October 2016 - Melodee Lynn Photography

October 31, 2016October 31, 2016

Garrett & Staci | Wilson Country Club Wedding | North Carolina

When I sat down with Staci and Garrett to talk about their big day I asked them what the most important thing on their wedding day was. Garrett’s response was that Staci would be happy and her response was, Garrett. The perfect responses right? Through all the decision making and ups and downs that come with wedding planning, the most important thing to each other at the end of the day wasn’t the perfectly cooked chicken and delicious southern Mac and cheese (that I ate way too much of) or even the beautifully simple center pieces. It was each other, just as it should be. So when Staci walked down the aisle, I focused on the most treasured memory of the day, the look on his face and it was most certainly one of emotion. Don’t let that six foot something ginormous Deputy Sheriff fool you-we are so proud of you Corporal Baker-he’s nothing but a big teddy bear.

From start to finish, this wedding went flawlessly. Here are some of my favorite highlights from the day!

-the gorgeous scenery of the Wilson Country Club

-reconnecting and laughing with extended family during picture time

-the way he looked at her

-the way my aunt cried when they said their vows and during the mother-son dance

-the food (oh.my.gosh)

-putting down the camera and energetically dancing to the Macarena (hello 5th grade flashbacks)

-how flawlessly family pictures went, despite the famous North Carolina gnats

-watching the DJ teach people how to dance

-the ice cream sundaes

-snacking on Chic-Fil-A chicken before the wedding started (and being so disappointed learning the golfers ate more than we did-how rude!)

-watching them read their letters to each other

-when my uncle told Garrett how proud he was of him during the ceremony

-crying on their other side of the camera

-watching the bride dance with her flower girls

-the ring bearer loosing his pants while dancing

-sending sneak peeks to our grandparents who weren’t able to attend

Oh Garrett and Staci, your day was absolutely perfect. From the moment you arrived to the sparkler send off, there were so many memories made by all! Everyone went home with their own special memories of the day, memories that are sure to last a lifetime.

October 15, 2016October 15, 2016

Red Lips Campaign

Roseanna was one of my first friends I made after I started my first job just out of college. If you know her, that probably doesn’t surprise you, she’s so friendly and makes you feel like you’re the funniest person in the world because she’s always laughing. We’ve shared lots of memories over the short 7 years we’ve known each other. I was her son’s second grade teacher, I excitedly text her throughout the night Ryan proposed to me and she stood next to me as he and I said our vows.

When she told me that she had a very vicious form of breast cancer, it took me a few days of tears and prayer to process the news. My mind was immediately thinking, what can I do? The first thing that came to my mind was a photo session for her and Andrew before…before it all started. The Sunday before her first on 9 surgeries, we met at Nichols Park in Gilbert for a very special mother son session. That week her story took an unexpected turn when infection set in after her double mastectomy. Chemo was supposed to start right away but was postponed time after time because the infection would not go away.

In the middle of all of this, on a week that she felt well enough, we went to dinner. She told me everything that had been happening and what she and her son were going through. People were generously supporting her on Go Fund Me and friends stepped up to pay her deductibles. Community is amazing isn’t it? That night, she and I planned to have a special photo session fundraiser for her in the fall. I first opened up 5 spots and in four hours they were full and I still had people wanting to book so I had to open it up to a second day and within a few days, all 10 spots were full. I’ve done fundraisers like this before. I’ve seen them done by other photographers and not one has been as successful as this one. It was amazing to sit back and watch the people make a stand to support someone they didn’t even know. In this whole crazy world we have going on right and people with their opinions blaring louder than the one next to them, it was really nice to be in a little bubble with everyone doing something good. Doing something that mattered. Reflecting hope.

I had my husband hang around a take a little video of each family to put together to show Roseanna (who was at home recovering from surgery number 9…and the flu). At the end of each session, each of the families had a little something to say to Roseanna and Roo.

Oh, and the best part? Roseanna is cancer free.

October 6, 2016January 17, 2017

A Family Session in Downtown Gilbert

Downtown Gilbert is always one of my favorite backdrops for a family photography session and this time was no different! I’ve known this momma and her babies for a little over a year and I was so thrilled when she asked me to photograph her beautiful family! Johanna and her kids radiated during their session.

The evening started off as they normally do but it quickly turned into one of the most joyful sessions! There are just so many memories from my time with them that I walked away carrying deep in my heart! I usually remember at least one thing about every session, but there were so many things that made this session so unique. Here are some of my favorite memories:

Johanna’s kids had the most genuine smiles, ever!
Bella made some of the best faces (as you’ll see below)
Troy nailed his poses (on his own, every time)
I loved how her kids loved each other
I loved how her kids loved her
They let me pause for an impromptu session with a group of high school students taking homecoming pictures (so FUN)
Downtown Gilbert is one of my favorite places to be. And smell. (so much yummy food!) So naturally, Oregano’s for dinner, which is always a win!

Every hour I spend photographing families brings me joy in one form of another. I know that probably sounds cliche to you, but it really is true. I don’t say it because that’s what photographers are supposed to say. I don’t say it in attempts to sound like I’m always a happy person (my children will tell you otherwise). But, really, honestly, I love photography. I love bringing a real smile to someone’s face. I love it when they love themselves when they look at their pictures. I love that I get to be the one to freeze time for them. To make them feel like a family, to make them feel whole.

October 3, 2016

Riparian Preserve Family Session

If you’ve never been to the Riparian Preserve in Gilbert you may want to add it to your list of places to visit! As you can see below, it’s mix of desert landscape from cactus to trees, butterfly and bee gardens, paths covered in trees and beautiful flowers! The constant comings and goings of families dressed in their best and photographers strapped with gear is a clear indication that it is a must see hot spot!

Megan and her sweet girls met me at the Riparian Preserve for their family session. I love watching other moms, especially Megan, with their little ones. She was so attentive to her girls, speaking patiently with them as we walked the Riparian’s dusty paths to find the perfect spot. I’ve got two rowdy little boys and let’s just say some days, most days, are full of adventures and testing of patience.

Watching Megan with her two beauties reminded me of something. Some days I can be really selfish, and today was no different. I just needed to do one more thing and then I could play…just one more thing and we could play later…and the next thing I knew later had come and gone and all I did was just find one more thing to do in order to avoid doing the one thing that mattered the most. I don’t think I can tell you what one thing Megan did or said during our session at Riparian Preserve that led me to realize I need to slow down. Maybe it was the pace of the session, or the sweetness of her girls but whatever it was, I left a little different than when I came.