February 2010

A Video Portfolio - Ottawa Wedding Photographer

I have been experimenting lately with the addition of video in my engagement, wedding, boudoir, trash the dress and family portrait sessions. It's not the easiest thing to do to remember or know the moments that will best work in video without missing the moments that must absolutely be captured as stills. I am tuning my eye and my work flow for this as I believe it adds an amazing dimension to the final presentation of the work for the client experience. Do I think that these 10 second clips of video between still images should replace a videographer (especially a good one) - absolutely not. But I sure think they provide a sweet corsage to the still images. Let me know what you think...

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
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Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

Reprieve from your Run-of-the-Mill Wedding Show- Ottawa Wedding Photographer

Are you a bride that wants to do things a little differently? Have you considered a vintage wedding dress? Do you spend endless hours on Etsy trying to find the coolest invitations, the most unique headpieces or unique jewelry and gifts? Then you will love getting out to the "indie" bridal show in Ottawa this weekend. This show hosts unique vendors who offer handmade, unique, sustainable products for the discerning bride.

Two alternative wedding shows—Wed By Hand and Bridal Bargains—have joined forces to create the ultimate event for those looking for a reprieve from the run-of-the-mill corporate wedding show and to raise money for Team Diabetes Canada. Saturday, February 27, 2010 from 10 am - 3 pm at The Courtyard by Marriott, 350 Dalhousie Downtown Ottawa Jewelry + Fashion + Makeup + Floral + Stationery + Favors + Yummy Edibles + Accessories PLUS: Hourly Prize Draws! Purchase tickets conveniently at the door for just $3!

Ottawa’s first indie wedding show, Wed By Hand, is leading a revolution in the wedding industry by bringing crafty independence to the wedding scene. One of the first shows of its kind, Wed By Hand connects couples with crafters ready to help add personalized boutique details to their special day. The show will feature a variety of artists covering everything from the lettering on invitations to the last drop of icing on a wedding cake.

You will find me - m photography - supporting this Wedding Show with camera in hand. Spot my turquoise scarf and camera combo and say "Hi!"

Happy Planning!
Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

I Heart Faces: Hands

My entry in this week’s photo contest at iheartfaces… Focus this week is on hands… I think this one of Kiahna last week finger painting qualifies!

Pam

Ottawa Spring Boudoir Marathon - Ottawa Boudoir and Photographer

The Winter Boudoir Marathon at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa was so much fun, the requests are coming in to host another in the Spring! I had such an amazing time with everyone, I couldn't wait to host another. With an amazing stylist team of Lori Dyck and Tracey Lahey each client went into their session feeling absolutely amazing and it showed through in their images. While some did it for themselves and others did it for a significant other, all agreed that they had a blast and now see themselves very differently. This is the magic of boudoir photography: to create images of women that are beautiful, intimate and elegant and make women feel incredible about themselves. As much as they are sexy, the images are a lasting testament of beauty and a celebration of ourselves that lasts so much longer than a mani or a pedi...
I hope you will be able to join us this Spring for a luxurious day at a boutique hotel here in Ottawa to capture you in this very personal and stunning portrait session.
Contact me at by phone at: 613-769-6019 or email me at melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019
http://mphotographer.wordpress.com/

Senior Photography Berne Indiana

Continuing my work on James’ Senior photos…

Planning an Intimate Wedding with Weddings InStyle- Ottawa Wedding Photographer

If you are looking for an venue for your intimate wedding or social event that has a chic new york city loft feel, then look no further than Weddings InStyle and Events InStyle. Located in the trendy Byward Market at 107 Murray Street, owner, Amanda O’Reilly takes advantage of the wonderful success of her flagship business Balance InStyle approach, built on personalized service, attention to detail and a preferred vendor network to bring high quality and value to her clients. Smaller more intimate weddings are becoming a trend as more couples are opting for an intimate soiree with their closest friends and family members while splurging on details that are personal and a unique expression of themselves. As a wedding photographer, I must say this wedding venue in Ottawa offers a rich backdrop inside and out in the Byward Market for stunning wedding images.

Events InStyle customizes each affair. The entire event space fits up to 120 guests for cocktail parties and 60 for sit-down catered dinners. Weddings InStyle takes the same turnkey approach for a memorable and hassle-free wedding day, with services that include photography, flowers, catering, hair, make-up and transportation. The intimate, well-appointed space is the most unique and modern wedding venue in Ottawa – a great alternative to the already-been-there-for-your-friend’s-wedding feel typical of most banquet rooms, hotels, city hall facilities and other comparable venues in Ottawa.

“Whether you’re looking for a simple ceremony with a few close friends and family, a reception cocktail party for 120 or something in between, we can design the perfect package for you,” says O’Reilly. “We are also proud to offer multi-faith ceremonies and can perform services in English, French, Italian and Portuguese.”

If you are interested in booking your intimate wedding reception or event with Weddings InStyle or Events InStyle, please contact Amanda.

107 Murray Street • Ottawa 613.440.4446

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
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Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

Love and Chocolate - Ottawa Wedding Photographer at the Cordon Bleu

You may be wondering, What do love and chocolate have to do with wedding photography? Well they both have to do with love, passion and pleasure. I never understood this more clearly than before I attended the chocolate demonstration at the Cordon Bleu Ottawa Culinary Arts Institute with Chef Christian Faure Meuilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) last night. He prepared Chocolate caramel, Chocolate Pistachio Cream and a to die for Ice Wine Ganache. As the chef explained, food nourishes us- it is what we need, but chocolate, it is for pure pleasure... and there is no bad pleasure. Light bulb! Chocolate is HOT and I'm not talking in a hot chocolate kind of way...I'm talking the hot steamy valentine's day kind of way. After watching the delicate way by which decadent ganache is prepared or how the chocolate is turned and massaged for cooling or with the care with which caramel is magically created from pure sugar, I could not help but liken this delicate art to that of the magic of love itself. So as you celebrate your love and pleasure... I will just add this...pleasure is for savoring...Happy Valentines Day!

Below are some of the images from this amazing experience and thank you to Erica Ehm and her wonderful team and Yummy Mummy Club and Jantine Van Kregten of Ottawa Tourism for making this wonderful event happen...I will never lok at chocolate the same!

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
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Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

James: Senior Photography Monroe Indiana

This was taken at my son’s high school… These were taken in studio (borrowed from a friend)

Boudoir Session#3 Chateau Laurier - Ottawa Boudoir and wedding photographer

For the m photography Valentines Day Boudoir Marathon, I had the pure pleasure of working with some amazing clients and a stellar stylist team at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario.
I recommend boudoir photography sessions to all my clients - it makes for a unique gift to yourself or someone special -it's always a sweet surprise ! An empowering boost of sunshine that lasts longer than a mani or a pedi, you will love boudoir!

Boudoir sessions provide an elegant, contemporary and artistic reflection of yourself. Whether you are engaged, married or single, a boudoir session is an amazing way to feel like a million dollars and have a blast doing it!

Here is an image from session #4. (Of course to respect privacy, I can only show so much! But you get the idea. This session was truly a blast! Images are only used with permission.)

Interested in booking for our Spring Boudoir Marathon in April 2010? Contact me
We will be booking another amazing luxury location in Montreal and Ottawa and treating you ladies to a fabulous session of pampering.
Interested in other cities? m photography is avaialble to shoot in locations across Canada and destinations abroad.

Hair: Lori Dyck
Make-up: Tracey Lahey

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

Boudoir Session#4 Chateau Laurier - Ottawa Boudoir and wedding photographer

For the m photography Valentines Day Boudoir Marathon, I had the pure pleasure of working with some amazing clients and a stellar stylist team at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario.
I recommend boudoir photography sessions to all my clients - it makes for a unique gift to yourself or someone special -it's always a sweet surprise ! An empowering boost of sunshine that lasts longer than a mani or a pedi, you will love boudoir.

Boudoir sessions provide an elegant, contemporary and artistic reflection of yourself. By capturing you from flattering and artistic angles, you are able to see yourself in a fresh new way. My maternity boudoir and boudoir clients are always amazed at how beautiful they truly are. Whether you are engaged, married or single, a boudoir session is an amazing way to feel like a million dollars and have a blast doing it!

Here is an image from session #3. (Of course to respect privacy, I can only show so much! But you get the idea. This session was truly a blast! Images are only used with permission.)

Interested in booking for our Spring Boudoir Marathon in April 2010? Contact me
We will be booking another amazing luxury location in Montreal and Ottawa and treating you ladies to a fabulous session of pampering.
Interested in other cities? m photography is avaialble to shoot in locations across Canada and destinations abroad.

Hair: Lori Dyck
Make-up: Tracey Lahey

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

Publish Post

Boudoir Session#2 Chateau Laurier - Ottawa Boudoir and wedding photographer

For the m photography Valentines Day Boudoir Marathon, I had the pure pleasure of working with some amazing clients and a stellar stylist team at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario.
I recommend boudoir sessions to all my brides - it makes for a unique gift and a sweet surprise! But if you just want to give your self (or have your partner give you)a boost of sunshine that lasts longer than a mani or a pedi, you will love boudoir.

Boudoir sessions provide an elegant, contemporary and artistic reflection of yourself. By capturing you from flattering and artistic angles, you are able to see yourself in a fresh new way. My maternity boudoir and boudoir clients are always amazed at how beautiful they truly are. Whether you are engaged, married or single, a boudoir session is an amazing way to feel like a million dollars and have a blast doing it!

Here are some images from session #2. (Of course to respect privacy, I can only show you some! But you get the idea. This session was amazing! Images are only used with permission.)

Boudoir Session#1 Chateau Laurier - Ottawa Boudoir and wedding photographer

For the m photography Valentines Day Boudoir Marathon, I had the pure pleasure of working with some amazing clients and a stellar stylist team at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario.
I recommend boudoir sessions to all my brides - it makes for a unique gift and a sweet surprise! But if you just want to give your self a boost of sunshine that lasts longer than a mani or a pedi, you will love boudoir.
Boudoir sessions provide an elegant, contemporary and artistic reflection of yourself. By capturing you from flattering and artistic angles, you are able to see yourself in a fresh new way. My maternity boudoir and boudoir clients are always amazed at how beautiful they truly are. Whether you are engaged, married or single, a boudoir session is an amazing way to feel like a million dollars and have a blast doing it!

Here are some images from session #1. (Of course to respect privacy, I can only show you some! But you get the idea. This session was amazing! Images are only used with permission.)

James Senior Pictures

James is learning patience… as he waits on his mother to edit his senior pictures… you know since this was the whole reason that I bought this camera and how this business idea got in the works!! And since he went out with me 4 or 5 times to take pictures… I should probably get to those… So here are a few of them… These were all take down town Ft Wayne.

Pam

Creative Self-portrait - Ottawa Wedding Photographer

In my quest to find unique, creative and contemporary images for my wedding clients, I am often times forced to throw myself into the shot to try an idea on for size. This night was no exception. While out for a night of fine dining, I could not help but notice this spot begging my indulgence. The black taffeta dress couldn't have made a better set-up against this setting either. So, I set up the shot and went for it.
And after seeing what I can do without looking...I can't wait to get one of my couples into this backdrop for some spectacular and creative wedding photography. Any volunteers??

p.s. for the photographer nerds, 'cause I know your out there...this was shot at ISO 3200, 1/5th at f4 22mm. I love the grain...custom BW in LR to leverge the graininess ....

Want to see more? View my portfolio.
Follow me on YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/mphotographydotca
Contact: melanie@m-contemporaryphotography.com
613.769.6019

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