Interesting Blogs...

The blogosphere is a wide, wide world all it's own. If you can dream it, there is a probably a blog somewhere devoted to it. Cosplay, Street Magic, Fans of Harry Potter - yep, there's a blog about that. So how in the world are we supposed to wade through all of the blog noise to find what really matters to us? I haven't the slightest idea, really.
Me, well, I've wasted many many hours jumping from blog to blog, picking out pieces that I found interesting, or humorous, or helpful. Most of them only had a couple posts I could relate to, and were pretty quickly forgotten. Some, however, managed to make the permanent cut. These are blogs that consistently post content that I enjoy reading, and that relates to me. So, without further ado, here's my top five blogroll....

Psychology for Photographers
This blog may be called psychology for photographers, but really, it's packed full of info for anyone who owns a small business. It's especially helpful for those who don't want to compete on price, but rather want to find the customer who values their business, regardless of what your product costs.

Creative Live
Want to go to artists college, for free? Yea, me too. And that's basically what creative live is.  You can go to creative live at any time on any day, and watch free seminars for artists. They have classes on almost everything any artists could want. From "how-to" photography, to marketing, to running a small business, it's a photographers dream. Not into business? There are classes on scrapbooking, quilting, cooking, floral arranging paper making, money management.... need me to go on? There an awesome, FREE, online class to fit everyone's needs.

Becoming Mom
While this blog is written by a fellow photographer, it's not really about photography. It's about being a mom. I love this because, well, it's real. Ariana talks about her struggles with infertility and IVF, and cataloged her journey to motherhood. She writes touching posts to her children that make me tear up. What I find most inspiring about Ariana's blog is that it's honest, and so deeply personal. It feels as if she's allowing me to be a part of her life. That type of honest blogging is something I hope to accomplish here on my own blog.

Inspire Me Baby
I am a photographer, so of course there's going to be a blog that is about nothing but photography. I heart Inspire Me Baby so so much. It has awesome interviews with other photographers in a baby business, and great links to prop shops. But mostly, it's just filled with dreamy baby photos. And I'd be lying if I said I haven't wasted so so many hours just scrolling the posts, drooling over the stunning images. It's session research, so it's not wasted time, right? Right???

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
TRIGGER WARNING - INFANT LOSS
This one - this one is really heavy. NILMDTS is an organization of newborn photographers who volunteer their services to parents whose babies are stillborn, or who are lost shortly after birth. It's heart-breaking, the posts are hard to read, and it reduces me to tears every.single.time. But it's also incredibly important. It reminds me how trivial my daily problems are. And it's a way to give back to those who need me. In the scope if their loss, I can't do much. But I can provide them with memories, with the recognition that, yes, their baby lived, and he/she was beautiful. And as mothers, as women, as human beings, I think it is our responsibility to be there for mothers in their greatest time of need, and do what we can to make their loss a little easier to bear.

Welcome to my blog!

Hi there! I'm Melinda. Welcome to my blog!

I wear many hats, and I love each one! I am a wife, a mother, and a small business owner. I am a sister, a friend, and a dog-lover. I am a dreamer and a creative soul. I am photographer, and I'd love to be your photographer.

I love being a photographer because it allows me to meet other awesome mommies like you. I've met moms who breast feed, baby-wear, and cloth diaper their little ones. And I've met moms who formula feed, use disposable diapers, and rock out a BOB stroller. I've met moms who co-sleep and moms who put baby in their crib from night one. I've met stay-at-home moms, working moms, and work-at-home moms. But no matter how different all of our mommy choices are, there is one continuous thread that ties us all together - OUR CHILDREN ARE THE MOST PRECIOUS THING IN OUR LIVES.

When it comes to our babies, our hearts are overflowing. And that is why I am honored each and every time one you amazing mommies trusts me with your baby. It is truly a gift to be able to photograph your darling babies, from their first few weeks through all of their milestones. It is a privilege I never take for granted. 

Aside from a photographer, here are a few tidbits about me:

• I live for my children's laughter. Seriously, every little giggle is the greatest sound I've ever heard. I could listen to it all day long. 

•  Sunday is for football and family. I'm a die-hard Steelers fan, and hubby is a Giants fan. It gets a little, um, rowdy around here when they play each other. If it's Sunday, I'm rocking out my football jersey, yelling at the TV, and hanging out with my little ones.

•  I will cheer for the underdog every.single.time. Seriously, if someone ever tells you "you can't do it," just give me a call. I'll tell you how awesome you are, and be your biggest cheerleader. I believe to my very core that if you want something bad enough, then you can do it.  

• I'm a complete sucker for rescue animals. All of my dogs have been from rescues, and my biggest wish is for every shelter animal to find a loving home. Check the blog often, and you'll be sure to see some of my volunteer work with our local shelter. If you're considering getting an animal, please please please consider adoption from your local shelter. And if you adopt an animal - let me know! I'll give you 30% off my session fee because you just became someone's hero. 

Okay, so there you have it. I'm a jersey wearing, dog loving, mommy photographer. Be sure to check back often for more insights into this crazy thing called my life. And if you still want to see more, you can visit me on Facebook or check me out on Instagram.  
 

To Chase, on your 4th birthday.

My darling boy, I can't believe you're 4 years old already. It seems like just yesterday your dad and I were coming home from the hospital with a 7 pound 3 ounce tiny bundle of joy. Where has the time gone? You're growing up entirely too fast. I know, I know. I say that every year. And I'll continue to say it. It's my right as your momma.

Three was such a big year for you. Along with many other things, you became a big brother. And what a big brother you are! I'll be honest, your dad and I were worried at first how you would handle it. But you proved us both wrong, and have been an awesome big brother. So awesome in fact, that we have a hard time keeping you out of your sister's room. It's not unusual for you to grab your blanket and pillow, sneak into her room, and fall asleep beside her crib. And many times you sneak in at her nap time, and I find you reading your sister a book to help her fall asleep. You make silly faces and do crazy things just to make her laugh. Your sister worships your every step, and you always remember to include her in our activities (even if she's too little to play along just yet.)  You're my awesome helper when I need an extra set of hands, and you're always the first to run and grab your sister's favorite blanket if she's crying. Having your sister around is also a daily reminder of just how much you've grown this past year. 

 In the past year, you have become the most independent little guy I've ever met.You're favorite phrase is "I can do it mommy." Your language has developed to the point where we can have full conversations for hours at a time. And boy, the stories you tell! Elaborate scenes with sharks and the "big water", or a crime fighting superhero and heinous bad guy. You have an imagination that never ends. And I love listening to your latest tales.  And then we run to the playground and re-enact your favorite superhero battles. You love the swings the best, and have learned how to pump your legs and get the swing to go faster. And you love running around with all your friends at the playground. Right now, you're bravely attempting to conquer the monkey bars, but you're not *quite* there yet. Soon though, very soon.

You've also grown like crazy this year. You jumped 2 whole pants sizes just this summer alone, going from a 3T to a boys 5. I know it's silly, but back-to-school shopping in the boys section broke this momma's heart a little bit. You're no longer a baby. You're not even a toddler. You are a full blown kid, with all the craziness and fun that comes with it.  And every single day I'm impressed by you. I adore your imagination and your creativity. I love your never-ending energy and your excitement and wonder at this great big world. And I am in awe of your great big heart and how you love so openly and wholly. Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.

 Chase's Favorites:

• Favorite Toys: Legos and Superheros 
• Favorite Activity: Going to the pool
•  Favorite Book: Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
• Favorite Food: Pizza
•  Favorite Color: Red
• Favorite Movie: Despicable Me and Ironman