Wanted to share these 2 images with you. Such a gorgeous couple!
Sep23
Aug29
Garrett & Suzy [1 year anniversary!]
Suzy contacted me a few weeks back looking for some pictures to commemorate her & Garrett’s one year anniversary. These images were captured a few day’s before Garrett’s 3-month Navy deployment. Originally from California, these two have endured a lot to be together. A move from the west coast to the east coast away from their families, and a long-distance relationship. As you can see from the pictures, they are incredibly in love and I was so honored to be able to capture that on camera for them. Thank you to both of you for allowing me to share in this beautiful day with you! Keeping you both in my prayers until Garrett’s safe return.
Much love,
Melissa
xoxo
[click on the images for better viewing quality]
Aug17
Darren & Jessica [married!]
I had the wonderful honor of photographing Darren & Jessica’s beautiful summertime wedding. These two have to be one of my all-time FAVORITE couples ever! I loved being a part of their amazing day. They are so sweet together & everyone was wonderful, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day. Many thanks to my friend David Apuzzo for assisting me with this wedding. Congrats on your new life together Jessica & Darren – may it be filled with lots of love & laughter!
Love always,
Melissa
xoxo
makeup & hair by Beauty Entourage
Oh Grandma! She really was the cutest thing ever 
How cute is this flowergirl? She was such a poser, I love it!
Aug12
Hazel & the broken pearl necklace.
Last week I had a heart-wrenching & quite frankly mind-altering God moment with my youngest daughter Hazel. I want to share it with you.
We were in my room and I was getting dressed for the day when Hazel went to my bureau and started poking around in my jewelry box. I told her not to play with my jewelry, but like any child her curiousity got the best of her. Her eyes sparkled when she saw my pearl necklace, and I watched as she tried to put it on. I turned away to find my missing shoes when I heard tiny drops scatter across my wooden floor. I glanced over at her and she stood there with my necklace broken in her small hands. “I’m sorry Mommy. It was an accident.” “Its ok Hazel,” I said, “Just pick up the pearls off the floor and bring them to me.” So she bent down collecting each ivory ball she could find. All of a sudden I heard a cry rise out of her little frame. I went to see what was wrong; I asked if she was hurt and wanted to know what happened. “I broke your necklace!!!” she sobbed. Hazel ran to her bed and threw herself into the blankets. Her guilt had overtaken her. I walked into her room, laid down in bed next to her and stroked her hair as I spoke to her: “Sweetie its ok. I know it was an accident, I’m not mad at you. I love you so much and will always love you no matter what. You’re my babygirl, I forgive you.” She looked up at me with her big blue eyes, tears spilling over the edge. Her cute little face pink & puffy from crying. Her lip quivered as she looked into my eyes to see if what I was saying was true. She saw her comfort there. Hazel wrapped her arms around me and said “I’m sorry Mommy.. so so sorry..” “I know honey,” I said, “Its alright. Everything is going to be fine.”
In the midst of that moment with my daughter, I felt God whispering to me what I said to her, “I love you so much, and will always love you no matter what..” I saw myself in her and realized the love that God has for me. He is my father just like I am her mother; its pure & unconditional. When we stumble, when we fall, when we sin, we feel like my daughter Hazel did. Full of sorrow & regret, shame and guilt. So we run & hide thinking God is mad at us; we say sorry & beg Him for forgiveness. And He does forgive us but sometimes we don’t believe it so we continue in our suffering. Rest assured that when we ask for forgiveness, our sins are remembered no more. Just like the verse Hebrews 8:12 says: “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” and John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
You can learn from your past but you don’t need to live there. Be blessed everyone <3
“Listen to my heart Mommy. What is it saying?”
“Its saying ‘I Love You’ “
Aug1
Darren & Jessica {teasers}
Jul21
Corey & Joanna’s [Hartford] Engagement Session
Corey & Joanna contacted me several months ago all the way from sunny Florida! They live down south but are getting married in Connecticut so when they were up last week we made plans to do their engagement photos in Hartford. This was the first time I met them but come to find out Joanna & I went to the same high school at the same time. Talk about a small world! I felt like I had known them forever which I looove! They were such troopers with the hot & humid weather, and were so natural in front of the camera. I had a wonderful time getting to know them, and look forward to being a part of their special day in September!
