Melissa McElrath

Golden hour + my bestie + the prettiest pink hotel = a real life actual postcard 💕 The @thedoncesarhotel gave us main character energy that I’ll never get over. And, you better believe my camera bag is always packed, and ready for adventure like this!!

this summer is flying by, and I got to have some sweet full circle moments with my camera. Earlier this summer I photographed Jade’s kindergarten teacher’s maternity shoot. And a few weeks ago, Graham’s kindergarten teacher with her fam + new baby nephew? We love her so much we are doing kindergarten with her again 😂😉 And, don’t even get me started on this location…wide open field, mountainy backdrop, golden hour glow… SWOON Not to be dramatic, but I need more photos here. Like yesterday.

I just realized that as a wedding photographer I’m basically a professional 3rd wheel, and that made me laugh really hard 😂

I’ve been working on some behind-the-scenes things for my photography business… and it’s no secret, I’ve been in a bit of a rebuilding season in life too. One big step? A brand new website!! something that’s been on the back burner for way too long is finally in the works and almost ready to launch 💕🤞🏼 This has always felt like one of those “too overwhelming to start” projects, and I’m so proud to finally be making it happen. I seriously can’t wait to show you. But for now, I need a little help from my friends 😜🎶 If you were checking out a photographer’s website, what would you actually want to know about them? Like really. What would make you laugh, connect, or feel like “Yep, she’s my girl”? Because those are the EXACT questions I want to answer!! Whether it’s a serious question, a totally fun one, or ridiculous id love it if youd drop it below in the comments. And if you know me even a little bit, feel free to suggest something I should include about myself (im nervous that I just opened the comments for my friends to roast me 😂) and, I thought this was a good excuse to show you sweetest photo from today with my babies that made me tear up 🥹 (Shout out to my sweet friend @itsme_jessiefultz for getting in the creek for us 😭💕. How fun is it that we are friends that can hand the camera off to the other to capture each other with our kids?!)

Kaylee & Ridge … Such an authentic, real, once in a lifetime kind of love 💕 Venue: @chestnutridgeevents Planner: @emilygpricee with @crplanning Hair and makeup: @flawlessairbrush Dress: @mariegabrielcouturebridal Jewelry: @oliveandpiper Florist: @springvine.avl DJ: @kipperisrad

Who knew natural sunlight, a yummy chai, and being surrounded by people would make me so much more productive? Ps- if you are local… check out this adorable coffee shop @shortsleevescoffee and grab some flowers from @walkertownfarm . They have a subscription bouquet that you can pick up while you grab your coffee, and I really love that 💕💕

One thing about me as your wedding photographer … I’m going to be on the dance floor 😉😂

This reel has been in my drafts for almost two weeks, and man am I excited to hit the share button! Highland cows AND a proposal?? SAY LESS 👏🏼👏🏼 I can’t wait to share more from this session 💕🐮💍 Alsooooo. Who would be interested in highland cow mini sessions?! Because they are coming SOON 👀👀

I’m not a dramatic photographer … I’m a cool photographer 😜 But also … sometimes these knees and elbows really do hurt after photographing a wedding 😂 {Name that character and movie the sound is from for bonus points}

Just a little peronal life recap from May (in no particular order)💕🌵🌸 {some from my camera and some from my iPhone} Lots of photoshoots A quick trip to Joshua tree My niece turned one Grahams kindercelebration Jade finishing 4th grade Some girl time Fountain coke (obvi) Highland cows Silent disco Lots of big smiles with a mix of some tears … “Healing is not always light, but rain grows flowers too”