Photographer Profile

My name is Melissa Howell and I specialize in custom portrait design for your home. You can visit my official photography website at http://www.blueprintsphotography.com/ to view more of my work and to contact me to set up a consultation.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Only one day left!

Scroll down to the bottom and click on the "follow" button to become a follower and be entered to win a free session and 11x14 portrait! February 28th at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline (Mountain Standard Time).

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Warning: These pictures may make you want to have a baby

I photographed another newborn (who was born the same day as the previous newborn I did) this weekend. We tried and tried and tried to get him to go to sleep, but just like the little guy from my previous post, he just would not do it! Hmmm. I'm beginning to think I'm the problem here :) This sweet baby's dad came up and was able to get him relaxed enough for a couple of the shots below. I am in love with the smiling one in the basket!



Saturday, February 20, 2010

Newborn sweetness

Don't you just love the smell of new babies? I loved photographing this little guy who was only 10 days old. Newborns are always a challenge because you really have to get them to go to sleep in order to get those super sweet portraits. This baby somehow knew he was performing and had to stay awake to see what was going on. We got a few where he was pretending to sleep, like this first one with the BYU hat. (His parents are big BYU fans, so I had the idea to do this pose with the hat). I love the family togetherness of the last one, too. It really captures the wonder of a new baby.






Blue Prints Photography

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Blue Prints Photography's Charitable Partnership with Kiva

We all see the pictures on the news of people around the world who live in horrible poverty. My heart aches for them, knowing that their children are hungry and that they have little hope. In the past, I wondered what I could do to help. Most of these people are half-a-world away. Then I found out about Kiva. This is a non-profit organization that provides micro-loans to people in poverty. These loans allow them to purchase livestock, fishing nets, and sewing machines, etc. so that they can provide for their family and have hope of breaking the cycle of poverty. Through this site, you can read all about the entrepreneurs and pick which ones you would like to support. Twenty-five dollars from each paid session at Blue Prints Photography is donated to help an entrepreneur featured on the site.

The first group sponsored by Blue Prints Photography was the Promejoramiento Group from Guatemala.

This is a group of women involved in the industries of livestock and food production and sales. "Without this money, it is impossible to overcome," said one member of the group. With the loans they receive, they are able to pay for schooling and adequate health care for their children. Most of us take these things for granted, but for so many others in the world, good health and schooling are luxuries. Little by little, though, we can make a difference!

Blue Prints Photography

Monday, February 15, 2010

Sweet six

This is my daughter. She just turned six. I let her pick what she wanted to wear for her photoshoot. Normally I discourage shirts such as the one she is wearing, but in this case, I think it's great! She loves making funny expressions, and those big brown eyes just melt your heart! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!







Blue Prints Photography

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Custom dvd cases

My photo lab just started offering these really professional cd and dvd cases. I can customize them for each of my clients. In the sample below, I used the pattern from one of the backdrops from a recent client's session and inserted some fun portraits that showed lots of personality. They loved it!




Blue Prints Photography

Monday, February 8, 2010

And the winner is....

Sorry. This is not announcing the winner of the free photo session and 11x14. That doesn't happen until March 1st. Until then, tell all your friends to become followers so they can enter, too!

This post is to announce the winning portrait that I will submit to the Fresh Faces contest being held by Rangefinder Magazine. I held a poll on Facebook as well as this blog, and the clear winner was...












Thanks for all your input! I will let you know how the contest turns out!

Blue Prints Photography

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Help me pick a winner!

I am going to enter the Fresh Faces contest being held by Rangefinder Magazine (one of the premier photography magazines in the country). They are looking for the best portrait. The problem is, I can only submit one, and I don't know which one to pick! So I'm asking for your help. Just leave a comment telling me which one is your favorite and why. I'll let you know which one is the winner next week!

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Win a free session and 11x14!

To celebrate the launch of my new website , I am giving away a complimentary session and 11x14 portrait! All you have to do to enter is become a follower of this blog. Just scroll down to the bottom and click on the "follow" button. Invite your friends! The more the merrier! I will be updating this blog much more frequently with sneak peeks of sessions, promotions, photography tips, contests, and profiles on the people Blue Prints Photography is helping through Kiva. I'm so excited! Won't you join me? You only have until February 28th to become a follower, so don't wait! I'll announce the winner of the session and 11x14 on March 1st!

P.S. If you'd like to become and follower and enter the contest but live out of state, you may donate your session and print to a friend in Colorado should you win. Or, if you live in Utah or Washington state, I will be able to do your shoot this summer when I travel to both places.