Life's a Beach.

Last weekend we decided to take the cameras on a little outing.  Unfortunately, the weather decided to get cold, and fast.  So we only shot a few chilly photos and then packed it in.  

Nichole had a great time with our new 18-200 lens.

 

Theses icicles are hanging off our apartment - they're coming from every where!

Keep Warm!

~MelissaKoren

Molly & Drew 10.04.08

Molly & Drew are engaged. And stunning. Seriously, what a beautiful couple! Molly contacted me after she was referred by a friend - I was super excited to meet them on Hampton Beach for some engagement shots.

It wasn't exactly warm that day, especially with the ocean breeze, but they were total troopers!

I was also super excited because Nichole came along to second shoot with me - she got some fantastic shots!

Then we headed back through Exeter to find some foliage - This tree was just so glowing and warm!

Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are fabulous. I love the black and white photos! My favorite!! Oh I am just so over the moon. I wish you could do our wedding! ~ Molly

Molly & Drew- you were an absolute blast to work with!  Thank you for being up for anything and full of smiles!  I wish that I was able to do your wedding too!!  All the best - and I'll hopefully see you around town!

~MelissaKoren

Kris & Jerrod 08.22.2008

62 days to perfection!  Kris and Jerrod had a whirlwind wedding planning period, from inception to completion it was only 2 months - and although Kris grew up on NH, they live in Baltimore so it was a destination wedding none-the-less!

You never would have guessed though - everything was so detailed and gorgeous and somehow Kris even wrangled the weather into cooperation and had a perfect sunset wedding on the ocean.

A good friend of the family lent their home for the preperations and mum & gram helped her get ready. 

With the tiki torches perfectly set, the sun setting, and the crowd gathering - 

Jerrod waited (a bit nervously) for his gorgeous bride to be escorted by her father.

Yay! They did it!  

NH is of course, on the east coast - but there's a bit of coastline here and there where they sun sets on the water - but also the power plant.  Kris & Jerrod wanted a shot of them holding all that nuclear energy in their hands - but I don't think they need it - they're totaly energetic enough!

The reception dinner was amazing - 

Kris' brother's wife is an extremely creative artist and she made the cake topper.  A lobster and a crab holding claws.  The lobster is meant to represent Kris and the crab represents Jerrod,  who is a Maryland native.  

G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S!

Melissa!

Thank you so much!  The photos are absolutely wonderful!  We can not thank you enough!  I warned you I usually take terrible pictures - I normally hate all photos of myself - but you took some amazing photos that even I can admit that I look great in them. I think you really captured the energy and love of the occasion.  I have no idea how we are going to pick just a few from so many great pics!  We are going to have to make some tough decisions when putting together the albums! 

It was such a pleasure to work with you!  Seeing these photos brings everything back (I can not believe it's already been a month!)- you really capatured the love and fun and energy of the evening. 

 

We can not thank you enough!

Love,

Kris & Jerrod

Kris & Jerrod - Beautiful people!  I'm glad that you can see that in your photos!  What an amazing group of friends and family you have the love and fun and energy was completely abundant! It was an honor to be involved in your wedding!  

~MelissaKoren

Kris & Jerrod's Engagement Session

Oh what can I say about Kris & Jerrod?!
Fun loving - Adventurous - Up for anything - Hilarious.. I could go on.

Kris emailed me about her Friday night wedding on the beach - - she's from NH, he's from Baltimore where they now live. They wanted engagement pictures but weren't going to be in town until the week of the wedding.

No Problem!!

p.s. Kris - you're GORGEOUS. And kudos to you for the flowers, they're a great touch :)

We met up Monday night before their wedding and rocked it. I had so much fun meeting them and their friends and family. By the time we parted ways I was so excited for Friday I could barely wait for the week to be over! And with just cause too, their intimate wedding dinner party was a blast - coming soon to a post near you!

Kris & Jerrod are still on their honeymoon, but I got a fun note from Kris' mom after I sent the photos - -
Hi Melissa, This is Kris' mom.... She is on the phone with me and I'm looking through the pictures. She doesn't have internet access at the moment, as she is on cape cod. However, she is saying how much she loves these pics! Wonderful job. What talent you have! Kris is delighted with them. She had a good feeling about your enthusiasm and talent right from the beginning, and is just thrilled! Take care. Kris will contact you when she gets back to civilization. Thanks for all! ~Donna

Upon their return, I got this:
Melissa,
We LOVE the photos! Thanks so much - we had a blast! I can't wait to see the wedding photos - I knew you were going to be awesome. And thanks for stepping up and taking charge on the beach right after the wedding - I was somewhat confused and not getting very much accomplished.
We really appreciated how enthusiastic and flexible you were. Once I booked you, I didn't have to give a second thought to the photography b/c I knew it was handled. For a bride planning a wedding in just 62 days, that was VERY important!
We will definitely recommend you to anyone who will listen to us!
Thanks a million!
Kris & Jerrod

Thank you for your wonderful words!

The Mac Family Shoot 08.18.2008

Allison wanted to get some family portraits of her, her husband & her brother done for their mom's birthday. Her husbands sister just happened to be up for the weekend and came along for the 'ride' - we met at the beach and knocked these out before sunset.

When I was a freshman in high school I knew senior Allison MacKenzie from chorus and her younger brother Cameron was in my grade - but we never exchanged anything more than pleasantries. Tim MacAulay was a football player in Allison's class - I only knew his name, and she only knew him mostly from homeroom.

Fast forward some-odd years later Tim & Allison meet and fall in love and get married. Then Cameron becomes the bartender at our local watering hole, and Tim & Allison come round visiting him. With in 3 or so months time we all become fast true friends and the rest is history.
Tim & Allison were the attendants in our wedding, Cam a guest. Tim's baby sister Vanessa (who just turned 21 last week) was in Italy studying abroad or she would have been there too -

They are the "Mac" family and we adore them more than words!

Rachel's Bridal Shower 07.19.2008

Rachel is graced with amazing friends and family - when I first met with her and her mom, her mom asked if I would take pictures at the shower also, and I was happy to. Little did I know what a gorgeous affair it would turn out to be! Every detail was stunning, including the favors. Her sister, a bartender in Vegas::Baby:: made a bar menu using photos of Rachel & Michael (some from their engagement shoot) and special drinks like "Love Potion #9". They were an absolute hit and everyone raved about the books & the drinks!

I got a bit out of control with my fascination with the Martini glasses - I've always always loved these in the stores and to see them all lined up like this, well, I got a little carried away!

Kim (Rachel's mum) has the most amazing garden - I couldn't help but snap some flower shots! The sky was intense also - and the air thick with humidity - which ultimately lent itself to a heck of a thunderstorm, but we were all safe and dry in the tent!

The food spread was AMAZING. Kim told me it was part of my job to eat, so I made sure to load up a plate (ok, twice) and enjoy!

Two of Rachel's bridesmaids are pregnant! All of them are Gorgeous.

Present time! (And also when the rain started to come down)

Great food, Great desserts, Great drinks, Great times! Then all the girls went out to the mini house that was built for Rachel when she was a little girl for a group shot :)

"Melissa your photos are amazing, I can't tell you how pleased we are!! I have given out your website to all the other teachers and everyone is raving about your work. I will be calling you soon to finalize an order. Thank you so much!!" ~ Kim

Rachel & Kim - thank you for opening your home to me and including me in such wonderful festivities! I can't wait for the wedding in September!

Kim sent me a note in the mail too - "Your work has allowed the family to have memories that will never fade.  Thank you, Kim" 

I'm certain it doesn't get much better than that. 

Rachel also wanted a few shots done for her memories - of the Wentworth where they got engaged, and where we did the engagement shoot - and also of the Colony where the reception will be. She also loved the idea of having their names written in the sand on the coast, so I gathered up my things and headed off on an adventure.

Rachel ended up ordering 4 of the beach shots as matted 12x18's they looked SO AMAZING all matted and ready for shipping - I hope they look as good framed in their new house!

"Hi Melissa, I received the pictures today they are beautiful!!!!" ~Rachel