Boys + Dirt

Model: Harrison

Location: Construction Yard

Date: October 2016, 4pm

Weather: Cloudy

Mood: Fun

Claire's 21st Birthday Shoot

I've been excited to start offering birthday milestone sessions for a while now, and Claire was the perfect model to kick it off. Is there really no better age then 21 for most of us? You are legally legal, young, full of life.

Claire is a (now) 21 year old college student. Shes wild, fun, and free. Part hippy, part serious student, all parts beautiful. Girls in their 20's are so lovely, and stylish, it's almost impossible to mess it up. There is going to be a lot of things she doesn't remember about being 21, so it will be nice to have some of these photos to look back on. When you get old like me, you'll really appreciate it.

AND is there no better backdrop than Asbury Park? The beach, the boardwalk art, and all of the restaurants and bars are just as vibrant as her personality.

Amanda + Jesse: A bayside maternity session

It's been a long while since my last update. I have been very busy getting my ducks in a row. I've started baking again, which is exciting, and fattening. I'm still photographing, and I'm lucky enough to have captured this lovely couple a few weeks ago.

I posted the photos on Facebook, but I wanted to showcase them here as well.

About the couple:

Amanda and Jesse are quite a pair. Amanda is my cousin, and recently her and Jesse tied the knot in Alexandria Bay; A small, river town in the Thousand Islands (Yes, like the dressing, I bought a bottle). She fell pregnant after wedding plans were made, so it was kind of a rush to the alter, and a rush to get these photos in before the dreaded last month of preggoness. If anyone's ever been with child, you know you do NOT want to do anything in that last month, especially take intimate photos. Amanda is an adorable red head with a lot of personality, and Jesse is a laid back cool guy who just goes with the flow. They balance each other well. And I think thats key in any lasting relationship.
It was late, the sun was setting, and the sky was changing, but I loved it. The different light, the changing sky, and the general tone of the pictures was moody and amazing.
They are expecting a little boy in early September, who will be named Jesse James, after his daddy.

Location: Union Beach Waterfront

Date: July 24, 2016, dusk

If you or anyone you know is interested in a fun and affordable maternity session, please e-mail bowsandflechas@gmail.com. 

Amanda + Jesse, a Bridal/Baby Shower

This passed Sunday I had the pleasure of photographing Amanda's Bridal /Baby Shower (that was also a gender reveal party). Way to get it all done at once! The location was the mother of the brides house.

It was a house full of family and friends. It was nice to have everyone (even the men) present. This is exactly how Amanda imagines her life, surrounded by the ones she loves.

Her sister, Lyndsay, was the only one aware of the sex of the baby. Prior to the shower, Amanda purchased a girl outfit, and Jesse a boy outfit. Lyndsay put one of the outfits in a bag for them to open at the party. They sat down and opened a card, in it told the parents to be what they were expecting. So it was nice for them to find out before us, even if it was just moments. Then they pulled out the little outfit and confirmed what I had thought all along, that they were expecting a baby boy. What a nice thing to be able to experience together!

Easter Mini Session - Ethan, and the Saraiva Kids

My favorite park if not place in the world is Holmdel park. Last spring I visited for the first time in ages. I then made a promise to myself that I would return seasonally for photo sessions as it really is one of the most beautifully landscaped park in the area. Woods, gardens, ponds, fields and even a farm. Something for everyone there, really. 

I was hoping for the pink blossoms and duck filled ponds for this mini session, but with an unexpected cold front and being that it's only still March, it was quite different. 

The bright side to it is the children I had to work with were really happy and easy going. 

Ethan is this doll faced two year old who is super funny and smart. He made animal noises and chased bubbles. His adoration for his parents helped too. I just love his little face!

Then I had my darling niece and nephews. Brayden is getting SO big so quick. I love that my sister and brother in law let me do this for them. Jake and Kaylen are excellent models, and do such a good job with their little brother. 

With summer ahead there is so many opportunities for more scenic photos. What mini sessions would you be interested in seeing next? 

Xo,

Melissa

Destination: Jacobsberg State Park, Nazareth PA

It's seems as if the weather is interfering with all of our weekends, no?

Stuck in the office all week, just to be met by cold and wet weekends. Oh well, this is late winter in the northeast after all.

My cousin and his wife live in Pennsylvania, and asked me to join them for a session out near them. They also had a friend who was interested, so I packed up the family and we went. Brian and Kelly live in a 100+ year old semi attached home in a downtown area that is begging for a lifestyle shoot. After drooling all over their original hardwoods, we joined them at Jacobsburg State Park. 

Charlie and Evangeline were amazing. They laughed, the smiled.
Little Riley was our birthday girl, and was a champ considering her busy weekend. We got some great shots, and I was so proud of all the kids.

Mom's and dad's were good sports too!

When I took this, I never noticed the heart on the door behind them. I'm glad, it was a nice surprise!