Melinda Holland Photography

10/11/2010

The Petersons – Full Set

Filed under: Baby,Family Portraits,Portraits — Tags: Peterson — Melinda @ 10:42 pm

It’s high time I posted more of the Peterson’s photos. I had originally posted 2 photos back in June. And then, as usual, I blinked and three and a half months flew by. September was a busy month for me and October has it’s own stuff…time just keeps slipping away. Anyway. Onto the greatness that is the Peterson Family:

This is Nic with his son Brad–who has the most priceless expression on his face. Absolutely captivating. I can’t stop looking at his face. So great. So, so great. One of my favorite portraits of the year. I love that red jello with its red spoon against the blue shirt. And that bandage on Brad’s right knee! Whoo! Perfection! The bandage is so boy and the red jello is childhood all the way. Greatness. Absolute greatness. Some people are so easy to photograph. All the Petersons have to do is be themselves and they look AMAZING! They dress themselves, prop themselves…I mean, I couldn’t have asked for a better “prop” in Brad’s right hand. Love it! Alrighty. Enough rambling. On to the next photo!

Here’s Brad looking like quite the handsome young chap. He totally did everything. I didn’t tell him to angle his shoulders like that or give that smiling yet serious look. I just told him where to stand and–Bingo!–he posed like a total model. Put this kid in a J. Crew Crewcuts ad!Nic & Cheryl looking ever so flirtatious. Cheryl’s expression in the photo on the right is so joyous and effervescent. My eye keeps going back to her face and those beautiful, long, dark and wavy locks of hers. Those Petersons. They are so cute together.And here’s little Kylie, the Peterson’s newest addition. So precious. She has the longest lashes framing those blue eyes.

I posted this photo in B/W here. I actually prefer the B/W but here’s a color version for those who prefer color.Now, onto natural light, which has a beautiful quality all it’s own:

Beautiful.Love these two shots. Look at their beautiful eyes!

I really enjoy the two photos below. The geometry is beautiful and fresh.

Thank you, Peterson Family, for the privilege of spending time with you! It was lots of fun!

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09/01/2010

Water Lily

Filed under: Plants — Tags: b/w, black, green, lily, pad, pink, water, white — Melinda @ 2:59 pm

A special shout-out to a highly informative video called “The Lotus vs The Water Lily” on YouTube for helping me determine that, yes, this flower is indeed a water lily and not a lotus, as I had originally thought….oh the things we can learn on YouTube.

I LUUURRVVE this black & white water lily with the dew drops (thank you, sprinker system, for creating such nice dew drops). I want a big print of this on metallic paper–well, on second thought, maybe I don’t. Metallic might be too cheesy. Okay, nix the metallic. How ’bout a nice, crisp yet creamy print where all the tones work together like butter. Ummm. I heart this photo. I wanna eat it.

I’ll let your eye rest before you scroll down to…

BAM! COLORRRR!!!! I like it. But I like the B/W better.

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08/17/2010

Spencer the Big Brown Lab

Filed under: Personal — Tags: brown, chocolate, dog, lab, labrador, Spencer — Melinda @ 11:52 am

At the lake, sniffing & running around with pure joy!

This big, lovable pup named Spencer belongs to our friends Jim & Donna. He has a beautiful, shiny coat and the prettiest eye color, kind of a brown/yellow/green mix with dark flecks spread all throughout.

As you can see, he likes to play tug of war with his rope and run around sniffing things like a mad dog. Quite the endearing chap.

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07/28/2010

La Petite Maison – Jamestown, CA

Filed under: Places — Tags: jamestown, karen, La Petite Maison, Lollia, lpm, luckhardt, pete, sid dickens, soap — Melinda @ 7:28 pm

I spy something cute! …at La Petite Maison in Jamestown, CA!– The Green Room –

Welcome to the world of La Petite Maison in the historic Gold Rush town of Jamestown, California. Owners Pete and Karen Luckhardt have created a beautiful oasis full of color, charm and treasure. From the moment I stepped into this amazing shop, I knew it was going to be an inspirational place. Below: Crossing the threshold into a beautiful shopping wonderland.The store is divided into 4 themed rooms (Red Room, Green Room, Blue Room and a Children’s Room featuring Trumpette brand baby boutique items), surrounding a central area, plus a relaxing garden area outside.

Pete and Karen have quite the decorative sense, pulling together textures and colors in the most delightful way. Everything is balanced and in its place.

Left: Just look at those gorgeous, blossoming, green votives amidst the rustic wood elements. Right: Love how those green eggs echo the other green pieces in the room.There she is! Karen, the owner, looking marvelous with a scrumptious purse from the store. Flanked on either side of Karen are two perspectives of the Red Room where the “scrumptious” blue purse lives.

And, while we’re at it, let’s go ahead and view two more photos of Karen!Just look at the creative world Karen’s put together! So many unique pieces under one roof for a grand shopping experience!

These Sid Dickens art pieces are incredible. The photograph doesn’t do these beauties justice. You’ll have to check them out in real life. The form, detail and intricate, tactile qualities of each piece are best observed in person. Not surprisingly, these are one of La Petite Maison’s top sellers. The other being the incredibly aromatic line of French soap they carry, seen above in two of Karen’s portraits.

A few necklaces from their well-stocked jewelry case. Those blue stones are like perfectly preserved drops of water. Beautiful.

The children’s room featuring Trumpette brand items. Every room has a personality of its own!

These coasters were among my favorite things in the store. Karen had them displayed all over and they kept beckoning to me. They come in all different designs, each one a work of art in itself. I was SO enchanted by all of them!

More detail shots… There just wasn’t enough time to shoot everything in the store. Too many amazing things at La Petite Maison!!

At the end of the shoot, much to my surprise, Karen sent me home with a bag full of goodies! I fully didn’t expect such generosity so this little gift bag was such a treat. Thank you Karen and Pete for your generosity and for sharing your world with me. I had a wonderfully inspirational day at La Petite Maison!

And…2 more product photos–for good measure…and just ’cause I like ’em.If you haven’t yet visited Pete & Karen Luckhardt’s gorgeous store, La Petite Maison in Jamestown, CA, yet. You must go and check them out! The Citrus & Black Tea soap smells wonderful! Wish I could describe the scent to you…but you’ll just have to go to the store and smell for yourself. They also have an amazing Lemongrass soap that smells ever so refreshing & invigorating.