Good News! The Secret Sessions are back but for one weekend only.

You remember The Secret Sessions, don't you? I hosted a weekend back in May and now I'm hosting one in October!

The special boudoir sessions will be taking place at The Nines, a luxury hotel downtown. It's brand new and oh, so fabulous inside! I had so much fun there in May I'm going back. The session will be about an hour long in one of the suites. You are welcome to bring a change of "outfits" and heals and props if you would like. The boudoir sessions are very tasteful and classy and I would love if you were a part of it! The session is scheduled in October to leave enough time to make Christmas/ Holiday albums for the love of your life.

I will be shooting one weekend only, October 3rd and 4th.
If you are interested I would love to give you more information. Shoot me a quick email at soulmatesphoto@gmail.com

I've already announced this to a list of girls who wanted to be the 1st to know so let me know if you are interested. Sessions are limited and are on a first come first serve basis.

It would be fun if you and a few friends booked back to back sessions and made an event out of it and then grabbed a cocktail in the hotel lounge after.... or before! Whatever.

Here's a photo of the room last time. I'm telling you... gorgeous!


I'm excited!
Big Secret Smiles. Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photography.

Lately I've been receiving questions from other photographers about business and photography stuff. To be honest, this surprises me. I know (or at least I'm crossing my fingers) others feel the same regardless what they do in life. I'm sure doctors, motor cart drivers and ice cream makers all have days where they have no idea how they are doing what the do. How did one get here and what makes me a go-to person? Like I said... I'm surprised by this. Honored, but surprised.

There is one saying that looms in the back of my head from elementary days. It goes something like this, "There are no dumb questions. Chances are if you have a question someone out there has the same question." You know what I mean. I even hear it on the radio. Call in! But whatev. I'll ride the FAQ or Q&A train. If it helps someone then that's enough for me.

Here goes nothing. I've decided to post Q&A's. Feel free to ask more via email if you want it posted up here. I want to make this an ongoing thing.... I've been given so much help it's time to Pay it Forward.

The 1st question comes from Lauren.
Q: I was just wondering if you would share a few of your tips on how you got started and how you learned the specifics about photography."

A: How I got started is another story all together that I'll share with you... maybe next week... but learning the specifics of photography looks something like this: Education. Practice. Trial and Error. Art History.

I know that's like oh-so vague so I'll break it down for you.

Education: We are in a technology driven field so it's vital to keep up with the times. Take seminars, join national organizations such as PPA, and WPPI and local ones as well (Oregon as PPO and PMPA). They are continually offering workshops and seminars to attend. It's a huge jump start info the industry.
Practice. You know your mom always said practice makes perfect. Well, turns out she was right! You will never be able to advance in what you do if you expect yourself to be perfect the first time around. That applies to anyone in any area of life. Really, do you think we learned to read perfectly the first time we picked up a book? Photography is the same way. Sometimes your rocky but sometimes you're great... the more you shoot the more times you will be great. Guaranteed.
Trial and Error. Trial and Error spills into practice but I think deserves it's own category. If you see something you love shoot it from all sides. For example: a person. You naturally want to show their face because we learned this awesome phrase which I think should be extracted from the English language. It goes something like this "Cheese!" Ugh. Photographs are stories. They are moments. A real life moment is not the second you say cheese. Photograph the back of one's head just to break the mold. The best thing of all is if it's terrible just delete it. Sometimes it's so vital to our growth to just break the mold. Change the expected.
Art History. This is vital for me... but not for everyone, but for me, yes. I truly believe I know composition like a rock because of my studies in art history. Yes, some of the poses are traditional but you make it your own. Think of it this way; painters spend hours, maybe even days, studying the light, choosing the perfect accessories and location and subject. They sketch to no end and paint a understudy before they begin the actual painting. That's two paintings plus endless sketches for one image. My point is– they spent time and thought on the work. We should be so lucky to view their work and learn to do the same.

Thanks Lauren! Great question.

The next Q comes from Erica.
Q: What do you do for advertising?
A: Well, not a whole lot. My goal is strictly referral based business. That's my goal. Right now you can find Soul Mates Photography on a few wedding planning websites as well as local planners blogs. I've found that the best way to get your name out there is to provide outstanding service coupled with a fabulous product and a good attitude. Your name will get around. I would also recommend finding local businesses who you would like referring to your own clients to and work with them. People want to do business with people they like and feel comfortable with. Be the person you would want to refer and business will come.

Well! I hope that helped someone out there. By no means am I a expert but that's my opinion and it works for me :) I'll leave you with a archived photo of yours truly... Josh took this of me on our vacation last May. It's not really that great of a photo... horizon line running through my head, it looks like I'm talking, and there is this really distracting little man right by my face... but I like it. I like that it's real and I like that it's relaxed and casual. So there. Sometimes in the guidelines of life you have to break free and do what's best for you.

Big Smiles! Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photography

You can feel the excitement in the air. It's June 28th. You remember that gorgeously warm and delicious day? "Is everyone ready?" I ask. Everyone is not ready, but everyone is excited. And on your wedding day that's a area you are willing to give a little on.

It was a photographers dream. Elise and Beau scheduled their wedding at sunset and as a photographer we tend to call this the golden hour– for good reason. The light was perfect, the day was beautiful, Lakeside Gardens couldn't have sparkled more and neither could have Elise. She was stunning. A true princess on her day. Every bride should feel this way. After all it's the day you depart on your new life with your prince.

Off they went together. Prince and Princess in this adventure we call life. Elise and Beau, I truly wish you all the best. I hope you never tire of the adventure.











Isn't she stunning?




Beau is on his way to see his bride for the 1st time.




These few portraits below give me the chills. I just adore them.














A quite ceremony location before the guests begin to arrive.




Elise walking to her groom.






Married!


And the party continued well into the night...


The End.

Big Smiles and Congratulations to Elise and Beau!
Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photography.

I'm nervous. I check the shrimp... a little too frozen. I pop then in the microwave for a quick defrost. I go to check the rooms making sure the bed is made and Persay's toys are put away. Beep Beep. Shoot! The shrimp! Too warm... dang. Back in the fridge. I smooth my skirt as the first people arrive.

I don't know why I'm so nervous. This is no big deal, I tell myself over and over. You know these girls and you just rehearsed the entire evening out loud before Josh got got home. Non-the-less I'm nervous. Maybe it's because I hate public speaking. I secretly hope for 5 people max.

It's here... at least 12 pairs of eyes are all on me. And 12 x 2 = 24. 24 eyeballs a-looking at me! Scary. I start to talk and I'm nervous. I admit it. But once I got on a roll– I was on a roll. I taught the Click Chicks what I know about chatting with clients and photographing them for the 1st time. I convinced my super darling husband, Josh, to be our model for the evening. It was a urban shoot which started at my place and then ended on Alberta Street. A big thanks to all the ladies that came out for the evening! I admit... I ended up having a blast! I don't think Josh minded the attention either! HA.

Thanks for Deyla for these 1st few images of me teaching.


Fixing the pose.


Check out Amy's blog, Katie's blog, Maalea's Blog, and Angela's Blog. There are some really great shots from the session! And a few of them have me. Totally not planned... I got wrangled in!

And here's what I took during the teach and shoot...


I'm sure Josh was just in torture with all the ladies photographing him. I mean really, I'm sure it just ruined his ego :)






Katie getting lo lo lo low.






And that's a wrap! If anyone wants more info on teach and shoot session shoot me a email and we'll get rolling. A huge thanks to Josh for being our model! You were awesome.

Big Smiles! Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photography.

You might remember Mandi over at Champagne Wedding and Event Coordination. I've posted about her before and her darling new company :) Well, I have to say I'm honored to read what she wrote about me. I care what others think about me. I'll admit it. I might even care a little too much but when I read what Mandi wrote I melted. It's crazy what just a few kind words can do to brighten your mood and take all your cares away. I should remember that it also applies to other relationships as well! (Note to self: call family and tell them they rock).

Either way stop on over to Champagne's Blog and check it out.



Thanks Mandi!

Big Smiles! Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photo.

They are married!! Sara and Jeff are full of life. They are so sweet and so darling together. I mentioned in their engagement post that upon our first meeting and explanation of the "First Look" in the wedding day they got teared eyed... As it turns out, this is one consistent couple. When they saw each for the first time on their wedding day it was tears of joy all over again. Good thing I had a secret stash of tissues cause it was needed... and the pictures of them are just darling. Words cannot express how happy I am for them! June 26th was filled with family, friends and fun. Plus, who can not totally love a redheaded bride! hehe.

Sara and Jeff. Seriously, I adore working with you. I know you had a blast on your honeymoon cruising around in your convertible (I read your facebook updates!) I know you will have a happy joy filled married and I want you to know I wish you all the best.

The Big Day....





Like I said... filled with joy




Jeff looking all dapper.




The Guys.


Sara...




I think it's the mystery in this image but I just love it and I'm not fully sure why.




Sara's veil was passed down from a few members in the family. I love that it's full of tradition and family history.






The Girls.


The First Look... complete with tissues :)
















I love Jeff's face in this one. Sara just totally dissed him... I think... I'm guessing.


Happy bride and groom. If I were them I might make this my wall portrait.




Summer wedding in a nutshell. Just beautiful.


Oh Mom :)




Even though It's 11 am right now I still want one of those cupcakes.




YAY for sparklers!


The End. Thanks for sticking around :)

Big Smiles! Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photo.

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great 4th! I sure did. I don't know what it is but I love fireworks. Anyway back to reality.

The Downing family... We all met at the Portland Rose Garden a few weeks back for this darling family portrait session. They are so lucky to have such wonderful kids who are starting to make families all their own. See little Lucy there? She's just a little doll.

I can't even explain how perfect this evening was. It was beautiful. The lighting was perfect, the roses were in full bloom and the family was happy. You know, I wish that the gardeners would offer classes on how to take better care of your roses cause I could really use a few lessons.

Downing Family– Thanks for being so flexible and easy to work with. You were all so sweet and I am so happy to have met you all. Happy Summer!

The whole family.


And then each of the couples.








Big Smiles! Melissa Tomeoni with Soul Mates Photography.