by Johanna Osborne

Mel Waite is one of those people you can’t help but like. She’s bright, bubbly and full of energy. But more than that, she is also incredibly talented. Mel is one of Wellington’s top wedding photographers, and her reputation precedes her. With the ability to really “see things”, Mel’s high school teachers recognised her talent early on, and she excelled in photography classes. There was no doubt what her vocation was to be.

What makes Mel so good at what she does? The results speak for themselves. Many a happy bride and groom will remember Mel years after their wedding, and greet her like an old friend. They remain incredibly grateful for those amazing moments she captured forever.

In addition to her natural talent, it’s Mel’s mindset and approach that make her such a star. She shares; “If you book a wedding photographer, book someone who you are going to get on with. You are going to spend more time with them than anyone else on your day. It’s important you like them and they make you feel at ease.” Mel invests a lot of time with the bride and groom in the lead up to the wedding, as well as on the day, and she enjoys doing what she can to help. With 20-30 weddings per year, she knows a thing or two about it all; “I always say it’s only my opinion, but I’m happy to share it.” And her wise words never fall on deaf ears, with many couples thankful for the guidance. Next to a wedding planner, a photographer really is the best source for timing and planning on such a big day, where being organised truly counts.

Mel always comes prepared, armed with an “emergency kit” full of magic goodies that can fix almost any problem. Amongst these treasure are plasters, a needle and thread, safety pins, double sided tape, Panadol, tissues, wet ones, breath mints, floss, lipstick and gloss, Hill Cook’s famous solutions buds … the list goes on. Mel prides herself on going the extra mile; “I try to make things run as smoothly as possible, which in turn will make everyone much happier. And it shows in the photos, which means the bride and groom are happy. It’s all about making the day as stress-free as possible, and I don’t mind one little bit doing extra bits and pieces that are beyond my scope. It’s worth it in order to make sure everyone is having a good time.”

Mel’s tricks don’t stop there. Impressively, she always packs a picnic for the bridal party. She finds this to be a great way to boost everyone’s energy levels, and also relax the boys, who Mel finds are always “much happier to pose for photos after a beer!” Making it a positive experience is important to Mel; “I want people to enjoy it and have a good time whilst having their pictures taken. And also I want them to look back at the photos and feel that they look like themselves. I carry that theory through in terms of post production- I touch up spots etc but I want people to look like people, and not have plastic Barbie skin. So I don’t overdo it at all.”

Mel’s advice for brides and grooms looking for someone to photograph their day is simple; “Go for a professional, spend that money, you won’t regret it. Wedding photography can’t be redone. You are going to hold and treasure the photos from your wedding for the rest of your life.” In terms of budgeting, she also has some good words of wisdom; “Weddings can be expensive. You don’t have to go all out with everything. It’s a good idea to work out early on what’s important to you, and focus on that.” She adds; “Don’t be afraid to ask questions and request to see sample albums. Visit more than one photographer, so that you are completely happy with your choice.”

After chatting to her, I get the feeling that if you have Mel by your side when you tie the knot, that it will be a very happy journey indeed. Mel knows how meaningful it all is, and she appreciates the opportunity to play a role in it: “I just love being part of someone’s special day. It’s the most exciting day of a couple’s life, and to be part of that happiness, joy and excitement is great.” It’s a pleasure Mel certainly does not take for granted; “To be able to give a couple photos that they will cherish and remember forever is so special. I am so very lucky that I get to do what I love, and that it makes others so happy as well.” And that I believe is the mark of someone who truly loves what they do!

Mel has kindly shared with us some photos of a recent wedding she shot – Jacqueline & Richard celebrated their marriage in the Hunter valley. Have a look at the lovely photos below.

And don’t forget to check out Mel Waite Photography at the Wellington Wedding Show on Sunday 16th September at Wellington’s Old Town Hall!

Mel Waite Photography
www.melsfotos.com

04 2321180
021 312017