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Melissa Maillett Photography Melissa Maillett Photography
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This is Carolyn

This is Carolyn

June 26, 2019 2:57 pm No Comments melissa_mm
Melissa Maillett Photography

I’ve regretfully taken a break from writing my blogposts about women I photograph who inspire me. This was a commitment I made back in 2018, when I took a deep breath and wrote a personal blog, This is Me, where I described how I feel turning 50, pursuing my passion in portrait photography, my life, my commitment to my health and my desire to meet and profile people around me who inspire me. I stated then that I have the opportunity in my business to meet so many women who have courageously embarked upon a new career later in life, have found their live’s purpose in helping others, and in general whose spirit and spark drive me to do better as well. However, as much as I try to keep to a schedule, life gets in the way – and although I have met (and photographed) an abundance of inspiring women, I have let other tasks get in the way of writing these posts.

If one woman could get me back to documenting and sharing a profile of an inspiring woman, Carolyn is the one. I have known Carolyn as a friend for over 10 years, as a mother in the neighborhood, the parent of children my own kids’ ages, always a kind, gentle soul who taught preschool for ages and had a massive group of little children, and their parents, in  town who worshipped her. We used to run together and I know for a fact that she cared about the welfare and felt the responsibility for every little soul that came into her classroom.

One day, Carolyn announced that she was going to start training in yoga therapy. I had heard other moms talk about that before. We dabbled in this or that, yoga was a little trendy and fun activity. But as I learned about Carolyn, she doesn’t go partway on anything. She strategically planned out the next 5+ years of her life, incorporating her 1,000 hour yoga therapy certification while continuing to teach preschool. Once she completed her training, Carolyn was completely ready to embark upon her new passion and business of Heart Tree Yoga.

I had a branding session with Carolyn earlier this year and I got to see first hand, her studio, the way she works with clients, and her extreme dedication to helping people find greater ease of movement, balance, stability and strength through highly personalized  yoga therapy.

It fills me with joy to see these images on Carolyn’s website because I felt that I really was able to capture her gentle soul, her intense desire to help others, and her general joy and appreciation of life and nature.

But what got me to sit down, write this post and share it with the world, was a facebook post I saw that Carolyn had just written about her “Hello Station” to be held Wednesday in downtown Vienna, VA.  While it doesn’t surprise me that she wrote it and will be doing what she said she would, I know that it is a stretch for her – emotionally and physically 

Posted in: Personal Branding Session, This is..., Women In Business Tagged: melissa maillett photography, Personal Branding Photography
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About Melissa

Melissa is headshot and portrait photographer, specializing in personal branding sessions for creative businesses and entrepreneurs. As your visual storytelling partner, Melissa helps you connect to your audience and grow your business. She also photographs high school seniors and lifestyle family sessions.

Contact Melissa

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Women 50+ should we podcast? You BET! We have uniq Women 50+ should we podcast?
You BET! We have unique perspectives, stories and voices. Don’t let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t matter.
My oldest BFF and I have a podcast, Mixing Up Midlife where we encourage and discuss women over 50 to be brave, seek out adventures, and challenge ourselves. In our most recent podcast we talk about the why, when and how of OUR podcasting journies. I encourage anyone to take the leap into podcasting if it calls to you.
Check it out!
"The waiting is the hardest part...."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Waiting for my next headshot. I love each new chance I get to meet someone, make a connection, getting a great shot and  convincing them that getting a headshot really can be fun! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I was so happy to work with this interior designer I was so happy to work with this interior designer who was giving her website a reboot with new branding images. Shooting on location is always fun and her work is so elegant - I believe the images brought out her elegance as well! Her website is InspiredDesign.com. Go check it out!  #melissamaillettphotography, #viennavaphotographer, #viennabusinessassocitation, #interiordesignerlife, #mixingupmidlife,  #northernvabrandingphotographer
Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The white Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 The white of the snow below you makes a reflector and brightens up your face. Smooths out wrinkles and you gotta love natural light! In the winter the sun is lower in the sky and the lighting is pretty good even in midday (which I avoid in the spring and summer). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Second tip - this shot was actually taken with video, using my little Canon G7X on a tripod - and then bringing it into Final Cut Pro and exporting a still shot. But you can do this easily with your iphone as well. Take some video (it's feels more natural than holding an awkward smile while waiting for the self-timer) and then snap a screen shot during the point in the video that you like. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So get out there in this cold winter and snap a few shots or video and play in the snow!
Branding sessions can happen anywhere! The client Branding sessions can happen anywhere!  The client for this session from back in the fall was for one of my subscription clients and she wanted to show some fun outdoor shots so we headed out to downtown Washington, DC for a fun session along the reflecting pool and the National mall. She is not a political but a digital wellness coach and speaker. But why not! Swipe to see bts of me during the session
Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't fee Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't feel natural!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But yes, even I can understand the value of putting my face forward and introducing myself. I have a business, I want to connect with people who I want to do business with - and who may want to work with me. What better way to make the introduction to business than showing my face!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Because I am so camera-shy and reluctant to get on the other side of my lens, I have challenged myself to do just that. And in doing it, I'll explore tips and tricks to help my clients not only feel more comfortable posing when I take your shots, but also to try do it yourself!  I will share my selfie-successes (and possibly failures) with you. I am much better with the pro camera, but I also know that the camera in your phone will be the more common tool. But be aware, this NOT your teenager's insta shot - this is about creating fun and quality images that can be used for your marketing and branding ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But who knows, maybe we will learn a few things from those "insta famous" crowd???
Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outs Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outside?

Think again! These shots were both taken this winter - in between bouts of wind and in a very brief time period (so we could keep noses warm and make sure eyes didn't water). 

A pro headshot photographer can make it quick and effortless - with a little preparation and some tips (I just wrote a blogpost on it, check out my website for the tips). Winter is often when you have more time on your hands, so if you need headshots, no need to wait for warmer weather! .
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Today is National Have Fun at Work Day!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I am so fortunate in having a job that changes every day - I could spend a full day branding session with a creative entrepreneurs one day, to a cool senior session in downtown Georgetown on another - and even the more standard headshot days are fun because I'm meeting and having a connection with a new person each time someone steps in front of my camera (even if it is only 5 minutes at a time). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But I must say it is even more fun when a client brings their puppy to the shoot! .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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