Today Marissa and I set out into the heat and smoke to capture some photos of her beautiful belly. She is absolutely stunning, need I say more? I was so excited to capture some sexy urban pictures of her and her baby. Here are a few of my favorites….

Yesterday I was cleaning up my office and I came across an old film-card with some pictures of Madyline. She went to a party a couple months ago where a clown…. a very talented and tolerant clown I might add, painted all the children’s faces.
In about 4 minutes she was transformed into a beautiful butterfly. When I was a kid the clowns didn’t do face painting this fancy.

Now the “kitty face” I paint on Madyline about every week doesn’t seem quite so enchanting…. looks like it’s time for me to put down the camera and take a painting class.

I’ve had such a good time getting to know Trina & Nikos over the past few months. They are super down to earth, and their wedding at the Miners Foundry was fun, beautiful, and more fun. Here are a few images from their day…..

This past weekend, Echappe had their annual dance show. I was blessed with the opportunity to come and photograph the run-through on Friday night, and also had a chance to snap a few portraits of the dancers during the breaks. I’m convinced there is nothing cuter than a bunch of 5 year olds dancing around on stage like fairies! I think they should televise the little ones dancing, they were so awesome. For those with kids in the show, the proofs are now online- just go to the “online ordering” section of my website to view and order. Here’s a couple of my favorites.

-Melanie Jaramillo for Essence Photography

Last weekend Nudrat and I shot Angela & Brady’s beautiful wedding here in Grass Valley. About an hour before the ceremony (which was all outside) it started thundering and raining - EEEKK! I’m pretty sure that’s the first time it’s thundered in Grass Valley on Summer Solstice…. I think it was a little wedding blessing because it was short lived and the wedding was dry and beautiful. I had a great time working with my awesome second shooter Nudrat, and Greg from Mountain Event Productions. Here are a few images from their day…..

Melanie Jaramillo

I’m feelin so behind on my blogging… time is flying by and wedding season is in full swing. It started off with Tabitha & Colt’s beautiful wedding at the Bear River Retreat in Colfax. It was a ton of fun and Tabitha was dazzling in her beautiful princess dress (my absolute favorite). I still can’t help it…. I cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I see a bride walk down the isle with her groom waiting at the other end. Call me a sap, but I love it and I always come prepared with lots of tissue. Here’s a few pictures to share.

Melanie Jaramillo for Essence Wedding Photography

I became an Auntie a little bit sooner than expected. Baby Noah arrived on Friday (June 6) about 4 weeks ahead of schedule, yet perfectly on time. Aside from the birth of my own daughter, this was the first time I’ve seen a baby come into this world. It was, by far, the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life! I am so in awe of the experience that I really don’t have many words. All I can say, is that I feel so blessed! So blessed to have been witness to such strength and power. I feel so invoked with reverence for Christy and all Mothers. Ahhhh… I’m crying just thinking about it! more to come….

In a couple of weeks I’ll be an Auntie, Yay! I’m so excited, and on Saturday I went out to take a couple of shots my sister-in-law at the Sierra Friends Center. Here’s a peek at what we took.

Melanie Jaramillo for Essence Photography.

Wow, I can’t even believe that June is here! The last I remember it was September….time flies so quickly (especially when you have a young child)! Earlier this week I headed out to shoot Tabitha & Colts engagement session. We started out in the rain & gloom, but it ended up being a great afternoon. They were troopers sitting on the wet grass and getting a bit wet in the rain. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding next week in Colfax and kick off my wedding season! Here’s a few shots before the big day!

Melanie Jaramillo for Essence Photography

Last night Madline yanked out, I mean lost another tooth.   I’m starting to think that maybe she’s pullin em out to get extra visits from the tooth fairy.  The girl is gonna break me at this rate. (ok not really, but it kind of goes with my blog entry here).  The tooth fairy was leaving $4.00, which I thought was not to shabby.  (26 teeth x $4.00= plenty of money for a 5 year old).  But turns out that she doesn’t want money; she wants crystals.  So today I headed out to her favorite rock store to stock up on crystals; now I have 10 crystals on hand for tooth fairy duty.  I figure at this rate, we have about 20+ teeth to go, so I can’t be overstocked.  Sorry, but she wouldn’t let me take a picture of this missing tooth… not even for $.50

;)  Melanie Jaramillo

Madyline lost her front tooth last night! She was so excited that she actually ASKED me to take her picture. Of course I was elated since she generally hates being in front of my camera ( I often pay her $.50 a shot to pose for me). Here’s a look at my new jack-o-lantern girl.

Melanie

Melanie Jaramillo for Essence Photography

Time sure flies! Two weeks ago I headed out to shoot Janelle & Matt’s engagement session. I had a great time dragging them around Empire Mine and once again, I am feeling so blessed to have such awesome couples! I loved hearing about the details of their upcoming fall wedding (Janelle picked my favorite fall colors). November weddings in Nevada County are BEAUTIFUL! Being a so-cal girl, this year was the first time in my life that I experienced fall (I’m really ashamed to say that when I moved in late winter and all the trees had no leaves, I actually thought they were dead- pathetic, I know). But coming full circle in the seasons has been awakening to say the least. Last year I had the honor to shoot 2 fall weddings here in Nevada County, and I was blown away by each of them. I finally understand the concept “Fall Wedding” and am looking forward to being part of Janelle & Matt’s special day this November! Here’s a couple of the pictures I caught for them.

Whoa, I’ve spent the last 5 days in bed with the funky cold that’s been going around, so I’m a little behind in my posting. On the positive side, I’m very well rested (was sleeping like 15+ hours a day). I don’t think I’ve ever slept that much in my life! Now I’m back in action, so all those emails in my inbox will be answered tomorrow (I promise). Anyway…. last week I shot some pictures for my awesome neighbor and friend Grahm from Nourished Wise Community Supported Kitchen. Check out his website for info on his great weekly menu. His food is AWESOME, and full of love which makes it even better!

I recently began dancing with The Movement Alliance here in Grass Valley. YAY!!!! I’m so excited to be moving with such an awesome group of dancers! We’ll be performing today at 4:00 for Earth Day at Sierra College (NCC), and again next week for National Dance Week. Check out the website for more info.

- Melanie Jaramillo

Essence Photography

Wow, wedding season is upon us and I’m so excited. I headed out to Empire Mine to shoot Angela and Brady’s Engagement Session last weekend. Here’s a sneak peek at the images I captured for them…. I just had to throw in one of Angela solo…. she is so beautiful and fluid in front of the camera. Lot’s more to come as I head out to shoot engagement session galore in the next month.

Melanie Jaramillo for Essence Photography

My dad was in a plane crash yesterday and walked away with only a bump on his head, what a miracle!!! Here are a few pictures of the plane…. it had mechanical failure and he lost power at 500 feet. Thanks to God and my dad’s skillful piloting, he is alive and well.

Essence Photography

For the past several months I’ve been thinking about ways to volunteer my photography skills to help others in my community. I finally came across this amazing organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. When I first visited their website I began to cry because their work is so powerful and moving. Please take a moment to check out their website and forward it to anyone who may be interested. I am deeply honored about being selected as a photographer for NILMDTS. At the same time comes a huge wave of nervousness…. For aside from mothering, this surely will be the most challenging, and emotion filled work I could imagine.

-Melanie Jaramillo

Essence Photography

Last night I had the chance to shoot the dress rehearsal for the Grass Valley Starz show. Pretty much everyone in the town comes out for this show and it’s tons of fun! I’m dancing in the show this weekend for Lovie Bucknell with the group of modern dancers from Sierra College. Here’s a peek at some of the pieces, check out my website for more

Essence Photography

Death has visited my doorstep for the second time in a year…
and I am always amazed with the fragility it brings with it….

Tonight I sat down to work, I was focused and had “so much to do”
But suddenly… it was all unimportant.
My brother appeared at my doorstep, so fragile and real….. His dear friend was killed in an accident today…..
and suddenly, nothing else mattered but this very moment. Nothing else mattered but being present with him.
I ache for him. I feel all I can do is hold space… sacred space for him to be… and feel… and experience this loss.
Last year we cried together when Sean died…. We held each other up when I felt I would collapse from the pain of separation…..
I am barely finding space to breathe after his passing, and I cannot imagine having another transition right now…
I ache for the pain my brother is feeling. I so badly want to ease it for him, yet I know it cannot be eased….. only experienced and held sacred.
Suddenly nothing else matters except being present.
the dirty dishes, the e-mail in box, the un-mowed lawn….
all insignificant.
And for a moment I am once again lead back to what DOES matter….
and all I am left with is one single word…
LOVE.
Love.
love.
At the end of the day, this is the only word I want to hear.
At the end of the day, this is the one thing I want to ensure I extended and experienced.

Transition, death… is such an eloquent reminder of this.
It’s so clearly reminds me of what is REAL and Important.

who cares about the freakin laundry?!!!
The bigger question is “How Did I experience and extend LOVE Today?”

-Melanie

Wow, Grass Valley is so beautiful this time of year! It’s amazing to watch the trees which have been so bare all winter begin to bloom. I’m so inspired by the beauty I see all around me.

Yesterday I was playing with my camera shooting some flowers for a new project. I’m using an old camera technique and not messing with the images in photoshop. Here’s a peek.