... photography, and capturing the authentic, timeless moments. It captivates me when I have couples that create a wedding day unique to their lives and an experience that they will remember for a lifetime
I want to capture the organic moments. When your best friend turns to another to laugh about a dance move, your mother clasping her heart as she listens to sentiments told by family members, or your grandmother that watches with kind and quiet eyes as you grab your love for your first dance.
I don’t just show up and take photographs, I become many roles for my couples, coordinator, organizer, friend. Being a teacher and having to work on my feet, to be flexible and understanding, and capture the attention of different sized groups has definitely played a huge role in my success as a photographer during weddings.
photograph to serve couples that value...
I
"We have so many amazing photos with genuine laughter, happy tears,
meaningful looks..."
- Minnie and Jamie
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"Melanie is the best. I can't decide if I should start my review by gushing about how beautiful our photos are or if I should start by gushing about how much we loved spending time with her during our wedding and engagement shoot. Our photos are totally breathtaking - I knew our wedding day was beautiful but I didn't totally understand it until I saw how she captured it. I look at them and I feel like we're in a magazine spread. We're so excited to see more as she finishes them. She's also just a really cool person with a gift for making people feel comfortable! The idea of the engagement shoot is a little intimidating (so we're supposed to like... make out in front of this person with a camera?) but she made it so relaxing and fun - all three of us were laughing the whole time and the photos came out beautifully. She and her team (including her wonderful brother Tom!) added so much to the good energy the morning of the wedding. She even helped provide moral support when we realized our dog had chewed up my wedding shoes. Know that if you work with Melanie you are choosing not only a super talented photographer but also a person who can help maintain a fun and relaxed vibe after the bride discovers she suddenly has no shoes. (Note - nobody is mad at the dog, he is a very good boy). She was great at corralling all the family members and wedding party - everyone was genuinely smiling and having fun even though not all family members enjoy being photographed. You'll be so lucky if you get her!"
- Jane + Kyle
"Melanie was absolutely amazing. Besides being an excellent photographer with an eye for natural details, my partner and I found her confidence and excitement about our farm elopement idea and willingness to shoot a non-traditional wedding to be a huge relief. Having been together for 10 + years, we really didn't want to do a wedding at all but wanted the photos and memories and Melanie was able to run with that half baked vision and turn it into an amazing experience for us. We couldn't have done it without her because she thought of things we never would have thought of-- and in less than 30 days, and during a pandemic no less. I especially love that Melanie was able to capture the surrounding landscape and the general vibe of the day, weather, details in addition to the photos of us. Couldn't have asked for anything more!!"
- Rebecca + Nolan
"I cannot put into words how wonderful it was to work with Melanie. Hiring a photographer for such a momentous day can be scary and intimidating. You will not go wrong with Melanie. From our first email exchange, through the day of the wedding, she has been nothing but communicative and super responsive, accommodating, thoughtful, sweet, and professional. Not only is she a super-skilled photographer, she’s down-to-earth and knows how to lighten a mood and make what can seemingly be an intimidating or awkward thing so much fun and so memorable! "
- Vish + SamAntha
Wedding Experience Timeline
We start our journey with a discovery video call, where we delve into my process and what lies ahead. I find immense joy in connecting with each client either over the phone or in person, perhaps over a cozy cup of tea or coffee, to learn about your unique story and your vision for the big day. Following our initial meeting, I draft a detailed proposal tailored to your needs.
Let's connect
01.
Let's kickstart your wedding preparations!
Expect a series of guides packed with invaluable tips to enhance your photography planning, from choosing the perfect getting ready spot to prepping for hair and makeup.
We'll tailor an engagement session just for you – whether it's at a cherished spot, an exciting adventure, or the comfort of your own home.
Contract signed
02.
As we approach your big day, I'll provide a information sheet for you to fill out, capturing all the essential details and key individuals.
Using this, I'll craft a personalized timeline aimed at maximizing your enjoyment on the day. We'll collaborate to finalize the timeline, either in-person or via video call.
I'll stay in touch at various points, meeting multiple times for manifesting and planning reviews, ensuring everything aligns perfectly with your vision for the day.
Leading up to your wedding
03.
Your wedding celebrations have arrived!! All our planning and preparation work means you are both headed into your special days feeling confident, excited, and ready.
This is the start of your journey and some of the best moments that will root yourselves for the next chapter. The day is filled with laughter, a ton of love, and adventure.
After your wedding day, your photographs are stored and backed up to ensure protection. You'll receive sneak peeks the week of, with uploads to the gallery to share and download. The next 8 weeks, a lot of intentional time is spent on editing the perfect images to tell your unique story.
You will receive your gallery within 8 weeks of your wedding to be downloaded, and have access to it for two full years online.
Let the celebration commence
04.
Your Investment with Melanie Ruth Photography
Wedding collections begin at
$5800
We offer a range of collections to meet your needs as a client. All packages customizable and include timeline planning, access to wedding guides, as well as an online gallery where your images are organized and easy to download. Elopements can be customized for two days, and wedding days have optional full day coverage.
