About Us 

Melanie Shields Photography is your first choice for affordable, customized portraiture with endless choices so you get exactly what you want for a very competitive price.  
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
 

 " 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.

 "Thanks again for everything you did on Saturday - everyone was really impressed with the event and I'm sure will be very happy with their photos. Great pictures of the event, everyone is pleased with your work. Thanks Mel!" - Colin, CFL Fantasy Experience 
Grey Cup 2004.

 
"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"


Hi Melanie,
Thanks so much for taking these pictures!  We think they are wonderful!  You did a fantastic job!
Thanks again, - Marilee and Dan
July 2008

"Hi Mel -We love the pics!!!!!  Absolutely you can use the photos  You were very patient in getting these great shots!
Rachel, Mom, April 2010

Cheers,

“Thanks for the pictures they were great “ Anne, Model

 December 2006

"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
 

" Hey Mel, 
Just wanted to send you a quick thanks for your patience today, I guess today was a bad choice for the kids, (a little misbehaving) haha

But Thank you so much, you were great : )  " -Laura, Mom
 

"Melanie you are amazing! How many photos do we get to pick?"
A, boudoir



"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


"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



"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

 

"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

Kelly, Family Portraits, April 2010



"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




"I checked out your site,
Your work has never been as exquisite, the layout is just amazing! I tell you, the next time I need pictures I will definitely get in touch with you. It's just wonderful to see how much you've created." -Kim, Model



"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 Phil
July 2008

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, model
August 2008

"Melanie, I have received the package and just finished reviewing your images. Thank you for taking such wonderful photos of Ottawa for us! I will be sure to let you know as soon as our service goes live so that you can enjoy the image library which your hard work has become an intergral part"

Erin, Content Editor for www.panraven.com
November 2007


"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 can't describe how much you made me happy by sending the printouts , you made my day :) But really thanks , I loved the pics you selected. Thanks dear , and hope you are doing great in wedding preperations :) Take care."
-Rana, June 2009


"Everything looks good and the price you're requesting is
100% what we were looking for, and sounds great. The photographs are fabulous and I got them with no problems.Thanks very much for your fine services"
Grace, Bride
September 2007




"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, webdesign
August 2007


"Mel, I was just on your website and it is totally amazing!!!! I am so proud of you! It looks like you are doing so well! That website is super amazing! I should have booked you for my wedding!"  - Erin, Bride
2007

 "Oh my god those (engagement photos) are so nice! They came out beautiful. I am so happy
with those."
-Cryssy, April 2009

"You are in the top 5 out of 2500 candidates, so that's something to be proud of.. I will definitely get back to you if there is an opening. All the best, Paul"
Paul C.



" 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

 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, Bride 



I was looking for a good Photographer to shoot at my daughters wedding when I stumbled across you. I have read about you and I must say I am quite impressed with what I see. You are a very good Photographer that, I must say, is perfect for the occasion"-
Rita James, business woman

"You have a really fun website!"

" 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




"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



 

"Hey the pics are GREAT!!!  I like a lot of them!!!"
_R, boudoir
 

"Thank you so much for the pictures.  They're beautiful.  Definitely looking forward to seeing the rest.  The rest of the day went perfectly as well. 
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


"Hi Mel,
We love the pictures, they are great. 
Thanks again"
-Sherri & Jason


"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


"Thanks for uploading the pictures. They all look great and you did such a wonderful job. I can't wait to see the rest of them. I really appreciate all the effort and time you put into this.
All the best"
September 2008
-Luul 


"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 a lot, we're looking forward to seeing our completed CD, the proof book photos are AMAZING!
Thanks again!"
-Kerri & Brian, September 2009


"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


"Morning Mel,
Awesome photos!  You made my Friday morning!  I assumed that you would have a few touch ups to do, and I wasn't worried at all that it took a bit longer than you said to get them up....just really anxious to see your talents at work.  I LOVE them and can't wait for the wedding ones now!
I also checked out our wedding website, that's cool too. 

Honestly Mel, I'm beaming from ear to ear with happiness and excitement from this email.
Have a great weekend & chat soon"
-Paula :)
August 2009


"Melanie, thank you so much for our wonderful engagement photos. We look forward to our wedding day"
- Chukwudi and Kayla, May 2009






What the wedding couple's family and friends are saying:

"love the pictures, they're gorgeous!!!"
- Marie Anne

"So surprised to see the pictures, they are fabulous, but then the photographer had exceptional subjects."
-Mary

"Love the pictures - So very much looking forward to the wedding" -Diane

"The pictures turned out perfectly. I cannot wait to see the other pictures. Mel did an amazing job on them! Congratulations again." Laurie-Lynn




"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

"I would recommend my photographer Melanie Shields. She's still pretty new to the scene, but we had great e-pics with her and her prices are pretty reasonable. She has a very good eye for pics, and that's why we went with her - she can get the shot. We had trouble narrowing down our shoot to the 40 pic we liked most for retouching (that was our package)
We really like working with her, and think she's a great photgrapher."

Linda, February 2010.

""My MOH just got married in October 09 and used Melanie Shields she was very professional, reasonably priced and pics turned out great."
-Mindy

"great pics!"

"She's SO nice and since she is a smaller studio she really is customer service driven. She really becomes your best friend leading up to the wedding.
She is great at what she does. " -Jane

"Very pretty" - Christa

" FH and I just had our consultation with Mel Shields and I just wanted to spread the word to all of you that she is SOO nice and passionate! She's much more affordable than many of the other big names, but she's just as good from what I've seen. If any of you are still looking for a photographer check her out!!!!" - annon

"I second Melanie! She's taken ALOT of pics of my goddaughter and her twin and they're great pics! She's really good with them too." -Lyne