WINNER! FANTASTIC Fall Photographers Giveaway :: Colorado Spring Professional Photographer

The winner of our FANTASTIC Fall Photographers Giveway....drumroll....

*****CONGRATULATIONS*****

to : Trinia Shook

Trinia,
Please email me at info@photographybymelissaj.com within 48 hours.

Thank you to all that participated and stay tuned for another giveaway in the future.

Aaron :: October Mini Session :: Colorado Springs Children Photographer

As a photographer, what do you do with a 2 year old who doesn't like to look and smile at the camera?... Well, you chase him around and get him to like you.  I firmly believe to be a good children's photographer, you have to step to their level, play with them, and just relax and have fun.

That's exactly what happened with little cuteness Aaron during a recent mini session.  For only 30 minutes of shooting and a somewhat shy toddler, I felt the gallery uploaded for his mom was a hit! He started to warm up to me and his favorite part of the whole session was the chair.  I wish my 2 year old could be entertained with just a chair! I was so happy to use this chair as it's actually one of mine and it was made well before I was born.  Let's just say, it's in it's 30's-ish!

Enjoy some peeks of Aaron...

This last picture is a new favorite of mine.  Every image tells a story and well, I know what this one tells me.  What does it say to you?...

Thank you Aaron's family for letting spend time with him and capture these moments!

 © All content and images are copyright Photography by Melissa J :: But you already knew that!

Fantastic Fall Photographers Giveaway! :: Photography by Melissa J :: Colorado Springs Photographer

 Fall is in the air and I know that means crazy busy season for everyone….especially photographers!  The weather is getting cooler yet the colors outside are rich and warming, and next thing we know, it'll be Thanksgiving. Well, I want to give THANKS starting TODAY! Photography by Melissa J reached 1000 Facebook fans and wanted to send some love to all those hard working photographers out there.  Photo props, cute hats, editing actions, and certificates OH MY!... all these vendors are fabulous and oh so talented!! Check it out...

*** Here's how you enter (winner selected via random.org)

1. (Required Entry) Go and visit every one of these awesome vendors Facebook pages and "LIKE" their page.  Come back here and leave a comment telling me you did that.  (Optional) Show them some love on their wall and tell them what you like about their page and tell them I sent you.


2. (Bonus Entry - Step 1 must already be completed) Link this blog post to your Facebook page status and type "Enter this FANTASTIC Fall photographers giveaway hosted by @Photography by Melissa J!"  Make sure and put the @ sign in front of my business name to tag it (it will become blue so that you know it worked). Come back to this blog post and leave a comment saying you did this.


3. (Bonus Entry #2 - Step 1 must already be completed) Subscribe to this blog post via email and leave a comment on this post telling me you did so.


4. LOCALS (or willing to travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado) - Send an email to info@photographybymelissaj.com to receive a bonus entry into the Locals Only portion.  1 winner will be picked via random.org to receive a $50 gift certificate to Photography by Melissa J


 The give away will run from October 19th, 2011 until 11:00 PM (Mountain time) October 24th, 2011.    Winners will be selected via random.org and announced Wednesday October 26th after entries are verified.
Good Luck everyone!  

Happy Acres Farm :: 1 free BLING, winners choice
Happy Acres Farm Facebook page HERE

Raspberry and Lime :: $20 Gift Certificate
Raspberry and Lime Facebook page HERE 

Photographer's Bling :: 1 Box of Bling worth $165
Photographer's Bling Facebook HERE 

Baby Dream Backdrops :: $100 Voucher to any of their backdrop options (Not allowed for flooring products)
Baby Dream Backdrops Facebook HERE
ALSO - Baby Dream Backdrops if offering 20% off to all giveaway contestants during the giveaway (Heck yea!!) Discount code :: babydream

Simply Sara :: 1 ear flap hat, winners choice of color and size
Simply Sara Designs Facebook HERE

Maternity and Newborn Photography Prop Shop :: 3 pack action valued at $55
Maternity and Newborn Photography Prop Shop Facebook HERE

Giggled Pink :: 1 Crown
Giggled Pink Facebook HERE 

Photography by Melissa J :: $50 Gift Certificate for locals or willing to travel to Colorado Springs
Photography by Melissa J Facebook HERE

Remember to make sure you've LIKED all 8 Facebook business pages!

~~ Happy Playing! ~~


Legal Note:
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered, or associated with Facebook.  You are providing your information to Photography by Melissa J, not to Facebook.  The information you provide will only be used to notify promotion winners and for sending subscribers updates and announcements from Photography by Melissa J.  Subscribers can opt out of receiving updates, sneak peeks, and announcements at any time.  Thank you! 

Baby Bump with loving couple :: Colorado Springs Maternity Photographer

To see a couple who loves each other so much, makes me happy to know their little one is coming in to a great home.  I was so happy to meet this couple and photograph their maternity session and to spend time with them during this special stage in their life.  I simply cannot wait to meet their baby when he arrives! 

Am I the only pregnant lady that waddled and was so unattractive during my pregnancies? This soon to be mom has an amazing glow and shows her belly well!

I love for my clients to have fun and relax during my portrait sessions. I'm wondering if they were having fun??....

In the below picture, I could photoshop the "maternity pants" so that you didn't see the tops of them.  However, I feel it speaks higher volumes in the picture as to what is so special.  It helps tell the story that being pregnant is a beautiful thing even if though you sometimes have to wear funky clothes.  

 Their session took place at Monument Valley Park and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

© All images and content copyright Photography by Melissa J, but you already knew that!

What makes me smile...

My kids are used to a big black thing attached to my face. That would be the camera in case you were thinking other things.


I'll tell ya my secret to make them giggle (which leads to a smile towards the lens) - sing songs they know using the wrong words! That's been a hit with my 5 and 2 1/2 year old lately. I'll keep using it until they get bored and then I'll have to think up a new secret.

My 5 year old is starting to say "Hey mom, come take a picture of this!" ... some random ugly leaf laying on the driveway or a penny sitting on the stairs or a fly on the window.  Um.. Honey, no thanks, I'd rather take a photo of you!

I think that means they see me A LOT with the camera. But, hey, I'm a professional photographer and I feel blessed that my children are going to have tons of quality photos for their kids kids kids kids to cherish. =)

Enjoy a sneak peek into my life...

ISO 320 | F2.0 | 1/125

ISO 320 | F1.8 | 1/200

ISO 320 | F2.0 | 1/125

I love these boys with all my heart and enjoy every minute with them.  Yes, that even includes the minutes where they're screaming, fighting, even kicking, and sometimes just plain grumpy.  They are my world!

BTW - Random I know - If you're a photographer, MomMe Designs is having a Photographers Giveaway on their blog! Click here to enter:   http://mommedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/10/momme-designs-fall-giveaway_09.html

Have a great day!

© All images and content copyright Photography by Melissa J :: It's just not nice to steal