I was very excited that the very talented Melissa JIll asked me to shoot her new promo photos for her website. ACTUALLY, I was honestly REALLY surprised that she asked me to do them, because I am by no means talented enough to photograph OTHER photographers. YIKES! As you know she has a Rock-star of a photography business going, and as I have put down my camera for a season I was anxious and nervous about shooting her. I imagined that she was cringing inside, while she watching me direct, position, and instruct her do silly/embarrassing things. But she insisted that I lead the charge on this photoshoot…. And it turned out to be SUPER fun… and very inspiring. I did find out that MELISSA WILL DO ANYTHING YOU TELL HER TO DO. HAHHAA. What a great model. I will definitely remember that in my next shoot with her. hahha jk… well maybe.
We had a great team on this photoshoot including:
Hair & make-up: Tina Burnham – Refined Hair Studio
Styling: Alex Evjen- AVE Styles
One of my favorite things about melissa Jill is that when you meet her for the first time… you feel like you have known her forever. There really cant be a better quality about a portrait photographer. She is really laid back, warm, and inviting! And unlike a lot of other “busy” photographers, she MAKES time for you. She emails back to her blog commenters, she openly shares her photography techniques, and there are NO “stupid questions” to melissa, she answers them all. Brian and I were models for one of her workshops a few months back and we learned a ton about the way she teaches on loves on people. Melissa is a photographer that stands out among the many, and she is truly leading the way.
November 15th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
STOP THE PRESSES. Holy moly, you are amazing – both of you. I just love love love this!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
MJ YOU GO ONNNNNN WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL SELF, GIRL!!!
Seriously, Melissa, you look AMAZING HERE.
Promise, congrats on capturing Melissa sooo beautifully. Not only did you get her physical beauty, but I can totally see her inner beauty shining through too. Just…WOW!
PS – No way to pick a favorite. They’re all faves!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
GORGE photos, Prom! I love working with you! I can’t say it enough!!!!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
WOW – Melissa you look STUNNING!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Awesome! Love the photos! Great style!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Not bad after setting down the camera for a while!
Your lighting is superb in these, especially the few with the sun behind her. Great job!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
So amazingggg…the light is ridiculous! Gorgeous!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
oh these are just the prettiest!!!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Damn girl! Don’t ever be shy about your photography talents. You are a talented designer and photographer both!! The light looked perfect!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I love Melissa and I LOVE these photos. She looks super hot, you both rocked it
November 15th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Promise, you captured her beautifully!!! Melissa, I can’t get over how spicy and amazing you look!! Your sweet, sweet soul is radiating from within
XXOO
November 15th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Ooooolala………MJ is dabomb.com! And so are you! Yay, I am so glad it all turned out so AWESOME!
November 15th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Yeah, so – I love your eye. Wow, I love your eye.
November 15th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
*gasp!* I love this!
November 15th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
OMGosh! Your camera skills are out of this world! BEAUTY!
November 15th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Spectacular Promise, and it helps that you had a subject who defines beauty itself. Love it!
November 15th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
She is stunning and you are more than qualified to photograph other photographers!
November 15th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Goodness
Great work, love the backlight in most of these!
November 15th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
ayoye!
November 15th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
these are fantastic! especially the tree ones. can’t wait to see how she uses them :O)
November 15th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I love MJ! She is such a beautiful person, inside and out. Promise, you did an awesome job at capturing who Melissa is. And it is so true that when you meet her in person, you feel like you have been friends for ages. Way too many faves. xoxo
November 15th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Melissa looks stunning! LOVE!
November 15th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
GET OUT!!! PROMISE!!!! they totally rock. and melissa looks awesome!
November 15th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Wow! A Country Music Star. Your photographer will be tapped by Nashville Country Music and they won’t be able to figure out what you sing. These are great. Everyone needs a new look.
November 15th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
These are amazing!
Melissa is absolutely beautiful. Great job, Promise. 
November 15th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
So beautiful! Great job team!
November 15th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
WHOOO! Great job, Promise! MJ you look great!
November 15th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
My sis is HOT!!! What a beauty! Great shots Promise:)
November 15th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Promise you ROCKED this! You are an incredible photographer and that backlighting is simply magical! Breathtaking and perfect! Can’t say enough good things about this
November 15th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Promise, these pics are beautiful!! There is something about the way you photograph people that makes everything seem so natural and fun! I love it! And I would love to learn more about these “silly/embarrassing” things you instruct people to do- hahah
November 15th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Promise… these photos of Melissa are gorgeous! You two are such beautiful people inside and out and it was wonderful to work with you both in the spring. Love these so much! xox
November 15th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Fabulous job Promise! Beautiful light… Melissa, you look gorgeous!
November 15th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
Melissa!! What beautiful pictures! Every one is my favorite! Can’t wait to see your lovely face in Florida!! Soon and very soon!
November 15th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
These are so great and Melissa is such a great person. Good stuff….
November 15th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Outstanding job Promise!! Good to have you back behind the lens again .. I hope to see more of that to come
November 15th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
stunning Promise!
November 16th, 2010 at 10:20 am
gorgeous! I love Melissa and these photos make her look AMAZING!
November 16th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Wow Promise! breathtaking!
November 16th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
WHOA! You got skillz, I love the pictures…they all came out amazing. I especially love the pictures with the sun glowing behind her
November 16th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
SO AMAZING!!! You look awesome Melissa!!
November 16th, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Melissa, you look absolutely beautiful! And so stylish.
November 17th, 2010 at 7:28 am
Promise, you did a fantastic job of Melissa. I wish I had half your talent11
November 17th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Oh Wow!!!!! These pictures are simply stunning. How will you be able to pick a favorite?
November 20th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Beautiful Promise!!! And it was great to meet Melissa the other night!! What a great lady
You people are so talented, seriously!!
November 21st, 2010 at 9:25 am
WOW these are gorgeous! Melissa looks HOT, HOT, HOT!
November 27th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Beautiful images of Melissa. Great work by both of you.
November 30th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Wow Melissa! I already knew you were beautiful but hot dayuuum!! Promise pulled out the hot mama in you! Woot!
December 2nd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
wow these are stunning!! just breathtaking! I think each one of them is my FAV!!!!!! bravo!
January 13th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Absolutely gorgeous! Love these photos!