We’re off for a wonderful extended trip home to our Mississippi Delta roots. Courtney and Katelyn will be holding down the fort for us, but their hours will be reduced. If you call the studio or send an e-mail, don’t fret if it takes a couple of days to get a response… we’re just recovering from Christmas Card overload!! Thanks again to everyone for all the support and encouragement this year. We feel so blessed to be where we are, serving you in such a personal and memorable way. It’s truly a dream profession… and we’re grateful for each and every one of you. God has done mighty things through you… Jeff and I want you to know that we see His hand reaching out to us whenever you open our front door.

This has been our posture for the last two weeks. Katelyn has popped out a big ol’ mess of Christmas cards (I even got back in on it today, too). Between the shooting and the processing and the editing and the uploading and the designing and the e-mails and the phone calls… well, let’s just say Jeff has to keep us hydrated. But today (Friday) is the last day to order cards or wall portraits… so if you’ve been putting it off, don’t wait any longer!

I had a brainstorm last night! I want to hold a contest to give away a Portraiture by Melanie Christmas gift! Here’s what you do… just send a Christmas card to us, and at the end of the season, your card will be your entry for a free sitting AND a 16×24 wall portrait! And we’ll work on one of our days off to get you in so that you’re moved up to the top of the list, rather than having to wait a year to redeem your prize! So go ahead, pick out a cute card and send it to our home address (the studio PO Box just isn’t big enough):

Jeff and Melanie Mansfield • 1115 North Queen Street • Kinston 28501

I can’t wait to pick a winner!!!

There’s a new movement among photographers… and it’s not selective coloring! It’s cans for comments! For every comment you leave in this post between now and December 15th, Portraiture by Melanie will donate 1 can of food to our local food bank. You can be a part of meeting needs right along with us! So, all you lurkers… and those who claim they stalk me… time to come out of the shadows and leave a comment! If you don’t know what to say, just say “Merry Christmas”! Though a little note would be nice.