I’m home from my 3 week trip!  I came down with a stomach bug in Africa, so I’ve spent the last week trying to recover from it.   The trip was very eye opening, to say the least.  I feel that there were 3 major parts of the trip (Turkey, Ethiopia & the safari in Tanzania) that I’m going to post three photoblogs about it.

For the first three days, we took a long layover in Istanbul, Turkey.  The mosques were the highlight for me!  They were created so beautifully, great subjects to photograph.

My parents 🙂

Shawna and Jason were married on the beautiful grounds of the Atlantis Resort in Nassau, Bahamas.  The entire guest list, which included myself and Mandi, took a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas for this wedding!  It’s a great way to get to know your couples – being on a ship with them for four days!  We felt like family by the end.  Their actual wedding day was extremely hot and humid!

We didn’t have a ton of time for photos after the ceremony, since we were due back to the ship for the dinner seating!  But you can’t beat the gorgeous light and sand in the Caribbean!

Their little boy, Aiden 🙂

Yes, those are real sharks!

Last year, Mandi and I had the honor of joining Jason and Shawna on a their cruise to Bahamas wedding!  We were among their closest friends and family and they went out of their way to make us feel included the whole week.  It was an awesome experience and I’m stoked on the images from their trash the dress and wedding day!

To be married in the Bahamas, you have to be in their waters for 24 hours, so on our first day there we decided to do their trash the dress (Shawna bought a 2nd dress for this!) in Freeport.  They were total troopers in the blazing sun (and then pouring rain).  These two rock and I am pleased to call them friends now!! xo

Photos by Mandi Contereras

Cristina and Carlos met over their love of photography.  He needed practice behind the lens and a subject and she was a willing model. They met for the very first time at Balboa Park and the rest is history!   I was out of town for their wedding so Mandi got the privilege of capturing their day!

The fantastic Audra Rene did the brides hair too! <3

Mandi Contreras is an associate photographer for Melissa McClure Photography. To contact her directly, email mandi@melissamcclure.com

Sarah originally contacted me for her wedding day photography but I was booked on her date.  She opted to take some photos after her wedding with me instead!  Great idea!  We met down at Shelter Island where close to where they got married last year for some fun photos! Sarah and Mike totally rocked it out for the shoot, even with their own entourage there to watch!