When I first started this business over 6 years ago, my favorite thing in the world was to photograph newly engaged couples. Couples in love. Quiet couples. Couples who laughed. Couples who held hands and kissed. Couples in love. Life is so fresh and it’s just beginning. Their whole lives were ahead of them and they faced those adventures and memories together. Those little moments of divine love together are their affection, and the photographs that were created? They were the Love Letters.

I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day ever since I can remember…even when I didn’t have a Valentine. I have always loved LOVE. It sounds so cliche, but it’s true. I’m a huge sucker for romantic stories, hearts racing, hand holding and old fashioned affection. I am textbook hopeless romantic (although not really hopeless, as I have my dear husband of almost 8 years!). The point is, my sweet friends, is that I love Valentine’s Day so much, that I want to give some amazingly in love and engaged couple a FREE Engagement session.

Yes, free.

Being in the wedding industry, I know that some couples choose not to have engagement pictures taken for one reason or another. Whatever the reason, they can miss the wonderful experience that documents this time in their lives. A time when they are planning and dreaming together. So, I’d really love to give this chance to an engaged couple.

Here’s the deal: One lucky couple will get a FREE 1-2 hour engagement session with yours truly. They’ll also receive a DVD of the edited, high-resolution, digital images inside a beautiful, little package with a couple extra, fun goodies. 

How to Enter:

1) Visit and “Like” my Facebook page

2) Leave a comment on THIS blog post with brief details of your favorite and most inspiring love story (Romeo & Juliet, your parents, etc.)!

3) Follow me on Instagram, @sweetmelissa_b

4) Instagram a picture of you and your fiancee together. List 3 things you love about them and use the hashtag, #mbphotoloveletters AND tag @sweetmelissa_b (otherwise I won’t see it!)

*For an extra entry, ONCE A DAY, you can repeat #4 and tag 3 friends!

Contest Rules: Contest begins TONIGHT and ends at 10:00pm Friday February 13th. The one lucky couple who won will be announced on Saturday February 14th at 10:00am!

Fine Print:

– Couple must be currently engaged!

– Photo Session must take place before March 28, 2015

– Session must take place within 50 miles of California, Maryland. Location of the shoot is flexible and will be determined once couple is contacted.

– The winning couple will be contacted the morning of February 14th. The couple must respond within 48 hours of e-mail, otherwise your prize will be redrawn.

Good Luck!!!!