My Gym Santa Rosa - Earth Day Celebration

Melissa Morelli Photography is honored to work with a fun and fabulous local business, My Gym, in Santa Rosa.  We will be capturing images for their website, facebook page, print advertisements and party room.  As you can gather from these images, My Gym is a wonderful place for little ones of all ages.  The gym is colorful, the staff is super personal (and professional) and it really is a perfect spot for all around quality family fun.  

Last Friday, April 22nd, they hosted an open gym for current and future families.  During the two hours that I attended there was a caterpillar arts and crafts project, a 'car wash,' a puppet show, hula hooping, face painting, a 'zip line,' and, of course, plenty of free time.  

The 'car wash' set-up - how creative and fun!

I had a wonderful morning capturing the Earth Day celebration memories at My Gym and I look forward to working with the staff and the families again in the future.  And, of course, if you are in need of a highly recommended activity for you and your family, please visit www.mygymsantarosa.com for their schedule of events, classes and camps!

The {S} Family - Santa Rosa Family Photographer

 These two little boys bring immeasurable joy into my life.

I guess now that they are 6 and almost 9 they aren't quite little boys anymore, but they will always remain little in my eyes.  The youngest I was lucky enough to meet on his second day on this earth and the oldest I have known since he was 3 (but my husband met him during his first hour on this earth).

The way that they take care of each other just makes my heart melt.

My husband and their dad have been friends since grade school - the stories that they share run deep.   And three decades later they are still as close as brothers.  It is a good thing that their wives are both friends too :)  Now the stories that we all share run deep. 

This family of four means more to me than words. 

They are there to share in camping trips...

Weekends away in the snow in Tahoe...

Family dinners...

During the times when you need friends to laugh with...

and play with...

and, sometimes, cry with...

and everything in between.

Of course, having friends turned into family in front of my camera makes me happy.  

And seeing the results of our quick 20 minute photo session on their walls will make me even happier :)

xoxo

The {P} Family - Santa Rosa Family Photographer

I feel so blessed to have clients return to me for their photography needs throughout the year.  The {P} family is actually the first family that I ever photographed 'blind' - meaning I did not know them through a friend of a friend or family member.  

Since that day first meeting last summer, we have become friends on facebook and I have followed their joy of adding another member to their family, little baby {E}.  Of course, I was honored when they contacted me regarding family portraits for their holiday cards.  It was loving to see each of them again and enjoy a quick photo session at the Sara Lee Vineyards - isn't the scenery gorgeous? 

Could Mr. {L} be any more adorable?  Plus, he has the personality to back up his good looks :) 

It is wonderful to capture the small moments between siblings... 

Love love love this image...

The {P} Family - Thank you again for contacting me for your holiday photos.  It was so nice to see you again and squeeze little Miss {E}.  Your family is growing so beautifully and it is a reflection of your relationship together.  I appreciate your patience with my arrival time and for setting up the location - everything turned out great!  I look forward to future playdates :)

xoxo

The {S} Family - Santa Rosa Family Photographer

A picture perfect family? Check.  A fun location for a three year old to run around and explore?  Check.  A family session that made my job oh so easy? Check.  

Meet the {S} family who shared an afternoon with me and my camera at their neighborhood park.  When clients ask about my opinions on locations, my answers depend on the age of their little ones and the type of images that they are interested in.  

My favorite type of locations are ones that are meaningful to the family.  These types of locations become the silent family member behind the scenes and make the images more meaningful in the future.  Although they often present lighting challenges (and in this case crowd challenges), they are worth the extra effort.

Plus, when the locations offer a built in area to explore and play together, the images of a little three year old are just a little sweeter...

And there are lots of interesting areas for a little sibling to become immersed with... 

Is there any place better than being hoisted up on your father's shoulders?  I have so many memories being carried that way...

And, as I have said before, these two little creatures are running around playing at the park all because two fabulous people fell in love...

The {S} Family - Thank you for a fun playdate in the park, it was lovely to meet your latest addition and see your little girl looking so grown up.  The happiness between the four of you is just contagious, and I was so excited to be surrounded by it for a short period of time.  I hope that these images capture a moment in time at one of your favorite locations.  xoxo

The {V} Family - Santa Rosa Family Photographer

The session started with a tour through the family property looking for frogs in their hiding places...

and included an anxious little girl who could strike a model's pose on a moment's notice (a personality trait that my sister and I both shared with a passion - in fact, any of our family photos from the late 1980's will show us in a similar stance.)

The wildlife adventures continued with these two little (errr, big) creatures...
 

And once the photo taking started, it was all fun and games (without any of the farm creatures in our way.)

I love having my friends in front of my camera, I start to see them in a different way and I get so connected to the images created, especially an image like the following one...

Meet little Miss {J} - a spunky, light hearted little girl who is all girl from her pink cowboy boots to her dancing and cheer skills to her caring heart of gold.

Meet Mr {A} - an energetic third grader who is all boy from his various Star Wars poses to his skills on the football field.

Seeing the two of them interact is just too cute for words...I love witnessing their bond, despite one being 'all boy' and the other being 'all girl.'

Getting excited for a loose tooth... 

If this is what marriage looks like after more than a decade and while raising two children, please sign me up!

The {V} family - thank you for spending the afternoon with me.  As I always do with you, I had a wonderful time and laughed more than should be legal.  I love being a part of your social calendar and I look forward to future football games, dinners and bunco nights.  And, I look forward to introducing you to "Shaan-a"  :)

xoxo