family Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Melodee Lynn Photography

November 14, 2017November 14, 2017

Hintz Family Session | Scottsdale, Arizona

Meet the Hintz Family. Actually, if you’re reading this, you probably already know them!

While hiking in the the desert doesn’t often, or ever, make the list of top things they do on a Saturday night, these 4 met me out at the base of a mountain for their family session, Tieks and all. We were lucky to have dodged the bikers and hikers, but unfortunately nature attacked and I was stung by a bee for the very first time in my life. *cue the dramatic effects* Thankfully Delia’s first aid kit came to the rescue.

We all have our own stories of this beautiful family about how they have impacted our lives. They’ve walked each of us through different seasons, some sad, some joyful. They’ve brought our names before our heavenly Father and given us encouragement when we needed it the most. They’ve opened their hearts and their home to each and everyone one of us and I doubt you and I will ever forget them for it. They serve well, they love well and reflect the hope of Christ every chance they get.

I love them most for how real they are. There’s no guessing what they are thinking. There’s no discrepancies in who they are. And I think we can all agree that Donavon and Kimber just might be the world’s best parents because Kyra and Delia are two of the sweetest girls I know. I’ve watched them grow into beautiful young women and I hope and pray that they wait 20 years for Dax and Rowen to grow up. Just kidding. 😉 But I do hope that my boys are lucky enough to know them when they are older.

Thank you Donavon and Kimber for giving me another glimpse into your beautiful family! It means the world.

November 7, 2017

Goetzfried Family Session | Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman State Park is becoming one of the most requested locations for photography sessions and it was no different for Bri, her son Landon and of course Leia, her sweet golden retriever.

As you can see, Landon has a sweet smile that is so contagious. And as you can imagine, he’s as goofy as any other six-year old boy you’ll meet.

Our session started at the beautiful desired golden hour and ended as the sunset behind the mountains along the western horizon. There is something that is indescribably magical about the desert at sunset. Growing up in the flat plains of midwest, I would sing the line “purple mountains majesty” from one of my favorite songs, not having a clue just how majestic those mountains really are.

When I first moved to Arizona, it was hard for me to wrap my mind around how in the world the desert could be beautiful. But the longer I have lived here and the longer I have been behind the camera, traveling to various locations the more I’m sure that the desert is one of the most beautiful places to be.

For more beautiful desert family sessions, click here.

October 26, 2017

The Fiske Family | Desert Botanical Gardens

There’s more to this photo than our fancy pants and runway make-up. There’s more to this photo than the Desert Botanical Garden cactus garden glowing at golden hour.

Ten years ago I would never in a million years (let alone, only ten) have pictured myself married to someone so tall, bald and handsome such as Ryan Fiske…because I was married to someone else.

I’ve never felt so compelled to share my story so publicly as I do now. I’ve always known that it was an experience that was meant to be shared with others in order to bring hope to what feels like a completely empty and hopeless season. Before I dive into details (which will be shared throughout a few different blog posts) I want to share with you that healing does come. Joy is restored. Hope is found.

We’ve had our family photos taken before, this wasn’t the first time by any means, but there was something about this session, that made everything sink in for me. If I wouldn’t have walked that long broken road of divorce, this photo wouldn’t exist. No Desert Botanical Garden location. No Pink Blush dress. No tall, bald and handsome husband who adores me. No blonde haired, blue-eyed boys who keep me swimming in Legos and coffee.

As I was going through that season in my life, there was one chapter in Psalm that became my chapter. I went back to it over and over again, I read, I underlined, I hid the words in my heart. You know those times where there is a verse or a phrase that speaks to a season of life you’re in and it becomes your motto, your mission statement? Well this was mine.

The Israelites were heading out of captivity from the Babylonians and were heading towards Zion. They were in that in between stage where they could still feel the effects of the bondage they had just incurred but at the same time, could look ahead and for the first time they could see their promised land.

Psalm 126:

¹When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dreamed.
²Our mouths were filled with laughter,
    our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
³The Lord has done great things for us,
    and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,

    like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow with tears

    will reap with songs of joy.

6 Those who go out weeping,

    carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

    carrying sheaves with them.
I read this over and over again knowing full well that my tears of pain and sorrow would turn into tears of joy.  Slowly, people who watched me go through that time would comment and encourage me reminding me that God has done a mighty work in my life.
And now,
I can no longer just see my promise on the horizon.  I wake up next to him every morning.  I tuck them in bed every night.
No, these aren’t just family photos, they are a promise, fulfilled.  

Thank you Brenna Heater for our beautiful, priceless family session.

October 17, 2017

The Thompson Family | Mesa, Arizona Family Session

I met Donna through Amy and Jordan Demos only a few short months ago. She and I live in the same area of Mesa so when we attended the live filming for their new business course, we became carpool buddies. We talked for hours that week, 6 hours to be exact. (It’s a long drive to and from North Scottsdale!) We talked about anything and everything from family to business. To say the least, she and I became fast friends, having so much of our hearts in common.

Not long after we met, I received a message from her to do their family photos. Is it cheesy to say that my heart leapt with joy? Because it did!

This past Saturday we met at a little gem hidden in north east Mesa. I was finally able to put faces to the names and stories she told during our drive time.

They were just how I pictured them to be. Passionate, driven and genuine. But that’s not surprising considering who their momma is. Both of her kids are really involved in athletics. Her daughter went from gymnastics to now diving on the swim team (I love watching the videos her mom posts of her meets!) Jared, plays college level baseball for a university here in town. (It’s also true that he has killer dance moves.) To say Donna loves her kids is an understatement. She beams with pride every time she talks about them! I think that’s one of the reasons why I admire her so much.

Her husband, Kevin, is on the city council here in Mesa. And fun fact: He’s the representative of the district Ryan and I live in, making us love our neighborhood even more. He’s very passionate about what he does. He does it to make a difference. He does it without an agenda. He’s just a guy who wants what is best for his community. Hearing his passion behind what he does and why he does it, definitely won our vote.

Kevin and Donna,

Ryan and I loved spending time with you all! Thank you for giving us a sweet glimpse into your life and sharing your passion for our community. Your family is absolute perfection!

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017

If These Walls Could Talk

I’m taking a break from business blog posts today and writing about something that’s personal. I don’t write near enough personal blog posts. But today, I am, and it’s through tears that I write.

I talked with a teary eyed Mim today. They’re having to make some more unexpected updates to their home. I guess that’s what happens when you’ve lived in a home for 40 years. But the last few years have been so hard on them. Having to fix up their upstairs, to last month their bathroom (oh and by the way my grandpa fell twice during that renovation setting them back even more) to today, having to add pillars and beams to support their sagging second story floor. It’s been emotionally exhausting for my grandma. She’s having to care for the home and my grandpa at the same time and today, she called me discouraged about her house, which always seems to need work more and more. She said, “Mel, does my house look bad? I just do what I can with what I have. I don’t have a home like everyone else does.” And I said, “No, Mim, they don’t have a house like you do.”

Oh, if those walls could talk.

They would tell about a couple that devoted their lives to serving others.

They would speak about countless prayer meetings, where our family wept and cried out together for the prodigals to come home.

You would hear the echos of children’s laughter as we ran up and down the stairs.

They’d sing Christmas carols and recite Luke chapter 2 by heart.

They’d resonate with the cries of heartbreak and would sing of healing, restoration and reconciliation.

They’d tell the stories of visiting missionaries, pastors and evangelists.

They’d echo my grandpa’s whistle and his constant “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” as he spends most of the day in prayer.

They’d tell you about all the shared bowls of ice cream, back scratches and bunny stories.

They’d speak of 67 years and counting of a faithful and loving marriage.

They’d tell about four generations and growing of Christ-followers.

I think the stories would be endless. But they’d all center around one thing: Jesus.

It’s because of Jesus that the walls speak the way they do. It’s because of Jesus there are four generations of Christ-followers, it’s because of Jesus the prodigals come home, it’s because of Jesus that every ounce of healing occurred. It’s because of Jesus that a legacy lives on.

Thank you Mim and Papa for loving Jesus the way that you do.