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

8-1-09 Leslie + Anthony Wedding II /  by Melanie Grizzel

been together for 7 years they look they are still in their honeymoon phase. Very refreshing!

I stand by it, that wedding was fantastic, so much fun, so many traditions, such great food and friends. Leslie is a photographer herself so making the photographer choice was difficult for her and her documentary film making husband, Anthony. I was honored just to have made the cut.

Strange but true, in the course of our getting to know each other, Leslie and I found that we attended the same college AND had the same professor and probably crossed paths at his wake last year. RIP Peter.
The wedding was help @ Fischer Hall in Fischer, Texas. It's a giant hardwood open canvas, a fantastic find for the budget conscience and imaginative bride. Located only 1 hour outside of Austin proper. It's worth a gander.
Here are some images of the event and as always you can see more on facebook, so please become a fan she-n-he photography and design. 
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Be well.
---mel










She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8-1-09 Leslie + Anthony Wedding /  by Melanie Grizzel

That was THE best wedding ever. This couple didn't have the biggest budget in the world or anytime at all to plan, just 6 weeks, but their attention to detail was unsurpassed. They injected Greek culture and tradition all over the place. It was spectacular. I suffered a teeny little cut from a flying plate, during the tradtional plate breaking, but it was worth it! Their family and friends were so welcoming, I felt like family while I was there, I even got "How do you know the couple?" "Oh you're ONLY the photographer ." ;) I get that all the time...
I know it's WAY too early to be picking favorites but this might be my favorite. I'll have to get back to you on that. I promise to be adding more this week.
Thanks for looking.
---mel


She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

7-29-09 Engagement Session /  by Melanie Grizzel

Engagement Session. 
An environmental Portrait at the location of your choice
online proofs for viewing and ordering for 1 year
total number of images = 100
DVD of all final, high resolution, digitally enhanced, print ready images
Custom designed 7x7 guest sign-in book

Here is an example of the guestbook that comes along with the engagement session.

She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design


7-28-09 Albums /  by Melanie Grizzel

You're engaged!
Time to start planning your dream wedding.
 
1st a date 
next a location
then perhaps, catering, photography, and a dress?
These things add up quickly, it's true. 
Now you're trying to figure out what fits in your budget and what doesn't or what you can or can't live without. I hope that albums will soon be a photography must have, if not now then at your anniversary next year, we can make one for you any time right after or way after your wedding day.
I wanted to show you our newest additions. 
Depending on your budget we have 3 tiers of album
All of our albums are designed specifically and exclusively for every couple. They employ a highly sophisticated, simple and modern design style that will transcend generations. All of the paper products are archival and guaranteed to last a lifetime. 
Album #1 
$500
30 page, 8x10 landscape, storybook, coffee-table album with dust jacket

Album #2
$900.00
30 page , 10x10 square, storybook, coffee-table album, with a wraparound cover and a plastic protective sheath.
Album #3
$1400.00
30 page, 10x10, storybook, flush-mount album, with cover material of your choice.


She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

7-27-09 The Reviews are in! /  by Melanie Grizzel


I’m not usually one to write reviews online, but for She-n-He Photography, I *have* to.  Of all the wedding planning details, finding the right photographer concerned me the most. Thinking about wedding photographs brought out my insecurities from junior high - being too pale, too tall, too this, too that.  However, my fiancé and I didn’t want to look like we’re on the cover of a romance novel, we wanted to look like us.  My husband and I are not super-traditional people, and we didn’t want super-traditional photos.  She-n-He’s photos were modern, yet classic.  They didn’t look staged, which is what I liked the most.  The colors in their photos were so vibrant, perfect for our outdoor wedding.  And, we were thrilled when we saw our engagement photos.  We LOVED them! Knowing that our photographs would be so good gave us some much needed piece of mind during the busy wedding planning process. 
 
Melanie suggested we look at bridal/wedding magazines to show her ideas on how we wanted our photos to look.  I’m so glad she suggested this. Many of the shots were exactly how we had requested (based on the magazine pictures we showed her).  She also asked us to list out the wedding party and family members for the group shots post-ceremony and at the reception. We were overwhelmed at all the people who were there to celebrate with us.  And photography was the *last* thing on our minds.  Melanie made sure to take the pictures we had requested. Unfortunately, a few people had left early (or didn’t come) so we couldn’t get some we wanted.  But, the fact that she tried to get them was impressive.  
 
I did not expect to be so anxious on my wedding day.  An hour before the ceremony, I was asking everyone around me “are the chairs set out for the musicians?  Are the musicians here?  Did someone pay them?  Does so-and-so have the programs?”  It was nuts.  In hindsight, I was not worrying about the photography at all.  And that was worth every penny.  When we put things in perspective, if the music or food is mediocre, no one will remember.  But the photos are forever and I cannot say enough good things about She-n-He Photography. Thank you so much Melanie and Steve, we will enjoy our wedding photos for a long time!

Thanks so much.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Margaret Vaaler

After their engagement shoot I got an email from Margaret that said "I cant stop looking at them." That was THE best compliment we have ever gotten.
Thanks for looking.
---mel
She-N-He 
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

7-8-09 Gecko /  by Melanie Grizzel

So the other night, Steve and I were headed to bed when Steve spotted a Gecko clinging to the window. I thought it was so great, I had to take a few pictures. Well then we blinded the poor thing with a maglight to get the right effect. Meanwhile 3am rolls around and the Gecko is so tired of us it leapt into the night sky. yuck... it almost touched me ;)
This experiment is a study of the effects of light. One subject, different lighting, completely different effects.
enjoy.
---mel


She-N-He.com 
Wedding Photography Austin

June 30, 2009 /  by Melanie Grizzel

June has come to a close and I realized today that I never put anything up about the Bridal Extravaganza. It was a little over a week ago at the Palmer Events Center, here in Austin, Tx. It's a huge bridal fair held 3 times annually. I know for brides it can be a bit intimidating, I understand that, but I LOVE them!!! I really do. It gives me the chance to get in front of a bride and really show her how much I love what I do and how our work will fit into your dreams of the perfect wedding. It makes me a little teary ;) that's for you Samantha. 
Steve and I worked the event together, he is the perfect carnival barker and I am great at having passion for our product. Together, as in life, we are a perfect team.
Here are some pictures of us and our booth, course I forget, or rather, chose not to bring my stinkin' camera. 
Enjoy,
---mel


June 6, 2009 Powell Wedding /  by Melanie Grizzel






6-6-09

Green Pastures location and catering
She-N-He Wedding Photography Austin, Tx
The Powells were married at the end of 2008 but were unable to share it with most of their friends and family. Thir first wedding was quite last minute, save a trip back to Toi home in Isreal, it's quite an interesting story but I'm sure you're more interested in the pictures.
Toi and Richard were two of the most lovely people I've ever met, they were very appreciative and complimentary, they made us feel like family while we were there. They had a large collection of nieces and nephews, they were SO stinkin cute. We couldn't stay away from them. I hope they marry again next year and we're invited again ;)
All the best to you 2, I saved the bum picture for your own personal collection ;)
Also, as always you can see more images from their wedding on our facebook page at she-n-he photography and design.
Thanks for looking. See you soon.
---mel

6-7-09 Christina + Matt Engagement /  by Melanie Grizzel






I shot Christina and Matt's Engagement session @ Mayfield Park in Austin, Tx on Sunday. 

It was really funny, in my old life I was used to never meeting my subjects before I shot them but now working in this industry I almost always meet my clients first.
Not these 2, they found me online and were so excited after our chat on the phone they booked me right from the phone call, Sunday was our first face to face. I couldn't be happier, what a pleasure these guys are, so bubbly and happy. 
They met as camp counselors (really) a little over 4 years ago. They spent some time in different states for college. I heard a great story about an airline ticket give-a-way from Wendy's having to do with saved cups, ask them about it, it's pretty sweet. They are MADLY in love and they really have a great time together always cutting up and making the other feel at ease. LOVE THEM. Their wedding is coming up in the fall, I'm excited.
As always there are way more pictures than will fit on the blog so join us on facebook to view the rest. become a fan on facebook at she-n-he photography and design.
We also photographed Toi and Richard's wedding on Saturday @ Green Pastures in Austin. I am working on a collection from the wedding all day today, hopefully I can get those babies blogged by tonight.

6-2-09 Margaret's excited /  by Melanie Grizzel

I love to get comments like these...

Melanie - THEY LOOK AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE THEM.

I'm so glad y'all are our photogs!!!

Margaret  

Thank you Margaret and Steve, for choosing She-N-He Photography and Design to capture your wedding photography.

6-1-09 Margaret and Steve Engagement Session /  by Melanie Grizzel






We actually shot this engagement shot at Mayfield Park in Austin on Saturday afternoon. But it's been a busy weekend, what with all of the photo assignments and my mother in law in town, I have been working around the clock to process but just got them done now.

We're excited for their wedding in July. 
Congratulations guys. Can't wait to hear comments nudge, nudge, ;) ,  ;)
There are several more on our She-N-He link on Facebook become a fan and have a look.
---mel