“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” – Unknown
HI! I’M
MELISSA
An East Midlands Wedding Photographer
AND I AM SO GLAD
YOU ARE HERE.
You have landed here because you want to know a bit more about me. I have a love for imagery and a caring personality and a big heart. I am a total introvert but years of business experience has given me a strong voice which is so ideal for my style of wedding photography. I love to observe and capture moments as they unfold but also will guide you through portraits to create beautiful imagery.
How Melissa Mayes Photography started in Lincolnshire.
I am originally from Canada but have spent the last five years following my husband around Europe. After having our daughter, we decided it was time to find a place to settle down. We bought a house in a small village near Stubton Hall in Lincolnshire- not too far from where my husband grew up!
Although I went to university for Human Resources and spent ten years working in business, I have always had a fascination with photography.
Growing up, I was fascinated. I would constantly flip through my grandparent’s, my parent’s and my aunt’s wedding albums. I loved weddings and I love romance.
My love for capturing moments definitely started with at my aunt’s house. My Aunt Sandra was the best at documenting moments in her life. She lived about a 3 hour drive from me and every time I would see her, she had filled about 3-4 albums. The first thing that I would do when I walked into her house was to ask to see her latest albums.
I would sit there and just look at all these memories that she had with my cousins and our family. These moments that were documented to be cherished forever.
It took me a long time to realise why I loved wedding photography so much. And it really comes down to this for me: a wedding photo freezes a moment in time. It tells a story about the emotions, that day, that place. It triggers your senses to remember everything down to how it felt in that moment.
That is why I love photography.
BLOGI love writing about wedding related topics and write my blogs as I would write a journal entry. If you want to see what I have been up to or blogging about, be sure to click the link below!
The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.
Audrey Hepburn
A FEW THINGS ABOUT ME…
My maiden name is Mayes but my married name is Hayes. It has caused a lot of confusion over the years and still does to this day...
My husband and I were married on July 8th, 2018 in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in my mom’s garden. We lived in Stockholm, Sweden at the time and my husband arrived in Canada the day before our wedding!
We have a daughter named Winnie who was born on my 30th birthday. Or should I say her birthday…
My absolute favourite thing to eat is Greek Salad without the onions with a kombucha. Strange to many… but I love it.
We have a little cockapoo named Minnie… we sometimes are asked if we named Winnie after Minnie. Apparently we just like creating name confusion.
LASTEST POSTS
EAST MIDLANDS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine
MAYA ANGELOU
Bright & timeless wedding photography in the East MidlandsA wedding is a celebration of two people's love for each other. That's why it's important to make sure your photos are both beautiful and authentic. The best way to do that is by capturing images that feel lighthearted and joyful, free of tension and clutter. When your wedding portraits look bright and airy, they'll show off the true spirit, colour and reflection of you day.
What makes imagery timeless?Time doesn’t necessarily make your photos timeless. A great picture has timeless qualities because it captures something special and unique about that moment: the emotions, the setting, the people, etc. It can be as simple as a happy couple embracing in front of an old church building to a more complex scene involving all of these factors. It is my vision and ability to eliminate distractions combined with my editing style that contribute to the creation of timeless imagery.
Why storytelling wedding photography?I love creating gently poses, intimate portraits with my couples to create timeless, heirloom imagery but I feel that the rest of the day should be storytelling moments that are a true reflection of you as a couple. Documenting all those moments naturally allows for me to tell a clear story of your day.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU COVER WEDDINGS AROUND ALL OF THE UNITED KINGDOM?
I mainly photograph weddings in London, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire but also take on a limited amount of weddings each year in other areas of England and abroad. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to see if I am available to capture your day.
WHAT IS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY EDITING STYLE?
I edit in a style that is film inspired and described as many as being bright and airy or even timeless and true to colour. I am inspired by Fuji and Portra film as well as photographers such as Greg Finck and KT Merry.
HOW DO YOU CAPTURE A WEDDING?
My photographs are a mixture of artfully posed pictures and pictures of real-life moments that tell a story of your day. I arrive at weddings a little early to capture the details of the shoes, the dress, the flowers, the perfume, and any other details. After I photograph the details, I take pictures of the bridal party while they are getting ready. During this time, I also get to know the bridal party.
Once I have photographed the details, I photograph their real moments as they occur during hair and makeup. All these moments capture authentic feelings and are natural and unposed as they occur. I also continue this approach throughout the day, capturing you and your guests' raw and natural emotions as they occur.
If you're toying with the idea of ditching the traditional bridesmaid brigade for your wedding, you're not alone. The rebellion against this time-honoured tradition is gaining momentum among today's brides, and it's not just a bold move – it might be a brilliant one. While the decision to skip bridesmaids has its downsides, there are some surprising benefits, particularly in terms of planning and expenses.