Santa Barbara Wedding Photography, Boudoir and Newborn Photography, Timeless, Classic, Melissa Musgrove

Getting to know you~Santa Barbara Engagement Session

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:44:49 +0000

Even though we completely connected during our phone conversation, I was a little nervous, (since I hadn’t met them in person yet) but super excited to photograph Tina and Bill.

They’d booked me online after some emails back and forth and a phone call. We arranged to do a couple of outfit changes and locations. It was great to see them interact as a couple. Silly, romantic, athletic. We had a beautiful afternoon. I really enjoyed getting to know them and can’t wait to see them again this summer when they get married at the Montecito Country Club.

Dreams really do come true.

admin — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:24:02 +0000

When my daughter Dana was a little girl she loved to play dress up. She’d sing and twirl for hours. She was just a little peanut when the Little Mermaid came out on video, yet she memorized every line of every character, every song. It was cute and entertaining to watch her. Could her father and I ever have dreamed back then that we’d be headed to NYC next week to see her in her first Broadway show?

She has a passion. She has talent. She is determined.

The odds were against her. She didn’t give up.

She has always known what she wanted and she was relentless in her quest.

And now, her dream has come true.

Dana Costello, Daddy and I are so thrilled and proud of you. Your determination and spirit are an inspiration to us. We can’t wait to see you next week in Jekyll & Hyde Musical.

We love you.

Break a leg.

Love at first sight.

admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:56:27 +0000

I love being witness to the first moment a Groom and his bride to be see each other for the first time on their wedding day. Whether they plan it prior to the ceremony like this first reveal at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Or, it’s the walk down the ceremony aisle. It’s an honor and a privilege that I cherish.

Stop and smell the Roses

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:30:40 +0000

Always take time for the beauty in life. It’s all around you. Sometimes it demands your attention. Like this lovely rose. Alone in a sea of green and purple, it seemed to be demanding me to enjoy it.

So I did.

I hope you do to.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Father & Daughter Dance ~ Montecito Country Club

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:12:35 +0000

“She’s the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold, she’s Daddy’s little girl to have and to hold…”

This blog post started out to be about another gorgeous wedding I photographed at the Montecito Country club that was picked up by a wedding blog this week. Whenever a wedding blog publishes one of my weddings, I like to blog about it too. Kiley and Cody’s wedding has so many gorgeous, vivid details, I couldn’t wait to post about it. However…, as I was enjoying reliving their wedding and pulling beautiful photos of them and their fabulous event, I was distracted by the images of Kiley and her Dad dancing. One might not consider this “artsy”, or creative, but it sure does make me feel something. Moves me to tears actually. These are the moments that I assure you will be worth every penny you paid for your wedding photography. Your photographs will gain value as time goes on. If not already, someday, they will be priceless.

This was only a few minutes from the whole day. To see more, including the beautiful design by Kaitlin of LaFete Weddings. Incredible florals by Laura Sangas of Cody Floral Design and more, click on StyleUnveiled.

Montecito Country Club Ocean View Wedding

admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:05:25 +0000

“Anticipation. It’s keep me waiting…” Carole King

My heart swells each time I look at Kinsey and Charlie’s Montecito Country Club wedding. Experience has taught me it takes anticipation, patience and a well toned trigger finger to capture true, natural, and emotional expressions that will be cherished forever. See more of this gorgeous wedding with event design by Nico Cervantes of NLC Productions, and wedding planner, Leanne Cooper Elliott of Soleil Events.

“So I’ll try to see into your eyes right now, and stay right here, ’cause these are the good old days.” ~ Carole King

Click here to see more gorgeous photos of this Santa Barbara ocean view, Country Club wedding. Read about all the fabulous details on the Brides.com blog post.

Engagement Session~Downtown Santa Barbara~Kara & Matt

admin — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:23:28 +0000

Santa Barbara is a destination site for weddings. It’s not unusual for a first in person meeting to be the Bride and Groom’s wedding engagement session.

We’ve emailed and chatted by phone, and scheduled a photo shoot between their appointments while Kara and Matt were going to be in Santa Barbara.

Kara and Matt flew in from D.C. last week and like many couples that don’t live in California, it was a whirlwind of meetings, tastings, and appointments. The time we had scheduled was cold, windy and rainy. So we changed the session for the following morning because the weather forecast said it would be sunny and beautiful. It was sunny. But it was still chilly and windy, I knew they wanted a Santa Barbara “look”. But I also know that bright sunshine and wind are a challenge. With that in mind, I took them into downtown Santa Barbara for the photo shoot.

I think they would agree the photo shoot was a success. It was a nice break from decision making. With the help of our downtown Santa Barbara architecture, we were able to protect ourselves from the wind and get some beautiful photos for fond memories and perhaps a Save the Date!

Destination Wedding in Santa Barbara~How to select & choose your Photographer

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:55:19 +0000

Today Junebug Weddings published Melissa & Jon’s wedding on “What Junebug Loves“ real weddings.

It can be a challenge choosing your event professionals via internet and phone calls. I recently asked one of my couples how they made their choice of Santa Barbara wedding photographer. Here is the insightful answer, and “Thank you” from Melissa and Jon.

It’s a bit long, but I believe it may give you confidence in choosing me to photograph your wedding.

“I’ve been gathering a few thoughts in an email since you sent me the photos, which I’ve copied below. Regarding choosing a photographer from a distance, it’s very confusing! I knew and know nothing about photography and the options seem limitless so it is completely overwhelming. I also didn’t have any friends in the area or anyone I trusted (other than my wedding planners, Colette and Kaitlin who thankfully recommended you) so I spoke to probably 10 photographers over the phone. It was tough not being able to meet with people but you took the time to write me a long email in response to a bunch of questions I’d sent you, you also had a long phone conversation with me, which helped ease my mind and gave me the impression that you would be someone I would also enjoy working with and would make us both feel at ease (since, confirmed!). It was also clear from that initial conversation that you were very thoughtful and knowledgeable. I also had a long conversation about photographers with Colette and she opened my eyes to the fact that I wanted someone experienced (who wouldn’t miss important shots as certain other photographers had for her brides in the past), who would shoot both beautiful portraits and candids and would know how to capture all the details of the day and present the most beautiful facet of everyone and everything. We then worked through the portfolio of another photographer I’d been considering and she pointed out strange angles, washed out lighting, photos where there were trash cans or luggage carts in the background, photos were the position of the bride gave her “arm fat” or other flaws. Then we looked through your photos and they had none of the same issues.”

“One thing I did know was important to me was responsiveness and service. Obviously planning from afar, you rely on email and phone so those factors become even more important. The online reviews I read gushed about your professionalism and service. Specific instances that I read: we got our engagement photos immediately and in time to get a guest book printed, not to mention your help with this technologically challenged client, getting my photos within a month after the wedding (other photogs said up to 6 months), flexibility with and customization of photo packages, taking us to multiple different locations around town to shoot our engagement photos. To name a few.

One other thing that struck me during one of my planning trips to SB was that every other vendor I met with asked who my photographer was and when I told them the response 100% of the time was “Oh my gosh I LOVE Melissa and she is absolutely the best. You are working with the best!” So it was confirmed over and over again by people who are “in the know”.

This is getting lengthy so in sum, the qualities that made my photos and my day so wonderful were experience, personality, professionalism and of course amazing talent. I hope this is helpful.”

Below is the thank you Melissa & Jon sent me. I’m humbled and grateful to be able to share with my readers.

“Melissa,

Wow, I am speechless. These photos are beyond stunning. You’ve captured our day, all the happiness and emotion and Jon’s amazing smile (among other things) so perfectly. My favorite part of that day was seeing our families so happy and radiant and seeing our moms look and feel so gorgeous, which I’ve just relived through these photos. The faces more than anything made me laugh and cry happy tears (apparently I laugh a lot with my mouth open- who knew? My mom holding back tears, my dad smiling quizzically at my dress (and the picture where he is peaking around the corner before we walk down the aisle), my brothers’ speech, some very emotional hugs with the people we love most in the world, our guests’ beaming faces.

How did you come up with some of the ideas!? I love the picture looking through Elizabeth’s camera into the bridal room, the portraits of us where our images are reflected in the pool water, the light shining through my veil so that it just seems to float over me. What fabulous creativity and artistry! I also love how some of the photos are awash in light and others are saturated with the rich fall colors and the bright greens and pinks of the villa garden- you didn’t miss one detail or one beautiful background (and there were many!). It’s so fun to get to relive the memories and also to see moments that I missed either because I was elsewhere at the time or I was too busy to really notice. It’s like seeing a whole new dimension of the day, and that is priceless.

Thank you again. There just aren’t words to express how much these images mean to us. What a wonderful talent you have. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Love,

Melissa & Jon”

To see my post on this wedding, click here.

It’s a Boy! First came love…

admin — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 02:18:14 +0000

Then came marriage. And guess who will be pushing a baby carriage?

My niece Kelly and her husband Sam are overjoyed with the birth of their newborn baby boy.

All the family is over the moon. I’m so happy they live near my neighborhood so I can be an active part of his life.

I can’t wait to walk him in his carriage.

Welcome to the world Grover!

Fess Parker Doubletree Resort Wedding ~ Santa Barbara~ Katie & Shaun

admin — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 01:01:15 +0000

Katie and Shaun had a high energy, fabulous wedding and spectacular ocean view reception at Fess Parker Doubletree in Santa Barbara. When I heard they were going to have 28 people in their bridal party I knew I was in for a fun group. They did not disappoint! Both are super cute and full of personality. It was a glorious Santa Barbara day with plenty of sunshine, and warmth. Not only from the weather, but from family and friends too.

A special thanks to Jessica Kuipers of Bijoux Events for her smooth timeline and Grassroots for their beautiful florals. Everything was perfection!