Samantha + Scott Married! /  by Melanie Grizzel

Can you believe it!?
Sam is our bride from the crazy Bachelorette Party you'll be able to see more of on Off Beat Bride in a week or 2. The wedding was so perfect, exactly the way they imagined it. They married in beautiful St. Mary's Catholic Church in Brenham, Tx,  followed by an afternoon reception at Brenham's country club. Instead of a first dance, our couple competed in their first DDR dance off, they provided a Blue Bell ice cream bar, and hand-made assorted sushi out of candy for their favors. S+S started making origami cranes for their decor.  Along the way they read somewhere that 100o folded birds represents good luck. They bought paper and enlisted their friends to help them reach their goal, they considered this to be a collective good luck charm from their friends and family for their new marriage. We had such a blast with them. I hope they renew their vows next year!
As always you can find more on facebook.
Thanks for looking.
---mel






She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

4.16.10 Samantha's Bachelorette. /  by Melanie Grizzel

Samantha is one of our most recent brides. She's a non-traditionalist as you can plainly see. She found a big batch of heinous wedding dresses online for < $. So she got her mom, MIL, friends and bridesmaids together to have a "Let's re-imagine these ugly dresses party!" Everyone was really into, they tried-on, shredded, sewed, hot-glued and drew on the dresses. In the end the dresses, while retaining just a glimmer of their 1980's glory days, were wearable again. kind-of. After that the brave woman were dropped off on 6th street on a Saturday night wearing their creations. Sadly I missed that part. 
Thank you for looking, please enjoy.
As always you can see the rest of the images on facebook
---mel





She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design




4.15.10 Gullahorn Family /  by Melanie Grizzel

Six months ago, or so, I was asked to donate services to a cause I believe in. So Patti bid on our offer and won our services, she wasn't sure what to do with it at first but decided that she would hold onto it until her big birthday she had coming up. So while she had her entire family in town for her birthday we shot her entire family.
It's brief glimpse into what it could be like in such a large family (3boys and 1girl) plus all of their spouses and kids (6 grandkids) and (2 great-grandparents) so in total 15? It's a strange kind  of chaos, a happy chaos, the kind of blinding nuttiness that can only come with a family this size. We wanted to take portraits of all of the family units plus the whole family and different groups and singles where there was time. It was a smashing success. 
The Gullahorn's bought a giant piece of property "out in the country" 30 some years ago and it's fun to think this is just the scene they imagined when they made this wonderful purchase. 
Thank you for looking.
Tomorrow, stay tuned for Samantha's bachelorette party.
As usual you can see more images on facebook.
---mel





She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

4.7.10 Katrina + Andrew Married! /  by Melanie Grizzel

Katrina and Andrews wedding was held a few weeks back at The Gardens of Cranesbury View. Wow, stunning location. It's a blank slate with a Tuscan sensibility, immaculate, perfect. The gardens are fantastic and and clearly a labor of love. It's built on a slight hill so it seems to open up the sky. The Collins a husband and wife team who own this treasure are the perfect addition to your perfect day, accommodating and resourceful. You really can't go wrong. If you haven't seen it, you must go. 
Katrina and Andrew. I just love you guys, look at those smiles. So perfectly matched. Enjoy your beautiful life together. I'm glad I got to be there at the beginning.
---mel
as always there are a lot more images on facebook. come be our fan!








She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

4.1.10 Memories /  by Melanie Grizzel

While doing something completely everyday, mundane, normal, I came across an envelope with my wedding date printed on it. Which, by the way, is the same date as the flash forward, in "FlashForward." So I opened it to see what was inside, I'm sure I put it there when we moved into this house, it was a stack of wonderful pictures from our wedding day, that I couldn't be happier with. I LOVED our wedding photographer, in-fact I called him while on our engagement vacation to make sure he would do it.

The flood of memories that come racing back to me about how wonderful all of those details were that we painstakingly assembled in the course of a year. It was amazing. I will cherish these images and my memories for a lifetime. 
Word of advice, LOVE your wedding photographer, and you WILL love your images.
Happy Engagement.
---mel
She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

3.25.10 Boggy Creek Farm /  by Melanie Grizzel

Yesterday I wrapped up Tricia + Jonathan's wedding At  Mansion at Judges Hill, then I ran down to Kyle for the Weddings Unveiled Event. It was aquite a nice turn out considering the weather and it was a pleasure to meet all of the couples there. Thanks for coming out.
Today I am editing an editorial job for Organic Gardening Magazine that is not going to run until next year, they have to wait until the items photographed are back in season again. So I will not be able to post those until then. I can tell you I went to the East Side Cafe to do the gardening picks, wow, I was so inspired I decided to do the bulk of my produce shopping at local CSAs and farmers sales in the area, primarily Boggy Creek Farms. Last Wednesday during spring break I took my good friend and her 2 kids over there. It's satisfying telling your kids "This morning the earth grew this (enter vegetable of choice here) and someone picked it, cleaned it, I will cook and tonight you will eat it." Amazing. It feels so good to know exactly where our food comes from. Plus until 1 week ago I had never once eaten a mustard green and I wasn't a huge fan of beets, I am now. I LOVE them, they are that much better coming direct from the garden. Boggy Creek has a sale every Wednesday and Saturday, there are also chickens to look at. Wednesdays seem to be good kid parent bonding time. 






She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

Tricia + Jonathan Married! /  by Melanie Grizzel

Tricia + Jonathan's nuptials were graciously hosted at the Mansion at Judges Hill and fit for royalty. I have been a little obsessed with my Vintage Kennedy family portraits and I think you might see that in the lead shots here. The service was lovely and location was great but that party, THAT PARTY!!! wow! those guys can dance their little bums off! and really, really good dancing going on. I requested dance lessons after the wedding. I was politely blown off. Does that mean no? 
Please enjoy the shots from their wedding and as always there are plenty more on facebook.
Maybe this will get Tricia to join ;)
Thanks for looking.
---mel






She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

3.9.10 Linsey + Marcos /  by Melanie Grizzel

Linsey is a leasing agent in an apartment complex in North Austin. She first met Marcus 3 years ago when she leased him his apartment. How romantic. On their first date, she indulged in beers while he delicately partook of margaritas and it's been love ever since. They plan to marry in September and I couldn't be happier for them. They are wonderful together, they make you happy just spending time in their presence. Good luck with the rest of your planning and your big move you have coming. See you soon.
As always you can view more by becoming our fan on facebook.
---mel











She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design
 

2.28.10 Brandi + Lee Married /  by Melanie Grizzel

Barr Mansion
Brandi + Lee, I am so bummed it's done. I am going to miss them so much. WE talked so much through their entire engagement. Brandi bounced ideas my way a lot and it was fun being a quiet voice in the background. I can claim credit for any of the creativity they expressed in their wedding details but I can say they looked exactly how they said they were going to look. It was so thrilling being there and seeing all of those amazing ideas take actual shape. Beautiful job you guys. You might remember Brandi and Lee from their engagement session. See how amazing they are?!
Thank you guys for everything, it was an honor to share your day with you.
All the very best, we'll miss you.
---mel
P.S. As always you can see more images on our facebook gallery.


















She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

3.8.10 Marie + Sean Engaged! /  by Melanie Grizzel

Marie is our intern/3rd photographer we have been working with this year, and we LOVE her. She is a ball of energy and so positive, it's magnetic. She met her fiance Sean on a plane flying from some small town in MI to another, a 45 minute flight. At the end of the flight they walked a little, had some lunch and hoped that their next flights were delayed, but they weren't. Sean took Marie's email address and dutifully emailed the minute he exited his second flight. She was so thrilled, and for 3 years the couple met back in forth in their requisite home-towns, until it was time for Sean to deploy. She moved to South Carolina to continue her education in Library Science where his "home base" would be. Then discovered Library Science just wasn't her bag so with a fully planned wedding scheduled for November of 2010 in SC, she moved to Austin to try her hand at wedding photography. Sean, on his half way point leave, came to visit with her here and now both are in love with the each other AND Austin. His time was limited, the weather was wishy-washy and our schedules barely matched up. We were finally able to make it work and here are our results.
Thank you both so much for you time and trust. I had a great time working with you.
Congratulations to you both and Sean be safe, we'll see you in about 8 months.
As always you can see more on facebook.
---mel





She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

2.26.10 Michelle's review /  by Melanie Grizzel

Michelle says:

We met Melanie and Steve at my sister-in-law's wedding where they proceeded to get my fiance (now husband) hooked on photography!  They are friendly, down-to-earth and FUN!

Between that first impression as guests and seeing the resulting photos of that wedding, when we became engaged, we knew they absolutely were the only photographers for our engagement and wedding photos!

Melanie encouraged us to shoot our engagement pictures in an unconventional place... the below comment from one of our friends says it all:

"Here's what's cool about the engagement pics:  they were taken in a very utilitarian place, industrial, but there is a warmth that radiates from you guys so the lasting impressions of the photos are of calmness, comfortable familiarity, love.  I think that is the coolest."

The arrived at our wedding well before the ceremony to ensure they got every moment, detail and most importantly EVERY EMOTION!  We didn't even realize they were taking photos all around us at the ceremony.... until we saw the proofs.. and all I can say is WOW!!!  They succeeded in capturing the tenderest moments as well as the craziest moments of the dinner/reception.

I would recommend She-n-He to anyone in need of a professional photographer for not only engagements / weddings, but family pictures, senior pictures, babies... you name it, they will provide beautiful memories you will cherish for a lifetime!


YEAH! we love to make people happy!
---mel

2.24.10 for fun /  by Melanie Grizzel

Yesterday in Austin, Tx... it snowed. I know, you can't believe it right, well I have proof. 
It was the first time in 14+ months that Bishop boy has seen snow so I snatched him away from his morning breakfast so we could get a shot of him with the snow. There wasn't much, but he could sit in it and had to wear a hat and his favorite Lakers jacket.
Thanks for looking.
---mel


She-N-He

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

2.22.10 Taylor Senior /  by Melanie Grizzel

We shot a senior portrait for a Gracie about a month ago and now her good friend from school ms. Taylor has come for her Senior Portraits. I LOVE shooting Senior portraits. Taylor graduates in June this year and besides being super cute she's also brilliant and dedicated. She was just checking out the University of her choice, in BOSTON!!! I am a big advocate of students leaving home and trying out the other end of the country to go to school. It's the best and most freeing time of your whole life. Try everything out, now is the time. Congratulations to Taylor, sounds like she's made her choice, she'll be a Husky next year. We wish you all the best.
As always you can find more images on Facebook.
Until next time.
---mel





She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

2.14.10 Happy Valentines Day /  by Melanie Grizzel

Tonight Steve and I opened a new bottle of wine for a left-over dinner, we used good place-mats and tended to the baby no less that 5 times times. Watched taped Amazing Race. Now we're off to bed. 

There is something blissful in finding rhythm and joy in the everyday.
I wish it for everyone.
Happy Valentines Day.
---mel

2.13.10 Weddings /  by Melanie Grizzel

I love weddings. In fact, in about and hour I am going to capture for all time, a wedding for a blissfully happy couple in Austin. It's amazing knowing that there is this wonderful service that I can provide. These images will be a part of their lives for their live forever and its exciting to know that my life has impacted someone else's in such a way. I feel like the luckiest person in the world. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life.

On another note. This morning over breakfast with the baby, Steve and I talked about what our wedding day was like. We put together a wonderful collection of wedding memories on audio tape for just this reason, it's funny to see what our mind recollects now. I remember a bubble bath and a lunch date with my girls. I know there were unplanned things that happened and someone might even consider them to be "bad," I didn't. The fond memories are the only ones that stay with you. My sister would say that worst thing that happened at out wedding was she forgot to bring my vows to the alter, I handed them to her and didn't tell her what it was for. So I turned to her in the middle of the service asking for them and she didn't have them, my husband and I skipped over this moment. I never cared about it, but she thought it was the worst thing in the world to ever happen. Even now I have to really work at it, to retrieve this memory. I guess what I'm trying to get at is this; you can plan, and plan, and plan and plan, but we're human and things go the way the universe wants them to. 
Be open. Life is a long journey. Enjoy it.
---mel

2.11.10 Inspiration /  by Melanie Grizzel

Yesterday I was asked by a couple who I met with, where I found my inspiration. It was such an excellent question and I wanted to share my answer with everyone. 
I find my inspiration in everything, color, texture, expressions, everywhere. More literally, I find inspiration in location, fashion, grooming and personality. People inspire me, sometimes the people I get to work with are afraid of the camera and it's fun to see them come out of their shell, and that's inspiring. And sometimes I get to work with "old pros" in front of the camera and it's a whole different kind of inspiration. I also keep a collection of pictures and illustrations that inspire me daily. I have a bulletin board on the wall that I tack all of this imagery into. I keep collections of graphic art and photography books. I find inspiration in everything, I love Books, Movies, Magazines.  I subscribe to PDN, Dwell, Cooking Light, Entertainment Weekly, and Time. I have a handy camera around incase a movie or a show has a nicely blocked scene. I take a shot of it and save it for my wall. In this batch of images you'll see some images from Cobis images, you'll see a clip from Mad Men, and scene from The Reader. Some several classic French and American advertisements. 
Inspiration can come from anywhere. Especially from you. 
Thanks for asking.
enjoy.
---mel








She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design