Melissa Munding – Photographer

Today was one of those days when I wish I would have had my camera on me.  I have a lot of these days but the reality of it is that my DSLR just gets too heavy when combined with all the books and things I already have in my backpack on school days…I have to be nice to my renewed back.  But today….today was a doozie.

As I turn the corner to pull into the Cal State Long Beach campus, things are moving a little slower than usual.  Why?  Oh because some jackass in an SUV hit a bicyclist.  The poor guy seemed to be okay and the proper authorities were already there to help out but a part of me still felt bad that this man was being so good to the world by biking rather than driving when his admirable mode of transportation was wrecked beyond recognition by some gas guzzler.  Touché.  I wished there was something I could do to help.  I couldn’t help it, it’s not everyday you see a car hit a bike…with a man on it!  I wish I had a photo of the seriously mangled pieces of metal and rubber that had previously been a bicycle.  But no, no camera on school days.

Ok, so there was nothing I could do so I made my way to a seriously sweet parking spot and started my mile long hike to my class on the other end of campus.  As I rocked out (on the inside) to Ben Lee’s “Catch My Disease” on my ipod I noticed quite the commotion to my left.  I don’t know what the purpose was, who they were, what the point was, or why they were doing what they were doing, but there was a small group of overly friendly boys (rather, young men) jovially offering FREE HUGS to passers by.  They had signs and everything.  It was so odd and so cute all at the same time.  A part of me wished I could have offered Mr. Got-Run-Over-While-Riding-His-Bike-Man a free hug.  He could have used one of those, I think.  The photojournalist in me would have loved to take pictures of these squeezable young men.  Anyone who gives away free hugs must LOVE to have their picture taken, don’t you think?  I missed out.  Because of that, you don’t get any pictures in this blog post.  How sad is that!!!  But it was such a weird day that I had to share anyway.  I don’t make you read too often, so humor me and I promise, pictures will fill my next post.

On another note, I’m STOKED about this weekend!  Tomorrow is full of fun, starting with breakfast with a super fab group of talented ladies, some girl time with one of said ladies, and finally I FINALLY get to pick up my engagement ring!  I’m so excited!  I’ve been engaged over a year and I finally get my ring.  Sigh.  The anticipation is killing me!  It’s just in time too.  I’m trying on wedding dresses for the first time on Saturday.  Woo hoo!  Wish me luck!

At the tail end of January, I was called by a couple of friends to fill in last minute to photograph an event their company was holding at the International Salon and Spa Expo (ISSE).  The company is called Nuts and Bolts and they work together with the Vidal Sassoon Acedemy and Wella Products to train the students how to run their own small businesses.  I know there’s much more to it than that, but that’s the very very basic idea.  Every year they hold an award ceremony at ISSE for the creme de la creme of their programs.  It was so much fun to photograph award recipients, up to their ears in excitement and some seriously awesome prizes.  My favorite part of the assignment was the fact that the awards were broken up into different groups and there was a runway show that I got to photograph.  I LOVED every second of it and I can’t wait to show off some photos of something completely new for me.  Enjoy!

I think this is my favorite.  I love love love all the lights!

This next one was totally the best model of the day.  Cheekbones for miles, let me tell you.

I love the patterns on the floor from the light show.

Again, loving the lights.

Yep, it’s a little over-saturated, and I’m okay with that.

Just in case they somehow make it to my blog, here are all the contest winners!  And let me tell you, these people have some seriously wicked talent and absolutely deserved the recognition.  I saw some incredible makeovers!

Last, but most certainly not least, the two lovely ladies who made my day by hiring me for this event!  Caesey and Melissa.  I randomly know both of these fabulous girls separately and they just so happen to work together for this fantastic company that I had a blast working with.  I truly hope we’ll all get a chance to collaborate again in the future!
Wanna hear the best part?  They’re using my photos on their website AND in a magazine for the company that gets sent out all over the place.  I’m totally counting this as “getting published.”  Cross that goal off the list for the year!  I can’t wait to see them in print!