Changing addresses, web address that is.

Over the years my portfolio has been organized in a multitude of ways. I've had several hard copies including but not limited to: photographic color slides, 11x14 prints bound in a leather binder, an old fashioned zip drive accompanied by computer print outs and complete with a thumbnail contact sheet and captions and of course a simple folder burned to a CD for ease of use and delivery!

Ever since photography went digital, expectations are that you have a digital portfolio. Makes sense to me, right? While it may not be as easy as burning my files to a disc, building a website to showcase your images has major advantages (i.e. you are looking at my photos right now!) Not to mention that it can be pretty darn easy!

What's the point of this entry you ask? Where are the pictures, I came here to look at your pictures! Unless, of course you came here because you are my mom, and that's what mom's do (thanks, Mom!) Anyway, news is, my blog is moving! I've created a new, all inclusive, www.MelanieMaxwell.com That's right, portfolios, blog all in one little happy spot!

Big shout out to friend, photographer and fellow CMU alum Holly Mahaffey for turning me on to SquareSpace.com, which I used to build my shiny new site! Check out her new site and send her some photo love!

So this is it! From now on look for my photo blog updates over -----> here!

Websites of portfolios past:

Website front from 2008
 

Website front of 2009


And lastly, 2010

Iggy Pop and the Stooges - The Michigan Theater

Last night I was afforded the opportunity to photograph a rock legend. Iggy Pop, along with the Stooges, played a sold-out tribute show for the late Ron Asheton, the Stooges' original guitarist. It was a homecoming for Iggy, as the original group formed in Ann Arbor in 1967.

This job has allowed me to witness and photograph some amazing acts, performers and musicians. And I like to believe I've seen some great rock shows during my more active concert going days. But it wasn't until last night that I ever experienced a real ROCK show. The venue, the crowd, the energy and most definitely the performance combined and it was the real deal.

Click on the links to see the full gallery, story and review.

Photos in this post © AnnArbor.com 2011

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Music Monday. And Tuesday

It's been a musical week, and yes, it's only Wednesday! Up until Monday night I hadn't shot a concert in awhile but then the entertainment desk came a knockin'. They served up rapper Wiz Khalifa and singer songwriter Kina Grannis. Related only because they are both musical artists, these two couldn't be more different. I'm talking opposite ends of the spectrum different...

Wiz K debuted his new record on the Billboard charts at number two this week. Kina is doing a small U.S. tour and has a decent following on YouTube.

Wiz Khalifa played for a sold-out crowd at the Eastern Michigan Convocation Center.






A little flashy, eh?


I photographed Kina at an in-store at Borders before her actual show at the Ark later that night.

Photos in this post © AnnArbor.com 2011

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A barn fire - Pittsfield Township

Last week I got called out to shoot a fire a few miles outside of downtown Ann Arbor. An old, vacant barn caught fire,
with what looks like the help of a couple of teenagers. By the time I got there the flames were under control and fortunately
no one was hurt.

Photos in this post © AnnArbor.com 2011

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Photographing Karen and Adam

Karen and Adam meet in an orientation group as undergrads at Eastern Michigan University. They became fast friends and
after a couple of years started dating. It was at EMU where the pair met, fell in love and eventually became engaged while
on an evening walk around campus.

This past weekend Karen and Adam went from being in love and engaged, to in love and married.  They were wed at Good Shepherd Methodist Church and held a beautiful reception at the Dearborn Inn, both in Dearborn, Michigan.

To Karen and Adam, I wish you a lifetime of love, happiness and laughter! Congratulations!

Here they sit on the porch of a Edgar Allan Poe replica house on the property of the Dearborn Inn. 


See the raven? Pretty cool, huh?








If it's one thing I learned about Karen and Adam (probably mostly Karen) it's that they love sandwiches.  Here the fellas
pose at the sandwich shop just down the street from their house.


Look at these rings! They are not only beautiful, but they were specially designed and handmade by Karen's best friend and
maid of honor, Jenna.




Not only were Karen and Adam's rings handmade, but so was Karen's dress. Her mother lovingly stitched her daughter's dress for the big day! 








Beatles cover band! Complete with wigs, tight pants and fake accents!

Multnomah Falls - Portland, Oregon

When my recent adventure in Portland led to a visit to the Multnomah Falls I found myself breathing deep, literally, a breath of fresh air! Having just survived a cold and snowy Michigan winter, the sight of anything green was enough to send me into photographic overdrive! The benefit of that is a super, earthy-green blog post full of photos!

The falls are located on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge and at 620 feet tall, is the tallest waterfall in the state.












Emily and Eryn served in Peace Corps Ukraine together. Here they are practicing their best Russian expressions. At right:
Adam shows off his best ninja in a cave expression.

Hello Portland!

Hello Portland! It's about damn time! Around 2006 I became very interested in visiting Portland, Oregon.  I heard friends
and strangers alike boast of it's laid back, earthy "hipness." I mean, what's not to love? Mountains, coffee, every type of
artisans known to (wo)man, shoot, I was sold. It may have taken several years to get there, but this past weekend I finally
did. My life-long BFF (Emily! seen in such previous blog adventures as D.C. for the Holidays and A weekend whirlwind) mentioned that she had a good friend from Peace Corps (Eryn) who lived in Portland and we should go visit. No-brainer!

Below is a view from my seat on the plane. If you look far off into the distance you can see two mountains. There were
some discrepancies on the plane, but they are some combinations of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helen or Mt. Rainier.


Eryn and her boyfriend Adam met us at the airport and mentioned that it was the first day of the Portland Farmer's Market,
we all know I never turn down a farmers market!




Portland is known for having food cart communities grouped all over town. They offer every genre of food you can think of
and it's cheap too!






We spent an afternoon wine tasting outside of downtown in Dundee, Oregon. It's a beautiful area.




Tastes from Erath.




Beautiful view, with a little sunshine, from the 30th floor at the Portland City Grille in downtown. What a great way to end a
great trip!


Big thanks to my favorite people in all of Portland, Eryn and Adam! Thanks for taking us in and showing us a super time!