2017 - Page 5 of 7 - Melodee Lynn Photography

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Girl’s Session! | Mesa, Arizona

When your girls have girls, you celebrate it every chance you get! Little sweet Jordan was the most recent addition to this family, born on April 29, 2017 and already she’s as sweet as can be. She slept through the entire session, despite being passed around in 85 degree weather.

Her cousin is already obsessed with her, and who wouldn’t be? The shirts from Glitter, Gliggles and Grin say it all! (Keep scrolling to see the cuties dolled up in their coordinating tees!)

Though it’s fun to have a family of all girls, the celebrating extends a little beyond the fact they are all female. Jill and Tim waited and prayed a long time, 974 days to be exact, to have this sweet girl and they are so excited to be able to show her off to the world.

I couldn’t wait to share this session with you, not just because they’re all dolls, but because it relays a little bit of hope. If you’ve walked the path of infertility, or have struggled to get pregnant, know that you’re not alone. There is hope.

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Styled Shoot at the Olive Mill | Queen Creek, Arizona

Last week, I packed up my boys and we headed to Oklahoma to surprise my mom. My dad and I were planning the trip for 6 weeks. I think this is the first time I’ve ever kept a secret! (From my mom anyway!) It got harder and harder not to say anything! I made a little video of our trip, which at the end resulted in a very happy grammie! We had the best week with my parents and though I’d say it was pretty relaxing, my parents would tell you otherwise! I initially left my camera at home and had zero access to work email (maybe that’s why it was so relaxing!). So it was a grand surprise when I opened up Facebook to see that Cake and Lace had not only accepted my submission, but had published it as well!

This shoot was absolute perfection. From the vendors to the photographers and all the details in between. My absolute favorite part was the stunning ceremony arbor. A joint effort between Moonchild Floral, Prim Rentals and my mother-in-law (she made the macrame curtain), it was the focal point of the entire shoot.

A close runner up would be the invitation. It’s the first time I’ve ever designed something like this before. I included mounted deep matte prints of the Olive Mill in with the invites that act as a little gift sneak peek of the celebration to come. I could go on and on, but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

The amazing vendor team behind this shoot:

Venue/Food: The Olive Mill
Designer: Melodee Lynn Photography
Coordinator: Lovestruck Weddings
Floral: Moonchild Floral
Tables: Scottsdale Farm Tables
Rentals: Prim Rentals
Jewelry: The Silver Loft
Cake: SaraCakes and Cupcakes
Dress: JBridal Boutique
Tux: Top Hat Formal Wear
Videographer: Mandy Woodman Films

May 21, 2017

Allie + Aaron | Sedona, Arizona

Dear Allie,

In only two short months, you’ll be holding a little bundle in your arms. You’ll experience for the first time, what it’s like when heaven meets earth. Though we’ll never understand the fullness of God’s love, that little bundle will open up your heart to a new side of God’s love that you have never before experienced. You’ll laugh, but because you’re you, you’ll cry at the goodness of God’s love laying there squiggling in your arms.

Life changes in a big way (though I didn’t believe people when they told me that), but it changes in the very best ways possible. In the days to come, you’ll be exhausted, wondering if ou’ll ever experience a full nights rest again. And you will, I promise.

You’ll probably ask for advice, people will give it, and then you’ll regret asking for advice because everyone’s opinions will drive you absolutely crazy. Bless their hearts.

Despite what you may believe at times, you are the absolute best mom for Tobias. God gave him to you. He has entrusted you with the care of His child, knowing full well you’ll raise him to be the man He desires him to be. You’ll probably wonder if you’re doing it right, and I wish I could tell you the answer, but I can’t. In fact, I’m 99% sure most of the time I’m doing it wrong.

The last 4 years, there’s been one word that has gotten me through the sleepless nights, all of the overwhelming questions of inquisitive toddlers and feelings of complete weariness. It’s a word, a name actually, that brings hope, peace and a strength like no other. It’s not a secret really and sometimes I don’t use it as frequently as I should. When you find yourself in a place where you can’t distinguish the joy from the pure exhaustion- whisper, shout, speak, pray, write…whatever you need to do, the name of Jesus. He is the only hope for us weary mommas.

I’m sure you’ve heard horror stories of the worst days. Of how hard it’s going to be but I promise you, the best days are yet to come. The good out weighs the bad. The joy outweighs the exhaustion. He’s called you to this time and this place, this is what you were made for.

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017

The McFadden Family

Cookie Dough. America Idol. Nau. Lake Tahoe.

I have so, SO many memories with Ben and Anya. We were there for other when we needed someone the most. It’s been 9 years, NINE since I’ve seen and hugged Anya in person! I’m thankful for social media so we can keep up with each other even though we haven’t seen each other in so long! So much has happened in the span of years that has passed. We’ve both have gotten married, have two sweet little blonde haired babes and have both continued pursuing our passion for photography! She always had a camera with her in college and was there documenting all the fun times we shared with our college group!

So you’re probably wondering about the cookie dough and America Idol, huh? Though it probably doesn’t take much explaining! Almost every Tuesday for an entire season (I believe the year Jordin Sparks was on) she and I would meet at her apartment, eat dinner and watch American Idol and there was almost always, cookie dough in one form or another. Cooked, raw, it didn’t matter. We ate it. To this day, that recipe is hands down my all time favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe!

After she and Ben got married, they moved to Sacramento for Ben to start his first job in construction management. At the same time they were starting their marriage, mine was ending. It was a very painful time but I went to visit them for a few weeks and it brought so much healing to my soul. We hiked, we canoed, we ate, we laughed. It was what we both needed and it’s a time I’ll never forget!

Fast forward 9 years and God’s healing and restoration has been so evident in both of our lives. From the challenges that faced us then, to the challenges of mother hood now, the one constant in our lives has been the presence of our loving Savior. He is hope everlasting.

April 24, 2017April 24, 2017

Raegan’s Senior Session

Downtown Phoenix is beautiful, but insert a beautiful senior like Raegan and it’s out of this world! This young lady is stunning and I’m pretty she is incapable of taking a bad photo.

I met Raegan and her parents during one of my family sessions last fall. They had come to Downtown Gilbert to take Homecoming photos but due to a small glitch, they weren’t able to. I couldn’t help myself and I asked the family that I was with if I could take a few pictures of them! I jumped right in and took photos of her and her friends and delivered them to her parent’s later that night. And, oh, am I so glad that I did otherwise I wouldn’t have had to opportunity to get to know this young lady and her family! Raegan is an outstanding young woman with a desire to become a lawyer and she’s starting her journey next year at my very own Alma Mater!

Raegan, you are such a beautiful young lady. The world is such a better place because of you. As you head to college next year, your smile, your beauty, who you are inside and out, is worth more than the rarest of rubies. I feel so honored to know you!