http://www.melissajill.net/ Melissa Jill Photography Blog en-us http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=324 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=324 Fri, 30 May 2008 00:19:00 GMT
Melissa Jill Signature Greetings is a custom line of cards and print products that incorporate my photography. So far we have holiday cards and save-the-date cards with wedding invitations, thank-you cards, baby announcements and much more soon to come!

The great thing about these cards are that they are customizable. Of course photos of your choice are used but you can also customize the text! And in the case of wedding-related cards, you will also be able to customize the colors to fit your wedding!

Feel free to browse below and if you'd like to place an order just email me at melissa[at]melissajill[dot]com with the card name, quantity desired and favorite image(s).

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=294 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=294 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:16:00 GMT
Join Arden Ward and Melissa Jill for an in-depth four-day workshop in the heart of Ireland. Both Arden and Melissa have become highly-sought-after, successful wedding photographers in a matter of a few short years. Learn from them in a combination small-group/hands-on setting where all of your questions will be answered.

Dates: August 18-21, 2008

Place: A historic Irish home in the picturesque seaside village of Kinvara, Ireland

Topics Covered:
Shooting techniques
Relating to clients
Workflow
Website critique
Album design ... sales
Vendor relations/networking
Pricing strategy
Publishing your work
Blogging
Managing employees
...and more!

Each of the four days will include interactive training as well as hands-on experience shooting in the beautiful countryside of Ireland.

Cost
$1600/person
$1500/person if registering in a group of 2 or more

Cost includes: 4 days of training, workshop handbook, 10 meals, transportation from the Shannon, Ireland airport to Kinvara on August 17th, travel between the hotel and workshop site during the days of the workshop and transportation from Kinvara back to the Shannon airport on the evening of the 21st.

You will be responsible for transportation costs to and from Shannon, Ireland, hotel accommodations at the Merriman Hotel and 2 meals.

To register click here. Upon registering you will be sent more extensive information about the workshop including helpful travel info and instructions on booking your hotel room.

Spots are limited so don't wait! This is the perfect opportunity to shift your photography business into overdrive!






]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=40 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=40 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 22:49:00 GMT
Three simple pieces of advise:

1 - Make sure that when you view their photos, you FEEL something. You are hiring an artist with a specific eye and heart. You want to resonate with how they see and capture the world around them--specifically relationships.

2 - Ask to view an entire weddings worth of photos--the proofs. Any photographer can show you a slideshow of their best 50 photos they've ever shot and you will be impressed. But that won't give you a good sense for what your wedding photos will look like. You want to make sure they have good quality photos throughout the course of one entire wedding.

3 - Make sure you like them as a person. Whoever you pick to be your photographer is going to be around you and your family for many hours on the best day of your life. So you want to feel comfortable with them and most of all, be able to TRUST them.



]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=364 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=364 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:30:00 GMT
Tomorrow Michelle and Brent are getting married in beautiful Half Moon Bay. I'm SO excited to be a part of their wedding. Michelle and Brent live in Iowa so this is a destination wedding for them and only 11 of their closest family members are here to celebrate with them. Tonight we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner cruise around the San Francisco Bay.

Our sea-faring vessel:

The adorable couple:

Sarah and Aaron--Michelle's sister and brother in law in front of Alcatraz. The wind was crazy!

Brent's sister and brother in law out on the dance floor:

The boat took us right into McCovey Cove during a Giant's game!

Stay tuned for wedding fun!

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=363 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=363 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:28:00 GMT

Truth be told, I have been on the look-out for some casual brown shoes and some close-toed black heels for some time. And the green and white ones were only $17!! This is how I rationalized the whole purchase.

Now the challenge is trying to fit them into my luggage that I had to sit on in order to zip up when I left Phoenix....

My mom suggested I make a shoe-necklace for the plane. Anyone have any slightly less humiliating ideas? :)

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=362 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=362 Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:55:00 GMT
Yesterday I met Melissa and Martin in San Francisco for their engagement shoot. They live in Houston but Melissa has spent some time in San Francisco and wanted to introduce Martin to this beautiful city so they thought it would be the perfect place for their engagement shoot. It was fun to spend some time with these two and develop a connection. I'm really looking forward to their wedding in August of '09.

Here are a few of my favorites from our session:

Thanks Melissa ... Martin! I really enjoyed hanging out and having dinner with you!

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=361 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=361 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:31:00 GMT

Brinkley:

And Rita--a 2 month old kitten:

I'm not a cat person myself but I am an animal lover and kittens are adorable. Rita's been some good entertainment.

I'm really missing Dixie though. She's in good hands while I'm gone--staying with my parents. She really loves it there since they have a dog for her to play with and a big backyard.

Ever since I was introduced to Skype a few months ago, I've been loving it. When I knew I would be gone for awhile I set my parents up with Skype and showed them how to use it. And look who has been getting in on the video conferencing fun:

My Dixie-dog! Yes. I am in love with my dog. I know it probably seems a bit overboard but it's so fun to see her! And she can actually see me and hear me talk to her. Sometimes she tries to get into the screen and my mom has to hold her back. She wines and wiggles and is just so darn cute. I hope I'm not causing her some type of psychological damage, though, since I'm sure she can't understand why she can hear me and see me but I'm not petting her.

So fun. I love to travel but am truly a home-body at heart. Seeing her and my parents makes me feel like I'm closer to home.

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=360 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=360 Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:12:00 GMT
As mentioned in the prior bus adventure post, I did the tourist thing in San Francisco on Sunday and took my camera along. I love going out and shooting when I travel with no restrictions--just trying to capture a few snippets of the culture and character of the place.

Jamie Delaine came from Canada to shoot Taylor and Lisa's wedding with me and stayed on for a couple days to hang out. She's such a joy to be around and unbelievably grown up for being just 17. We joked all weekend that I am an older version of her because we have so many random things in common. I was a little bummed though that one of the bridesmaids asked if I was Jamie's MOTHER. That's a first for me. Wow.

My friend Amy and her brother Tim who lives in San Francisco also came along. Here they are during a mid-day ice cream break:

It was so nice to be outside during the middle of the summer. I rarely see the outdoors unless I'm going to and from the car or on the two days that I jump in a pool. It's just SO hot in Phoenix. But San Francisco was geor-gous.

Ok. on to the photos. Amy's shoes and socks just made me happy on the bus:

Our first stop was the seven sisters--7 ornate Victorian houses near Alamo Square that served as the backdrop for the Full House theme song.

Just for old times sake:

(embeded object)

We sat under a big shade tree for like 45 minutes just soaking in the view and the amazing weather. Here's Amy and her beau (who also came along for part of the day) hanging out. I had to be sly to get this because he was a bit camera shy:

Then we headed to Lombard street. I have been to SF a number of times but never before made it to the crooked street.

What I want to know is what is it like for people whose driveway actually exits onto this street? Do they have to wait in line to get home everyday? Crazy.

Next stop was China Town. Lots of interesting things to see.

Hm. I did not know x-rated fortune cookies existed. Nor am I the least bit curious what they say.

Nice undies.

And just a few more random shots that I got as we walked along:

San Francisco really is an amazing city--so full of color and character. I'm hanging out in Modesto for the next few days with Amy but will be making the trip back there two more times before heading back to Phoenix. Should be fun!

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=359 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=359 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:09:00 GMT
Taylor and Lisa were married Saturday on a gorgeous day in San Francisco. These two are from Chicago but decided to have their wedding on the University campus where they met. The first time I met them was on their wedding day so I wasn't sure what to expect. They both turned out to be such a delight to work with.

The day started out with the girls getting beautified:

A sweet moment between Lisa and her father:

I caught him reviewing his notes for his reception speech:

I love this look between Lisa and her mother:

Taylor and Lisa were married at St. Ignatius Church on the University of San Francisco Campus:

Married!

After the ceremony we rode around in this cable car to various locations for portraits. So fun!

The girls:

The guys:

I love this shot captured by child-wonder photographer Jamie Delaine (she's only 17!) who flew down from Canada to shoot with me. Thanks Jamie!

During family portraits little Gigi decided to try to make a break with mom's bouquet:

The first dance was great:

Love this shot of Taylor and his mom:

The reception took place at The Westin Market Street--a great venue in the heart of the city:

Taylor ... Lisa--thanks so much for allowing me to capture your wedding day! I wish you the best!

If you'd like to see a slideshow with even more photos from the wedding day, click here.

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=358 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=358 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:30:00 GMT
...who waited in line for hours to buy and iPhone.

Friday we walked by the Apple store in downtown San Francisco and it looked like this:

There's no way I could capture the extent of the line for you--it went well past the bus, down the block and wrapped around the corner. I asked a guy at the front of the line how long he'd been waiting and he said 4.5 hours. I chuckled to myself--what a waste of time!! I wanted a new iPhone just like the next guy but not enough to wait in line for one. Yesterday I got up ignorantly thinking I would just walk into the Apple store and pick me up an iPhone. After all, it was Monday morning and all the crazies had already waited in line all weekend long to buy their phones. But when I got there I was faced with the back end of a line spanning the length of three store fronts. It wasn't as bad as the line on Friday and I had to wait for my friend Amy to get back from dropping Jamie Delaine at the airport anyway, so I thought I'd just wait for an hour or so and get my phone. THREE AND A HALF HOURS LATER I finally had it. Wow. If I had known that it would take that long up front, I probably wouldn't have done it. But the problem with the countenance of the line is that once you've waited an hour you don't want to just give up because then you've REALLY just totally wasted an hour of your time. So you get sucked in and pretty much become a hostage to the line. But the good news is that now I have my pretty iPhone. Her name is Ingrid. Ingrid the iPhone.

Here's the first photo I took with her--my friend Amy in her home in Modesto (where I'm staying for the next week or so) slaving away making dinner for us:

Here's another cute photo of Amy with me attached to her cheek:

She gets the good friend award for the day because she waited in line with me for like 2 of the 3.5 hours. And she didn't even want a phone. What a sweetie.

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=357 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=357 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:42:00 GMT
So we were riding along on our first bus enjoying ourselves early on in the day. I've taken public transportation before but I guess I'm not well-versed in the etiquette of bus riding. Come to find out--there are a whole lot of rules! I watched innocently as a cute old man with a cane hobbled onto the bus and passed my seat only to look up moments later and see this:

Notice the little man even HAS A CANE. Not only did we blatantly break this rule, in our short bus ride we broke 2 more rules: drinking liquids and exiting from the front door of the bus. On another bus ride the driver yelled at us to give up our seat for a wheel chair that was coming in. It was all very disconcerting. You would think you could just go for a leisurely bus ride in the city but not so much. Apparently you need to bring your "A" game to the bus.

Fun times. Stay tuned for more from San Francisco!



]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=356 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=356 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:51:00 GMT
Cause I'm stuck in Phoenix with a delayed flight there :(. I'm headed to SF for two weddings and an engagement shoot. Should be super-fun! My flight is delayed an hour and 40 minutes because of air traffic there due to the fog slowing things down. I'm sure ready to see some of that fog! What a welcome sight it will be after all the blazing sun we've had in Phoenix lately. :)

Thankfully Phoenix is on my cool list of airports since it offers free WiFi :). Don't you think all airports should? They would if they knew what was good for them. And if they knew they could be on my cool list :).

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=355 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=355 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:48:00 GMT Russ and Selena from their wedding that I shot two weeks ago. I just saw their blog and they posted the cutest video of them rockin out in the car on their wedding day.

These two are such a hoot!

(embeded object)


]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=354 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=354 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:23:00 GMT
Yesterday I got together with some fun photographers for lunch. I often do this 2 times a week and it's a fun break from working in the office. Pictured above left is Gustavo Fernandez -- a photographer from the SF bay area who is biking across the US on his Harley this month. I thought he was a little crazy to stop in Phoenix during this time of year--especially riding a motorcycle--but it was fun to meet him. Definitely check out his blog to follow his cross country adventure.

On the right is Stuart Thurlkill of Eyes 2 See Photography and his wife Katie. Stuart is a good friend of mine--I really admire how he runs his business and life. He's a super-likable guy and his work is some of the best here in Phoenix.

In the middle is a sweet Thai woman who agreed to pose with us :). I LOVE Thai food. I actually spent a month in Thailand back in 1999 so I'm always on the look out for the authentic stuff. Wow. It's lunch time and now I'm really hungry thinking about it :).

So fun hanging out with you guys! Safe travels Gustavo!

]]> http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=353 http://www.melissajill.net/index.cfm?postID=353 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:47:00 GMT
I try to be speedy with all my product deliveries. One of my weaknesses in this plan has been album production. I've struggled in the past and have had to apologize to a few clients for the length of the process. BUT that day is gone and I am making big strides to improve and streamline the album production process.

In the spirit of the upcoming Olympics, I wanted to share with you my personal best--a Melissa Jill Photography record album delivery time that has just been set of 2.7 months. Yes. 2.7. This is very exciting PEOPLE! Chris and Brittany (I know I've been talking about them a lot lately) were married on April 19th and in just a few short hours they should have a special delivery from the UPS man.

Now, I can't take all the credit for this win. The album production process is a collaborative effort. A couple of the reasons that it can tend to be drawn out are #1--there's a whole lot of phases that go into making the final masterpiece: image selection, pre-design, revision by the client, making changes, possibly another revision, full edit of final images, placing the order, the physical production of the album (done by the album company--in this case Queensberry) ... shipping. #2--part of the process depends on the client. I try to make the process as easy for the client as possible and have been working on making it even easier but sometimes it's just one of those things that is hard for the client to get to. And the decisions they have to make concerning what to include in their album can be tough.

In Chris ... Brittany's case, I have to give them a TON of credit for being so speedy with their part of the process. I couldn't have set this record without them :).

The album turned out beautifully. And for those of you who read this post, they ended up going with the Signature design. Here's a sample of the result:

I hope they thoroughly enjoy their first family heirloom.

And energized by this win, I'm going to keep training and improving the process so that 2.7 becomes the standard and not just the record.

]]>