Author Archives: Melissa

Surprise Photography, Best of 2010

January 10, 2011 – 3:37 pm

Digging through my three different hard drives, I 1) can’t believe how fast this year went by and 2) feel so luck to have had such a wonderful year. Each year seems to get bigger and better, I hope this never ends. I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful group of clients to work with this year and thankful they you all spread the word about Surprise Photography. I would love to share some of my favorite images from this past year, so if you have a couple moments, grab your beverage and a small snack and enjoy the show:

Posted in Children, Couples, Engagements, Families, Maternity, Newborns, Products, Special Projects, Trash The Dress, Weddings, Welcoming Me | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Just In Time For Valentine’s Day, Hudson Valley Photographer…

January 8, 2011 – 10:34 am

In addition the the LIVE LOVE LEARN event on January 20th, I will be hosting Valentine’s Mini Sessions at my design studio located in Waddle n Swaddle Poughkeepsie on January 28th and 29th.  LIVE LOVE LEARN is an event to improve the education about the importance of heart health in women.  To kick off heart month, and get something a little something special for your Valentine, we will be offering 2 different mini sessions.

One for the ladies, “Blushing Heart Boudoir” mini sessions. Session fee includes a 15 minute session in a private setting, and a 11×14 wall print.   Boudoir sessions are limited so reservations are required.  We understand that many ladies may be on the modest side or may be nervous. Please know these photos are tastefully done and we will do our best to make sure you are completely comfortable.  Will have a full details on what to expect and what to bring upon request.   Wine and chocolate goodies from Crave will be served.

For the kiddies, we will be offering “Little Love” mini sessions.  These sessions are first come first serve head shots will be done in the studio.  The session fee includes an 8×10 of choice with additional prints available.  The theme of the photos is a Touch of Red, so be sure to bring something red, whether that be a lollipop, hat, hair accessory, favorite stuffed animal, etc. Feel free to confirm on our Facebook Page.

Feel free to contact me for more information, can’t wait to see you there!

Posted in Special Projects, Specials | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

There’s No Snow In Florida…

January 6, 2011 – 10:07 pm

A couple months ago I got a phone call from Dana, who currently lives in Florida with her family, regarding an extended family shoot during her visit home to New York.  She was excited about the idea of having snow in the photos, and she sure got her wish.  The night before our shoot, NY got blasted with a heavy fall.  We originally thought about shooting on the river in Newburgh, but it was a tad bit freezing that day and being close to the water might make the wind factor a wee bit worse. Lucky for us, Dana’s husband had a friend was kind enough to let us borrow their home.  They had a nice lot of land and large windows for some indoor photos.

One thing that happened on this shoot that has never happened before, a lost tooth!  Right in the middle of the shoot, Dana’s daughter lost one of her front teeth.  Now the tune comes in, “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”  I hope the tooth fairly treated her well.

I hope you had a safe drive home to Florida and thank you for sharing your trip and beautiful family with me.

My favorite!

Posted in Children, Families | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

Born On Christmas Day, Hudson Valley Newborn Photographer…

January 5, 2011 – 10:57 pm

Introducing baby Beech Tree, she was born on Christmas Day.  What a true gift for mommy and daddy this holiday season.  I was shocked when mommy sent me a note saying that she was here.  I knew she was late, but it never occurred to me that she could actually come on Christmas morning.  Just 24 hours old,  I was lucky to get in to visit her before the big storm came later that day.  Mommy looked like a natural and daddy looked like she was already wrapped around his babies finger.  And how can you not love that skull cap.  I know you can’t tell, but it is actually pink.  So cute!!!  So mommy gave daddy this wonderful gift for Christmas, how does daddy upstage this one?

Posted in Maternity, Newborns, Welcoming Me | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

Katrina And Luis, Westchester Wedding Photographer…

January 2, 2011 – 11:39 pm

From the moment I met Katrina in my studio, we just clicked.  She is a lovely woman with an awesome personality.  When I met Luis for the first time, we joked about his love for the Yankees and my dislike for them.  In a dinner meeting before the wedding, we chatted like old friends and maybe talked wedding for 10 minutes.  On her wedding day, it was like I was watching my friend get ready for her big day. Katrina was such a stunning bride and her friends we so welcoming.  We joked with her maid of honor that she needs to rent out her home for brides for wedding prep.  It was beautifully decorated and immaculately clean.

What was a first for me this day was doing a “First Look Shoot.”  A first look is when the bride and groom see each other for the first time before the wedding.  I am now a MAJOR fan of the first look.  It gave us 2 hours to go around and do all our bridal shots at multiple locations prior to the wedding.  Once the reception was over, the bride and groom were able to relax with their guests and have no photo pressure.

I had a complete blast doing bridals, I could have shot them all day.  I have to give props to the brother of the groom who suggested the train station, great call.  I also want to thank the artist who painted the beautiful mural on the wall in the town of Hastings on Hudson. It made for a pretty cool back drop.

After the bridals, we headed to the Surf Club in New Rochelle for the wedding and reception.  I can not say enough good things about the Surf Club.  The setting was just gorgeous and unlike a lot of other venues, the staff treated the hired help like guests.  After spending 13 hours straight working, there is nothing like being treated like gold.

Also another first for us this night was setting up a photo booth.  For an hour we set up a location outside the dance room for everyone to come out and let loose and have a little photo fun.   This is an option we will be offering all our couples.

Thank you again Katrina and Luis for allowing Surprise Photography to be such an important part of your day.  Also, thank you to Nick for being such an awesome second shooter!

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Birthday Girl, Hudson Valley Child Photographer…

December 31, 2010 – 12:23 am

I was beginning to think that this session was cursed. I am never sick and this year when I got it, I got it good.  I had to cancel my first session with this birthday girl when after a week of a high temperature, I came down with a not so nice ear infection.  I would rather have the flu than an ear infection.   Then on the eve of the reschedule date, I was kissing my son goodnight on his top bunk and on the way down, I rolled my ankle.  I was convinced I twisted it.   The next morning I could barely walk down the stairs, I was in that much pain. Walking on flat ground was better, and knowing that it  was this little sweeties first birthday photos, putting it off again wasn’t an option. I knew I could rock on through it, as long as she wasn’t on the run.  Lucky for me she wasn’t that mobile.  My first major in college was “Athletic Training,” and the first thing we learned was R.I.C.E:  Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate, which is what I did when I got home.   Turns out taping football player ankles wasn’t for me and I switched majors :)

Well, this birthday girl did great considering the cooler weather and the fresh dose of snow. Interesting fact about our location, this small church, St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Millbrook, was the location of Natasha Richardson’s funeral.  A small but stunning Church.

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