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Last September, Michael surprised Rachel by proposing to her at the beautiful Wentworth By the Sea in New Castle, NH. The two are planning a wedding this September in Kennebunkport, ME and I couldn't be more excited to be working with them. They wanted some engagement pictures for their save the date magnets and so we revisited the scene of the 'crime' and made ourselves at home.



( to the ship! )

Erica's Maternity Shoot was a few months back, and she's been talking about doing another, however I had to keep mum about her baby shower that was held this past Saturday the 9th, so I waited to make plans with her. With only 6 weeks left, she looks GREAT and was very excited about her friends and family gathering for her party! Her two closest friends also had beautiful baby boys in the past 3 months. I just love a baby shower where I already get to hold a baby!



( you're invited )

Gabrielle & I met when I was in 8th grade and she was in 7th. We lost touch over the years, but reconnected a few years back via the wonders of the internet. A licensed esthetician & cosmetologist, Gabrielle has started her own venture Escape Artists Mobile Spa and wondered if I might be up for a trade of service. Wedding make-up for me, portraits for her Valentines gift to her boyfriend. An advocate of bartering where appropriate, I said of course!



( more portraits )
"They're beautiful and I love them! Thank you so much!" ~Gabrielle

DJ Jodi's reputation had far proceeded her when I finally met her back in October after literally years of people I know attending her events. Finally working together on Saturday February 2nd, I went to work with at the fabulous Maine Street Ogunquit for one of her monthly women's dances. The crowd was great and the energy fantastic - she kept them dancing till they could just about dance no more. Jodi is going to be the DJ at our reception in April and I can't wait!



( pink, pool & peace )
Hey, Melissa I thought I'd say hi and let you know I love the pics! There are some great ones to use on my site and Norm's!
Thanks
Jodi

A few weeks back at a Bridal Show I was attending, looking for a cake vendor for my wedding in April, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Arie Kidder. Her butter cream frosting was to die for and her design ability is off the charts. Featured in many a magazine, Arie was looking for a photographer to take some shots for her next magazine conquest.



( cake cake and more cake! )
Thank you soooo much, they're awesome. I'm so excited about the pics and I'm ready to send some in!! ~Arie Kidder
To find out more information about Arie and see more of her work, visit www.ariekidder.com

Gifted with a Saturday where all of our schedules were clear for the entire day, Nichole, Benjamin & I decided to head off to Boston and see what we could see. Arriving at 11:30am we ate lunch at the Museum of Science and then proceeded to spend 5 more hours there! OMNI, 3-D, and exhibits new and old. Growing up in Massachusetts I took many at trip to MOS, and it awes me to bring my son now and see how much has changed, but how much is still very much the same.

After a great day closing down the museum we took off to the Union Oyster House and had an AMAZING dinner. I made them pose for a but had to promise to put away my camera for the rest of the evening! And then off to Fanueil Hall, finally saying goodbye to the city about 8:30pm.



( little big head )

Standing on the Side of Love: A Family-Friendly Celebration of NH’s Civil Union Law January 1, 2008, Noon - 3PM South Church UU, State Street Portsmouth, NH

I was honored to be asked to photograph this once in a lifetime event celebrating the institution of NH Civil Unions. Although yet another snow storm was in our forecast, 250 people attended the well planned worship/concert/potluck/PARTY! There was a plethora of media coverage - and while that's all well and good, there were a few times I couldn't get another photographer out of my shot! In all though, it was quite a successful day - and as the Rev. Roberta Finkelstein, succinctly summed up "We let ourselves celebrate and honor this moment. But let this day also remind us that full marriage equality is still in our future in New Hampshire if we continue to make it so."


( Celebrations! )

We had a nice holiday. Even though we both woke up with cold on Christmas Eve Nichole, Benjamin & I went to evening service and then spent the night at my parents house. Benjamin is 7 1/2 this year and for the first time ever, not the youngest one at Christmas! My brother, Taylor & 6 month old Killian came over - Killi had his first sweet potatoes! My aunt, cousin and 11 day old baby Reed came down to visit for a bit too, in a tradition that was started before I was born, my dad read from the Night Before Christmas. Then it was gingerbread cookies on a plate (thats Mrs Clause & Santa for those of you who can't tell) and off to bed. The next morning we awoke to presents, presents & more presents!! Stockings first, - A special bell from Santa's sleigh was left for Benjamin! After a shower we readied for pancakes & bacon. Keith, Taylor & Killian came back over and after we all ate it was time to rip off the paper.


( Merry Christmas! )

By the time was all said and done, I was glad to be home and in our own bed. Filled with happy memories and full bellies and cold medicine. We spent a quiet New Years Eve at home and were asleep before 10pm, but it was lovely none-the-less.

I hope you all had the happiest of holidays! Here's to 2008!

It seems like it's been FOREVER since I took Catrina's maternity portraits -

2 weeks over due and finally, the baby boy has arrived! 12.13.2007 - He's beautiful and sparkling.



( baby, oh baby! )

Baby Nathan decided to show up in this world a few weeks early. Due yesterday 12/13 he made his appearance Thanksgiving weekend instead.

His mom Stephanie & I did maternity portraits just a month prior, not a second to soon it seems!

I can't wait till spring to do some family pictures!


( oh the hair!! )

Tim & Allison are good friends of ours who spent the fall trying to close on their new condo. Finally succeeding the week before Thanksgiving we've been helping them out moving and cleaning and painting and packing.

Finally all in and ready to think about Christmas cards they asked if I could come over and take a family picture of them and their dog Coco, who up until this year, has starred on the Christmas card alone. It was about 5 degrees outside, but we hurry up quick took a few shots! Later that night we got 6 inches of snow!



( winter is chilly! )

Erica is due Mid-March. She still works out 3 times a week and is determined not to let pregnancy keep her down. More ambitious than I'll ever be, she had me over to their gorgeous home to take some pictures at about 5 months and hopes to maybe get another chance in her 8th month -

A touch different than my past maternity shoots, I was dressed for cold weather and instead the house was warm and toasty. The lesson here I think is to keep a change of clothes in the car no matter what the weather appears to be...

( mild nudity, nsfw )
Melissa, Thank you so much for taking these pics I love them! ~ Erica

I've known Mr & Mrs Sanderson for a while now - I climbed the scaffolding of the North Church with them last October amongst other things. Mr. Sanderson is an ambitious man, as represented by his joyous family & friends, mountain climbing cake, and folk singing and dancing at the 165 person party thrown Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate his 80th birthday.



( Ribbon Dancing this way! )
Dear Melissa,  Forgive me, please, for taking so long to get back to you.  The pictures are just wonderful!  We couldn't be more pleased, and certainly would like to have some.  I need to do my Christmas letter, and would like to use several of them in it.  Thank you!  Thank you!  And love,  Ellie

Larissa & Todd booked their April '08 wedding with me a while ago - but Todd was deployed and they are based out of Virginia so meeting up wasn't an easy task. They came home for the Thanksgiving holiday and I met up with them at their hotel, unawares of how daring they are!

After causing a ruckus in the lobby, and the ladies room, we took off to reek havoc on downtown Portsmouth. Climbing fire escapes, playing paparazzi in Starbucks, hijacking a dingy and more - we had an absolute blast. I can't wait to see them again in April!


(Todd loved the idea of this shot and asked if I could edit in their wedding date onto the sign... )

( Love makes you do crazy things...  )

Melissa,
It was so much fun to shot with you! The pictures are so fun and great! We really like them! Thank you again!! ~Larissa

Dave & 'E' are an amazing couple. They've raised 7 children, are on their way to their 11th grandchild, married 50 years this past October and will celebrate their 75th birthdays 6 days apart come this March. I was thrilled to be referred by one of my brides, Kim to her sister in law who was coordinating this lovely gathering full of old friends, family & memorabilia. They all met up from near and far at the Galley Hatch in Hampton, NH for a great party the day after Thanksgiving.



( family! )

Thanksgiving was very low key this year. My mum's sister is visiting from England, so aside from our regular Sunday dinner crew of my parents, Nichole & I, my brother Keith and his girlfriend Taylor, that made 7 adults total. We still had food for 20 thought. A 21 lb turkey and a 21 lb 5 1/2 month old nephew.

Mostly I used the day to relax and gear up for the 3 shoots I had over the weekend. But I was compelled to take pictures of Killian in all his cuteness and a few other details.



( gobble gobble )

I apologize for the influx of posting today, it's been an extremely busy month and I'm just starting to catch my breath. Looking forward I have more family pictures, engagement pictures, a holiday party and who knows what else might crop up! I hope to keep up with more regularity - but only time shall tell!

Working with the Groleaus again made me reflect back over the past year - what a ride! I never could have anticipated this kind of response just 12 short months ago. I'm thrilled to pieces at the compliments and the return business! 2008 looks to be quite promising as I've already got a few wedding contracts and even more inquiries. I can't thank everyone enough for their support.

Till next time, warm wishes to you all. (The talk of snow here in NH is getting more and more frequent - we had quite a squall the other day, but nothing to write home about yet!)

~MelissaKoren

Monica & Rob are getting married in August of 2008. They were excited to do engagement pictures in Prescott Park after the two sets I took there last month. The day was a little more raw than we'd hoped, but we had fun none-the-less! These two are no nonsense made for each other!



( oh the leaves have fallen! )
OMG I love them! You did it so fast! Thats awesome! I can't wait to show them to Rob!
~Monica, Bride to be

It seems I've come full circle - Last year, this family was my first "real shoot" and it seems I did well enough to be called upon again. We had a much nicer day this year and were able to make it to the location we had to give up on last year.



( on to the playground! )

Last Years Shoot
( 2006 )

The owner's of a local store asked if I could help them get some shots for their website. With any luck, I'll take some shots of the inside soon - they've got some amazing products!



( a few more )

An old friend of mine, who I chat with occasionally online, asked if I could come and take some pictures of her youngest son as he approached his second birthday. With a day of rain prior ruining our initial plan, we opted to meet up in her front yard after all was dry and let boys be boys! We hadn't seen each other in about 5 years, and her oldest has grown so much! It was my first chance to meet the boys - and they're adorable!




( They're not fond of holding still though! )

As the 'official photographer' for Annie's Angels, it was my duty to attend their fund raiser wine & dessert tasting hosted at their Italian Deli - Valerio's Kitchen. I did my best to behave myself, but the array of pies, pretzels, cheeses & wines was so vast, that even a tiny taste of everything and I still left stuffed! They were able to raise over $600 from the event, so it was a huge success!



( Cheese Grommit! )
The pictures are awesome!!!!! You made the deli look like home !!!! Thanks.
~Bill DaGiau
Owner, Valerios Kitchen & Founder, Annie's Angels

Kerry & Steve and their two dogs Maggie & Katie and I headed over to the Anheuser Busch facilities in Merrimack, NH to grab some relaxed engagement shots of their family. It warmed up just enough to be comfortable and their niece was a great help handling the dogs when they weren't in the shot. They're planning a pig-roast at home wedding that sounds like a blast during Memorial Day weekend 2008.



( with puppies! )

After photographing the roaring lion/happy drooly baby - I met up with Stephanie who wanted to get some maternity shots. She barely looks pregnant but at this point she only had 6 weeks left!



( more baby! )
Wow! Those are amazing. Thank you soooo much. The pictures are so lovely.
~Steph

Leslie & her son Logan, who I photographed a few months ago - were looking to do some family pictures with her sister as well as some 7 month pictures for Logan. Armed with his Halloween costume and prepared to brave the gusty chilly wind, we headed out to play in the leaves!



( roar! + more )

A HUUUUUGE part of what fueled my passion for photography was my son. I have been taking him to the parkway in Exeter for some 'fall pictures' for 5 years now. This year finding the time was a little tricky because I've been so busy (I'm not complaining!) But I finally got the both of us in the right place at the right time and willed the weather to cooperate.


( There are also a few of him at halloween (we won contests!) and playing soccer. )

On a slightly chilly day in October we took a long drive through the woods and landed at this gorgeous spot. 4 month old Killian and his parents, Keith & Taylor and I hiked around to a few spots to take in the beauty and take some pictures!



( and more! )

Kate & Marcus are a relaxed, fun loving couple and are so excited about being in love it just radiates from them. I had a wonderful time with them in Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH a few weekends ago. Kate had really hoped to find some wonderful foliage for a back drop but try as we might, the trees in town had just not quite turned yet. We managed to find a peaceful hill with a few colorful leaves and the two of them basked in the sunlight.



( On to the pictures! )
Thanks Melissa! They look great! Can't wait to share them with Marcus tonight!
~Kate, Bride-to-be

Today I dropped off my gift bag items for the Same Love, Same Rights 'Mobile Marriage Summit' at the Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth today.

I'm very excited about they way they came out - I designed them ~ but I wasn't sure how the they would look after they were printed. It turns out I had nothing to worry about! They are gorgeous, the colors are vibrant and the whites are white! (Sort of sounds like a laundry detergent commercial...)

But instead, it's a commercial for me! (sort of)

Here they are..

They measure 4x3.5, which is the equivilant of laying out 2 business cards, one on top of each other.

I'll be attending the summit on Sunday to see what it's all about and see what else is in the gift bags along with me!

It's free to all, so come out and show your support.

~MelissaKoren