Melissa Morelli Photography - The Blog

Miss {J} - Sebastopol Senior Portraits

2012-04-10T17:45:55Z

I was nervous because, although I wish that I could, I cannot control the weather. And, we all know that the weather on the Sonoma Coast is unpredictable at best. And, we all know that senior portraits are important in any high school graduates life. When we scheduled Miss {J}'s session at Bodega Bay I hoped that the weather would pleasantly surprise me. It completely outdid itself :)

I had such a great time spending the beautiful afternoon with Miss {J}, her mom and her little sister. There were laughs, there were cartwheels and ninja games, and smiles. Lots of smiles.

The beach is a special spot for {J} and her friends and family - so it was the best backdrop to commemorate this special time in her life.

After taking pictures on the beach, we headed to the quaint roads next to Salmon Creek and utilized some empty homes and streets for backdrops :)

Love love love this one!

This series of images with her polka-dot dress just make me smile. So much happiness for life, so much brightness for the future...

We were finished shooting, but then {J} discovered that her had pockets on her dress. I started jumping up and down, since I love pockets on dresses for photos :)

Miss {J} - Thank you very much for trusting me to capture this time in your life. Best of luck deciding on your multiple amazing college acceptances - I know that you will make the right decision! Take care and enjoy the final days of your senior year. xoxo

Miss PJ - Healdsburg Newborn Photographer

2012-03-09T04:40:13Z

In honor of her 6 month birthday which is tomorrow, I figured that I would celebrate by posting a few images of Miss PJ tonight. She is my high school friends precious baby girl. And she is an absolute joy.

It was a rainy cold day last November when I came over to capture a few images of Miss PJ in the comfort of her home and the warmth of laying in her mama's arms. She was so new to life, yet so alert, taking in every detail in this new big world of hers.

As the months have passed by, I am happy to report that she has maintained her blue eyes and her chubby cheeks :)

There is something very emotional about watching your close girlfriends, ones that you have known for 15 years, become mothers. The conversations turn to sleep (or lack there of), to tips on making baby food, to what type of carseat to purchase next to wondering what we ever did with our free time before the little ones arrived and took it all away. Most of the time sentences between friends are interrupted and you feel as if you never really finished all the details of the conversations, but you know that it is okay. Because you are in the presence of your lifelong friend, who is now a mother herself. And she just gets it.

Miss PJ - thank you for making your mother a mother. I have never seen her happier :) And, it goes without saying, but Happy Six Month birthday. xoxo

Miss B - Santa Rosa Senior Portrait Photographer

2012-03-02T18:41:09Z

There are certain people that you meet in life that you feel connected with for a variety of reasons. Big and small. Miss B is one of those people to me. We met at a close family friends phenomenal house in Santa Rosa for her senior photo session last fall and she was full of nervous excitement for the photos. She had her hair and makeup perfect and a variety of adorable outfits with matching accessories to review with me. Everything about her reminded her of myself at her age. Especially since her sister and her mother were right along her side during the entire session. The relationship between the three of them is admirable.

Wearing her fathers Cardinal Newman class ring...

I always enjoy photographing clients in new locations, it makes me stretch my creativity and learn to thrive with different lighting situations. But, really, anything is easy when such a beautiful girl is in front of my camera :)

The house featured an underground wine cellar that was full of stunning architecture.

Whenever other family members are present at a photo session I always try to capture a few images of everyone. I don't always get the corporation, but when I do it turns into something magical :)

Miss B - Thank you very much for letting me capture this time in your life. You are truly a beautiful person inside and outside. The world is at your feet...enjoy the last moments of your senior year at Cardnial Newman. Much love!

The {D} Family - Santa Rosa Family Photographer

2012-02-13T04:12:19Z

I am having so much fun looking at completed work from last fall and blogging about them. All of these sessions were posted on my facebook business page within one week of the session, but the blogging just fell to the bottom of the priority list. I am currently in my slow season with sessions and am waiting for the wedding season to start in a few months. But, I miss being behind the camera and reviewing these images makes me feel closer to my camera than I have lately.

This family was so beautiful, and I had a wonderful time walking around their property talking with their little girls. Photographing sisters is special to me and it always reminds me of my own special relationship with my own sister.

Love the dresses too!

We spent time walking around their home, all the while I photographed the family being a family.

Natural. Real. Authentic. Lovely.

Their backyard was amazing with big trees, tire swing, vineyard, and a garden...it had everything! I can tell that many memories are made exploring their outdoor environment.

What an honor to be invited into the home of the {D} family and assist with their holiday photos for 2011. I look forward to seeing them again in 2012 :)

Miss B - Windsor Senior Portrait Photographer

2012-02-03T05:00:16Z

In an attempt to catch up with the dozens of sessions that I have yet to blog, I will be posting in non-chronological order based on what my mood is. Tonight, I am in the mood for a little high school senior showcasing.

Miss B was a lovely young lady and I had a nice evening walking around Julliard Park with her and her mom. She is full of innocent dreams for the future, just as a senior in high school should be.

And her eyelashes are phenomenal :)

Favorite...

Another favorite...

Ahhh....this makes me miss the fall colors...

I don't have the opportunity to photography many senior sessions, but when I do have the opportunity I always walk away wishing that I had more high schoolers in front of my camera. They are so fun, and carefree, plus it always brings me back to my high school days :)

A + M - The Reception

2012-01-30T22:16:01Z

The Brazil Building at Tilden Regional Park provided a wonderful backdrop for A + M's wedding reception last August. Rustic beauty, sweeping views, and bright flowers made the evening one to remember.

I loved their engagement photo, taken at Machu Picchu in Peru, what a wonderful memory to share with their wedding guests.

We had about 10 minutes to quickly walk the grounds for some portraits of the new Mr. and Mrs. I understand how hard it is to leave your wedding reception, but you can never get the time back to take additional photos. It is so important to book time during your day for multiple picture taking opportunities.

The toasts were quite memorable, especially the best man's. He said that now that Matt was married he should collect all the keys to his apartment that he gave away over the years. And slowly, women from all over the reception walked up to the groom and dropped off a key. It was hilarious. And then as the number of women was slowing down, a token male stood up and returned a key too. :)

These two were fabulous dancers...oh my goodness they looked so perfect together on the dance floor and they completely danced like no one was watching. Loved it!

Everyone was dancing, including the adorable ring bearer. Too fun!

A + M - The Ceremony

2011-10-29T21:45:48Z

Surrounded by a mystical redwood tree grove, A + M declared to love one another. Forever. Just like the trees that circled their family and friends.

With personal readings, a family friend ordained to marry the couple and an abundance of legendary moments, the ceremony was the perfect reflection of A + M's relationship.

This picture is proof that you can meet your soul mate while at a bar in San Francisco and that love at first sight is alive and well.

A + M - The Wedding

2011-10-27T18:07:57Z

Although this wedding was 6 weeks ago...the memories of day are still as vivid as if it was yesterday. Here are a few of my favorite - more to come soon :)

J + K - The Reception

2011-10-12T03:25:45Z

I feel horribly that it has been so long since I last blogged...if only the amount of times that I have thought about it and tried counted for something. Sometimes I wish that I could just download my thoughts and make it all happen without me actually taking action. Sometimes I wish that the days were about 10 hours longer and that I didn't require something as silly as sleep. Regardless, I have so many blog posts to posts that this lil' website of mine will be hoppin' through the end of the year.

The good part about my lack of blogging? I get to relive sweet memories made earlier in the year like the fun reception of J + K. Again, love the outdoors, love the sentiment, love the love.

The speeches and toasts were awesome, I learned so much about the newleyweds. I laughed, I cried. I *might* have been a little caught up in the moments that I forgot about my 15 pound camera in my hand that I should have been using. :)

My lovely second shooter was able to utilize the balcony of the barn to get some great aerial shots of the reception. It is so nice to be able to quasi-clone myself on wedding days with her assistance...I couldn't do it without her!

Oh heavens...sweetness overload!

I really enjoy seeing how brides personalize their on style into their wedding day style and when Miss K made her grand entrance without her veil but with her bow...I smiled. Really big. Love it!

A have a shot similar to this from my wedding day at our family property framed in a big canvas in our bedroom. I love looking at it and seeing how different the land already looks after 5 years. I imagine that these images will have the same impact in the future...

J + K - It was lovely meeting the two of you. I should have know that we would be fast friends when we decided to meet at the Redwood Cafe...little did I know that we have so much in common. Thank you for being so fun throughout the planning process and for trusting my ability to capture your wedding. I look forward to seeing you on the road during our evening dog walks :) xoxo

J + K - The Details

2011-09-27T17:27:48Z

Thankfully our schedule and timeline for the day afforded me plenty of opportunities to photography the charming details of J + K's wedding day before, as I say, 'the guests move in.' The quiet moments before guests arrive are the best moments to capture the small aspects of the wedding day. There is so much planning that goes into details - from signage, to favors, the flowers, to table settings. And I love capturing it all.