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9-3-09 Inspiration /  by Melanie Grizzel

I have been working on a little project here in my office to keep my mind fresh and agile. 
My inspiration wall. 
Every day or so I look online or take some pictures of life experience that will give me a unique perspective on the everyday, so I can have a clearer, sharper point of view. It frees me to put ideas and concepts in my head before each and every wedding. So I have been taking a variety of pictures from movie clips, a screen shot from the TV,  in movies such as Cadillac Record and The Reader. Or pictures of the museum I am in love with. Even children's play time can lend itself to rounding out my vision. I want to share it all with you. Mind you, not all of these images are wedding related or even couple related, but my first choice is. I am a huge Ellen fan, with her wedding passing, recently, she often shows images from their event. Beautiful images all. But there is this image, this simple and elegant image, that carries the weight of tremendous sensitivity and intimacy. I LOVE it. It was used in a gag about Aretha's hat, so sans the hat, this image is wonderful.
I searched all over the net to find the photographer who shot this to give her proper credit, I think this is it. I'm not sure, so if you know better than me, please send in a comment and correct me.
I believe the image was shot by Lara Porzak.
Please enjoy,
---mel

She-N-He
Wedding Photography and Design

9-2-09 Inspiration /  by Melanie Grizzel

This weekend Bishop, Steve and I went to this amazing museum in Waco, on a lark. The description in the travel guide made it sound comically random, but it was one of the best museums I've ever been to. It's called the Mayford Museum it's just a hop off 35 we spent hours there and were like kids in a candy store in their 2nd floor, specifically for kids, learn by touching exhibit area. We took the snappy so we have some shots of the place. I like to think of them as inspirational. It gets me out of my head and in a more creative place. 
Thanks for looking.
---mel



She-N-He
Austin Weddding Photography and Design

8-26-09 Options /  by Melanie Grizzel

So I know it's trendy to really USE photoshop, and the work out there is really beautiful and unique. I love photoshop it's one of the most remarkable tools we have, as photographers. I love my machines. I come from film though so playing with photoshop was to me just my clearing out of the darkroom which was NEVER my favorite place in the world. My professors in college would say "if you can find yourself a good printer, you'll be famous" so much for that ;) I never had the patience for it. Now I can do an everything I did in the darkroom and get the results in seconds, not full minutes. Yuck. ANd I don't smell like sulfur at the end of the day, lucky me.
Anyway, I told myself I didn't really want to play with photoshop too much.  I started out trying to replicate the look of my favorite films, Kodak 400 VC and Tri-X 400. Both fantastic films. But we just don't shoot film anymore. We transitioned a little over 2 years ago and haven't looked back. Great photographs are, at the core, great photographs, they don't need all of the photoshopping to make them any more special if they're special to begin with, right? 
Well I'm not so sure. Can a great photograph become greater if you add a special touch here or there. I came across this because I was trying to solve a problem. I was converting this image into B/W and found I wasn't getting the contrast I desired from the sky without leveling the depth in my subjects so I tried this. How can I call myself an artist is I can don't see things from different angles and evolve? I'm curious what you think. Please leave a note, I'll love to hear what people think.
---mel


Be well,

---mel
She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8.12.09 Redevelopment /  by Melanie Grizzel

Today I am looking at a load of websites to figure out how I would like my new commercial website to look. I have been searching through PDN to help me locate a number of amazing sites, plus I get to look at pictures all day long. LUCKY me!

Here are a few of my favorites so far.
Happy surfing.
Be Well.
---mel
She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8.11.09 Tree Chopping /  by Melanie Grizzel

We they did it, they took out our little piece of shade. It's a bummer its true, but now I see that in all of that dead brush, there was some live things underneath. They look nice, when the whole project is finished I'll post some after pictures.
So they showed up this morning early about 8:30 and began work. What these guys can do to remove these behemoth 35 year old trees is poetic. It's beautiful watching them in action. I'll prove it.
Be Well,
---mel







She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8-10-09 Sad Day /  by Melanie Grizzel

Today is a little bit of a sad day.

Yesterday a giant branch from one of our 30 year old trees out front cracked at the base and fell on the car. We had the tiniest, but still, rather violent storm that passed through yesterday. We spotted the branch as the rain was coming down. So when the rain stopped I ran out to take a few pictures before we began the removal process. It was unfortunate that the branch fell on the car but when things like this happen I realize the bond and teamwork I share with my dear husband. We went right out there and removed a tree limb together from the driveway. It was no easy feat. I was proud of us. Here comes the sad part. I called our tree guy, he's the best if anyone needs someone, and he is going to remove the entire tree tomorrow. Our front yard is going to look so barren. I'm not looking forward to it.
The good news is, we are going to plant 2 new live oak this fall. I'm so excited. I got the idea from a couple who's wedding is coming up. They are going to plant a tree on the morning of their wedding day. They can watch it grow and blossom with their marriage. We had a baby this year, these can be Bishop's twin pet trees. 
I will most definitely have pictures tomorrow. The men who work in our trees are magic men, they are so graceful while they move around the tops of the trees, cutting away the lifeless parts to make room for fresh growth.
See you then. 
Be well.
---mel
She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8.9.09 As promised... /  by Melanie Grizzel

Well I told you I would write everyday, so here it is. My Dad Joe and his lovely wife Martha were in Austin for a visit this weekend. They are from D/FW and try to get down here as much as they can to both see and love the baby, but also give Bishop's folks some much needed away time. So we saw our movie on Friday, Julie and Julia. Very nice movie, not much drama and slowly paced but it's just a comfortable Sunday afternoon feeling when you leave the theatre, a must see. Saturday we were going to go to the Texas state history museum, but ran clean out of time. So we went for a Mexican food lunch instead and floated in the pool with beers until the sun was completely set. It was so cozy. Then He grilled a Bobby Flay skirt steak recipe that would curl your toes it was so delish. This morning we went for pancakes at Kerby Lane, a family fav, and they are on their way home. Sounds like we just ate the whole time. There was other stuff mostly just playing with baby. I got all inspired and today, I AM going to finish up one room worth of curtains. I will. When they're wrapped I post a pick.

Thanks for looking.
be well,
---mel
She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8-8-09 Blogathon /  by Melanie Grizzel

So last night He and I went to see Julie and Julia. It was really good but the point to me is that I was way undervaluing the power of the blog. I am so sorry for that. I do my share of blog stalking and it's exciting when there is something new to look forward to. In that case, I will plan to write everyday... I've had many journals in my day and truly each journal has 2 or 3 pages in consecutive order then another entry from a month or 2 later and then maybe that next day. Its the same every time. 

I am going to do better, I will. Thank you to any and all who may be paying attention.
be well.
---mel
She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design