Married | Amy & Andy

28 Jul

Last year about this time I had the opportunity to photograph Amy & Andy for their engagement session.  It’s always fun to spend several hours with a couple prior to the wedding because we get the chance to know each other up front before all the timelines and family responsibilities of the big day.  I knew that these guys were going to enjoy their wedding and nothing, not even posing in a little rain, would lessen their excitement or appreciation of their time together!

Congratulations to such a beautiful and caring couple and best of luck on the big move as well!  It sounds like yet another adventure to add to the many that you’ve already had!

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Suprise! | Anchorage Portrait Photographer

16 Jul

Have you ever had your husband suprise you for your birthday or anniversary? A few weeks ago, a friend of ours received a big surprise when her husband plotted a birthday party complete with a suprise photo session and portrait book of her kids taken a few weeks before. He even secretly enlisted her help with getting outfits for the kids and coming up with locations!

He had the family session scheduled for the night of the surprise birthday party to totally throw her off the trail and the kids clothes were all wrapped back up and waiting in the bags for the big event! I think she was totally surprised! I also think she’s going to get him back good when he least expects it! Can’t wait to see what’s in the cards.

Here are a few of my favorites from the studio session! A lot of action and movement and twirls and tickling were going on that day. If you have never tried to focus on a three year, you should give it a try sometime! And then, you should throw a five year old in the mix and just watch the kinetic energy in action!

Happy Birthday, Kristi!

Suprise!

Children's Portraits by Melissa ShelbyChildren's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

Children's Portraits by Melissa Shelby

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2011 Senior Studio Session | Anchorage Portrait Photography

1 Jul

Kelsey had a two part session and she rocked it! Part I, the outdoor session can be found here. Part II took place in the studio and I’m loving all the fun shots that came out of it.

Kelsey you’re a rock star!

If you are a 2011 senior or know someone who is, pass them the link to my blog for a chance to win a $200 print credit with the purchase of any package. More details to follow soon! The drawing will take place on July 15th. To enter, become a Facebook Fan through this link. Send me a message to let me know you are a senior and interested in a chance to win a senior photography print credit!

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

Senior Portraits, Melissa Shelby Photography

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Un Bébé | Anchorage Newborn Photography

28 Jun

Who is very alert, has big beautiful eyes and pretended to smile at least at least three times for the camera?  It is this little fellow named Lance who graced my studio with his presence last week and he was barely even eight days old!

Félicitations mom & dad!

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

Family Portrait with Newborn

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Kelsey 2011 | Outdoor Senior Photography Session | Anchorage

25 Jun

Kelsey will be graduating next year with the class of 2011 and she’s helping me kick off my Senior Model program. This is the first post from our two part session. Her studio session will be posted next week along with a chance to win a print credit with any senior package purchased for a couple of 2011 seniors! Details will be posted on the Melissa Shelby Photography Fan Page in Facebook the first week of July. Click here to become a fan and learn of the details.

Do you know a 2011 Anchorage senior who is looking for a photographer? Send them to the Fan Page for a chance to win!

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Expecting | Anchorage Portrait Photographer

19 May

I went away for a few weeks and came home to these photographs of a beautiful expectant mother. They were just as I remembered them!

I can’t even imagine the anticipation that she and her husband must be feeling right about now. They only have about two more weeks to wait!

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

Maternity photograph by Melissa Shelby

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In the Weeds | Portraits from Alabama

16 May

Did anyone else loose their minds after that second snow storm in April? After spending a whole year in Alabama, I was not prepared for the long Alaska winters as I had been in previous years. I caved in around mid-April and we high tailed it out of here for some place warmer!

I told my dad not to whack down the yellow flowers (photo opportunity) in the pasture because we were on our way! Remarkably enough, they had not yet bloomed but were in full force two weeks later when we arrived. Once again, the boys had to suffer though several rounds of “photos in the weeds” before we were allowed to return home to AK. We enjoyed 80 degree weather, playing at the fountian in the zoo, finding four orange kittens in the barn, coming across a full deer skeleton, and many, many visits with their best friend from Alabama. They also learned the joy of four-wheeling their gator through the giant mud puddles after a storm!

Now that we are relaxed, refreshed and thawed out, we are ready to kick off summer in Anchorage.

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Boys | Anchorage Portrait Photographer

26 Apr

Two handsome boys braved the snow and sun for a few photos with their brand spanking new addition to the family — a labradoodle! We had a quick shoot because of some cold wet feet! Hopefully I can talk them into another shoot when the leaves come out!

Storyboard of snow portraits by Melissa Shelby Photography

 Portraits in Anchorage by Melissa Shelby Photography

 Portraits in Anchorage by Melissa Shelby Photography

 Portraits in Anchorage by Melissa Shelby Photography

 Portraits in Anchorage by Melissa Shelby Photography

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Engaged | Anchorage Portrait Photography

18 Apr

Jamie and Nathaniel were recently engaged and I had the good fortune of taking their photos.  They picked the location — the library — based on Jamie’s love for reading.  What a great backdrop that turned out to be!  We were only “shushed” once and that was during our very first photo.  We quickly learned how to speak via hand signals after that!

Congratulations on your engagement!
















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Married! | Anchorage Weddings

15 Apr

In March of this year I had the opportunity to photograph Connie and Mark’s wedding at the Anchorage Museum.  I’ve known Connie over the years by way of “the Christmas Parties” and “the Halloween Parties” from back at the Railway Depot.  It’s been several years now since I’ve photographed a wedding where I knew any of the attendees so this was quite a treat!  There were old friends all over the place! Following are a few of my favorites from Connie and Mark’s winter wedding.  Congratulations you two and thank you for letting me be a part of your wedding day!

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Baby Girl | Anchorage Portrait Photographer

21 Mar

Welcome baby Tui Jean to the world! This little girl came to visit within the first week of her life and allowed me to grab some sweet, sweet shots of her with her parents.

Congratulations mom & dad!

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn by Anchorage Portrait Photographer

Photograph of Newborn and Family

Photograph of Newborn and Family

Photograph of Newborn and Family

Photograph of Newborn and Family

Photograph of Newborn and Family

Photograph of a baby sleeping by Anchorage Photographer, Melissa Shelby

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Search & Rescue Alaskan Style

26 Feb

My husband, Dave, happens to have the best job ever and gets to fly all through the Chugach Mountains as a Search and Rescue pilot for the Alaska Air National Guard. The view from his office away from the office is, of course, quite stunning! On rare occasions, every few years, spouse flights are available as a way of keeping the families in touch with their husband’s or wife’s job. This past fall all the stars aligned and I was able to make it on my second spouse flight. Woo-hoo!

There are so many wonderful things about these trips! The first thrill is just the opportunity to fly in a Pavehawk Helicopter. After being shuttled around central Alaska in Dave’s floatplane (with a lawn mower for an engine), climbing into a helicopter that actually has turbine engines and power to spare is the most awesome joyride!

Just being in the heart of the Chugach is another great perk. Hiking and climbing all over these mountains is the best way to experience them but a helicopter has to be a close second. You are in the midst of everything! The wildlife is everywhere and the sheep are especially abundant.

Getting to meet Dave’s co-workers and see them actually having to be serious while they are working is another great perk. Rarely have I seen them when they are not cutting up or harassing each other so it is quite entertaining to see them on the job and on their best behavior for the spouses!

Their real job, however, is the most amazing part of what they do. Although specifically here to rescue the Air Force pilots if the need arises, they primarily spend their time searching for and rescuing Alaskan civilians. Most everyone here knows someone who’s been picked up by these guys after unfortunate mishaps.

Early on in our relationship, I attended a dinner held in honor of my husband and the rest of the crew on a mission in which three people were rescued from the icy waters of Turnagain Arm. Unfortunately some others in their group did not survive. At the end of the evening the father of one of the rescued men waited patiently in the shadows to have his chance to speak to the crew before they made it out the door. When his chance finally came, the words did not. He grabbed onto Dave’s hand but couldn’t say a thing. All he could express was that one of the rescued men was his son.

That was my first glimpse into the impact that this unit has on the people and families of Anchorage. It’s an overwhelming job that at many times can be dangerous. It requires non-stop training and involves many crazy hours, whacked out work schedules and deployments overseas. It also has it’s share of rewards like seeing the overwhelming gratitude of a father when you are able to bring his son home safely. It makes me very proud of my husband and the talented group of people that he works with in the Search and Rescue squadron including all the people at the Alaska Air National Guard who make it possible for them to do their job. Thank you.

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Homecoming | Anchorage Portrait Photographer

20 Feb

This is the first family I met through the Operation Love Reunited program. The kids and their mom adventured down on the turnagain arm with me way back in the fall for a portrait session. It was really such a gorgeous day and I had a lot of fun chasing these kiddos around. The best part is that their mom is from way down south, so I met someone who could actually speak my language!

This reunion day has been eagerly awaited for a long time! The oldest daughter was the first to bolt off the bleachers so she had a few minutes with her dad all to herself. The younger ones made it out next so I have a lot of photos of little tiny hands reaching up. Mom waited patiently in the wings until the kids had gotten their fill.

Congratulations again on being back together!

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Solomon & Sid | Anchorage Portrait Photographer

18 Feb

My anniversary was quickly approaching at the beginning of February and I had to come up with a surprise for Dave– pronto! I had just received some leather wallet samples with photographs bonded to the leather. These were surprisingly elegant and I thought a nice leather tri-fold wallet might make a nice gift. (Okay, I know what you are thinking. The perfect gift for Dave would be a new set of floats or some geeky techie stuff, but I really have limited resources!) Of course, that meant I needed a new photo of the boys- fast! On the last night that Dave was in Fairbanks, I hijacked the kids for a quick session right before bed! I knew I wanted a black and white image to print on the black leather and I knew their faces needed to be close together. The boys complied with about 15 minutes of some sort of cooperation and I ended up with a whole set of images that I just love!

I had so many cute photos that I decided to create a sample of the new accordion books that I’ve started offering, as well. These are really cute but much tinier than I expected! I’ve decided, because of their miniscule size, to include them as gifts for client’s that purchase a certain amount, rather than trying to sell them. They include about 8 to 10 images and they work great as refrigerator magnets or as little accordions to prop on your desk. They come in a group of three, which means they are perfect for sharing with the grandparents!

Below are some photographs of the design and of the actual books themselves.

Classic Black & White photograph by Melissa Shelby Photography

Photograph of mini accordian book design by Melissa Shelby

Photograph of mini accordian book design by Melissa Shelby

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Baby on Board | Anchorage Maternity Photography

17 Feb

I met the following mom-to-be in the most unlikely of circumstances. We were looking for house sitters (really dog and cat sitters!) for a year and she and her husband were looking to check out Anchorage as a permanent residence. She found out about her new position with Alaska Airlines about a day after they started demolition on their fixer upper in California. Great timing! Our neighbor just happened to introduce us right as we were both in need!

First and foremost, these guys took such good care of our animals, so much so that Kemuk fell madly in love with his new master and now lives with them permanently. Then they went over and above the call of duty by installing new baseboard trim and stripping and refinishing our main window trim! I know! How does anyone get so lucky with house sitters? As they say in Chile, these guys have a Buena Onda – or good wave – or good vibrations to steal one from the Beach Boys.

This photo shoot was a lot of fun! Pregnant ladies don’t come much fitter and trimmer than this so we tried out a few new lighting styles and when I found out she was doing Pilates I figured she would be the perfect guinea pig for the last pose! Strong abs!

Only about a week or so after these photos were taken their beautiful baby girl decided to show up a wee bit early! Congratulations you two! Can’t wait to see your little bundle.

Only about a week or so after these photos were taken their beautiful baby girl decided to show up a wee bit early! Congratulations you two! Can’t wait to see your little bundle.

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