I wanted to share this fabulous giveaway for anyone out there about to get engaged!...


OneWed & Platinum Guild International (PGI) are pleased to offer one lucky couple his & hers platinum & diamond wedding bands from Kirk Kara -- a $4,500 value!

Just tell us in 200 words or less how you would (or will) propose to your someone special!

POP a Platinum Proposal Giveaway:

http://www.onewed.com/blog/savvy-scoop/2009/06/17/pop-platinum-proposal

I've always wanted to do a Trash the Dress session! I even offer them in my Wedding packages, however I've never had any takers. I am actually thinking that there may be some confusion out there about what exactly a "Trash the Dress" session is.

Basically, it's when the bride or bride and groom do a session sometime after their Wedding and get back into their Wedding attire. The only difference is this time they don't worry about getting dirty or wet. This allows us to take some amazing shots in all sorts of locations that we couldn't go to during their actual Wedding Day. It's super fun and more like a model shoot than anything else. During this partictular TTD session, the bride, Emily, opted out of getting in water because she does want to preserve her dress. It did get a little dirty, but nothing that can't be dry cleaned!

I had the opportunity to collaborate with another photographer (Donna McComas) on this TTD shoot with Emily & Brandon, which took place on Monday night in St. Albans, WV. We basically took turns shooting the couple and setting up our own creative shots. We had a ton of fun. We shot at several locations, including a junk yard. Emily was so pleased with the images we got that she wants me and Donna to get together and photograph her again when she gets pregnant for her Maternity portraits! Now that will be fun!

Here are some of the images I captured...












If anyone out there is interested in doing a Trash the Dress Session, please contact me asap! I would love to work it in during the summertime when it's so nice outside!

My first 2010 Senior session was a blast! I've known Satin for almost 2 years now, we attend the same church in Ravenswood and her sister does my hair! We've been discussing me doing her Senior pics ever since we first met and the time finally came.

Satin is super pretty and has a fun personality too. We had a great time during our studio and outdoor session. It was quite amusing when we both ran through tall grass because we were afraid of bugs and snakes.

Here are some of my favorite shots...

These pictures had me laughing so hard while I was editing through them. These dogs are so funny, each with their own unique peronalities. I don't do Pet Portraits too often, but when I do I have fun. Did these for Bev & Katie Southall of Pampered Paws Pet Salon in Ravenswood.

I have tons and tons of new stuff to blog about, but can only take time for one quickie post for now.

I had a fun session on Saturday with Rob G. who was in from Chicago. Rob is a friend of a friend and he grew up in Ravenswood. He needed some business headshots and also wanted to go all out and get some fun personal pics for his facebook and such too. We laughed a lot. He's a fun guy, and very creative too. A web designer and business owner! As a matter of fact, he's going to work on a little design project for me!

I met up with Jay & Nichole on Tuesday evening in Charleston for one of the coolest Engagement Portrait Sessions, ever! Jay & Nichole are both in the National Guard and are stationed at the Charleston, W.V. base. That's how they met and fell in love, how awesome.

When Nichole came to meet with me for the first time at my studio several months ago to book me for their Wedding, Jay was deployed in Afghanistan. I remember we talked forever and I loved her bubbly personality. She mentioned in that meeting that they may be able to get access to go out onto the base for their Engagement session and I was so excited. After months of being impatient we finally did it, yah!

By the way, Jay is a pilot, however Nichole actually ranks higher than him and she loves to brag about it! Look for their Wedding pics soon, their date is June 26th!

Another fantastic Wedding this past weekend, this time in Belpre, Ohio at the Civitan Park for the beautiful Wedding of Amanda Bibbee and Steven Alexander. I really could not have asked for a more beautiful day or location and they were so much fun! Steven kept me laughing all afternoon as did his brothers. Amanda looked beautiful and was glowing. It was such a sweet celebration.

Congrats you two, thanks for the hugs and all the love! Enjoy your "sneak peek"...

Congrats to Mr. & Mrs. Perrine who were married this past Saturday at the Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Parkersburg with a reception that followed at the Parkersburg Country Club, where Jason is a golf instructor. It was a HUGE celebration with 350+ guests, lots of class, great food, fun, and laughter, which I am sure is just what they both wanted!

I wish you two the very best in your new life together as one. Enjoy this "sneak peek"...

I am so lucky to have such a fantastic lineup of fabulous couples to work with this Wedding season! Brenda and Byron are definately close to my heart :) If you follow my blog you might remember my post about the Bridal show in Vienna when they shopped by my both to book their date! They are so cute and so in love. I think their love really shows in these images too.

We met up on Brenda's family farm outside of Spencer, W.V. on Saturday May 30th. We ventured to the top of the ridge for some gorgeous shots with fantastic scenary and then went into town for a more urban setting. It was so much fun!

I am making it official... I will be moving back to Parkersburg and relocating my studio there by August 1st.

This was a very hard decision for me, and one that I have been trying to make for the past 5 months.

I hope that all of my wonderful clients from Ravenswood, Racine, and Ripley will still come and see me once I get settled in Parkersburg. Hey, it's only 30 minutes away, right? And my Charleston folks too- it's just an hour, right?

I appreciate everyone's support and prayers and I look forward to what is a ahead for my studio and to building more and more wonderful client relationships!

New address and further info will come over the next month! Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Michele :)

My new Nikon D700 Full Frame Camera!
Another fantastic magic picture making machine! This camera has amazing color, awesome auto-focusing system, does beautifully in low-light situations, and is just plain FAST.

I love it.

Meet Ashley, she's gorgeous and has a terrific personality. She works with my Mother at United Bank in Ansted, WV. She needed some headshots for an upcoming pageant and also wanted a good variety of creative shots. We met up in Smithers, WV on Tuesday evening. Here are my favorites from our session...

I had an early morning shoot with this blonde haired angel on Saturday morning!