Catherine | Vancouver Maternity Photography

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I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my niece…due this week!  Back in February I was in Vancouver to shoot a wedding, and took the opportunity to take some maternity photographs of my sister Catherine at Crescent beach.  In typical Vancouver style it was wet, damp and cold, far from ideal for a maternity shoot.  None-the-less this was my only chance to photograph my sister before heading back to Toronto. It was probably my quickest shoot ever but I was happy to be able to capture her pregnant to share with the rest of our family back east.  This will be her first child, and she and her husband Jason are super excited to finally meet their daughter.  I can’t wait to get the phone call, and I REALLY can’t wait to squeeze and photograph the newest member of our family.  Good luck Cat!

Mel xo

Vancouver Maternity photography, Toronto Maternity Photography

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April 11, 2013 - 7:51 am

Maria - I love the mood of this shoot. Very serene despite the cold you speak of. Goodluck to the parents-to-be

July 9, 2013 - 4:19 pm

Meaghan - Absolutely beautiful. I love how you incorporate the surrounding environment as creative elements. Amazing!

Andre + Heidi | Evergreen Brickworks, Toronto Engagement

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What could be better then an engagement shoot with two cuties in love and soon to be married!  I met up with Andre and Heidi at the Evergreen Brickworks where we braved the spring chill and shared some good laughs.  I always view an engagement shoot as a great opportunity to get to know my couples better and to capture a little piece of their love through the lens.  Not only were Andre and Heidi a fun couple to be around, but it was clear to see that they belong together.  After the shoot we indulged in some hot chocolate and tea to thaw out our hands, but with the spring we have had thus far, we were lucky it didn’t snow!

Andre and Heidi, thanks for a great shoot.  I’m truly looking forward to your Thompson Hotel wedding in a couple weeks.

Mel

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April 5, 2013 - 3:49 pm

Keivn Gomes - You guys look amazing. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun! Awesome pictures!

April 5, 2013 - 6:37 pm

Lari Langley Taylor - Heidi! These are amazing pictures. They capture your beauty and spirit XO

April 5, 2013 - 7:49 pm

Sarah - Cute photos! You really capture the “moments” that make the most honest photographs

Amy + Harvey | Trash the Dress | Tulum, Mexico

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I can’t even believe I have waited this long to post images from the amazing adventure I shared with Amy and Harvey in Tulum Mexico.  To say this wedding and post-wedding shoot was EPIC is an understatement!  Their wedding was gorgeous, simple and intimate.  You can view images from their actual ceremony day in a previous blog posting here:)

What I have yet to share are the days following their nuptials, which include a 6am sunrise shoot, a full afternoon shoot in the warm sunlight and 2 underwater sessions!  It is a dream to work with clients like Amy and Harvey, willing to do and try anything and to allow the time to get creative and work with the best possible light, something that rarely occurs on an actual wedding day.

The sunrise shoot was absolutely stunning! Just being there in the moment witnessing the colors of the sky as the sun rose above the horizon line was pure magic. I think we were all in awe of the beauty of the moment, and the photographs speak of this quiet time we shared.  We then hit the beach to continue to watch the sunrise over the ocean and the golden light of the early dawn was a photographer’s dream to photograph….

 

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On a separate day we chose to photograph around the bohemian inspired Tulum beach area.  Far from the crowds of the bigger resorts we were able to find some colorful nooks and crannies, including and abandoned bar, a beautiful pathway lined with weathered wood, and of course a cliff over looking the ocean.  Amy and Harvey made every location that much more beautiful with their effortless love for one another and ease in front of the camera.  Days like this really make me  appreciate how lucky I am to do what I do.

 

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And what would a trash the dress session in Mexico be without some underwater photographs?!  Anyone who has watched Verve’s blog over the past few years knows that underwater photography is something that I have experimented with for years.  Mexico has the most amazing cenotes, which are a natural phenomenon of crystal clear subterranean water bodies, which can make for some unique photographs.  These shoots are so much fun, and you never know what results you will end up with.  Amy and Harvey were such troopers, diving down over and over again.  We definitely shared had a lot of laughs and swallowed water creating these moments but it was all worth it in the end.

Happy anniversary you two! This blog was a long time coming, and has some of my favorite memories and images ever!  There is nothing more special then witnessing a couple experience the same love and friendship that I have in my own marriage. It truly was a blessing and an adventure to document and share this momentous time with you. Thanks for an amazing and “EPIC” time in Tulum.

Mel xo

 

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March 19, 2013 - 9:46 am

Shannon - Simply gorgeous! I love the soft palette of colors in the shoot, and absolutely love your underwater pictures. My favorite is the kissing shot of course. I’m in love with your photography.

March 19, 2013 - 11:10 am

Jasmine - WOW! So gorgeous and dreamy. I wish I could get married again. I would want you to photograph me in all these amazing locations.

March 19, 2013 - 11:28 am

Elizabeth - So soft and pretty and romantic. Swoon! What a gorgeous couple and gorgeous imagery. Your work is so feminine and whimsical. I look forward to all your posts.

March 19, 2013 - 5:59 pm

Michelle - These look like they should be in a travel magazine! Who wouldn’t want to get married in Mexico with a photographer and photos like these? Huge fan of all your work. Keep the beauty coming.

July 9, 2013 - 4:35 pm

Meaghan - Pure magic. Perfect light on the beach. So absolutely lovely.

Bite Me Bakery | Toronto’s Cupcake Shop with Attitude!

Bite me Bakery, Toronto commercial photography

I LOVE to venture off and photograph outside of my regular genre, meet new people, and form new friendships in a creative environment.  I recently had the opportunity to team up with Tania Semper founder of eFashionista, to shoot the promo photographs for Bite Me Bakery, Toronto’s first cupcake shop with attitude.  This cute little shop located on St. Clair Avenue West specializes in bite-sized, low calorie cupcakes and desserts.  Not only does this bakery fulfill every woman’s childhood dream, but they’ve got over 40 tantalizing/shock provoking flavors to choose from including: Strawberry Striptease, Twisted Bxxxx and Hot Mess Mango!  Bite Me Bakery’s creator, Dayna Richardson pushes the boundaries and brings fun and flirty back to the kitchen.  Lush Brush Hair and Makeup did all the beautifying of Dayna and Tania, while Fuscia Designs created the high heel florals…so cute!

You can follow Dayna and Bite Me Bakery on Facebook, and be sure to check her website for catering and other services.  To unleash your inner princess check out Tania’s services at eFashionista and be sure to “like” her Facebook page to keep up-to-date on all things luxurious.

Thank you to all involved in this creative shoot, it was so much fun from start to finish!  Tania, I look forward to the fun we will have collaborating on new and exciting projects, and growing our friendship  over Photoshop talk and Mochachinos.

Mel xo

Toronto commercial photography, Bite Me Bakery

March 7, 2013 - 10:45 am

KC - Great shoot!! Looks like it was fun and no doubt tasty with all those cupcakes and treats!!

March 9, 2013 - 8:56 am

Shannon - Such a cute a flirty shoot. I love the colors and the naughty and nice dynamic. Makes me want to go there just to experience it all.
Good job.

Mikaela + Matt | Sault Restaurant | Daylesford, Australia

Its not often you get to fulfill a dream, so when the opportunity presents itself you have to go for it!  This is how I came to photograph Mikaela and Matt’s wedding on a lavender farm is Daylseford, Australia.  My sister Ashleigh currently resides is Melbourne Australia and it is because of her and her beau Hayden (brother of the bride) that this opportunity arose.  I have always dreamed about photographing a wedding at a lavender farm, but the fact that this was also in Australia was a too good to be true!

The wedding day itself was perfection…amazing weather, a picturesque venue and wonderful families and friends that welcomed me (and my family) with open arms.  Mikaela was simply radiating with excitement when I arrived the morning of the wedding and I instantly fell in love with her lace Luci Dibella dress.  Then I saw her bridesmaid’s dresses by Anna Campbell, and wow, I knew this wedding was going to be GORGEOUS with touches and details I would fall in love with.

When we arrived at Sault Restaurant, the sun was perfectly peeping through the trees of their ceremony location and I was excited to witness and document the events to follow.  Mikaela smiled and laughed the entire walk towards her groom, and Mr. Thomson looked so proud to have his daughter on his arm.  As Mikaela and Matt exchanged vows there were many tears shed by their families and guests.  I’ll even admit to a tear or two myself!  Following their nuptials we hit the lavender fields, something I was excited to do all day.  The evening lighting was gorgeous, soft and warm just as I had imagined it to be and Mik and Matt were so happy in love.  The rest of the evening was filled with laughter, more tears and plenty of wild and crazy dancing.  It was a day to remember and one of my all time favorite weddings.

I am really excited to also have had this wedding featured on  Style Me Pretty Australia so please be sure to check out more images from Mikaela and Matt’s wedding here:  Daylesford Wedding at Sault Restaurant from Verve Photo Co.

A very special thank you to Mikaela, Matt, Hayden, Ashleigh and the Thomson Family for including me and my family in all the wedding festivities.  We really felt at home with you all, and we  look forward to our next visit.

Mel xo

When photographing Mikaela’s beautiful bridal bouquet, it was pointed out to me that her Grandpa’s war medal was attached as her “something old”.  I had a realization in that moment that 2 years prior at my own wedding, Mikaela’s brother Hayden received a phone call that Pa was ill as we walked the beach of Tofino.  Now, fast-forward a couple of years and here I am photographing this memento of Pa. It was a bittersweet moment that really made me feel tied to this family…

Before the reception commenced I was able to sneak in a few family photos:)  Here is my sister Ashleigh with her beau Hayden and my daughter Bijou.  Although I didn’t get to see much of my little girl while I was shooting I thought she looked adorable in the little outfit Ashleigh had purchased for her to wear to the wedding.  Special thanks to Hayden for capturing the photo of Bijou and I in the lavender field.  We had a little playtime in the golden sunlight before heading inside Sault Restaurant.

The décor, cake and florals were simple and elegant.  Each table was adorned with a variety of fresh blooms in different shaped vessels and shades of pastels.  The florist Brooke from Whitemoss really made the room look soft and romantic, just as Mikaela had envisioned.  The cake was created by Sweet Tiers and perfectly tied in with the colors and ambiance of the room…and it was delicious!

Guests were entertained all evening with fabulous live music by The Baker Boys Band.  The dance floor was alive and the party was heaps of fun to photograph.  Even my daughter Bijou was tearing up the dance floor and personally cheered and clapped for the band after each song!  Best dancer of the night…hands down, Mikaela’s dad Mr. Thomson.  He was the life of the party!

February 22, 2013 - 11:07 am

Meaghan - I absolutely love the elegance of these images. Beautiful Mel. Absolutely beautiful!

February 22, 2013 - 11:07 am

Meaghan - I absolutely love the elegance of these images. Beautiful Mel!

February 22, 2013 - 2:14 pm

Jasmine - ABSOLUTLEY GORGEOUS! I am in awe of how beautiful this wedding is. The bridal portraits are so elegant and timeless, and the lavender shots are simply breathtaking.

February 23, 2013 - 7:10 am

Ashleigh - This is just stunning Mel! You’ve done yet another AMAZING job!!!

February 23, 2013 - 10:37 pm

Lauren - Melanie, you really captured the joy of the day. Your ability to tell the story and document the emotions is phenomenal. I enjoy your work immensely.

February 24, 2013 - 8:44 am

Jess - How lucky to travel all the way to Australia for this wedding. You clearly were meant to be part of this day. Your connection to the family reflects in your imagery. Beautiful job.

February 24, 2013 - 2:11 pm

Catherine - Amazing! It looks straight from the pages of a magazine.

February 25, 2013 - 11:47 am

Papyrus Design - Photographed so beautifully. Mikaela was gorgeous to work with and we were so thrilled to style her wedding stationery.
–xx Papyrus Design, Melbourne australia

February 25, 2013 - 11:48 am

Katie - Absolutely incredible!!! Beautiful work. New fan!

September 5, 2013 - 1:13 pm

12 Glamorous Metallic Wedding Cakes | Florist Riverside - […] Photo by Verve Photo Co […]

September 10, 2013 - 9:12 am

12 Glamorous Metallic Wedding Cakes - […] Photo by Verve Photo Co […]