I discovered Miss B Photography through an organization called Operation Love Reunited, a network of volunteer photographers who donate their time to military families with a deploying/deployed service member. Knowing that my husband would be deploying soon, I contacted MBP to schedule a family photo shoot. However, I was in the hospital due to pregnancy complications and didn't know when the babies would be born nor when my husband would be leaving. (Yes, I said "babies" as in triplets.) Melissa was amazing from the beginning, very understanding of our situation and remained flexible with our timeline. She checked in frequently (I spent two months in the hospital on bed rest) and always offered to help. I hadn't even met her and already she was invested in me and my family.
My babies were born 6 weeks early and admitted to the NICU. We didn't have a firm timeline for their release so we couldn't schedule our photo session. Again Melissa remained flexible. The babies had a staggered release and the third one came home after 6 weeks, which was 3 days before my husband was set to deploy. Given the short timeframe and our desire to have as much family time as possible, we were unable to fit in a photo shoot with all 5 of us.
But we still had an option: a baby photo shoot! Melissa offered her services to shoot the babies and I took her up on it a few days after my husband left. I arrived at her beautiful home/studio and was welcomed by the warmth of the space...literally warm which is so important for those half naked babies! She instantly took to my trio and her lovely assistant (her equally awesome husband) was the extra set of hands we needed.
My babies were 7 weeks old for this "newborn" photo shoot and while they weren't all sleepy the whole time like brand new babies, Melissa worked her magic. She used a variety of hats, headbands, wraps, backdrops and props. Whenever someone got fussy she calmly rubbed their heads or picked them up. Her motherly instinct greatly helped, especially for this first time mom still trying to figure out how to wrangle triplets. We spent about 4 hours on the shoot, with breaks for feeding and diaper changes.
My photos were ready for review about 3 weeks later through her online portal. Oh my, were they precious! I cried seeing how she captured my two daughters and son, especially watching the video slide show! I was so excited to pick my favorites to buy and create a photo book to send to my husband. (As part of her volunteered efforts, she included a small spiral bound book of most of the photos for him.) I, of course, went crazy and wanted a lot of photos, but that's what happens when you need 3 of everything. I reached out to Melissa and she created a custom package for me. As it is her print prices are very reasonable but she still worked with me on my large print order.
The prints themselves were beautiful and you can tell they're professional. I love that the wallets were perforated with smooth edges and rounded corners so no cutting needed! The pictures were so well-received by friends and family, and made the perfect Christmas gifts.
Perhaps even better was the photo book...it was simple but perfect. I sent it to my husband and he absolutely loved it. He's not an outwardly emotional guy but he said he cried when he saw the pictures. He had no idea I had even done the shoot so the surprise was even bigger. He's been gone for almost 7 weeks now and says he keeps that book with him in his rack. By the time he gets home the babies will be almost 8 months old so these pictures and that book allow him to see his babies that he's missing out on.
I can't thank Missy B Photography enough; from Melissa's professionalism and creativity to her hospitality and motherly instinct, she is a wonderful family photographer. Knowing that I was having a deployed husband and babies in the NICU I didn't think pictures would be an option but she made it a reality. read more