Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

Just the two of you.

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:45:14 +0000

You’ve just been engaged to be married.

Busy schedules. Plans to make. Things to do. People to see.

It’s a whirlwind.

And that’s one of the reasons I think doing an engagement session is important.

It makes you slow down and look in each other’s eyes.

Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Photo by Dmitry Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography Melissa Musgrove Photography

Soft and Sweet.

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:43:36 +0000

Newborn.

You can only call them that for a couple of weeks.

They grow so fast.

Capture the moment.

Call us today for our February featured sessions.

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Daddy Love.

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:36:41 +0000

“Do you mind taking your shirt off?”

That was just about the first question I asked when Eddie walked into my studio holding his precious newborn baby.

It was unexpected. It’s one of the things I love about doing newborn photography. Just about anything can set me off in a creative direction.

I had fun.

Can you tell?

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A Walk in the Park

admin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:33:11 +0000

A walk in the park.

So simple and yet so profound.

It’s easy to take for granted the moments that happen everyday. I love that a photograph will preserve that moment, and evoke unique thoughts and memories from anyone that views the image.

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Baby Love

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:03:40 +0000

Baby Love.

Babies change so much in their development from newborn, to 3, 6, 9 months and to a year. Time is fleeting.

No time like the present to schedule a baby photo session.

Call today for our Featured February Baby Portrait Special.

805-563-5050

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Purple Inspired Wedding at the Polo Club

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:41:42 +0000

I don’t think there was a more popular color last year, and even going into this year, as the color purple.

It can be intense and passionate, or soft and romantic. It was definitely the right choice for this summer wedding at the Santa Barbara Polo Club.

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New Year, Newborn

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:17:14 +0000

Sweet. Precious. Darling.

Fleeting.

I love to photograph newborns. But we’ve got to be quick. Within the first 10 days is best. While they still have the newborn curl.

Time flies. You don’t want to miss capturing these first few days. Ask about my pregnancy through 1st year packages. Makes a great shower gift.

To make it easy on the new Mommies, I provide the props, blankets, head bands, etc… Of course you are welcome to bring your own. But don’t feel you have to go out and shop. I am happy to do it. If you like to shop, I found my baby goods here in Santa Barbara at baby boutique resale shops. I was very excited to purchase this handmade blanket for $4.00, and sweet leg warmers at Happy Little Hippo, on De La Vina.

I also purchased these new head bands and a gently used baby blue blanket at Peanuts, on Figueroa St. for $15.00. I saw a very similar blanket in another store new for $65.00! Next week I’m photographing a newborn baby boy and you’ll see how cute it is.

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Happy New Year 2012

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:54:09 +0000

Happy New Year!

Here’s wishing you all a very happy New Year filled with love and laughter.

I did this photo shoot last year at this time. It’s fun to reminisce the past and look forward to the future.

The concept, design and production of this style shoot was NLC Productions. It was my pleasure to photograph. Thanks to everyone involved for making this a fabulous photo shoot.

Hair & Make up ~ Luna Bella Make up Art, Lighting ~ LBPS, Rentals ~ Classic Party Rentals, Linens ~ La Tavola, Signage & Invitation ~ Lazaro Press, Models ~ Megan and Andrew Wedel, and Piper the lounging dog.

Getting to Know You

admin — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:58:01 +0000

It’s fun to witness a couple’s personality unfold in front to the camera. An engagement session starts off with me being chatty. I ask questions that help me get to know you better. Inevitably we’ll hit on something we all relate to, which magically connects us and eases nervousness. On both our parts. A relationship begins. Trust follows. The photo session turns into friends having a fun time together. I had so much fun with Kelsey and Sterling. They’re a great couple, and I’m so excited about their Santa Barbara wedding.

The ABC’s of Pro Headshot

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:29:14 +0000

When planning your headshot you must consider how this image is going to “sell” you. With the internet as a shopping tool for most people, your headshot is often the first impression people will have of you. It’s important in that instant to prove your relevancy. You’ve got about a half a second to show you are current, unique and relevant.

Relevant. Powerful word.

How many times have you seen a headshot of a professional in front of the Santa Barbara Mission or Harbor, or some other lovely outdoor Santa Barbara location? Unless these professionals are boat salesman or in the church related business, the location has no relevancy to their business. If you want to do an on location headshot, be sure it is relevant to your business, and your personality.

Branding. Powerful image.

Again, the internet has brought shopping for a service to a whole new level. You need to be remembered. One of the ways you can easily do this, is to be consistent with your branding. Use that in planning for your headshot. What are the colors of your logo, website, etc… Think about using those colors in your headshot. Either with your clothing or backdrop.

Be current.

You should have a new headshot no less than every 18 months. Simply put, it creates the perception of being current. In this economic climate you cannot afford to give the perception of being “out of date”, or “out of touch”.

Invest wisely.

I always recommend a style consultation. Which we include as part of our service. I always recommend professional hair and make up. At the very least professional make up. I work with several pro make up artists and am happy to refer them. They can meet you at my studio prior to the photo shoot.

I know the correct lighting and posing and the professional make up artists know the correct make up for photo shoots. It’s a great combo.

This before and after shot were taken during the same shoot. Before make up and after. I did do some minimal retouching. I always do. Even newborns get retouched!

In the before photo Kathleen had just come from her hair salon, she had done her make up herself. To the naked eye, she looked beautiful. If you know Kathleen, you know how naturally gorgeous she is. The after photo is with pro make up application. I also added a reflector to the side of her face to bring light into the shadows that were creating a look of deep facial lines. (Which she doesn’t have) Lighting is so important. The direction of light can add or diminish texture or lines in your skin. To finish we did very slight retouching to her face and to reduce fly away hair.

In this case, the client had been to another photographer. She did her own hair and make up. I don’t want to offend the other photographer, I don’t know who it was. But you can see the difference professional make up, good lighting and posing make. The 45 degree lighting the other photographer used is masculine and ages this very attractive woman. I used modified butterfly lighting, which is flattering, feminine and appropriate for this shoot.

These women all look great. They look professional, current, approachable and unique.

A special thank you to these gals for letting me show their before and afters. And to Naz Madaen for her professional make up.