Melissa Arroyo Photography

OpLove – Deployment Session

Melissa — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:12:30 +0000

I never tire of shooting sessions for the Operation Love Reunited organization… I wish I could do them all the time…

Kara had contacted me through the OpLove website and also on a recommendation from a friend of mine, a fellow photographer who used to shoot for OpLove. Kara had been deployed a few years back and had done an OpLove session back then.

We met at Patapsco State Park and had fun even though it was a bit chilly.

Kara is being deployed the first of the year and when she returns…her husband will be deployed for 6 months.

I’m so happy I was able to do this for you and your family, Kara! I hope you enjoy them…and thank you and you husband so much for your service to our country…we are all EXTREMELY grateful!

Petrie Family Portraits

Melissa — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:23:17 +0000

Natalia contacted me through a reference from a friend. She had been unhappy with the pictures from her daughters daycare and wanted some real personal ones.

When I showed up at their home I was thrilled that their outfit choices were so simple and delicate…I had suggested that we go to Woodlawn Manor in Sandy Spring (that’s actually where my husband and I were married 10 years ago!).

I got so many smiles from the little one and was so thrilled with this session.

Thanks Petrie family!!! It was wonderful meeting you and I hope you enjoy these!

Garner Family Portraits

Melissa — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:00:15 +0000

So…I photographed Melissa and Rob’s wedding 5 years ago (which was pretty awesome, by the way) and they came back to me wanting family pictures. I was overjoyed to be able to do them! We met at the picturesque Baker Park in Frederick, MD and got some pretty cool stuff before the storms came rolling in later that day.

Thanks guys! I hope you enjoy your images!

Quinones/Pollack Family

Melissa — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:24:59 +0000

I was fortunate enough to be asked to do a family portrait for Kim and her family…all 19 of them!

I arrived at her mom’s house and everyone there was so sweet and welcoming. Her dad even showed me his Coke bottle collection, which I have to say was pretty impressive! We were able to do the largest portrait in the back yard and I was excited to use the Black Eyed Susan garden for the kids.

Thanks so much Kim and family! It was wonderful meeting you all!

OpLove Homecoming at National

Melissa — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:39:41 +0000

Annabelle contacted me just a couple days before her husband was to arrive from being deployed. It worked out perfectly that I was able to have a clearing in my schedule to be able to be there for their family. All three kids were so excited and happy to see daddy.

I love doing homecomings…thanks Annabelle and Adam for letting me be there for this magical time for you.

Papa’s Hats

Melissa — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:32:16 +0000

I’m not sure why but I haven’t done any personal posts. I think I want to change that. Sometimes I come up with ideas for shoots and want to try them out. So those are the personal posts I will share here because they almost always include my family somehow.

My daughter has grown up dealing with my photographic whims and she obliges me more so the older she gets. My son, on the other hand, argues with me about doing them. “Only 1 picture!” He tells me constantly. And anyone who knows me KNOWS I simply can not take just ONE picture!

So I had this idea that involved some personal items of my dad’s. My dad used to wear these cool hats. When my mom was going though his stuff (my dad is in a nursing home) she came across some of these hats…and so was born my idea. I ventured down to the waterfront of Annapolis with my son and nephew in tow along with 2 of Papa’s hats. They actually cooperated well when I bargained with the thought of an ice cream afterword…lol

I really love the results I got and am trying to think of a way to incorporate them into one thing…maybe a collage canvas…

I love you Dad…

These next three are my favorites…

This ones pretty funny…he wasn’t happy with me at this point.

The boat that docks there for rides out into the bay was blowing his horn at this point and the boys kept their ears covered…

Khan Family portrait session

Melissa — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 17:56:21 +0000

One of the coolest places to shoot in Bowie is Foxhill Park. The lake is visible from the main road but getting to it is a good walk so it’s never busy with lots of people. That’s where I met the Khan family. The wanted to get some family shots to send off to family that lives out of town.

I have a 4 year old boy of my own so I was prepared for the energy their boys had. They loved checking out the turtles from the bridge (we must have seen at least 10 of them!). Their little sis is one lucky girl to have 2 sweet older brothers to look out for her.

Thanks so much Khan family! I hope you enjoy your images!

Sanford Family ~ Meadowlark Gardens

Melissa — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:01:26 +0000

Meadowlark Gardens is one of my favorite places to shoot. I’ve done a handful of weddings there but portrait sessions are fun because you have lots of time to take in everything there is to see there.

I had such a great time photographing the Sanford family. Their little ones are so sweet and funny.

I hope you enjoy your images!

Laura & Taylor ~ Mount Airy Mansion

Melissa — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:32:04 +0000

It was a perfectly beautiful day when Laura and Taylor tied the knot. Mount Airy Mansion is such a beautiful venue.

Intrigue Design and Decor made the wedding amazing with their gorgeous touch.

I had such an amazing day with Laura and Taylor and their families. So much love felt all day.

Thanks so much for letting me be a part of it!

Michel & Mike ~ Richmond, VA

Melissa — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:28:27 +0000

I met Michel through my husband at his holiday party for work…they got engaged that night. She was over the moon excited…

When Michel and I sat down about a month later to chat about her wedding, it was the first time we got to talk and she and I hit it off…really great person and I knew her and Mike’s wedding would be a lot of fun.

They had their ceremony at the Maymount Foundation…which is a big historical park. There were lots of people there on that beautiful Sunday morning…wandering the gardens and taking in a warm sunny day…one of the first of the spring.

The tulips were in bloom and the Italian Garden was alive with beautiful ivy and flowers everywhere…a perfect place for Michel and Mike’s union to one another.

Michel’s son, Cameron, walk her down the isle and she looked simply amazing…

They had their intimate reception at the Old City Bar which is a beautiful old historic building in downtown Richmond.

I could tell everyone had a wonderful time…they danced and laughed and helped Michel and Mike celebrate their perfect day…

Congrats guys! I’m so glad you let me be a part of it all!!!