Enduring Impressions Photography by Melinda Harstad

Promises, Promises...

2012-01-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

I've been slacking on my blogging lately. I have probably close to ten sessions that need to be put up here on the blog. Yikes! This is good and bad. Bad because I'm behind on blogging, and good because the reason I'm behind is I've been so busy with sessions I haven't even thought about blogging!

Rest assured I KNOW I'm behind and plan to catch up at some point in the near future.

In the meantime, the new website is up! Check it out!
www.EnduringImpressions.com

Sincerely,
~Melinda

Holiday 'Play-Doh' {Easy Gift}

2011-12-22T11:43:00.001-05:00

I agonized over what to send in with my four year
old daughter as little gifts for her classmates.
I wanted something fun, inexpensive, and easy.
I finally settled on Peppermint Play-Doh.
So easy to whip up a couple batches and the kids love to squish it!

This was all done with random things I had around the house. I used fold top sandwich bags, curling ribbon, and super cute gift tags I had ordered from Bunch of Bees to package them.

Super Easy Recipe:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Salt
1 Tsp Cream of Tartar
1 Cup colored water
1 Tbls Oil (cooking, baby, whatever you have handy)
Splash of peppermint extract (optional)

Color your water with a good amount of food coloring, I used professional bakery gel coloring my husband had in the house.
In a saucepan, warm the colored water and oil while you mix the dry ingredients together.
Add dry ingredients to warm water mixture.
Stir and knead the dough until it's barely sticky. Dump onto the counter and let sit for a while until it's cool enough to handle.
Knead the dough until it's smooth.
Done!
(If your dough is too sticky, cook longer. Too dry, add water.)

Check out Bunch of Bees!
http://www.facebook.com/bunchbees

Jenna {Boutique Model}

2011-12-20T01:02:00.000-05:00

The lovely Jenna modeled a few pieces sent to me by Bellie Bug Boutique. We threw leaves, ran around, and just had fun.

The Wolford Cousins {Family Session}

2011-10-20T16:33:00.000-04:00

I met this lovely family on Juno Beach for a fun family session.

The ultimate goal (and challenge!) was to get an image of all three cousins in the same picture.

Riley's Style {Boutique Modeling Session}

2011-10-20T16:02:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of working with seven little models showing off Riley's Style handmade apparel for babies and children.

Riley's Style will be debuting at the
Palm Beach Gardens Green Market this Sunday!

PBG Green Market is open Sundays October through May from 8am-1pm

Britni {Owner}
&
Riley {Inspiration}

Not only are the pieces adorable, they also must meet Britni's quality standards. Seams are examined and surged to prevent unraveling and each piece is washed in allergen friendly detergent before being offered for sale.

Mari & Torrey {Sweetheart Session}

2011-09-26T22:23:00.001-04:00

I had the pleasure of a session with Mari and Torrey Friday evening. They are both amazingly talented vocalists, actors, and models. Mari's next debut is in Disenchanted at the Golden Apple Dinner Theatre in Sarasota, FL.
I was a little disappointed they didn't serenade me throughout the process, but I figure they were too busy trying to follow all my instructions, and there were a lot of instructions... Not one complaint and they were willing to try anything I suggested. Loved these two!

Also, check out Mari's blog!
FateandFashion.com

Michele & JR {Sweetheart Session}

2011-09-20T09:40:00.002-04:00

This session fast became one of my all time favorites. The affection between JR and Michele was easily captured, they were game for everything I asked of them, and the setting was beautiful. Not one complaint was made about making them hike all over to satisfy my creative urges, and it was definitely a workout!

Connor {5 Months Old}

2011-08-27T16:30:00.002-04:00

C-Man was a happy little guy for our session today. He didn't even protest for his wardrobe changes. Check out his cool hat Abuelita made for him! She made matching booties too.

Farmer Andri {has a chicken}

2011-08-24T23:11:00.000-04:00

Andri is at it again. Today she decided to try out being a farmer. I was told to take pictures of her chicken and her *pretend* duck.
It just so happens that we have a chicken living in our backyard who goes by the name of Goldilocks, Goldi for short. She's a very social bird and enjoys following the kids around and even comes inside for short periods of time. (I'd let her live inside but chickens cannot be potty trained, as evidenced by the need to hose down our back patio on a regular basis.)
After a thorough discussion of what exactly farmers wear and do I was given my instructions to take pictures of Farmer Andri and her pet chicken and *pretend* duck named Duck. This is what she came up with.

Charismatic Grayson {Almost 2!}

2011-08-22T11:00:00.001-04:00

"There is no personal charm so great as the charm of a cheerful temperament." - Henry Van Dyke

Little Grayson with his stunning blue eyes and big smiles, he's going to be a heartbreaker.

Beach Beauty

2011-08-22T01:40:00.001-04:00

“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.” - T. S. Eliot

And of course we had to fit in a few of baby brother!

Handsome Jude {6 Months Old!}

2011-08-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

Jude posed for his mini session like an old pro!
Perfect baby skin, beautiful green tinged eyes, and never moved from where his mommy put him.

Happy 6 Months Jude!

Tea Party by the Lake

2011-08-19T23:11:00.001-04:00

"Where shall we see a better daughter or a kinder sister or a truer friend." - Jane Austen

A big thanks to Leslie and Erica for all their help with this session!

Officer Andri

2011-08-18T18:43:00.000-04:00

Andri is looking forward to a photoshoot with her two best friends tomorrow. In anticipation of looking her best, she decided to practice a little this evening. She picked out her own wardrobe and chose her own 'poses'. She even had our pet chicken, Goldi, get in on her little mini shoot. Gotta love a three year old's imagination!

Lyla - woof woof!

2011-08-14T12:24:00.000-04:00

I had so much fun shooting with Lyla whose human just happens to be one of my best friends from highschool! Lyla is a very photogenic super sweet American Pit Bull who enjoys running and playing in the grassy area outside her apartment.

Look at those eyes!

Lyla and Kristen

Lyla's "Model Pose"

Baby Sean is on the way!

2011-08-14T12:13:00.001-04:00

Ashley and Steven are expecting a little boy! I've followed them from the belly shots to the baby shower and now here are the 'Nearly a Family' shots. Baby Sean will be making his debut sometime in September and then I get the honor of capturing his tiny little newborn self.

I love how happy they look in this shot,
from a behind the scenes standpoint this is actually Steven laughing as Ashley tells him to cooperate!

Wild Turkeys!