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

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/

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?
 

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

Spring Wedding Season is Here!

Hello!

I don't know about you, but this weather we have had in Norfolk County is just down right beautiful!
Aside from today & tomorrow with " normal " temperatures, 2 degrees? Brr... 18 that's much better!

So my first wedding of the season is well, not exactly here in Norfolk, Southern Ontario, Ontario, nor Canada. It's over the pond ocean, and a few other countries... only to land in ......

Switzerland!

Yup, that's right and for a month.

The whole month of April . So I apologize for anyone who is looking to book me for April and up to the 6th of May. I'll be on a jet plane, in the Alps, taking photos for a wonderful bride & groom, who I adore so much!

David & Cornelia this will be fun!

Food Photography

So it seems that lately I've been doing a lot of food photography. Almost a shoot every week, not that I'm complaining, no no just the opposite! I love food photography, especially when you are working with some of the best bakers and chefs in the area. 

Here is a sampler of my work from just this month alone! (I have more from January, read: cupcakes and truffles, but I'll spare you the death by sugar, just kidding - it's not *that* sugary)

If you are a restaurant that needs updated menu / promo photos, or a chef that needs a new head shot, let me know.

Wedding-spiration: Makeup

   Lets talk about makeup! I don't know about you, but I love makeup. 

And it's a key ingredient for your wedding day....

    Now you are going to probably get a makeup artist for your wedding. It's not something that you want to pass up on. Now you're thinking "but that's something I can do...for free". Unless you are a makeup artist yourself, I would recommend against it. Makeup artists (MUA for short) have the know how and the product to keep you from :drying out, getting too shinny, overdoing the coon eyes, putting on too light/too dark of product. MUA's save the day basically.

  I can still see those budgeting woes. Don't fret! So here are some tips from both Martha Stewart Weddings & me.

Book a Pro's Assistant

The fee is much less, but "they train with us for years, so they're very skilled," says Nam Vo, a makeup artist in New York City..

Do the Legwork
Instead of having a beauty crew come to you and your bridesmaids (it can up the price by hundreds), travel to a salon for your hair and makeup.

Hire a Recent GradJust because they are fresh out of school doesn't mean they have no skill.
One of my favourite MUA is a "fresh pick" and has worked with me on many shoots. I'm not saying that she's cheap by any means, but most grads won't charge nearly as much as the seasoned pros. 

Always get a Test before the Wedding DayGo to the MUA and book a test session. This way you can go over certain "looks" for the wedding day. Also you can tell the MUA any skin issues and quirks, ie "I react to this brand, but not to this one" "I find my skin is dry on my forehead" etc...

Check out Kory Lynn's site {here}

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?