{I've moved}

There is a brand *new* blog in town...go check it out, and please update your blogrolls to reflect the new address!

www.melissazihlman.com/blog

Can't wait to see you over there!

{absent much?!?}

phew...almost two weeks without a blog entry...sorry guys!!

It has been a slew of First Communion shoots and wrapping up my major commercial shoot with a school in FWISD. I have been saw caught up in them, there hasn't been much time for anything else!

And I am not at liberty to post any of the pictures I've been taking because there are not signed model releases! I am back in action tomorrow with a normal shoot, and next week I am headed to Ohio for some mini-sessions! What fun! Stay tuned for updates soon!

Oh, and don't forget to check the "specials" tab on my website...there are a couple of great specials up right now!

:)

{wildflowers}

The bluebonnets are nearly gone - but that just means it is time for some of the other Texas wildflowers to make their debut. There are incredible fields of flowers all over, and today I was fortunate enough to photograph a family in them!

And can I just say, this the best looking family ever! There isn't a bad picture in the bunch, despite the crazy wind! Here's a little sneak peek...

{swap}

I had the most amazing opportunity today to participate in a swap with some other photographers in DFW. I know these ladies through a photography forum, and we've talked for some time about trading services since our own children don't like to pose for us anymore. :p

We met this evening in downtown Denton and I had the chance to shoot 7 adorable children while the other photographers shot my little man! The images of my E are fantastic - I can't wait to get them on my walls!

Just wanted to share a few of some of the lovlies I had the chance to meet tonight!

{Mister K is turning ONE}

This little guy is adorable, and if they sun hadn't set on us, I certainly would have continued shooting. He was just to die for!! We mixed a bluebonnet session with a little urban downtown fun!

Here's a little sneak peek for mom and Mimi. :)

{click on the images to make them bigger}

{family & bluebonnets}

Nothing says spring in Texas like family shots in the bluebonnets. Albeit most are on the sides of the highways, so finding the perfect patch can be hard sometimes! :)

I had the chance to photograph my family today - my mom, step-dad, and littlest brother scheduled their own session. They haven't had a family picture formally taken of the three of them...I think I got some gems! Here are the first few I pulled off the card for a little sneak peek! Enjoy!

{faux-hawk}

Meet Baby J - 5 days old, perfectly curly, and complete with a little faux-hawk! I think I am totally in love...I just couldn't get enough of him!

Here's a quick little sneak peek for mom and dad (and aunt D, too!)! Enjoy!!

{bluebonnets}

Had the chance to photography an amazing family today! A bluebonnet session...before all the flowers get trampled in the coming week!

How perfect are these girls? And thanks dad for making us laugh!! Here's a little sneak peek for mom and dad! Thanks for sharing your girls with me today!

{belly love} contest

Are you having a baby this summer? Do you just love your baby belly? Would you like to win a free maternity session?

Send me a picture of your sweet growing belly (and don't be afraid to show some skin!). Bonus points for pictures of your nursery as well, even if they are far from done!

Submissions must be received by May 1st. The winning mom-to-be will receive a complimentary maternity session.*

*sessions should be held between 32 and 36 weeks. winner is chosen by a subjective process. prize is nontransferrable. no cash value.

Contest bonus – book a newborn session before this contest ends on May 1st, and receive $50 off your session fee.

{You do not have to enter contest to be eligible for the discount. Mention the contest when booking}

{heaven}

Meet Mister G! Gorgeous, so incredibly well behaved, and an absolute dream to work with!! Can't wait to do more pics of this little guy as he gets older!

Here's a little sneak peek for mom and dad - enjoy!

{wonder}

Meet Miss A...gorgeous!!! She was a little premie, and now at eight weeks is a *hefty* seven pounds! So alert and perfect - thank you mom and dad for letting me photograph your adorable little girl!

{happy Easter}

from my family to yours...

(here's a picture of him watching the eggs very carefully!!)

{one more}

okay TWO more...I just can't help it...these girls are breathtaking...

{seniors 2009}

GORGEOUS!!! These girls were incredibly gracious this morning at our shoot - they must have changed clothes 6 times (in the backseat of the car no less), put up with fierce wind and the chill in the air - and to top it off they were up at 7 AM this morning - on the FIRST day of SPRING BREAK!!

You'll be seeing a lots of these three - they are my senior reps for 2009...thanks again ladies, you all are amazing!! Here's a little sneak peek...

{wedding}

I had the pleasure of shooting my first wedding last night!! What fun!! Thanks to Kenzie and Ryan for letting me be a part of their special day...here's the first few I opened to edit...

{fresh}

meet Landon...simply gorgeous! Mom is a photographer, so it was really an honor to be able to photograph this little bundle of joy!

{babybliss}

Had a product shoot with two adorable kids for babybliss' summer line this morning (they just happen to be the owner's children!!). Melissa Zihlman Photography will have a display of images from this shoot going up in babybliss' Southlake store in March - watch here for info about a cool special promo that will get you amazing stuff from babybliss and a free session from me!

It was freezing and windy - so we made use of the parking garage for a little urban fun! Here's a little sneak peek {click to make them larger!}

{bride}

Isn't she gorgeous?!?! Had the chance to shoot this amazing bride at the Cotton Mill in McKinney - fabulous location, amazing weather, beautiful bride!

{winner!!}

Wow!! What a great turnout I had to the {free} wedding photography package I offered as a Pay It Forward adventure for me! Thank you to everyone who passed this blog along and encouraged their friends & family to do the same!!

Congratulations to...drumroll please...

Courtney, Landon, & Keara


It will be an absolute honor to photograph your wedding this July!! I can't wait!! Stayed tuned to the blog in the coming days as I share their story with you...you won't want to miss it!!

Thanks again to all the couples - and please know that those not chosen will have their wedding photographs taken for free as well by some awesome photographer friends in the area, thank you to those pros for stepping up to help these amazing couples!!

{one more}

Couldn't help myself - here is the second picture I opened today!!

{double love}

Seriously, could these lovlies be any cuter? I have the greatest time photographing these 6 month old twins today!! Here is a little sneak peek for mom and dad...hope they napped well this afternoon!!

{brothers}

I couldn't leave big brother A out...I *love* this picture!!

{fresh}

This little one came early, and I had the opportunity to photograph him in the NICU...



Now he is home, and I had the honor of doing some newborn shots...he is perfect! Here is a little sneak peek for the whole family who have been anxiously awaiting pictures of Baby C! Enjoy!

{free} wedding photography

The problem:
As told by the New York Times

The inspiration:
Jason Groupp, Melissa Bitter, and Jessica Claire

It is time to pay it forward! People often ask me why I became a photographer - and the truth is I fell into it and fell in love with capturing memories! It is amazing to become a part of each family I photograph, catching the tender moments, the secret giggles, and great bear hugs!

I think that photographs are important for a lot reasons. I have many adorning my walls and albums, and when I look at them it takes me back to the exact moment the photo was taken - to the best moments of my life. Life passes so quickly - I cannot imagine not having photographs to remind me of the wonderful journeys I have taken!

Weddings, especially, go by so fast! I want to help you remember each special moment!! This is the reason I am going to be shooting a wedding for FREE in 2008! That's right, shooting, online posting, and an album for the couple on my own dime!

The Details:

Email your story and a photo of yourselves to mz {at} melissazihlman.com by Sunday, February 24th, 11:59 CST.

Qualifications:
1. Wedding must take place in 2008 - and a time and place must already be confirmed.
2. Must not be able to afford to hire another photographer
3. Wedding/reception must take place within 50 miles of DFW (I am willing to travel nationally, but travel expenses must be covered by winning couple)
4. I must be able to tell your story and show pictures on my blog
5. Story and photo must be received by February 24th at 11:59 CST.

The couple selected will receive:
10 hours of wedding day coverage
An online gallery for sharing and ordering prints
A DVD with images
A professional 20 page 10x10 flush mount wedding album

If you know anyone who is eligible, pleaase pass along the link!
:) Melissa

Legal disclaimer: Decision is subjective and final unless the couple chosen does not meet one of the qualifications outlined above. Services and product given to the couple has no cash value.

{fun family}

What a great time I had this morning. This family was so easy to photograph - and I know it wasn't a ton of fun for their teenage son - 9AM is super early at that age!!

Here's a little sneak peek for you...click on it to make a little bigger!

{winner}

Congratulations to little L and his family - your image was voted best of 2007! You will be receiving a mounted 11x14 copy of the winning image!

Thank you to everyone who participated in voting - it was a super close race - only 5 votes separated 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! Wow!!

Happy New Year and best wishes for a blessed 2008!