Contemporary Expressions Photography Blog » Just Because

A State of Mind | Just Because

contemporaryexpressions — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:44:40 +0000

OK….gotta admit, this below freezing weather in Denver is getting under my skin. I’m a summer baby through and through….I can’t stand the cold! So as I sat here grumbling and sipping hot coffee to warm me up, and – sadly – COMPLAINING…I decided that I needed to snap out of it. G. is home from school today, I’m not going to the Loft…it is time to PLAY! Go away grumbles – you aren’t welcome here today!

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~ Abraham Lincoln

Just like Mommy | Personal

contemporaryexpressions — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:54 +0000

There are so many reasons I love being a Mom – way too many to ever list – and so many ways that my little man makes me proud…but THIS, well, honestly…made me bawl my eyes out.

He makes my heart sing!!

Thank You All | 2010 Contemporary Expressions Clients ROCKED

contemporaryexpressions — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:05:55 +0000

Yippee – the “box guy” (as G. calls Mr. UPS) arrived at my house yesterday with a wonderful package – our 2010 Thank You gifts for our amazing clients! I can’t wait for everyone to get their calendars. It’s always a fun project putting our thank you’s together in January – looking back through all of the previous year’s images – seeing how much these babies have grown since we first started photographing them. It makes my heart happy to know that we helped capture so many memories last year, and I’m honored that so many of you chose US for this amazing opportunity. Just a couple more things to add to these envelopes (we can’t show you the whole surprise now can we) and they are off to the Post Office!!! Thank you again, to all of our wonderful 2010 clients, for making it another year to remember!!

Project 365 | Personal

contemporaryexpressions — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 03:46:31 +0000

For the past 5 years I’ve tried, very unsuccessfully, to complete a Project 365 – one photo each day for 365 days. Yeah, I know, I’m a photographer, this should be easy, right? WRONG. I think that the furthest I’ve ever gotten, actually, is 42 photos. I have wonderful intentions, but my follow through is Pathetic – I know. So, once again, I’m trying. You can follow along if you wish – I’ll be posting the images to my FB page (I’m Tanja Butler Melone, if we aren’t already friends).

Wish me luck!

Reflections, 2010 | Personal

contemporaryexpressions — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:16:59 +0000

Happy New Year!

Unbelievable as it is, here we are in 2011! Usually I start the year writing my list of resolutions – hoping that I make it through at least a day without breaking one – convincing myself that THIS YEAR, I’ll really stick to them – BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. The truth is, I always make resolutions that are unattainable (wonder what Freud would say about that one). So this morning I sat down with my trusty journal – you know, the one that gets written in about twice a year – and looked at last year’s list – OOPS. I’ll just leave it at that. But it did get me thinking, reflecting really, about all that I did get done this year and where I was met with the most disappointment, where I could have done better…

Guess what I discovered…..In 2010, I played it safe….really safe….both personally and in business. THAT is my biggest disappointment. I allowed myself to get so tied up in the everyday tasks, the routines, the “to do” lists that I forgot to LIVE – to challenge myself, to grow, to take risks and push myself WAY beyond my comfort zone! So, in 2011, I resolve to be AFRAID….I resolve to push myself beyond my self- imposed limits and face my fears head on. AND, most important, I resolve to make sure that I don’t allow everyday routines to consume me to the point that I lose sight of what is truly important – family, friends, love, laughter and beautiful memories!!

OH, and….I resolve to blog more….BWAHAHAHAHA – Happy 2011 everyone!

inspiration, motivation…….exasperation

contemporaryexpressions — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:39:41 +0000

OK….so I am an admitted organizational fanatic. The Container Store is heaven to me….but….I’ve been a little lax lately on my organizational skills. Piles of accounting to finish at the studio, piles of laundry and outgrown toys at home, piles, piles, so many piles. I feel like I have been running in complete circles for months and getting nothing accomplished – wishing that I could just tack a couple more hours on to each and every day. I’m motivated – just exasperated at the sheer amount of CHAOS in my life right now.

So my end of January goal is to “get it on”. With a shopping bag full of fun new containers and planners, and armed with my two favorite books on the subject (Simplify Your Time by Marcia Ramsland and Organize your Life by Ronni Eisenberg):

I am prepared to tackle both sides of my disorganized life with a vengeance . . . right after this glass of wine . . . maybe I should add a procrastination book to my bedside table!

Peek-A-Blast

contemporaryexpressions — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:54:59 +0000

The best laid plans… I mentioned to a photographer friend about a month ago that I was going to be ultra-dilligent about updating the blog. Obviously, that didn’t work out so well. I really do have grand intentions, it just seems that there are never enough hours in the day. So, once again, I’m blasting you all with sessions from the last month (or so).

And, as a sneak “keep an eye out” to those of you that blog stalk me (and hound me about my lack of posts – LOL)…..our Holiday Promotion hits the blog at the end of the month, so stay tuned!

What I’ve been up to:

Peek-a-Boo …… Honored!

contemporaryexpressions — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:31:27 +0000

If you have met me….you can probably guess who this is. Yep….my mom. No family resemblance there – LOL!! She gave me the great honor of being able to photograph her over the holidays (the woman really does not like having her photo taken). She is truly an amazing lady…I’m a lucky daughter!

New Blog….New Promotion

contemporaryexpressions — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:31:15 +0000

So, thanks to the brilliance of a photographer friend….I have a new promotion to celebrate my new blog! The Show Me the blog Love promotion is easy. As you have probably figured out by now, if you have visited often enough, I post sneak peaks of each of my sessions…so, as an incentive for my fabulous clients…I will give you a $25 gift card (for prints or future sessions up to $75) for each set of 10 comments I receive on your peek – so go on…call your friends, call your family, call your neighbors, call complete strangers…and get them to post a comment on your sneak peek —-and earn free photos — how easy is that!