The Peter Family | Noblesville, IN Family Photographer

First, let me just say - I hate eye strain ... or whatever this is that has been happening to my eyes the past few months about 75% of the time I sit down to work on pictures. The only way I can describe the feeling is that it's as though my eyes are trying to cross or they're jittering around ... I'm hoping that soon I can figure out what it is and how to fix it because while I might have the stamina to sit through a 2-3 hour editing session, this thing that happens, whatever it is, cuts into that.

In this case? I could have edited all night and shared with you far more photos than I'll be able to tonight - and that's because the session probably only lasted about 20-30 minutes! Furthermore, this was a really, really special session.

A few months ago, I befriended Megan through her blog, And Baby Makes Three. Then, I found out that she and her husband Micah ran a photography business! They're from Alaska, and during their trip to Tennessee, Megan had the very, very bright idea of stopping in Indiana to hang with us for a little while on their drive back to Chicago to catch their flight.

It was the most fun hour I've had this week next to opening Christmas presents! Besides little Caleb's cold, everything went beautifully and I am so excited to complete this set ... as well as Heather's, from a few weeks ago!

I'm so excited to hang with you guys again - perhaps on warmer turf next time! :)

Dear Abby | Muncie, IN Child Photographer

The snow has not stopped for very long at all this weekend - which I love! Having only lived in Indiana for about a year and a half now (I'm from Texas) this whole snow thing is still such a novelty. Sure, it's no fun driving in, but regardless - it's just so soft and pretty.

One of the greatest challenges of trying to start a successful photography business while still working a regular forty-hour day job, is that for all the ideas flashing through your mind, you only have weekends and evenings to bring them to life, to develop marketing, to work on your site. But that time is shared with housework, family time, and, well ... some decent rest! Still, I've learned that I must really have a heart for this, because for someone who loves and cherishes her rest as much as I do, I find myself willing to make dozens of (reasonable) sacrifices to see this little dream of mine come true.

Without further ado, here are my favorites from Saturday's photo session with my husband's darling, wee little cousin Abby and her parents. It was truly hard picking a favorite! Above all, however, it was just lovely to spend time with some family - and I have to admit: it was just the sweetest feeling in the world to hear Abby say, "Melissa, will you hold my hand?" as we walked through Minnestrista in the snow.

The lovely Lindburghs!

That last one there just sends my heart over the edge! Pure perfection. What an awesome little girl. You two need to make one of them to match ... !

Have a good week, and I'll be updating you with some pictures of the gorgeous Heather Davis and her pretty sister soon, soon, soon!

Busy Day! Sneak peak... | Muncie, IN Family Photographer

Today, I hung out with Austin's cousin Abby ...

And then, I hung out with Heather and her sister Jillian ...

Shooting in the snow? Very, very physically taxing. But totally worth it.

I just posted these out of sheer excitement, but there are dozens more to work on. But for now? A Christmas party!! And somewhere during that time, I do hope my fingers and toes thaw out ...

Check back soon!

Ryan & Sarah, Part 2! | Muncie, IN Engagement Photographer

Alright, I couldn't help myself. Yeah, I might be up past my bedtime (not by much) but, their photos are finished and I have a few favorites to share with everyone before I finally hit the hay!

First, a few words - that joy in their eyes? It's the kind of joy only God can provide. It's like the Glory Cloud just kinda follows them around wherever they go and you can't help but start to feel more and more giddy and calm the longer you're with them. Their wedding isn't too far away and I can hardly contain myself, I'm so excited to photograph it!

These two crack each other up and in turn, crack me up, seriously. I had so much fun! (Though the deer hunter that shoo'ed us outta the woods would probably disagree, haha. BUT WE SAVED BAMBI! So it's okay, right guys?)

Well, I could just go on and on about this session but this is a photo blog, after all - not Howdy Hoosier.

Such sweetness, really and truly. You're both just such a blessing.

So that's that. Tomorrow is another 7 A.M. morning. It's another Monday. But on the bright side? It's His day - and it's one day closer to that first Monday that's little more than just a Monday, a Monday where I'm not wishing it was Friday ... a Monday in my own home office, making my own schedule, living my own dandy little life ... but until then? We'll praise Him, anyway!

Ryan & Sarah | Muncie, IN Engagement Photographer

I may actually not finish these tonight, as tomorrow is my first day back at my "day job" after Thanksgiving break ... so, in the meantime, here are two teasers for you so you can get a glimpse of what I'm working on this evening!






Some of these are just precious beyond anything ... and forgive the color variations there. I've been playing around with that stuff a little too much, haha.

Here's hoping I'll have a full post up for you tonight!

A Day With Emily Weis | Albany, IN Portrait Photographer

I met Emily of Emily Weis Photography at Joel Levi's CD release show here in Muncie a week ago. She was standing next to me, the girlfriend of a dear acquaintance, and as I watched her snap photos of the show on her gorgeous Canon 5D, I whispered to my husband, "I'm going to take this little miss out to Dave's Alley after the show, beat'r up and take her amazing camera..."

Well, thankfully? I didn't! Nope, instead, I took the more promising route and totally stalked her blog until I got up the courage to ask her and her guy out on a photo date. Early this afternoon, we met up, and drove out to this beautiful bridge in Albany, with one goal in mind: we'd each take promotional photos of the other for our burgeoning photography business, and then, practice couples' photography by capturing some pretty pictures of each of us snuggled up to our handsome boys.

It was cold (about 40 degrees out) and cloudy ... but it was a pretty cloudy, and she was a very, very pretty girl, and James (as usual) had at least one person laughing at all times. As hard as it was to pick, I found a few favorites to share with you all!

I love how gorgeous it is out here - all the trees are so wintery!

And the best for last...

Agh ... sooo, soo, so pretty.

Needless to say, my Saturday hasn't involved much lying around ... I should probably take care of that now by going to bed for the night, you think?

Thanks so much Emily and James for hanging out with us today. It was so fun - next time? It'll be laundromat time. That sounds perfectly normal and natural to me!

Glidden Gets You Going! - Muncie, IN Family Photographer

Some of my favorites from the sessions I've done with my wonderful in-laws!

James winning the Power Man 10k!

A Typical Saturday - Muncie, IN Family Photographer

A typical Saturday in our typical, unkempt home, for our very pretty, very typically lazy Stella.

First Post

This is my first post. I'll be using it to test the design and layout of the blog as I work on it. More beautiful things to come!