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Dallas Wedding Photography bio picture

Welcome to my Blog!

My name is Melinda Leal, and I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I have done photography since I was in high school using a dark room and 35 mm camera! I LOVE photographing love and life because it's a beautiful thing! My inspiration and drive comes from my husband and children. Jonathan and I have been married almost 8 years and it has been a great ride! I love him with all my heart and soul....and can't imagine my life without him. We have 3 children together and let me tell you, each one is a ray of sunshine in my life!

Before I decided to do photography, I went to cosmetology school at Ogle. Then shortly after that I enlisted in the U.S. Army. That was one of the BEST decisions I have ever made. It helped shape me to who I am today. Some of the things I love: fajitas, Don Pablos chocolate volcanos, my kids cheeks, their laugh, my husbands eyes, softball, ANY military movie, chick flicks and most of all MY LIFE! Please feel free to contact me with any questions....I hope you enjoy my work!

Christopher & Deidri Tate: Wedding Part II

Before I post this wedding, I want to first say that I REALLY appreciate Deidri’s patience. My husband had knee surgery which threw back ALL of my editing and my schedule was almost at a hault. Deidri has been SO patient and completely understood, even though she was sooo anxious to see! So thank you Deidri for your understanding. Now, on to the show! I had a great time at the Tate’s wedding!! They are sooo relaxed and super easy going. Deidri did not have a nervous bone in her body and if she did…we never knew!!

Deidri and Chris, I wish you the best luck living the Military life. Chris, I thank you for your service to this country and to protect my freedom. I pray you two will live a long, fruitful and blessed life together!

Marlaina Ortiz - Their wedding looked very simple and elegant....you definitely captured it well! Good job Mel! AND they make a super cute couple!August 25, 2010 - 1:26 pm

Tommy Sunny + Rian Abraham: She said YES Part II

I put a sneak peek of Tommy’s proposal to Rian a few weeks back, to see it click HERE, and finally I am putting up part 2! I just LOVED this proposal. As I have stated in their sneak peek, I know Tommy from work. I think I was more excited about his proposal to Rian then he was :)  Here is the morning as Rian walked into the venue. She had no idea this was taking place however her friend knew EVERYTHING! As they walked in I wanted to act like I didn’t know anything about what was going on, so I was just taking random pictures as they entered. Rian looked around, and her face had confusion written all over it! Then I turned my camera to her face and she was looking at me like “WHAT IN THE WORLD IS SHE DOING!” lol, it was GREAT! Tommy appeared from behind the curtain and she quickly began to see what was going on! She was so shocked and couldn’t belive what was happening. It was a beautiful moment, and I was lucky to be a part of it.

Iam thankful that Tommy asked me to photograph his proposal. I was so taken back by my emotions and how it brought me back to my own proposal! I loved every min of it! Here is a glimps of their new journey…..

I fell in LOVE with the ring he choose for her! It was BEAUTIFUL!

Marlaina Ortiz - How cute :)August 20, 2010 - 1:00 pm

Reenu - Love it.... so happy for you both!!!August 22, 2010 - 5:33 am

Lead by Example: Billops Family

Sherrie and I met at Vivian Field Jr. High and were friends from the begining. She has always been a great person with a personality that was so inviting! We ran into eachother again during a mutual friends “weight loss” competition, which Sherrie was the one of the biggest loosers! :) To see her transformation click HERE. Since then, we have kept in contact and she has involved me with her family. I choose to blog today about the Billops family because it’s one of strength, dedication and true unconditional love. I adore Uncle Bobby (her dad) who is just as sweet as sugar! He is so humble and has the ability to put calmness in anyone with his presence. The second man in her life, her husaband Kenneth Jones, is truely a God fearing man. He’s so involved with the youth in the community and a great mentor! Next we have her sister Stephanie (little Jala’s mom) who is just the nicest person ever! She’s always smiling and just sooo sweet! Last but not least, the baby sister Brandi! This one is the spit fire of them all! She’s got spunk, an outgoing personality and from what I can tell….the dancer of the family! LOL…

Thank you Sherrie for being a great friend. Thank you for sending inspirational messages to my email at just the right time. Thank you for supporting my photography in every way you can. Most of all, thank you for being you. You are an inspiration to us all and I thankful to have a friend in you!

Marlaina Ortiz - **WHISTLE** Skinny minny Sherrie!!!! Very cute picture!August 20, 2010 - 1:02 pm

Tameka Hart - B.E.A.U.Tiful Cousin you look good,you go girl!!!August 20, 2010 - 7:09 pm

Jesenia - WOW Amazing and you described her to the T!August 20, 2010 - 7:41 pm

Sherrie Jones - Mel, I'm still speechless...You are such a genuine & giving person. Thank you for all you've done for us. I appreciate your friendship more than you know. (Thank u Marlaina!!!)August 23, 2010 - 3:28 pm

80’s Theme: Childrens Portraits

I did a sneak peek a few weeks back, but I really do love these children’s portraits! Kelly had the idea to shoot an 80’s theme, so her children wore fun clothes and did their hair AND picked some fun places for pictures. I LOVED the colors in all of these pictures. This was a lot of fun….thank you Kelly!

Marlaina Ortiz - OMG Avery is so big and cute!!!!!!!! The twins have gotten so big! Very cute idea!August 13, 2010 - 1:31 pm

Orlando + Kristi Wedding: Part II

I just LOVED this wedding! The colors were so vibrant and beautiful! I think my favorite part (other then the Bride of course :) ) is the BUTTERFLIES! I LOVED IT! I had a hard time trying to pick the perfect pictures to feature on my blog because I really loved Kristi’s wedding.  As you will see I went crazy on the details! HAHA!! To see Part I of her wedding click HERE.

Kristi & Orlando, thank you so much for a great time at your wedding! I am so happy for you two.

Marlaina Ortiz - I LOVE IT!!! The wedding is so pretty! Orlando has a beautiful wife!!!!!August 13, 2010 - 1:33 pm

Tommy and Rian Proposal: She Said YES!

Tommy and I used to work together, and I am not sure how I approached the topic, but I asked if he was getting married and needed a photographer! (I didn’t beat around the bush) :) He informed me that he had a girlfriend and wasn’t sure at that time when a wedding was going to take place. Well time passed and he sent me a message on FB asking for proposal ideas. Needless to say, I was SOOO EXCITED! I gave all sorts of ideas, but I will say that he pulled off his own perfect proposal without ANY of my ideas! I wanted to put a teaser up, this wasn’t the typical photo shoot, but every shoot has a teaser! :) Stay tunned for part II as well as Rian’s proposal story.

I just want to add that Rian is going to be a BEAUTIFUL bride! She’s amazing and has a great personality! Rian and Tommy are GREAT for eachother!

Tommy Sunny - That is one handsome dude! That girl ain't too bad either. Can't wait to see more...August 11, 2010 - 3:50 am

Marlaina Ortiz - I remember him from Tipicos!August 11, 2010 - 9:50 pm

Abigail Martinez - Adorable!! =) congrats to them!August 12, 2010 - 10:06 pm

Greg + Kate Wedding: Teaser!

 Greg was stationed in Germany where he met Kate and well….the rest is history! When I talked with Greg he was out of the U.S. Army and living in Germany as a civilian. He informed me that they were getting married in Dallas and needed a photographer. OF COURSE I was delighted to be given this opportunity.  Kate’s  family flew in from Latvia to witness her special day and I must say, I LOVED to hear her talk….what a beautiful language! :) This is just a teaser from their special day, please stay tunned for her wedding blog.

Greg & Kate, thank you so much for the opportunity to be your photographer. You two are just amazing! I had a great time and can’t wait to post the rest of your wedding. May God bless your union and your hearts to always love……

Melissa Marquez - Awesome job Mel!!!! love them !August 11, 2010 - 3:09 pm

Introducing: Little Pink Shamrock

My little sister Marlaina has always had a desire to design.  It is a given that at any holiday or special occasion, she is hand making all of her gifts! I mean really, who has time to make all of their presents these days?!?? Marlaina does. lol. When she decided to go to the Art Institute of Dallas, I knew she had found her calling…..and could see how she excelled!! Now when she comes to my house I have to hear how a table would look better here, or a picture would look better there….or better yet, I probably shouldn’t decorate my own house without her! :)

Since I have started my photography I have encouraged her to do the same with her dream. I LOVE to dream big and live in it’s glory; so I was SUPER excited to hear she decided to make her own dream a reality. Here is her photoshoot we did for her website Little Pink Shamrock. (click on link name to view site)

Marlaina Ortiz - LOL Mel im not even that critical at your house, I just feel like you put things on the wall with a blind fold on; KIDDING! You know im not that bad! Thanks for pushing me to get out of my comfort zone and get things started! LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!July 27, 2010 - 2:47 pm

Melissa Marquez - LOVE them......Your sissy is so pretty!!!July 27, 2010 - 6:47 pm

Laura Abad - So proud of you MO! Dont forget us little people on your way to the top!lol remember how you helped with some of the table decor for our wedding? :) You have a great eye for things! I wish you the best hun!July 28, 2010 - 2:25 pm

Sherrie Jones - Marlaina, Go Girl!!! Dont forget about the little people when you blow up! :) Congratulations and God Bless Your Business!August 24, 2010 - 1:44 am

Sharla & Bryan Wedding: Part 2

OK, so as I am finishing up Sharla’s wedding, I am realizing that there are tons of pictures that I absolutely LOVE!  I can’t say enough words that explain how awesome this couple is and not to mention how they turned their swag ON during their wedding. To see part 1 of their wedding click here. I will say that my husband was SO jealous of this wedding because the Groom and groomsmen were able to wear sneakers and hats…and not to mention the Nintendo remote cake!!!!!

Sharla & Greg, you two are SUPER awesome and one of the most down to earth couples. I enjoyed your company and wish you both a blessed and happy marriage….you two are PERFECT for eachother! :)

Kelly is Bryan and Sharla’s friend and Pastor. I LOVED her style and her positive energy. She was the SWEETEST thing and not to mention she’s in the military! 

Introducing the infamous NINTENDO CAKE! :) I LOVE IT!

Melissa Marquez - Love them !! Awesome Job Mel! I had fun at this wedding! THey are such a cute couple!July 27, 2010 - 12:37 pm

Marlaina Ortiz - So cute!!! The whole wedding had an over all great feel. Even the pastor fit right in!!!July 27, 2010 - 1:01 pm

Sharla Garrett - OMG I can't stop looking at these pictures! I hope you know how much we appreciate you capturing the best day of our lives and just making it that much more amazing!July 27, 2010 - 6:02 pm

Brian - They look awesome! I would'nt have wanted anyone else to do the pictures. You're awesome Melinda!!July 27, 2010 - 6:19 pm

Michael & Candace Wedding: Part II

As I am listening to “Love Song” by Tesla, I finally finished Candace & Michael’s wedding. I am sure they have been biting their nails off waiting for this final post! I LOVED the colors Candace choose for her wedding! This post is a little longer and that’s because I couldn’t narrow down the pictures that I liked! I could have easily posted half of their wedding album! haha. 

Candace I hope you and Michael have a fun, loving, blissful and blessed marriage!

I asked the girls to do a fun pose, this is what I got! I loved their fun spirit! The whole wedding party was GREAT!

The Grooms men were the greatest!!!! They allowed me to take all kinds of pictures and they played along :)

This final picture of Candace was my absolute FAVORITE picture!!! I LOVE IT! Candace you are truely amazing!

Monica Salazar - I love both of the ones where she is alone and looking at you.July 19, 2010 - 5:43 am

Marlaina Ortiz - I love these!!!! I agree the colors were a great choice OK Candace so was the groom :)July 19, 2010 - 1:04 pm

Melissa Marquez - Awesome job girl !!! love them!July 19, 2010 - 3:57 pm

Celina Gomez - Hey chica, these look amazing!!! I love them. CJuly 23, 2010 - 4:59 am