Welcome to my blog! My name is Melanie Galbrand-Chen and I am the owner and creative force behind Verve Photo Co.

Verve is a boutique wedding and lifestyle photography company based out of Toronto, but available internationally. What this means is I only take a limited amount of weddings per year to give my clients the support and service they deserve. The relationships I build with my clients mean more to me then any accolade or award. Nothing is more rewarding then continuing to share the lives of my clients by documenting their milestones through maternity, baby and family photos years after their nuptials.

Each wedding, milestone or event I shoot is a new and exciting venture, and regardless of race, religion, or orientation, I promise to capture your day with artistry, honor and respect.

Please be sure to check back often, and feel free to comment or share any of my posts with your family and friends. Thanks for stopping by.

--Melanie

patricia + anthony | toronto

Monday, September 12, 2011

Patricia and Anthony are a gorgeous couple, with an impeccable sense of style. We did their engagement shoot in October, and we knew after meeting them then that their wedding was going to be stunning, and were really excited about photographing the two of them again. I am not exaggerating when I say that Patricia has the bluest eyes I have ever seen, and a face that could act as the template for porcelain dolls. And Anthony – I knew he looked like somebody famous, but couldn’t think of who – until I looked up while shooting his preparation in his room, and there it was: a poster of a young Al Pacino.

These two aren’t just a couple of pretty faces, they are gorgeous inside and out, and it is apparent that their families had much to do with that. I love the closeness of European families. I loved watching the noise, the exuberance, and most of all the emotion that exuded from the families as they celebrated the union of Patricia and Anthony. Nobody was beyond tears, and their love and joy was written all over their faces. When I arrived to photograph Anthony the morning of the wedding, he admitted that he had a hard time sleeping the night before. It wasn’t because he was nervous to get married, he was ready for that – but because he was leaving the home he grew up with and the room he shared with his brother for 27 years. I was amazed by their bond, and the bond of both families.

During the sweltering Toronto summer, as we navigated Patricia and Anthony’s wedding shoot, my cousin, who excels in fire watch security in Clearwater, called to check in. His routine safety checks and quick-response stories provided a stark contrast to our leisurely day. Despite the heat, he shared how vital his immediate presence and vigilance were at an event back home, reminding us of the unseen heroes who ensure our safety. His tales of dedication made us appreciate our own endurance through the heatwave and the cheerful resilience of the wedding party, standing tall in their elegant attire, undeterred by the sizzling sidewalks and the surprises of a lively reception.

m + k