Welcome to The Whole Part Photography

This is a fascinating time for me! I am moving into a new DTC studio on March 1st, 2009, my website is being recreated from scratch and I am busier than ever with so many new photography projects. It is a great time!
Following my blog is the easiest way to see sneak peeks at my latest sessions. I specialize in photographing maternity, newborns, babies, children, families, group events, corporate portraits, glamour and modeling portfolios, boudoir and special event photography. I also photograph a lot of teenagers and high school seniors. My studio is conveniently located in the DTC area off Orchard and DTC Parkway, the exact address is:
5619 DTC Parkway Suite 175 Greenwood Village, CO 80111.
This is also the place to find out studio news and updated scheduling information. I will be posting about upcoming limited edition sessions, mini-sessions and other fun stuff. Sometimes I even need a model or two to try out some great new backdrops or props!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you soon!
One of the greatest rewards as a photographer is to hear my clients say, “that’s so him – that’s who he really is!”. I thoroughly enjoy capturing the personalities of my subjects. My camera is automatically drawn to their eyes and face, because this is where you see someone, and know them. I do everything I can to capture their “emotional life” as expressed via the face and eyes.
I strive to create images that portray the true spirit of each one of my subjects. I prefer to educe authentic expressions rather than just the posed smiles. Some of favorite photographs are not necessarily the ones with smiling faces, but those with a look of contemplation, inquisitiveness, contrariness, or wonder. I like to capture each person in their element, doing and thinking as they typically would if the camera were not present. I want to show the genuine nature of my subject, not the outfit they are wearing or a prop they are holding. I find that the experience of photographing each personality and relationship causes me to see something new. I feel so fortunate to be able to do something I love, and grow in the process. Each photo shoot for me is a learning experience and something I cherish each time I am fortunate to do this for a living.
I create works’ of art for each one of my clients to cherish forever. I want your portraits to grace your home and be conversation pieces’ for those who visit and for you to remember that moment in time.
I hope this brief tourit has given you a feel for my style of photography and a glimpse of who I am. I look forward to working with you to create lasting images that document a new life, a soulful stare, or a giggle between siblings.
Sessions can be held at the studio or on location, insid/outside location of your choice (local area), or at your home. Each of these options leads to a different look and feel. I would be glad to talk with you regarding your vision for your session and determine which option works best for you.
The Session
I am very flexible with my time and I am here for you. Since I am so accommodating to the schedules of my clients and especially the children who are my clients, it is suggested that you call to schedule your appointment as soon as you know you want photographs. My schedule can be booked 1-4 months in advance but I do everything I can to see everyone when they want to be seen. If you are interested in a newborn session, it is good idea to call before the baby is born to ensure that you can schedule an appointment for the first few weeks after delivery. I find it is best to come to you with newborns. After delivery, the last thing most new families feel like doing is heading to the studio for a photo shoot.
I never want my clients to feel rushed. Sessions can take anywhere from 1-2 hours. There is always time for a clothing change if desired. We also have time for a snack break or to regroup if necessary. Of course, nursing moms are welcome feed baby and change diapers.
The Clothing
My motto in clothing is this: simple goes a long way! I like to keep the focus on the subject; therefore, simple clothing choices are best for creating timeless portraits.
I suggest loose fitting solid colors, avoiding busy patterns or logos/words. I also like jeans, overalls, sun/slip dresses; khakis are classics and photograph well. As you gaze through sample portraits, you will see I use a lot of solid color backdrops. I like black and white, causing the subjects to be the focal point. If a black backdrop is used, it is best to not wear black. It is hard to differentiate between the backdrop and the subject. We can discuss this at the time you make your appointment.
Bare skin is my favorite on newborns and babies. You may have other clothes, but keep in mind; baby may get grouchy when there are too many clothing changes.
I suggest bringing a few outfits that you are considering and allowing me to help you make the final choice on what would best suit the look and feel you are going for in your child's portraits. I also have on hand a few items such as dresses and tutus that you are welcome to incorporate into the session.

The Investment
Session Fees
In the Studio...............$100
On location.................$150

The session fee is for the photographers’ time and talent only. Price does not include prints. The session fee covers up to 2 hours of photography, an unlimited number of images, an ordering appointment in the studio about 2 weeks after your session, and minor retouching on final portraits. The session fee is non-refundable and due at the time of booking. If a session needs to be rescheduled, the session fee can be applied to the rescheduled appointment. Please give at least 48 hours notice to reschedule an appointment.
Portrait prices vary depending on size and finish. Your images can be mounted and sprayed, finished on canvas or printed on fine art watercolor paper. Traditional desk size prints start at $5.00 for a 5x7. Please visit website for detailed pricing information.


The Working Photographer
The Whole Part: That could mean a lot of different things... when it comes to photography it describes the feelings Melissa Loid Lazar invokes with her photography. The old cliché; “A picture is worth a thousand words” fall a short of the mark. A more fitting cliché' might be: “Melissa's pictures are worth a thousand words and innumerable emotional tangents”.

Her methodology is a mixture of studio, candid party, and off the cuff visual experimentation. She's not shy about asking someone to come “out of their skin” a little to capture the moment. She's adapted to the digital medium and uses it to great advantage. The day I worked with her, she shot 9 half hour sittings, mainly for business/professional portraits. In the process of capturing the “required” shot, she also produced dozens of personality photos. The clients on this day ended up with dozens of photos to choose from, all posted on her website for purchase in an ala carte manner.

From a technical perspective, Melissa works with both natural, artificial and ambient light to great advantage. Her feel for what is not only beautiful, but also emotional is a great asset to her work. Her grasp of depth of field and framing creates engaging photos.

If you are looking for a photographer to do a lot more that just take pictures, Melissa at The Whole Part Photography is the obvious choice.

Brian Kiggins
Skidmark Pictures

Recent Testimonials:
"Thank you guys so much! These are the best pic’s of me ever!!! You both made me feel so good about myself. For my one digital copy I would like the very first pic, #1, think you knew that was the best. It will be a great pick for my website. Look forward to seeing you soon for the pin up shoot. I will be setting up some time in the close future for pic’s with my kids and family. You guys are so amazing. Look forward to working with you." ~ Celeste, January 2009
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"I've had a very hard time putting my emotions into words...Every time I sit down to try to describe how I feel about my wall, I end up in tears. The words I need to describe every little thing I love about my children are impossible to grasp. However, with the magic of you and your camera, you were able to capture all of the little things about my children! The little things that keep me going every day...the little things that help me hang on when I'm searching for a little bit of perfection in my life. All of those little things that I would never be able to describe to anyone are now hanging on my family room wall for the whole world to enjoy. The most powerful emotion I feel about my wall is this...when it is my time to leave this Earth...I pray that God will allow my life to flash before my eyes as the images I see of my beautiful children every day."
With the deepest appreciation for your art.-Amber W. Pep Club-
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"It is true that you cannot fully appreciate the wall until it is up or you see one in person. It is an "experience." I love this alternative over random 8X10s disbursed throughout the house. It is truly a work of art that captures fine details of my twins. I love the close up shots of various parts of them. You see something different every time you look at the wall. My wall is currently comprised of my girls from the 3 month session. I recently had an update done since they are six months old. As I was looking at these recent pictures, I am overwhelmed at how amazing they are. I look at them and wonder, "how did I produce such beautiful babies!?" They are truly breathtaking and I am in awe of them. Melissa captures their true essence. When I look at my wall, it makes me think of the wonder of having babies; the planning, the pregnancy, the anticipation, the birth and how the have grown so much in only six months. ; It is especially compelling after losing my husband. It is emotional to look at the wall and see the most amazing little people in my life, they are my world. I am so glad I decided to do it, and everyone who comes through the door says "wow" and can't believe it. Many want walls of their own! It truly is the centerpiece of my living room, and I can't wait to add to it!!!!!!" ~Lindsay, Highlands Ranch
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"To call our wall the best art investment we have ever made would be true, but such an understatement of its true value to our family. It has been up for nearly two years and I still find each of my children ages 9,6 and 2years old standing in front of it and looking at it regularly. It is so hard to choose which of the 144 photos to replace when we have a new amazing one to put up. Sometimes I don't tell the kids I have replaced one and wait for the inevitable shriek of glee when they discover themselves. Our wall is in our dining room which is open to the entrance of our home. Every time someone new (friend, neighbor or deliverymen alike) step inside out house they tend to stop in mid sentence and their jaw drops as they take it in. It makes me feels so proud that the personalities of my family can inspire such emotion." -Michelle Price, Castle Pines North
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"I never tire of looking at my wall. Each time I see it, I see something new and fresh. It captures and preserves the essence of who my children are at this stage of life. It is difficult to describe my wall to people. Words cannot express the true impact of the emotion it invokes. It truly captivates your senses. When people see it for themselves, they often stand there awestruck saying, "I had no idea this is what it was going to look like. " My wall is something that I treasure more as I watch my kids change with the passing of time. It is priceless!" -Nan Tirado, Colorado Springs-
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“In our home, there is a wall at the top of the stairs straight in front of the entrance. When we moved into our home a year ago I knew I wanted to do something special with the wall; something that had the WOW factor. I came across a sample of what The Whole Part Photography does and immediately I knew it was exactly what needed to be there! I was so impressed with Melissa and The Whole Part Photography from the beginning of the process to the hanging of my wall. She was great with my two young daughters’ and really made all of us feel as though no one was watching. As a result, our wall really captures the essence of who they are. It truly takes my breath away every time I catch a glimpse of it. It most definitely has the WOW factor!” -Shawnee T. Covington, Parker-
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"I can’t say enough about my wall. I met Melissa about a year ago. She was displaying her "wall" at a craft show and I fell in love with the concept. The sample wall was of her children. You can't begin to imagine the impact a wall of your own will have on you until you see it with your children. She has been out three times now to take the first set and two update sessions. My wall now has 77 framed 8x10s. Each time she comes out, I feel like it is having a long time family friend over. She is so natural with the children. They generally shy away from new people and it takes them a while to warm up. She comes in and starts shooting pretty soon after arrival but she does it in such a way that the kids really enjoy the experience. They really like her and they ask me all the time when the "lady who takes pictures will be coming back". She is great with the children but the pictures she manages to get each time she shoots amazes me. She captures them, just how she says she will, "in their element". She captures looks that I only see once in a while. She pulls things out of them I have never been able to get on my own camera. My wall is a reflection of my children past and present. My wall will be with me forever and ever changing emotion she captures."-Jill, Centennial, CO
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I am sorry that I have not done this before now but thank you for the beautiful pictures of my children. Everyone loves my wall and it is the perfect size. I am glad that we went with 48. I get so many compliments on it." Wendy Albano, SC
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"Melissa is one of the few photographers I had heard of who will come to your home to take pictures of the family. I loved that, because the home is where we're most comfortable and at ease, and in turn, the pictures she has taken of our family have turned out amazing. Melissa truly immortalized the feeling we have here with our infant son on a day-to-day basis. The wonderment of his new little life has been documented; the tiny hands, sweet smiles and precious expressions that make up our picture wall. Those are the delicious details that she has been able to capture forever in her stunning photographs." -Evita Koepke, Denver

2009 Most Influential Women to Watch
I was nominated and chosen as one of the Most Influential Women to watch in 2009.

What an honor! No matter what happens, I want to thank each one of my supporters. The 2009 Calendar of Love was very important for me to do. I have been touched by DV in my life and understand the need for an organization like this to exist, while unfortunate, necessary. Once again thank you to all who voted for me and for those who supported the efforts of the calendar.

When I read what has been written about me, I get pretty emotional. Is this me we are talking about here?

http://katrinawampler.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/drum-roll-please

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Well Deserved said,
January 5, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I find no information about Melissa Lazar posted, so let me tell you about this wonderful person. She is a single mother who has been given many challenges in her life and has “beat” them all. There is no more deserving person than Melissa to be recognized by her peers. Even though times have been tough for her she wanted to give back to others, choosing women and children in crisis to focus on. She has a keen eye for her photography this is a plus, her pictures capture not only the moment but the emotion. She has spent countless hours and her own money to put together this calendar, not to mention a consuming passion to help. Melissa is a women who could have asked for (and needed) help at times in her life, instead, she turned this “need” toward others. To me this is a woman who truly lives up to the title as one of the most influential women of 09. I put all my support behind her and hope others will as well.
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Mitchell Sayre said,
January 4, 2009 at 3:58 am
Melissa is a dedicated single mother and the mother of my children. She is a conscientious citizen and unfailing advocate for the less fortunate.
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Eric Hamilton said,
January 4, 2009 at 4:11 am
Melissa is a very caring, intelligent, and smart single mother of three children. She wears many hats in the household and within the community. She is very active in raising money for organizations throughout our local community. She uses her skills in photography to raise money for the local woman’s crises center. She will do whatever she can for her family and that shows the character that posses and the love that she has for her family.
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Keri Carlson said,
January 4, 2009 at 4:32 am
Melissa Loid Lazar is one of the most wonderful, caring, giving individuals I have had the pleasure of getting to know. As a single parent of 3 children with limited support, she succeeds in all she sets out to do and strives to go above and beyond the throws of daily existence by finding a cause to support and grace with her spirit. She works 2 full time jobs, and still finds time to be a friend, a mother, and a great pillar of our community with the volunteering of her photography efforts and the proceeds from the calendar she published this year (Calendar of Love)for the women’s crisis center.
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Pam S. -Utah said,
January 4, 2009 at 4:47 am
I have known Melissa for a very long time. She is a very dedicated, loyal business owner whom took on a large project to produce a calendar for a charity using her own time, energy and much of her own money to do so. She has spend 100’s of community volunteer hours working on the project, not expecting or wanting anything in return except that the calendar are sold so that women in special circumstances have a place that they can go for safety. The Women’s Center is vital for them and raising money for this charity is a passion for her.
I am a women who have been a victim of DV and appreciate what she has done to help those in need.
http://www.thewholepartphotography.com