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

details:

*50% off $100 gift certificates

*valid on 2012 sessions and can also be purchased as gifts (limit 5)

*gift certificates expire 12.1.12

*email mz@melissazihlman.com to purchase

*sale ends Monday at 11:59:59 PM CST

*fine print: gift certificates not redeemable for cash; current pricing and minimum orders apply

The details:

is in my blood,

I think.

the details,

invitations,

the whole nine,

I just love it.

the little guy

just turned one,

and what a fun time

we had!

I always do HUGE parties…but I’ve never shared one on the blog, until now.  I’ve been hounded asked nicely to please share…so here it is, T’s first birthday celebration!  I’ve been planning this party since late February.  And it all started with the color combo (orange/gray/white) and my favorite pattern (chevron)…and the ideas really started flowing from there, with the help of some inspiration from my latest addiction, Pinterest.  I can’t think of a better way to show off the party then some collages of the little man and all the details…we had a yummy table of goodies, the best cupcakes, water guns, sidewalk chalk , the trampoline, and bubbles (along with record breaking heat…) – things perfectly fit for our little birthday prince.

I did a lot of the details myself, including the gorgeous luxe 5×7 folded invitation.  Anything I hired out, I’ve listed the vendors for at the bottom of this post.  They are all amazing, really amazing, and helped make my ideas come to life!  Thanks to all who came, for helping make some incredible memories for our littlest man…it’s been an awesome year!

Vendors:

bottles – Specialty Bottle
mason jars – Specialty Bottle
polka dot candy cups – Shop Sweet Lulu
straws – The Sugar Diva
cakes- Legacy Cakes
cookies – Better Bit of Butter
cupcake topper – Two Sugar Babies
favor bags – Perideau Designs
shirts – Eight Baby Legs
banner – ElizabethGrace

Casting calls are a chance for me to get the ideas that are swirling in my head…out.  To be more creative, to try something new, to do something just for me.  If you, or your child, is selected they’ll receive a mini session with me at the time and place of my choice, receive styling help, and 3 digital files from the session.  It’s really a win win…if you are interested in one of the upcoming casting calls (there will be THREE total this spring), keep and eye on the blog and if you meet the criteria shoot me an email.

casting call TWO: a couple (married, engaged, dating…) in love. a couple who are really comfortable being in love and showing their affection.  a couple who don’t mind the whole world knowing… this couple will be available for a session showing off their love during the golden hour (approximately 6pm) on a WEEKday in April in the mid cities area.

Interested? email me a picture of you and your love to mz@melissazihlman.com

the fine print:

*date & time are selected by the photographer, if you are selected and not available, another person will be chosen

*a signed model release is needed

*digital files are chosen by the photographer

*additional images/files may be purchased, though there is NO requirement to do so

Connect with Melissa| email for a session | follow me on twitter | become a fan on facebook

(fine print: gift certificates not redeemable for cash; no limit on number you can purchase; current pricing and minimum orders apply; must be used for a session prior to 12/31/2011)

And what would a post be without a picture? Here’s a quick one from tonight’s session with a very special little girl…

Today, I am so excited to giveaway an awesome shirt of your choice from Sandbox Threads!  And don’t forget you can still register to win the Goodbyn lunch box until 8PM CST tonight!

Sandbox Threads is a company born from a father’s desire to do good things for his family and dress his kids in cool t’s without having to spend $30 on a shirt that they’ll outgrow in less than a season.  His shirts are retro, political, environmental, and super cool…

Check out my favorite shirt – totally perfect for Earth Day!

You have until Friday at 12PM CST to enter for a shirt of your choice! That’s right…you get to pick the shirt and the size! All you have to do is visit Sandbox Threads, pick your favorite shirt and list its name and the size you want in the comment box below!  The winner will receive the shirt they mentioned in their comment, and will be selected by a random number generator.

You can receive one additional entry if you FB or Twitter this promotion! Just be sure to come back and leave a separate comment when you’ve done it!

Good luck and Happy Earth Day! And don’t forget to check back tomorrow for the last giveaway of the week!! I’m saving something pretty awesome for the last day of this celebration!!

I’m sure for many of you, there are things you already do in your home and daily lives that are helping the environment.  But I know there are plenty of people who want to go green, who want to exercise their inner hippie, jump on the bandwagon, and really make a change, but just don’t know what they can do…that’s where today’s post comes in!

Here are some of my favorite granola-crunching, hippie-thinking, part-of-my-everyday-life tips…things my family does to do our part and things that are easy for everyone to do.

• Use compact florescent lightbulbs throughout the house
• Plant a garden (start small with an herb garden if your nervous!)
• Create a compost bin
• Stop using disposable baggies (ENTER the contest below to eliminate those belonging to your school kids!)
• Wash your clothes in cold water instead of warm/hot
• Combine all your errands into one trip and drive the speed limit
• Shop the local Farmer’s Markets
• Put a stop to unsolicited mail
• Repurpose things instead of throwing them out
• Check Craigslist and Freecycle before buying anything new
• Do you feel empowered yet?  What are you going to do to go green today?

Be thinking of what your family is doing to do their part…you’ll need those fabulous idea to enter tomorrow’s contest!!

My family has made lots of changes to our routines over the last several years in an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and green up our lives.  We have a thriving vegetable garden with organic compost, we use BPA-free  water bottles that we refill from our sink (filtered) instead of purchasing water bottles, we use compact florescent bulbs in every room in our house, all our meat is purchased from local farmers, and the list goes on…but you get my point.  They are all little changes that make a big impact over time.

So I’m sure you’re wondering the point of this post, right?  In honor of Earth Day, MZP will be offering several giveaways throughout the week (all *super* cool green organic products that my family loves!), all you have to do is follow the blog everyday this week.

Check back tomorrow for the week’s first giveaway!

I’m thrilled to announce this year’s spring mini session event at the Dallas Arboretum!  Session have already begun filling but some prime sessions still exists.  I hope to see many of you out for these limited edition mini sessions with MZP!

and I’m pretty sure this was my favorite of the day…it takes a lot of work to get the perfect picture!

I know there have been many of you in the past who would have loved to add additional canvases to your order…now here is your chance!  Others of you have a favorite image as a regular print, but think of how AWESOME it would look on a gallery wrapped canvas – trust me!  I’m including a picture of a recent canvas purchase for my display at Women’s Integrated Healthcare – isn’t it awesome?

For this sale you can purchase a 16×20, 16×24, or 20×24 at incredible savings!  Email me by SATURDAY night at midnight and qualify for this offer! mz{at}melissazihlman{dot}com

16×20 (normally $500) only $200

16×24 (normally $650) only $250

20×24 (normally $720) only $300

This deal is amazing!! And even cooler,  you can also buy now and save it for use at a future ordering session. 

{and yes, I noticed the canvas is crooked in this picture…}

This year’s mini sessions will be offered on two Saturdays in September and two Saturdays in October only - 6 sessions each day – 24 sessions total!  Booking starts this Saturday, June 20th. Those of you that book in June will receive $100 off your holiday session, those that book in July will receive $75 off, and those booking in August (if space remains) will receive $50 off.  All booking inquiries will need to be done via email mz{at}melissazihlman.com (remove the {} when emailing)

Wait until you see the locations I have in store for your family this year – both inside and out and both totally amazing!  I can’t wait!

Limited edition sessions are offered for this trip and include the session, 10 high-resolution digital negatives, and 3-3×3 flushmount accordian albums for $500.  That is insanely good!  Call or email today to secure your family’s spot!  

*a female who is currently a junior in high school

*be active in extracurricular activities

*outgoing and fun personality

*a definite sense of style – the more trendy, funky, and modern, the better!

*comfortable taking direction and being in front of a camera

*willing to help spread the word about mzseniors to her classmates, with the potential to earn her own senior pictures for free**

*available to participate in a day long shoot (up to 7 hours) on Sunday April 19th 

If you are interested in being considered for a class of 2010 senior rep (or know someone who might be), please email me, mz@melissazihlman.com, with a little bit about yourself and a recent snapshot.  I’ll get back to you with more details within a day or two!  

Also, please note that March is completely booked, and April only has 2 session spots left (not including newborn/maternity).  May is filling fast, and I am already booking for summer, so please don’t wait to set up your session!  :)

And because I can’t post without a picture, here’s my little man!

Please feel free to pass the information to friends and family you know meet the qualifications!  And check back soon, I’ll be posting needs for mzkids in the coming weeks!