Melissa Perry Photography

Keepin’ it simple

Melissa Perry — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:30:05 +0000

So I am starting my resolution to myself without a huge expectation of what this post will hold. Just some words on the computer to fulfill the start of what I have promised myself. As with anything starting sometimes seems to be the hardest part of anything. So instead of trying to make a complicated, wordy (yes sometimes I can go on and on for days with writing) over the top post, I have decided to just keep it simple. With that being said I wanted to share with you in this brand new fresh year some images that did not make the blog last year. Some of these sessions will still have their own posts in 2013 but I just wanted to post some of my work so you could see that yes I indeed was shooting in 2012…just not blogging. ;)

~ xo Mel ~

It is in giving that we receive

Melissa Perry — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 04:43:52 +0000

It is in giving that we receive. The famous words of St. Francis of Assisi. Speaking of saints…happy ALL SAINTS DAY! Today was a special day for my students and I in our Kindergarten classroom. My students dressed as saints and had some special parts at Mass. We followed this up with some saintly centers in our classroom. It truly is my favorite day of the school year.

When teaching my students about the saints, it is most regularly noted that they all did selfless acts of charity. Many gave all they had to the poor. Others spent their lives in service to those in need. Some even went from living a rich seemingly perfect life to that of poverty and obedience to Christ’s call. What amazing examples the saints are to us in our lives. Sainthood is a goal many of us strive for and today is one of those days to reflect on that and also how we can be more giving.

In that same sense, we can give to those in need and we can practice selfless acts of love and compassion each day. Without further delay I announce to you my Thanks and Giving Giftaway! If you know me you know about the special place in my heart for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. St. Jude’s launched their Thanks and Giving campaign today and I want EVERYONE to be a part of it! In honor of All Saints Day, The St. Jude’s Thanks and Giving Campaign, the 50th Anniversary of St. Jude’s and of course the children of St. Jude I excited to announce this AWEsome giftaway! Read below for more details!!!

Melissa Perry Photography ~ THANKS & GIVING GIFTAWAY

the details:
You can win a FREE photo session including the following:
45 minute custom session- up to 5 people
Wardrobe/Location Consultation
Private online gallery of images
10 images on a CD with reprint rights
Stunning Handmade Folio with two 5×7 prints of your choice
(great for your desk)
$700 Value!

How do I win?
Make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of at least $25
Each $25 donation counts as one entry
(more donations = more chances) :)
Forward your donation confirmation email to: melissaperryphoto@yahoo.com
(no worries this email does not share any of your credit card information)
Watch for a video post on Thanksgiving where Mel will announce the winner!

That is it! If you want a chance to win, please consider a donation to the children of St. Jude. (Please click the words St. Jude for the link) While there please read more about St. Jude’s and Danny Thomas and his motto that “No child should ever die in the dawn of life.” His dedication and legacy that no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay lives on. Thank you ahead of time for your support and may God Bless!

~xo Mel~

ps. Sorry this posted about an hour late tonight—i fell asleep on the couch and realize I had not posted yet…hope your All Saint’s Day was wonderful!

my love of LOVE

Melissa Perry — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 19:19:48 +0000

Today is the day I make a big announcement. At least in my mind it is. For my business, my family time and myself. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to add wedding photography back into the list of what I offer as a photographer. I always kept the option open to offer engagement sessions because I LOVE the interaction of couples. I miss documenting that. There were many reasons that I stopped shooting weddings (which I will not bore you with now) however something is drawing me back. As I strive to find my own voice as a photographer I feel it necessary to give this voice more of a chance. Ultimately in my mind I want to specialize in one area of photography, however at this point I just don’t feel it is time yet to do that completely. I continue to work full time as an educator and I enjoy every minute of life in the classroom. When it comes to photography my business pursuits are many. My passion lies in numerous areas. And for me that is OK…for now.

The one thing I do want to say about shooting weddings is that I will do them on a very limited basis. I am not looking to be at a wedding every weekend or even a few times a month. My wedding photography services will not be over-extended and will be exclusive to couples that I find are the right fit for me and I for them. There is a lot that goes into a wedding and I think that both the client and photographer have to feel good about each other in order to make the experience all it can be. I am approaching weddings the same as I do with the other parts of my business and feel if I keep this at the forefront then I can continue to be a part of such sacred moments in the lives of couples.

With that being said I am now booking for 2013. And as LOVE would have it I already have one couple on the books for December 2013. If you are interested in having me photograph your wedding please feel free to email me for rates and availability.

I was honored to document Suzie and Weston’s wedding yesterday. What an amazingly beautiful day. More photos to come.

~ xo Mel ~

this is your time

Melissa Perry — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:23:41 +0000

Funny story. I started this post back in the summer after I made my announcement about taking some of August “off”. The darndest thing happened though. I didn’t get around to posting. Imagine that? So now I am tweaking the post. I have even changed the title. Flashback back to summer. When I made the announcement in the summer it was not really just to say it to clients and the world but to say it to MYSELF. I realize I am not that important that I need to be running around making decrees and announcements…I definitely do NOT think I am all that and a bag of chips. If you know me you would know quite the opposite—I struggle with insecurities, self doubt and feelings of not being worthy on a regular basis. I work feverishly and at times tend to border on workaholic status and actually enjoy it…i CRAVE being busy and active. There comes a time however, when I figure out that I need to recharge and prioritize. And I have to say sometimes I am not good at that. I let other things get in the way or even procrastinate what I know would be beneficial for the betterment of self.

This past Saturday I went to the Michael W. Smith concert. Now if you are friend with me on facebook you are probably sick to death of my posts proclaiming my LOVE for his music and how much I enjoyed his concert. My sweet as pie hubby actually surprised me with backstage passes to meet Michael or “Smitty” as his friends call him and I wept. I mean cried like a baby. Tears of joy to meet such an inspiration. Anyway on to my point. We met Michael before the show. He was as down to earth, kindhearted and sweet as I thought he would be. He asked me about my job as a Kindergarten teacher and although I was star struck the experience will forever stick with me. After the meet and greet we took our seats and prepared to enjoy the concert. The first song played…I cried. The second song played…I cried. It was as if the floodgates opened and out came my tears. It happened a few other times throughout the evening and also upon returning home. When I attended his concert the music spoke to me as it always does but something inside of my soul changed. It resonated with me in a way that has started to shift my thoughts and cause me to see that although I am unworthy of anything that being Christ’s child makes me worthy of His LOVE. Michael told a story about being in his 20′s and hearing from God’s voice saying that he not only loved him but he liked him. Many days I wonder if I am honestly liked at all. I sin, I fail, I am just not who I am called to be on a regular occasion. No matter…He still loves me. And though I have known this some 30+ years (haha not going to give away exactly how much the + is…) :) it still was something I thought about deeper at the concert. I also reviewed my relationships with others and myself. I reflected on my shortcomings and have truly been changed. I am now even more aware of who I am and who I want to be. That does not involve a job title, a pat on the back, a proclamation of greatness. It is about my heart, my soul, who I am to the core. For that I will forever by grateful to Michael W. Smith. He has left a lasting impression and message imprinted on who I am.

And because music is my prayer and speaks louder than words I am posting not one but TWO songs that spoke to me that night. I really tried to decide on one but could not. There are some songs that I cried through and some that I didn’t. I can’t remember if I cried at these or not. I just know their lyrics made an impact. I will go no further with my words and let Michael’s words speak to you.

THIS IS YOUR TIME - a story and tribute to Cassie Bernall who lost her life in Columbine because of her faith

Never Been Unloved - even though we are sinners we are worth it in Christ’s eyes

~xo Mel~

visons of a wedding dress danced in her head…

Melissa Perry — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 22:56:57 +0000

Isn’t it funny when you are discuss something and it surfaces days later? Mom and I were just talking about this photo. It is so funny how when you put things out in the universe they seem to come back. This was the wedding dress that I ripped out of a magazine way way way back when. Last weekend for some reason I started talking to my Mom about it and saying how much that dress I had dreamed of so long ago had a lot of the features of the dress i ended up wearing on my wedding day. Both have simple clean lines. Both have straps. Both are made out of a high quality silk fabric sans lace, sequins or beading. Both have a specifically placed jeweled detailing that gives great impact. Both are classic and timeless. Even the veil has some height much like the one I selected many years later. I told my Mom I thought the picture was stored in my high school senior yearbook. I even tried to google the dress (must have been from the 90′s) but to no avail. (and I am the google queen) Fast forward to tonight only a few days later. I was looking for a storybook to read to my class tomorrow and came across my high school senior yearbook. I opened it up and guess what I found inside? A picture of the dress saved for close to 20 years I would guess! And of course I still love it today! I find it interesting how the young “Missy” (most assuredly I was going by that name at the time I picked this out) and the older (or should I say “more mature”) Mel have very similar taste. I guess some things never go out of style. I wonder why weddings are on my brain so much lately…could it be that I have a special anniversary coming up??? Or perhaps it is that my Mom and I spent some of our weekend watching some great wedding shows? Either way this was a little walk down memory lane that made me smile. (and yes this was taken with my cell and flash) :)