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Jenn is one of the first ladies that I met here at Fort Irwin.  We quickly started talking about Fort Drum since we had both been there at one time or another and realized that we have a few friends in common.  Not only that but she has a 5 year old little girl who wanted someone to play with and Karina was more than happy to oblige.

As our girls became close Jenn found out that I was starting to get my photography business up and running.  She mentioned to me that she has wanted family photos done for some time now.   We left it at that and went about our days with the girls quickly becoming best friends.

About a month ago Jenn said that she wanted to have their session before the holidays so we sat down and discussed what she did and didn’t want from me.  It was pretty simple…No grass, we live in the High Desert of California so that was easy.  She also didn’t want tons of images to choose from because, not only is it overwhelming, but that’s how she ends up with too many pictures.  We went over the different packages and found the perfect one.  Unfortunately, it would still require some decision making on her part.

The day of the session was beautiful.  Kelly was a ready and willing assistant since now she would not be the one in front of the camera.  We arrived at Jenn’s ready to go to our previously scouted location only to find that Scott was reluctant and going under duress.  I wasn’t at all surprised since that seems to be the norm with the men.  I’m sure it didn’t help that he was the only guy with 4 females.  Love it!

We arrived at our location and quickly set up to get started.  I started with them sitting but that didn’t last long and I soon had them moving around and this is one of my favorites from that portion.

Erin was always quick to hug.

While I had them moving around for some variety I told Erin to just play and run around.  They were beyond cooperative and easy going when it came to my directions.  It doesn’t get much better.

As we were packing up and leaving I noticed that the moon had snuck up on us so we changed direction, Scott loaded Erin on to his shoulders and off we went.

  She loved that she was so “tall”.

Not sure how far he will go with this particular hug.

Jenn and I got a kick out of this one as only a mom would think that touching the knee would give enough protection should she start to fall.

I loved that we were out in the middle of nothing with no traffic to speak of so I had them walk in the middle of the road.  Not to worry, Scott made sure that Erin looked both ways before starting.

 Daddy’s girl.

I would say that this is the end of the session because we thought we were done but Erin looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and asked, “Are we going to the stables now?  They belong to my daddy.”  There is some truth to that since the horse detachment does fall under Scott’s unit.  It seems that they couldn’t say no to that request either and we were off to the horses!

Erin was very cautious.

She quickly moved on to something new.

The sun was in the perfect position for a shot that I envisioned the first time I went out to the stables and we were able to get some great images.  This is just one of the many we took by the fence.

By this time Scott had given in and was always ready for the camera, even when no one else was.  The ones that fight it are the ones that usually end up loving it in the end.  It seems that Erin isn’t the only photogenic one in the family.

Love the out-takes.

Broke him down.

Beautiful lady.

Jenn asked if we could get a family photo with Tiefort in the background.  I am so glad she asked and I am extremely happy with the outcome.

What a wonderful way to end the day.

Thank you so much for asking me to photograph your family.  It was a great day and I’m so happy that you are pleased with the final images.  I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the day than with the McFarland family.

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  • Denise McFarland - Thank you for taking such wonderful pictures of my “camera shy” son, my gorgeous and loved daughter(-in-law) and my most beloved and beautiful (I’m predjudiced I know) grandaughter. I wish you were available to take pictures of all my family members.

    DeniseReplyCancel

  • MGP - Thank you so very much for the wonderful compliment. It was so much fun shooting Scott, Jenn, and Erin. I am thrilled that she asked me to capture these moments.ReplyCancel

It was a long but very enjoyable process, me_me_me.com with Kelly has been completed and I am thrilled with the outcome.  I had so many help me with this “vision” and I am very lucky to have such a great group of friends.

Thank you Toni, Mariel, Kelly, Deanna, and Clara (not shown).

What many of you don’t know is that I only recently met all but one of these ladies.  This is what I absolutely love about our Army life.  Friendships are made quickly and they last a lifetime.

I finally shot the idea that started this whirlwind of sessions.   In my last blog I spoke about a beautiful location, Rainbow Basin, where Paul took me and the kids.  I immediately pictured someone standing in front of this huge indention in the rock with flowing fabric.  Once I found a willing model, Kelly, I purchased the fabric and I was off and running.  I had originally wanted her standing in her bathing suit and red heels but that was quickly scrapped once we realized that the slope she would be standing on is extremely steep.

Just what I was hoping for…

Kelly is quite the trooper.

As usual I got sidetracked as we were driving into the Basin.  There is a huge Joshua Tree on the side of the road that I have wanted to use for some time now.  This time I decided to stop and and have Kelly next to the tree.  What I didn’t know was that these particular trees are quite pokey.  Toni and Mariel were both victims and this is how we found out about it’s “dangers”.  Thanks for taking one (or two) for the team.

 Kelly was very cooperative considering…

As usual ideas come to me as I wander around and look in closets.  This time I had Toni (Stylist) with me.  I found a cute white skirt and boots in Kelly’s closet and then had Toni grab a bunch of her scarves.  Toni wore those around her neck the entire day.  Since a section of Rainbow Basin is a touristy type of area and a one way scenic drive, there were some areas where we would have to move fast in case anyone came along.   I did try to park in spots that would allow other cars to pass should the need arise.  Luckily, the spot for this shot happened to be in a wider section of road.

It looks great as a dress & I think Kelly has a new outfit.

Our only touristy encounter was when Kelly decided to take a break and I was able to get Mariel (make-up artist extraordinaire) in front of the camera.  I can only imagine what the couple driving by were thinking as Mariel was in a scarf and jeans and Kelly was in, what looked like, just a hoodie and boots.  However, they were kind enough to go by slowly so as not to not kick up a lot of dust.

Kelly was hiding behind Mariel in the rocks while we were shooting.

I couldn’t ask for a better last minute model!!

I loved the look on a slope right next to where I had been standing and Mariel climbed on up and worked it for the camera.  Gorgeous light…

The light out here is always perfect.

As we arrived to the end of our locations as well as the end of our natural sunlight I had Kelly do a quick change back into her suit for a some final shots.

The end…

This completes my 3 part series of what I saw when I came up with my me_me_me.com package.  I wanted everyone to understand that it doesn’t always have to be lingerie and the bedroom for your inner beauty to shine through.  There are very few limits to what can be done to make a person feel beautiful and special.  I am here to capture that beauty for you to remember and share.  It’s a great feeling to know that I can build up someone’s self image with my love of photography.

If you have any questions or  would like more information regarding this package click on the “savings thru spending” menu tab and go to “sessions”.  If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for please go to the contact section and shoot me a message or email me at melindagarciaphotography@gmail.com.

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  • Janis M Guenther - Melinda, this is such a great package. You have great shots & of course a beautiful model. I wish you the best of luck with your business, but with your great eye for beautiful pictures you won’t need it. Keep up the great work!ReplyCancel

I’m glad that you all came back to read about Part 2 of my me-me_me.com session with Kelly.  As I mentioned before, I feel that there are several ways to bring out your inner diva.  I’m hoping that you understand my vision a bit better by the end of my blog.

When Paul, my husband, took us out to do some sightseeing at Rainbow Basin I had no idea that I would find so much inspiration.  As the kids were exploring the area with Paul I was taking pictures of locations.  As we continued our drive through the area I could see different scenarios and my mind was quickly flooded with ideas for this type of session.

I had already met Kelly by this point and when she asked if I had ever done Boudoir photography I knew I had my model.  I soon found out that when she is at home she likes to wear her self-torn t-shirts and rolled up sweats.  Once I saw her in this attire I knew what I wanted to do and quickly started planning.

I explained to Kelly and some of our friends that I wanted to go to the mountains and lay out a white down comforter with wine and a few other items with Kelly in her comfy clothes.  They looked at me like I was crazy.  Do you think I was crazy?

The socks were an added bonus.

A day before the shoot I decided to add THE BOOK.  She hasn’t read it yet and I’m pretty sure that it was better that way because when I had her open it to the middle and start reading, well, you can imagine what her reaction was and I was able to get some great shots.  She had obviously opened it to a very interesting part of the story.

If you’ve read the book you know the significance of this image.

Before we left her house I ran up and grabbed these great shoes I had seen in her closet and one of her hubby’s shirts along with her robe.  You never know when inspiration will hit.   I wasn’t quite sure we would use the robe but once the sun started to set…

Beautiful lady bathed in beautiful light.

We ended the session with a shot that I knew I had to get and this outfit was perfect.  Of course this is also when a truck drove by with an elderly couple staring and surely trying to figure out exactly what we were doing.  I can only imagine the conversation they had as they continued their drive.

She’s got legs…

Gorgeousness!

Originally this was a 2 part session but thanks to Mother Nature we have one more to go.  I hope that this conveys to you why this session package means so much to me.  I love that it lets you release your inhibitions while   building your confidence and self-esteem.

To find out more about me_me_me.com and my other session packages just hover over the savings through spending link on the menu and click on sessions.

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It was a little over 4 years ago when I told Paul that I wanted camera that could catch the continuous movement of Aaron & Karina.  Both were getting into sports that required more than a point and shoot.  I made sure to add that since our family is in Texas and the Army takes us all over the U.S., it would be a great way to keep everyone informed.  dido as given a 35mm film camera back in the 90’s but it had died a slow death and could no longer do its job.  Paul told me that when our point & shoot died we would get a new and better camera.  Well, that came about sooner than he expected thanks to a Cub Scout beach cleanup, Paul’s slippery fingers, and a puddle in the sand.

Of course I had already been looking at cameras and studying up when my dad came to visit us in Virginia and told me that he would buy me the camera for my birthday. 🙂  We headed out and I came home with my new Canon Rebel XTI, 430EX flash, and an extra zoom lens.  I would love to say that this was the start of my obsession but, like most photographers, mine began when I was in elementary.

I used to take my mother’s 110 film camera to school and take as many photos as I could of my friends.  She would get the film developed and ask me if I had taken the camera without permission, again.  Like most kids I quickly said no.  The problem with this answer is that I am an only child.  Yeah, I didn’t really think it through.

Jump back to 2008, my new toy, a neighbor with her new Nikon and we had a recipe for all kinds of wants and needs camera gear related.  Beth and I went on many “camera play dates” to practice and learn.  This is how I ended up at the Hampton Roads Digital Photography Club where my obsession grew.

I was soon asked to shoot a wedding for a couple at our church and I went into a panic.  They knew that I was learning but they liked the photos I had taken at different church events.  I found a mentor at the club and he had about 4 weeks to teach me the basics to get the best images on the camera’s manual setting.  He helped me as my second shooter at the wedding and the bride and groom were very happy with their images.  Whew!

Since then I have been shooting and learning.  I am a loyal Canon shooter and have since added the 50D which was followed by the 7D and several lenses, flashes, camera bags…you get the idea.  I love, love, love what I do and sometimes wonder why it took me so long to figure it out.  I’m just very thankful for everyone who helped me along the way and continues to help me learn and grow in this beautiful field.

My Family
Paul, who no longer has an office area at home since I have taken over the computer and area for my editing and gear, continues to encourage me.
Aaron and Karina are my favorite models and help me when I want to try something new with lighting or locations.  They aren’t always willing but they humor me.
Thanks to my mom who unknowingly introduced me to photography by not successfully hiding her camera when I was young.  She is always a willing model.
Thanks to my dad who bought me my first DSLR and lenses so that I could take pictures of his grandkids.
My in-laws have also been very supportive of me and my endeavors.

Scott Quier
My first mentor who introduced me to the Exposure Triangle, Manual, RAW, etc…  He also helped me build my first web site 4 years ago. I am forever grateful!

Beth Shaw
My photography loving buddy and camera play-date while we were learning and just having fun. You were generous in including me in some sessions and helping me build my portfolio.

Hampton Roads Digital Photography Club
(Virginia)
Your generosity and willingness to help those with a love for photography is invaluable. I am so thankful to have met all of you and am glad that I can continue to watch and learn from a distance. I do miss the meet-ups.

Will King
I was fortunate to learn lighting and gear from you by watching and paying close attention.

Rachel Brenke
You helped me to realize that I can do this as a business. Thank you for all of your mentorship and assistance. Your workshops have been wonderful and have helped me to grow. We aren’t done yet!

Tiffany
(On the Spot Studio)
Thank you for your patience as you tried to sift through my cluttered mind and figure out just what I was looking for in a logo. You helped me find who I am as a photographer and created a beautiful brand. I have loved our morning chats and will miss them…until I think of a new project.

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