st -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Melissa

It's a Girl!!

My baby is finally here! After a long, hard labor my baby girl was finally born... what a feeling to hold my first little one. Poor little girl doesn't get her pictures posted til she is almost 3 weeks... but my dear, sweet hubby gave me a week long flu the day after the Bella was born... love him so much=) Here are a few pictures of my sweet pea.

MY maternity pictures!

I finally got my own maternity pictures taken=) I had my friend Christal use my camera and take some of me then I edited them the same day. I knew I needed to do it fast because if the baby came I wouldn't get to them for a while! Not sure my husband would have been crazy about my choice but the old abandoned, burned-out house was awesome! Hopefully baby pictures will be here soon!!!

The Kimballs

My sister and her family just had a session last week it was supposed to be a maternity session but became a mainly fam session. I had fun with the littles=)

One of those pictures that you take 30 of and think I don't think any of those will work. Then when you edit you can't believe that all kiddos are looking and looking happy=)

I love(!) this picture... nothing like sticking a baby in a barrel =)

While taking this picture I thought how crazy that an old wall and wheelbarrow can make for such great background=)