About melissa

Melissa Agnese is a retired lawyer turned mother of two. When she isn't busy raising her gifted & talented young tots, she enjoys prettifying her new Austin home and plotting ways to become Kate Middleton's BFF.

Austin Family Photographer – Three’s Company

It’s so easy when planning a family photography session to get caught up in coordinating outfits and perfectly polished children (#hahaha), but the best part of Austin family photographer Ziem’s job is capturing those real moments that become a part of a family’s story. To that end, it just doesn’t get any more real – or really, really fun – than these boisterous three siblings, a true party of three.

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The different personalities of this party parade became evident as Ziem worked with them. First up was sweet, sporty big brother P, who had completed his first triathlon earlier in the day – at age five, no less!

austin family photographers mini session ziem photography

E, the middle sister, brought her special brand of mischievous fun, posing as if she was breaking and entering into a barn. As one does on most Austin family photography shoots, right?

austin family photographers mini session ziem photography

Finally little sister C got her chance to shine while big brother and sister took a brief but much needed break, her happy demeanor making for one happy photographer and some beautiful shots.
austin family photographers mini session ziem photography

This family runs a party house, and it’s the kind everyone wants to be the part of. We won’t name names, but from the one sibling rolling around boudoir-style on a blanket to the next displaying her rule-breaking skills larceny style, Ziem just loved telling this family’s story – when she could stop laughing from all the fun she had, that is.

Time to book those holiday card shots! Mini-session spaces are filling up quickly, so get yours ASAP – contact Ziem at z@ziemphotography.com for details!

ziem photography | contributor | austin photographers

Austin Family Photography: A Friend & A Photographer

When it comes to Austin family photographer Ziem, clients get the best of both worlds. Not only is Ziem an outstanding family photographer, she’s so personable that she can’t help but befriend her clients too. I know because, like ye olde Hair Club for Men of yore – anyone remember those commercials? – I’m not just a writer here, I’m also Ziem’s friend and client. My children adore Ziem as well, and that love and comfort level comes across on camera.

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There are plenty of photographers here in Austin, but I’ve never met a photographer anywhere who makes her clients feel so comfortable on camera. Photography is so much more than a job for Ziem, and that passion as well as that love for her clients can’t help but make us lucky customers feel like our respective selves during a shoot. Admittedly this particular session, done in honor of my daughter’s second birthday, might have been a bit easier on the making-the-subject-feel-comfortable-front, as my ham of a daughter has yet to meet a camera she didn’t like, but Ziem captured that outgoing, bubbly energy all the same.

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Alas, the camera loving gene entirely skipped the rest of this family, and that’s where Ziem’s gift of drawing out a client’s personality really shines. My son & I both never met a camera we didn’t try to avoid – an unhappy fate in this Selfie Era – but Ziem managed to sneak these wonderful, true-to-life candids of each of us.

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As a friend and as a client, I can’t thank you enough, Z, for yet another session of family heirlooms we’ll keep forever.

Mini Session season is upon us! Dates will be announced soon. Send a note to z@ziemphotography.com for more information or to get on the waiting list.

ziem photography | contributor | austin photographers

Austin Portrait Photographer – From Starting School to Senior Portraits

For Austin photographer Ziem, no time reminds her of how quickly our little ones grow than back to school picture time. This particular shoot, at creatively brilliant kids art camp Wee Warhols  (a favorite of Ziem’s kids and Ziem both), was no exception; though Wee Warhols owner Amber’s kids are young (and totally fun and adorable), it will feel like five minutes from kindergarten to when Ziem is snapping their senior photos.

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Ziem was pleasantly surprised to arrive at this shoot & find Mom had arranged not one, not two, but three vintage prop stations. In retrospect, of course, the creative settings are no surprise coming from the Wee Warhols founder herself.

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The highlights of the shoot were when little B momentarily got stuck writing the alphabet & asked Amber, “Is ‘W’ for ‘Wee Warhols‘?” and the pistachio ice cream that followed. Actually, that probably goes without saying – isn’t ice cream a highlight by its very existence? #science

austin senior portrait photographer ziem photography back to school

Thanks again to Amber both for welcoming Ziem into her Wee Warhols world and for reminding us again just how quickly time passes with these little ones. And for the ice cream – did we mention there was ice cream?

austin senior portrait photographer ziem photography back to school

Contact Ziem now to schedule senior portraits at z@ziemphotography.com!

 

 

Austin Newborn Photography – A Belly to Birthday Record

“I teared up seeing those photos with Tia.” ~ client D.A.

One of Austin newborn photographer Ziem’s favorite aspects of her Belly to Birthday program (or “B2B” in Boy Band Speak) is working with a family frequently throughout pregnancy & baby’s first year, capturing all of the details that make a baby & family unique. In the case of the Azurin family, we’re talking 9.5 (!) pounds of newborn baby unique, setting a B2B size record.

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Darling Baby M acted in typical newborn form, staying up to party during the shoot fun, then falling asleep in perfect photo pose only once Ziem had packed up all of her photography gear. Undaunted, our photographer-in-chief unpacked her camera and tiptoed back into the Azurins’ beautiful new home to snap some snoozing shots.

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Part of the magic of Ziem’s photography is her use of natural light, something was a big challenge here in Austin during our recent gloomy weather. Z managed to work within the few minutes of light to capture some incredible shots, including some with the Azurins’ special aunt or “Tia”.

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Tough as it is to upstage a newborn, Brother M stole the show, sneakily following Ziem’s instructions intended for Mom & Dad. Helpfully he also read to Z throughout the shoot, generally showed off his big brother skills, but not before introducing Z to Tia.

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From record birth weight through his birth year, Ziem can’t wait to record it all for Baby Azurin throughout his B2B year!

Interested in booking a Belly to Birthday package? Contact Ziem at z@ziemphotography.com for details!

ziem photography | contributor | austin photographers

 

Austin Newborn Photographer: The Pink of Perfection

Austin newborn photographer Ziem is lucky enough to have participated recently in not one, not two, but THREE major life events for Natalie & Michael. The early arrival of Arden provided both a pleasant surprise as well as an opportunity for Ziem to do this most recent shoot. 

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(See related work from newborn photographer Ziem)

This session was pink perfection thanks in large part to Natalie & Michael. They carefully followed Ziem’s newborn shoot preparation tips by ensuring baby was fed & burped before the session. Darling Arden snoozed throughout the shoot. She slept peacefully through being poked and prodded, including a diaper change!

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Ziem was blown away by the gorgeous nursery. It’s also worth mentioning how well Natalie & Michael have taken to parenthood. Given their sweet, laid-back personalities, it doesn’t come as a surprise.

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Baby A is lucky girl who has already filled so many (pink) hearts!

Contact z@ziemphotography.com to book your newborn session today.

 

ziem photography | contributor | austin photographers

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