ughhhh

New Blog!

2010-07-12T20:38:00.000-07:00

Time to move on.. New blog, new site (soon), new to me "fulltime" photography!! come join me over at www.contemporarycaptures.com/blog and don't forget to subscribe! Cant wait to see you!

Its been awhile!!

2009-09-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent snaps of the family.. Been working on a new blog for my business and family and hope to get it launched soon!! We are hanging in here, missing mom and juggling life. Love you all! ;)

{Tampa Fashion Photographer} Modeling Mayhem

2009-07-16T09:31:00.001-07:00

Miss Gracie modeling the tutu set from Heather of Goosiegirl Boutique, the bracelet from madkatdesigns and the tee by GrantziePantz.

All members of Adagio Bleu Studio's!

You can find these designs on Etsy!
We had so much fun *and candy, modeling for these fantastic ladies!

{Lakeland Child Family Photographer} Miss S and Family

2009-07-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph Miss M for her first year pics! She was so much fun! Full of smiles and silly faces!

This first pic is a blooper I thought was funny of mom and dad

Aren't they so sweet?

Thank you Miss S, Aaron and Brittney for allowing me to share this special moment with you!!

The H Family! {Lakeland Tampa Family Beach Photographer}

2009-06-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

I have not been good at keeping up with my sneak peeks lately, so today I am back on the ball and your getting TWO posts from me! lol

This is the "H" family! They moved away about a year ago and we have missed them!I had so much fun spending time with them at beautiful Sunset Beach! They were good sports as it was a HOT day. I can't wait to spend more time catching up!

Happy Birthday Mr. C {Lakeland Tampa Child Photographer}

2009-06-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

This little man was a doll! He was definately a mama's boy but warmed up to me eventually!! He has the most gorgeous eyes, that for the first time ever I didn't have to do anything to them to make them sparkle, I actually had to tone them down!! Watch out Mama, he is going to be a heartbreaker!!

Princess Grace {Lakeland Tampa Child Photographer}

2009-05-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

My little girl has finally decided to be a "GIRL"
Since she was born, I have tried really hard to make her "girly". She pulled all her hair things out, she runs around naked, covered in food, plays in the mud and has scraped up knees..
But yesterday, she decided to dress up!!! I had to capture her in her dancing best!! The lighting isn't perfect, as she was "dancing mommy, dancing" but these moments were! I have waited 14 years for this!!
Dance, baby, Dance!

Baseball {Lakeland Tampa Child Photographer}

2009-05-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Topher is our middle child.. and it is aptly so.. He is so "middle!"

He is the perfect amount of just about everything.. He is equally loud and soft.. he is equally sweet, and sassy... he is equally lovey and tough guy! As Mary Poppins would say he is "practically perfect in every way"

We are so grateful God blessed us with him and knew exactly where to place him.. in the Middle!!

Sneak Peek of Baby Caroline! {Lakeland Tampa Newborn Photographer}

2009-04-24T11:22:00.001-07:00

She was so "squishy" and fun!! She was a perfect angel!! I think she might be a redhead like my Grace! Can't wait to see her change in the coming months!

Luke's Sneak Peek! {Lakeland Tampa Newborn Photographer}

2009-04-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Luke is such a beautiful boy! He is still young enough to be okay with that! :)

He was so alert and loved that paci!! Can't wait to see him again when he turns 3 months!

Best Friends {Lakeland Tampa Newborn Photographer}

2009-03-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me.

~Author Unknown

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I like her because she smiles at me and means it. ~Anonymous

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.

~Plautus

You can make this!

2009-03-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

More Modeling {Lakeland Tampa Modeling Photographer}

2009-03-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

I know it seems that I only photograph Gracie, but I can assure you it's only because she is the ONLY ONE WHO WILL LET ME!!

I intend to wrangle them all soon even if it means a memory card full of scowls! :)

Baby Lucas

2009-03-16T12:33:00.000-07:00

Meet Lucas Elijah Mann!! He came into the world on March 14, at 9:18 pm.. He was 20.5 inches long and weighed 8 lbs 2 oz. These are some hospital shots of him when he was about 12 hours old! What a precious blessing!

2009-03-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

Long, long ago God made a decision----
a very important decision...
one that I'm really glad he made.
He made the decision to make you.

He made you in a very special way.
He made your eyes so they would twinkle.
He made your mouth so you could smile.
He made your laugh so you could giggle.
God made you like no one else.

If you looked all over the world- in every city in every house-
there would be no one else like you...
no one with your eyes
no one with your mouth
no one with your laugh.
You are very, very special.

And since you are so special, God wanted to put you in just the right home...
where you would be warm when its cold,
where you'd be safe when you're afraid,
where you'd have fun and. learn about heaven.
So, after lots of looking for just the right family, God sent you to me. And I am so glad He did.

I'll never forget the first time I saw you...
your eyes were closed,
your fingers were curled in two little fists,
your cheeks were puffy and round.
I knew in my heart God had sent someone very wonderful for me to take care of.

Your first night with me I heard every sound you made:
I heard you gurgle,
I heard you sniff,
I heard your little lips smack.
I heard you cry when you wanted to eat, and I fed you.

You're bigger now and do more things.
You can walk and run.
you can play and talk.
You can eat and sing and look at books.
You're not a little baby anymore.

But as you grow and change, some things will stay the same.
I'll always love you.
I'll always hug you.
I'll always be on your side.
And I want you to know that... just in case you ever wonder.

Remember I'm here for you.
On dark nights when you hear noises in your closet, call me.

When you see monsters in the shadows, call me.

On hard days when kids are mean and don't treat you like they should, come to me.

If your grades are bad and your teacher is mad, come to me...'cause I love you.
And I always will, just in case you ever wonder.

Most of all, I'll be here to teach you about God.
He loves you.
He protects you.
He and his angels are always watching over you.
And God wants me to make sure you know about Heaven.
Its a wonderful place.
There are no tears there.
No monsters.
No mean people.

You never have to say "good-bye"
or "good-night"
or "I'm hungry."
You never get sick or cold or afraid.
In heaven you are so close to God that He will hug you, just like I hug you. It's going to be wonderful. I will be there, too. I promise.
We will be there together, forever.
Remember that...
Just in case you ever wonder.

-Max Lucado

Sam-I-Am

2009-03-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Sam wanted his picture taken today, but everytime He would look away and smirk or scrunch up his t-shirt.. (Sponge-Bob by the way, his favorite) and act all camera shy. Isn't he the cutest thing?

His new love is Dr. Seuss' Sam I Am book... going on 3 months of nightly reading. At the grocery store the other night I told him not to do something and he responded " Mom, you let me be" lol

Josh

2009-03-03T10:42:00.001-08:00

Joshua is an up and coming artist about to release his first album. We had a fun time exploring hard to reach and scary places shooting his album insert! :) Thanks Josh!

Check out his music here.

www.myspace.com/joshuamichaelrobinson

Benjamin Meets Poison Ivy!

2009-02-23T11:47:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know my Ben, you know he is a different fellow, who enjoys the outdoors more than most kids his age! While you find most kids rush home to play the latest video game, Ben can be found fishing, whittling, or exploring most afternoons. But last weekend Benjamin met his match! He has the worst case of Poison Ivy/Oak I have ever seen. This picture does not do it justice! For days his eye has been swollen shut!! Today is day 8 and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! I think he is on the mend!!

Playing!

2009-01-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

Gasparilla 2009

2009-01-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

Gasparilla 2009 The Before! :) All these gorgeous outfits were made by the Fantastic Designer Street Heartbeat! She does Fabulous Work!

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=street_heartbeat

Emma

2009-01-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

Emma and I toured downtown Ybor this week. Topher and Ben tagged along and their pics will soon follow.. She was a good sport and let me try anything I wanted. We rewarded ourselves with some yummy ice cream afterwards. Thanks Emma for such a great time!

2008-12-28T17:37:00.000-08:00

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

Contemporary Captures is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for charity.

We’re looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

Models Search Special:
$35 entrance fee, which includes a 30 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. (NILMDTS.org)
Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 813-469-8757. For more information about the contest, go online to www.sandypucmodels.com.

Ginger's giving away the House!!

2008-12-05T13:22:00.000-08:00

Look at this Fantastic Giveaway Ginger is having on her blog!! She is the maker of the fabulous hat everyone is always asking me about!

http://mommamcblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/stocking-stuffers-giveaway.html

Recent Modeling

2008-12-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

Modeling Today

2008-11-22T20:50:00.001-08:00

Gracie modeled some Gorgeous Sets from Gillian of boutique*layceeloo. They are fabulous and we had such a great time! Check out more of her fantastic designs on Ebay!

Were Still Around!

2008-11-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Been Super Busy! But wanted to let people know we were still around! The first two are of my sweet youngest! But the second two are "Blackmail Shots" of Sam!!

If anyone asks "No that's not a pettiskirt Sam is wearing!" : )

Shhhhh.. don't tell Daddy!

Limited Holiday Sessions Left!

2008-11-13T19:14:00.000-08:00

If your looking for that perfect Holiday card or pictures of your kids with Santa, give me a call or email. We are booking up fast!!
melissa@contemporarycaptures.com

Halloween Costume Mini Sessions

2008-10-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Spots are filling fast! Please call or email today if you would like your spot reserved.

813-469-8757

melissa@contemporarycaptures.com

click below to make larger

The Worst!

2008-10-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

I want to be the worst!!!

I entered a contest to win free tuition for a photoshop course and I made it to the top 10!!!

Now its up to the public to vote for the worst!! I so want to win this!! I really wanted to take this class, but funds right now won't allow it, so this is my final chance!!

Please go to this link and vote for #1!!

http://www.phauntactions.com/blog/?p=215

And forward it on to friends!

Thanks for making me the "worst"!!

Melissa :)

"Flutterfly" and Fireman

2008-10-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Gracie dressed up as a "flutterfly" and Sam seems to be a Fireman every day these days!! I sneaked a quick shot of them.. but the kiss pic was impromptu so I am sad to say its blurry.. but I love it anyway!! Wish they would reenact on cue! :)

*click the picture to make it larger!

PCS

2008-09-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

Yep.. Gracie caught it!! She has come down with PCS
... Photographer's Child Syndrome..
This is what I get when I ask her to look at me.. Isnt' she sweet?

Topher

2008-09-25T18:36:00.001-07:00

Not often does Topher let me take his pictures, but today he actually asked me to take his picture in this hat he found in my stash! He is growing into quite the handsome little man!

Sissy!

2008-09-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

My little Sissy and I played with lights today!! She is the sweeetest thing!! I am so thankful I have her!

Rebekah and Gary

2008-09-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of Rebekah and Gary's wedding. It poured right before the ceremony and was so dark, but the skies parted just long enough to have a beautiful beach wedding!

Ms. A

2008-07-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

This shoot was a breeze. She knew exactly what she was doing and made my job so easy!! Thanks A! I had a Great time! Hope you love your sneaks!

Senior Sneak Peek!

2008-06-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun today. S was great and was great to work with. We took some funky ones and some for mom too. Hope you love them!

Urban Shoot

2008-04-30T14:14:00.001-07:00

Senior Fun

2008-04-28T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek of a few! I had so much fun!! Hope you like them!

Spring Break

2008-04-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

Forgive my abscense for the past week or so. We have been on Spring Break here, and it was a whirlwind week!! Here are a few photos of some of the fun things we did last week.
More to follow!

ps.. as usual some subjects were more cooperative than others lol and I seem to be in a Black and White mood!

Stay tuned for the rest of the family! :)

Couldn't decide which of these I liked better... B&W or Color??

Gracie in Miabambinaco

2008-03-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

We love this set from Miabambinaco Great workmanship and its just so adorable and trendy!!!
Her designs can be found on Ebay and her Etsy site if your interested in her designs.

Baseball

2008-03-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

These are so technically not perfect, but they are perfect to me!! My Topher just loves his baseball! Here he is practicing his pitching!! He is a hardworker and does his best at all he tries!! Isn't he a cutie?

Dyeing Eggs

2008-03-24T10:43:00.001-07:00

Dyeing Eggs is always a major project at our house!
We always have so many eggs!!
I LOVE to dye eggs!!!
So we have to make sure their are enough to go around! lol

The kids (and I) had tons of fun. Mikie even joined in and I

snuck a quick pic of him. He isn't fond of havin pictures taken!

I appreciate his cooperation in this moment, though I am sure if he

knew I posted it for the whole world to see he wouldn't quite be so helpful

the next time! ;)

Ps.. How did all my kids get so skinny?

2008-03-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Easter!!

We had so many pictures to share with family, so we picked our favorite ones

and posted them here! We hope everyone had a wonderful

Easter and remembered Christ's gift of

Eternal Life!

For the Robinson's remember

"He is not here, he's at Recess"

Love you all!

Strawberries

2008-03-23T16:28:00.000-07:00

We went Strawberry Picking yesterday!! YUMMY!!! We picked so many strawberries, Gracie ate quite a few as well!!

It brought back so many memories of picking them as a child! So fresh and fun! My kids

love it too and even Sam remembered the

"Strawberries with juice on them"

from last year!

We brought them home and shared them with all the neighbors. Than made homemade

strawberry muffins and strawberry fruit pizza!

YUMMY!!!

The best part????? They are a quarter a quart!!

Color My World

2008-03-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Color My World

Amanda Dickenson

Paint a rainbow to fill the sky, With wonder and bliss,

See eyes light up so bright with colors not to miss,

Laugh the colors around the streets,

Speak the colors to new people you meet,

We should all live in a colorful place,

With smiles painted on each child's face,

Color my world and make the rain shine,

Full of happy things and fun that last all the time,

Take all the darkness away,

And make it bright and shiny every day,

With lush green grass and Sky's of blue,

Warm sunshine and sea's of new,

A wisp of cool air and flowers so bright,

A fresh night sky let the stars light the night,

Morning dew crisp and freshly laid,

Tall trees stand proud from the day they were made,

Color my world for all to see,

Take my hand, Paint a rainbow with me.

2008-03-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

Little Shoes!

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. In this case I think their math was a little off. This picture could launch an unmeasurable amount of stories filled with 1,000 words.

Where are they going today? What adventures have they begun?

Alone, these pairs of shoes can be a bit mischeivious, together they light the world on fire.

The story that comes to my mind when viewing this shot, can be told in way less than 1,000 words.

As a matter of fact, I can sum it up with 1 Perfect word.

BROTHERS

Baby N

2008-03-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Baby N is the adorable newborn I was thrilled to get to photograph the other day! Isn't he precious? He was so alert and happy. I made this Kissables template as a sneak peek.... Hope his parents love it as much as I do!

Blog Makeover

2008-03-10T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce I had a blog Makeover!!! Timi from Cinnamon Girl Studios is so talented and did a fantastic job!! If you need any graphic work done, she is just the girl to go see!! Thanks so much Timi!

Welcome!

2008-03-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog!! This marks the beginning of Contemporary Captures Photography.

I will be working on my portfolio and getting my website up and running in the next few days. I would love any comments and/or suggestions! This blog will be a hodge podge of glimpses of my daily life at home with 5 kiddos as well as following my journey as I begin a new career in Photography. I hope you will join me!

My youngest and only Diva...

Miss Annabelle Grace

And my youngest Prince...

Samuel