April 2011

{Behind the Scenes Montreal Boudoir Session} Ottawa Wedding Photographers

If you have been following the blog, you might remember about a month ago I was in Montreal for a boudoir marathon and also do a promotional shoot with Tania Semper of efashionista.ca - a luxury lifestyle guide.

I am pleased to share with you a peek into the behind the scenes fun of getting ready for a boudoir shoot - hair, make-up, primping and all. This was even more fun than it looks! And..yes it really was mine and Tania's birthday- How else would I spend it...but doing what I love...photography!
Enjoy!

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613.769.6019

Graduation Announcements {Girls}

A few ideas to get us rolling on creating your unique grad announcement!!!

2011, Sample 1

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Sample 2

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#10

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{Happy Earth Day ~ Being a Green Earth Friendly Photographer} Ottawa Wedding Photographer

A green photographer? Even though we rarely work in film anymore and mostly work digitally doesn't mean we don't leave a carbon footprint. There are many ways to be a greener photographer from the materials that we use, the products that we offer and the way we do our business.

Part of the m photography philosophy, is to bring you a stylish mix of products that are both completely custom while being earth friendly...(I even offer vegan album options...seriously :). Our packaging, brochures and business cards are printed on post consumer recycled paper. While I would love a shiny pretty bag like the one I received from my recent Holt Renfrew purchase, I use stylish paper bags (yes I put the two in the same sentence) and CD cases made of recycled materials and they easily bio degrade once you are done with them. But I am working on some re-usable packaging ideas...

I used the amazing eneloop rechargeable batteries...and LOTS of them to power my strobes, wireless keyboards and transmitters...(take note photographers...if you are NOT using these amazing batteries...YOU MUST! Not only do these batteries hold their power for twice as long, there are hundreds of batteries not making their way to toxic disposal sites). This is a no-brainer...

Running a green business means that I am mindful of how I use energy - both natural gas and electricity. We never leave our computers running and have recently switched over to an LED big screen and monitors here at the studio. In addition, planning my routes to reduce gas usage is another mindful way to both keep expenses down and spare the environment my extra trips around town.

The studio is furnished with many restoration industrial pieces that have been re-purposed as a TV stand, filing cabinet and side table, and our main couch in the meeting area is a lovely piece that we rescued from the curb and had recovered in exquisite and earth friendly Belgian linen - hard to believe the sturdy hardwood frame would have otherwise have been in the landfill.

One of the last things that I like to do to reduce my impact on the environment as both a photographer and business owner is to coordinate all the shipping of my products so that all can be sent in one shipment as opposed to many resulting in fewer trips to the m photography studio for the UPS man. But, even better still, using labs and suppliers as close to home as possible is another great way to be a green photographer...

Whether a photographer or other type of business, there are mindful ways to be as environmental as possible and personally, I think it is important to know how, what we do every day, impacts how we will live tomorrow. And if you are a bride planning your wedding with green options in mind...don't forget about choosing a green photographer too.

Have more ideas on being a green photographer? I would love to hear more...

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613.769.6019

{Boudoir Inspiration} Ottawa Boudoir Photographer

As I get all the details in place for our latest boudoir marathon, I came across a wonderful new collection of lingerie that I am certain the most discerning of stylish brides will fall madly in love with...Claire Pettibone has been among my favorite designers and also has this stunning luxury line of lingerie that deserves a big swoon... I just couldn't help but sharing...

Claire Pettibone Luxury Lingerie - Inspiration for your upcoming boudoir photography session?

Take a peek at her 2012 look book ...

One session left for the upcoming boudoir marathon this May 1st...if you are interested contact me for details...;)

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613.769.6019

Senior Grad Announcement Samples {Guys}

A few style ideas for guys graduation announcements!

2011 Style 11

It’s a good idea to order thank you cards at the same time you order your announcements!

Style #12

Style #13

{the following styles are not my photography, only my designs}

photography credit to carrie f. photography

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Style 15

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Style 16

Style 17

Wedding Album… {Adam & Ashley}

A Million Little Details Blog, First Kiss Films, Live Love Plan and M Photography - A $10 000 Wedding Contest!

It's true!!!! In collaboration with A Million Little Details - Canada's Daily Wedding Inspiration Blog we (Melanie Rebane - M-photography, First Kiss Films and Allison Turner of Live Love Plan) are offering an awesome contest open to all 2012 brides. You could have three talented vendors capturing the magic of your big day in all it's splendor and loveliness Just by submitting your beautiful wedding inspiration board. That's it! So ruffle through your inspiration wedding folder, scour your boards on Pinterest, or Tumblr, Style Me Pretty or any other wedding inspiration blog or even Etsy...and bring your ideas to the table. We are so excited to see your inspiration come to life...and we will capture it down to every beautiful detail.

You are the first to know! It's not even live yet ....so here's a Little insider tip...apply early and make an impression!

See A Milllion Little Details - Canada's Daily Wedding Inspiration Blog for all the details! Good Luck!

See more on A Million Little Details Blog : http://amillionlittledetails.ca

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{Spring Boudoir Photography Sessions} Ottawa Boudoir Photographer

Considered among the best and most elegant boudoir photographers, we (Lori Dyck....stylist extraordinaire and I) m photography are hosting annual Spring Boudoir photography sessions in Ottawa and Toronto. The Ottawa sessions on April 30th and May 1st are nearly sold out...with one session remaining on May1st! If you or someone you know has always wanted to create one of these unique and sophisticated portraits, or you would like to find out more, be sure to contact me at www.m-photography.ca or call 613.769.6019.

Looking forward to sharing some fresh new images in the coming weeks!

Choosing Risk - Becoming a Wedding Photographer

This post doesn't have a whole lot to do with wedding photography or boudoir photography or photography really at all. It has to do a little more with what brought be here to being a wedding and portrait photographer. It was and still is...a risk. This morning I read a post that Jasmine Star wrote on her blog about taking risks. Jasmine Star is a popular wedding photographer in California. What I appreciate about her is her candor and she has a story that resonates for me. Her blog post on Choosing Risk today couldn't have hit closer to home.

I have been photographing weddings for about eight years. I LOVE weddings. I love weddings cakes, dresses, details and shoes. I love the excitement of the weddings, the emotion, the meaning of each moment. A wedding is a highlight in so many lives and I love being the one trusted to translate that experience into images that families, couples and friends can hold on to. There are fewer things more satisfying to me. Each one of my weddings is a highlight for me and I take great pride in the work I do, because I know how important those moments are and will be. It's a big job to get it right, but there is nothing that gives me a deeper sense of personal satisfaction.

Taking the risk to become a wedding photographer, was a big one for me. I left art and photography behind for a long time because I never thought I would be able to make a living at it. So after studying fine art and photography, I went on to do what I thought I should do - go to university get my degree, get a job, but the house and the car, etc...it took me a long time of chasing yet another degree in law and a certificate for massage therapy and mountains of student loans...to finally come back full circle...taking a risk to do what truly makes me happy. It makes me exhale. The risk wasn't so much what I thought it was...because to not do what you love risks the most fundamental thing about being alive...bringing your unique and authentic self into the world.

Thank you to my brother, whose life has taught me that it is both fragile and fleeting. And that there is no time to just move through day-to-day not doing what you love. Thank you CP- I'm following my heart. Thank you to my clients who believe in the work I do and have been patient as my business has grown in a surprising way and to all my friends in the wedding world for your encouragement and support...I'm looking forward to so much more ahead. I wouldn't be here in a place so genuine without you all.

Thanks for letting me just say out loud, how much I love being a photographer.

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{Boutique Boudoir Photography} Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto Boudoir Photographer

I am so pleased to announce that we have upcoming boudoir photography sessions in April in Toronto and Ottawa on April 23rd and 24th, 2011 in Toronto and April 29th and 30th, 2011 in Ottawa.

Although even before I could get this up on the blog, April 30th is now sold out :( but there are still sessions available on April 29th in Ottawa. Boudoir Sessions starting at $375.

There are some lovely surprises in store to spoil each of our wonderful clients...but you would have to be one to be in the know! Contact me for more details...

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{Inspiration - Planning a wedding for 2012 with Google?} Ottawa wedding photographer

http://www.google.com/weddings

This is a really super quick post just to FYI all you wonderful 2011 and 2012 brides-to-be about a new tool that can really help you keep all your wedding planning documents on hand, stay within budget and share your hard work all in one place.

Not only is it helpful for you as a bride, but can be a great way to share documents and details with your wedding party or your wedding planner in one place.

Google has gone all wedding on us with a helpful use of it's many useful tools into one wedding planning package featuring beautiful creative designs in collaboration with renowned wedding planner and destination wedding expert Michelle Rago.

I'm looking forward to meeting Michelle and so many of the best professionals in the wedding industry at Engage 11 in San Diego!

Enjoy and happy planning!

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Paul & Beth {Engaged} Bluffton Wedding Photographer

Paul & Beth are soon to be married & very much in love! I had a lot of fun laughing & dodging rain drops with them during their engagement session last weekend!