Light. Wait. Press.

Nature. Family. Peace. {Heather & Miss K.} :: Tampa Family Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Heather and her daughter were a blast to meet and explore the park with. Lettuce Lake Park was beautiful (except a few mosquito incidents); and despite it being crowded with kite-flyers, picnicers, and ball playing couples, I was able to capture images of the mother-daughter couple that reflected the peaceful atmosphere of the park. Miss K. was so curious about all the nature that surrounded us--she is so smart! I swear she could grow up to be a scientist! Anyway, the love between these two shines through in all the images I have of them.

www.papergirlpressphoto.com

Childhood In Spring. {Anabella & Sofia} :: Tampa Children's Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:43:00 +0000

I have been meaning to post these photos out into the inter-world. This session was SO special to me. My sister-in-law wanted images to match her daughter's newly designed bedroom. She had a huge wall to fill. Sooooo... we chose outfits to complement the colors of the room and my WONDERFUL husband drew amazing chalk drawings all over our circular driveway. It was full of all things childhood: rainbows, hearts, flowers, smiley, animals---along with labels and the word "love" in several languages. Perfect.

Finally, I color processed the photos to complement the feel that my sister-in-law wanted. Here is what we came up with!

Leslie & Jon {a vintage wedding} Tampa Wedding Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:21:00 +0000

It was so much fun sharing this experience with Leslie, Jon, and their family & friends. The wedding was simply gorgeous with a vintage style that was right up my alley. Leslie and Jon are such a fun and amazing couple. I have so many pictures of the couple and their guests laughing and having a blast. It was truly a fun and beautiful experience. And I have pictures to prove it.

No Faces. Just Hands! :: Tampa Maternity Photographer ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:03:00 +0000

Sometimes as photographers, we ignore the beauty of the eyes and the shine of the hair, so we can capture details sometimes left unseen. As some of you know, I love photographing feet. It's easy to get that someone is happy when you see their cheery smile, but if you can show that they're happy just by an image of feet then it's a bit more challenging! Well, the same goes for HANDS.

I am unpleasantly addicted to cropping off heads in photos. :)

Here is one example (and my entry for this week's iheartfaces's challenge "Hands-On Fun").

The client was keeping the baby's name secret until birth, so she used this print to break the news to her family at the hospital on the day the baby was born! I loved being in on the secret!

Designs. For. Photographers. :: Tampa Newborn Photographer, Tampa, FL ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:55:00 +0000

I've been busy designing the new line of birth announcements for Papergirl Press Designs. These are card templates for other photographers to purchase and customize for their clients. Being a former teacher, I am a strong proponent of not redesigning something that has already been done. Meaning, as photographers, we should help each other out by sharing ideas and designs to save each other a little precious time.

All of my templates are all fully layered Photoshop documents (.PSD) that are designed for WHCC's dimensions. They include a front and back design. All fonts are included in the purchase so that the text can be customized. Here are a few of the first birth announcements that are available through the Papergirl Press Etsy Store. (They are only $6 each!) Let me know what you think!

Become a fan on Facebook of Papergirl Press Designs to keep up on all the latest templates!

I. Heart. Kisses. :: Tampa Family Photographer, Tampa, Florida ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:48:00 +0000

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I love LOVE 365 days a year, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite kissing shots from my portfolio. Also, my favorite blog, iheartfaces, is having a "We Heart Kisses" photo contest and I heart a good contest! By the way, if you want to learn more about photography, Photoshop, or just taking cute pics of your kiddos, please read iheartfaces and also join their flickr and facebook groups. You will improve your photography skills after following iheartfaces for sure!

I couldn't beleive all the kissing photos I had! I've included some of the best ones here. It was so hard for me to choose which one to enter!!!

Here is my entry for the iheartfaces "We Heart Kisses" Photo Challenge:
(Please leave comments and let me know what you think!)

And here are the rest:

Sweet. Beautiful. M. :: Tampa Children's Photographer, Temple Terrace ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:31:00 +0000

Little Miss M is just as amazing inside as she is out! This stunning beauty's personality bubbles over and out into the world. We had so much fun playing around in the scenic atmosphere of Riverhills Park in Temple Terrace. I let Little Miss M flutter around like a butterfly and I followed her like the paparazzi. I'm pretty sure she is going to be followed by the real paparazzi one day. She is irresistable -- I'm not exagerrating one bit! I hope I was able to capture even just a piece of her lovliness in these images. Let me know what you think...

Peace. Love. Hay. (Lots of it!) :: Pasco Family Portrait Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:01:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of meeting the Thomas Family at their 1400 acre family ranch. You can see in these pictures that we had an absolute blast exploring the Saginaw Ranch. There were so many rusty machines and tools not to mention a gorgeous barn with 50 ft high stacks of huge bales of hay. The ranch is a complete slice of heaven. Tiffany and Mariah are a beautiful mother-daughter team with such a lovely relationship. They are the best! I loved capturing the sweet interactions between them.

The Rampolla Family. :: Tampa Family Photographer, Carrollwood ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:25:00 +0000

Yesterday, I had a blast returning to the lovely house of the Rampolla family, whose wedding I covered in my last blog post. (I know I'm not a good blogger.) We had so much fun hanging out and playing around. The girls are so sweet and each have their distinct personalities that shine. They are a beautiful family, as you can see.

Their yard is gorgegous and so it's perfect to shoot in. As a photographer, I really love creating such personal images for them that will remind them of the fun and love they share together. It's great to have family portraits that remind you not only of the people in the picture, but of the special setting--home.

Heather. Ron. Love! :: Tampa Wedding Photographer, Carrollwood ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:08:00 +0000

I had so much fun at this beautiful wedding! Heather and Ron have so much love for one another and it shines through in these pictures. I loved how they involved the kids in everything. It was such a lovely simple ceremony on Lake Carroll. The bride and groom have great artistic eyes for detail and that always makes a photographer happy! Congratulations, Heather and Ron! You are a beautiful new family!

Holiday. Photo. Op!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Announcing our first day of mini-sessions! There have been alot of you interested in holiday portraits and cards, and the days are running out to get all of your photo shoots done, so we have decided to offer mini-shoots for ONLY $60 for up a family of up to 6! This will definitely allow you to squeeze in the ole family photos this year! Plus, you get a FREE 8x10! What more could you ask for??? Also, you can use these photos for your holiday cards or our new Playdate/Call-Me Cards that we have just released. There are only 12 slots and they will go fast, so call or email us soon! The tentative location is Ballast Point Park. If there is a change we will let everyone know. There will refreshments for the families (and the photographer) as well as mirrors and small accessories to add to your look last minute. It will be such fun! Check one more thing off your holiday list and get the pictures your family has been asking for!

Playdate Cards. Call-Me Cards. $35!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

This is my birthday blog post! Happy Birthday to me! I wanted to let ever in on what I have been designing lately. Ever met a like-minded mom at the mall playground and wished you could exchange numbers? Or maybe your middle schooler met a handful of new friends the first week of school and she wants to share her "digits" with them? Forget the scribbled writing of numbers on an old napkin... I have the perfect answer for kids and moms of all ages!

Papergirl Press Playdate & Call-Me Cards!
I use photos from your portrait session to create a custom-designed card that fits your personality. Add email addresses, phone numbers, and any other info you want and it's ready to hand out!
Printed from the best professional lab in the country, WHCC, you can get it on Art paper or Pearl paper. It is in full color on both side.
You get a pack of 50 cards for $35. Check them out!

Support Papergirl Press: Photography by Melanie Alvarez in the 2009 StartupNation Home-Based Business Competition

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Papergirl Press is a contestant for StartupNation.com's Home-Based100 Competition. We are up for "Most Glamourous" Business and "Most Social Media Savvy" Business! YAY! We need your help though! Vote daily for Papergirl Press to show your support! It only takes ONE click...no filling out forms or anything like that. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FANS AND CLIENTS! Voting ends September 30!

Support Papergirl Press: Photography by Melanie Alvarez in the 2009 StartupNation Home-Based Business Competition

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Love. This. Family!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:55:00 +0000

This family was more than fun to work with, because the handsome red-head is my former second grade student! They are such a funny and loving family, and I think it comes out in the photos. I also did headshots for little cutie, Mr. B. :) He has grown up so much since he was the shy little student I taught! And, his sister Miss M. is amazingly cute! You look at her and she just laughs and laughs. If only the sun wasn't beating down so strongly, I would have had even more photos! Oh well, what can you do... I live in Florida! Hopefully Fall will show itself sometime soon and I can start shooting clients in sweaters...

i. heart. faces.

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:01:00 +0000

This week I'm actually blogging! Also, I'm actually entering the i heart faces photo challenge. Usually, I'm so busy snapping pics, editing pics, or designing (not to mention reading to my kid and changing diapers) that I never get to posting on the blog. Hmm. I'll have to make that my September resolution, I guess.

Well, anyway, the photo challenge is to submit a photo that is "Contemplative". Here is one of my favorites photos ever... (and it's of that little boy that keeps me from blogging)...

My entry for "Contemplative"

I'm also entering the "Pets" Challenge this week, because I totally love this photo from a photo shoot I did of my childhood best friend and her dog, Simka.

My entry for "Pets"

Best. Friends. Rock!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:50:00 +0000

These girlies were soooooooooo much fun to shoot. Haley & Athena are attached at the hip! They are practically sisters. It really brought me back to my childhood and my BFFs! For the photo shoot I decided to bring along two dozen bright yellow balloons for a pop of color and a bit of whimsy. (Isn't that what anyone would do???) The girls had fun with them and I challenged them to a railroad pose, which they were totally up for. Tweens are so cool and creative! They were coming up with their own posing by the end of the shoot. Here are a handful of the MANY shots we captured that day...

Converse. Trains Tracks. and a Tutu!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:36:00 +0000

So, I guess I forgot to BLOG about the absolutely fun photo shoot I did of my two beautiful nieces. We wanted to create an edgy look for these two trendsetters... so I threw them onto the train tracks, of course! (It's easier to get away with this when the kids are related.) Though the Florida mid-August heat almost knocked us out from heat exhaustion, we had a great time. I really am happy with the results. I cross-processed the photos to give them a vintage/editorial look... I love them! The interaction between the girls is so cute. Check out these pics from the session:

Three. Cute. Kiddos.

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Check out these adorable pictures from a family photo shoot I did the other day. Each of the kids have their own distinct personality! It was a very hot day at the park, but we still got great shots. Florida Summer shoots are steaming hot even at 5 o'clock in the evening! Always remember to bring water, some snacks, and a towel to blot sweaty foreheads--you will end up with more smiles and less shiny faces!

Feet. Feet. Feet.

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:30:00 +0000

So, I think I'm going to create a whole section on the blog devoted to the great subject of feet. I like feet a whole lot better in photograph form than do in person, actually. Maybe it is somehow tied to my love of shoes... hmmmm. Anyway, I have lots of feet pictures and I think they need to be collected in one place. So, don't be surprised if your feet end up on here. And, if I'm taking your pictures in a session or just candidly at an event, be sure to have thought about how your feet look. For family or children's portrait sessions, I usually reccommend that you go barefoot. It looks so much more natural and real. However, this means that you should think about this ahead of time: how do you nails look? did your husband scrub the bottom of his filthy feet? does your toddler have sock impressions on his feet from a day's worth of play? I'm not saying you have to rush out and get a pedicure or anything... just give the subject of feet some thought when planning your portraits. You might just end up with a cute shot of your family that you were not expecting. And your feet might end up on here.

This week I entered this photo of my niece's feet in the i {heart} faces blog challenge. I took it while hanging out and playing around in the backyard with my nieces and nephews. Jillian is always up for a photo-op!

Baby. Baby. Boy!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Yesterday I did a photo shoot of twin 3 month olds and their 2 year big brother. They are adorable! I cannot wait to finish editing/processing these pictures so that I can see what we ended up with. I actually took 1170 shots of those kids! That goes to show you how many pictures you have to take of wiggly babies and bouncing boys to get a good set of beautiful pictures. Right now I'm away from home, but I feel tethered to my house because those pics are sitting in my computer waiting to be processed! Those twin boys have the most scrumptious lips and beautiful cheeks. It is so fun staring at their cute faces on the screen that I completely don't mind the hours of staring at the glowing monitor or almost total loss of sleep!

Beautiful. Baby. Belly.

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:13:00 +0000

I finally finished processing all the photos from the maternity session I had the other day. Lori is so beautiful pregnant--she looked like an angel! When we were shooting at the park, a man even walked over to tell her how gorgeous she was. He said it looked like a dreamscape when she walked across the park in her long white skirt! Tomorrow I'm going back over to her house to take some more indoor pictures of her and her husband. I cannot wait to meet their sweet baby girl when she comes!

Beach. Sand. Sweetness.

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Tonight I'm so excited! I am in the process of processing the pics from today's Honeymoon Island photo shoot of the Alvarez family and I can already see how great they came out! What a beautiful family! I'm posting a sneak peek of the shoot for you (and the family). Let me know what you think! Baby "C" is sooooooo cute. I'm sure you will recognize these beautiful big blue eyes from past photo shoots. It is such a pleasure editing pictures of this boy - he is a true angel! The love these parents have for him and each other is evident throughout the whole "roll of film". I cannot wait to show them the rest! Now, all I have to do is clone myself times ten, so that I could possibly go through all of these and have them done by morning...

Photos. Photos. Photos!

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:28:00 +0000

This post should be named "Editing. Retouching. Processing. Part II". I have been going back and looking over some older photos from the past year. They looked nice how they were; however, with my new tinkering skills, I now know how to make them look the best that they can. Hopefully, I did that. Summer is here and I believe the colors of bathing suits and lollipops are affecting me. The pictures I've been working on all have a pop of color to them! Let me know what you think... you can leave comments on here, our facebook fan page (did I mntion we are trying to make it to 100 fans so we can get our own fancy URL?), or on Flickr. The links are all way at the top of this BLOG.

In other news, we have opened a fan store at CafePress.com, where you can purchase shirts and other merchandise with some of our photos on them. Our logo also appears on the back, but it very small.

Be on the lookout for lots of new pics to roll in this week, because I have 5 photo shoots planned! Hope the summer heat and rain is treating you well...

Editing. Retouching. Processing.

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:26:00 +0000

I've been spending my weekend going back and retouching some photos now that I have new actions and textures. Fun! I feel like I've been staring into the eyes of every family member I have for the last few days. Well that's because I have! Gotta love Photoshop to brighten the irises of eyes. I love it! I thought I had lost the picture I took of Jordan who helped my friend and I at a recent photo shoot--but I found it! The lighting was a little off but luckily we're living in the new millenium where computers can correct cameras and the sun. It really is amazing. Well, here is the picture of my new friend Jordan. Check it out... I think it's lovely. Especially since I just turned around and snapped it after she had been lugging around humongous great danes all day! Thanks for your help on the photo shoot Jordan! I would love to take pictures of your beautiful eyes again! :)

Family. Pool. Veggie Burgers. :: Tampa Family Photographer ::

noreply@blogger.com (PAPERGIRL PRESS) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000

Today we are going to my mother's house for a fun-filled day of swimming and eating. Mmmmmmmm......eating. I'm going to enjoy the *smell* of barbequed meat and the taste of veggie burgers. I've been commisioned to take a mini photo shoot of all the kids together. Let's see if I can get them to all look at me at the same moment! We've instructed them to all wear (obviously) red, white, and/or blue, or plaid of some sort. How American of us!