9.29.09 Kate + Ryan Engagement /  by Melanie Grizzel

I love these guys, Ryan is a rocket scientist (did I spell that right ;) he recently wrapped up an internship at NASA. Kate is a 3rd grade teacher at Matthews Elementary, right here in Austin. She has got a arm load of 3rd grade jokes that are actually funny with her precious and childlike delivery. We had such a fun time. Their dog would do almost anything for a snack... Plus, they let me pick the location. So I did little location scouting in my neighborhood and picked an ideal warehousy type of location. It was great, it had several offerings for ideal set-ups. I have my next location already in mind. Thanks for trusting in me guys. And thanks for such a wonderful time.
I'm excited for your wedding... next year.
As always join us on facebook to view the rest.
---mel








She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

9-25-09 This weekend /  by Melanie Grizzel

Man, am I ever super pumped about this weekend. We are shooting 2 engagements sessions and meeting 3 new couples. What a great weekend, I'm really excited. Plus I have a bridal coming up that I am putting some inspirational material together for. What do you think?
Be Well,
---mel


She-N-He 

Austin Wedding Photography and Design

9.24.09 So Excited /  by Melanie Grizzel

So I shot a bridal session with Nancy and her mom on Sunday and of course I'm not allowed to share any of them with you guys, just yet. Her wedding is on October 3rd so you can bet I am going to race to get them up on October 4th. In the mean time I was so moved by the images that I sent them all around to my favorite wedding inspiration websites and 1 of them has decided to repost them a week after Nancy's wedding.

Lolliblog will be doing the reposting. I am super excited to be included, based on her past posts, I will be in perfect company. 
Remember to pop by on October 4th to see them first.
I can't wait to share it with  you guys.
Have a great day.
Be Well,
---mel

9-18-09 Wela Debbie /  by Melanie Grizzel

This blog is a tribute to the woman who risks life and limb to drive to Austin from Dallas every weekend to care for Bishop and clean our house ;) 
The best mom in the whole world and best Wela any 2 grandkids could ever have. 
And overall the pied piper of anyone under 5. 
My Mama.
Thanks for looking.
---mel


She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

9.11.09 Sadness /  by Melanie Grizzel

The towers fell out of a crystal clear, blue September morning sky. Just 5 months after I started dating my husband. Just 6 years after I moved to New York. Just 25 minutes after I left my house that day. Just 40 minutes after I missed the call from my Mom asking me "What the hell is happening out there?" 

She had heard already the plane had hit the first tower, while on her business trip to Chicago. I didn't even know it was going on until after the 1st tower fell. I was headed to a meeting and they all knew it, I called Steve from their landline and screamed into his phone, terrorists are attacking the WTC. I asked his to call from his land line everyone we knew to tell them we were fine. On my way home I passed some construction workers who were briskly walking toward the river, proclaiming "the next one is going to hit Time Square," I lived at 43rd between 9th and 10th. For you non-New Yorkers that is about 3 short blocks from Times Square. I ran home to my apartment and ran up the stairs and my first familiar face was Miguel who gave my first hug of security that I craved after all of this. We ran into our roommates room who had a TV, the TV was pointed north and the window we watched from was pointed south. So we watched it live and live on TV as the second tower came crashing down. We were sending emails home to family as fast as we could and I was convinced it wasn't over, I told my sister I loved them and I would miss them. My best friend Rhonda worked in an office building on Spring Street and Varick, she could see from her desk, tiny figures dropping out of the windows. I'm sorry she has to live her life with that memory. 
I lived in a building with a number of artists we all laid on the king sized bed on the 1st floor all 5 of us watching the news, that clip of the plane hitting the second tower as the first tower was burning, over and over again it played. 
About 40 minutes after the towers fell, I heard my Mom's voice for the first time, she still had no idea if I was alright, she was in full on panic mode. Some strange man answered her phone and called out to her, he told me that she has been waiting to hear from me. She picked up the phone and I could sense the bottom dropped out from under her, she was so scared.  About 1.2 hours after the towers fell Rhonda walked in the door after walking the 2-3 miles home from her office (the subways were closed.) She was covered in dust and soot and I remember hugging her and thinking that we might make it through this. About 4 hours after the Towers fell Steve called and and told me that my mom called him and said they opened the Subways and that I should get my ass to Brooklyn with him and safety. The subway ride was surreal, it seemed normal but everyone knew it wasn't. I got to his apartment and he met me at the door. In that hug I knew that I would be alright. We stayed awake all night watching that image on the tv over and over again. 36 hours after the towers fell we went to Philadelphia for a Ben Fold concert, by way of the Verrazano bridge, the same bridge we took when we moved away from New York, 5 years later. There was a great plume of smoke coming from ground zero and the rescue effort was far from over. We saw the Liberty Bell that day. I love Ben Folds for not canceling that show, it was the best distraction I could think of, though every loud noise or low flying plane, anything like that would strike me for years with paralyzing fear. We drove home only to pass the lower part of Manhattan once more, this time it was just blackness and hazy from the smoke. For weeks after, every time you were in the subway you were struck with the images and words from families missing their loved ones, walls and walls, miles of missing persons signs haphazardly scrolled on paper, desperate for answers.  Heartbreaking. For years after, every time you were with a group of people at a party, concert, restaurant, anything. The conversation would always end with where were you? 
I have moved forward like so many others never got the chance to do. I've been married and had a baby. The lesson I learned was that you never take for granted what is most important. My family.
Where were you? 

9-9-09 Weddings Unveiled /  by Melanie Grizzel

Crystal Hunter had a great idea.

She is the event coordinator and mastermind behind Weddings Unveiled night out in Austin. 
She was married just last year and found that an intimate affair at the Allan house among other brides was an ideal situation to dream up and make plans for a wedding. In the course of making plans, she found that other options like this were too overwhelming and thus came up with her plan. An evening out at a local venue with a small number of local vendors, other brides, cake and wine was just the ticket. So far there have been 5 unveiled events and another is planned for every 6 weeks. For a nominal fee, just $5, you can have access to a number of excellent vendors, delicious food and spirits, and live entertainment. For that matter if you sign up early you can skip the fee all together. Visit their website for details.
The vendors at this event are among the best of the very, very best and not to be missed. Plus, we'll be there next month!
"Wedding planning as it should be... fun, inspiring and memorable."   

We hope to see you October 27th at Mercury Hall.
---mel

She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

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

9.1.09 Miata World /  by Melanie Grizzel

So we shot this fun little editorial at the beginning of the summer, May I think. As you know, you can't post any editorial content until the embargo is up, so it finally ran, in the September issue of Zoom Zoom Magazine. I wanted to show these off, they were super fun. So it's a convention for Mazda Miata owners and drivers. 300+ Miatas converged in Grapevine, Tx for the 2nd annual event. Now you may not know this about me, but I am not much of a car person. I mean I can look at those little Miatas and appreciate them for beginning cute and shiny but I just don't give a flip about what's under your hood. But being on the track at Texas Motor Speedway was exciting, I have to admit. It felt like a place where few had stepped before us, it was special. While my opinions of cars have not wholly changed, I have a new appreciation.
Thanks for looking.
---mel







She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography and Design

8.31.09 Cousins /  by Melanie Grizzel

Last weekend my sister Hillarie and her daughter Reagan (Bishop's cousin) came to visit for the weekend. Reagan is 2.5 years old now and she talks and walks and has this awesome personality that you just seem to be drawn to. She also gives the best hugs of just about anyone I know. She's not shy, she is extremely forthcoming and affectionate. I just can't get enough of her...
please enjoy these great big blue eyes. 
---mel









She-N-He
Austin Wedding Photography an Design

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