Heritage Bikes + Coffee | Chicago, IL
Coffee shops are my daily workspace, my second home, my place of rest and my 'living room' to dream and talk about life with friends. Thankfully, in my new home base of Chicago, there are so many beautiful work spaces (aka coffee shops). I like to mix up my surroundings from time to time to get fresh perspectives, but overall I have a few personal favorite shops that I frequent regularly. Heritage Bicycles is one of them. This is Heritage. They not only serve excellent coffee, but they sell and fix custom bikes. The interior design is right up my alley as well. The muted color palette, the original, fading wood floors with the stark contrast of the bold white walls with high ceilings just makes me so happy.
Since I am always commuting to different coffee shops around the cities I travel to, and now live in, I love to have a comfortable backpack to carry my laptop and camera gear in. I finally found a beautiful one for the city. The Kamrette Lyra Backpack. It has a separate zip sleeve in the back that is big enough for my 15 inch macbook pro, and I don't have to unzip the whole front camera gear section to get to it. It's a win-win kind of bag because it is not only beautifully designed but a 'pocket-lovers dream'.
Enjoy this little peak into my day to day life. The only part I didn't include is my lunch breaks to Mcdonalds, my endless emails and my rough hair that is probably hidden under a hat.
Coffee Shop Heritage Bicycles // Location Lincoln Park, Chicago // Camera Bag Kamrette Lyra Backpack // Eye Glasses TIJN Eyewear
Endless Elegance | Garden City, Long Island | New York City Wedding Photographer
New York City Wedding Photographer | Endless Elegance | Garden City, Long Island Wedding Venue
I love how Kelly and Jordan not only showed endless elegance, but as you scroll through the images from their beautiful day on Long Island, New York, you will see joy, laughter and endless amounts of fun on the dance floor. These days are so lovely to look back on. It doesn’t matter where you get married in this beautiful world, wether you have a destination wedding, an elopement at city hall or an intimate celebration with your closest family and friends, the most important part of a wedding day is being with your best friend and expressing your love for them, and these two did just that. It’s always an honor to document couples who are madly in love!
Such a joy to know you and to have photographed you both, Kelly and Jordan! x
This was a beautiful wedding that I captured in Garden City, Long Island, New York. If you are looking for a stunning wedding venue or wedding photographer in or around New York City, then check out the images on this blog post! They started at a gorgeous cathedral in Garden City and then ended at a stunning Long Island wedding venue! This day was just endlessly gorgeous. Elegant and Luxury weddings are so beautiful to document! And Garden City on Long Island is such a a historic area of New York. If you haven’t been, or are looking for a place to have an elegant wedding in a historic venue, then definitely go visit Long Island wedding venues. And what’s great about New York City as well, is that if guests are flying in, it’s one of the greatest cities in the world and in the states and I’m sure your guests would love to spend a holiday there! They have the choice of staying near Times Square, Soho or The Village, or all the way in Oyster Bay or Montauk. Definitely two different experiences, but Long Island weddings give you so many options for not only you, but your guests experience!
If you’d like me to capture your wedding day or see if your date is available for 2020 or 2021?
Fill out the form below and I would love to create something beautiful together!
Josh + Verity Wed | Yorkshire, England Wedding
Ever since meeting these two and roaming around Leeds for coffee last summer, I just fell in love with their sweet personalities. They are adorably silly, quirky, joyful and just so full of laughter and love. I'm incredibly grateful I was able to shoot their wedding in Yorkshire, which is one of my favorite areas of the United Kingdom. The day was moody and rainy (which made for excellent outdoor images, there was a stunning vintage red VW beetle, there was a pinata that was demolished to fill the dance floor with confetti before the party commenced, and there was a three-tiered Jello wedding cake. And that was all just icing on the cake (that wasn't there) compared to the love that was shared between Verity and Josh and their family and friends. Also, a huge thanks to Colin Ross, who was a boss at second-shooting this day with me!
Josh and Verity, Love you both dearly and wish the best for the season of life that lies before you!
Location: Downtown Bradford, England / Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Scotland Elopement | A Highland Wedding
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
( These are the kinds of individuals, artists, brides and humans I want to work with, and just live life with. )
You can't beat pure joy, even when it's so cold out!
I can't get enough of shooting the unique details of a wedding day.
If you’d like to Inquire about me capturing your wedding day or see if your date is available for 2020 or 2021?
Fill out the form below and I would love to help you create something beautiful together!
Location // It's a secret says the building owner, but I'll give you a hint...it's in Arrochar.
Planner + Stylist Fin Flükra (Catrina Duthie) // Website Facebook Instagram Pinterest
Wedding Photography Melody Joy Co. // Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
Floristry Posies & Pots // Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
Headpieces + Jewellery Susan Dick Jewellery // Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
Hair + Makeup Bonnie Brides // Facebook Instagram
Model // Natalie Leask
Featured on - Mrs. P & P Wedding Blog
If you are looking for an elopement photographer in Scotland, I would absolutely love to capture your love in the Scottish Highlands! I have traveled all over Scotland, and not only have shot real weddings, but have done so many trips to explore the land for leisure as well as to scout for future brides who are flying into Scotland. It’s so fun to do styled shoots in new areas of Scotland because you get to find the best areas and scout for unique landscapes that haven’t been shot before by other photographers. It’s so nice to try and find different places for every bride that is traveling to Scotland. The main Scottish landscapes are of course excellent venues to elope, but I really love finding places to elope in Scotland that are more off the beaten path and less traveled to. I just really love going on hikes in Scotland. Just being in the fresh air, experiencing new places and being so far away from the rest of the population is one of my favorite places to be. Capturing weddings started as a way to document people in love and I’ve thankfully with the help of trusting couples, have made a create a career out of it, but now I have started the nature aspect of it just as much. There is something about photographing a couple and their raw love amongst the elements of the mountains and sea coastlines, that truly makes their wedding photos have a raw and authentic feel to them. Scottish elopements are such a beautiful thing to capture, and if you choose to elope somewhere with your best friend, I would love suggest traveling to Scotland and finding an elopement photographer to document your love. And if you need any suggestions for places to elope in Scotland, please reach out and ask! I love to help couples plan their elopement anywhere, but especially in all of the beauty that is the Scottish Highlands.
All of the Joy | Dallas, TX | Dallas Wedding Photographer
All of the Joy | Dallas, TX | Dallas Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer | Lauren + Peter
Laurena and Peter's romantic wedding was full of so much joy and never ending smiles. Even my cheeks hurt from smiling so much at the end of the day. I wouldn't change a thing about this beautiful couple or their memorable day in their stunning ceremony and reception venues in downtown Dallas, Texas.
Below are a few of my personal favorite moments from the day. Whether it's the eye contact, the unplanned contagious laughter, or a small precious unseen moment...authentic candids will always be my favorites from a wedding day.
So blessed by you and your precious families, Lauren and Peter. Praying blessings over you and your first year of marriage, plus the many more years you still have to come!
Wedding Coordinator - Experience Specialist, Reception - Nasher Sculpture Center, Wedding Filmmakers - Northmark Films, Second shooter - Christina Elmore
Coffee + Love | Chicago Wedding
I love when a bride feels good about herself and you can see the excitement and joy overflowing in all of her motions. Twirling in her dress, making sweet eye contact with her love and nonstop smiling from ear to ear. Sometimes my cheeks even hurt after a wedding day from smiling so much. I also love that her tattoo says "Where there's a will, there's a way!"
This wedding shoot at Chicago Workshop is a perfect way to show you that you can have an intimate wedding (which I LOVE) and still have all of your favorite wedding vendors, minus the huge gathering.
And what could be better than a couple getting married in a creative studio enjoying their favorite coffee and donut filled dessert bar?
Cheers to couples in love!
check out the wedding vendors listed below the images.
photo: @melodyjoyco / planning: @graceniudesign & @alldeievents / styling: @alldeievents / venue: @workshopchicago / paper goods & calligraphy: @graceniudesign / desserts: @lovesugarandgrace / florals: @splendor_of_eden / rings: @ladyfayejewelry / hair & makeup: @trannguyen19 / coffee: @goodmanner_
A Hike In the Dolomites | Val Di Fassa, Italia
Dolomites Hike | Val Di Fassa, Italia | Italy Wedding Travel Photographer
Everyone should visit Val Di Fassa, Italy. The area is one of the world's best ski-resort towns and has the most epic views from every vantage point. The gang and I went on a couple-hour hike in the mountains and the views were stunning. My favorite part was coming across an abandoned hotel. It was beautiful. There were a couple of abandoned cabins around as well. I absolutely loved these few hours of my life. Below are some snapshots of the hike. I also wore snowshoes for the first time. They are very practical for not sliding off the edge of a cliff on a small path. Highly recommend them for any hikes in the snow. Enjoy!
Also, if anyone wants to do a styled shoot at this hotel....let me know! I would easily fly back!
Thank you @visitvaldifassa, for such a beautiful experience!
East Riddlesdon Hall | Leeds, England
Lois and Craig are gems. This wedding was full of love, laughter, and the most adorable little ones.
Second shooter - James Frost.
Culzean Castle | Dreamy Scotland Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Culzean Castle | Dreamy Scotland Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer
Castle Weddings on the shore of Scotland are what dreams are made of.
Historic Celtic Castles in Scotland are everywhere. If you are looking for a castle as the romantic backdrop of your elopement or wedding day in Scotland, there are plenty of castles to choose from. But Culzean Castle is one of the most beautiful castles that I have ever seen.
I’ve been to quite a few castles in Scotland, as they have always intrigued me with their architecture and endless history. I love researching castles, big and small, whenever Ross and I go to the Highlands to explore more of the countryside on weekend trips. My favorite castles have always been the abandoned ones. So much mystery, I always like to sit and dream of what used to take place there.
But out of all of the castles I’ve been to, I am so impressed with the gardens and environment of Culzean Castle, it truly stands out to me the most. They have completely kept the grounds alive and preserved for visitors to take tours and to even stay the night there (they have a gorgeous bridal suite). There are a mix of tropical plants like Palm Trees, a secluded romantic green house, a courtyard with cannons, a grand stone archway and an epic walk up to the castle from the parking lot, really sets the mood for the grandness and allure that this castle holds. Culzean Castle sits right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Eastern shoreline of Scotland. It’s just a beautiful ambience of the endless waves you will here from the castle with the windows open. There is even a beautiful long staircase down the beach where you and your partner can go down to the ocean and just be closer to the rushing waves. I have always loved the mysteriousness of the ocean and to have both a historic castle and a beautiful and private beach front all in one venue… I really could not recommend Culzean Castle enough for your wedding day.
I second shot this wedding day with the talented James Frost.
The Not So Green, Greenland.
There was really no idea in my head of how Greenland was going to look. Since I was a child I had always heard that the country was huge, cold, and "wasn't very Green". All true, but in the most beautiful way. I wouldn't change a thing about Greenland. It is definitely among the most surreal and stunning places I have ever been. Everywhere we turned there was another iceberg, another glacier, and another epic mountain in the mist. Greenland's landscape is truly a work of art.
First stop. Nuuk, Greenland.
Amongst the beauty we were not able to just see the land but experience the water and the ice first hand. We slipped on our wetsuits, hopped in the freezing cold waters, and swam to go stand on an iceberg as we waved to fellow crew members on the boat. Afterwards we floated peacefully in the water as we looked at the majestic skies above.
Second Stop. Ilulissat, Greenland.
Greenland Guides Visit Greenland, Touring Greenland, World of Greenland
Lodging of Greenland.
Touring Greenland Adventure
A beautiful combination of glamping yet being far away from any civilization.
Hotel Hans Egede
The most colorful and beautiful hotel in the colorful city of Nuuk.
Hotel Arctic
The coziest hotel, where you are surrounded by icebergs and arctic snow dogs right outside of your window.
Colorful Nuuk.
Nuuk is the capital city of Greenland, with a population of around 17,000 people. The Visit Greenland headquarters is based here, as it is the largest city in the country. If you are planning a trip to Greenland (which you all should be), then I highly recommend that you contact them or visit their website for inspiration.
As much as I love the moodier weather and a darker color palette for my images, I absolutely love the pops of color that come from the historic houses that are scattered throughout the city. Each color represented a specific building in the original colony. That palette has now expanded, but you can see only the original colors in the "old town" by the waterfront.
Below is the stunning cultural center of Nuuk, called Katuaq. It is used to hold concerts, exhibits of local artwork, conferences, and it also serves as the local cinema! In the lobby cafe I was able to try a muskox hotdog and it was amazing. I love hotdogs generally, but this one was one of the best I have ever had. It was amazing to see the distinctive architecture of this center amongst the historic homes that make up this colorful city.
Up in the Air.
To get to the beautiful and remote country of Greenland you have to fly with Air Greenland. A few years ago I found out that my favorite chocolate chip cookies overseas were the "Maryland" brand, and I was so very happy to see that those were served on all Air Greenland flights. Helicopter tours are popular in Greenland but, to be honest, I can't imagine views better than the ones from the plane rides to and from each city. You fly close enough to the ground where the visibility of the vast ice sheet is so clear on every flight. When you look out the window and see the tiny "ice cubes" below you, it's crazy to think that they could weigh over 100,000 tons.
These views were so surreal and ones I will never forget.
Anna + Russell | Vinewood Plantation
I thoroughly loved shooting at Vinewood Plantation alongside my talented and sweet friend, Noi Tran. Anna and Russell were the kindest and one of the most loving couples I have ever had the pleasure to photograph on a wedding day. The weather entailed a light mist throughout the entire day. It was endlessly stunning and incredibly serene. I couldn't think of a better way to describe this day than a dream.
Blessings to Anna and Russell on your beautiful future together. Sincerely, Melody
Images above: My photography | Film Photography: Noi Tran Photography | Venue: Vinewood Plantation | Coordination/Design/Florals: Amy Osaba Events (Mary McLeod & Ashley Killen) | Hair & Makeup: Bombshell Creations | Cake: Southern Sweets Bakery | Caterer: Elegant Expressions (Lori Conley) | Reception Band/DJ: Complete Music | Dress: The White Magnolia (Bridal Collection)
Travel. Missions. Republica Dominicana.
Wow, what a life changing and eye opening week. Not only were we able to minister via capturing film of our Missions team in Duarte, Dominican Republic, but we were able to see God's beauty all around us. Whether it was in a joyful moment, a colorful scene or a stunning sky, I could see God everywhere. Here are a few of my favorite moments captured still frames.
