REAL LIFE

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REAL LIFE - UNFILTERED -

Hello I’m Mel- A Documentary Wedding & Family Photographer

A smiling, fun, loving documentary wedding and family photographer in her element on Vancouver Island BC

Hello my name is Mel or Melissa and I’m going to be honest…

Writing this section of my website has been interesting. It’s forced me to look into my soul and ask myself… who am I?

I recently have been diagnosed with ADHD (yes neurospicy community!) and it made me realize how much of a mask I have been wearing for the last 15+ years to prevent myself from being vulnerable about who I am in fear of rejection and disconnection. Well after my diagnosis I said NO MORE! I now choose to celebrating and honour the connections I have with people by being my most honest, unfiltered, adventurous, joyful and quirky self.

My goal when I photograph you for your Wedding, Family or Soul Dog session is to create an environment where you feel like you can be PRESENT, unfiltered, connected to loved ones, and never afraid of a bit of adventure or surprises! Embrace life’s beautiful imperfections. In each one there is a gift to be shared and memory to cherish.

If you’d like to get to know me better then head to my INQUIRE page and we can plan to document your most meaningful moments.

If you’d like to read more about be personally head over to FAQ linked below!

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CHECK OUT MY LATEST POSTS ON INSTAGRAM!

This first image is probably one of my favourites I took traveling in Mexico last December!! 🧡 I’m excited as the weather gets a little warmer to be able to get my camera out for some more street photography! This was one passion I seemed to
THIS is what we mean when we photographers say a picture can be worth a 1000 words -Read Below! . . I grew up LOVING hockey. And the moment Sid the Kid scored that GOLD winning goal 15 years ago was beyond describable. But joy, connection, excitemen
I had the honour of meeting (stocking) Jason of @ofdirtngrain_jlgraphy while he photographed a friends wedding in Vancouver several years ago. I was beyond excited (and nervous) when he took me up on my film only sessions and brought me over to Van
Life is best shared with those who bring us the most joy- even if they are covered in fur 🐶 I personally LOVE this image of C&R from our Soul Dog Session because it looks like two girlfriends giggling away like school girls. To me as a docume
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY 2024 Clients! I can not explain the gratitude I feel reviewing my albums from 2024. I’ve managed to pick a few of my favourite images that I haven’t had time to share much of yet! I look forward to capturing some n
Happy Belated 3rd Anniversary Babe! We decided after our first Christmas together, to experience life rather then buying things for one another…and I’m happy to say that was the best choice EVER! This Anniversary/Christmas we were off to
True to YOU #familyphotography! Does the thought of having to “make” your child sit and smile pretty at the camera make you cringe? Do you have hyper, energetic & full of life children that you want to DOCUMENT in the most authentic t
I’ve been feeling a bit burnt out when it comes to my camera and documenting meaningful, and interesting images. I think there are a lot of “expectations” when it comes to photography… and with a new diagnosis of ADHD I&rsq
Run like the wind! Free, effortless and imperfect Love when a moment comes together… all while shooting from the hip and running with multiple cameras on me praying I won’t fall 🤪 . . #documentaryphotographer #engagementphotography #en
That time I got to be friend and photog… I CANNOT wait to share the film snap of this day omg a truly documentary experience. I want my couples to feel like they have a friend in me when it come to me photographing your wedding day. Just as i
Why back yard weddings are an amazing “VENUE” They are: -Personal and full of connection -Intimate -Inexpensive -Beautifully maintained by someone who LOVES you 💕 Goodness I love back yard weddings!! Honestly if you are having a sm
Some dance snaps from H & Cs wedding on the #holga120! Such a fun little plastic camera! I often catch myself double exposing images on the Holga and with the slower shutter speed it creates lots of fun motion blur- over all It’s a fun tool
Okay but a moment for this veil PLEASE! ALL ON FILM! You’d never guess that this veil did NOT want to cooperate with the wind that day! But more on that later… for now let’s embrace how gorgeous A’s Tattoo style vail was! A
Happy Wedding Week to these three! Can’t not WAIT to capture some amazing memories this weekend! Everyone pls send out some good vibes for the weather 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼 . . #documentaryphotographer #documentaryweddingphotography #documentarywedding
HAPPY WEDDING DAY!! Today I’m so incredibly thankful to be able to capture these two special day AND be a guest! It’s been an amazing weekend filled with friends and family thus far and I can’t wait to see these two celebrate and
HOT TAKE! As a couples documentary photographer, I firmly believe that the most authentic and beautiful moments happen when couples are just being themselves. Direction can often get in the way of genuine connection and emotions. The magic unfolds
Normally I would put the second photo first as I believe it is a more “classically beautiful shot”. In the first one my hair is pulled back so it looks short, you can see different angle of my nose I hated so much as a teen… but