Sep
16
2019When Holly asked for Simply Minimally Posed Newborn Photography Simpsonville SC in our first phone conversation, I knew we were a match made in heaven. I can do fancy poses for your session, but my heart isn’t in it for all the props and styling. I want to capture the beauty your baby was born with and not distract from it with extras.
And so with this sweet girl, I was able to do just that. Simple Minimal portraits that have such a huge impact on our emotions. They help us remember just how tiny and fragile our little ones were. I mean, look at these sweet faces!
And I love how we were also able to incorporate some sweet family heirlooms like this blanket and tiny pink sweater.
And focus on sweet details like these tiny toes.
But what I loved most about this session is how much Holly and Jorge wanted to be IN the images. It make their love for their baby girl shine. Their hands and bodies juxtapose a tiny baby with loving and protecting parents.
And more importantly, Holly and Jorge being in the pictures will let their daughter know just how much she was completely loved from the very beginning.
Often new mama’s avoid being in pictures. But I work hard to make sure each mama loves her first family pictures. I offer a wardrobe that fits during maternity and postpartum. I shoot while standing on a ladder and often avoid shooting below your arms. Finally, I perform some minor Photoshop magic to minimize the worst of the postpartum tummy. Your baby deserves to see how much you loved them; be brave and get in the picture.
Looking to book your Simple Minimally Posed Newborn Photography Simpsonville SC? I would love to be considered. Drop me a note by clicking here to tell me your baby story and wishes for your session.
Sep
09
2019I had a blast with Finn at his Fun Timeless Boy Cake Smash Simpsonville SC.
I always tell my cake smash clients that usually your baby won’t cry for either the cake or the bath. Actually, I say it oppositely: usually your baby won’t cry for both the bath and the cake, but will probably cry for one. Rarely do they cry for both… but even then I usually get some amazing cuddling relationship images.
Finn was the rare baby who cried for neither cake nor bath. And he had a blast both smashing his cake and splashing his bath. It was delightful! I could have watched him play all morning long.
Here’s a few fun videos of the chaos! Can you believe it?
Finn’s Cake Smash from Melissa Aldrich on Vimeo.
Both mama, Shayla, and I had blue fingers and hands from steering his exuberant self back onto the seamless to make more of a mess. And in case you doubt how much he enjoyed Christine of Baking Sweet Scents‘ frosting… well here is the full evidence.
Oh my word. I have never had such a gloriously messy roll of seamless paper before.
And then there was the bath. Deep and gloriously full. Too tempting not to splash. So Finn splashed. Everywhere!
Until the studio floor looked like this and I had to run and get a heap of our pool towels to clean it up!
So much fun!
We finished our session with some really sweet family portraits as Finn got tired out from all of the activity.
My favorites from this portion are the details. Light on Finn’s belly button. This sweet thumb sucking. It makes my heart burst.
Shayla, thank you for choosing me. I have so enjoyed getting to know you and do life with you a bit. I’m always amazed and the new friends God brings my way through work. I’m grateful for you.
Interested in booking your own cake smash session (and maybe making a new friend?), I’d love to enjoy seeing how your little one responds to destroying their cake! Drop me a line by clicking here.
Sep
02
2019I had a blast photographing Caleb and big brother Porter in this Greenville SC Simple Fun Studio Cake Smash Photography Session.
Porter and Caleb were like peanut butter and jelly. They are the best of friends and wrestling partners. I know this bond is one that mama Christine treasures.
And it was so much fun to photograph their antics. I love how much fun Caleb is clearly having with Porter. Baby brother’s have a special resiliency. 
Porter made me laugh so hard with his antics. He’s just so full of joy. It was easy to see how loved he was and how much delight his parent’s find in him.
Caleb is a total ham. He couldn’t get enough of the me. He may have even tried to snatch the camera from my hand while enjoying a round of peak a boo!
Christine requested a cactus theme to match Caleb’s room and I loved the unusual request. The understated greens and succulents were so fun together.
Every cake smash session with me includes a simple backdrop like this and a cake from the amazing Baking Sweet Scents. I love planning the session set with parents. I also love being told a theme (cactus? boho? ballet? Mickey Mouse?) and creating a surprise for my clients.
After Caleb had a chance to eat cake and Porter had played with his dinosaurs with daddy, Porter joined Caleb in cake destruction. I actually still have one of these dinosaurs on my desk. I meant to mail it with Christine’s thank you gift, but forgot. And everyday it reminds me to pray for these sweet boys.
I like to finish cake smashes with a bubble bath to rinse off and to catch a few more fun images. This progression is perfect!
And, yes, Porter joined Caleb too! First behind the tub. Then he jumped in, sending cascades of water all over the studio. Mama and daddy were freaking out and I was LOVING it. Look at this perfect joyful naughty face as mama rescued Caleb from being squished. I was soaked and it was so worth it.
Do you want to capture your little one’s first birthday with their sibling? I’d love to talk to you about your vision and help it become a reality. Click here to tell me about your Greenville SC Simple Fun Studio Cake Smash Photography dreams.
Aug
26
2019I was so excited to welcome this family back for their Family Focused Natural Newborn Photography Five Forks SC. You can see their newborn session here and really get to know their sweet kids Emily and John a bit more.
I love how you can see everyone’s personality in this photo. Emily is so smart and has just a little bit of sass (that hand!). Dad Jacob just smiles through it all, laid back and enjoying the ride. John, who isn’t yet two, is calm and focused on whatever thing was riding on my head during this image. Mama Beth just radiated and content and devoted joy. I cannot wait to see what sweet baby Julie contributes to this family
In the middle of the session, I told Beth what a well behaved two year old John was. He’d had his fair share of “no”s and avoiding doing what asked, but he never once pitched a fit or completely refused to try something. Beth told me that John wasn’t yet two and my jaw dropped. Jacob and Beth are raising amazing children.
Emily is also a joy. I loved talking with her and hearing her perspective on the world. She’s incredibly smart and perceptive. Adding a baby has been hard on her, but I am so glad Emily has Julie. These two will surely be the best of friends.
And Julie is just the sweetest baby. Check out her precious smile below!
There’s something about this photo below that makes it my personal favorite. Maybe it’s the diagonal lines or the sweet light flitting across her face, but I’m pretty sure it’s just the way she curled and relaxed her body in this bowl.
Are you looking to book a newborn session that celebrates both baby and big siblings? I’d be honored to get to know your family. My goal is to see even the tiniest in your family as a person worthy of being known. It’s this getting to know you and your children that helps me record your story. Contact me today and tell me a little about your family and your desired newborn family experience.
Aug
23
2019I loved being baby Victoria’s Simple Natural Emotive Simpsonville SC Newborn Photographer. My favorite image from her session is this simple floral bowl image. It’s displayed on my wood print in a circle shape which is my absolute favorite product. It has the visual weight of a canvas as your image is affixed to a block of wood, but none of the drawbacks of falling apart over time or the rough canvas texture. It comes in a circle, oval, square, or traditional rectangle which is perfect for filling in gaps in your gallery wall.
Victoria was a sweet and sleepy baby for her session. We were able to do so many of her mother Jenna’s requested poses.
Yet, my favorite poses are always these simple ones that showcase Victoria’s delicate features and hands.
And Victoria’s tiny profile is just the sweetest.
However, these smiles just take the cake! Aren’t they the cutest?
Victoria’s big brother John wasn’t quite sure about her yet. But with some clever pre-session prep and a bit of work,we were able to capture this sweet sibling image. 
And this family image is one of my favorites this year. Can you believe this is all in one frame? I think I had the tiger featured in the images below on my head 🙂
Are you looking to book a newborn session with your growing family? I’d love to be considered. For the best results with big siblings, I highly recommend taking advantage of a maternity session. Big siblings get comfortable with the studio and me before your newborn session, and I’m able to get some great solo images. The best part is that maternity session fees are waived if you book your newborn session at the same time!
Click here to inquire about working with me as your Natural Emotive Simpsonville SC Newborn Photographer.
