It’s Boudoir Mini Session time again! Join Melissa in studio for your 35 minute boudoir mini session on April 29th! On site professional makeup application available from the ever amazing Chelsea Nolan of Makeup by Chelsea! Spots are limited and going fast!
So a little thing happened about two weeks ago for our family whom we like to call Miss Finley George Sutton McClain. She came screaming into the world at 12:59pm on February 11th weighting 8lb 10oz and 19.5″.
Thankfully everything went relatively well with our scheduled delivery by comparison to when her brother joined the family. I did sadly have to make an unplanned visit to the ER the day after we were discharged (which I didn’t take well at all) for a spinal headache, something I would never wish upon anyone for how painful that was. We are counting our blessings for two happy, healthy children which have made our family complete (insert our no more kids happy dance here).
I’m slowly getting back to my day to day routines and finding our new work/life balance but also very much looking forward to getting my camera out of the bag in a few weeks for the kick ass wedding season we have in store this year. I’m also chomping at the bit to get back to physical activity asap- Bring on the dead lifts and kettle bells!
Until then, feel free to follow our journey on Instagram (Mel/ Jas). Photo Cred: Klose Photography❤
Circa early 2000’s, I remember sitting in a college course discussing the sociology of everyone’s favorite topic- themselves and self reflection. In 2005 when I graduated, social media was just starting to gain popularity (OMG I feel old typing that) and picking the right song to play on my MySpace page was a really big deal. People started hopping on social media like it was free coffee day at Starbucks, creating even more of a release on personal information sharing… which over the years I started to shy away from to a greater extent. I never really liked talking about myself- opting more for getting to know others instead. We’re talking to the extent that Jason and I often say “Really? We’re not that interesting?” in light of certain social circumstances.
This past year, I fully admit on clamming up a bit more, especially after the spring when we learned about the very untimely and unexpected loss of a favorite client we’ve had over the years. Her news was highly publicized, with lots of speculation and hurtful comments around her disappearance. We had reporters contacting us for wedding and session photos which became locked down and hidden. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and heartache within her family but it took me back a little from getting more personal as we had in years past, keeping our circle tightly wound and offline. Seeing how people speculate on very little information that someone might share, or blow out of proportion, was disheartening.
Late spring we had another surprise, a planned one, but never the less a very happy moment in learning we were expecting our second (and final) kiddo in February 2017. Although sharing the news would have been spectacular, we kept things under wraps as a personal choice. The only snafu is our network of friends and family is so spread out that sharing our moments online is almost easier.
Have we had experiences in our life that we’d rather not share- of course! Everyone does- but my main goal this year is to step a little outside of my sharing comfort zone. I’m hoping to keep both friends and our client family more in the loop of our day to day that makes us who we are (without being this guy), which I guess makes us somewhat interesting?
Just the thought of spring makes me giddy right now! So excited to partner again with the ever amazing Chelsea Nolan of Makeup by Chelsea for our upcoming Boudoir Mini Sessions on April 29th! Keep watch for more details to come in late February!
I’m all about change. I like change- it brings a fresh new perspective, no matter how scary the forethought might be. Every year, it seems we’re embracing some sort of new change. Last year it was a new office location which is amazing and we LOVE being able to service our business and boudoir clients in a gorgeous new space. This year.. hell, let’s add a new member to the family:)
In about 20 days we’re expecting the arrival of our second kiddo, completing our own little McClain clan family of four. I say kiddo as we have no idea the gender of the babe but did make a friendly bet between the two of us. A damn fine bottle of scotch if it’s the girl Jason thinks it is and a Spa day for Mel if it’s a boy. This pregnancy thankfully has been a bit easier than our first and we’re remaining hopeful the delivery process will be completely different given it’s scheduled. We are counting our blessings though that kiddo’s due date is between events and thankfully won’t affect any wedding clients:)
For the next 20 days I’m staying crazy busy (and REALLY missing my workout time) catching up on our website and social media, plus we’re hitting up one more bridal show this weekend before the delivery. Feel free to creep our Instagram pages for baby updates and a peek in our day to day lives outside of the business (Melissa/ Jason).
About 20 Weeks ❤
Photo Cred: Cyndi Klose of Klose Photography
Nothing beats a first kiss as husband and wife but double the luck for couples who marry on New Years’ Eve. Sending lots of love and congratulations on that numero uno milestone to Kaitlyn and Brian tonight!
Could you imagine a world of people who all like the same things, believe the same things, wear the same things.. so on and so forth? Yuck! Not just yuck but “What the F, Yuck!”. I’ve kept pretty mum on politics and societal expressions that have emerged and I promise this will be my only public comment but seriously, why can’t we appreciate that people in this world are beautifully different. Let’s stop getting offended by the smallest things that might be contrary from the so called “norm”. Stop bashing others for their choices, political or not and just be decent to one another. Maybe realize that we’re sharing this planet together and the age old rule that many are taught, ‘Live and let live’, should apply.
One of the best things about what we do photographically is meeting so many diverse people from various beliefs, backgrounds, and views- many of which become friends we aim to keep in touch with through the years. Have prospective clients judged us by showing images from these so called “non-traditional” weddings or couples? Oh yeah! I’ve been told a few times that we were passed on because we support or show a certain type of client, wedding style, or belief. I’m usually pretty thankful on the passing as I want to work with clients who are and appreciate that we’re all created differently from one another.
One of my favorite things when I walk into our office/studio is our wedding client wall- all amazing, all gorgeous, and all have their own unique story.
In closing, be thankful for one another; be kind to one another; and respect everyone’s beautiful differences not just around the holidays but every day.
‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event! Got an idea for our Do This readers? Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your thoughts!
This might be one of my favorite new trends we’re seeing with couples planning their wedding day- hosting cocktail hour before the ceremony. Best catered to couples who choose to see each other before the ceremony with a first look, the pregame cocktail hour allows mingling and relaxation among guests. Celebrating with that glass of wine also aides for out of town guests to have ample time to arrive for the ceremony.
A few variations we’ve seen that might strike your fancy:
*Cut cocktail hour in half, with 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after ceremony.
*Join in on the mingling with guests, especially if your guest list is sizable. It’ll save time for the rounds needing to be made at dinner.
*Opt for a private cocktail hour with just the two of you or with bridal party only.
Some might call it a Holiday Sale (and we have) but I’d prefer to market our November discounts as a “Print your darn images” sale.
I’ve read a few articles now and heard first hand from so many people (clients included) that digital images are rarely being printed these days. The term “Digital Dark Age” is the most common reference to this sad trend. Folks are so quick to post memories on social media but printing to preserve is a rare circumstance. Sure we can save images to a USB, DVD, or Hard drive but at some point in the near future these staples will become nothing more than a paper weight- remember the ever popular floppy disk from the 90’s?
Now before I kick over my soap box, I’ll fully admit I’m one of those who constantly forget to print images. I want to, but time constraints always seem to be my fall back excuse. Anyone want to guess what my winter project is?
Which leads me to offering some great discounts passed on from our manufacturers for the month of November, some of which we’re partaking ourselves to get our memories printed as well!
Any of our clients can log onto the Client section to access your gallery- even if you were married years ago- it’s still there and accessible. Just enter code Holiday16 at checkout for 25% savings on your archival print order. Looking for something a little fancier or create a wall collage? Take advantage of our FREE Room View service with your wall art order for the best size/layout in your own home. Most of our mounted wall art items are under $200 plus have an additional 10% off for the rest of the month.
Missed out on your wedding album? Great news here as due to a fantastic grandfather program with our manufacturer this year, albums start at $500 for a simple lifetime rated album to a top of the line $1500 family heirloom album.
We’re also offering 20% savings on gift certificates purchased during the month of November for portrait sessions. Also a reminder to our wedding clients of your lifetime session discount- $100 off future portrait sessions (can’t be combined but the greater discount will be applied… you know because we love you guys).
Woohoo! Our “Do This” planning tips series is back after a bit of a summer hiatus in the McClain household. We had some wonderful news late spring plus add in a busy wedding season and a growing toddler- life has been hectic but amazing. We hope our readers love the quick wedding tips and as always we love feedback if you want to see something specific on the blog! Happy reading campers!
‘Do This’ is a biweekly blog series created to be a super quick read, highlighting awesome wedding ideas that you may want to incorporate into your own event! Got an idea for our Do This readers? Email me at mmcclainphoto@gmail.com with your thoughts!
Night shots (photographically not the liquid kind) are growing more and more popular these days and we love doing them! Three tips for the perfect night photography creation:
Melissa McClain Photography 
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