Where Have I Been??

If you've noticed my absence...

My social media sites have been pretty quiet since the end of January 2022. Additionally, I haven't been taking on any new clients. Unless I was reached out to by prior clients, I have not been taking on new sessions

UNTIL NOW!

When it rains, it pours

And it poured for me pretty early on this year. A family member had a MAJOR surgery that impacted their ability to care for themselves - so I filled in as much as I could. I dropped down from my full-time job position (but still kept working when I could), and had to place photography on pause.

On top of that, we found out in January that our cat Tuna has kidney failure. We thought we caught it early enough but unfortunately we didn't. She's still with us, but we know our time is limited. And this bit of news rocked me hard because not only did her litter-mate and our other fur-baby Charlie pass away from the same thing in 2019, so did my father just a month before Charlie. So kidney failure really hits me on levels I can't quite process yet.

And then on Valentine's Day, our other kitty Kit-Kat escaped and hasn't come back. She's gone out before, but only for a day or two. (May 2022 update: Kit-Kat came home and is safe and sound!!)

It gets better

I had to keep reminding myself that things would get better. But honestly, I wasn't too successful.

Fear, anxiety, depression, and anger won pretty easily in my mind. As someone who has struggled with these emotions before, I had yet come to an understanding of how to handle everything positively.

Luckily, my support system has been amazing. Friends, family, and my husband Chris have been CRUCIAL in me overcoming all the negative things I've been feeling. Them, and a counselor! I cannot express to you enough how important and GOOD it can feel to see a professional. I learned so much how to overcome these emotions in a healthy manner.

Things are still crazy

but I feel much more in control; not of life or the events that come my way, but of how I can handle the hand that I'm played.

My family member is getting stronger every day, and my passion for photography has increased in ways I can't explain! I've been shown again and again how important every little moment is, and I so desperately want to capture as many of those moments for others as possible.

I'm taking on new clients, and have plans going to make this the best year yet for Photography by Melanie. I can't wait to see all of you again <3

From the very bottom of my heart, thank you for being patient, thank you for your understanding, and thank you so. much. for your support & love