Melissa Tomeoni... life and photo love - RSS

Laugh... it's ok!

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:50:50 -0800

I'm sure many of you have seen these videos floating around on youtube or Facebook these days, but this one feels appropriate. If you are a photographer, just enjoy photography, or would like to take a peek into what we talk about watch this video. I hope it makes you laugh.

My favorite lines are:

"I only shoot prime" (for non photographers this is talking about our lens choice in focal length)

"My hands smell like fix" (for non photographers fix or fixative is used in film developing whne you print your own photograph. It's one of 4 steps...4 right? Bringing me back to high school and college days. Also, fix smells like sulfur.)

"Too much Magenta" (for non photographers this is one of the colors that makes skin tones look nasty... and Cannon, in my opinion always have WAYYY too much magenta.)

Sorry Cannon users-- had to ;)

New Boudoir Catalog 2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:41:35 -0800

New boudoir catalog items for 2012...

If you would like to see them... email me and I'll send them on over!

Black and White Wedding Photography in Portland, Oregon

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:12:51 -0800

This wedding was quite different from my past weddings as the bride specifically requested most B&W photographs and absolutely no posed photography. The ceremony and reception where preformed in the most gorgeous home I've seen in the Portland area. It was on the hillside in Camas, WA overlooking the Columbia River.

The emphasis of this Par-Tay was on family, food and dancing.... and that's what the bride wished her photos to reflect. I shot this with a more exploratory eye then I typically approach weddings. I believe these wedding photos are reminiscent of some of my travel work... wouldn't you agree?

Congrats to Tia and William!

2012, help!

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:07:06 -0800

Hi faithful readers!

First please let me thank you from the bottom of my heart. 2011 is gone and it was a wild ride of a year. Thank you for sticking through it!

Sigh. It's the new year and I'm already out of steam. For a time I've been considering a few changes but would love to know your thoughts.... what do you want to read on here? I use to post a lot of personal stories but that has since subsided... I've tried posting more images per post and less. I'm considering a switch to a blog site. Should I post portraits on here?

See why I'm running out of steam... help.

So here are my questions for you in short.

1. Do you think it's necessary to have both a blog and a website?

2. Would you like to see more professional work, more personal, more reviews or or all if the above?

3. Do you think it's necessary to have both soulmatesphoto.com and MelissaTomeoni.com? Did you event know I had 2 sites?

Thank you in advance for your answers! This will really help. If you wish to email please do so soulmatesphoto@gmail.com

I'll leave you with one photograph taken from our hike to the "Hollywood" sign in LA over Christmas.

Jenn + Ray | A California Engagement in Chinatown

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:56:26 -0800

Over the holiday I had the honor of photographing Jenn and Ray in Old Town Chinatown located in downtown LA. It was sunny (cheers from this Portlander!) AND it was full of fun textures and colors. I love having the opportunity to photograph people in locations that are meaningful to them. Ray actually pointed out this alleyway full of laundry and other fun gritty items. I may be a girly-girl, but I love me some reality.

I loved seeing Jenn and Ray interact together; so comfortable, easy going and enjoyable. I look forward to photographing their wedding later this year in San Diego!

Valentine Boudoir 2012

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:01:34 -0800

It's hard to believe but today I am planning for Valentines 2012! I'm really excited about this event. We'll have some themed accessories to shoot with (think rose petals, and bright reds and romantic pinks). Everyone who is a part of the Be Mine event Jan through Feb will also enjoy a glass of bubbly, decadent truffles and their choice of accessories to use during their session! I will only be accepting a few sessions per day so let me know what day and time you are interested in by filling out my client form here. Let's give our men what they really want for Valentine's Day!

Wedding Cake « Photo Shoot Portland, Oregon

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:36:33 -0800

I photographed the lovely work of AK Cake Design last week. You muse see more of Allison's unique and impeccable work! These flowers are actually sugar flowers-- hand painted, made and arranged. Here work was featured here on the Half Baked Blog.

Letter from a bride

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:52:18 -0800

Melissa,

The album that we got (a month ago) is amazing...

Thank you for the amazing job you did putting the album together. I know that you put a lot of time into touching up each image and planning the layout of the book. The extra pages that you gave us helped add to the story of the book. Each package you sent held something extra and unexpected. Thank you for the note pad and calendar, each month of the coming year we will have a reminder of our special day.

Thank you the most for being so great to work with. I love the ideas you have and how you capture the world with a joyful eye.

Hugs,

Colleen

Life perks up the moment you get emails like this. I asked Colleen if I might be able to share her email online... thankfully she agreed! So thankful to work with people like Colleen who appreciate the time, effort, planning and creativity it goes into a job like mine :)

CYBER MON SALE Ends Nov 30th

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:10:48 -0800

Contact me ASAP to book! You can email me here or use the old fashioned tele, 503.933.5359. These really would make wonderful gifts to last a lifetime. Who really needs new socks anyway?

Thankful For...

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:31:07 -0800

Before I get rounded up with the twinkle lights, Christmas trees and present wrapping I would like to take a moment to sit and be thankful for the many things I already have.

Here are just a handful of things I'm thankful for...

My clients! It may seem cheesy but I am truly thankful for every person who hires me. With out my clients this would just be a hobby. There would be no blog, no brand, no continual work and one very unhappy redhead stuck in a cubical. Thank YOU!

My home. It's changed this year, and while moving was a pain in my... I'm so happy I have a comfortable warm place to rest my head, eat my meals and call home.

My husband. He's my BFF. He's the first one I call to laugh with, to cry with, to celebrate with, to eat with... and just to be with. He's the best and this is one thing I'm not sharing.

My family and friends. These are the people who make life more exciting, intense, funny and enjoyable. These are the people I spend my time with when I'm away from work. These are the people who comment on my FB and instagr.am, reply to my tweets, try new local hotspots with. I love these people!

What is just one thing you are thankful for... name something you can't buy at the mall :)

Happy Thanksgiving... and don't forget those yoga pants!

Engagement Couples Photo Session. Book now and save $175

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:19:43 -0800

I have a little surprise for you! I find this appropriate being that it's fall and things are new and exciting.

It's no secret I love engagements. Most people get married in the summer which also means most people get engaged right around the holidays! I just told my husband the other day how sad I am that this part in my life is over. I miss being engaged! Dear blog readers, would you like to know a little secret? This is a no strings attached situation. Are you ready?

Schedule your engagement session or couples session anytime from now until January 31, 2012 and save $175! You get the full session, and... wait for it...all the negs for $475. This is perfect for holiday cards, save-the-dates and Christmas presents for mom and dad. I will be accepting a limited number of sessions so please contact me asap if you would like to be a part of this fun. First come first serve basis.

Make it a date night! Get your hair and makeup done. Dress up. Make reservations for a romantic dinner and movie afterward. You will not forget this moment. I still recall the day I had ours done, I had Face Body Beauty do my hair and makeup, I coordinated outfits for my my husband and I... I felt loved, beautiful and cherished. See my anniversary session here. Think fall, think snow, think city, think apple orchard. Choose something that's you and make it time to spend together.

To receive more details you can simply comment below or write me at soulmatesphoto@gmail.com. I will be in SoCal the weeks surrounding Christmas and can accept one other session at that time. Otherwise travel can be arranged.

Anthropologie Inspired Wedding Photo Shoot in Portland, Oregon

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:08:28 -0800

I'm so happy to share this Anthro inspired wedding shoot I worked on last May. It's so perfect and gorgeous. I have the say, these following vendors were AMAZING. I can't tell you how important it is to have seasoned professionals carry your dream.

This shoot was featured on Ruffled view them here: http://ruffledblog.com/greenhouse-garden-wedding-ideas. You can read about the inspiration and thought on the Anthropologie inspired wedding over on Gather's blog here: http://eventsbygather.com/web/blog/greenhouse-inspiration-shoot

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Aspinwall's Farm and Fruitstand / Wedding photographer: Soul Mates Photo / Hair Stylist: AJ's Hair Design & Makeup / Event Planner: Gather Event Planning & Consultation / Floral Designer: Rosemary Stafford Floral Design / Invitation Designer: Paper Bloom / Dress Store: AniA Collection / Wedding cake: One Divine Party / Rentals: Peter Corvallis Productions / Tuxedo: Collier

My Life in instagr.am - growing, changing, adjusting

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:30:53 -0800

I was just having coffee with a good friend this AM. Among our chatting, laughing and pastry eating the conversations came around to blogging. We both agreed that blogging is extremly important and I'll be the first to admit my reader is jam packed with goodies! But here's the thing: blogging takes TIME. And honestly-- do people read anymore? I do, but let's be honest. This is a photography blog. A place to look at pretty pictures. Do you read?

My lovely friend informed and encouraged me it doesn't matter if the content is personal or work. Just blog! Of course I will continue to blog here (and want to more often) and will blog to continue to blog over here as well. I think it will be a little more freeing for me. What do you think of that dear blog readers?

I wanted to let you in on my life (taken with instag.rm) the past few months. Here we go...

My parents came for a visit in August! It was so fun. Wine tasting galore (which is a great activity with your parents... or in-laws. or both. or alone. or whatever)

Here's me and mom. Do you think we look alike?

I photographed a lot of weddings and I actually attended two... as a guest! Here is Josh and I at one this summer. I loved wearing cute clothes and carrying a drink instead of my heavy gear. It was a treat!

We, as in Persay my puppy and I, found the most fabulous beach/off leash/ who-cares-run-around-and-have-fun park. It's up on Marine Drive in NE Portland. You gotta go. We had a blast.

In June we listed our house... and in October it closed. I think a part of me died. It went SO much faster then we had imagined. It's good and sad all in one. As it turns out I'm very sentimental and had (sill have) a hard time saying goodbye. I miss it. BUT as they say when one door shuts, another opens. I'm just SO glad I had Deyla photograph us in our home last year. I'll treasure those portraits forever.

I've added a new item to my list of things I hate: MOVING! Gosh, it's really the worst. Of course we had to find a new place... I've been obsessed with setting it up and making it feel like a home. I've found tons of inspirations on pintrest. This was my inspiration for our dining nook.

Before:

After. I just finished arranging it this past weekend so I'm pretty excited. All it needs is some art and I'll be done.

I can't believe my husband said yes to pink walls! Get this: he likes them! I'm really not that girly, but I think this is fun and fabulous! If you need some spice or fun in life waking up to pink will do it. I found inspiration here.

So, there you have it! The past few months have been quite a spin. I'm really looking forward to a slower fall, shooting some great clients, settling into my new area and enjoying a calmer life. Yesterday at church a guest speaker was talking about marriage and one piece of advice really stuck with me. He said, "Marriage is about tweaking yourself every now and then." I seriously thought he said "tweeting"-- is there a cure for too much social networking? Anyway, It's about growing, changing, and adjusting. I love viewing life as such. I think I found my life's new mantra.

What are you looking forward to as fall approaches?

wishing for...

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:51:09 -0800

Just wishing for times like this. How about you? Quite moments relaxing in the sunshine with someone you love. If this is not bliss, I'm not sure what is.

This was taken in Maui in 2010. I never edited the few photographs I had of Josh and I... found this one looking for something else.

Maui, Hawaii 2010. Mt. Haleakala sunset. A must.

Holiday Boudoir Sessions

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:15:26 -0800

Every time I ask Josh, my husband, what his favorite part of the weekend/our trip/dinner out/ his answer is always simple and sweet: YOU. And then of course I make him tell me something else because I'm not satisfied with that answer.

There is something to learn from this scenario. He loves me for being ME. Imagine that. Whatever it is that makes you, YOU, is what he wants today, forever, and especially this holiday season.

Just this once, give him what he really wants this season, more of you.

$175 | Full Boudoir session in studio. The full Secret Boudoir Sessions include refreshments, day of style consults with 3 outfit changes and 60 minutes of photography time.

~~$125~~ $70 Sale! | Mini Boudoir session in studio only. The mini Secret Boudoir Sessions include refreshments, 1 outfit and 20 minutes of photography time.

Ordering Session

Two weeks later, you will come into to the studio for your in person ordering session. We will look through your portraits to help decide what products fits you/him best. 5x7's start at $35 and albums begin at $275.

TO BOOK:

Send Melissa an email asap to have your pick of the dates. Email me at soulmatesphoto@gmail.com. Talk soon!