This is the last post I will be writing at this address. I decided it was time for something a little more customizable and professional. From now on all of my posts will be at the following: www.melissaaphotography.com/blog. Please check it out and bookmark the page so you can keep up with all the fun things going on and soon to come.
Thanks everyone!
I met up with this sweet family on one of our hottest days! Shortly before our session I drove by a sign that read "102 degrees" and that was at 4:45pm! This Georgia heat is something else, but that didn't stop us!
I arrived at our location a bit early and decided to walk around to check out some spots. Unfortunately, this turned me into a sweaty mess and the poor Hinson family met me for the first time completely sweaty and gross! They braved it though and we ended up having a nice time.
Little Evan is about 20 months old and just as cute as can be. He's at that stage where he wants to explore everything and does not want to sit still, so cute and of course something worth remembering! This session held an extra special meaning to the Hinson family for another reason, as well. Cindy is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan for 6 months. This will be her second deployment, but the first time she didn't have sweet Evan she had to leave behind.
Cindy, I can't imagine how difficult it must be to leave your family, but I thank you for your service. I hope these photos will provide some comfort to you and your family while you are away and in the future.
Cindy and Rich, thank you for choosing me and I wish y'all the best in your new adventures.
-Melissa
This must have been one of the most fun days I've had in a while. Drew joined his little friends for his first time bowling on Monday, August 2nd! I hadn't given much thought to taking Drew bowling so I was interested to see how this would go, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Seriously people, you've never seen anything so cute. These kiddos were all over this new activity and they even got their own little bitty bowling shoes!!! I didn't even know they made them that small! Anyway, it was fantastic and here are some fun photos to help us remember the day. Enjoy!
I can't believe it, I just can't believe it. You hear all the time that they grow so fast, but you never realize what that means until you have one of your own.
Four years ago today, I was headed to the hospital at around 4:30am. I was only 36 weeks along, but definitely felt like my body could not handle any more.
It's amazing how much of that early morning and day are sketchy in my memory. I remember driving to the hospital, but not the whole drive. I remember changing into a hospital gown, but not getting to the actual room I was in. I remember seeing 3 doctors during that time because the first one's shift was over and he was done, so he left it to the other two. I remember repeatedly asking for an epidural just in case they thought I was joking. I remember Charley making some phone calls, but not sure who all was called.
I remember he also sat doing a crossword puzzle to pass the time as I waited for my epidural. Yep, those are my feet he has the paper sitting between while I was lying in pain :oP
I remember after my epidural being quite the happy camper! I felt like I could hang out all day. I was so excited that I even got my own button to push when I felt I needed more meds. The labor part was not difficult; in between contractions and pushing I sat back and chit chatted with the doctors and nurses. Then we were blessed by this little bitty punkin. Andrew Charles Grooters was born at 2:15pm on August 6, 2006. He was four weeks early, but weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce. What a gift!
Everything went smoothly and we got to go home two days later. Later that week, though we were back in the hospital because of jaundice. I think this is where Drew's beach bum nature really set in! It was a rough night and couple of days, but we made it through.
This is probably the only point where Drew looked a lot more like me than Charley. :o)
One for each year!
It's amazing how quickly time has gone by. I am so sad when I think of how fast it's going, but I love every minute that passes with my little man.
So here's to remembering the past...
...and celebrating the future! Drew, you've made every struggle worthwhile and every happiness magnified! I love you and happy 4th birthday!
I had the opportunity to take a workshop through the Lamarr School - a PPA affiliate school at the beginning of July. It was fabulous and introduced to me by John Wrightenberry, the same one I second shot beside for the May wedding. He's not only a full time photographer, but also the director for the Lamarr School.
This workshop was created to help professional photographers improve their skills of capturing, enhancing, selling, and providing better service to their clients. The entire seminar was from Sunday to Thursday and included many different kinds of classes that ranged from two to four days. I took the two day Photoshop course, which was excellent! However, I was itching to take some pictures, especially after seeing models walking by our room several times all done up.
Part of the seminar was a hands on experience. The director and other instructors involved organized a Trash the Dress session for us on one of the evenings. I am so incredibly glad I was able to make it for this session. It provided not only a different experience then I'm used to, but some instruction was also given during the shoot.
Really, all I can say is that it was FABULOUS! I would do it again in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone interested. It's totally worth the expense. So without further babbling from me, here is what I captured at that session....
Thank you to John Wrightenberry and the Lamarr School for a new and exciting adventure in photography!
I met up with the Jackson Family on Saturday and we had a very nice time. As seems to be the standard these days, the weather was threatening rain, so we moved our session up a bit earlier. We started heading down to our location and watched as the clouds just continued to get darker and just for good measure, some thunder was thrown in there, too! But, thankfully once we reached our destination the clouds parted some and we were even blessed with a decent breeze every now and then.
I met Lauren a couple of years ago when they moved here for her hubby to start the same residency program that my hubby is in. They've become good friends and are always so laid back and fun to be around. Lauren approached me about doing a large family session for them because Lynn, her husband, is about to deploy for three months to do his research time in Afghanistan. So, Lynn's family drove in and made it a great get together and also a nice farewell.
So, Jackson Family, here is your sneak peek. It was wonderful to meet you all. Lynn, we will miss you and look forward to your return!
Thank y'all!
~Melissa
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