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"!

Wedding Planning, the why-oh why?

Hello Lovelies,
 Have you ever looked at your wedding to do list and just wanted to throw your hands up, flip a table and just say "Vegas looks good right now"? 
I have. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Lets have a heart to heart.
Planning a dinner party, a birthday party and cocktail party. That's one thing, but to plan the party of all parties, PLUS be one half of the guests of honour, that's where the why oh why fun begins.

Our e-session, by Wendy Alana Photography

You have to be considerate they tell you, invite all the family, all the family friends.... 
- What about your third cousin twice removed? She invited you to her wedding. When I was three. I haven't seen them since. 
- Your great uncle would love to see you both. I have a great uncle??

     Am I possibly just rambling? OH heck yes. Not even going to try and refuse that for a minute. Ladies, don't kid yourself. Weddings are stressful. Very stressful. Even for the most organized person. We have two families to juggle, mother-in-laws, our own mothers, venues to book, bridesmaids, dress decisions, and decorators to show our visions to. Just because I photograph weddings for a living doesn't mean that I know all the ins and outs of what the heck a wedding takes, well...until now. It's 6 months until the wedding bells are ringing for me. I'm terrified to be honest. Not of the whole getting married part, no no, it's the balancing the guest list. I want so many people there, I want lots of people there! Just that, where do you cut it off? How many is just enough or too much? We started with a modest guest list, 70 people, close friends and family. Then some how the world started to invite themselves to the wedding, then oh what about this person, and this person. You're going to this persons wedding, invite them! And it keeps on ballooning! STOP. Stop for the sake of the sanity of the couple who are getting married. 
   Can I get an Amen? Hoo-rah? Yay? 

   At this point, I am thrilled to photograph other's weddings. My own wedding has become so stressful it's almost taboo to bring the subject up. Your weddings, I like your weddings. It's much less stressful, and I get to see how happy other people can be when it's all said and done. Kinda magical. Even a year later, seeing everyone in love, makes me beyond words happy. 

Couples like Natalie & Eric make my job worth it and then some!

   So if you have some issues with the world trying to put a damper on your wedding day, f*'em, seriously. It's you and your fiancé's  wedding. Not your parents, your siblings, not his parents, not your grandparents, not the communities wedding. Remember that. Your wedding. And I'll be there with complete knowledge of how something like a guest list, to choosing a linen colour becomes a daunting task, I will nod and be that person. I know the feeling, but at the end of the day, as long as you are married, that is all that matters.

Thanks for tuning into the crazy bride to be / wedding photographer.

--Melissa

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

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!

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! 

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! 

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!