Ottawa’s Premiere Wedding Show – We’ll be there!
The Ottawa Wedding Show – The Wedding Palace is only a few days away and we will be setting up shop in booth #306 to welcome you!
I am looking forward to meeting you in person and having the oppourtunity to answer all your questions about wedding photography and showcase some of the professional wedding photography services available for 2012 and 2013. I love the wedding show for the oppourtunity to meet brides and couples in-person and to make those personal connections that are not as easily established over the Internet alone.
Last year was a lot of fun and I met many of my current 2011 brides at the last wedding show – some showing up with some wonderful inspiration boards and others with their eyes wide-open to be inspired! Some of Ottawa’s best wedding planners and wedding design professionals will be in attendance and showcasing their distinct flair and inspiration for your stylish wedding. Planning and designing the wedding of your dreams is truly exciting and is an expression of yourselves as a couple – having the best people in your corner to bring your personal style to life cannot be unrrated.
This is also an excellent oppourtunity to speak directly with some of the wedding venues that you may be considering. There are some awesome Ottawa Wedding venues that will be showcased there and they will be availalble to give you an idea of how their specific venue is set-up and how it might fit in with expressing the style of wedding you are planning…
Looking forward to meeting you all!
Please visit our New Wedding Blog – Ottawa Wedding Photographer
For 2012, I have migrated to a new blogsite for both my wedding portfolio and blog. Additionally, due to the popularity of my elegant style boudoir photography. I have also launched a boutique boudouir photography site and boudoir photography blog. I welcome you to visit my new websites and blogs and look forward to hearing from you!
{Chateau Laureir Wedding details} Ottawa Montreal wedding photographers
After a beautiful and intimate Summer wedding on the main balcony of the Chateau Laurier overlooking the historic locks and Parliament Hill, a reception in the main ballroom followed with piano music and some great speeches. It was a beautiful ceremony and reception and I look forward to more wonderful opportunities to create wedding photographs in this historic and beautiful wedding venue. To respect the privacy requested by my clients, their personal photos are not included, but here is a peek at some of the lovely details that simply made for a lovely wedding day, I’ll let your imagination do the rest…
Chateau Laurier Wedding
{Miss M} Ottawa Montreal Toronto Boudoir Photographer
Boudoir is a beautiful genre of photography and it is one that I absolutely adore. For me, Boudoir is a beautiful and intimate portrait of yourself and there is a special interplay between subject and photographer that is essential for my client to relax, be herself and in the end, really see herself in the final boudoir portrait.
It is one thing to look like you are “putting it out there” for someone else all sex kitten like (which too is fun), but it is far more powerful image in my
opinion to be able to capture the authentic beauty and vulnerability of my subjects that only a lover may witness…this is magic. I am proud to say, that I rarely touch up my images but rather use light and camera angles to create the most flattering look. What I love most about this is that my clients and truly see themselves as they are – stunning- and not feel that they are looking at a “doctored” version of themselves that doesn’t feel authentic.
Here are some sneak peeks from Miss M’s recent Boutique Boudoir Session at the Thompson Hotel in Toronto. Miss M was in for hair and make-up bright and early and with her Jimmy Choo heels and a suitcase of Victoria Secret in hand…she was stunning and we had a blast. For Miss M, we are creating an elegant and sexy album that will be an amazing gift and surprise for her groom. Here are just a couple of images from her session…but there are so many more…
If you are thinking of having a boudoir photography session with m photography, as either a gift for yourself, your fiance, or someone special or if you would just simply like to celebrate a milestone, contact me for a consultation. I offer private boudoir sessions, boudoir soirees (boutique bachelorette parties) and boutique boudoir marathons quarterly.
{Wedding Details – Chateau Laurier} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
roses white
{Claire and Philippe Married} Ottawa Montreal Wedding Photographers
{Chris and Gaby Married} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
A sneak peek at Chris and Gaby’s intimate wedding at The Schoolhouse…An amazing day with her sister arriving from Venezuela by surprise. Surrounded by familya dn friends both near and far… Congratulations to you both!
Want to see more?View my portfolio.
{Megan & Adam} Married at Strathmere Inn – Ottawa Wedding Photographers
I met Megan and Adam earlier this year and we did a winter engagement session in Gatineau park to create some custom wedding invitations. Since then, time has flown and the big day arrived …and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day. Megan’s wedding dress was inspired by a McCaffery Haute Couture gown, but was exquisitely hand made by her aunt. Anyone who has tried to make a pillowcase in grade 8 can appreciate the work this must have taken and the dress was wonderful and Megan looked simply elegant in her wedding dress.
During our first consult, we also discovered that we were neighbors and both loved our local florist at Mood Moss Flowers in New Edinburgh. They did an outstanding job creating these stunning floral designs for the ceremony, the reception and the bridal bouquet.
Megan and Adam were married at the historic Strathmere Inn during an outdoor ceremony among their closest friends and family and they enjoyed a reception in the coach house afterwards….it was a beautiful day and I was so happy to be there to capture some special moments…congratulations Megan and Adam. Here are some of my favorites from the day…
 |
| Handmade McCaffery inspired gown |
{For Inspiration} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
I am waaaay behind in blogging and have so many lovely engagement sessions and weddings to post… and I will…soon. In the meantime, as I continue to edit and design albums, I am also trying to create a cosy studio space for my lovely clients to be welcomed into, view their images and plan our creative ventures. In the process of doing this, I felt it was really important that the space feel like me and be an expression of my style. I have learned a lot about what inspires me and found some vocabulary for it. Vanity Fair comes to mind when I think about the mood I try to strike with my favorite images. The mood, the fantasy, the dream, the colours…the stuff daydreams are made of (mine anyway). On the other hand, I am inspired by nature, the countryside, earth tones, stone, texture and light. I am as comfortable camping at the beach as I am in cashmere. That being said, I love couture…the materials, the craftmaship and best of all the creativity of design. I am guilty of loving print magazines too much and love Paris and Italian Vogue for inspiration. So yes, I am absolutely inspired by my European travels to France, Italy, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia…so the word eclectic definately factors into my style and inspiration. The castles, the linens, the food, the wine, the colours, the smell of the earth in Provence…And I found the perfect urban chic vintage couture inspiration blog to help me out: The Urban Lifestyle Decor blog (insert petit merci).
 |
| Tim Walker Photography http://www.timwalkerphotography.com |
How does all this translate into my style? How will I express this in the studio environment? Good question. So I hired a designer. The same designer who did the amazing and creative space for the Fraser Cafe (my local favorite restaurant) Marilyn Donahue. I loved her design instantly and think she is just amazing! She hit the right amount of modern urban chic vintage couture with natural elements…instantly!
Some of the elements I know with near certainty include a warm muted Persian rug, with a down filled Belgian linen couch and possibly a crystal chandelier (pending designer approval…of course) and an investment with one of my fav stires that I have never shopped at, Restoration Hardware.
So while the studio takes shape I will leave you with an inspirational image that I so wish I could have done myself, but was created by the truly amazing Tim Walker, and a few of my favorite finds that will soon be a part of creating the m photography studio.
Updates soon!
 |
|
| Restoration Hardware |
 |
| Restoration Hardware |
{Me, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo and the Thompson Hotel for Boutique
Awesome …brought to you by Michael Kors…
{Meg & Adrian} Wedding at Saunders Farm
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
{m is for media coverage} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
{Iva & Radomir- Married in Montreal} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
Iva and Radomir had a fun filled day surrounded by family, friends and the best of Serbian tradition. The day started with the selling of the bride, where Iva’s brother in-law was purely hilarious as the pregnant “man-bride”, but much to Radomir’s delight, his beautiful bride emerged when the price was right. Then after some festivities at the bride’s house it was off to Montreal where they were married at the Serbian Orthodox Church in Westmount, followed by a photo session in Old Montreal (La Vieux Port) for wedding photos. An after ceremony gathering at the mother of the groom’s house was a celebration and welcome to the new bride with music, festivities and dancing…Oh how much I love the Serbian dancing…was lovely to watch how much love surrounds this couple.
Special thanks to Jon Rennie of Jon Rennie Photography of Toronto for the accompaniment on the day who contributed some stunning images and lovely photojournalistic moments for Iva and Rad’s collection. People often ask me who my favorite photographers are…well he is definately among them…
Here are some of my favorites from the day:
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
{a bit about me} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
It’s been a busy and exciting week. We did a trash the dress session with CBC television which aired on the National this week, which was neato… it was a fun light-hearted session on a spectacular day that did not see a single gown seriously injured, harmed or destroyed in anyway. They will be cleaned and cherished by their wonderful and loving owners for years to come. And yes, sometimes they are even donated, consigned or sold after the shoot…it’s just plain fun.
In other news, processing images, designing albums, ordering canvas and my little studio space is still coming along but not quite finished- So hopefully by Fall all will be in place here…
I will be shooting two very interesting weddings in the next couple of weeks
As of this 4th week of August:
1. FAVORITE: My favorite perfume is a little known one that I discovered while traveling in the romantic city of love, Paris in 2006. It is the intriguing “L” by Lolita Lempicka. I am not sure by what strike of genius someone thought to bring this unusual mixture together, but I adore it and feel like it was made just for me.
The top notes are citrus and spice with bitter orange and cinnamon, with mid notes of sweet and floral from vanilla and immortal flower. The salty notes combine with spicy woody sweet notes of sandalwood and musk. It combines to create a cosy warm and mildly sweet scent that I absolutely love.
2. SHAMELSS PLUG: Still avaialble…one more session at the Boudoir Marathon in Toronto on September 26th…1 Spot left! psst…call me 😉
3. STATUS: I have 6 +1 weddings left to shoot in 2010 one of them will be at Strathmere tomorrow ..can’t wait. I have approximately 15 weddings left to edit from 2010 (therein lies the majority of my work…edit edit edit…) and I do not appear on the 1st, but the 5th or 6th page of google under “Ottawa Wedding Photograpers” because I still know more about creating purty pictures that Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
4. PERSONAL: When I am nervous I can’t stop talking…and really wish I would.
5. WEAKNESS: Among many…I have a weakness for Nars make-up…some of the most beautiful pigments I’ve ever seen. I purchased “burn it blue” – now I just need to find a make-up artit who can show me how to wear blue eyeshadow without looking like the 80s called…
6. DISLIKE: When I forget my bathing suit on a perfect sunny day and a freshwater quarry is staring me in the eyes.
7. LIKE: Swimming at nearby McKay Lac in Rockcliffe and for that, and many other reasons, I will likely never leave Manor Park.
8. PEEVE: Figuring out insurance policies-post car accident.
9. FAVORITE MAGAZINE: I LOVE Vanity Fair magazine and take inspiration from it in my work.
10. RANDOM:I use a McGyvered Coach Bag in turquoise leather as my shoot sac on location to carry my lenses, cards, batteries etc…I may have to do a blog post on this DIY in the future
11. AMAZING: There was sa stunning rainbow that appeared last evening after the rain…it was beautiful and not a soul in the street.
A bientot! Have a great week!
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
{M is for Media Coverage-Trash the Dress} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
{a bit about me Thursday} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
What girl doesn’t need a day dedicated just to herself? Yeah would be nice…but right now, in the height of a very busy wedding season, there will be none of that for me. Instead, I thought I might take a moment to connect, if only to end my blogging dryspell. I have had some wonderful weddings this summer, from large flamboyantly joyous ones to warm intimate and …dare I say many have left me bleary eyed…Love is a beautiful thing. My favorite destination wedding to date has got to be my recent European wedding in the Czech Republic with Katie and Jiri…I have always wanted to travel there and it was an amazing occasion. While in Prague, I took advantage of the rain to get up at 5:30 am to capture an image of the St. Charles Bridge with only myself and a lone spectator with an umbrella there. Anyone who has visited the bridge before, knows what a hive of activity it can be and how rare a moment this can be…
As of this 3rd week of August:
1.FAVORITE SONG: Stereo Love by Edward Maya and Vika Jigulina – I have purchased all available remixes available on itunes.
2. SHAMELSS PLUG: I suspect Stereo Love will be rocking the next Boudoir Marathon in Toronto on September 26th…1 Spot left! psst…call me 😉
3. STATUS: I have 6 weddings left to shoot in 2010.
4. PERSONAL: I crashed my 1999 VW, it is a total loss and need to buy a new car
5. WEAKNESS: I succumbed to my weaknesses for awesome glass once more and purchased the Canon 100 mm f 2.8 IS lens which I have been lusting after for several months…Look out details…here I come. I am now lusting after a 35mm prime lens (I have a sick obsession with primes)
6. DISLIKE: I really dislike KD…this is a non food.
7. LIKE: Clients that truly appreciate the hours of time I invest in the work I deliver to them-doing things well really takes time…thank you to all of you 😉
8. PEEVE: while I love videographers and appreciate their work…I so hate it when they are in my shot and they are wearing bold stripes.
9. FAVORITE WEDDING MAGs: I subscribe to both the Western and Eastern Canada editions… Wedluxe – The DayDream Issue www.wedluxe.com
10. RANDOM: I didn’t know how much fun mustaches on a stick could be until Marianne and Rob’s vintage garden party wedding last week…check out Whisker Works if you too they are fun too! On the topic of moustaches…you must see the Stunt Double Circus sometime …often seen busking the Byward Market- Amazing.
AMAZING: My new favorite pair of jeans by Hudson Jeans…killer. I heart Hudson…XO A bientot! Want to see more? View my portfolio.
{Destination Wedding -Czech Republic- Katie-Jiri} Ottawa Montreal Wedding Photographers
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
{N & S Married at the Schoolhouse} Ottawa Wedding Photographer
N & S were married in an intimate and touching ceremony At the Schoolhouse in Munster surrounded by their closest family and friends. It was a pleasure to both get to know them as we shot a beautiful engagement session in Ottawa this summer, but it was even sweeter to meet their family and feel as if I was not only capturing this special moment for them, but was also a part of it…Here is one of my favorite images from our day…
{Hilton Lac Leamy Wedding- Emily & Martin-Sneek Peek} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
I first met Emilie and Martin over a huge plate of Oysters at one of my favorite haunts, The Fraser Cafe. Emilie has a gentle spitfire and Martin is outgoing and fun loving- they are an amazing compliment to each other. The two had their marriage ceremony at the MacKenzie King Estate in Gatineau and then were swept off in a convertible BMW to join their family and friends for an elegant reception at the Hilton Lac Leamy. While the gentleman stayed at the Hilton Lac Leamy, they took in the full experience and all got pedicures at Amerispa and painted their toes green to match their suits! Now that was a first I’ve ever seen…and it’s captured in digital! Can’t wait to share more….
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019
{Miss D-Elegant Boudoir} – Ottawa Boudoir Photographer
Boudoir sessions can be a huge boost to a woman’s confidence. It is one of the most rewarding things for me as a photographer to see the moment a woman totally trusts me to see her as more beautiful than she can imagine herself, and for her to see herself as truly beautiful in her images…it’s awesome.
Many of my clients want to create boudoir images for someone special, but in other cases they purely want these images for themselves.Thank you to my wonderful client for letting me share some of her intimate images with you.
Thank you also to Chapeaux de Madeline in the Byward Market for providing her lovely couture headpieces. Please visit her to see more of her stunning bridal veils and head pieces. Thanks also to Victoire in the Byward market for providing the lovely vintage furniture and jewelry.
What she said:
“My boudoir shoot with Melanie was such a great experience. She was wonderful to work with – her enthusiasm, energy and ability to make her client’s feel comfortable (and sexy!) made for an enjoyable and fun time. She has a natural talent for what she does and brought out the best in me. I am extremely happy with the photos, they are beautiful and unique! “
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019
{Miss C-Elegant Boudoir Session} Ottawa Wedding Photographer
Miss C and I had a super fun session at Andrea Harper’s elegant Cherry Blossom Dance Studio. I just love her beautiful lily tattoos and she is an amazing and talented dancer. Here are some of my favorites!
Look for M in the Fall/Winter issue of Wedluxe | Ottawa wedding photographers
The much anticipated issue of Wedluxe magazine, Canada’s Luxury wedding magazine, has finally hit news stands and I could not be more pleased to be represented there among the Wedluxe Glitterati. m photography can be seen on page 115 promoting one of our specialties- boudoir photography. This stunning magazine provides potential brides with some amazing inspiration and provides some of the very best resources for wedding planners, such as Ottawa-based Marry Me Productions, invitations such as Letterpress specialists Papillion Press and an array of some of the leading edge wedding photographers available.
This issue is especially enchanting- the Daydream issue. Full of fantasy concepts that lend to stunning images that will truly inspire the discerning bride. Available June 21st – enjoy!
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019
{Destination Wedding in the Czech Republic} Destination Wedding Photographers
I had the wonderful oppourtunity to shoot a destination wedding in Mariansze Lazne just outside of Prague, Czech Republic with an amazing couple Jiri and Katie. Having traveled all over the world, Katie and Jiri were thrilled to organize their wedding back in the Czech Republic where he was born. They have been together for 9 years since high school and their love for each other is amazing. They were married at Becov Castle and followed with a reception at the gorgeous Esplanade Hotel. Due to my own wanderlust and love of adventure, I was thrilled to accompany them on their day and to capture this truly magical wedding surrounded by their closest family and friends. While just about everything at this wedding was five-stars… this couple was nothing but down to earth and the bride even did the “worm” on the dance floor to open up the dancing for the evening…it was so much fun…I truly hope you enjoy these images as much as I did in capturing them. I wish them an amazing honeymoon as they start their adventure together traveling to other amazing destinations nearby in Italy, France, Austria and Germany. I can’t apologise for the length of this post. There were so many more I could have added…
At the end of the night…a kiss from the bride and groom for me…a job well done!
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019
{New Leather albums} Ottawa Wedding Photographers
I am pleased to note that one of my favorite album companies, irisbook is now adding leather covered to their already stunning line of silk covers. They offer a modern and contemporary option for your wedding or boudoir album. I can’t wait to order a sample in my favorite blue!
I love irisbook for luxury look and feel, and especially love their image wrap and silk presentation box combination- an excellent option to showcase your favorite wedding or boudoir image.
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019
{Ottawa Montreal Wedding Photographers} m photography 
