I am a local Ottawa photographer with a passion for all kinds of art. I paint, draw, sketch, and love all arts.
Melanie Shields Photography was started in 2003 with the mission to provide people with customized portraits at a price that everyone can afford. I graduated the Algonquin College Photography diploma program in 2005 and continue to learn new things each day.
I edit all photos with post production manipulation to ensure they are the best they can possibly be, after all my products represent my business so I find it important to always send out the best product it can possibly be!
Because I am a small studio I can give you that personalized attention you require. All requests can be met and I always add my personal creative touch into my products and services.
Testimonials
"THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR THE PICTURES!!!! They are absolutely beautiful!!!
Your artistic approach to many shots actually brought me to tears, like the black and whites of me and Lexie holding hands and the shot of Barb's speech with the bouquet! You're the only one that thought to take a picture of the front of the limo!
You capture subtle memorable things that people may not think about at the time!!!
You've got a great eye Mel and you are going to make many brides VERY happy!!!Thank you so much again,
-Christeen, Bride. September, 2006
"Hi Melanie!
Those (engagement photos) are so much fun! Thanks very much. You did a great job and we had a great time shooting with you.
Emily :)
" Mel, Thank You again for all your help, tips and awesome photography on our wedding day. I know that I've told you this already, but it's true, You honestly were like having a good friend around all day; you made the smiles come easy :)
I wish for you & Al that your day is as special as ours was. It truely is a memorable day. Please keep in touch."
Paula & Tony, December 2009.
"You offer so much in your packages for such a great price. We do have a small budget, but we aren't willing to safcrifice quality either. I love your pictures on your website. Are the prices for real?" Christine, Bride"
"Melanie Shields is super-amazing!! Not only is she a fantastic photographer, but she also has a wonderful personality to match!
I felt so comfortable during my photo shoot with Mel. I have named her "the ninja photographer" because she actually came into a frigid river full of slippery rocks with her camera to take photos of me during my trash the dress shoot. That is dedication! One of my favorite photos from the shoot is hanging in my living room. It is such a beautiful photograph; whenever I look at it, I honestly feel like I'm in a painting.
Mel captures each individual's personality through her lens. I have met a fair number of photographers but Mel stands out because of her warm personality, fantastic sense of humor, and superb skills. I cannot say enough about her. Being photographed by someone as creative and well-versed as Mel was truly a pleasure. I highly recommend her to everyone!!"
- Heather Perez Saiz, TTD session October 2010
Hi Melanie,Thanks so much for taking these pictures! We think they are wonderful! You did a fantastic job!
Thanks again, - Marilee and DanJuly 2008
"Hi Mel -We love the pics!!!!! Absolutely you can use the photos You were very patient in getting these great shots!
Cheers,"
Rachel, Mom. April 2010
Cheers,"
Rachel, Mom. April 2010
"Great meeting with you and talking with you, you did a great job. I would love to do another shoot with you... I showed my friend who is also a model herself with International models the work you did and she said that you did great and my pictures look great.”
-Angela, Model
January 2007
" We had so much fun Wednesday night, thank you for making Ken feel comfortable in front of the camera. We've been looking over the photos again and again, and we think they're just great. I actually ended up with about 40 favourites, so I'm really glad we decided to get them all.
The photos for Ken's calendar worked out wonderfully. He is so happy with it he almost doesn't want to use it now.
We've been looking at the site and noticed you'd done some work on some of the pics and I think swapped out some. We love what you've done with them. They are awesome. You are awesome, thank you so much."
Linda, Bride.
January 2009
"Hi Melanie - thanks for getting these to us so quickly. There are some really great shots in here!! I LOVE the B&W of the family... my favorite picture of us ever :)
January 2007
" We had so much fun Wednesday night, thank you for making Ken feel comfortable in front of the camera. We've been looking over the photos again and again, and we think they're just great. I actually ended up with about 40 favourites, so I'm really glad we decided to get them all.
The photos for Ken's calendar worked out wonderfully. He is so happy with it he almost doesn't want to use it now.
We've been looking at the site and noticed you'd done some work on some of the pics and I think swapped out some. We love what you've done with them. They are awesome. You are awesome, thank you so much."
Linda, Bride.
January 2009
"Hi Melanie - thanks for getting these to us so quickly. There are some really great shots in here!! I LOVE the B&W of the family... my favorite picture of us ever :)
Again - really had a great experience; you managed to make it fun and also productive with the kids.. and dog! thanks so much!"
Joann, Family of 5. June 2011
"I looked at your website and I am really impressed with your talent, which is hard to do because im picky. I just have to say i cant get enough of your stunning photography (especially the wedding shots), i am so flattered that you are willing to do my wedding :) "
Crystal, Bride
"Mel,
Seriously, I LOVE THEM
Thanks again, it makes me so confident about how the wedding shots will look
Will let you know which ones we pick. Once again, we are thrilled with the selection"
-Pam, Bride to be May 2010.
"It was so hard to pick... i love them all !
Thank you so much again!!! We will have some wonderful memories now"
-Julie, Bride
July 2008
" Saw the magazine.... all your photos look amazing!! Congrats!!! Just wanted to let you know that I got my CD yesterday and the pictures look great! Thanks so much!!!"
Tarah, Ottawa Model
December, 2006.
"Hi Melanie, Thanks for taking the photos. They look great. You do great work. We would like to go ahead and order the CD of all of the pictures you took. Thanks again.
-Mike, Engagement Session May 2010."
"It was nice to see you again as well, I have to admit I am very comfortable with you being my photographer, you came highly recommended and by looking at your work I know you have a great eye. I also think we are a lot alike so I know that you will get all the pics I want.
Thank you again for being so patient with us and I appreciate all your advice.Have a great Weekend and we will talk soon. Take care Mel"
Shelley, January 2010
" I'm impressed! You're really good at what you do. " Dan,
August 2008
"Hi Melanie,
"i know, we are so happy with all the photos and proud of them so please feel free to post them . You made us look so good and i can't wait to have the cd. we got our disc today thanks alot again the gifts we made with the pictures turned out great"-Renee & Kyle, Maternity Photos, December 2009
"I absolutely loved the photos that you took for Lauren's wedding and was hoping that you might be available to do a family portrait for me. The photos look great Mel, you did an excellent job! I cant believe you took so many given the difficulties we had. Thank you so much again!" - Erin, Mom
December 2008
"Hi Mel,
I just wanted to say thank you very much for the photos. I am very happy with them. I also loved the CD cases. Very nice touch. Good luck and thanks again.
BTW I have referred two of my friends to you for their weddings."-Melanie and Ben
November 2007
Tarah, Ottawa Model
December, 2006.
"Hi Melanie, Thanks for taking the photos. They look great. You do great work. We would like to go ahead and order the CD of all of the pictures you took. Thanks again.
-Mike, Engagement Session May 2010."
"It was nice to see you again as well, I have to admit I am very comfortable with you being my photographer, you came highly recommended and by looking at your work I know you have a great eye. I also think we are a lot alike so I know that you will get all the pics I want.
Thank you again for being so patient with us and I appreciate all your advice.Have a great Weekend and we will talk soon. Take care Mel"
Shelley, January 2010
" I'm impressed! You're really good at what you do. " Dan,
August 2008
"Hi Melanie,
"i know, we are so happy with all the photos and proud of them so please feel free to post them . You made us look so good and i can't wait to have the cd. we got our disc today thanks alot again the gifts we made with the pictures turned out great"-Renee & Kyle, Maternity Photos, December 2009
"I absolutely loved the photos that you took for Lauren's wedding and was hoping that you might be available to do a family portrait for me. The photos look great Mel, you did an excellent job! I cant believe you took so many given the difficulties we had. Thank you so much again!" - Erin, Mom
December 2008
"Hi Mel,
I just wanted to say thank you very much for the photos. I am very happy with them. I also loved the CD cases. Very nice touch. Good luck and thanks again.
BTW I have referred two of my friends to you for their weddings."-Melanie and Ben
November 2007
Thanks for our photoshoot in the park - the photos look great!! They're so good, I'm having a hard time cutting them (down to 75 in my package)
Thanks, "
Susan , Family shoot June 2011
"Photography: Mel Shields, Ottawa, 10+
Mel was fantastic! I haven't even seen half of the photos, but the teasers she sent and the creativity was amazing. She was very reasonably priced and was always looking for picture perfect locations and poses. She even took off her shirt (she had one underneath) for me to sit on the swing.
Mel, I absolutely love the photos! Thanks so much! I've been sharing with everyone!. I hope you don't mind, but I put a few of the pics on
Weddingbells. I gave you a 10+ because you soooo deserve it!
Thanks again" - Lauren, Bride
September 2008
"P.S. All the photos were beautiful." - D.
November 2008
"Great job Mel...thanks for sending them so quickly" Yvonne, Mother
"Hi Melanie,
We love Love LOVE the engagement photos, they look great! We are still debating about which ones we want, but I will let you know as soon as we decide!
Thanks so much, you did a great job, can't wait to see how the wedding photos turn out! "
Kerri & Brian
December 2008
"Thanks so VERY VERY MUCH!!!!! Yes, I will come by and get the CD as soon as you tell me to. Again Mel thanks so much, I am much happier with those pics than what I had previously. You made me look good. Thanks! " -Amelia
"Hi Melanie,
The pictures are great! Thanks so much :)
Also, if you ever need a "testimonial" or reference, let me know!"
-Kathy, Cody and Mackenzie
July 2009
"Your ideas are awesome, you can totally make it work, with your energy. We had a lot of fun with you during our engagement shoot. Thanks so much again for everything.
I do absolutely love them, they're really really good especially the book
and the cd you really went all out on them.
You're the best " Heather and PhilJuly 2008
"Hi Mel,
Thanks so much for today. You were great and so patient
Thanks so much for today. You were great and so patient
The pictures are fantastic!! Thank you so much. I don't know how you managed to get so many great shots with the two kids!! Especially considering how fussy Ben was. He has never had such a day - of course ;-) Oh well. We are so happy.
We can't wait to see the finished shots. The touch ups really really make a difference.
We can't wait to see the finished shots. The touch ups really really make a difference.
By the way, my family loves the photos you have done for us and we'd love to use you again!"
"Hi, I just wanted to thank you for all of your help, and apologize for rushing you, I had a couple of things waiting to be submitted. You were great and I love the photos.
Thanks " -Elora, modelAugust 2008
"Dear Mel, Thank You so much for your great work. Your pictures are perfect abd couldn't ask for better. Thank you for coming to Jamaica with us, it was appreciated. You're so much fun :)
Keep up the good work; you'll have the best career ever!
Hope to see you soon (we miss you already)"
-Sonia & Carl, March 2009
"Hi Melanie,
I LOVE all the photos! You're soooooo GOOD! Thank you very much for your time. I had a lot of fun and I feel so beautiful in the pictures! :) My
fiance is gonna go crazy! hihi!
Thanks again,"
Christina, Boudoir March 2011
"Working with Melanie is very stress free. Having someone wanting your photos to be as perfect as you do makes a potentially difficult situation quite simple. It is nice to know your work gets done properly the first time. "- Allan, webdesignAugust 2007
Thanks " -Elora, modelAugust 2008
"Dear Mel, Thank You so much for your great work. Your pictures are perfect abd couldn't ask for better. Thank you for coming to Jamaica with us, it was appreciated. You're so much fun :)
Keep up the good work; you'll have the best career ever!
Hope to see you soon (we miss you already)"
-Sonia & Carl, March 2009
"Hi Melanie,
I LOVE all the photos! You're soooooo GOOD! Thank you very much for your time. I had a lot of fun and I feel so beautiful in the pictures! :) My
fiance is gonna go crazy! hihi!
Thanks again,"
Christina, Boudoir March 2011
"Working with Melanie is very stress free. Having someone wanting your photos to be as perfect as you do makes a potentially difficult situation quite simple. It is nice to know your work gets done properly the first time. "- Allan, webdesignAugust 2007
Hi Mel,
We just love all of the pics and so does everyone else!!! They are really beautiful.
I tell them all about you and people are amazed at the quality of your work and to be so young...I just say it can only get better!!
Thanks so much Mel,
Wendy and Steve
November 14th, 2008
November 14th, 2008
"Oh my god those (engagement photos) are so nice! They came out beautiful. I am so happy
with those."
-Cryssy, April 2009
" Hey Mel, those photos are awesome! We knew we chose the right photographer. All the photos on the site look great.
Thanks" - Jen
with those."
-Cryssy, April 2009
" Hey Mel, those photos are awesome! We knew we chose the right photographer. All the photos on the site look great.
Thanks" - Jen
"Dear Mel + Al,
We are so grateful to have friends like you with such special talents. Words can't explain how happy we are with the photos and we will cherish them forever. Mel, you went above and beyond what we asked for and that really shows a true friend and professional.
Al, Thank you for recommending Mel. I could always rely on you to tell the truth and yes she is a great photographer.
The curved frame is gorgeous and now has a picture in it to match. Thanks again and speak with you soon.
Sincerely,
Jen and Terry"
September 2008
Hi Melanie,
I wanted to thank you again for meeting with us. We're both really
looking forward to working with you in the upcoming months.
I'm so excited to get the engagement cd tonight and I LOVE the website(you made for us), it was such a wonderful surprise.
Thank you so much for everything! You were always so friendly an patient. You are so talented and we are so glad that we found you.
-Richelle and Alex
September 2008
Hi Melanie,
I wanted to thank you again for meeting with us. We're both really
looking forward to working with you in the upcoming months.
I'm so excited to get the engagement cd tonight and I LOVE the website(you made for us), it was such a wonderful surprise.
Thank you so much for everything! You were always so friendly an patient. You are so talented and we are so glad that we found you.
-Richelle and Alex
June 2008
" I would like to appreciate your great help and your contributions to the magazine. I choose you, because you have been my good photographer, your pictures turned out very well "
Amir Mir, Editor of Prestige Canadian Fashion Magazine. www.prestigecfm.com
December 2006
We are unfortunately on a budget - but would love to have some beautiful wedding pictures (and thought you would do us the most justice!)Thank you" - Jenn
"Melanie, the pictures are just what we were looking for. We will be in touch as soon as we get through them all. I love them, thank you so much for working so hard with our little guy.
-Nancy, Pet Portrait May 2011
"Thanks so much Mel!! That was quick! I haven't gone through them yet but glancing at them, they look great - the colours are beautiful. Looking forward to working with you at the wedding! -Andrea O
"Hi Melanie
To start we want you to know we are as happy as we could have imagined we'd be seeing the proofs. They are breath-taking and we want to thank you again for the amazing job you did and we are both very grateful.
Thank you so much again.
P.S. We thought you might like to know that we recieved a lot of comments from everyone at the wedding saying how impressed they were with everything you did.
-Chelsea and James, February 2011
" Melanie, Thank you so very much for your time and generosity today. We are thrilled to finally be able to take our engagement photos! Your kindness is very much appreciated. Thank You!
-Emily and Amir, October 2009
" You took some great shots Mel!!! I had a feeling you knew what you were doing but I've never actually seen your work. Didn't realize just how skilled you truly are. Wow "
-Stephanie, Boudoir February 2011
"Melanie,
Thank you for being so accomodating and personable. You've truly made this a wonderful experience. I would not hesitate to recommend you to anyone.
Thanks again! "
Donna & Seb
November 15th, 2008
"Hi Mel,
Love the photos and thanks for posting them so quick.
Having a hard time choosing only 10.
Thanks so much for your speedy work." -Wendy
"Mel, I love it!!! The website is so cute! I didn't really realize how it would be laid-out, ever smart! You really do think of everything! Good job... and on the photography too, from what I can see! I can't wait to get my hands on that CD!!!
Thank you so much! " Amy, Bride.
Thanks again for all your help. " Erin and Mark
August 2007
"You have made us so happy, honestly we are so lucky to have you and everything sounds great. Also just by reading your email yesterday makes me know that we picked the right person for the job because you seem like you will do anything to make our day special. Thank you so much for all your help and always getting back to us so quickly." Renee and Kyle
January 2009
"Melanie has done my girls pictures since they were born and everyone always loves them and the sessions are fun! Her prices are always amazing along with the pictures. I would highly reccomend her for any pictures!
-Andrea, Mother
December 2008
" Hey Mel,
You did an amazing job, I saw some of the pics on the site and look forward to seeing the others. The day went so quickly as did all the photos. Your patience with my family and new family was great, thank you so much. Your service and professionalism was over the top, We would like to meet up with you again at some time in the near future just to further thank you.
Thanks Melanie again for everything.
David and Sandra
October 11th, 2008
"Melanie, We would like to thank you for being part of our special day and for everything you have done for us. Thanks"
-Magdalena and Jason
August 2009
"Hi Mel! Thank you soo soo very much, you did a FANTASTIC job!!!! There wonderful.THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!-Amy :) , Family shoot March 2011
"Thanks Mel, I have gone through them a couple of times already and they turned out Great!"
-Sherry
July 2009
"I checked out your website and really enjoyed your pictures. I could tell you really enjoy doing what you do." - Joey
"Hi again Mel! We love the pictures.Thanks again for everything! ! : ) you really are the best!"-Gen, Bride to Be
October 2008
"Melanie,
The pictures are beautiful and I am absolutely thrilled with everything! If you ever need a reference feel free to send them my contact info.
I am so glad I persisted in looking for a photographer who wasn't trying to take me out to the cleaners. I couldn't have been happier with anything they could have produced and their prices would have meant cancelling out on many of the beautiful aspects of my wedding. Thank you, Thank you and a million more Thank yous.
I hope you always find it in your heart to provide such a wonderful gift to couples as you did for us."
Joelle and Sean
September 2008
"Hi Mel, That sounds great!! I see why you are so busy!!! We really enjoyed the session and I wish I had known about you when I was pregnant!! I will definitely pass along the info - both of my friends are less then 20 weeks pregnant so it may be a bit before you hear from them.The pictures are fantastic!! We love them!! Thanks again."-Kelly, family photos
July 2009
"Melanie, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and chatting with you. Thank you so much for the gift card, i will truly enjoy that! Thank You.
I hope all the best for you in 2010 and wish that I can send you more couples that you can make amazing memories the way you do. What you do is truly magical and I hope you get to share your gift with many more people. All the best on your own wedding! Have a great 2010."
- Becky L, December 2009
"Thanks Melanie! Your photos are amazing. We are very pleased. Especially since you had to get three kids to co-operate. Some of the candid shots are beautiful. The kids had fun too, which is important."
Val, June 2011
"We just wanted to extend our thanks to you for staying those extra hours especially when we didn't officially discuss them previously. I'm sure it happens more often then not. What's a few extra dollars for a lifetime of memories, was my thought process! I'm sure you got some classic shots and I am really looking forward to seeing the results!
Hope all is well and that we keep in touch!"
-Cheryl and Adam
August 2009
"These pics are great...they all were but his smiles are to die for in these!!!!! You did a great job, and I have already referred you to a friend of mine for her little girl.
Thanks again Melanie."
-Courtney (family photos), August 2009
"Photographer- Melanie Shields 10/10
I don't have enough good things to say about her, she was fantastic and really reasonably priced. She was very easy to talk to, and made my husband and I feel more comfortable in front of the camera. She is very well organized and professional. Not to mention the pictures she took were fantastic, and I'm not the most photogenic person. "Sarah and Andrew, May 2011
I love hearing how much you enjoyed your photos. If you would like to add a testimonial please send it to me at info@melanieshieldsphotography.com and I will add it!
