Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tammy and Mike: STYLED Virginia Engagement Photography




There are a few words I think of when I think of Tammy....

Sexy, seductive, svelt.

There are a lot more, but I will just start with those.

From the moment I met Tammy, I knew that she was going to bring out the best in me...she is a creative like myself---an interior designer (I loved her as soon as she said that!)....but I had no idea where I would begin my awesome journey with her!

For me, inspiration comes randomly---instantaneously and spontaneously....the inspiration for Tammy's shoot came on my way to a wedding in NOVA last weekend....literally one week before her shoot.

We had talked about doing her shoot at hte bar where they met---but I don't think that either of us planned to actually do the ENTIRE shoot there....at least not initially...I mean, a BAR???? I figured we'd just snap a few shots outside with the sign and be done with it....

But, lightening struck....and it struck so hard that I had heart palpitations, pretty much hyperventilated and started typing so fast on my phone to send her an email that I am really quite sure I misspelled half the words and didn't even bother to spell check.......

If you know Tammy---you know that she's a vixen in disguise. She wears make up, of course, and dresses well...but when the light bulb turned on, all I could see was her in this tight slinky black dress stretching out across a bar table grabbing Mike into a passionate kiss. I think, part of me saw her as this strong woman---in charge of herself in every way, with a confidence that is so magnetic that no man could ever think to resist her. Of course, when they both told me the story of how they met----this was after our plans for the shoot had been settled---it all made perfect sense! Tammy met Mike in this very bar, dressed in all black with vixen written all over her....Mike, the guy he is, didn't even stop to check out her utter hotness, until they had been talking for a bit----I have to say I was definitely charmed by that---he talked to her first-----and it wasn't until she sparked his intellect that he noticed the bombshell that she is. I smile just saying that.

I didn't meet Mike in our initial consult....but I did stalk him on facebook to make sure he was tough enough for this shoot---and as soon as I read about him, I KNEW beyond a doubt, that this was the perfect couple for me to step way out of my normal engagement shoot box----and be the sexy Melody I like to be (through my photos!).

This shoot taught me so much...I cannot thank either of them enough----I learned that I LOVE the connection between couples....how they love each other physically, and mentally. I love the romance that happens when I photograph couples---even if they are not 100% romantics, I love creating that illusion---or capturing it as it unfolds before me. This year, I have had the amazing opportunity to work with couples who break it down for me in front of the camera. I haven't had time to give shout outs to all of them, but trust me, I have disclosed them in consults and I think about them all the time. Either way, Tammy and Mike allowed me to do what I wanted to do with them....and I honestly feel like in this shoot, another little part of me is revealed to the world. After all, I am on a journey with my clients---every couple I shoot, I learn something more about myself---and about my art.

I want to publically thank both Tammy and Mike for giving me this chance to share my vision unedited, with out boundaries, and with out limitations. I also want to thank them both for being such fantastic subjects, for buying me a drink, and for well, being utterly sexy in every single way possible.

I love you guys.

I also want to thank my amazing assistant Carolyn....she came to the shoot after canceling her other plans to help me with lighting. Carolyn, you save me so much from myself sometimes and I love you for it.

So with out further talk, here are the images-----you can see more by visiting my facebook page!

Saturday, June 18, 2011