Party planning

I had a great weekend! Lots of fun, family time. I played my last softball game of the season this past saturday. I always love getting out on the field and getting dirty. My need to get dirty got me in a bit of trouble this time. Apparently, my slide into second base produced an ugly strawberry on my leg, that later got infected. I'm now on antibiotic for my aggressive base running. Oh well! LOL!

I have received lots of great comments on my website and blog. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and sweet words! I am having a lot of fun planning shoots, scouting locations, and buying props.

My daughter is having her 8th birthday in October. She is a big American Girl, Kit Kittredge fan. She likes Kit because she thinks she looks like her, and because she is also an aspiring writer. So cute! Anyway, I bought her a Kit oufit from the American Girls website and it was delivered this week. Today we had a special photo shoot with her in her new outfit. The plan was to get a great picture to use for the party invitations. I think I got some good ones. She is so excited!

Close call

I turn 30 next month, and today I saw my very first tornado. At first it was just a little pencil lead shape in the clouds. I really didn't think much of it. It seemed quite harmless. Then, within about 10 minutes of watching, it slowly made its way down. We all watched in amazement as it picked up speed and strength. What an incredible force!

I took a few pictures of the scene. My kids were a little scared at first, but soon got really in to the progression of it. It was about 4-5 miles from our house, so we weren't in too much danger. Luckily, it didn't cause much damage because it just touched down in open space.

New prop finds

Got up early today to scope out the garage sales in the area. I had some specific items I wanted to find for photography use. I found two great rocking chairs, a stool, and a few hats. I was very excited.

Here are a few pics of my son in the new chair.

Backdrop fun

I'm trying to slowly get a studio set-up in my home. I have no idea what I'm doing or exactly what I need. I'm going off what I've seen other people do and finding little treasures of information on some of my favorite photographers' blogs.

So far, I have the stand and 4 rolls of paper for backdrops. I have yet to purchase lighting, reflector kits, or softboxes. Hopefully, in the new future those will come.

In the meantime, I decided to set up my mini studio in my dining room with as much natural light as I could muster. Here are a few pics of a quick 10 minute session with my daughter.

Here goes nothin'!

So my dream has finally come to reality. Melissa Hatcher Photography is up and running. I can hardly believe it, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared out of my mind! Help! Is it too late to turn back?

I guess I have to have the faith that this is God's timing. He wouldn't put me here to fail...i know that. He has given me this gift and I want to use it to glorify Him in every way.

I fell in love with photography in college. Something about capturing life's little moments through a lens and having them forever, just got me. I was captivated! Compostion and light came naturally. It wasn't a thought about process. Being at a certain location at a certain time of day and picking up the camera to capture it. Wow! I just can't tell you how that feels. I love it! It is my passion and I'm excited to see what comes from this new adventure in my life!