Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah Wedding Photographer-Melissa Kelsey » modern. elegant. real.

Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah Wedding Photographer-Melissa Kelsey bio picture

Thanks for stopping by my photo blog. I’m a wedding and portrait photographer, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m a transplant to Utah from Northern California, where I grew up skiing and enjoying the outdoors with my family. I moved to Utah to go to college (and ski) and here I am 15 years later, married to a hard working, supportive husband. We have a vibrant baby girl and two black Labs, who have been very patient with us while we figure out this baby thing.

I’m dedicated to making beautiful photographs for my clients and providing them a great photography experience. I get excited when I get a great shot (as many of my clients can attest) and I’m not afraid to act like a dork in public.

Here, you'll find lots of wedding photographs and portraits, wedding tips, and an occasional personal tidbit. I love to hear from and interact with my readers, please leave a comment or send me a message.

Please scroll down for my latest blog posts.

02.02.12

Jacki & Garrett’s Air Force Base Engagement Photos

Jacki is a tax lobbyist. Garrett flies F-16s for the U.S. Air Force. Quite the couple, eh? Jacki had the idea of doing engagement photos with Garrett’s jet. Yes, it even has his name on the side. Oh, and the best part it—he got to name his jet. What’s the name, you ask? The “Angry Jacki”, of course. Jacki is a smart, independent, vibrant woman (the best kind), who goes after what she wants. Hence, the name. In fact, she went after what she wanted when she saw Garrett…at a bar…in Korea. Garrett was stationed there and Jacki had moved to Korea, looking for an exciting adventure. She went right up to him and said, “I’ll be over there, when you’re ready to come talk”. I was listening during the toasts, guys! How could I forget such a great story?

So, with a little nod to the past, Jacki put on a red dress and heels and Garrett wore his flight suit. It had just rained, so the runway was wet and the sky was filled with perfect, gray clouds and the dramatic mountains in the background. After our jet session, we drove around Hill Air Force Base and found beautiful fields to run around in. The sun came out and began to go down, which made for the best photographer weather you can ask for—rich, blue skies, puffy clouds, and golden light. Just beautiful.

I got a special treat at the end of the jet portion of our session, so be sure to scroll to the end to see.

These last pictures are of me geeking out about being in the F-16 jet. Jacki took photos of me with my phone. Thanks, Jacki! That’s Garrett, telling me about the “Top Gun” button. There are actually buttons that say “dog fight”, that you push when you want to shoot at another plane at close range. Oh, and there’s really an “eject” button, just like the cartoons. Sweet.

02.01.12

Shane & Kathryn’s Park City Ski Resort Wedding Reception

After Shane & Kathryn’s wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, we headed up to Park City’s historic Main Street. The color, texture, and personality of Main Street, make it a great place for portraits. Kathryn and I originally planned photos on a ski lift, but the weather derailed those plans. No problem, though. Kathryn was a go-with-the-flow bride and stopped for a little refreshment with her new husband and bridal party, at a local brew pub instead.

Then, it was off to the reception at Park City Ski Resort, where there was glowing candle light, an assortment of cream colored flowers and natural wood accents (created by Kathryn, herself). Instead of a traditional wedding cake, Kathryn and Shane had a croquembouche, a traditional French wedding cake, made up of a tower of cream-filled, caramel-dipped cream puffs. Kathryn’s parents also had one at their wedding. Turns out, it’s good luck to kiss over the croquembouche at your wedding, as long as you don’t knock it over. The croquembouche stayed well intact that night.

The remainder of the night was filled with hilarious toasts and lively dancing. I always feel honored to be privy to such a personal event as a wedding. The toasts make me laugh and I learn a little more about the couples I am photographing, through the words of a couples’ friends and families. I feel a little like I’m a part of their lives for one night, connected to them, even if I won’t see them again. It sure is nice.

Congratulations to Kathryn and Shane, a really lovely couple.

01.30.12

Shane & Kathryn’s Park City Destination Wedding

Kathryn and Shane live in Louisiana, where Shane does his dental residency. Kathryn is a practicing dentist there. I’ve debated about making a joke about what great teeth they both have, but I’m sure they’ve heard that before. Besides being dentists, they are a warm and friendly couple with wonderful friends and family.

Kathryn lived in Utah at one time and has loved returning with her family, over the years, to ski in Park City. With friends and family spread throughout the U.S., they decided Park City would be a lovely destination for their wedding, where their everyone could enjoy the skiing and outdoor experience Park City has to offer.

Kathryn and Shane had a beautiful wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, filled with all the good things that happen at weddings—hugs, laughter, togetherness, happy tears, and a kiss to seal the deal. One of my favorite parts of a Catholic wedding ceremony is the part where everyone “greets” each other. They shake hands, hug, and say “hi”. What a nice way to include everyone who has come to see the bride and groom be married.

Here, I’ve included a few portraits and the wedding ceremony. Stay tuned for a future post highlighting portraits on historic Main Street in Park City, as well as Kathryn and Shane’s wedding reception at Park City Ski Resort.

01.14.12

Kortney & Dallin | Engagement Photos in Salt Lake City

Kortney and Dallin live in Utah, but were married in California. Before they went off and got hitched, they asked me to photograph their engagement portraits. This is one flirty, good looking couple, which made my job fun. Wait…it’s always fun, but this was extra fun.

heather nan: Stunning couple and a beautiful session... loving me the shot through the PVC pipe thingees :)

melissakelseyphotography: Thank you, Heather! I appreciate your comment.

01.13.12

Sam & Brandon | Wedding at the The Gateway Grand Hall

Sam and Brandon are one of those couples whose love you can see right away. You can see the fun between them. You can see it in the way they look at each other and treat each other. You may remember their engagement session that I posted here, or that they were the winners of The Gateway Ultimate Wedding Giveaway. There is not a couple more deserving or appreciative of what they received when they won. They love their families and spend a lot of time with them and I got to see that special connection with their families, on their wedding day. Here’s to Sam and Brandon!