• Why, Hello!

    Thanks for stopping by. My name is Melissa and I like to take pictures. Probably too many, actually. I am a newbie amateur professional (that makes sense, right?) and am always learning about this beautiful thing called photography. Life experiences are a bunch of adventures strung along and so great to look back on, so why not have some photos of it? I love taking pictures, but I enjoy learning peoples stories even more. I have experience with weddings in Phoenix, Sedona, and Flagstaff.

    I have a husband, Josh, and dog, Wrigley, that we may or may not treat too much like a child. During the day time, I choose to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing. I love that I get to laugh every single day. That also means that I do know a decent amount of American Sign Language. I never pass up a good iced carmel macchiato with skim. I love organization...like a lot. I hate socks and if I must wear them, they have to be inside out. My heart yearns to travel. Anywhere, really. Ireland, Italy, Greece, New Zealand. Also, one day, we will go to Africa and then bring home a baby.

    ***I am currently on photography maternity leave as we are expecting a sweet baby girl at the end of June. However, please do not hesitate to contact me to set up a shoot for October and beyond :) ***

4.8.13

Melissa at The Baked Equation

Meet Melissa

Well, another Melissa:)

She started The Baked Equation in order to raise money for local farms in southern Sudan
Which is pretty great if you ask me.

The sweet part (get it?!) is that she makes deliciously beautiful treats.
Like, really delicious.
I try to find excuses to have her bake me stuff.
and you should too.

Filed in: Headshots
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April 8, 2013 - 5:27 pm

Melissa - Thank you so much lady for taking pictures of me! They came out great.

3.28.13

The Brown Family

Alf, Emilee, and Kennedy.

We first met this family when our sprinklers were overflowing their yard.
Pretty embarrassing since we were the new kids on the block
That’s right, we are next door neighbors with the Browns

It wasn’t until Halloween of 2011 that we actually became friends.
I love Halloween if for only that reason alone.
People are out on the street and it creates such a friendly atmosphere
Kennedy was itty bitty and all swaddled up.

Since then Emilee and I have become what some may call “walking buddies”
Kennedy and Wrigley also happen to be pretty fond of each other
which I can only assume is because they are about the same size:)

Everyone should pretty much be jealous that you don’t have the Browns as your neighbors

Filed in: Children | Family
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March 30, 2013 - 12:58 pm

Laura - Very nice!

3.24.13

Jeremy & Shelby: Married

This was my 4th solo wedding.
4th!

Can I just be brutally honest and say I have been incredibly lucky with snagging gorgeous brides?
Shelby was no exception.
Absolutely stunning.
(you should watch the header for not one, but two, photos of this beautiful bride)

Jeremy and Shelby are such kind people and it was obvious that they are a perfect fit for each other.
Throughout the entire day, there were plenty of happy tears and just as much, if not more, laughing.

They decided to get married at Maricopa Manor
which was just a wonderful bed and breakfast in central Phoenix that I would highly recommend!

They filled the entire venue with family and friends who were thrilled to see them tie the knot.

The ceremony was short and sweet, the reception full of touching speeches and lot’s of dancing!

Thank you Jeremy and Shelby, you two are a beautiful couple and I wish you a lifetime full of happiness together.

P.S. I probably posted WAY too many photos, so instead of sneak peek, we’ll call this Shelby and Jeremy’s Sneak Large Glimpse

Filed in: Weddings
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March 25, 2013 - 9:43 pm

Lani - I pretty much have no idea what I’m talking about, but I feel like your new lens made for some cool pictures you couldn’t have taken before, no?

April 1, 2013 - 10:22 pm

melissaivy - I’d say the lens definitely makes it possible but you also gotta see what you want to get and then be able to know how to work the lens and camera to get it :) Definitely a constant learning process!

3.19.13

Cox Family

This is the Cox family.
Chris, Deborah, Dahlia, and Carina

Deborahs mom was in town and they wanted a few family photos!

Chris and Deborah make some pretty darn cute kids.

Filed in: Children | Family
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2.5.13

Sauer Family

I got this year off to a fresh new start with the Sauer Family!

Christmas season was SO jam packed, we decided to do family photos in January:)

Marcus, Terri, James (and James’ friend, Travis, tagged along too for the adventure)
We went to a park in Glendale which is beautiful and I enjoy because it is a nice change of scenery.
The boys enjoyed all the tractors and trees that were perfect for hide and go seek!

Terri is an old coworker and a friend of mine!
She is a beautiful inside and out, and always knows how to make people laugh.
I miss the joy of being around her every day!

Filed in: Children | Family
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