A North Dakota family

Well, if we thought it was chilly today on the Emerald Coast, with temperatures in the 50s, it was nothing the Brittany and her family.  This was the first time she and her husband, and 3-year-old Camden and 18-month-old Cyrus had been to the Destin area. The weather hadn't been great all week...mostly cloudy and gloomy every day...but the sun broke through the clouds about 3 pm today, so they had a beautiful sunset for family pictures. And they will have a white background for their pictures, but just not like the snow that was going on back home! They said it can get as cold as -60 degrees out in North Dakota, and it's times like those that you just stay indoors. I'll take any cold day on the coast versus any day up north! Thankful for paradise!

It's only been 3 months since I blogged...just so busy winding down the tourist season and family photo sessions on the beach with our visitors. I don't think I came up for air until well after Labor Day!
During the season...from about March through September...I have anywhere from 1 to 3, sometimes 4, sessions a day.  I'm not complaining...it's just that I don't have time to do much else...I shoot in the late afternoon--usually for an hour--and then all day long I am editing sessions and fulfilling print orders.
This past Sunday I had the opportunity to shoot video for a promo film for Sandestin Golf Academy. They want to beef up the attendance for the nice academy they have out there at The Raven course.  It's almost a secret out there, and they want men, women and their kids to know the jewel they have out there to offer. It's less expensive than, say, an academy at a course in Orlando, and is more personalized instruction.
Barrett Productions is an extension of Melanie Barrett Photography. This is not something that I just stumbled into! My background is television...I have a degree in journalism/photojournalism from the University of Georgia. My first job out of college was as a reporter/videographer/editor at WMBB-TV in Panama City. After about a year, I accepted a similar job at WTVY-TV in south Alabama.
I have traveled across the country to two separate film schools in the past couple of years, to hone my skills with the more recent equipment and editing. I have studied with those who produce films--both wedding and event--that are my style.
My "bonus" son, Caleb, is an editing natural--and shooter--and is the other half of Barrett Productions.

Take a peek at this short piece, and maybe book a stint at the Golf Academy!

I know my last post was about a month ago, but I have been doing more on my Facebook page and posting to twitter, so hopefully people can see what I have been doing there. It's really hard this time of year to keep up with all the social media avenues, when I have so many family sessions in the evenings and editing and posting online keeps me busy all day, along with fulfilling print orders.
This year I decided not to advertise with Google Adwords, which I have done for the past several years.  I wanted to test my website's organic results--with my use of keywords on my site--to see if people would still find me in their searches for Destin photograpers, beach photographers, Santa Rosa Beach photographers and photographers in Destin.  Well, my test was successful! I have had more sessions this year than ever before...even when I was showing up at the top of a google search.
I basically placed myself "under the radar" on purpose, and got the best of the best clients as a result. I didn't want clients who were "tire kickers;" those who call around to get the best deals. I wanted--and got--clients who are a perfect fit with me and my style. They call to book me because they trust me to capture the relationships of their families. And the great reviews are proof of that!
So thank you to all of you who have allowed me to spend this year so far getting to know the personalities of your families. They are young and old, some suffering illnesses, some with special needs, and some adopted...just like me!
I enjoy you all, and hope to see you again in the future...just like I got to with Augusta and her family!
Last year she visited Watercolor with her husband's family, and this year I got to meet her side of the family. It was fun, and I LOVED the blue they were wearing and how great it looked with the water and against the sand!
Until next time...

:-) Melanie

Family photography/Santa Rosa Beach photographer

Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to spend some time with Veronica and her family...just enjoying the beach.  As you can see, the little girls were busy having fun in the sand!

Seaside photographer, family photographer

When Allison called to book a family session with me, she told me that she wanted some other settings other than only the beach.  She and Michael have had plenty of beach portraits made with the children, she told me, so they decided to take to the bikes and ride through Seaside where they were staying.
This is a sweet little family, who like to do things together...and those little girls have a sweet spirit about them they will make you melt!
Thanks for the opportunity to spend time with your family!

<3 Melanie

Family photographers, Santa Rosa Beach photographers

Maggie and her family traveled from Texas, along with some close friends, to take their vacation on our beautiful beaches. Between the two families, they have 5 precious little girls. During the portrait session I could tell how close the families were. They have been friends over a dozen years. The girls' personalities really came out with the camera pointed their way!