2016 - Page 2 of 4 - Melodee Lynn Photography

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.

September 6, 2016October 7, 2016

How to Stage and Photograph Your Own Home

Learning how to stage your home goes hand in hand with photographing your own home.

When I first walked into this house I swooned over the view of the infinity pool over looking the lake and was very tempted to settle down on the couch with a latte and enjoy it, but that wouldn’t have been very professional! It was one of those houses that when you walk in, you take a deep breath and sigh because you feel so relaxed! It’s possible that I lost track of time because the details kept pulling me in!

Not only was this couple incredibly kind and hospitable but they did a perfect job at staging their home for photographs. So perfect in fact, I want to share some tips with you to stage and photograph your home! Whether your photographing for a blog or to sell these are a must read!

Clear off counters and surfaces and take down family photos! Nobody likes clutter, including potential buyers. Removing your family photos lets other families more easily envision their family in the space. It’ll feel more like their home and less like a strangers.
Open up all the doors, windows, shades and blinds. You want as much natural light coming in as possible.
Photograph at a time of day where the lighting is the brightest in the area you want to photograph.
Photograph from a slightly lower angel to make the room appear larger.
Use a tripod! I almost had a tripod malfunction but the owners graciously came to my rescue! You have to use such a low shutter speed that you need to eliminate as much camera shake as possible. It’s something that you just can’t compromise on! It’s especially important when using a point and shoot! Which if you are, skip right to number 8!
If using a DSLR, use Manual. Now is the time to learn! In darker spaces, auto=higher ISO which is what makes pictures so grainy!
Use the right camera and lens. I used a Canon 17-40 on a Canon 5d Markiii for this house. You need a camera that can handle a higher ISO and a wide angle lens that gives you the angles you want without warping the lines. My 60D would not have done as nearly as good of a job just because it can’t handle an ISO over 1000 very well.
Don’t forget the details! After you take a picture of the whole room, focus on the details, like the stunning windows and fireplace you see below!

September 2, 2016September 3, 2016

1956 Thunderbird

I have always loved cars. I think my love for them started when my dad used to bring home “Big Red” from work. It was a work truck that he often used and boy did we have fun riding around town in it! Saturdays were dump days and we’d always head to Larry’s House of Cakes for donuts and orange juice on the way. The simple pleasure of small town life. Dump and Donuts.

When I sat down with Matt Dallas of Life on the Lakes, he asked me what my favorite thing to photograph was. I can’t tell you what a hard time I had answering. It’s possible he thought I was crazy. I love photography and, yes, over the past few years I’ve come to discover that I enjoy photographing more things than others. But I still couldn’t give a straight answer!

Then he asked me, do you like cars? I think I lit up brighter than the sun. Uh, yes, I love cars! It didn’t take long to decide what it would be that I would photograph for the publication.

The thing that I love most, about everything, are the details. It’s the details that you put so much time and money into. The details come together to make one spectacular presentation whether it’s a car, wedding or house. The details are what I love focusing on. No pun intended! (Okay, maybe it was).

This is a 1956 Thunderbird that had one previous owner and the details are spectacular! Chrome that sparkles, paint that shines and interior that looks and feels just like a 1956 Thunderbird should. The car is so beautiful and the owners were some of the sweetest people I’ve met!

I can’t wait to show you more cars in the weeks and months to come!

August 31, 2016September 1, 2016

4 Reasons Why Your Restaurant Needs Professional Photography

Photography is an investment.

I had a conversation with a restaurant manager who told me how he uses his cell phone to take pictures of the food. I’m not gonna lie, I died a little bit. Not only am I a photographer, but I’m a foodie! I think the two uniquely intertwine together. I have such a respect for good quality restaurants with good quality food. My respect for it drives my inspiration to make it look good too. The restaurant itself is beautiful and unfortunately, iPhone pictures just don’t do it justice!

We live in a photo driven era with Pinterest and Instagram that drive business. And they can make or break your business depending on how successful you are with them. If the pin isn’t pretty, you won’t pin it. No matter how good the recipe is. Actually, you’ll never know how good it is because you keep scrolling! The very foundation of Instagram is images. People follow profiles who have ascetically pleasing feeds. If they aren’t consistent, you’re less likely to draw a crowd.

When I hear about a new restaurant, the first place I go to look them up is Instagram. And my decision on whether or not I go? The pictures. You can have a great logo and great food but people won’t know that by your logo. And they certainly will not know that by the pictures you take with your iPhone.

When realtors sell houses overnight it’s because the buyers were drawn to the house in the first place by the pictures. That cell phone flash in the bathroom mirror doesn’t sell.

Good photography sells. Plain and simple.

All business owners lay awake at night going over all the details. What the decor will look like, the logo, the menu, the silverware, napkins, drinks, products…am I making you hyperventilate? My point is this… don’t let all those nights you’ve laid awake mulling over every detail go to waste by using your cell phone to capture them.

To show you the difference side by side, I took pictures of a recipe I was working on with both my iPhone 6 and my DSLR. I think the pictures explain it all. If you need more convincing, here are 4 reasons why you need to invest in photography for your business!

Images are higher quality. It’s just plain and simple. My $2500 camera and $800 lens are going to take better pictures than your $500 iPhone.
We know how to handle low light settings, white balance issues and how to process photos which means you won’t end up with grainy, blue pictures.
We can touch up any styling flaws. Notice the difference in the squash in the first photo? Or the smudge of soup on the bowl in the second picture?
You’ll create a brand for yourself by the images you share. People will know your food by your images. Better make them good!

Photography is an investment!

If you’re interested in food photography for your business, contact me!!

Recipe coming soon to Mom the Brave!