mesa arizona Archives - Melodee Lynn Photography

November 16, 2017

Justice for Michelle | Mini Session Fundraiser

One evening in late September, I received a message from a friend on Facebook inquiring about a mutual friend. “Has Demi posted anything about her mom?”

Immediately my heart sank.

I’d later find out that night that Demi, a former volleyball player of mine when I coached at Gilbert Early College, had lost her mom.

And not just unexpectedly. Tragically, to domestic violence.

She and her sister’s are not only having to come to grips with the murder of their mom, but they are having to deal with the emotional trauma of having witnessed it.

Last year when I held mini sessions for a dear friend with breast cancer, we raised $900 for her and her son. (See that one here —> Red Lips Campaign)

Now, I’m asking you all to do it again for Demi and her sisters. On top of funeral expenses, they’ve had the cost of moving to a new home, grief counseling and everything in between. If you haven’t already contributed, now is your chance (and get some fancy pictures in return).

Here’s what you need to know:

There are 8 spots available
Mini sessions are for up to 6 people
Each session is 15 minutes
Every participant will receive a style guide via email
You’ll receive 10 images in an online gallery with rights to print

DATE: December 9, 2017
TIME: 2:15-5:00
LOCATIONS: East Mesa (location will be given to participants)
COST: $150 (bring cash or check to your session)

Ready to sign up? Pick your time here —> Justice for Michelle Mini Sessions

Once you’ve selected your time, I’ll send you everything you need to know!

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.

March 28, 2017

Kristen’s Wildflower Session

When Kristen saw my post for Wildflower Mini sessions, I got an inquiry from her almost immediately. Her sweet boy Lightning is 15 years old now and in the last few weeks, has started having problems walking. The vets can’t seem to figure out the exact cause but it seems to stem from neurological issues. His poor front legs are so stiff which has made life hard on both him and Kristen.

A devoted animal lover, Kristen wanted pictures with her sweet boy before his condition worsened. This session was more than just photos of herself. We created memories for her to be able to hold near and dear to her heart of her sweet boy Lightning.

March 19, 2017April 19, 2017

The Perkins Family | Mesa, Arizona

My husband was watching the Perkin’s Family highlight video with me right before they came over for their gallery reveal and he said, “wow, you really got them laughing!”

“Oh, no!” I said. “That was all them!”

On their questionnaire, the Perkins family said they love to laugh together. I thought, oh that’s so sweet! Oh, little did I know…the laughter, the joking, the smiles did not stop the entire time. This is a family who genuinely loves being together.

I think it was the other way around, they actually got me laughing and it was so good for my soul!

Felicia’s parents, BJ and Oscar, are retired missionaries and are celebrating their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary this year. I am so amazed when I hear about people being married that long…and to think that Ryan and I have fifty-nine more years before we get to that point. Fifty-nine years of ups, downs, victories and defeats, sickness and health. Thinking that far into the future makes me slow down and appreciate what we have today, which is not easy for me to do. I find it easier to think two steps ahead than about the hear and now. But the thought of being married for sixty-five years and all the life that could happen between now and then causes me to focus on today. And you know what? I’m okay with that!

Congratulations BJ & Oscar!

November 8, 2016November 8, 2016

Shane and Jinnae | Romantic Backyard Wedding | Mesa, Arizona

After mentally processing this gorgeous day for the last 48 hours and now that it’s time to actually put all of my feelings about it into words, I’m coming up a little short. I could go into a cliche statement about how everything was absolutely perfect but even those words wouldn’t even come close. Emotion flooded the day, from the moment they laid eyes on each other at the first look to the second they ended their walk down the aisle. Jinnae threw her arms around Shane and they both hugged, cried and whispered sweet secrets to each other. Their wedding was a dream that had been brought to life by the love of friends and family.

There are so many things I loved about the day but these are the highlights that were my absolute favorite!

-Listening to worship music Jinnae has playing with everyone was getting ready
-Seeing Jinnae for the first time with hair and make-up (so stunning, she gave me goosebumps!)
-Watching her bridesmaids help button her dress
-Her first look with her dad
-The first look with Shane, she was shaking and so nervous!
-The big balloons
-Their backyard (it was goooorgeous!)
-The twinkle lights
-The candles lit in memory of grandparents no longer with them (I cried the hardest here! And she hadn’t even walked down the aisle yet!)
-When Jinnae walked down the aisle
-The look on Shane’s face when she walked down the aisle
-When asked who gives this woman away, her dad pulled out a list and so tearfully included all her friends and family (oh, seriously, misty eyed again just typing it!)
-The shotgun her dad pulled out
-The beautiful words Pastor Dave shared with Jinnae and Shane
-The song her aunt and uncle sang for them
-The massive cupcake stand layered with the famous Sassy’s cupcakes
-The DJ’s, they were awesome!
-Their choreographed first dance (very fitting given how they met)
-Jinnae’s cowgirl boots
-The sparkler exit
-The excitement on the dance floor

This was not just a wedding, this was a celebration. A celebration of life, of love and of God fulfilling His promises just as He always does.

Congratulations Shane and Jinnae!

Thank you to all these vendors who made the day even more special!

Second Shooter: Erica Hayes of Erica and Jon Photography
Bride’s Dress: Suzanne’s Bridal
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Nordstrom, Dillards, David’s Bridal, Rent the Runway, Strut Bridal
Bride’s Hair and Make-Up: Bethany Sitton
Flowers: Costco
DJ: Felixico
Cupcakes: Sassy’s Bakery