2010 Year in Review - Part Two

Below are my favorite images from the first half of the photo sessions in 2010...apparently I am in a black and white mood as well, since most of the images are not in color.  Again, it just melts my heart to see each of the special faces of my friends turned clients and clients turned friends in front of my camera.  

I cannot wait to see who I get to meet out in the field this year!

 

 

Again, thank you to all of the blog readers, email inquires, facebook comments and overall love and support during 2010.  It was an amazing year and I am looking forward to an even better 2011, thanks to each of you.

xoxo

2010 Year in Review - Part One

As 2010 comes to a close in a few hours, I am spending the day reflecting on the last 365 days.  

The one word to summarize my life in 2010 is 'growth.'  

My life has grown in more ways this past year than I can recently remember.  From difficult yet necessary career changes to welcoming the arrival of my second niece to finally relishing in the fact that my own family would be expanding.   From taking risks to trusting fate to reconnecting with lost friends to savoring the small moments, this year has been full of growth.

And, the area with the most growth in my life (besides my ever expanding waist line) has been with Melissa Morelli Photography.  As I reviewed images from this year I was once again blown away by the trust that has been enlisted in little ol' me to capture the memories of others.  

The words 'thank you' just don't seem to be enough to express my deep gratitude.

I reviewed each of my sessions and will be sharing my favorite images from each session on the blog in the spirit of the new year.  Today, we will review the sessions from July to December, starting with that adorable niece of mine...

 

 

Stay tuned for part two soon!

Happy Labor Day

I hope that everyone is enjoying the federal holiday, Labor Day, today.  

According to Wikipedia, "the first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882 in New York City, by the Central Labor Union of New York, the nation's first integrated major trade union.  Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events." 

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In other, yet 'labor' related news, my little family and I were recently in front of the camera with the ever-talented and lovely Stacey from XOXO With Love Photography.

We were extremely excited to review our images, especially since we used them to share the news with our families that we are expecting our first daughter on 1.11.11.  

Plus, I was equally thrilled to have a new headshot with my first little daughter, Shasta.

As such, Melissa Morelli Photography will be closed for booking sessions between December 18th and February 14th.  But, please, continue checking the blog for updates and posts - I do have a fun activities planned.  I am sincerely looking forward to returning to photographing in 2011 with a renewed sense of energy and creativity (and compassion for new parents) to capture your family photos, senior portraits, engagements and wedding.

Enjoy celebrating your Labor Day traditions today....xoxo

The {S}'s Tahoe Wedding

Weddings are wonderful events.  

They are the culmination of months (or years, or decades in some brides minds) of planning.  They are two families joining together.  They are full of traditions, they create new traditions.  They make me laugh.  They make me cry.  And they make me feel all 'warm and fuzzy inside.'  

This past June I was a guest at a spectacular wedding of one of my dear high school friends.  It was an unforgettable weekend for many many reasons.  And when you have a view like this from your seat in the church, you just know the day is going to be spectacular...

Mr. & Mrs. {S}

Every. Single. Detail. was attended to throughout the entire weekend at the Ritz Carlton in Truckee.  From the bride and groom hosted smores and cocktail reception on Friday night, to the detail driven staff members at the hotel, to the beautiful ballroom, it was a wedding to remember.  And, it was made even better by the immeasurable amount of love flowing from bride to groom, and back again.  My husband and I admired their overjoyed emotions and endless smiles all evening long - it felt, perfect, being in the presence of such genuine love.  Plus, the phenomenal details of the reception site just made it even more spectacular than the view in the church...

I was so thrilled to see wedding favors of donated Tahoe National Forest trees being planted in their guests honor...

Details, details, details.

And the views...amazing.

I just couldn't help but share a few of these fabulous detail images on the blog.  I was actually surprised that I didn't take more photos of the day - I guess that I was enjoying myself as an official guest - not wedding photographer or bridal party attendant :)  I was beyond honored to play the special role of photographer for the Friday night rehearsal dinner and even more honored to witness such a fabulous ceremony and reception.  Honestly, I am so happy for all of my friends who have found their perfect match to live life together.  

xoxo

Myers Wedding - Sonoma Wedding Photographer

  

Clouds filled the May sky up until that magical moment...when the ceremony was scheduled to start.  Magically the sun shined down on the Myers' wedding day and within an instant the clouds vanished.  It always amazes me how the weather can play along with the emotions of a day. 

And last Saturday, May 15th was no exception.

  

Planning details for my own wedding four years ago were my favorite part of the planning process.  Naturally, photographing details is one of my favorite times during the wedding timeline.  I look at the details as an extension of the couples personality and I love when everything just fits together perfectly, just like the newlyweds.  In honor of all the time devoted to the details, here is a blog post full of the beautiful, simple and elegant details of the Myers wedding. 

  

  

I was not aware of the color theme for the wedding prior to arriving last Saturday morning (and I cannot believe that the color theme was not discussed during their engagement session!) however, I was pleasantly surprised to upon the door to the hotel room to be surrounded by purple.  I felt right at home with my dark purple sweater :)

  

  

 

Be sure to visit the blog tomorrow for pictures of the wedding celebration (plus a few more details too!) 

 xoxo