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Monthly Archives: March 2010

Crystal and JT – MGM Grand Engagement Session, Las Vegas Photographer

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 9:23pm Posted in engagement

While in Vegas for WPPI I had the chance to meet up with my awesome May 1st couple, Crystal and JT.  They live in Vegas, but are getting married in San Diego.  I invited a few friends along on the shoot and we had a blast! Here are a few of my favorites from the morning shoot around the MGM pool.

My favorite shot of the day!

I loved this red wall so we did a mock-photobooth and these two had no problem rockin’ it for the camera!

Cannot wait for your wedding (so soon!)  Thanks for being awesome models and clients!

xoxo, M

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A Friend Needs Your Help

Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 9:16am Posted in personal

One of the major milestones in life is getting married. Even if you aren’t married yourself, you’ve probably been to (or in) a wedding or two (or far more than you care to admit to because you are fast becoming the one person who gets called out during the garter toss or has 27 bridesmaids dresses). You probably have friends who are married, want to get married, or are planning a wedding… Heck some of you reading this are in fact the professionals who work the weddings… where ever you may fit in the list above, or even in-between (ie: the boss that has had to block any wedding related websites from your company’s server so that your engaged employee can focus during work), you have probably heard or ran across BridalInsider.com

If you haven’t heard-of or visited the website, let me tell you what it is, straight from their home page: “Bridalinsider.com is San Diego’s Wedding Community. It is the most informative, resourceful, inspiring social network for San Diego Brides, Grooms and Wedding Vendors. The dynamic, creative Brides & Grooms of the San Diego wedding community make this site the #1 destination for planning your San Diego wedding. Our users are extremely resourceful Brides & Grooms and excited to plan their weddings with the help, advice and camaraderie of the San Diego wedding community.”

Eight years ago, Lori Foote, then a newlywed who had a few raves (and rants) about her wedding planning journey and the professionals who made it possible, established the website to help future couples plan their day. Since then, it has become an invaluable resource to many couples (ok fine, maybe more of a safe haven to the many brides & grooms who want to share their ideas, planning related achievements, and gather opinions without fear of sounding obsessive). The site has also served as a gateway to the careers of many professionals in our industry- yours truly included.

I have been on BridalInsider as a bride AND a vendor.  It was an absolute necessity  during my wedding planning.  I even came out of it with an amazing group of friends I still have daily contact with!  For my business, the website has been instrumental in sending weddings my way. I owe Lori so much for the success of both my wedding and my business!

It is because of the influence and impact Lori & Bridal Insider have had on my life that I write this post and reach out to all of you, to help me do what we can for Lori & her family. Last week, they lost their home to a fire- a freak accident that could have happened to anyone. They lost everything, including the family’s cat and fish.  While Lori remains in very good spirits, and is very thankful that her family (husband and two young children) are safe and unharmed, they essentially have nothing, and are almost quite literally starting from the ground up. Currently, they are living in temporary housing while their home is rebuilt, but along all the irreplaceable things lost, there has also been a loss of many essential personal items- clothing, undergarments, toiletries, books & toys for the children…I am sure that you can take a look around your home and quickly realize how essential even the most insignificant inanimate object can be at a time like this. All is lost, and it needs replacing.

Together with fellow wedding professionals we’ve established a paypal donation site where if you have an extra dollar or two this week, or even ten next week, you can make a donation that will go directly to Lori & her family to help with the basic needs of food, personal items, and maybe a few toys for the kids. Any help is welcome and appreciated. I personally Thank You for reading through this post, and even considering to help, and know that Lori will eternally be grateful to all of you who can help. If you would like to mail any notes, well-wishes, or check donations, feel free to send them to her via the Cerimone Studio at 2690 Historic Decatur Rd. #207, San Diego, CA 92106. You may also email Lori at lori@bridalinsider.com – do note that she may not be able to respond to your email right away.

Thank you again for all of your love and support. Please feel free to repost this blog.


xo, Melissa

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Mike and Felicia – Plaster City Trash the Dress

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 1:20pm Posted in trash the dress

This blog is way overdue!  I shot this session over a month ago!  I’ve known Felicia and Mike for almost a year now! I actually shot their rehearsal dinner last May at Ocean View Villas.  They love going out to the desert and riding around in Mike’s jeep so we figured that was the perfect location for their Trash the Dress!
They took me out to Plaster City in Ocotillo and we had a blast!

Nicholas had to jump in a few photos, of course!

It was pitch black and we were driving home. I asked Mike to pull off on a deserted road and they probably thought I was crazy!  But I got an idea in my head and wanted to try it out…below is the result and Mike’s favorite image of the day! (I think its’ my favorite too!)

Felicia, Mike and Nicholas, thanks for sharing your Saturday with me, I had a blast!

xoxo, M

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WPPI 2010 – Las Vegas Recap

Monday, March 22, 2010 at 1:17am Posted in Networking

I have so much blogging to catch up on! I am leaving for Washington DC on Wednesday and two days after I get back, Tim and I are going to Hawaii for Tami and Adam’s wedding! We can’t wait!

In the meantime, I wanted to post about the amazing and inspiring week I had in Las Vegas with 12,000 of my closest photographer friends (just kidding, I only know like half of them) :P

I had some FANTASTIC roomies this time, 8 of them! Here is a shot of most of them, at a suite in the MGM:


Charise, Me, Monica, Allie, Mandi, Milisa, (not pictured: Jen and Marianne)

Mandi and me having a blast at the GoBee party! I also worked the GoBee booth this year…the bag is now a staple at any wedding Mandi and I shoot!

And a few shots from the tradeshow floor! The cute red-head on the right is one of my favorite photographers, Bobbi (of Bobbi+Mike)

And our tradition we started last year – Bed Jumping! We had a few newbies this time. I love this little collage Monica made up!

I know it all looks totally fun and games, but I promise it was a business trip!  I learned a lot, met some rad people and networked like a mad-woman! Oh and I also did two shoots while I was there!  Those two to be posted soon!

After WPPI, Cathy Crawley (from Australia) came to visit for a bit in San Diego.  On the way home from Vegas, we made a few photo stops!

And Cathy again at the Mission Inn in Riverside!  You’ll see more of Cathy soon too! We did a headshot shoot together at Balboa Park!

Whew! I cannot wait until next year!

xoxo, M

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Michele and Scott – Oceanside Engagement Photography

Monday, March 15, 2010 at 10:45pm Posted in engagement

Michele will always have a special place in my heart! Not only did she play the role of my mentor and taught me a ton about wedding photography, she also shot my wedding last year! Well it is time for me to return the favor!  She will be marrying her man, Scott this coming June!

Fav <3

So happy for you two!!

xo, M

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Jennifer and Dave – Balboa Park Engagement Photography

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 10:44am Posted in engagement

These two are adorable and funny!  They are getting married later this year at Ocean View Villas.  They were in town from Arizona and they wanted a shoot at Balboa Park since they spent a lot of time there on vacations every year!

It was so great meeting you two!!

xo, M

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Freddie and Carla – Courthouse Wedding Photography

Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 5:34pm Posted in wedding

These two lovebirds were married on a cloudy Friday at the San Diego Courthouse.  This was my first Courthouse wedding and I was thrilled to be capturing the day as it happened!  I met Freddie and Carla at the marriage license office, where they waited awhile to sign all the appropriate paperwork.

Then we headed to the ceremony site outside.  This courthouse does indoor or outdoor ceremonies.

We only had a few minutes for portraits, so we quickly crossed the street to shoot!

Then is was on to Roy’s downtown for the intimate reception

Best of luck in Germany you two! It was such a pleasure meeting you and your family!

xo, M

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Vegas Bound!

Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:55am Posted in Networking

On Sunday, Mandi and I are heading to what I like to jokingly call “The Photographers Spring Break”. Really, it’s the annual Wedding and Portrait Photographers (WPPI) Convention at the MGM Grand. This will be my third year going and I cannot wait! It is always so much fun! We will return on Thursday.

I’m doing something a little different this year, I am working at two different trade show booths!
I’ll be at the GoBee Booth Monday and Tuesday between 1pm-4pm
and the Shootsac Booth (#1246) on Wednesday 1pm – 4:30pm
Come say Hello!

Also, I will be having an engagement photoshoot on Monday morning (9am).  I have a lot of photographers ask if they can shadow me on a shoot – well here is your chance!  Send me an email if you are interested in coming along! The shoot will last about one hour.

melissa@melissamcclure.com

To my clients, I can still be reached while I am in Vegas, but please allow a little extra time for me to return your email! :)

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Are you a Fan?

Monday, March 1, 2010 at 3:14pm Posted in Networking

I love checking my fan page!  People leave me the nicest comments and it really warms my heart <3

Are you on Facebook?  If so…check out my Fan Page and join if you would like!  If you really want to get to know me, add me as a friend too!  I like friends :)

I also made a FormSpring Page so if there are any questions you are dying to ask me…go right ahead!

And while we are on the subject of Social Networking, you can always follow me on Twitter!

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