The top 10 reasons I've been a sporadic blogger (don't you just love the word sporadic?).

I must admit it seems a little problematic to be calling myself a bad blogger. Against the voices in my head I'll admit I've been a sporadic blogger for the better part of 2010. Why? Read ahead for the top 10 reasons I've been MIA.

10. I've been working! I know you would love to see everything that I do, but you don't :( sad but true. Blogging takes time. A LOT of time. If you are a blogger then you know. You have to shoot, edit, prep for web, backup, write, upload, publish, promote... and the list continues. I love hearing your feedback and I love sharing my work. I've got some super exiting projects this summer. I will share. Promise.

9. I branched my company. I've separated my portrait work from my wedding work. As you know Melissa Tomeoni is now a .com and it has a gorgeous logo and spanking new brand. It's going really well and I know it was the correct business choice for me. I just got my new cards in last week. I've committed to letterpress and it's beautiful! Studio M made sure of it. I love how it does double duty on both sides. Gorgeous!



8. I've been photographing more Boudoir, I love it! Sometimes I wish my clients were a little less conservative so I could show you, but hey, I respect that :)



7. This feels a little strange writing this on my business page as I don't even share all this with my own mother but personally things have been a little... how should we say... stressful. Josh and I are closer than we have been before but for reasons outside of our control (I love being in control!) we have been going through what someone has labeled as a "crisis season" of our lives. I laughed when I heard this partly because it was so refreshing to know we aren't the crazy ones. Again, for reasons outside of our control we starting going to counseling and I'll tell anyone-- it's AMAZING and worth it's weight in gold. I always viewed counseling as a negative experience. The thing is... it's so healthy. It's allowed Josh and I to not only grow closer together, but it's opened up this entire world of dreaming we didn't realize we had.... and we're doing it together! It's amazing and I can't speak highly enough of the process, the councilor and personal growth. I'm sharing this partly for encouragement for those of you who read the blog who may have been thinking of seeing one. I say, do it. I think that if you are considering going, go. It's so wonderful. I think that if we go and in the end are more capable of communicating with one another that it can only lead to good things, healthy things. If you want to chat more about this, write me! For the sake of brevity (which this post is most certainly not) I'll move on. But before I do; Josh, I love you and I'm so proud of you.



6. Speaking of personal growth I've been trying to do things that make me happy because the weather the Northwest has been driving me bonkers! I've been trying to get outside more and take little Persay on more walks. Sometimes the only cure to a cloudy day is a dog running free. It always make me smile.


5. New products! Since I attended WPPI back in March my brain has been going nonstop about different ideas, products and so forth. I've slowly been adding more products to the list... Here are the new accordion mini's! They are so perfect for babies, mini gifts for grandparents, boudoir... engagement, seniors. Actually, I just got a idea. What if you did it as a grandparent gift of your wedding. Cute, right? They are small enough to carry in your purse and show off at anytime. Here are my studio samples; senior, baby and boudoir.



4. I've been spending a lot of time with peers in the industry. I along with other local photographers get together and talk business  a few times every month and I have to give a shout out to them. I love our meetings and I love having other people to bounce business ideas with. It's great to know these ladies and I think they deserve my time so they totally make the list.

3. Brainstorming more ideas on how to give back to the community.... of photographers! Would you guys like to see more behind the scenes? What about video. Would anyone watch video if I had a channel on youtube? Is it crazy that I just learned you can have your own channel... Feedback please! Here is one behind the scene shot of a newborn session from yesterday. We're trying to make baby happy by comforting him while he is set up ready to go in his basket.



2. Reading and... possibly writing! I've been reading a ton of business books, and a few personal books and the occasional gossip magazine. I'll admit I'm totally obsessed with the Kardashian sisters.... Anyway, my point is that you might be reading more from me in the future. More on that later.

drum roll please.....

1. Quality, not quantity. This isn't Costco, people. This is a custom photography studio. :)



And there you have it! 10 reason for my sporadic nature this season. Like I said earlier, I love hearing your feedback and I love sharing my work. I've got some super exiting projects this summer. I will share. Promise. Thoughts?

I know, I know. I don't blog forever and then I come up with a makeup tip of all things. I know! Ridiculous. I've finally been able to catch my breath (just a little) after launching melissatomeoni.com, shooting a crazy amount of seniors and then it hit me. Makeup, of course! Everyone, and I mean a whopping 95% of you don't like your picture taken. BTW those stats are very official... as in, I just made them up myself.

While I was editing seniors the past few weeks (which are now going to have their debut on my Melissa Tomeoni FB fan page). I noticed a sparkle. Maybe it's because they are seniors and they have the world at their feet, but maybe it's because they are expert makeup artists and actually apply the tips we read in magazines.

Take note: In the images below, see the sparkle? It's the brightness right around the tear duct that makes their eyes sing. The tip is to lightly dust shadow underneath your bottom lashes in a bright or shimmery shade. Try and stay just around the tear duct, don't go to far to the outer corners of your eyes. Presto! Even on the gloomy days you'll have a twinkle in your eye.

I've learned to never be fully satisfied with what I've done. As Kuzco, one of my favorite Disney characters would say, "We are outsourcing, moving in a different direction. Um. Your services are no longer needed here. You're fired. Clear?"

Now don't worry I am not firing myself, just moving in a different direction and I hope you are as excited as I am!

Over the past three years, Soul Mates Photo has been a wonderful and creative home for my wedding and portrait photography. The blog, facebook fan page and twitter have really taken off. Soul Mates Photo will continue to photograph couples in love ready to walk down the isle to become Mr. and Mrs. In the past, my couples have taken me not only across the country but more importantly throughout the winding country roads of my own backyard. It's been a wonderful and unique way of documenting peoples' love, lives, happiness and family as they become one.

But wait. What about the FAMILY?! I know that's what all my portrait clients are asking. In the past my portrait clients have been under the brand Soul Mates Photo. This year I've decided life will be a bit more clear separating the two. As stated earlier, I'm moving in a different direction with my portrait work but still focusing on newborns, children and graduating high school seniors. Welcome to MelissaTomeoni.com! Melissa Tomeoni is built specifically for family. It's catered toward the curious nature of children all the way to the independence of the graduating senior. It's modern, it's luxury and I know you will feel very comfortable at melissatomeoni.com. You will be able to find all the information you could need and more. Online, details are spelled out... some examples include: Where should I schedule my session and what type of clothing recommendations do you have? Feel free to browse the website and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you!

Now all portrait, family, newborn, child and senior work will be posted on the respective Melissa Tomeoni sites... so if you are not already, please be sure to be a fan or follower of the links below. I'd love to connect with you. Please send me a note

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=10050532#!/pages/Portland-OR/Melissa-Tomeoni/114817035195752
Twitter: @melissatomeoni


How 'bout a warm welcome and standing ovation for MelissaTomeoni.com!
For the sake of saving face I'll assume you all stood up in your cubical chairs and applauded. You can assume I did a big bow... or even a little curtsy. Thanks for the warm welcome :)


I'll leave you with a funny clip of Esma and Kronk... I'm telling you it's a must see Disney movie. Click here to be taken to the youtube clip.

Big Smiles!
Melissa Tomeoni

Emily is the final winner of the makeover contest with Reina Style and Consulting. Emily is already confident and clear about how her body works and functions -- after all she is a health and fitness instructor! She just needed a little push in the right direction to be able to wear and rock a dress in heals. Emily, you totally own this look ;) A huge thanks to the ladies who made this possible. It was a huge success!

Stylest: Brianna of Reina Style Consulting
Photographer: Melissa Tomeoni
Hair and Makeup: Amanda at Bella Mar Salon
Clothing: ShopAdorn