Dallas Fort Worth Texas Photographer Melissa Zihlman newborns children kids families seniors weddings commercial

I love the summer…it has been newborn central, with several more scheduled for August and September!! I love, love fresh souls, they are my favorite to photograph!

Meet Mister J…6 pounds of adorable boy. He made his entrance nearly two weeks early, and at a week old, he was totally interested in everything going on in his house today, which meant he didn’t sleep a wink! It is a good thing though, because he has some amazing eyes!! Thanks to mom, dad, & grandma for sharing him with me today…it was amazing!

Can you believe it is time to start thinking about the holiday season already?!? Things are in full swing here, with many repeat clients already booking their coveted spots! If you are interested in finding out about this year’s special please email mz@melissazihlman.com, and I’ll send over all the details! I look forward to seeing many new faces as well as my favorite little ones & their families this fall!

I couldn’t resist one more of Miss R…

Meet Miss R…8 pounds of pure perfection! After making mom and dad wait thirteen days past her due date to finally meet her, she made her entrance fast! I shot mom’s maternity session six weeks ago (http://melissazihlman.com/Blog/2008/06/09/perfect-belly/)…and mom and baby look so much alike!

Here’s a quick sneak peek for mom, dad, and the whole family! More to come…

I love contests - I love to give things away and meet adorable little ones! So here’s the 411on the latest…

“The Eyes are the Window to the Soul”

I am looking for a killer set of eyes…you know the ones, they draw you in and you can’t help but stare at them…

If you think your child (or children) has the eyes I’m looking for, then this contest if for you! Please send a recent snapshot (within the last two months) via email (mz@melissazihlman.com) by August 1st. The top five entries, as judged by an outside impartial panel, will be listed here August 5th. Voting will take place for one week - and the winner will receive (are you ready for this?!?!):

*a complimentary session

*12×12 gallery wrap canvas

* and the coveted spot on the front page of my website

a value of $500!!

(the fine print: contestants must not have been photographed by me in the last six months; prize has no cash value; only one entry per person (more than one child can be in a submitted picture); session must take place before August 31, 2008)

Tonight Courtney and Landon had the most wonderful wedding at sunset on Lake Grapevine.  GORGEOUS!  I promised mom I’d post a sneak peek…thanks for having me, it was an absolute honor to photograph this special day!

I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Sara and Drew tonight - married just three months - and willing to do just about anything during the “day after” shoot.  A shoot designed to show the newlyweds off, in their wedding attire, after being married a short bit.

It was an absolute pleasure to shoot them - could they be any more gorgeous?!?!

I am just about editing this maternity session, and when I opened this one, I *knew* I had to share…

Happy 4th of July friends!  I hope you have a wonderful long weekend…E got to see his first fireworks tonight (he totally slept through last year’s extravaganza!), and he loved every second!  Be safe and have fun…oh, and check back soon, I’ll be announcing a *new* contest next week, and the prize is SUPER FABULOUS!!

Here’s a couple shots from our backyard tonight!

Earlier this year I posted about offering my services for free to a worthy couple for their 2008 wedding (http://melissazihlmanphotography.blogspot.com/2008/02/ree_2146.html).  Landon and Courtney won the contest, and in two weeks I’ll be shooting their wedding at a fabulous sunset ceremony overlooking Lake Grapevine!  I can’t wait!

In addition to the wedding photographs, Courtney and I did a bridal session Monday, although I can’t share the images until after the big day! :)  We also met this evening with Landon and their going-to-turn-one-next-week gorgeous daughter Miss K.  We did some family shots for their rehearsal dinner…here’s a little sneak peek..