8.28.09 People en Espanol /  by Melanie Grizzel

About 6 weeks ago we shot this really fun job in Corpus Christie for People en Espanol. The subjects were contest winners. Ana had written an essay about the importance of family, so her entire family was awarded a trip to NYC to attend a Puerto Rican celebration in Central Park and a day or 2 to spend time with their family in the Big Apple. I imagine they've already been on their trip, but if you pick up a copy of People en Espanol you'll see one of these images.

I became friends on facebook with Ana and I can't wait to post her pictures. We have another big assignment coming up this next month and I am really excited about it. It's going to be meaty and challenging, and perhaps a little heart breaking. Wish me luck.
Take Good Care.
---mel






She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8-27-09 Kim + Larry Wedding 8.16.09 /  by Melanie Grizzel

Kim and Larry were wed at the absolutely stunning Natures Point on the lake. I'm sure I've said it about 4 million times, once more couldn't hurt, Texas has the most beautiful clouds. It has yucky heat and it's scary to fly into Austin in the summer but it is all worth it for those clouds. Unreal! I love Texas clouds. I have lived in and have been to many many places, but I have never seen clouds like these. They were out in spades for Kim and Larry's wedding. They make for a completely unblemished back-drop for the couples vows.  
Congratulations to you both.
As always you can find more images up on facebook.
Thanks for looking.
---mel









She-N-He
Austin Wedding 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

8-14-09 Wedding Advice. /  by Melanie Grizzel

So I have been working on a blog roll for a couple of weeks now trolling the internets... for new and exciting ideas, beautiful photography and inspiration boards. All the while I keep thinking to myself, if I had it to do all over again, except this time I'm older and wiser with more money to spend. What would I do this time? The truth is, I wouldn't change a single thing. Which is not to say, it wasn't flawed at all, there were tiny accidents and a major music malfunction, but those memories are for me to keep. I would do the whole thing all over again, flaws and all, because it was mine.

The moral of the story is, you only have it to do this one time, and the memories you make, will be with you forever. 
Make it perfect, make it you. 
You CAN do it, even on a budget. 
So have a look at our blogroll, there are so many wonderful ideas out there. Ideas by other budget watching brides. 
It's yours, run with it.
Be Well.
---mel
She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8-13-09 One Bride's thoughts /  by Melanie Grizzel


Mel-

The pictures! They are soo beautiful!! I knew when I looked at your portfolio that they would be wonderful and I knew that I was picking the perfect photographer for our event. However, I had no idea they would be this good. It was like you were in my head and saw the photos I was wishing for. All the pictures you took were so lively and creative. There is so much heart behind them, I can tell you enjoyed being there. The colors are so vivid. The moments you caught were so wonderful. Your images tell the story of our wedding. There are so many good ones too! Every single one out of 550 I love, it is impossible to pick my favorite. I love the way you photograph too by the way. When it came to portraits you knew what you wanted and got it, when it came to catching the action you went with the flow and caught everything. I'm beyond glad that you were there shooting my wedding. Thank you for turning what was a huge problem for me into the best thing about my wedding. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so such creative moving images.


-Leslie

We were happy and proud to be included. Leslie is a photographer in Dallas, we learned after we got to chatting, that we went to the same school and had the same professor. Small world. It is always such an honor to work with other creatives. It adds an element of fear almost, "they know how they would do it, will they like what I do?"
guess so!!!
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

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