On December 1, four local high school students were hit by a drunk driver, while coming home from a Siena Saints basketball game around 10 p.m. in my hometown of Clifton Park, NY, according to local newspapers.
The four students, three Shenendehowa High School students and one Shaker High School student, were all well-known athletes. Shenendehowa seniors Deanna Rivers and…
So, here's a funny story. Yesterday, I decided it was time to take some Fall photos to add to my online gallery and store (www.melissaderenchesphotography.com). My husband and son decided to sit this one out and stay home so I gathered my things and off I went. A popular, but often quiet fishing area was my first stop followed by a local and beautiful park nearby.
I first met Ally Crowley-Duncan a few years ago, right after I opened the studio. Her mom’s friend works with a friend of mine. My friend suggested to Ally’s mom’s friend that she bring Ally to the studio for portraits as a surprise for Ally’s mom for Mother’s Day. I know that’s really confusing. :)
Ally’s mom’s friend made the appointment and brought Ally into the studio in the spring of 2009.
Ally was so beautiful!!! She had gorgeous curls, tasteful make-up, pretty outfits, and an amazing smile. Her portrait session was really fun, and Ally was totally at ease in front of the camera. I was excited for Ally’s mom to receive such a thoughtful gift from her daughter.
Shortly after Mother’s Day, I got a call from Ally’s mom, Justine, whom I had never met. She was practically crying on the phone, saying “I just want to talk to the person who took such beautiful pictures of my daughter, I will treasure them forever and ever”. She asked if she could come in sometime to say hello, and we have been friends ever since.
So, I’ve had the privilege of watching Ally become a amazing young woman. That journey has been anything but ordinary. Ally began playing the bagpipes in 8th grade, and in three short years has won awards at the regional, national, and international level both solo and with the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band. She just got back from Scotland!
Talk about finding your calling!!
And, lucky me, every time something significant happens in Ally’s life, I get to photograph it. Today, I had the honor of taking pictures of her with a trophy and shield from the 2012 World Championships in Scotland. It was really really cool. Her other sessions, whether it’s bag pipe or the prom, are plastered all over our websites. I can’t wait to do her senior pictures … her engagement session … her wedding … her babies … etc etc etc!!!
Here’s a recent news story that ran about her. Oh and a cool side note, both the news anchor and reporter’s head shots were done by … iSmile! 
Love you Ally and Justine! I treasure our friendship.
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Seriously. It is. Today I began researching and designing 2012 Christmas cards. Every year I get at least one Christmas card from someone that makes me say “Wow“. Every year I struggle to get mine mailed before Valentine’s Day. The … Continue reading
I had the privilege of meeting Heather Cleveland and her kids Madison and Paul when Matthew was an infant. Heather saved the day more than I can count, helping me stumble through new motherhood. I didn’t have my Mom, but Heather was the next best thing.
At the time, I think Madison was 5 and Paul was probably 2 or 3. To me, it felt so weird to see “big” kids, and I couldn’t imagine mine ever being that old. Heather once told me she was excited to go home to “snuggle in bed with the kids and watch a movie”. Mine wouldn’t ever get out of his jolly jumper or stand still for ten seconds. I was so jealous. Boy, has time flown.
Little Madison Cleveland, the shy kindergartener who sometimes rode the bus to my house, has blossomed into an amazing young woman.
Heather has always been super super supportive of my photography business, and she referred us to a new dance studio Madison is going to in Plattsburgh New York (where they now live). It’s called Center Stage and it’s awesome. We arranged to do a studio picture day this past weekend and I was able to once again be amazed by Madison. She is a poised, confident, polite, beautiful young woman whom I am proud to call a friend.
So, thank you Heather, for always thinking of me and always being there. I hope I can be a great Mom just like you are.
Baseball. Like watching paint dry. Unless it’s a bunch of totally cute 4-12 year olds playing with all their might. I’ve come to love the entire season of Little League in Duanesburg, even the freezing cold early April practices and the roasting hot late June all star games.
This year I kept myself busy by photographing most of Matthew and Mikey’s games. I got a lot better at it as the season wore on. I loved sharing some of the photos with my Little League Mom friends, surprising them in their email with a cute shot of their son doing something amazing. Remember, most of us are shocked our kids can get dressed by themselves, since it was seriously just YESTERDAY that we gave birth to them. Now, they’re hitting home runs, pitching, and spitting sunflower seeds everywhere.
Here are some highlights from the 2012 Duanesburg Little League season. The entire catalog can be found at our SmugMug website.
For some time I’ve been meaning to start a blog. The task has seemed so daunting. What do I write about? How do I make it interesting? I finally decided to just dive in and write about/showcase what I love: my children, family, friends, and photography. So, here I am!!
I’ll be posting often and sharing my best loved images. Like the picture of Matthew above. This is one of my most favorite pictures of him. He’s laughing, having a wonderful time at the pool, and totally unaware of anyone photographing him.
I received an email from my friend Lisa last night, who said “see how much I need you in my life??” because she had never heard of SmugMug before she met me. That has inspired me to also share the cool websites, toys, gadgets, and neat stuff I find as a photographer. I love what I do.
Hope you enjoy!
