Melissa Darst Photography Blog http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog Grapevine Dallas Fort Worth Photographer >> Baby, Infant, Newborn, Maternity, Child, Children, Kid Family, Senior, Engagement Natural Light Portrait Photographer Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:28:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 springtime in the orchard http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3529 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3529#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:15:36 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3529 This family will always hold a special place in my heart as they were the second family I ever photographed and they were some of my biggest cheerleaders at the start of MDP almost 6 years ago! They are incredible, genuine, FUN individuals and this hot mama is the brains behind Meshach, an adorable line of scripture clothing and accessories. Their orchard session was so much fun and this is only a glimpse of all the goodness:) I loooove this first one…and I’ll just say it for all the moms out there who may be reading and thinking this – what we wouldn’t do for legs like this?!!!

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3529 1 here’s to a smashing success! http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3523 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3523#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:20:35 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3523 Miss D and I were both huge fans of the Smash TV show…me, just because I like to pretend I can sing and D, because she CAN sing…and because after her recent graduation from Texas A&M (whoop!), she is pursuing a life I like to imagine is straight out of Smash, full of song, dance and plenty of auditions! As my next door neighbor and babysitter for the last 6 years, I am so excited to watch her chase her dreams and see where she lands!

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3523 0 light for moore http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3509 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3509#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 21:25:34 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3509 It’s pouring rain and I’ve been glued to the news stations all day watching reports of the devastating tornado that hit Moore, OK yesterday. It’s unbelievable. I can’t even imagine. I’m heartbroken. All I can do is pray. And remind myself that God will shine His light in all of this, even if it seems impossible. I trust in that.

I was also reminded of this session I took earlier this spring of my girl that I never posted. I loved the light that evening. And on this dreary day, I needed to see that light. What an incredible visual of God’s amazing creativity and work and of His promise to shine light in the darkness.

Thank you Jesus for the little things. For children. For their precious feet that dance and twirl. For their precious voices that sing. Thank you for the way they see the world and how they bring us joy. And remind us of what’s important. Thank you for ladybugs. And grass. For your light. And for each precious day here on this earth.

As trivial as it may sound, I also think about all of the photographs that were probably lost in the demolished homes. That brings on new tears and breaks my heart on a whole other level.  I would sincerely love to photograph these families once the rebuilding begins and give them new memories and new images to hang in their homes. I hope someone reading this will connect me to those families as part of my Share Your Wish | Shine Your Light Project.

I don’t know how you move on from an event like this. Where do you even start? I imagine it’s one step at a time. One day at a time. One prayer at a time. My heart and my prayers go out to you Moore, OK.

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3509 1 sittin’ on the dock of the bay… http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3501 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3501#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 17:40:39 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3501 Sweet Mr. E won me over from the start with his red hair, big blue eyes and 2 bottom teeth. There is something so perfect about 8 months old. My favorite baby shot of my own little guy was at 8 months of age. Mom and Gigi sure had their work cut out chasing him around the dock but I love how it came to life…especially the very last shot of the entire session with him and his gorgeous mama!!

 

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3501 1 more gumball goodness! http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3491 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3491#comments Tue, 21 May 2013 16:39:21 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3491 Spring has flown by and I’m trying to catch up a bit on the blog to showcase some of the adorable moments and children I was so blessed to be apart of! This is just a small taste of all the fun we had in April out at the Gumball Mini Session Event. From babies and dogs, to college seniors and the latest mix-in-match line for Cici and Ryann, we squeezed in as much as we could and had a bubblicious-good time!

Special thanks to The TomKat Studio for our custom printable signs!

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3491 0 buttercup bling + mdp = super sweet http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3480 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3480#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:04:48 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3480 This adorable wooden, gumball-inspired necklace from Buttercup Bling could not have been any more PERFECT for my gumball mini sessions. You should have seen me like a kid tearing into the package when it arrived – designer Becky contacted me about this piece she was creating but I had no idea HOW perfect it’s sweet and simple little self would be.

I will say it was a big hit here with my little muse:) AND it truly goes with SO many things in her closet and instantly transforms any outfit!! For those of you looking to maximize your purchases, I can cheerfully tell you that this necklace will fit both mom and daughter.

Here we paired the Buttercup Bling necklace with one of the newly released summer Cici and Ryann mix-n-match outfits!

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3480 0 red shed antiques – french market sale http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3465 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3465#comments Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:19:53 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3465 I am letting you in on one of Grapevine’s best kept secrets – Red Shed Antiques. Tucked away in a quaint little area of downtown Grapevine, Red Shed Antiques offers up an adorabe cottage and wonderful shopping experience for all sorts of shabby chic French antiques. Their one-of-a-kind furnishings and incredible finds from annual trips to Europe are sure to win you over! I had a blast shooting one of their seasonal French market sales. These ladies go ALL out with styling their selections and it was so hard to even choose what to post on the blog. You simply must go check out their shop in person! So many of you ask about this red door display and mantle featured up in the studio, and THIS is where I found those treasures!

 

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3465 1 gracie girl designs http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3460 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3460#comments Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:19:34 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3460 Are these jeans not SO fun? I love the colors, the mismatched patterns and this entire up-cycled creation! And as you’ll see, there are coordinating boys ties available too, all brought to you by Gracie Girl Designs.  For those of you that came out to our fall anniversary event up at the studio, you may remember the adorable Gracie Girl booth full of little girls’ accessories, boots, clothes and MORE! I love the way these photographed and had to share for some wardrobe inspiration. Shop these goodies in person at Let’s Pretend in Grapevine at and at Celebrations & Invitations in Flower Mound.

 

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3460 0 breathtaking miss k http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3455 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3455#comments Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:02:45 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3455 One of my favorite details from Miss K’s images are the chunky rings on her fingers! I love accessories like this and the way that add a special pop to your images. Of course, they can’t begin to rival the dazzling set of beautiful blue eyes she has. Thank you K for driving all the way from Oklahoma to come see me – I loved my time with you!

]]> http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3455 0 gumball mini sessions http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3448 http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3448#comments Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:34:15 +0000 admin http://melissadarstphoto.com/blog/?p=3448

CHEW ON THIS! Exclusive gumball-themed mini sessions complete with our GIANT gumball machine. Bring out your kids for some bubble-blowing and FUN!

Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 6:30-8pm

Sessions will be 15 minutes long – the session fee is $125 plus tax, which includes one free digital file (a $125 value in itself!). Location is outdoors and held in Southlake. Email me at melissadarstphoto@yahoo.com to reserve your spot today!

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