Welcome

I continue to be in awe of the camera because with it one has the ability to preserve life. As I look through old albums that belonged to my grandparents, and my own wedding album, I can’t help but be filled with delight and a deep thankfulness for what I hold in my hands. This is because, through those images, I am able to participate in the life, love, joy, and yes, sometimes even the grief and sadness, of my family. This is priceless to me. I know that it is also priceless to my clients.

I accept a limited number of weddings each year, and fill the rest of my time with engagement, bridal, family, maternity, and newborn sessions. I also teach photography classes at Dallas Baptist University, a job I have been honored with for the past six years. As the saying goes, "If you want to learn something better, teach it!"

This blog is meant to be an outlet for various ramblings and updates, as well as "teasers" from recent sessions I've done. It is my goal for past, present, and future clients to learn a bit more about me here. Also, please visit my professional portfolio by clicking on the "portfolio" link above. Oh, and my blog loves to be loved on, so don't be shy. Visit often and drop a comment here and there!

Please feel free to contact me at melanie@melanieswanphoto.com or 817.975.8341

a year ago

November 17, 2008 – 10:54 pm

I noted today that I have come full circle with my blog! If you click on “archives” you’ll see that I started this blog in November 2007, and now here it is November 2008! And what a year it has been…. As I scrolled through last November’s posts I couldn’t stop the smile that came to my face, nor the tears that came with it.

This past year has been such a hard one, but SO full of blessings. This time last year I was thinking “I never thought I’d be here,” and now a year later I can’t imagine my life had I NOT been there. Of course, “here/there” refers to my husband’s cancer diagnosis, and the long road of chemo, radiation, and recovery that we started down. We are still here in San Antonio due to Rich’s illness, and will be here for a little while longer. But we are in a good place, so we don’t mind so much. :)

We lived in the Fisher House across the street from Brooke Army Medical Center for 9 (yes, NINE!!) months. The Fisher House was such an amazing blessing. It not only provided a home for us in a new city, but it made us feel safe and protected. Being just across the street from the hospital, and so close to Rich’s doctors, provided a lot of peace. Add to that the many wonderful volunteers who brought meals to the house (or came over and cooked right there for us!), offered listening ears, comforting hugs, and sometimes a very fun activity, and we began to feel downright spoiled! Plus, we met so many wonderful people who shared our house with us; we made many life-long friends.

We were able to move out of the Fisher House about two weeks ago and into an apartment. It’s funny though because a number of families who lived in the FH with us now live in the same apartment community! As a matter of fact, we live right next door to some of our best friends from the FH! We love it!

So yes, it is humbling to look back over this past year and see where God has brought us. His blessings have been abundant, to say the least. I am eager for this new year we are approaching, because I’m confident that God has even BETTER things in store for us in 2009. And of course, I’ll keep you updated. :)

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fa la la la la……

November 15, 2008 – 1:02 am

It’s that time of year again! The Christmas decorations are up in the stores, and soon, you’ll be humming a holiday tune. This means that you should also be ordering your Christmas cards!! If you’ve done a family session with me (or any kind of session, for that matter) and wished you could send your favorite image to all of your family and friends, this is your chance!

I am offering a fun selection of 11 different Christmas Card designs. They are flat, 5×7 or 7×5 cards and come with envelopes. The cards come in packages of 24 and are $35/package.

Let me know if you see a design that you like! Some text on various designs can be changed, and of course, I can change the names. ;) All you’ll have to do is tell me which image you want to use. Time is of the essence, so give me a call!

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the cantus

November 3, 2008 – 1:42 am

Once again, I had another fabulous family session! I have to say, I’m getting very spoiled with fun, extremely photogenic, laid-back families! The Cantus were no exception. I had such a fun time with them this afternoon! We talked about princesses, Halloween costumes, and ice cream, among other things. And on the way home, I was forced (yes, forced!) to stop for a chocolate malt due to our yummy conversation! I just couldn’t stop thinking about that ice cream. :)

Thanks for a fun afternoon out enjoying our beautiful weather today! And I think I’d like another chocolate malt next Sunday, so can we do this again???

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the michels

October 30, 2008 – 2:05 pm

I was so excited to be asked to photograph the Michel family last week. Mrs. Michel was eager to have portraits of her sons, both in the military, before one heads off to a new station, and the other heads overseas. What an honor it was to photograph these two young men who proudly wear their uniforms and serve our country! They follow in the footsteps of their father, who is a retired service member.

We enjoyed wandering around some of the older sections of Fort Sam Houston, a BE-U-TI-FUL army post. There is so much history here! It was a lot of fun!

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the allens

October 23, 2008 – 10:12 am

As per my post featuring sweet baby J, I am following up with some images of the whole family! We had so much fun playing at the park! A nice park is really the perfect place to do a family shoot because it offers great opportunities for the kids to play, and for me to capture them wearing their most natural expressions, which usually scream FUUUUNNNN!!!!

It was hard for me to choose which images to post because there are so many that I love, but I forced myself to narrow it down to some of my top favorites. This family is so photogenic!

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sweet baby j.

October 15, 2008 – 11:54 pm

I had the pleasure of visiting with one of my best friends a couple of weeks ago, and OF COURSE we did some family photos! We started with the newest addition to the family, three-month old Baby J. He is such a sweet boy…. very laid back, he takes it all in stride. I have a feeling that with two older sisters, that laid back attitude might just come in handy!!

It’s late and I should have been in bed long ago, so here are just a few…. check back soon for more of the whole family!!

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