my favorite

type of session.

simple clothes,

pretty light,

white linens.

stripping away

the fuss.

keeping only

what matters.

the gap-toothed smile,

the way her hair falls

just right,

the way you can

hear

her laughter

when you see that image.

his crinkled nose,

perfect little toes,

and crystal blue eyes.

it’s not about

the clothes

or the props,

it’s about remembering

your child,

your children,

just

as

they

are.

my clients

forever

that real

genuine

moments

aren’t forced.

they are fluid

little glimpses

found in every session,

when the subject

is allowed

to just

be.

MZP is rolling out a new take on the classic session. It’s simple, understated, real…the moments you want to remember about your child, about your family, about each other. In the coming weeks on the blog you’ll see real families, real children just as they are – imperfect but completely perfect to those who love them, exactly how God intended us to be – so totally, head over heels in love.

meet Campbell.

newly four.

big sister

little sister.

six sweet freckles,

piercing blue eyes.

sweet

as

sin.

and today,

she was allowed

to just

be.

If you’d like more details on this new offering, shoot me an email: mz@melissazihlman.com

I met up with

colin & addie

for the first part of

their session.

it was

cold.

really cold.

recently,

their dad came home

from his latest tour

and it was time

to finish the session.

this morning

it was warm…er

and the light was

perfect.

we visited mom’s

alma mater

tcu.

it’s one of my

favorite

places to shoot,

and these kids

didn’t disappoint.

I just

love you

already.

just fourteen

days old,

a total

toehead

with the bluest

eyes.

you’re quite the

entertainer already,

even roxy

seems smitten.

I’m so excited to spend the next year watching you grow into an adorable toddler…I can’t wait!  Thanks Caroline & Chris for sharing him with me!

families of three

is now four.

meet logan.

six days new.

looks

so much like

his big brother.

everyone

is already

smitten.

cannot wait

to watch him grow

this year.

she’s this amazing

photographer

in Denton,

a mama,

and wife…

and my friend.

her family is

awesome.

she and Mark

are so in love,

the kids are

a riot,

you can’t help

but see it all,

every good feeling,

oozing from these images…

wasn’t going to stop us

this morning.

carson & caroline

were ready

to play.

the boy loves

space,

and legos,

and thomas.

the girl

full of grins

and the

BEST

head of hair.

it was magical,

just a little peek

into

their world.

you

are

perfect.

what a treat

to capture you

while

you were

still

so new.

and

a big brother

now.

he’s

totally cute,

a little sneaky,

and has

a laugh

that will make

your heart

sing.

gosh,

I love

this kid.

Blake

is one.

a sweet

baby plan baby

is all

grown up.

don’t you

just want

to squeeze those cheeks,

and stare

at those eyes?

his smile

is

infectious.

what a delight.

and daddy,

welcomed

sweet hallie

last week.

she slept like

a dream

and even

smiled

for us.

can’t wait

to finish her session

outside

next week.

and his mommy.

I love

when moms ask

for pictures

to include them.

to capture

the special moments

that often go

undocumented,

because mom

is usually the

family photographer.

images of a mom

and her baby

make my heart

happy.

and daddy

got an amazing gift

this week.

meet natalie,

5 days of

chubby cheeks,

dark hair,

and

all things girly.

in a word

she is

perfect.

this mama?

her girls

are here.

18 days old.

two perfect

little girls.

one

passionate little blonde,

who favors

daddy.

and one

calm and alert

petite brunette,

who is

her mama.

gorgeous

both of them.

congratulations

mom & dad

(and the grandmas too!).

sweet Luke

is to die for.

his big sister

thinks she

likes him

okay,

and mom & dad

are

head over heels.

what a

wonderful way

to spend

my morning.

the newest

member,

of an

amazing family.

I’ve been

photographing big brother

since he was

still

in his mama’s tummy.

I photographed

mom & dad

on their

wedding day.

little hayes,

completes

this family.

he’s pretty amazing

already.

watching her grow

for the

last year.

from a

barely sitting beauty,

to a

gorgeous toddler.

next time

I see her,

she’ll be

a big sister!

8 days new.

perfect.

alert.

loved.

what a

wonderful morning

I had

with him.