Logo for Melissa Toye Photography featuring a brown circular background with white text and border, stating the establishment year 2008, with the name in stylized lowercase letters.

Ottawa wedding and lifestyle photography for laid-back lovers who want honest, sun-soaked moments.

Weddings
Lifestyle
A smiling woman standing outdoors during sunset with trees and colorful foliage in the background, wearing a white short-sleeve shirt and layered necklaces.

Hey, I’m Melissa! I photograph love, chaos, wind-blown hair, sandy toes, belly laughs, and the kind of moments you don’t realize are magic until they’re gone.

I’m an Ottawa wedding and lifestyle photographer who believes the best photos happen when you stop trying so hard. No stiff poses. No weird hand placement. Just you being you — with a little guidance so you don’t feel awkward (because let’s be honest… we all do at first).

I’m a mom, a creative, and a firm believer that real life is beautiful — even when it’s loud, messy, and slightly unhinged. Especially then.

If you want earthy tones, honest emotion, and photos that feel like a memory instead of a photoshoot… you’re in the right place.

Your Photographer (With Big Sister Energy)

More About Me

01
Calm, grounded energy

02
An eye for real moments

03
Over 17 years of experience

What People Are Saying

  • “I’m crying!!! You captured us so perfectly!”

  • "From beginning to end it is such a great experience. She is so welcoming and makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera. I am so in love with the photos. They are so natural and don't look or feel stiff."

  • “She fixes your hair! Enough said!”

Services

Lifestyle

Whether you're planning a Wedding, chasing toddlers through a field, or starting a new chapter, I’m your girl. Here’s how we can work together.

A family enjoying a day at the beach, with a woman, two young girls, and a man playing and laughing on the sand near the water, surrounded by trees.
A bride and groom share an intimate moment outdoors, with the groom kissing the bride's forehead. The bride has dark hair and is wearing a white lace wedding dress, while the groom has red hair and a beard, dressed in a dark suit. The background features greenery and trees during sunset.
Weddings
A woman taking a photo of a smiling girl on a bridge, with a cloudy sky and buildings in the background.
Mentoring
A couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss on a grassy cliffside overlooking the ocean at sunset, with a rainbow and clouds in the sky.
A couple hugging on the empty road in a mountainous landscape with forests and snow-capped peaks in the background.
A bride and groom standing on a pathway surrounded by trees and bushes, sharing an intimate moment during their wedding.
A family sitting in the front seat of an old truck during sunset. The man is driving, a woman sits beside him, and a young boy is sitting on the man's lap, holding the steering wheel, looking at the camera. They are on a rural road with greenery outs
A couple walking on a large rock beside a river, surrounded by trees, during sunset.
A couple walking hand in hand along the shore of a lake during sunset, with the bride in a white wedding dress and the groom in a white shirt and dark pants, surrounded by trees.
A group of five people, including two adults and three children, standing near the water's edge on a small patch of land with tall grass. They are by a calm lake with a forested shoreline in the background, overcast sky.
A newlywed couple under a veil, smiling and embracing, with a bouquet of colorful flowers.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom holding hands and walking across a grassy field with trees in the background, during sunset.
Family of four, two adults and two young girls, enjoying time together on a sandy beach at sunset, with birds flying overhead and trees in the background.
Wedding photo of a smiling couple in an outdoor setting with autumn foliage, surrounded by wedding accessories, flowers, sunglasses, and wedding invitations on a wooden table.
A newlywed couple stands in the middle of a winding road surrounded by trees, smiling and embracing each other during sunset.
A woman and three children, two boys and one girl, smiling and posing on a city street during daytime.
A bride and groom standing on a wooden dock by a lake during sunset, embracing with the bride resting her head on the groom's shoulder, surrounded by autumn foliage.
A man and woman sitting together in a canoe on calm water, with the woman holding a paddle and both smiling at the camera.
Family of four enjoying a walk by the lake shoreline in the evening. The father holds a baby girl, the mother holds the hand of a young girl, and they are wearing white clothes near the water.
A bride and groom are embracing and kissing outside a rustic wooden building during sunset, with trees and flowers around them.
A bride and groom sharing a kiss next to a vintage black car on a rural road, with a cloudy sky and autumn landscape in the background.
Three children sitting on the steps outside an ice cream shop, each holding an ice cream cone, with a green door and window behind them.
A bride and groom hugging on the sandy beach near the water, with a serene lake and cloudy sky in the background during sunset.
A woman holding a colorful bouquet of various flowers including orange roses, white roses, red dahlias, and other blooms, with dark and green leaves.
A family of four on a beach, with a man holding a baby, a woman and a young boy playing near the water's edge, with a wooded area in the background.
Two women sitting on the grass next to a black Jeep with headlights on, smiling and touching foreheads, in a natural outdoor setting with trees in the background.
Bride and groom sitting on a blanket in a lush, green park surrounded by trees and flowers, during sunset.
A family of four playing on a stone ledge by the water during sunset, with the mother spinning her daughter and the father helping their son.
A man and woman holding hands in a lake, smiling at each other with trees in the background.
A bride and groom sharing a moment outdoors at their wedding reception, with a large white tent decorated with string lights in the background.
A family of three holding hands and dancing outdoors on a rocky area surrounded by trees, with a clear sky.
A happy couple embracing on a wooden dock by a lake during sunset, with trees and a boat with an outboard motor in the foreground.
A happy bride and groom holding each other and lifting their legs in the air outdoors on a grassy field with a cloudy sky in the background.
A family of six standing at a lake during sunset, with the parents (a man and woman) close together, children's expressions joyful, all with feet in the water.
A wedding celebration with a bride and groom dancing surrounded by friends and family holding sparklers as it gets dark outdoors.
A couple smiling and holding hands outdoors during sunset, with trees in the background.
A family of six enjoying a playful moment by a lakeshore with lush trees in the background, splashing water and smiling.
A bride and groom dancing on a sandy beach by a lake with trees and rocks in the background, during sunset.
A bride and groom hold glasses of champagne during their wedding reception in a greenhouse filled with tropical plants, while guests celebrate around them.
A family of three in a small boat on a calm lake, with the father rowing and the mother kissing their young child.
A couple walking hand in hand on a rocky hilltop at sunset, with trees and a clear sky in the background.
A newlywed couple, dressed in wedding attire, making rude gestures while smiling outdoors under a wooden pavilion with white drapery.
A family of four sitting on a boat on a lake during sunset, smiling and touching foreheads, with water and sky in the background.
A bride and groom kissing on a beach at sunset
Bride in a wedding dress putting on her high-heeled shoe near large window with trees outside.
Group of children playing and running on a sandy beach near a body of water during sunset, with trees in the background.
A couple sharing a kiss outdoors with blurred festive lights in the background, dressed casually and formally.
A man and woman holding hands and walking along the beach near the water at sunset, with a scenic view of the ocean and sky in the background.
A family of four, two adults and two children, standing in the water at a lake during sunset, smiling and enjoying each other's company.
A couple is embracing by a lake, with their foreheads and noses touching, and the woman holding the man's face. The background features calm water and some trees on the shoreline.
A couple stands on a fallen log in a snowy mountain landscape with a lake and forest in the background.
A family lying on a quilted blanket in a field of tall grass, with two parents and three children engaging playfully and lovingly.
A couple embraces and kisses on a large rock formation overlooking a forested landscape under cloudy sky.
A couple embraces on a body of water during sunset, with the woman sitting on the man's lap and both holding each other closely.
A young girl smiling and holding a large black hat on her head outdoors with a blurred background of trees and sky.
A couple in formal attire stands on a rocky snowy ledge overlooking a partially frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains and pine trees.
A smiling bride and groom standing outdoors in a field, dressed in wedding attire, with happy expressions.
Black and white photo of a smiling couple, a man in a suit and a woman in a lace dress, enjoying their wedding or engagement moment by the ocean.

  • I capture about 50% Weddings and 50% lifestyle sessions. I also offer mentoring sessions!

  • All lifestyle sessions require a non-refundable retainer to secure your date. If you need to reschedule, your retainer will transfer to your new date and be held as a credit. Mini sessions are paid in full and can be applied toward a future full session. Repeated cancellations may result in forfeiting the retainer.

  • We all know the weather can flip fast! If rain looks likely, we’ll connect the day of your session to adjust—whether that’s shifting your time, changing locations, or rescheduling. We may also reschedule for extreme heat, smoke, wind, or other tough conditions to make sure you have the best experience.

  • I bring two Canon bodies — a Canon R6 and a 5D Mark III — along with a variety of prime lenses, two Godox flashes, battery packs, and more.

    Both cameras have dual card slots, so everything is backed up in-camera throughout the day. Once I’m home, your images are backed up to my computer, an external hard drive, and the cloud through Backblaze.

    After delivery, your gallery stays online for years to come.

  • Absolutely bring your dog—I love working with pups!

    If they’re easily distracted, consider bringing someone who can take them for a quick walk mid-session so we can grab a few photos without them and keep everything relaxed and fun

Frequently Asked Questions

  • For weddings, expect your images within two months of your special day. I also deliver a handful of images as soon as possible to be used on thank-you cards, your social media, and to relive the day right away!

    For lifestyle sessions, including minis, family, maternity, newborn, engagement, mentoring, branding, and more, your photos will be delivered within two weeks of your session.

  • All sessions and weddings are delivered digitally through a beautiful online gallery. You’ll receive high-resolution JPEGs with easy download options, built-in print ordering, and simple sharing with family and friends—near or far.

  • When your gallery is delivered, you’ll have access to a beautiful built-in print shop with top-quality products.

    If you choose to print elsewhere, quality can vary, but I’ve had decent results with Staples (larger prints), Costco, Mpix, and Photobook Canada. Just know you may need the occasional reprint.

  • Yes, absolutely!

    Vendors are welcome to share the images as well—just have them reach out to me directly so I can provide the files and proper credit.

    You’re free to share your gallery with friends and family by forwarding the link. They’ll be able to view, download (if enabled), and order prints directly.

    I love seeing your photos enjoyed and shared!

  • Yes — but they’re not offered year-round. I host mini session marathons a few times a year, and outside of those dates, minis aren’t available as one-off bookings.