Paying it Forward

Hey all!  Wanted to provide a quick update that the "Paying it Forward" recipient has been chosen.  I've e-mailed the wonderful woman who submitted the candidate, so hopefully we can get the shoot done this month or in early January.  I cannot wait, it feels so good to give away a gift this time of year.

If you did not hear from me via e-mail, I know for sure that I will be doing this again next year, so keep all of those wonderful people who could use a nice little surprise in mind.

xo,
Melissa

Jen & Kirk: Issaquah Maternity Photographer

This weekend was filled with so much fun.  I had two photo shoots and we also did a bunch of decorating for Christmas around our house, including putting the tree up.  Seriously, the kids had so much fun.

But back to the topic of maternity photos.  My lovely clients Jen and Kirk had me over to their house to take some holiday photos in conjunction with maternity photos.  They have an amazing property with a huge lot.  And in very surprising Seattle weather, we didn't have any rain!  So, not only did we get to take a bunch of photos inside, we also got some great shots on their property.  Oooh, and how cute are the ones with Jen totally indulging her cravings by helping herself to some cookie dough.  Don't worry, she totally used fake eggs so the dough was safe to eat:)

An oldie but a goodie...

I just adore my husband. He makes these incredible family videos. Of course, this is what he does for a living. Directs, edits, creates. He's such an amazing person and I love that he is able to capture these moments so we can remember them so vividly. Here's one of my favorites he did last year.

4K Weekend from Gray Fam on Vimeo.

Cookies! Moses Lake Lifestyle Photographer

So here we are at Michael's Market & Bistro in Moses Lake.  My mom had purchased a cookie decorating class at an auction a little while back and thought it would be fun to do it with family while we were in town for Thanksgiving.  It was such a hit with Aila.  She was crazy about decorating the cookies and thrilled that her little buddy from Moses Lake could join us.  They giggled, screamed, ate tons of frosting and generally had an awesome day.

I seriously learned a lot about decorating cookies and how to make this type of frosting.  We walked away with like a 10 page handout with recipes, photos...all kinds of good info.  Just in time for Christmas baking.  Oh, and it didn't hurt that we had an unlimited supply of wine during all of this:)

Another Weekend: Moses Lake Family Photographer

We went to Moses Lake for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were only there for a few short days but we sure did pack in a lot.  We got there Wednesday evening, unpacked and settled in.  Thursday was obviously turkey day, so we spent the morning getting the house ready with my parents.  Unfortunately I didn't help make too much food since I was keeping the children entertained, but we did manage to sneak outside and get a few photos in the pasture.  I hung some candy canes from the bare trees out back and told the kids it was a candy cane forest.  They enjoyed it for all of 10 minutes!

Friday was spent doing a little holiday shopping (I am NOT a super Black Friday shopper so we went around 11 to two local stores).  We also had a cookie decorating class at the local bistro which was tons of fun!  (Photos to come soon.)

Saturday it was time to head back home, but had to sneak in a holiday photo op with my parents and the grandchildren.  I managed to get a couple of my brother and his beautiful little girl as well.  All in all, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and friends.

P.S. Check back soon for cookie decorating photos!

Paying it Forward

I stumbled upon an amazing thing today.  There is a group of 6 photographers out of Mississippi that are teaming up to "Pay it Forward" to do a photoshoot for a family that may have had a rough go this year, a child that may be struggling from an illness, or a community hero that needs some recognition. They hope to capture beautiful memories for these families that may brighten their holiday season, as well as brightening theirs by giving back.  They are challenging all photographers to participate.  When I saw this, I knew this was something I could do.

Everybody knows somebody that could use some extra love around the holidays.  If you know someone, a family, hero, child that deserves to have their beautiful family captured, please email me at gphotoco@gmail.com by December 10th telling me their story.  On December 11th, I'll choose a who gets to have a free session with me which will include 10 high resolution digital files as well as 2 – 8×10′s, and 3- 5×7′s.  Depending on schedules, the shoot might not take place until after January 1st, but will definitely aim to have it done before Christmas.

Rules and Small Print:

Please submit with details and information on the story of:

A family that has struggled this year, a child struggling with illness, or someone you feel is a community hero needing some recognition.

Please only submit families, children, and heroes within in the Seattle area.

If you are a photographer and would like to participate, head to Pay It Forward Mississippi.

Thank you and Happy Holidays!

My Morning Hair

I wish I looked this cute when I woke up.  Bright eyed, bushy tailed.  Ready to play and enjoy what the world has to offer.  Instead I need to pull the covers up over my head for another 20 minutes and pretend to sleep.

Weekly Project: Bellevue Family Photographer

Maybe I've turned my intent to complete a 60 day challenge into more of a 52 week challenge?  I've found it to be incredibly difficult to take a photo every single day of my family, our life, the every day that we experience, mostly because I leave the house before everyone is awake (and it is pitch black out) and I get home from work when it is dark!  I officially can't wait until the sun comes back out!!!  This is the time of year when I have to start poppin' the vitamin D like it's tic tacs!

But really...I do love the idea of having 5-10 photos a week of my family.  One day per week that is captured.  Here is just a glimpse of our day on Monday, which was a holiday.  We went to the park up the street, which was empty!  Played a good game of pirates and sharks.  Came home, had lunch and flipped through the Target holiday ads.  My little baby is enamored with the selection of toys there.  I'm in love with these two.

{a day in the life} Bellevue Family Photographer

Last weekend I decided that I wanted to try and take pictures all day long.  It's definitely tough to do, I applaud all you other photographers out there who manage to get the entire day, from sun up to sun down.  There's just so much that goes on during a typical Saturday.  Here's a glimpse of my day.

My hubby took our oldest out with him for his morning errands so I took the munchkin.  We went to the craft store, grocery store, then came home and played with big sis by painting and coloring.  Then it was on to fort building and playing princess.  Then, finally, my niece came over and we got to have the afternoon with her.  It was a great day.