What to Wear to an Engagement Session

Fall is here and that usually means engagement sessions!

I say usually because not everyone wants a fall e-session. But lets not nit pick.
When I got my engagement photos done, I had all these grand ideas as to what I was going to wear. Then I put them on and, oh no don't quite like this, or does this make me look fat? You know those problems. So I had one dress that was cute, it has a nice cut and a simple pattern. A little timeless, I didn't want it to look terrible 20 years from now. Then my good old standby: jeans and blouse. Mind you they were mint jeans, but spring time needs mint jeans. Enough about me...more about you!

You don't need to be all matchy-matchy. No need to dress up like twins. Just colours that coordinate and prints that don't clash. Get in touch with your inner artiste and find complementary colours on a colour wheel and go from there.  Like in Jen & Jay's e-session, above, the coral in Jen's cardigan doesn't clash against Jay's blue shirt.

 Why have one outfit when you can have two? Go from casual wear to something a little more dressy. Or vice versa. It gives you more choice in photos, and if you can't settle on just one outfit, you have choice.

Nothing wrong with cold weather. A clean cut jacket and layers go a long way.

The most important thing is:

Be comfy in your clothes: They are a reflection of you...

You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing to be comfy in front of the camera.

 That and so you can move around too. 

So in closing: 

Wear something that you are comfortable, confident and feel good in. Don't try and be twins, let your personalities shine through. Match without being over the top. Wear some layers, not only does it add visual interest, you can take off a scarf or add a sweater and it changes the look instantly. Bring a change of clothes, it just allows you to have more variety in the photos and if you can't pick just one outfit, you have back ups. Oh also almost forgot: bring your confidence. Confidence is the most beautiful thing a person could have.

xoxo- Melissa

To Have and to Hold

While we all love having our digital disc of our sessions, I'm kind of old school. As in, print and display photographs. I have loose prints, albums and books with lots of photographs! They're not only great conversation pieces, but beautiful art work for your home.

1)A few ways to display your images. Framed and canvases.

A fun frame and  your favourite print. Need I say more?

2) A close up of a canvas so you can see the detail and texture. 

3) The canvases I get you are ready to hang, no need to DIY a hanging wire.

4) They're 1"-2" thick, but most are 1" with beautifully wrapped edges.

5)The photographs are wrapped around the edges for a really polished look.

Canvases start at $75 for an 11"x14" and I can get you up to a 30"x30"!

Erin and Steve | Married [ Woodstock Wedding Photographer ]

   Erin and Steve were married on one of the hottest days this year, but it was one of the most beautiful days so far. We started bright an early in the morning...makeup, hair and the dress. Oh Erin's dress, it looked so great on her! And why wear high heels and be uncomfortable on your wedding day? Take a cue from Erin and just get a fantastic pair of sandals. The Steve and his gents had three piece suits on, and boy oh boy were they ever happy to get into the air conditioned sanctuary of the hall. Like I said, it was hot. After portraits at one of the most beautiful properties, uh hello giant columns... we headed back to the hall and during supper it started to storm. A great way to cool off the evening as it heated up with partying!

I'm just so happy for Erin and Steve, I wish them all the best. From the bottom of my lens to my heart. Thank you

Updates & Where I have been!

Hey everyone,
  Before I start, yes I'm terrible with updating everything. The studio move and the lack of constant internet access, and wedding planning & house hunting kind of makes updating ...well, not happening. Although {I get brownie points here} I do update the facebook page & keep the twitter account going.

So for those who don't frequent the facebook page:

Also there is going to be a price adjustment coming at the end of the month. 

Just thought I would give you a heads up.

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

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

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)

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:

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!

Sweet Somethings in Lynedoch

 

Are you ready for some swooning? Here we go!
Melissa & Jonathan were sent to me by a recommendation  (Thanks!) and I'm glad I got to work with this couple. I didn't spend the whole day with them, they got a custom package (you can too, just ask!) for in between the ceremony & dinner. We did our formals, then went to the 'couple shots'.

Cranberry Creek Gardens' church is always a great backdrop

If you'd like to see more please head to facebook or my website

A Very Swiss Wedding

David & Cornelia met while rock climbing in France (from what I understand), and since their first glance, well they really hit it off. They live in Switzerland, yes in Europe. (insert swoon here) He proposed to her in Long Point (yup, here in Norfolk, Ontario).
Quick facts:
They are
1) close friends of my fiance & I
2) completely magazine worthy [don't they look it?]
3) so ridiculously athletic
I'm honoured to have gone to Switzerland, stayed with many great people, and had the opportunity to photograph my close friends get married. I wish I knew more Swiss-German though, that way through the ceremony I could understand what was being said. I caught a few words and since there was all smiles, it was a good ceremony.

David wore a black slim suit, white dress shirt and a purple tie.

Cornelia had a lovely white convertible dress, (she could be strapless, one strap etc) and her flowers were pale pink and bright green. Nice and springy. She didn't have a traditional bouquet either.

Then after the ceremony came a light lunch where ceremony guests got to mingle with the newly weds, of course I stole them for a little bit. It was bright out, but not too hot, the joys of a spring wedding. Maybe it helped that we were by Lake Constance, like right there. The colours of the wedding, well there wasn't a theme to the colours. Pink, green & purple. Maybe that was the theme, but it wasn't so pronounced like it is here. Also there was no wedding party, just best man & maid-of-honour. Keeping it simple, just like the couple.

Wedding-spiration : Coral & Grey

This has to be one of my favourite colour combos.  Coral & grey. Little bit of masculine and lots of feminine.
Can't go wrong with oversized balloons, ribbon iced cakes, dresses that your girls won't regret wearing, fabric bunting & ribbons in lieu of rice throwing.

Perfect for an outdoor wedding or a softly lit indoor venue. 

What are your thoughts?

Wedding-spiration : Pink & Yellow

Yellow & Pink. Bright, bold, fun. it's not the 1990's pink and yellow that you might be thinking of. And if heels aren't your thing why not get a pair of ballet flats or if Chuck's are your thing, do it.

The Power of Colour - Wedding-spiration

What colours will you use in your wedding?
Will it be your favourite colour? 

Red? Yellow? Pink? Blue? Green?

Lets talk about some colours here.

Red: Power. Strength. Sexy. Alert. Bold. Love.

Violet: Passion. Exotic. Depth. Mystery.

Blue: Calm. Serene. Nautical. 

Turquoise: Fun. Retro. Artsy. Cool.

Green: Fresh. Alive. Clean.

Yellow: Bold. Bright. Clean. Funky. Cute.

Orange: Warm. Fresh. Spicy. Fun. Spunky.  

Now when it comes to colours for your wedding, there is nothing wrong with making your man wear a quote feminine  colour. A dash of pink on the tie or even the bow tie is totally okay. The entire suit, pepto much?
Why not have a coloured wedding dress? I personally love this robin's egg blue dress from Sarah Seven.

 Seriously check out her stuff.{Link}

Tania & Marcus - Love in Montreal

 

See some photos after the jump!

Western Love

 

Jori and Timothy,
Thank you for allowing me to photographer your big day.
I had a blast photographing the wedding! You guys were very laid back and casual, like your theme. I felt over dressed for a western wedding. 

More after the jump>>

Jenica & Eddy | June 25 2011

 

 Jenica and Eddy - How do you describe this awesome, fun, loving, and overall lovely couple? It's hard to. 

But from the moment I met them at Jenica's parent house, I knew that if I got to shoot their wedding I was the luckiest photographer thus far! 

See more after the jump! 

Wedding Special!

Wedding Photos : Tiffany & David

Waterfall

These shots, kind of give me a wedding vibe. But still fashiony at the same time, you know?