So I was a total slacker yesterday and didn't post. You've got to know I'm busy if I'm quiet, because as you very well know.... I'm rarely quiet. What had me so busy yesterday? I had a date with a photographer. A very good photographer who is working with me on a new project I have coming up.
Back to my photographer. As you already know, I'm not a fan of school pictures. They are so staged and overpriced that I see no value in them except for maybe the class picture. Other than that I like my kids to be photographed by a private photographer. And when you hear those words "private photographer" it probably conjures up the words talented and expensive at the same time, right? Well, that is not always the case.
My photographer for my new project is Kerry Goodwin. She is very talented and very reasonably priced. Check these out:
How outrageously sweet are those? They sing a very sweet song to my ovaries. She also takes big people pictures too:
These are unedited non-Photoshopped pictures. Me in the raw. When I first saw them I was going to have Kerry Photoshop out all of the crinkles and irregularities that make me feel very, very vulnerable and self conscious. But after I gave it some thought, I decided to keep them because the whole reason I had the photos taken was for a project that talks about the me of today. The 41 year old me of today that has wrinkles and laugh lines. So for the sake of keeping it real, they stay. Even if it makes me feel a little exposed.
Back to Kerry.... As you can see she does beautiful work. Her passion is child/baby photography but she also shoots weddings and other occasions. Her prices do not match her talent which means that she is an absolute steal in my book. If you are a local Massachusetts resident, I encourage you to check out her work. If you are looking for artistic pictures that are affordable, she's your girl.
So which of the three pics of me do you like best? They are for a profile picture and I'd love your input!
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39 comments:
I liked all 3 pictures - a hard choice, but think I liked the middle one the best.
The middle one, although you look nice in all 3. The middle one shows more jewelry and your nails so it makes you look more put together and stylish.
Oh man, I'm right there with you Mel "They sing a very sweet song to my ovaries." My littlest is going to be 4 soon :(
I like pic #1 the best even though I like all of them. And don't doubt yourself, you look terrific!
I like the third one! I think you look youngest in that one :) and I think it's a more real, unstaged look. LIke a candid close up...love it and can't wait to hear about the new project!
Great pics, like them all! If I had to pic I would say the last one, only because it seems more candid and not posed. Wonderful blog, glad I stopped by! :)
I like all of them but prefer the 1st one.
Thanks for a great blog!
You look great in all three!!!
Choose the one which makes you feel best when you look at it and which best fits your new project.
My favorite was the middle one, but I would probably crop the reflection out. It's a very cool effect, but might be visually distracting as a profile photo.
;o)
- Lee
Wow! GREAT pictures. It must have been tough to narrow it down to 3. I think I like #3 the best, followed by #2 and then #1. Does that help? I can't wait to hear about your new project. Good Luck
They are all great! If I had to chose I'd go with #3
Am I the only one having an anxiety attack over that little sweetie laying on a chair like that? Probably too young and swaddled up to roll over but you never know... my ovaries are screaming... "NOT a good idea!"
You are beautiful just the way you are Mel! You earned every one of those wrinkles and laugh lines, so celebrate them sister! I vote for #3, it's just looks so like YOU. Great photographer!
I like the middle one! It looks like you're sitting across the table from the viewer about to have a fun girl conversation about something. :)
All three are beautiful, though!
They're all great, but I think the middle is my favorite. You look the most natural and comfortable in that one.
Middle one!
I have changed my mind three times. I finally settled it this way:
Take the background from Number One and 'shop it into Number Two - then blur (or crop) out the bottom hands reflection - Voila, the best of both worlds!
Coupon Goddess,I'm a Gramma to three who has been a fan of yours for a while. Has anybody ever told you that you look like old time Mouseketeer and teen idol Annette Funicello?
Anyways,love the third pic and the first. Something touchingly honest and real about them.
All 3 of your pictures are beautiful but I like the middle one the best, the one with your arms folded. I love the reflection in the table too. :)
ps. And I'm glad you left the photos untouched. You are beautiful AS IS and don't need anything touched up. Let's grow old gracefully. :)
I like the middle one. You look great in all of them, but that one makes you look like you are ready to grab a cup of coffee and have a great conversation. I like that in a blogger, lol. Looking forward to hearing about your new project!
I think they look great untouched. And I think it's a great message to your kids that Mom thinks she looks good without technical help (make up and such is one thing but photoshopping people is a no no for me). I like #3 the best.
Number two. Definately a great shot, with or without the reflection. It's just so welcoming feeling.
Second choice would be #3.
All three pictures of your are very nice, but I like the second one the best.
They are all beautiful, but I votw for #1!
I like number 2 (the middle) the best, then #3, then #1. But, they are all great!
I just love you guys. I can always count on you for good feedback. I'm so blessed!! Also, thanks for your thoughts on not re-touching the photos. I feel the same way. For authenticity's sake I'm keeping it natural. It is a good lesson for my kids to see me age gracefully as much as I'd like to Botox the heck out of myself. I'm afraid of needles so Botox is out of the question, lol.
And to answer a question posed. "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Annette Funicello?" Yes!!! Many, many times throughout my entire life. If I had a dollar for each time I'd be a wealthy woman!
Ranger- If you only knew how much splicing Kerry is already doing for my project you'd understand my hesitation with asking her to do any more work. I'm sort of a pain in the butt. :)
So it seems that the piano shot is the most popular (#2). I'm really surprised. I figured you would all hands down pick the 3rd one. They all have their positive points. Thanks for helping me think it through!
Quote: "I'm sort of a pain in the butt."
Melanie, you are our PItB and we love you as is.
Is it too late? :) I like the 3rd--maybe it's the lighting? Thanks for all you share--in the raw and all!
middle one more personal I think for some odd reason or another - but they all look great
I love picture number 3!
Winnie P. MA
CANT believe ur 41. i thought u were in ur mid thirties....max! and thats just cause i know u have teenagers. im totally serious.
You look great in all three pics, but #2 is definitely my favorite. I love how your hands look.
Man I wish I was that photogenic!! LOL You look amazing in all three!!! However, I would have to say #2. I love #2 & #3, but somehow, scrolling up and down, up and down I keep stopping at #2!!! That picture to me at least, shows the "Mel" that I've come to know in these past few months!!!!!
True, real and BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
I like the middle one also, you look relateable and on the same level, its more inviting. (If any of that makes sense. )
Great photos, all of them!
Wow! Thanks for the attention Melanie!
I swear there isn't even anything to retouch!
There are quite a few that I love out of our session but the piano one keeps me coming back too.
I really like the last one...it is perfect! And I like your comment about overlooking wrinkles and laugh lines...never have met you, but the last picture sure appears as though it's the real you shining through!
Can't wait to read about your new project!
Blessings on your day!
What pretty pics! You look so young and really happy! I, personally have to go with #3!!
Thanks for sharing!
I like the 1st one the best :-)
I LOVE your necklace, where did you get it?
Tammy L.
Mel,
I think I like #3 the best. Hard choice - they are all terrific. And you fabulous darling!!
Photoshop? I hope that was a tounge in cheek statement in wich you are so good at. I am sure you have heard this before but I will say it anyways. You have a gift of having both beauty and brains ( and to me a great sense of humor). If you do believe those pic's do need to be improved then true at 41 you starting to lose something. Like your mind or vision. Keep up the great work!!!
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