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05.13.12

Vendor Spotlight – K.E. Bridal [Northern Virginia Photographer]

Calling all Brides…Meet Kelly Evans! Kelly is a makeup artist in Manassas, VA and specializes in Bridal Makeup. After training with some of the best Makeup artists in the area, Kelly decided to venture out on her own. An accountant by day, Kelly is making a name for herself in the Northern Virginia area.

Kelly is getting ready to launch her new website and after a half a dozen e-mails and talking on the phone, I wasn’t surprised yesterday to find that Kelly is just as beautiful, sweet and amazing in person. I couldn’t have felt more welcome in her home and watching her work was amazing. Kelly is so meticulous and really knows how to enhance your features.

Kelly…you are going places girl! Thank you for inviting me to share a small piece of you and your incredible talent. I feel very blessed to constantly meet new people in the industry and I look forward to working with you in the future. You can find Kelly through her Facebook page here.

The beautiful Kelly Evans:)

Our beautiful models…

Posted in Featured, Northern Virginia Photographer, WeddingsTags: , ,

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05.07.12

Brent & Nora – Top of the Town Wedding [Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer]

There are few people who come into my life that have the impact that Nora & Brent have had on mine. I couldn’t even begin to express in words how I feel about them. They have enriched my life far beyond what I thought was capable. I have come to love them through the process and planning of their wedding and their amazing support and trust in me as their photographer is very humbling.

On Friday, Brent & Nora exchanged vows at St. Michael Parish in Annandale among their closest friends and family. Their reception followed at Top of the Town in Arlington. I honestly don’t know what I am going to do now that they are married. Nora and I have become so close through out her planning and I will truly miss not having my phone ring a couple times a day for the last few months with all of the last minute details.

Brent…Nora – I truly love you both. I couldn’t be happier that you are now married and will settle into your new life as husband and wife. You are both so special to me and I wish you a lifetime of happiness. My cup runneth over! xoxoxo

Please enjoy some of my favorites from their wedding day!

Looking Good Brent!

Nora…you are stunning and I can’t say I have ever had the pleasure of working with such an amazing group of girls. WOWZERS!!!

Nora opted for a “first look” with her Dad and I was so excited! It was such a touching moment and I would be lying if I said I didn’t tear up a little…;)

Married!

Seriously??? You guys are GORGEOUS!

A little keepsake to Nora & Brent from my very talented sister Aryka!

To see more of Nora & Brent’s wedding…click here to see their slideshow.

Ceremony…St. Michael Parish
Venue…Top of the Town
Caterer…R&R Catering
Florist…Occasional Flowers
DJ…Jan Davis Entertainment
Valet…Prestige Valet
Cake…Sally’s Gourmet Cupcakes
Lighting…American AV Lighting
Sculpture…The Sugar Barn
Antique Car…Prime Transportation

Posted in Northern Virginia Photographer, Weddings

13 comments

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DennettMay 8, 2012 - 4:58 pm

just watched the video of the wedding! WOW FANTASTIC!!! The song is just perfect.I LOVE the picture of Nora and her Dad sitting in the car! Just wonderful Melissa! XOXO

Amy EggerMay 8, 2012 - 1:56 am

These photos are absolutely beautiful, Melissa! I have never seen such an efficient wedding photographer – you are top notch and did a superb job!

Aryka CuadrosMay 8, 2012 - 12:49 am

I’m not at all surprised at how wonderful these pictures are! I knew without a doubt they would be gorgeous!~ When you do something, your ENTIRE heart and soul goes into it and it shows once again. You just amaze me.. wonderful job! Nora & Brent are truly blessed~

Brad (Pappy) Hetrick (Grandfather)May 7, 2012 - 11:41 pm

Fantastic. As Melissa said,”she felt a connection” and it shows! A professional gallery of photos that more than take a picture but capture the moment and the pulse. Photographer and subject were not two separate entities, they were a combined unit. Brent and Nora have a keepsake that will bring teary eyes for years.

Katie WagnerMay 7, 2012 - 10:22 pm

Wow Melissa…I wish I could take photos like you! They are something special. I watched you throughout the evening and was amazed at how easily you worked with the whole event. Your photos speak for themselves and they speak volumes. Nora’s and Brent’s personalities came through in the photos and my guess is that’s because you made them feel at ease. Great job!!!

Amy KeadyMay 7, 2012 - 7:33 pm

Absolutely stunning pictures. What a wonderful wedding and you captured all the special moments. So happy for Nora and Brent!

Mary BarhamMay 7, 2012 - 6:38 pm

beautiful bride, beautiful wedding, beautiful photos!! God Bless you always!

BeckyMay 7, 2012 - 6:00 pm

Stunning pictures! All of these really captured the special moments of the evening :) Congratulations to Brent & Nora!

Greg HetrickMay 7, 2012 - 2:01 am

Oh my…Melissa, as the father of my first bride, I have to tell you, I was looking for the best in a photographer and not only found that, but in the end, found far more. This was a new experience for all of us…Nora, being the oldest, has always been the first to blaze our trails. From my perspective, not being involved in the planning, I could still see the enourmous amount of detail that goes into putting a wedding together. Carole and Nora, though quite capable with the details, found out quickly on the day of the wedding that they would need a lot of help and you were there not only to deliver the best pictoral memories we could have hoped for…we found the woman behind the camera who would make sure it would all come together perfectly. Melissa, the pictures will speak for themselves for all to see but the friend who came along on this journey to help us through the planned and the unplanned…the friend who helped make this all happen is held dearly in our hearts where only we can see. You are an awesome example of what the modern day wedding photographer looks like, acts like and delivers…God bless you, your dear Mother and your entire family.

Carole HetrickMay 7, 2012 - 1:24 am

Melissa, these pictures are absolutely beautiful!!! I knew they would be gorgeous, because you give 110% to everything you do and only settle for perfection. You are an amazing person and photographer. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

DLaryMay 7, 2012 - 12:58 am

Beautiful, Gorgeous, Stunning…just a few words that come to mind…looking at the amazing pictures of Nora & Brent’s wedding! You did an amazing job capturing their “special” day.

DennettMay 7, 2012 - 12:48 am

Wow! What fantastic pictures! Melissa you did an amazing job, the color on the them is just amazing! What a beautiful couple. Congratulations Nora and Brent’s!
XOXO

NoraMay 7, 2012 - 12:32 am

You are the BEST!!! All the photos are soo amazing! <3

04.30.12

Winner, Winner…Chicken Dinner [Northern Virginia Photographer}

Or…ummm – Starbucks. Thank you to everyone who commented. I used Random.org to pick my winner for the $25 Starbucks card. And…drum roll please…………Congratulations Stephanie – Lucky #4 on the Blogity Blog. Send me an e-mail at melissawallerphotography@yahoo.com to claim your prize.:)

I hope you all have a fantastic week! Stay tuned for a sneak peek of Nora & Brent on Saturday morning.

Posted in Northern Virginia Photographer, Personal

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04.25.12

200 Posts…[Northern Virginia Photographer]

Wow, I just logged into my Blog to post a random post and realized that I have posted 200 times on my Blog. Things are starting to gear up around here and this weekend will be the last weekend in the next 3 months that I have off. Like completely off – other than cleaning my house and doing a butt load of laundry! Next Friday, May 4 marks the start of my wedding season with Brent & Nora; you can see their engagement session here.

This year is turning out to be very busy for me and I am excited to spend this weekend with my husband and girls. I am optimistic that the weather will be at least decent so we can grill out. I think I will definitely be playing with my new Mark II that I have been saving for FOREVER!. I can’t wait to check that bad boy out.

So…tell me what you plan on doing this weekend…whether it be resting & relaxing, working or other – Leave me a comment below and I will be picking a random person on Monday to give a $25 Starbucks gift card to.

I can’t wait to hear your big plans.:)ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!!

This is where I would like to be.

Posted in Northern Virginia Photographer, Personal, Uncategorized

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Auntie JudyApril 28, 2012 - 2:15 am

I will be working tomorrow morning then hanging around the house and relaxing a bit. Sunday is church, and in the afternoon going to Standish to meet the parents of Zak’s (deb’s son) girlfriend. Not real exciting but that is ok. Going to Dovah next weekend.

DennettApril 27, 2012 - 4:40 pm

Opening day for softball tomorrow, then I’m sure the rest of the weekend is doing laundry!

Michelle ChamplinApril 27, 2012 - 12:11 pm

My weekend starts with my daughters prom night tonight! She is so excited and will look amazing in her dress:)
But for the rest of the weekend, I will be working. Someone needs to work weekends to help bring some babies into the world.
Will miss some family time, but I do love what I do. I am glad to be off tonight to see my amazing daughter.
So for me I will be at work with some amazing nurses.
I would love to be in the picture you have above, that sounds much more relaxing:)

Your husbandApril 26, 2012 - 1:08 am

I am golfing then going on a date.

Diane LaryApril 26, 2012 - 12:43 am

Hmmmm…well, the weekend starts out with a grandson playing baseball (Majors) at 9:30AM on Saturday; another grandson playing baseball (AAA) at 12:30PM and a third grandson playing baseball (T-Ball) at 1:30PM! Now, in between these games I will be working because we have been informed that we will be working ALL weekend! Also, I need to find time to get a pedicure and my nails done. I need to do some cleaning…not sure when that will happen…maybe around midnight one evening! Now..did you really want to know what I was doing this weekend?? :-)

Sure would rather be on that Island—don’t really care where it is!!!

stephanieApril 26, 2012 - 12:30 am

good luck for your 2012 wedding season! How exciting!! :)

Nora HetrickApril 25, 2012 - 11:28 pm

I will like to second your comment about being on that amazing island!!!

Have a wonderful weekend off, I will be running a 10 K Saturday and doing laundry as well trying to keep my sanity!!

MAY 4 <3
xoxoxox

Lori PostApril 25, 2012 - 9:37 pm

This weekend – why baseball of course! :) And my niece’s first communion celebration in Stafford. Then on Sunday I’m working a Multi-Vendor Open House with Thirty One, Tastefully Simple, Lia Sophia, Willow House, Scentsy, and Dove Chocolates. Whew!

Rachel ClarkeApril 25, 2012 - 6:35 pm

Other than taking Kylie to a soccer game on Saturday morning, I plan to spend this weekend at home. My weekdays are filled with running here and running there, and the sound of lazy weekend at home sounds fab. :)

04.22.12

Baltimore Wedding – [Northern Virginia Photographer]

P&S were married last weekend at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. I had the pleasure of second shooting their wedding with my good friend Jan of Jan Michele Photography. I know I say every wedding is my favorite:)but each wedding is so unique and I love seeing how each couple incorporate their own personalities into their big day. P&S had a beautiful Jewish ceremony with some amazing traditions that I have never witnessed before. I feel honored to have been apart of their amazing day.

When we went outside to shoot the groomsmen…we found this beautiful convertible Mercedes. We couldn’t resist taking a few shots.:)

Gorgeous Dress & Bride to be…

These flowers were so beautiful…their fragrance was really intoxicating.

I think it was about right here that I started getting a little teary eyed…

WHOOOO HOOOOO…MARRIED!!!

Details…

Introducing…Mr & Mrs…

These Father/Daughter dances get me everytime!

Time to do the Horah!

Posted in WeddingsTags: , ,

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Danielle AshtonApril 23, 2012 - 2:54 pm

Stunning pictures!! Every shot captures the true love between the bride and groom, they are simply glowing. You have really out done yourself this time!!

DLaryApril 22, 2012 - 9:20 pm

Gorgeous photos .. outstanding work!!!! You continue to amaze me with your talent!!!

DennettApril 22, 2012 - 9:12 pm

Great pictures, looks like a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding!! The flowers are just wonderful! Melissa, you have done an outstanding job as usual! Congrats to the bride and groom!