Cam in Black and White

Just spent the morning photographing my baby. He's moving everywhere, you know, so it's hard to catch him in one place! I've been experimenting with different Black and White treatments in post-processing to see what I like the best: sharp and contrast-y or soft and chocolate-y. I've also been experimenting with different camera settings to get a different result: crisp and sharp or blurry and dreamy. What kind of Black and White do you like the best?

I have to admit that this one is my favorite. It's a little bit dreamy and blurred, but he's in his own little world, so it kind of suits him. This also has some chocolate-y undertones rather than the stark black and white.

This one is crisp (instead of blurred like the one above), and also has the chocolate undertones.

Crisp and contrast-y Black and White.

I love his little smile! You can see some of his teeth here :)

Crisp and Chocolate-y.

Light and dreamy.

Goof-ball.

Mr. Whiny Pants with a mohawk. His hair is growing so much on top!

Confidence

Holy moley. I'm having a baby (a baby!). As I now have less than 3 weeks left until D-Day, this reality is really soaking in for me. Although I've been dreaming about this time in my life since I was a little girl, I'm carrying around a mixed bag of emotions: excitement, anxiety, nervousness, peace, joy... I look over at my husband in times of emotional turmoil and immediately, he places his hand on my belly - our Peanut - and smiles. It puts me right at ease.

Almost every day, I think about the prayer we're going to pray when getting ready to deliver our baby. These are the only times I've cried throughout my entire pregnancy. I have to say, I am most looking forward to this prayer and putting my life and our baby's in His hands. Trusting Him wholly.

This has been one of the best experiences in my life so far. I absolutely love being pregnant, and while at this point I'd just really like to have this baby, I am cherishing and savoring every second. As a photographer, I take maternity pictures quite often and always said I would never have them taken if I were to get pregnant. However, as I photographed several pregnant women since I've been pregnant myself, I decided that it was something I really wanted to do to document this stage in my life. Yes, my body is WAY larger than I would normally be comfortable with, but there's a real, live baby in my belly. I've spent the past 9 months feeding him good, healthy food (my Lucky Charms don't count), not taking any medication to keep him as safe and healthy as possibly, and rubbing my belly reassuringly. I just knew I would kick myself down the road if I didn't artistically document this stage in our lives.

SO, we had some maternity pictures taken. I wanted some that were more intimate and of course, some of Bobby and I together. Think what you want, but I've never been this comfortable with my body and I probably never will be. It never ceases to amaze me what a miracle it is that women are able to bear and birth children. Our bodies were made to do this, and from everything I've read, both in the bible and in our birthing class, our bodies know exactly what to do. I am merely a vessel for this sweet, growing life.

Thank you to Megan Beth, my friend, mentor and fabulous photographer, who took these pictures for us a few weekends ago. You are incredible! These are just a few of my favorites.

Christmas Time in the City

Christmas was a whirlwind. No joke.

Today, as I sit in my jammies with a large mug of hot apple cider, I'm finally going through all the pictures from my Christmas "break." We literally had almost every member of BOTH of our families down to our new house at some point over the last two weeks, which forced me to make our bed every day and actually fold my laundry instead of letting it sit in the corner of our bedroom for a week.

Our Christmas started on Christmas eve. Both Bobby and I took off of work to prepare for the upcoming hosting events. Bobby hung siding and finished up the platform of the deck while I Swiffered the heck out of our floors and painted my toe nails...twice. Just kidding. We went to the grocery store, prepared all the food for the next day, cuddled up on the couch to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and exchanged presents. I gave Bobby a grill so now he can start cooking ME meals (just kidding), and he gave me a pair of REAL UGG boots and a spankin' new Kitchen Aid Mixer (in brushed stainless!). We both fell asleep on the couch at approximately 9 p.m. then actually went to bed sometime in the middle of the night.

Christmas Day, Bobby's whole family came down. We had copious amounts of Baked Brie, along with some other food for dinner, then opened presents. We had a Champagne toast to kick off our first big dinner party in the new house! It was very special for us, so Thank You, Barrick's, for making the journey down.

Jido ("Grandfather" in Arabic - pronounced "Jeh-Dough") trying to find Killian through his cat door! Poor kitty.

We fell asleep again around 9:30 p.m. and woke up early the next morning to head up to Annapolis area to spend Christmas with my side of the family! I wore my new UGG's, of course, and was completely content for the rest of the day (The Real UGG's are totally worth it...I used to wear the Target brand Ugg's). Christina's house was swarming with happy children and well-fed adults! The next day, all the men took the kids so that we could have a sister's movie night/Surprise Baby shower for my sister-in-law, Jen! It was good bonding time that we don't often get with just us sisters (and my Mom).

I never have any pictures of my parents on here... all of my brothers and sisters gave them a weekend away at Lydia Mountain Luxury Cabins for their Anniversary weekend (I highly recommend that place for a quick and inexpensive weekend away!)

Uncle Bennett reading Disney Princess stories to the girls.

Over the course of the next week, we had my brother and his family visit, then on New Years, my sister Christina came down with her husband, AJ. We had a good time and rang in the new year right. We all made it up to 2:00 a.m. and were kicking ourselves the next day from staying up so late. Nothing a huge breakfast at Bob Evan's can't cure! We all fell back asleep at 2 p.m. While my sister was down, we drove out to St. Mary's College to take some pictures for them! They haven't had formal pictures taken since their wedding almost 4 years ago. It was fun, but it was probably the coldest day all winter!

Christina and AJ at St. Mary's waterfront. Words cannot describe how cold it was.

Isn't my sister pretty?? (AJ, you're pretty good-looking too) She always was the prettier one.

Yesterday, my parents came down with my sister, Holly, to exchange more gifts! Thanks Mom and Dad Wise for everything... so many fun new "toys" to play with! We fell asleep at 9:00 p.m. right after they left and didn't wake up until almost 10 a.m. the next morning. Which is why I write to you, still in my jammies. Today is meant to be a lazy day and to prepare me for going back to my day job tomorrow and back to editing at night!

Despite the running around and driving all over the state of Maryland in a 2-week period, it was well worth it and such a blessing to have a big family filled with love.

We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and a New Year filled with countless blessings!

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

I have been in Annapolis no less than 3,905,435 times this month due to various photography engagements. My poor car hates me: the gas tank, the clutch,...the odometer. Even my seats are beginning to protest my frequent trips up Old Solomons Island Road and back.

Nonetheless, I love every trip up there. My head is just flooded with memories every time I drive down Bestgate Road or West Street, or cross over the Naval Academy Bridge at sunset. I always roll down my windows and sunroof as if to somehow be closer to the city which I love so much.

Annapolis has its own culture. If you've never spent time there, then it would be hard for you to imagine. But every Annapolitan knows exactly what I'm talking about. There's something about the "Raccoon Eye" Syndrome one gets from constant wear of sunglasses...most of the time attached around the neck with a thin tube of neoprene. The smell of brand new, leather Sperry's and the business men who stroll along the old brick sidewalks in khaki pants and a navy blue blazer with shiny bass buttons. The glorious vision of Midshipmen in their Summer Whites, and the hippies who sit on City Dock with their guitars, singing about their woes and the water. The crowd at Pussers can always be heard from any point in downtown, and you can almost count on waiting in line for a double-dip from Storm Brothers.

As the salty Severn River air flows freely throughout my car, I (trying not to close my eyes while in the car) think back to my high school days where I spent so many winding around the streets of Annapolis, without a care in the world. I thank God for that time in my life, because it was then that I discovered who I really was and what type of person I wanted to be. My faith was shaped and nurtured at my High School with the help of loving teachers and supportive friends...every day we were in the Word and in fellowship with each other. While so many of them have gone their own ways as life has led them, I think everyone who comes back to visit still calls this place "home."

Driving over the Naval Academy Bridge on my frequent trips home from Annapolis, it's usually at sunset. I can't help but think that the silhouette of the Capital Building in the distance and everything that Annapolis implies for me is just a little glimpse of Heaven. And, although I'm always headed to my physical home in Southern Maryland with my husband whom I love and our soon-to-be new home, I always seem to hear a faint whisper in my head saying, "Someday, I'll bring you Home."

Although I've never owned a pair of Sperry Topsiders, and have almost never had a "Racoon Eyes" tan on my face, I have heard the empty poles of sail boats clang together in harmonious symphony, and I've heard the call of a sailboat captain yell "Jive Ho" as the sails switch in the wind. I heard it on Saturday, while standing at the very edge of the U.S. Naval Academy with my beloved camera and was able to catch some of the passing sailboats in memory of the town which I love so much.

Dandelions and Kisses

Want to see one of the cutest pictures EVER?? Head on over to the Melissa Barrick Photography Blog for sneak peeks!

Hello Baby: Check it out!

Do you love babies? You need to check this one out over at my Photog Blog. Here's just a sneak peek:

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

It's finally here!!! Remember back since October I had been promising you a new Photography website? Well, it's finally here! With the help of a very talented Mr. Zane Perry, my new Photography Blog/Website has arrived! It's bigger, it's better and it's just beautiful!
I will no longer be updating on my old photography blog as I have completely moved over to my new blog.
Don't worry, I will still be posting on The Barrick Times with my personal schtuff!

BUT! Before you run over in excitement to my new site... I'm offering a Website Opening Special!

If you book a session with me TODAY through Tuesday, March 31, I will give you $20 worth of prints from your session for FREE!!! Book fast because is only good until March 31!

So, ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I announce the Grand Opening of my new Photo Blog:
www.MelissaBarrickPhotography.com

Thanks for stickin' with me. I love you guys!

Back in the 70's

Since I've been getting into Photography, I frequently look to the ever-famous Pioneer Woman for guidance. Although she claims not to be a professional photographer, the woman has some talent! Especially for breaking down Photoshop for those of us who can't figure some things out. If you haven't been there, take a look. It's entertaining AND helpful if you're totally lost with Photoshop.

So today's picture is brought to you by my husband Bobby and a Pioneer Woman action. This is my new favorite action as I used it almost exclusively when I shot this party a few weeks ago, and I'm loving the applications to pictures of children. It makes me feel like I'm back in the 70's with a nice, slightly tacky Polaroid shot (just ignore the fact that I was born in the mid-80's). The rustic charm of the characteristics is probably more exciting than the picture itself, but I wanted to share it with you today. Since, you know, today is now FOUR days in a row that I've been able to come up with a blog! Like I said, Bobby took this picture of me riding my brand new bike in OCMD last Spring. Remember the infamous rash story?

Also, if you haven't already checked it out, I've applied the 70's action to a picture of one of my beautiful nieces on my Photography Site...I think it tops my list as one of my new favorite pictures!

Downeaster Alexa

Have you ever heard that song? Billy Joel wrote it. I have had a music crush on Billy Joel since Bobby and I went to his concert last summer for our anniversary. My favorite song? Downeaster Alexa. I'm not sure why exactly, but I think Bobby has learned to love it too. Here's the story:

Every morning for the past year and a half, I cannot seem to be pleasant in the morning. I just don't like to talk. This gets me into trouble now, because I'm married and I have to share my mornings with another person. Being grumpy or quiet gets me no where with a husband who likes to be playful in the morning. To remedy my grumpiness and his need for talking in the morning, he created a play list on my iphone for us to listen to while getting ready for work. Most of the songs were, of course, Billy Joel and some other late 70's music I love for some reason. So as the playlist is running down, it gets to my favorite song, Downeaster Alexa. I can hardly contain myself as I sit there curling my eyelashes, so I finally burst out into sing along with Billy and "mock" play the piano when the beat so calls for it. I must have scared Bobby half to death as he's hardly heard a peep out of me before 7:30 a.m. for almost two years.

And still, almost every morning, he plays me my Downeaster Alexa song just so he can laugh and be playful with me in the morning.

How is this related to anything? Well, it's not. But every time I'm crossing over a bridge, that silly song pops into my head and I cannot contain myself... I just have to sing. So, for your listening and viewing pleasure, I've added the Downeaster Alexa song to my playlist on here so it will get stuck in your heads. AND here's a picture of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge that I took while taking photos of Baby Aidan.



P.S. I've blogged three days in a row on The Barrick Times. I think I am going to make a challenge for myself to blog every day for a week. If I haven't eliminated all of my readers by the end of this week, God Bless You. Do you think I can make it?

Baby Face

If I haven't made it painfully clear before, let me say it again: I love babies. They are cute when they laugh, even more adorable when they cry, and just just plain hilarious to watch when they're all together. Today, I spent the day with 2 little babies and one very cute little boy. This was my first time taking formal pictures of so many people, but it was so much fun! The Adams/Sievers/Wathen families were so photogenic and they all make beautiful children with the biggest blue eyes I've ever seen. Anyway, here are just a few... you can find some more over on my Photo Blog! Enjoy! And thanks again, guys, for letting me spend the afternoon with ya'll!

Sister, Sister

About a month ago, I was talking with a girl at work about taking pictures. After begging and pleading profusely, she finally agreed to let me take pictures of her kids! Since children's photography is kind of the route of photography I'd like to focus on for a business, I was thrilled to finally get some practice. The girls were awesome - so patient and so photogenic! So, here's a little glimpse of what the afternoon was like. The lighting was so cool, the sun was out, but it was cloudy at the same time, making the "mood" very cool and fall-like.

You can find more pictures of these cute sisters over at my NEWLY LAUNCHED Photography blog!!! Since you all voted "chocolate and lime" as my colors, I tweaked it a little (only because Blogspot doesn't offer the colors I thought would look good) to be black and kelly (green). Anyways, thanks Melissa and girls, for letting me photograph you this afternoon!

Engaged! Josh and Kelly

I have no patience.

This evening, I had the pleasure of taking my first official photography session with my friend Kelly from work and her fiancee, Josh! Let me just tell you... it was SO fun. I got home and just couldn't wait to take a look at the pictures! Here is a snapshot of how the evening went, which, by the way, was GORGEOUS. I don't think we've had a prettier day all season! Josh and Kelly, you guys are a beautiful couple and very photogenic! Congrats on the engagement and thanks for your patience with me today while I figured everything out!