The contest winner: Melissa!

A couple weeks ago I photographed Melissa and her two girls, Kali and Liliana. Melissa is actually the winner of my facebook contest I held back in June. For those of you who do not know what the facebook contest was all about, I will elaborate a bit. I held a contest asking all of those who follow my facebook page to "share" me and my page on their facebook, either through their status, note, etc. If you shared me with your friends, you were supposed to let me know, by writing on my wall or commenting on my page and then your name would be entered into a drawing to win a free sitting fee and 1 8x10, which is a $100 value. 

Melissa was the lucky facebook fan who won! Melissa is a makeup artist for print and film, and was up for any of the ideas I had, so we decided on having a little picnic on the shoot! We had so much fun taking these pictures and to top it off we got a beautiful day, as well!

 Kali and Melissa

 Liliana showing the camera some love!  And Kali showing her pearly whites!

 Liliana loves her big sister, that is for sure!

 This little one was like nothing I have ever seen in a 3 year old, SO MUCH SASS! I loved it!

 We had a little fun with the balloons!

Up, Up and AWAY! (almost)

 Stunning Melissa! Doesn't she do amazing makeup?!

I really enjoyed photographing Melissa, Kali and Liliana. Photo shoots where I am able to use my creativity, like how we set up the little picnic scene, are my absolute favorite. It makes for one of a kind photos that are different and have a fun flair to them! Thank you Melissa for being open to my ideas! 

As for the facebook contest, I plan on holding another contest very soon, with the same concept! I will let everyone know! 

Thanks for reading and takin' a peak!

xoxo ML

Kim + Greg

Once again, I am overdue for a blog post! I must say life has been insane for me lately, I don't think I have had so much going on at one time, ever. I'm actually impressed at how I am juggling it all. 

In April, I photographed Kim and Greg Kelly on their wedding day. I just stayed for the important parts and then took off! Kim and Greg met through their love of biking. Yes, both Greg and Kim ride their own motorcycles! Pretty cool huh? On this day, they joined their families together to make their love official!

Kim and her daughter, Tiffany getting her all dolled up!

Being goofy with the sisters and nieces!

The Rings...

Greg with his groomsmen, Kenny, Chuck and Matthew

Tiffany and Kenny walking their mom down the aisle.

The sand ceremony, combining all of their sand into one vase as a family.

This last image is my favorite, they are so happy together!

Congratulations Kim and Greg! I am so happy you two found love! I wish you both the best of luck and really appreciate you letting me capture your special day! 

xoxo Maria Lisa

Gabriella :)

I took photos of Gabriella a couple weeks ago, this blog post is a bit over due! Taking pictures of Gabriella was so much fun! I took photos of her and her family back in November and she was SOO quiet, so I was expecting her to be the same way this time around. Well, lets just say I met the real Gabriella this time because she totally warmed up to me! I love it! She was soo fun and silly! She definitely kept me laughing the whole time! Check out some of her photos from our session!

Isn't she beautiful?

 She reminds me of a little bride here!

She recently got her bedroom redone...so we snapped a couple of her in her new room! I loved her white vintage furniture and blue, pink and silver striped walls! Jump, jump, jump around!

Gabriella and her puppy, Joey! He was was cute and tiny!

Being goofy, of course! Hmm thinking face and tough girl!

I had so much fun photographing Gabriella's communion pictures and I think she did too! She is actually my neighbor, so I hope I get to see her around the neighborhood this summer!

xox ML

Little Sammy

The past week or so it has been all about communions! I love seeing the little guys in a suit and tie, looking like a miniature man, especially this guy...

This is Sammy! He is my youngest, first cousin. Sammy is the definition of BOY! I always describe his personality, just like my boyfriend, Domenic's, like an M&M! I say this because M&M's have the hard shell on the outside and inside they are SO sweet and eventually melt in your mouth after awhile. That is how Sammy is he acts like a tough guy, but then you catch him saying things like "You look pretty today." haha and once he warms up to you, he is a big softy! 

To say the least, Sammy told me he was NOT looking forward to taking his communion pictures. However, he was a great sport and got all suited up for his big cousin. He did a great job, and looking at these pictures makes me want to cry! He is getting so big and so handsome, but that will never stop me from squeezing him and kissing those cheeks! 

 What a stud!

Looking forward to your communion party in a few weeks Sammy!

xoxo ML

Carlo's Communion

The communion season is upon us, which allowed me the opportunity to photograph little Carlo last week. Carlo is making his communion in May at Saint John Vianney Church. We decided to take his photos at the church, which was nice because it is walking distance from my house and is the church I attend as well! Carlo was so cute and really excited about making his communion. It is so cool to me, because I remember making my communion when I was his age at that very same church. He was showing me how every child who was making their communion made a little lamb out of felt and it is hung up in the lobby. It is nice to see that the church follows tradition because I remember making my little lamb sixteen years ago! Carlo and his little brother, Gio were a little disappointed because they could not find his lamb he made! We talked to the office of the church and they said it must have went missing, so they gave him some more felt to make a new one.  

 Good Luck on your Communion day Carlo! God Bless!

xox ML

Paula

I really haven't been blogging much these past couple of weeks, so today...here is a double whammy. From now on I am going to try my hardest to blog every one of my photo sessions...it will definitely take some time and dedication, but I believe every session and people I photograph are worth some blog exposure!

Last weekend, Paula had a session scheduled with me for Saturday evening and we got rained out, so I told her to meet me back in the same place (Downtown Rochester) the next morning @ 9 o'clock! And although Paula was going on a road trip w/ her best friend for her spring break that very same day, she still met me up, because she is awesome!

Paula is currently a senior @ Marian High School. She heard of me through a couple of her friends and although "she doesn't like when photos are taken of her," she decided to get some last minute senior photos taken because she liked my style and approach to senior photos. (Thank you Paula :)) When I met up with her and her mother, I was a bit surprised! I was not expecting someone as gorgeous as Paula! (and to think she doesn't like her picture taken?) 

Anyway, Paula and I immediately clicked, probably because I LOVED her boots! haha but Paula is super laid back, funny, easy going and not your typical girly girl. She plans to go to move to Cali in the fall to attend a Liberal Arts college over there. I wish her the best of luck with her future and to go after all of her dreams! 

xoxo ML

Luca is turning 1!

Last Saturday, I visited little Luca, who is turning 1 this month! He was definitely on the GO, compared to the last time I photographed him and his brother Julian 6 months ago! I couldn't believe how fast he was! I loved his outfit and birthday hat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCA!

 Those big beautiful eyes!

 And then we got into his snack and that is all that was all that was on this little guys mind!

Luca loves his Mommy!

xoxo ML

Nino

Last week I took pictures of my little cousin Nino. It is hard for me to believe, he is a Senior at De La Salle, this year. It is crazy to how fast we grow up! Nino is an amazing swimmer on the DLS swim team and has to be one of the funniest kids I know! He has the best personality...such a character! For example, last night he comes walking in my house with a big furry hat on, and whips it off to reveal his completely shaved head! I'm talkin' skinned! No hair what-so-ever! I guess the whole team shaved their heads for a swim meet or something....he then proceeds to tell us that he has no hair on the rest of his body either! He never fails to make everyone laugh! ....Ohhh Nino how I miss your old beautiful hair, but you are still so cute without any!

He already got some studio shots done...so we went out to Downtown Rochester and took some casual photos..check them out!

This smile is to die for!

Isn't he adorable? 

xoxo ML