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.
+ - 50 comments
Kristine Neeley - STOP THE PRESSES. Holy moly, you are amazing – both of you. I just love love love this!
Gail - 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!
Alex Evjen - GORGE photos, Prom! I love working with you! I can’t say it enough!!!!
Tina - WOW – Melissa you look STUNNING!
Alyssa - Awesome! Love the photos! Great style!
Cameron Smith - 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!
Caitlin - So amazingggg…the light is ridiculous! Gorgeous!
nicky - oh these are just the prettiest!!!
Renee - Damn girl! Don’t ever be shy about your photography talents. You are a talented designer and photographer both!! The light looked perfect!
Emily - I love Melissa and I LOVE these photos. She looks super hot, you both rocked it
Gina Meola - 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
Tina Burnham - Ooooolala………MJ is dabomb.com! And so are you! Yay, I am so glad it all turned out so AWESOME!
Kelly Sauer - Yeah, so – I love your eye. Wow, I love your eye.
Kristin Guynn - *gasp!* I love this!
Sara - OMGosh! Your camera skills are out of this world! BEAUTY!
Seth Willey - Spectacular Promise, and it helps that you had a subject who defines beauty itself. Love it!
Julia Mary - She is stunning and you are more than qualified to photograph other photographers!
Mike Olbinski - Goodness
Great work, love the backlight in most of these!
Daniel Fuentealba - ayoye!
shawna - these are fantastic! especially the tree ones. can’t wait to see how she uses them :O)
Tira J - 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
Lori Calhoun - Melissa looks stunning! LOVE!
kat - GET OUT!!! PROMISE!!!! they totally rock. and melissa looks awesome!
Pam Rauber - 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.
Faith - These are amazing!
Melissa is absolutely beautiful. Great job, Promise. 
Lydia - So beautiful! Great job team!
Rachel - WHOOO! Great job, Promise! MJ you look great!
Natalie - My sis is HOT!!! What a beauty! Great shots Promise:)
Annie - 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
Candice - 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
Niki Flynn - 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
Ericha - Fabulous job Promise! Beautiful light… Melissa, you look gorgeous!
Wendy James - Melissa!! What beautiful pictures! Every one is my favorite! Can’t wait to see your lovely face in Florida!! Soon and very soon!
Dennis Bullock - These are so great and Melissa is such a great person. Good stuff….
JESSICA@DOSSIE-A - Outstanding job Promise!! Good to have you back behind the lens again .. I hope to see more of that to come
XX OO . Brandis - stunning Promise!
amy t schubert - gorgeous! I love Melissa and these photos make her look AMAZING!
Brittany Dawson - Wow Promise! breathtaking!
Ash P - WHOA! You got skillz, I love the pictures…they all came out amazing. I especially love the pictures with the sun glowing behind her
Melanie - SO AMAZING!!! You look awesome Melissa!!
Becka @ Life as an Artistpreneur - Melissa, you look absolutely beautiful! And so stylish.
Mike - Promise, you did a fantastic job of Melissa. I wish I had half your talent11
Abbey - Oh Wow!!!!! These pictures are simply stunning. How will you be able to pick a favorite?
Amy - Beautiful Promise!!! And it was great to meet Melissa the other night!! What a great lady
You people are so talented, seriously!!
Chanique - WOW these are gorgeous! Melissa looks HOT, HOT, HOT!
Matt - Beautiful images of Melissa. Great work by both of you.
ajira - Wow Melissa! I already knew you were beautiful but hot dayuuum!! Promise pulled out the hot mama in you! Woot!
Amna Hakim - wow these are stunning!! just breathtaking! I think each one of them is my FAV!!!!!! bravo!
Abigail - Absolutely gorgeous! Love these photos!
PROMISE TANGEMAN CREATIVE PHOTOSHOOT | PROMISE TANGEMAN ART & DESIGN - [...] have probably seen some of these babies over on Melissa Jill’s blog a few weeks back. I did a shoot for her a while back and she returned the favor with this really fun shoot. Promise Tangeman [...]