I will be doing some mini sessions this fall, and a handful of other
sessions that have already inquired, but really, that’s it.
Indefinitely.
No, I’m not quitting. Just taking a hiatus. It’s time. Time to spend
doing pre-school with my kids. Time to play without the burden of photo
shoots to edit on my back. Time to regain some creativity. Doing
projects like those I’ve found on Pinterest. Time to clean and organize
and purge and pack. Well, maybe not. 
If we are still here after January, I think the earliest I foresee re-opening shop would be March.
To find out more about this read here: http://tesoro-photo.com/blog/?p=2704
I first fell for photography when I was little, shooting snails
and rosebushes with my little 110mm camera. As I grew older, I realized
it was people I really loved to photograph. After high school, I studied
photography at the University of the Nations in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I
worked
at a film and print lab for a year, shooting on my own here and there.
(The first few weddings I shot were in film! ) Then I spent the next two
years working as a lead photographer for a local studio, where I
predominantly shot weddings and designed albums. I married my husband,
Randy, in 2006 and we had our first little cuddlebug in March of 2008,
and our second in June 2009. (Phew, I know that was fast, but we
wouldn't trade them for anything!) I LOVE being a mom. I also LOVE
sushi, stationery, fast lenses and my Lord and Savior, Jesus. I grew up
speaking English and Spanish, hence the name of our company, "Tesoro,"
which means "treasure."
I have been interested in photography for a while, but of
course, when I met Mel, I really got into it. I have been her assistant
and second shooter for a couple of years now, and she tells me I rock.
The Beautiful Taylor family booked one of my last sessions prior to me taking the hiatus I am on now, and we had a lovely evening running around the new Wake Forest staple: Joyner Park.
What a beautiful family–they have fun together, they appreciate each other, they listen to each other, and of course, they take lovely family photographs!! Here are a few of my favorites.
And check out their slideshow here:
Reminder, this is the last group of sessions that I will be booking, outside of those who have already inquired. For more information, check here: http://tesoro-photo.com/blog/?p=2704
Meet the McWhites. A wonderful family expecting their second child, a little girl, who decided she wanted to make her appearance much earlier than expected. I took these photos while Mom was on bedrest at the hospital, and within a week, Lily came into the world at just under 30 weeks–weighing 3 lbs, 5 oz, and doing really, really well. I can’t wait to meet her!
McWhites, you have exemplified faith and hope and love in a tangible way for all the world to see. Bless you.
Check out their slideshow here:
I wish I had the energy to fill you all in on the roller coaster ride that is our lives lately. Ah, but the rehashing seems to weary me a little more with each telling. Suffice it to say it took me a year to gear up for Randy applying for an Interim Manager program with his company. Then once I was on board, I was ready to go for June. Well, we spent from January to June praying, researching, evaluating how we were going to live on the road for the next two years. I stopped taking on sessions beyond June, I turned down fall weddings, I began packing up shop, so to speak.
June came and went. And Randy was not accepted. This was a big shock, but he was given the opportunity to interview again in August for possibly the October session of applicants. We had another month to wait, only to find out it was another “not yet” answer; he’s still in consideration for January, but there is no guarantee that he will get in. We don’t know what’s going to happen with his career, but I do know that I still feel peace about taking a Tesoro Photography hiatus.
I will be doing some mini sessions this fall, and a handful of other sessions that have already inquired, but really, that’s it. Indefinitely.
No, I’m not quitting. Just taking a hiatus. It’s time. Time to spend doing pre-school with my kids. Time to play without the burden of photo shoots to edit on my back. Time to regain some creativity. Doing projects like those I’ve found on Pinterest. Time to clean and organize and purge and pack. Well, maybe not. 
If we are still here after January, I think the earliest I foresee re-opening shop would be March.
Yes, it’s scary. I mean, what if all the people who like me to take their pictures find someone else wonderful and never come back? What if we’re here and don’t move and Randy has to find a new career path and we need to use photography to put food on the table? Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I am content trying to rest in knowing that God is in control. I read a very great blog post today by Ann Voskamp that spoke to my soul.
And this:
My true hope is in Christ. And this life is passing like a vapor. I know I can rest in that wonderful truth. Where we lived, and how great my photography was —these don’t matter to me like how I treated my children: did I nurture them, spend time with them, love them well? Did I have my priorities straight? Was I a woman who feared the Lord, who rested even when worries swirled about me like a whirlwind?
I don’t know who all of you are. I know I have a lot of followers who I don’t know– (i.e., who are you in New Hampshire?) But, I hope this is not a surprise given my gradual withdrawal over this year. I will be taking more photos for me. For my family. For fun. I may or may not post them here. I am still trying to figure it out. Nonetheless, I appreciate your following over the last three years.
I will post the mini sessions date and times this week. Please let me know if you are interested in booking.
Blessings to you all.
The B Family are friends of another wonderful family I have had the honor of photographing, and I must say, I love it when my referrals are word of mouth.
Mrs. B wanted a family photo before their daughter left to study abroad in France, so we booked a date, and got rained out (Irene)… and then we booked another date, and it was perfect, because daughter M was leaving the very next day!!
I love that this family wore bold colors that really worked well together. I think it suited their personalities perfectly. 
And check out their slideshow here:
Look at this handsome boy! Charlie was a delight to photograph—and so were his lovely parents! I love to see the joy and awe and love that new parents have for their babies; it’s so beautiful.
Isn’t this nursery adorable? I just love whales for a nursery theme. So cute.
And seriously, isn’t mom gorgeous???
Check out their slideshow here:
This summer has been so full of amazing memories. The crazy/scary/wonderful part is that I seem to have forgotten how hard having two little ones was– now that they’re bigger and easier to manage (i.e., they walk on their own, they eat three meals, they go potty, etc.) I feel like I have a whole new lease on motherhood. Don’t get me wrong, I love my babies, but unless you’ve had two babies within 14 months, while finishing a bachelor’s degree, having a (wonderful) husband finish a master’s and work full-time, run a photography business, and change your family’s eating habits to whole foods –which involves being in the kitchen *a lot*, then you might not get what I mean when I say I was in survival mode for a long time. The thing is, I wouldn’t trade all those hard days– because I think I have been more sanctified–that is, made more aware of my selfishness and other ugly sins of the heart, and made increasingly aware of my need for a savior. I am so thankful for the grace of our Lord, and his mercies which are new every morning. (Phew!)
I have been so blessed to spend so much time with our children, and now I am realizing how much more I can do with them now that I have scaled back on everything else (except, of course, eating habits). Time to get cracking and get creative with toddler projects!
And for once, I am catching up on all my personal photos for the year BEFORE December!! In fact, I will share a few from June family birthdays, which was a probably a highlight of the summer for me, we played, we ate delicious food, watched the sunset, got stuck by a quick passing summer rain, and fed some catfish as the sun slid behind the horizon– and Cana turned TWO. That’s right, folks, my baby is a toddler now. She tells me funny things, loves to pound fists, dance and majorly obsesses over plastic jewelry and anything pink. (Which I had nothing to do with.)
Grandpa got her a *pink* tricycle.
We even got to pick potatoes! This one was HUGE.
When I came across this sunflower field at a family birthday celebration, I brazenly requested that I could return once it was in full bloom. I was overcome….it was natural, beautiful, peaceful, and I thought, somebody has to be photographed here!
A couple weeks later, Randy’s cousins emailed me, told me it was in full bloom, and we planned for an evening of beautiful photos. It was wonderful. (Ok, it was roasting hot, and our daughters were less than thrilled at the prospect, but hey, we still got some beautiful shots!!!) Thank you so much, Jamie, Tracey, Addison & Miss Trudy. We had a wonderful time. We love that we were able to make these memories together.
Sometimes, getting your picture taken is scary...
This is hilarious to me. Like something off of SNL...
Sometimes what you get is what you get... this is my girl!
This handsome little man happens to be the nephew of one of my best friends in the ENTIRE world. Needless to say, I am THRILLED that I was able to capture him in all his newness! He and his mom & dad live about an hour and a half away and made the trek up on a stormy afternoon for a little photo shoot action and some hangout time…so without further ado: here’s baby Wynter!
And here’s the slideshow:
I remember the first day I met her. She wore high heels and was assigned to accompany me on an engagement session at Duke Gardens. We made small talk in the car, and I wondered if she’d like working with us. Two hours and a couple hundred photos later, Natalie had blistered feet and realized she had no idea what she was getting into. Nonetheless, she was resilient, and I had the pleasure of working with her for about a year. I grew fond of her sarcastic remarks, her hard-working attitude, her creative vision.
I remember when she first met Clay. She said he was different– and she thought she really liked him– he was hard-working, sarcastic, and loved her for who she is. (Sounds like a match made in heaven, right?)
I was thrilled–and honored– to be able to photograph their wedding in Granite Falls, North Carolina. Natalie wore some fabulous red high heels, but this time, she knew exactly what she was getting into.
Natalie and Clay, I am so happy for you both and wish you a lifetime of love. Thank you for being so amazing to photograph and for having me there with you on your big day.
Natalie’s creative vision gave birth to a wonderful vintage carnival themed reception, complete with carnival type foods, and candied apples, cotton candy, and caramel popcorn for favors! 
Shout out to my fabulous second shooter Ray Ferguson for capturing the above shot.
And check out their slideshow here:
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by Melissa-Tesoro
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