Melissa Jill Photography Blog

Melissa Jill Photography Blog http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm Melissa Jill Photography Blog en-us Ben & Cecilia's album design http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1140&ben-and-cecilias-album-design http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1140&ben-and-cecilias-album-design Wed, 16 May 2012 01:16:00 GMT

We just finished Ben ... Cecilia's album design! Yay! These two were married Saturday at their home in Paradise Valley and the day was absolutely lovely.

Ben ... Cecilia ordered my newest luxury Queensberry Duo Album. It is 18x10 inches in size and horizontal in format. This album fuses traditional matted and flush-mount digital images. The white pages are beautifully textured white mat within which images are pagemounted but you also have the option to include images that span flush to the edges of the page. Click here to see images of my sample to get a visual of how gorgeous their album will be when it is finished.

And click here to see Ben ... Cecilia's full album design! It's hard to see the images because of how the horizontal format translates on the web, but just imagine them MUCH larger :).

Note to photographers: If you need help getting YOUR album designs done fast, click here to find out about my custom, fast and affordable album design service -- Align Album Design! Or, if you'd like to keep your designs in-house, click here to see my all-new redesigned album template website!

]]> Ben & Cecilia -- Paradise Valley Wedding http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1139&ben-and-cecilia-paradise-valley-wedding http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1139&ben-and-cecilia-paradise-valley-wedding Mon, 14 May 2012 15:28:00 GMT

Ben and Cecilia originally met years ago when they were both married. Their lives went separate ways and they lost touch. But as fate would have it, after a decade passed, their paths crossed again. This time, neither were married and Ben didn't hesitate to ask Cecilia out. They've been by each other's side ever since.

These two are a match for one another in so many ways. Both are exceedingly accomplished in business. Cecilia is originally from Portugal and knows seven languages. Ben has three children and eight grandchildren who all adore her and have welcomed her into their family with open arms. They both love traveling and staying fit and they joke about how they're "not too shabby for elderly folks." Haha! They adore one another and just glow when the other is around. I'm so happy that they've found one another and I was so blessed to be able to be a part of their wedding day.

These two were married on Saturday and Cecilia started off the day getting ready at the Montelucia. Her Liancarlo gown was a jaw-dropper:

Stunning:

See what I mean about how adorable they are together? This is a moment I LOVE from their first look:

More stunningness:

The couple took a vintage Rolls Royce to their nearby Paradise Valley home where the ceremony and reception was held.

I love this private moment I caught as the two relaxed before their ceremony:

I still can't get over how GORGEOUS their backyard looked all set up for the ceremony. Jennifer Thinnes ... her team from Outstanding Occasions and Camelback Flowershop get huge props for pulling this together.

The ceremony was full of emotion:

Husband ... wife!

A sweet moment with Cecilia and two of her new granddaughters:

The reception set-up was yet another gorgeous jaw-dropper. Could anyone ask for a more beautiful setting?

I think this the prettiest cake I've ever seen in real life:

I caught the granddaughters hanging out here during cocktail hour:

Before asking them to smile for the above photo, I caught this. Can't decide which one I love more.

Ben ... Cecilia's family put together a very sweet video of each of them talking about the couple along with photos from their lives. They were so touched:

And the evening ended with a fun sparkler send-off!

To see even more photos from this fairy-tale wedding, click here to watch the slideshow!

Vendors: Ceremony ... Reception Venue: Private home in Paradise Valley // Wedding Planner: Outstanding Occasions // Florist/Decor: Camelback Flowershop // Hair: Deborah Parkinson // Makeup: Debra Schrey ... Brooke Kramer // Stationery: Idieh Design // DJ: MT Sounds // Strings: Allegro Quartet // Rentals: Cre8ive Event Rentals // Linens: Wildflower Linens // Caterer: Fabulous Foods // Cake: Classic Cakes // Videographer: I Do Films // Ring ... earring designer: Emmaquist

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Equipment used for this wedding: Canon 5D Mark II // Canon 50mm 1.2 lens // Canon 24mm 1.4 lens // Canon 70-200 2.8 lens // 2 Canon 600EX-RT speedlights // 2 Lumedyne HV Tinycycler Battery Packs // Light Stand with umbrella bracket and cold shoe

]]> Frivolous Friday vol. 17 http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1138&frivolous-friday-vol http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1138&frivolous-friday-vol Fri, 11 May 2012 07:09:00 GMT

Frivolous: playful, lighthearted, trivial; the little things in life that should be savored.

Favorite Outfit of the Week -- Yellow striped top: Nordstrom / Cardigan: J Crew / Joe's jeans: Anthropologie / Nude heels: Aldo / J Crew Bubble Bib necklace: eBay

Gave blood and even though the phlebotomist dug around in my left arm for awhile trying to find my veins that like to hide, I was determined. The only thing worse that getting stuck twice is making an appointment, driving all that way, going through the never-ending verbal questionnaire for the umpteenth time and having it all be for nothing. Thankfully my right arm cooperated.

Highlight of the week: Got to see the all-girls choir from my alma mater APU perform on their tour near my house. I was in this choir my freshman/sophomore year and then in the University Choir ... Orchestra for my last two years. We recorded CDs each year, sang year-round at churches and toured after the end of each spring semester. On one of those tours, I drove a Penske truck through middle Kansas and nearly got run off the road by an oncoming semi. SO many great memories. Seeing the choir was amazing but also made me realize most of the girls were in diapers when I was in their shoes. Seriously can't believe it's been 15 years!

Yes, I did this:
1 -- Got up at 5am and had a fight with my smoke detector a la Phoebe on FRIENDS. Getting it to stop beeping wasn't so much the issue as figuring out where the beeping was coming from.
2 -- Stumbled through a dust storm that hit Dixie and I half-way through our walk. Dust storms are pleasant really, except for the part where dust lodges in your eyeballs.

Got a text from my sweet friend Camille that her plane was delayed on a layover in Phoenix and dropped everything to run over and pick her up for dinner. Love it when the unexpected turns into such a sweet, fun memory.

Celebrating: There's only one spot left in the June MJ2DAY workshop in Annapolis, Maryland! Wasn't sure for awhile if this one was going to fill up. I REALLY want to fill that final spot, though, because the full $1,100 registration fee goes to Thirst Relief and will provide 220 people clean drinking water for life.

Shooting this sweet couple's wedding tomorrow and can't wait to try out these Canon 600EX-RTs that B...H lent me. No pocket wizards required! Radio transmission is built in! I have played with them a little and have a feeling I will end up keeping them. Review to come next week!

Feeling Blessed: I can't imagine facing the trials and sadness this world brings without the peace, joy and hope Christ offers. So blessed that I don't have to.

]]> Google Analytics Real-Time http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1137&google-analytics-real-time http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1137&google-analytics-real-time Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Google Analytics set up on your site, you should be able to use it and see who is on your site at that moment in time, where they are from, which page they are currently on, which website referred them and which key-word they typed into Google to find you. SO much useful real-time data!

I'm still playing with this and trying to figure out how it can be useful -- other than just being fascinating and a fun time-waster (it's so fun to see the number go up and the little dots appear) -- but one thing I've found helpful so far is how it can be used to gauge the response of social media campaigns. When I post an update on Twitter or Facebook, I'll click over to my Google Analytics Real-time to see what the response is. The above screen shot was taken after I posted simultaneously to Twitter and my business Facebook page. Even though I have nearly an equal number of followers for both, I always see a much faster and larger-scale response from Facebook.

Another time, B...H Photo (one of my workshop sponsors) tweeted about the Annapolis workshop in June. They have 67,000+ followers so I was pretty stoked at the time. I looked at the real-time analytics for my workshop site, and only 1 person clicked over from Twitter around the time the tweet went out. That just goes to show that quantity of followers doesn't always translate to a real response. There is SO much information assaulting us through social media these days, that sometimes, it can just end up being a lot of noise that people tune out.

If you have Google Analytics set up for your site and want to access real-time, click on the "home" tab and you should see it in the left-hand navigation.

]]> Are two dogs better than one? http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1136&are-two-dogs-better-than-one http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1136&are-two-dogs-better-than-one Tue, 08 May 2012 07:18:00 GMT

For the last four days I've been watching my parents' dog Lacy (left) while they are out of town. As all of you who have been reading this blog for any amount of time know, I'm a HUGE dog lover. But my watching Lacy is more of a testament to my love for my parents than my love for her.

Dixie and Lacy are both miniature schnauzers, but other than that, and the fact that they both love walks, they are about as different as two dogs can be. Lacy is a spazz; Dixie is a snuggler. Lacy is ultra-dominant; Dixie is submissive. Lacy inhales her food in one bite; Dixie grazes here and there.

Ever since I've had Dixie, I've debated as to whether or not I should get a second dog. On one hand, I think she would like a buddy to play with; on the other, I wonder if she would be happy sharing me. I've always wished that I could know what she would say if I asked her. I think I got my answer this weekend.

During Lacy's visit I was convinced of two things:

1. I need to brush Dixie's teeth DAILY. She's only 5 and I've done a good job so far -- she is so clean and sweet-smelling. Lacy is 9 or 10 and you can smell her coming. I feel bad showing favoritism, but that mug and that breath is one combo only a mother could love.
2. Dixie wants to be an only-dog. It was beyond obvious at different points throughout the last few days that she was shooting out this message through her eyes: "Mom, I want to be the only dog you love."

So that's that. I'm a one-dog-woman. And completely smitten with my sweet girl.

]]> Cory & Jaime's Engagement shoot http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1135&cory-and-jaimes-engagement-shoot http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1135&cory-and-jaimes-engagement-shoot Sun, 06 May 2012 20:15:00 GMT

Cory and Jaime are getting married in the fall. When we first met, Jaime told me, "People usually notice our age difference...but it doesn't bother us at all. We know we are meant to be together." It was so fun to get to know this very sweet, unique couple as we walked around Kierland Commons, one of their favorite places to hang out together. They really are smitten with each other and I'm so honored to get to know them and be a part of their upcoming wedding!

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Equipment used for this shoot: Canon 5D Mark II // Canon 50mm 1.2 lens // Canon 70-200 2.8 lens

]]> Frivolous Friday vol. 16 http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1134&frivolous-friday-vol http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1134&frivolous-friday-vol Fri, 04 May 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Frivolous: playful, lighthearted, trivial; the little things in life that should be savored.

Favorite Outfit of the Week: Top: Nordstrom / High-waisted skinny jeans: Nordstrom (brand: 7 for all mankind) / Nude heels: Aldo / Earrings: Nordstrom

Wore the above outfit on a night out with friends that included dinner at Postino's, 1.5 donuts (because I couldn't stop at one) and Rummikub. The heels are new and challenging to walk in, but I'm determined because they're cute. And because they help me look like I didn't just eat 1.5 donuts.

Highlight of the week: Hand delivering this album to these sweet clients. We usually ship, but they live just a couple of miles down the street. It was so fun to be able to see their reaction first-hand!

Yes, I did this:
1 -- Stuck my nose in Taylor's gorgeous bouquet of peonies. Couldn't resist. They're my favorite!!
2 -- Argued with Sara over who was grosser as we sat at our computers unbathed (me for numerous days and in my workout gear). I was the clear winner but she was sweet for making me feel ok about it.

Was interviewed here on Monday about expanding my business into other revenue streams.

Celebrating: The launch of this redesigned website. Feeling unbelievably blessed to have had Promise Tangeman design 3 websites (MJ2DAY, Align, ... Album Design Templates) for me in the past 6 months. And unbelievably accomplished now that they're all done.

Quoted a photographer, who emailed me Wednesday asking for help "figuring out her settings" for her first wedding Saturday, $150 for a mentoring session. She turned down my offer and called me unethical. This was a first for me and produced a very lively discussion on Twitter. @lizziekimball's response had me dying laughing.

Feeling Blessed: In awe of how much God has blessed me with -- particularly in regards to my businesses. I never would have guessed 9 years ago when I started that I would be where I am today -- getting to do such gratifying work and getting to work alongside so many amazing people.

]]> Reed & Taylor's album design http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1133&reed-and-taylors-album-design http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1133&reed-and-taylors-album-design Thu, 03 May 2012 08:20:00 GMT

Reed ... Taylor were married Saturday at the Four Seasons Troon North in Scottsdale. The day showed off the desert at its best and was so elegant and classy. I'm so excited to share their album design with you!

I love the journey this album design takes you on to tell the story of Reed ... Taylor's day. Click here to see the full album design! Keep in mind that the finished album will be much larger -- 14x10 inches in size.

Note to photographers: If you need help getting YOUR album designs done fast, click here to find out about my custom, fast and affordable album design service -- Align Album Design! Or, if you'd like to keep your designs in-house, click here to see my all-new redesigned album template website!

]]> Album Design Template Website - redesigned! http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1132&album-design-template-website-redesigned http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1132&album-design-template-website-redesigned Wed, 02 May 2012 00:56:00 GMT Album Design Template Website! I've been selling my album design templates for years, and this site finally got a much-needed face-lift courtesy of the uber-talented Promise Tangeman. This is the third website Promise has designed for me in the past six months and I couldn't be more thrilled with the result!

I normally hate landing pages. But doesn't this landing page just make you want to see what's next?

Spoiler alert! This is it:

Up to this point, I've offered two different styles of album templates. The Classic style -- all white background, no image borders and no overlapping images -- have historically been our most popular because they are perfect for designing timeless albums.

And with this website re-launch, I'm releasing an all-new template style called "Simple." These templates are similar to our popular Classic templates, but they only have 1 - 4 images per spread, which makes them perfect for a minimalist design or for portrait or engagement albums!

Also -- we've implemented a discount system where you can get huge discounts if you purchase multiple template bundles at the same time. You can find more info about these discounts on the FAQ page!

Click here to see the new site! And I'd love to know what you think! Leave me a comment below. Or better yet -- use the comment button on the home page!

]]> Reed & Taylor - Four Seasons Wedding http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1131&reed-and-taylor-four-seasons-wedding http://www.melissajill.com/blog.cfm?postID=1131&reed-and-taylor-four-seasons-wedding Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:01:00 GMT

Have you ever seen that FRIENDS episode - the one where the girls tell Joey that he should become friends with a girl BEFORE getting serious with her? But then Joey just tries dating his current friends instead of meeting new ones? Classic Joey.

It's true that often the best romantic relationships grow from friendships ... luckily for Reed and Taylor, the transition was more natural than for Joey. They met the summer before their freshman year of college through a group of friends and spent many of their last days of freedom hanging out together. As the summer came to a close and it was time to head to school, Reed and Taylor discovered they were in the same dorm and saw each other a lot. He thought she was wild and fun; she thought he was kind and genuine, and by the end of their sophomore year at ASU they knew... this was more than just a great friendship ... this was love. The kind of love that is deepened by a true friendship, the kind of love that lasts forever.

Reed and Taylor exchanged vows on Saturday at Four Seasons Troon North in Scottsdale, surrounded by family and friends.