Nashan Blog

Val and Jim

2008-05-08T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some beautiful photos from Val and Jim's wedding May 3, 2008 at the Chapel by the Sea in Clearwater Beach. They were taken by Cindy and Holly.

The only thing prettier than the day was the bride. Val and Jim were a joy to work with…not even one complaint about the heat! They are so obviously in love and we were so happy to be part of their special day. We hope the honeymooners are having a wonderful time in Hawaii!
Cindy and Holly

http://montanaweddingguide.com/

2008-05-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

On May 1, 2008 we started hosting a fantastic web site called Montanaweddingguide.com, it is a great resource for brides and grooms to use while planning a wedding in Montana. We have been working with Carrie Patterson and she has come up with a clean design that is stylish and informative at the same time. Brides from Montana or from other parts of the country planning a wedding here in our beautiful state will be able to shop a variety of vendors, see some unique real Montana weddings, peruse our ideas page and get helpful hints from our advertisers.

Take a minute and take a peak at the page. If you have any ideas that you think we should incorporate into the site please leave a message!!!

http://montanaweddingguide.com/

hope you enjoy looking at the page as mucha s we are enjoying creating it and filling it wihth advertisers that will help make planning a wedding more fun!!!!

Stella Photos.....Jeremy and Rachel's Baby

2008-04-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey and I moved to Bozeman, Montana in 1991 and one of the first people I met was Jeremy. He was a student at Headwaters Academy, a private school the Jeffrey was working at. Since then he has grown up, gotten married, and had a LOVELY baby girl. Stella is so beautiful and happens to be Barbel's grandaughter. Here is my favorite photo she just sent me......

Don't you think she is so beautiful?????

Archer: Justina and Jeff's beautiful boy!!!!!

2008-03-26T06:57:00.000-07:00

My lovely friend Justina, and her husband Jeff, just had baby Archer. Barbel just sent me these photos and I had to share them. I love new baby photos.......

Congratulations Justina and Jeff, he is beautiful!!!!
Love.
Melanie

Barbel's Interpretation of Red Rock Shoot

2008-03-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

When I sent Barbel a note to look at the photos from our photo shoot in Red Rock Lodge she told me that I HAD to fine tune each image I put on the blog. I told her that I was running behind and wanted to post them quickly. She was gracious enough to offer to work on some of the photos and here they are. I think she is right.

Red Rock Canyon Photo Shoot

2008-03-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago I took most of my associates to Las Vegas to experience WPPI, a photographers conference, and to do a photo shoot in at Red Rock Canyon. I didn't know where to shoot so I asked photographers at DWF and several of them suggested this area. Our model, Nicole, was a great sport because it was windy and pretty cold at sunrise. She never complained once and she traipsed over the rocks in high heals with great ease. The locations was spectacular, and the light was amazingly beautiful at sunrise. The photo shoot was a wonderful experience!! All five of the associates got to shoot together and they created some really beautiful images. Here are some of my favorites. These are images right out of the camera.....

If any of the images are similar that means that two different people shot them.....

Melina Sofia.....

2008-03-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

My wonderful friends Cara and Georgejust had a beautiful baby girl! They sent me her photo and I am so happy I have to share it with enyone who will listen!

Cara, i am expecting some wonderful photos of her, but will give youa few days to recoop and regroup! Love you!

Engagement Photos with Leslee Miller and Scott Gabrik

2008-02-17T04:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I met with Leslee and Scott and we took the following images for their engagement photos. I had such a great time with them choosing clothes and finding different spots to take the photos at.

Engagement photos are interesting to me for several reasons. I think it is a challeng because when I am shooting I amthinking of what the couple might like, what I like and what their families might like. So therefore there is a wide selection of photographs. I have included a bit more traditional type of imagery and some image that capture their connection. I LOVE the photos of them in the trees that I have coupled with the photos of them walking. I think the bit of motion and the lovley light that is coming through the trees really captures the lightness that they have with each other.

As we were walking back to the house Leslee pointed out this long drift of snow in front of us for a spot to take some photos. It was a great spot because the snow blended right into the sky. It reminded me of some portraits I took at the Emerson/Mullen wedding with a wheat filed in the foreground. Anyway, after we took some photos on the snow I asked if they would be willing to make some snow angels and here are a couple of those photos.....

A call from Kathleen's mother

2008-02-12T05:05:00.000-08:00

In January I photogrpahed Kathleen and Peter's wedding. I posted some photos frm the quick photo shoot we did in front of the Bridgers and then Kathleen's email about how they liked the photos.

I just listened to a message that Colleen, Kathleen's mother, left on my machine. She had just seen the photos in person and wanted to call and tell me that 'they couldn't be happier' with the photos and that I created 'prementant memories' of her daughter's wedding.

I always feel so touched when I am able to create photographs that move people emotionally. It really is one of the main reasons I love my job.

Sometimes when I tell people what I do I can sense that they think it is pretty trivial. I know it is not. When I hear in someone's voice how much they loved the photos I created I remember how impotant my job is.

Whenever I do something wonderful with my family I always document it photographically. My kids, and husband, sometimes, well mostl of the times scoff at it while I am doing it. But when I look through our photo albums and see all of the wonderful things we have done and see the fun we have had, I know that later they will all appreciate it.

Life goes by in such a blur and photography clarifies that blur for just an instant. Those images bring back emotions that memory sometimes overlooks. As a photographer I become a family historian, and it is a rewarding way to make a living.

Ro Sham Bo Window

2008-02-12T04:41:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Priscilla Foster, from Ro Sham Bo, asked if I would like to put photos up in her window. It is amazing how much work goes into something like this. Cindy created a logo design that I love that fits beautifully on the bottom of each photo that we had printed. Rachel, our MSU intern, carefully placed each image in a frame and brought them over to Bozeman to meet me last night to create the display. Rachel placed all of the images within the display that Priscilla already had in the window and I love the way it looks. If you live in Bozeman swing by and take a peak, if not here is a snapshot with the great Canon G9 that my husband gave me for Christmas!

Here is a link to Priscilla's store. I love shopping there!

http://www.roshambomt.com/

Thoughts from Kathleen and Peter....

2008-02-05T03:30:00.000-08:00

I just gave Kathleen and Peter thier photos on Friday and received this email from them the following day.

Hi Melanie,

Thank you so much for the photos. We love them and thoroughly appreciate all the extras - the photo box, larger album, 5x7s, and flip book are great. I was so excited that I sat in my car in the Museum parking lot and looked at them all. I almost called you right then to tell you how much I loved them. Peter and I looked at them together last night and I liked them even more the second time through. Thank you so much!...

Again, thank you so much. We love it all! It was great to get to work with you....

Kathleen and Peter

My first digital album.....and video

2008-02-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a vidoe of the first digital album that we are getting ready to print. It is pretty exciting because we are creating a completely unique album. Once the first prootype is ready I will post a lot of photos....

Does anyone have an opinion of these photos set to this song? I don't think it goes well but I LOVE THE SONG!!!

Lisa and Eric's Wedding at Chico Hot Springs, Pray, Montana

2008-01-26T04:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I photographed Lisa and Eric's wedding OUTSIDE at Chico Hot Springs.
http://www.chicohotsprings.com/
When Lisa first told me this I talked to her about how bitter cold it can get, she was familiar with Montana winters and was aware of the cold tat come through our state. She and ad Eric are from Philadelphia so they know cold. I loved the whole idea because every photographer prefers to work outside, even though the temperature was around 25 degrees and the wind was howling!!!!

I wanted to have a few minutes with the two of them and the wedding party before the ceremony to take some photos in the Field of Dreams which has fantastic views. They were great sports, especially Lisa, who only had her cape on which was blowing off of her most of the time.

Here are a couple of my favorite shots of the two of them.....

And then some details of their snowy winter wonderland theme......

And a photo of their kiss...all of the guests were frozen by now but they were completely unaware of the winter cold.....
Lisa's niece in her sweet little hat......

And finally, Chico Hot Springs at twilight, my favorite time of the evening to take photos.....

Lisa and Eric,
Thank you for having me be your photographer. You had a lovely wedding and I will never forget your ceremony! : )

Keegan on the Madison.....

2008-01-19T04:29:00.000-08:00

I was just looking through some photos for a call for some submissions and came across this photo of Keegan being a GREAT sport! I was hired by Moonlight on The Madison this past fall to photograph a wedding for them to promote more weddings at their BEAUTIFUL spot right on the Madison river. I have been shooting weddings in Montana for the past 17 years and this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever shot at. http://www.moonlightbasin.com/explore/summer-activities/luxury_camping.html
About 20 minutes before the ceremony I had the idea that it would be great to have a photo of the ceremony which included some of the river in the foreground. This idea of mine meant that someone had to wade across the river to take the photographs. LUCKILY, Keegan, my daughter, was with me as a second shooter. When I first asked her she replied "You've got to be kidding me!" After a little bit of discussion and persuasion she agreed to the assignment. There was a gentleman who works for the lodge who set her up with the proper foot gear and she was off. Keegan had the HARD job of trying to be graceful, not fall into the water, and to get some good shots! The water was freezing but she was able to get some really pretty shots!

If you would like to see more of her work from this wedding take a peak here...
http://nashan.com/clients/clientresults.asp?name=560

Another Photo in Martha Stewrt Weddings.....

2008-01-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

Over the past seven years my work has regularly been featured in several of the national wedding publications. In 2007 I had the most images and weddings featured in one year. It looks as though 2008 will even be better! I am always very excited when a photo comes out in a publication. Here is the latest one in the One Thing I learned section in Martha Stewart Weddings......

Hilary and Ethan were married at the Episcopal Church of Heavenly Rest and had their reception at the Colony Club in NY. They were referred to me by Hilary and Ryan LaFoley, who happen to be Ethan's cousin! I know that was confusing, I am a photographer not a writer!!!

Anyway, it was my first NY City wedding and I loved shooting it! I love this photo of them although the original was very different, I am posting the original photo just so you can see the uncropped version. The wedding was really lovely, my only regret was that we only had about five minutes of natural light to do the posed shots after the ceremony. We were right beside Central Park and we could have gotten some more really great images if we had a bit more time.

Here is a link to the rest of the photos of the wedding that we have on the web.

http://www.nashan.com/clients/clientresults.asp?name=476

WPPI Master Class

2008-01-11T04:53:00.000-08:00

Over the past several years I have gone to Wppi or have sent my associates to attend the classes and listen to the speakers. Each time I have atteneded I have learned something that has helped me fine tune my business. It is an invaluable resource for photographers!

This year almost all of the associates and I are going to Vegas. I am really looking forward to it for several reasons. First off it is the first time I am teaching a Masterclass at WPPI. My work has been included in a few of their books and now I get to participate in a more active way. If you are a photographer and are going I hope you would consider attending. It is going to be an informative class that will answer a lot of questions that I have painstakenly worked out over the years. Braning a Unique You is being offered on Mach 18, Tuesday morning. Here is the description and the link to the WPPI masterclass page

http://www.wppionline.com/tradeshow/show2008/speakers.taf?pgm=master

MELANIE NASHAN
Join Melanie in exploring ways to define your identity and to set your business apart from the competition. Melanie’s work is regularly published in “Martha Stewart Weddings,” “Bride’s” and “Elegant Bride " because of her documentary perspective. She has refined her visual style and uses captivating images to create promotional material that targets her intended customer. She will share the marketing strategies she uses when presenting herself and her work to prospective clients and to publishers. The discussion will include thought-provoking ideas regarding your online presence, your printed material, DVD slideshows, slideshows at wedding receptions, etc. Learn how to see your unique style and explore various ways to capitalize on it. Sponsored by WHCC.

Another reason I am excited about the time in Vegas is because four of my assoicates will be there and we will be holding our own workshops and meetings. It is going to be a perfect time to share information and share our ways of seeing......and to play some Craps at the tables.

Portraits.....4 minutes and 30 seconds.....

2008-01-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

Kathleen and Peter were married in Bozeman, MT this past weekend. My first wedding of the year and things are off to a great start. Getting married in Montana in January can pose some problems, most important of which is the early sunset that inhibits taking beautiful group shots during the daylight hours. Cathleen and Peter agreed to see each other before the wedding so we could be sure to use the light that quickly fades in the early evening out here in west.

Here is one of my favorite shots of the two of them in the atrium of the Gallatin Gateway Inn. I chose this spot because of the beautiful light and that it was indoors so they could be comfortable for the only bit of time that they would have to themselves during their wedding day. I LOVE it when my clients agree to have a little bit of time together during photos. I use a very long lens so they have their privacy and are able to have a nice private conversation....
Every once in awhile a bride asks me to 'reproduce' a photo that was taken at her parents wedding. This one is a reproduction of a photo of one shot of her mother fixing her veil. Although it seems very posed I think there is something very sweet about having the same type of photo as your parents did. Another issue is transportation. Luckily we didn't have much snow but using the bus insured that everyone that needed to be in the photos was there on time.
I do something that I think drives my associates crazy. When I get ready to shoot a wedding I don't preconceived much. Many other photographers fret about the weather or worry about where to take the portraits of the bride and groom. I like to go with the flow of the day and it ALWAYS works out for me. (Except for the day that I trespassed with the bride and groom's consent. We got great photos, but the owner of the land scolded me afterwards.) Cathleen, Peter and I had talked about doing some photos with the wedding party after the wedding somewhere during the drive between the church and the Gallatin Gateway Inn.

As I was driving to the church I saw this perfect spot that didn't have any 'no trespassing' signs on it and that had TERRIFIC views of the Bridger mountains. It even had a safe pull out for the bus to use! Anyway, the only drawback was that it was relatively 'balmy' that day and the ground was muddy instead of hard so we couldn't walk and have fun. Here are some of the photos from this spot which I think creates the perfect backdrop! So although I said it was blamy it still is VERY cold when you don't have a coat on. I promised the group that I would have the photos done in two minutes. I did get the groups shot done in two minutes, the whole process from the first shot of the large group to the last shot of Peter laughing took four minutes and thirty seconds!

Anyway, I had a great time working with Cathleen and Peter and meeting their families. Once again I think I am so lucky to have a job that I love and to get to work with so many wonderful people!

Ryan LaFoley: Personal Chef

2008-01-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

I just received and email from Hilary and Ryan giving me the link to Ryan's new web site. I had taken their wedding photos a couple of years ago and have gotten to know them a little bit since then. Ryan has started his own personal chef business that has taken off. His food is delicious and not pretentious. If you are throwing a small party or want someone to make you a special dinner for an occasion give Ryan a call. His warm demeanor makes him a pleasure to be around and his food is outstanding. Take a peak at his new web site......

http://ryanlafoley.com/

Smith and Beau's Family Portraits.....

2007-12-10T04:21:00.000-08:00

Smith and Beau's Family Portraits.....
A bit over two years ago I photographed Smith and Beau's wedding in Big Sky. I got to see them again in Tennesse because they recommended me for a friend's wedding and now I got to see them and their baby Eleanor one more time.

Here are some of my favorite photos from our shoot. It was FREEZING cold outside and little Eleanor was so cold. I think there are some really sweet photos here.

I wasn't sure which one of the following conversions I liked best of this photo so I am putting all three up here......

And so this is Christmas.....

2007-12-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. We live in the woods and always find a great tree that we 'sled' to our home. This year our tree is 11' feet tall and filled with all of our favorite ornaments that I have been collecting and that people have been giving to us over the years. Each morning I spend a couple of hours working on my laptop in the glow of the lights, looking at the various ornaments and remembering who gave it to us and seeing how beautiful it is.

The other part that I love is seeing people's Christmas cards. Here are some of the ones that our clients are ordering.....

America's top Best Outdoor Towns

2007-12-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

Livingston, Montana was named one of the best towns in America. It is smowing like mad and is so beautiful right now....

Here is the article a freind just sent me...and the link

http://cityguides.msn.com/green/greenarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=5769840&GT1=10564

Livingston, Montana
Hollywood loves Livingston, having unpacked its cameras several times for major motion pictures—including “A River Runs Through It”—in this Montana town of 7,000. Still, Hollywood hasn’t spoiled Livingston; though well-known artists and writers have settled here, the place retains its Western charm and authentic connection to the outdoors. The angler-friendly Yellowstone River runs along the southeastern side of town, while Yellowstone National Park sits just 60 miles south. More than 2,000 miles of trails spider-web through the adjacent Gallatin National Forest, and the state’s tallest mountain, 12,799-foot Granite Peak, is found in Livingston’s backyard of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Finally, prodigious snowfall makes for excellent skiing and riding at Bridger Bowl, a 30-mile drive, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing just about anywhere. Visit Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop (406-222-1673) for fishing tips, Timber Trails (406-222-9550) for hiking and biking gear and Chico Hot Springs Resort (406-333-4933) for a place to sleep—it’s a rustic lodge with a dash of Hollywood.

Angie's Family.....

2007-11-19T09:32:00.000-08:00

Over the years my family has been able to ride horses, help on cattle drives and brandings because of a rancher who used to run his cows on the ranch on our road. Through Ferrill, the rancher, we have met some of his family and have gotten close to them. We have ridden and worked with Angie, KC and Stacie over the last 10 years and here are some portraits that my daughter, Keegan, did of their families this past weekend. All of the girls were so cute with their fluffy red vests......

Chieko's Family

2007-11-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

Chieko, one of our associates and office manager here in Montana, needed her photo taken so we took a few quic shots of her and her family. I picked my favorites and hopefully she will like them......

Marian & Matt's family Portraits

2007-11-11T05:47:00.000-08:00

I photographed Marian and Matt's wedding six years ago in Carmel, CA.. Since then I have photographed their family every year and have watched their children grow up. Avery and Eden are really happy little girls that keep getting prettier each year that I photograph them. I love the photos of the girls interacting with each other. While Eden was sitting on the 'rocking' giraffe, I had asked Avery to help me make her smile. She grabbed a long piece of grass and started tickling her. I LOVE THESE PHOTOS!!!

There were other candid moments that I was able to see and photograph like the photo of Eden kissing Marian. Marian instictively closed her eyes and relished the moment.

Another favorite is this photo of Avery jumping on the rocks. As we were taking photos down by the stream, Avery started running upstream on the rocks. As I was capturing Avery I realized that Matt and Eden were playing in the background, which added a lot of interest to the story. These candid moments are what I love to capture. If I had 'scripted' this scene it would have lacked the life that makes it so interesting to me.

Here are some of my other favorite shots.....

This is the first time that I have seen Wheely Bugs. They are SO MUCH fun! (I had to take a spin on the ladybug.) These little toys are fast and the kids love them. If you have a toddler in your life, you need to buy a couple of these. One for them to ride, and one for you to race them with.
I think the photos show what a fun time we had doing our portrait session.

Jeanne & Paul's Family

2007-11-11T04:17:00.000-08:00

Once a year I travel to Missoula and take some portraits of families that live there. This is my second year taking photos of Jeanne and Paul's family. I love doing family portraits for several reasons. Foremost I think I am able to capture the personality of children. I know when I take the time to do it with my children I just love seing the joy and excitement that my kids are experiencing in their faces and eyes. The other reason I like taking family portraits is because it is such a challenge. I believe it is more difficult than a wedding because you only have a brief amount of time to get an idea of the family's aesthetic and to create a family portrait that is representative of that. I LOVE the portraits of them in the woods on the logs behind their home! The composition is simple, everyone has their own personal space and the sense of place perfectly represents where they live. Anyway, here are some of my favorites......