Melanie Swan Photo

Texas wedding and portrait photography BLOG

Welcome

I love the camera because it gives the ability to preserve the beauty of life. As I look through old albums that belonged to my grandparents, and my own wedding album, I am filled with delight and a deep thankfulness for what I hold in my hands. Through those images I am able to participate in the life, love, joy, and even the grief and sadness, of my family. This is priceless to me. I know that it is also priceless to my clients.

This blog is my outlet for whatever I have on my mind, as well teasers from recent sessions. It is my goal for past, present, and future clients to learn a bit more about me here. Oh, and my blog loves to be loved on, so don't be shy. Visit often and drop a comment here and there!

Monthly Archives: August 2008

mom and mary

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

After packing Thomas off to his room for a few winks, his mamma and I were able to squeeze in a maternity session. Thomas was considerate enough to sleep a bit longer than usual, allowing us ample time.

Flannery O’Connor is a favorite author of both Melissa and her husband, and as such, they decided to name their daughter after her. Little Mary Flannery has since arrived, and she highly approves of her name!

One of Mary Flannery’s wee little dresses…

Chocolate ice cream is a favorite in this household!

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Posted in maternity, portraits

busy little man

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

I am ever so slowly catching up on blogging recent sessions. I had the pleasure of photographing this little man last month. Thomas is everything a little boy should be: extraordinarily cute, extremely busy, and completely in love with his mamma.

Thomas loves splashing in the water and swinging!

His bright red Radio Flyer Wagon also offers countless hours (errr….minutes) of fun!!

Thomas’ most prized possession is his pair of bright red Crocs with a puppy, duck, monkey, and his initials on them. He refuses to wear any other shoes!

Another fun pastime…sweeping the garage!

Thomas has a beautiful arboretum that backs up to his house where he and his mom enjoy taking walks.

When he’s not too busy, mom’s lap is always a fun place to be!

And of course, a book (actually TWO books) must be read before nap time!

Stay tuned for some images from the maternity session we squeezed in while Thomas slept!!!

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Posted in children, portraits

bad dreams….

Monday, August 25, 2008

I woke up in a panic this morning.

I had a dream last night that my husband deployed to Iraq and I missed being able to say goodbye to him. When I woke up, it took me a minute to assess reality and calm my pounding heart. And then I began to think about the thousands of military husbands and wives who likely suffer from very disturbing dreams while their loved one is deployed. I had never thought about that before as I have never actually been in that situation. Rich has been deployed, more than once, but not since we met and married. And due to his recent fight with cancer, it should be another couple of years before I have to face nights alone while he is off somewhere else in the world.

If you know someone who is separated from a spouse due to deployment, please take a minute to check in on them. Maybe offer to buy them lunch or a cup of coffee, and just listen. I’m sure it would mean a lot; it might actually mean the difference between a sad, lonely day and a good one!

This is Rich, on his last deployment to Iraq. What a stud!

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Posted in personal

sarah and andrew’s album

Saturday, August 23, 2008

I thought I would post Sarah and Andrew’s album design. The album has been ordered (I’m so excited that they decided on the green leather cover, just like my own wedding album!) and will soon be in their hands.

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Posted in albums, weddings

teri and benjamin :: 07.05.08

Monday, August 4, 2008

Oh man…I am SO, SO, SO, behind on blogging! I have had a bea-U-tiful couple to show to you for a long time and have been depriving you! Teri and Benjamin were married in Baltimore, Maryland at the beginning of July, and I was honored to be their photographer.

I spent the weekend with Teri and Benjamin and their families, and what a weekend it was! Croquet on the lawn, fireworks, grilled burgers, and a simply delicious broccoli and raisin salad! I will go back to Baltimore ANYTIME they ask!

Teri and Benjamin, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your much anticipated wedding day! I do hope Rich and I will be visiting you in Amsterdam sometime in the not-too-distant future!

Preparations for the day started out at home….

…and were finished at the church.

Sisters!

Benjamin is quite the character! He is also a photographer, and a fantastic one at that! But unlike me, he is pretty natural in FRONT of the camera. I had a lot of fun with him.

Benjamin and hid dad….I have no words.

Benjamin and his parents are from Amsterdam, and since the wedding was here in the states where Benjamin’s friends could not make it, he asked his dad to stand up with him. They made quite a pair.