In the rear view mirror...2012

This year has been awesome!
From meeting some of the sweetest, outgoing and creative people in Ontario to growing Blackbird's business so much that a basement in a house couldn't contain it! (And I've already outgrown my current studio..didn't expect that!) ...you know what that means: moving it into a bigger and brighter location!
I know there is still a little over a week left in this year, but I'd like to do a recap of some of my favourite sessions to date & business highlights!

April: Flying to Switzerland for David & Cornelia's wedding! I know, right?!

May: Then there was Melissa & Jonathan's wedding in Lynedoch the weekend after I returned from Switzerland.

June: Natalie & Eric's botanical gardens wedding in Burlington. It was a sweltering day, but the gorgeous bride and relaxed groom kept things going smoothly. Oh and I got engaged...yep! I'm just like every other bride to be now!

July: lots and lots of food photography! (Nom nom nom!)

September: bridal show in Delhi where I met most of my 2013 brides & grooms! I got to know lots of great vendors there too! Studio grand opening happened in September as well !

October : Engagement photography madness! Every weekend was booked with new and wonderful clients! I posted most of them on the blog already! ( check through October's archive to see them!)

November: two last engagement sessions were done in November, one I have yet to blog..(my bad!) but it's on Facebook..(hint hint) More family photos, can't post those until after Christmas!

December: one last wedding to photograph on the 28th and I'm also closing my Delhi location and I'm getting a larger location! YAY! I never thought so much great things could happen this year, but it has!!

Re: my studio in Delhi, I'm looking at real estate, so when I have found "the place" trust me, you will know :-)

So this is a BIG thank you for being awesome and hopefully Blackbird Photography will continue to grow and be able to provide Hamilton, Brantford, Norfolk and Haldimand County, and the London area with quality and unique photography for many years to come!

Xoxo--
Melissa

Last Minute Holiday Sessions!

Stop by 99 King Street this weekend from 11am-5pm for mini sessions

Great for those last minute presents for family and friends.

$100 for half an hour and a disc of images.(perfect for large groups!) OR
$30 for a 10 min session and a disc! (Perfect for kids!)

Egg nog & hot chocolate will be served and holiday song will be playing! 

Great for kids and small families...book your spot today by sending me an email or calling!

Featured Photographer!

Hey everyone I have great news! (Albeit posted here a wee bit late)


Blackbird Photography is featured in the Canadian Women Photographer Network's Spotlight!! Hooray!
Check it out! And I'm sure you will see little Elise in there! 

http://www.cwpnetwork.com/

Jen, Jay and the sugar bush love

So Jen and Jay are getting married! I'm super pumped for this wedding! 
1) Jen & I went to school together (Walsh PS & SCS!) 
2) She's a sweet heart
3) He loves her to pieces

Jen you are going to be a beautiful bride and you have a handsom groom! 

Also I ventured up to Exeter to take these photos with them! "The home of the White Squirrel" and I saw one, honestly thought it was a plastic bag at first! (Nope!) We went to Jay's family farm which has the 'sugar bush'. Maple syrup mmmm... So many textures, so many trees and luckily there was no rain! (It was pouring in Norfolk and everywhere else right up until Exeter)

This adorable couple is getting married in July 2013 in Delhi. 

Check out more photos on Facebook

Erin & Steve are Engaged!

I would love you all to meet Erin & Steve! 

They are the latest couple to sign up for the Blackbird Photography wedding experience! 
Their wedding is in June of 2013, and I cannot wait to be there on their big day! 

Photos by the Winery

Family photos and the fall are meant to be. 

For the awesome colours on the trees, the coziness of sweaters and the fact that group shots keep everyone warm..haha!

Now the vineyard was a little less than perky thanks to the heavy frost the night before, so we opted to take photos around the property.
There was an old barn, tobacco kiln, and a pretty neat tree/rock combo. 

Psst! This family owns said winery!
Go check out Golden Leaf Estate Winery
apparently the Rose is some kind of marvelous

October Equals Madness

Well I found this awesome post on Facebook...

And it couldn't be more true! 

This month is just flying by! Every single weekend is/was booked (yay!) with engagements, maternity or family photo sessions. 

(Of which I will post a couple family photos next)

Sarah & Thomas | Are in Love!

Thank you Sarah & Thomas for allowing me to photograph you both for your engagement! 

Shanah & Josh | Engaged!

They met at a high school play. He asked her out, she said "Sure!"

They went to a beach, for a date. He was romantic and brought a wine bottle.
There was a message in this bottle...

"Will you marry me?" was written on an aged piece of paper  "Yes, No, Sure." 

I think you can figure out how the end of this story goes.
Congrats Shanah & Josh! 

Grand Opening Photos!

So I would love to thank everyone who came out to the grand opening / open house!

A big thanks to my parents, fiance and brother for putting up with my madness,
my best friend, Priscilla, who helped me paint, clean and make this place cozy!

Now for some photos after the jump!

Hi Cutie Pie!

Everyone needs some cute in their life :)
So I'll introduce you to Gage...

He is going to be quite the charmer when he grows up...
but lets not worry about that now.

Grand Opening

Well if you have seen my facebook page or twitter feed, you would know that I've been busy working away on my brick and mortar location! (Eep! That's right!)

Blackbird has a proper nest!

And I'm having a grand opening on this upcoming Thursday (the 20th) so please do come out & join in on the photo booth, meet & greets, and from what I know; there will be some sweets too!

Also in the building with me is a wedding/event planner Fervent and Sensational Sounds DJ service! We are your one stop shop for all things wedding!
Directions after the jump:

One for my Brother

Here is my hard working little (well he's taller than me) brother. He graduated from his college with honours and is currently 1st yr automotive service tech. Boys and their cars. I'm contemplating the idea of putting these in the local fair's "collection" category, but I definitely need to do more in the series .

Little Things

"Life is a special occasion" is printed on the side of a Halmark gift bag that my fiance and I received from my Aunt & Uncle just over a week ago. Now it sits on a desk staring at me and you know what; it's right.
So go out today, or maybe when it cools down. Just enjoy life.
   Heck if you want grab someone you love and celebrate with them. Champagne is optional but completely recommended.
Why not?
 

The Mad Hatter's Wedding

Natalie & Eric :

Do you recall their engagement session? Re-kindle that memory here! 

So they are a fun loving, nerdy (in that very awesome way), down to earth, yet imaginative couple! AKA I love them! We met in Brantford, I had pink hair, they had 'normal' hair. Then I had blue hair then normal hair. Then Eric had pink hair, blonde (with orange eyebrows [makeup]) then blue hair, and back to blonde. Natalie is creative, crafty and has a great sense of humour. One must have that to be around Eric, a jokester to boot. They love all things Halloween. (my favourite as well) Can you see how awesomely wicked this couple is and how well we get along.

One of my favourite shots from the day

So their wedding, a tea party inspired theme, held at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington was beautiful. There was a nice breeze coming off the water, there was shade to hide in & flowers were blooming. Although a few more bottles of water would have helped immensely.
I'd say that this wedding was basically flawless.

Oh and might I add that Eric's boutonniere was epic & Natalie's bouquet gorgeous & was made by one of Natalie's bridesmaids.

Everything about the wedding had Natalie & Eric all over it. The cake & the toppers, the music, the flowers & decorations. That is what everyone should strive for on their wedding day- to have your signature on it.

I wish all the best to them!