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.

02.29.12

Robyn & Jonathan, Part 2 – Wedding Reception at St. Regis-Deer Valley

Robyn and Jonathan didn’t let a little thunderstorm stop them from having a glowing wedding reception in the ballroom of the St. Regis Hotel in Deer Valley. After their mountainside wedding ceremony, the skies began to darken, the clouds grew, and rain began to fall. While the staff at St. Regis quickly re-set the reception tables and decor, that had been scheduled for outdoors, the guests moved inside for cocktail hour. If you ask me, they got the best of both worlds—their wedding ceremony in the mountain air and an elegant ballroom reception. Each had a distinct and look and feel.

What a beautiful night of hilarious and touching toasts, elegant decor, good food and drink, and lively dancing with family and friends.

Erik: Incredible shots! I love the lighting and depth of field in your photos and the emotions you were able to capture! Amazing!

melissakelseyphotography: Thank you for taking the time to comment! I'm flattered by your compliment.

02.25.12

Robyn & Jonathan’s St. Regis, Deer Valley Wedding

What do you get when you put together…

One kind and genuine couple (dressed to the nines),

A spectacular setting,

Elegant flowers,

Delicious food,

Beautiful weather, followed by an unexpected thunderstorm,

Guests from around the world,

Family,

A hilarious toast from the father of the bride,

A touching speech from the best man…that left everyone in tears,

Desserts from The Dodo,

And traditional Greek dancing?

You get an experience of a lifetime.

Congratulations, Robyn & Jonathan. I was honored to have been part of your celebration. Oh, and stop working so much!

St. Regis Deer Valley Wedding Photographer_7

Look for their wedding reception photos, coming soon.

This lovely wedding was featured in Utah Bride and Groom Magazine. I’m pretty excited about that. Not too shabby, eh?

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Venue: St. Regis-Deer Valley

Wedding Gown: The Bride’s Shop

Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale

Groom’s Suit: Nordstrom

Groomsmen’s Suits: The Ritz Tuxedos

Flowers and Linens: Decoration Inc.

Hair: Seiren Salon 801-486-5074

Officiant: Hon. Dale Kimball, Senior U.S. District Judge for the District of Utah

Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Musician: Michael Lucarelli

Photo Booth: Photo Booths of Utah

DJ: Matt Carlson (801) 637-2032

Rings: Charley Hafen Jewelry and Morgan Jewelers

Invitations: Fine Stationary, Paper Source, Wedding Paper Divas

02.08.12

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.