Traveling has been a passion of mine since I got my first passport at 6 months old (no joke!) I sat on my moms lap and made gaga sounds at the photographer. I started traveling alone at age 6 to visit my Aunt in Missouri every Summer. I haven't stopped since. Where I go, my camera follows. I love experiencing new places and capturing each one in my own way.
This is part of my life that has always been stored away. Stored deep in my heart and hidden from most.
You see, I spent every Summer in this place (My Aunt and Uncle’s home) from age 6 until age 15. After age 15, life got a little hectic but I was still able to make it down for a visit a dozen times or so over the last 15 years. It had been three years since I had been back and as soon as I stepped foot through the front door I knew I was home again.
And here I share a small piece of my heart with you.
Jada and Jasmine 🙂
This is my beautiful Aunt Rhonda (not the Aunt that owns the house) and she is definitely been a rock in my life. She is also one of my most loyal blog readers (Love you Rhonda!)
Meet Kyle.
He belongs to one of my bestest besties…Kirsten. Kirsten and Kyle drove 10 hours from Peora, IL to come visit me and join in on the music festivities (more on that in a bit). Kirsten said to me (and I’m paraphrasing) “This is a part of you I never knew about. And I had no idea you could ride a horse!”
And for those of you that are currently dialing CPS on us…Kyle is not sitting there alone! Kirstin is hiding behind him! haha
Kyle’s first trip to Corner Rock! In Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma at the same time!
Nap time!
Every year my Aunt and Uncle host a mini music festival they call the House Concert. It is well attended, as you can tell below and it was really fun seeing some familiar faces, making new friends and listening to some amazing live music!
These aren’t just random love birds! This is Kady and Jim…I first met them 3 years ago when I shot their wedding on this same property!
This is my cousin (through marriage) Lacy. She is an unbelievable singer and songwriter, as is her brother Jeremy.
Check out a little snippet I shot of Jeremy and Lacy singing, shot on my 5D Mark II. Join their Facebook Fan Page if you enjoyed this video!
Jeremy and Lacy Morris – Summer Breeze from Melissa McClure on Vimeo.
Of course we had to do an impromptu photoshoot of Kirsten and Kyle!
I spent every Summer obtaining rope burns while jumping in to this pond 😉
There you go! Something that you probably didn’t know about me! Hope you enjoyed the photos 🙂
xoxo, M
Wow. Thanks. I feel like I am right there. You shoot it so the magic shows.
As much as I love your weddings and seeing you capture love in the lens, it is so much more (I think magic IS the word!) when you are shooting something YOU also love. I can just see you in every photo even though you aren’t the subject.
Great blog post, and beautiful photos. I can see why you love visiting there. 🙂
Wow, Mel! These pictures are not only beautiful but I can literally feel the emotion! You are such a beautiful, talented, amazing woman! Oh, and Jeremy reminds me of Brandon Boyd, my favorite singer! <3
Melissa, thanks for the kind words…I love you, too! Great blog as always…will always have fond memories of our time in Southwest City!
Melissa I love these pics! I love how “you” they are. 🙂 Seriously amazing as always!
What an awesome blog post! I love all the images, this place seems really cozy and perfect!
Is there anything that you can’t shoot beautifully? I love all these photos Melissa. Thank you for sharing this part of you with all of us!
This little place on earth looks like a piece of heaven. Thanks for showing it to us!! xoxo
I am speechless. I looove the emotion you have captured in all of these pictures. I feel like I’m standing right there with you. The house is absolutely beautiful..actually EVERYTHING is beautiful. Amazing.
Beautiful images! Thank you for sharing.
Those are all crazy good! Awesome images.
WOW! Thanks for sharing! It’s nice see another side of your talent from the wedding pictures. 🙂