samantha

is

perfect.

her big sister

has come around,

and just

adores

her.

their family was meant

to be

like this

at this moment.

while a trip

to Paris,

would have been

lovely…

a sweet baby sister is

truly amazing.

sweet boy,

your eyes slay me.

that stubborn streak,

makes it

all the more rewarding

to catch a grin.

you are perfect

and so

incredibly

loved -

mom & dad are obviously

smitten…

can’t say I blame them.

and my sweet,

talented,

second shooter Laura

grabbed this image

of me

working.

(and the resulting shot, of course).

psst…did you enter the GIVEAWAY yet? A FREE session and ALL the digital files y’all!!

perfect.

sunny,

warm,

cheery flowers,

an exquisite,

historic

location.

two people

totally

in love.

I’ve only just started looking through Saturday’s wedding…but I couldn’t help but share a little sneak of their day.  More to come soon.

venue: The Adolphus

hair/makeup: Angie Williams

flowers: Cocktails & Caviar

coordination: Jennifer Harris

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 meet Kenzie when she wasn’t even two weeks old, and each year I feel so lucky to be able to capture family images for them. This year when mom and I started talking about the session we had something entirely different planned, then she posted a picture of a dress on FB she was buying for an upcoming formal function they are attending, and the wheels started turning. Instantly I went to their gorgeous gown in a field filled with tall grass and pretty light…and well mom was totally on board. I seriously love clients who trust me completely to style a shoot, I promise you won’t be disappointed! Case and point…

Meet 9 day old Blake.  Seven pounds of perfection.

Slept for the entire 2 hours I was shooting.  Amazing.

Still just about a week shy of his due date, he’s already made quite the impression on mom & dad, and I am thrilled to spend the next year capturing all the little things that make him unique.

Miss McKenna has never had her own session, she’s always shared the spotlight with her sweet brother Riley (a recent babyplan graduate).  Today was her day to shine…

And then there’s Harper.  She was my spunky one today, making sure I remembered she was there as I tried to capture her twin brother and big sister too!  Mom and Dad were troopers…chasing kids should really be an Olympic sport.

Little Miss A was just adorable!  Having just celebrated her 1st birthday, she is full of personality! Thanks mom for bringing Mimi and Great-Grandma with you – I had a great time capturing you all!

During a recent session with my triplet babyplanners (seen here), I learned that one of the girls from that session almost year ago was sick.  Very sick.  I emailed their mom, asking if I could come a document the time they have left as a family of 5.  There really isn’t any way of knowing how long Piper, their biggest at birth, has left on this Earth and I couldn’t imagine what this family is feeling right now.  All I know, is that creating memories through the lens is my purpose in life, and that every family deserves to have their moments captured.

So yesterday I headed out  to Dallas to see the girls – now a little over a year old.  I couldn’t believe how big they had gotten!  Andi and Bella are everywhere – crawling, crusing, laughing, and showing off their two bottom teeth.  Piper is in a word…stunning.  She has the most perfect Angelina-Jolie-lips and eyelashes that go on forever. I couldn’t stop photographing all the details that make her, her.

If you are the praying type – like me – then please do me the favor of keeping Piper on your heart.  And pray for her family, that they might feel God’s hand and find the strength they need during this time.  I know I will be.

Mom and Dad, thank you so much for having me out yesterday.  For letting me spend the afternoon capturing your girls…your three gorgeous girls.

andi

bella

bella

andi and piper

piper

piper

I love you…we love you too Piper…