Mel taking a self in a round mirror

Film wedding photographer

Somewhere along the way, weddings got WAY too serious

I’m here for the version where you hang out with your people and just have FUN.

I care WAY more about whether you’re having fun and actually feeling everything happening around you than making every single photograph feel perfect

(What is perfect, anyway?!)

So please, GO LIVE YOUR DAY. I’ll step in when you need me and get the fork out of the way when you don’t. I’ll keep an eye out for all the weird little moments (like your best friend doing something unhinged three feet behind you) while you’re busy having a wicked good time.

A yellow gradient background with thin horizontal white lines.
A newlywed in a wedding dress sitting in the bathroom with two of their wedding party
The MTV logo in bold orange, black, yellow, green, and blue colors.
A wedding guest smiling as they sit at a reception
Wedding guests clapping as they watch a wedding ceremony
Mel taking a photo of herself in a round mirror

Hiiii. I’m Mel (she/her), and I really freaking LOVE humans

Various plates of fruits and vegetables laid out on a table

I spent half my life in food service, which means I got REALLY good at reading a room, bringing people out of their comfort zones, and making just about anyone feel at home. Turns out, bartending and wedding photography have more in common than you’d think. Who woulda thought?!

Now, I’m still reading rooms; I just have a film camera in my hands while I do it!! I’m watching the people, the feelings, the light, and the fun stuff happening all around me when nobody’s really thinking about being photographed. THAT is the real life I want to preserve.

Close-up view of a computer keyboard with black keys and purple, blue, and green striped background.
A polaroid of a bunny sitting in a basket
A cat sitting in a windowsill
A cat laid out on a dresser

Film isn’t just how I photograph weddings. It’s how I remember my OWN life, too.

I document on film EVERY DAY. When something in my own life feels like a moment worth holding onto, I’d rather reach for one of my cameras than my fancy schmancy phone.

I love that film gets WEIRD. There are unexpected color shifts and imperfections. It’s the stuff you couldn’t recreate exactly the same way even if you tried. It feels alive because it isn’t trying to be perfect.

Real life isn’t perfect either, and I’ll take the real stuff any day.

A person petting a goat through a small fence
Purple cartoon dog with a bow on its collar, sitting and looking to the side.
Two people smiling and giving thumbs up
Two people smiling in matching sunglasses
A person leaning down and checking on a turkey in an oven
Two people holding up a small trophy
A group of people playing ice hockey on a home rink
Close-up of a striped fabric with black, yellow, purple, and green horizontal lines.
Close-up of a striped fabric with black, yellow, purple, and green horizontal lines.
A person standing behind small branches of a tree
Close-up of a computer keyboard with black keys and blue, yellow, and green keycaps.

Holey balloons! Wicked
nice words from a
human I photographed

Mel is an all-around awesome human who truly is WICKED FUN!”

She exudes enthusiasm and positive energy, and was amazing at hyping us up and making us feel super comfortable in front of the camera. She encouraged us to just be ourselves rather than try to pose us, and the photos really reflect our personalities and love for one another.”

—Paige W.

“

The stuff I
give a damn
about

Human first, ALWAYS

There are actual humans on both sides of my camera, and ALL bodies, genders, families, identities, and ways of loving belong in the frame. I want you and your people to feel comfortable being photographed EXACTLY as you are.

Close-up of a pink comb with black teeth, isolated on a white background.
A woman in a white dress and veil playing a violin, sitting on a chair, surrounded by other musicians who are also playing string instruments. The scene appears to be an outdoor performance with greenery visible in the background.
Mel taking a photo while holding a chicken in the other hand

Your day comes first

I want you to eat the food, hug your friends, dance your ass off, and enjoy cocktail hour! Please, actually BE at the day you spent all this time planning, and I’ll make the photography work around that.

Close-up of a strip of orange film negatives with small round sprocket holes on the sides.

Photography should be FUN

Being photographed doesn’t need to feel like a chore; it can actually be fun! I bring the energy and make it as EASY as possible for you and your humans to loosen up and have a wicked good time.

Close-up of a yellow measuring tape with black markings and numbers.

Real life over perfection

I want to be RIGHT THERE with the humans I’m photographing, not creeping on your wedding from across the room with a ridiculously long lens. Being close lets me photograph the wedding from within it, rather than looking in from the outside.

Close-up of a green ruler with black markings and numbers.
Two black-framed photo prints with pink borders and distressed appearance, each featuring a pink heart with a distressed look, set against a black background.
A person leaning over and turning on an air conditioner

Stay curious, stay WEIRD

I’m all about trying something just to see what happens. I’d rather stay curious and experiment to make something that feels ALIVE than follow the same boring copy/paste formula over and over again.

Close-up of a blue measuring tape with black markings.

Quality over QUANTITY

I photograph intentionally, slowing down and waiting for the frames that actually MATTER instead of documenting just to have more photos. The result is fewer repeats and a gallery full of photographs with really cool moments.

Close-up of a purple object with black jack or pip markings, resembling a playing card or decorative element.
Mel lounging on a chair taking a picture with a polaroid
Polaroids and a camera laid out on a couch
A newlywed holding a bouquet with a surprised look on their face

Are we about to have a WICKED good time together?

If you care about your people and want your wedding actually to feel like YOU, I have a feeling the answer might be yes.

Abstract pattern with horizontal orange and beige lines.
Contact Me ↗