It all started when my friend Allison was redesigning my blog. We had tossed around dozens of ideas for the greeting at the top of my sidebar and nothing seemed quite right.
“You need more pictures of yourself, woman!” she told me in exasperation.
“Just use that one of me lifting Kate up into the air,” I’d replied. “It’s my favorite!” (So what if it only showed the side of my face? It was one of my most beloved pictures and I thought it’d work great.)
I could tell she wasn’t quite as convinced, but she obliged – as most dear friends do – and it wasn’t until several months later (after attending the Haven Conference) that I finally understood why she had pressed me for a different picture.
People want to see what you look like.
Enter Melissa Oholendt.
I first met Melissa three years ago when she photographed me and G for our maternity shoot when I was pregnant with Kate. Mel is an amazing wedding and lifestyle photographer in the Twin Cities, and it was a thrill both to meet her and to work with her! She left such an impression on me, in fact, that when I decided to bite the bullet and get head shots for my blog, I knew she was the woman for me. Luckily I already had a trip to the Twin Cities planned to visit Allison, and as chance would have it, Melissa was free!
Fast-forward to a couple of weeks ago: me, Melissa, and Allison met for Chardonnays at a wine bar in Minneapolis . . . one thing led to another, and soon I was posing for Melissa’s camera in between sips of wine, a few outfit changes, several strangers, and loads of laughs!
One of the funniest collection of photographs from the shoot was when Melissa suggested I touch my necklace for a pose. Being the un-supermodel that I am, I couldn’t figure out how to do this without it looking like I was feeling myself up. Of course I had to demonstrate for effect – and of course Mel was quick to capture it!
How could we not share?
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| What wine-induced photo shoot would be complete without a boob grab? (Not mine!) |
Thanks to Melissa, I have so many great profile pictures to choose from – I have no idea how I’ll select just one! Check out the rest of my proofs on my All Things G&D Facebook page and help me decide!
Which one’s your favorite?
My favorite is in the orange dress w/your arms down to your side! So pretty! The ones with wine are tempting though…wine, pick the wine! Great pics!
The pictures of you in the orange are absolute perfection– it’s your signature color, after all!
PSSTTT… when are we getting an update on Kate’s room? I have been stalking your pin board and I can’t wait to see what you came up with!
LB
I really like the third orange dress picture and for a close up, I like the second one in the set above the boob grabbing set.
Love the red shoes, by the way.
Love them all! And now, I need a bubble necklace.
You need to number them – I love so many I can’t keep track. I love the first on and the second “single”…so I guess that means 4th? I love love love the one on the right side of the pair above the boob shots. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Where on earth did you find those necklaces…???
Thank you so much everyone! It’s really helpful to hear which ones you like as I try to narrow it down to just a couple to use on my blog!
@LB: Kate’s room is coming along super s.l.o.w.l.y. I don’t have much to share yet, but hope to have an intro post up in the next week or two!
@Amy: The turquoise necklace is from J. Crew and the orange/coral necklace is from Francesca’s Collection – they’re so fun!
Super jealous. Super. Love how they turned out. She’s always fab.
These are awesome! Wonderful photographer! It would be tough for me to choose, too- good luck!
Erin @The Great Indoors