Melissa Motyka Photography

09/15/2020

I am so happy to announce that In Your Wild Photography is now Melissa Motyka Photography!

Alongside this rebrand, I am also excited to announce a new direction for my business, and to let you know what you can expect from MMP going forward.

Over the past months since we last talked (I’ve missed you!), I’ve thought a lot about my true passions, how I can support others, and how all those things can fit together.

Which brings us to today.

Melissa Motyka Photography is now solely focused on ✨small business + personal brand photography for women✨

My goal as a brand photographer is to celebrate you, your work, and your brand through individualized photo stories. I want you to feel empowered in your brand photos — whatever that looks like to you.

I invite you to visit my new website at www.melissamotyka.com for more information, but I am always open to chat via email or DM.

I’m so excited to work with you and cannot wait to document your incredible work. 🤍

Love to you all,
Melissa

Small business and personal brand photography for women Celebrate your business with authentic photo stories Elevate your web & social contentI’ll help you take the guesswork out of content creation. We’ll showcase all the amazing parts of your brand with a variety of high quality photos for you...

01/16/2020

Photography has always been a significant, bright, and challenging passion of mine. In January 2018, I decided to pursue it as a business, to see where it could take me, to see how I could push myself to be better.
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In the time since I started IYW, I met and captured memories of incredible people who became friends. I learned how to build a website. I was pushed (way) out of my comfort zone. I tried things that scared me. I worked with incredible photographers. I second shot my first wedding, and then shot one on my own. I was invited into beautiful, intimate moments. I was (so) lucky to gain wonderful repeat clients. I made friends who live across an ocean.
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All in all, I built a business that I’m very proud of.
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All of these reasons are why this post is a little sad for me. But it’s also happy. It signifies a wonderful new adventure in my career.
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As many of you know, I have a full-time job outside of photography. It’s a career I’m passionate about, and also one that has presented wonderful opportunities. It’s one that is taking off in a new direction for me, and that I’m so excited to dive into. It’s why I’ve been so quiet here lately.
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As you might have guessed, I have made the tough decision to no longer book any photography sessions going forward. I cannot tell you enough how much I appreciate your support, love, trust, and business. I love my clients so much, and I’m sad this chapter is closing. Every single session was so special to me, and I will miss no longer making those memories with you.
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For clients who have booked sessions with me for this year, we’re still on for those! I can’t wait to see you. I’ll cherish your sessions that much more.
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To everyone else - I love you and thank you. I’m so thankful to have been a little part of your captured memories. Maybe IYW will come back one day. In the meantime, I’ll still check in once in a while here. I hope to see you then.
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Love,
Melissa

10/03/2019

LOVE this bag and this gal! And loved doing this brand shoot 😊🍂🧡

09/27/2019

A year ago I got an Instagram message from Eleanna requesting a brand session for her family’s hand-painted purse + clothing line . We met up for the first time at Dundas Peak to shoot her beautiful products on a sunny fall day. After our session, I remember feeling like I had known her and her boyfriend Jason forever, and like I was somehow already friends with them.
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Now, 11 months later, we’ve done four sessions together and have hung out outside of our branding work. Eleanna and Jason ARE my friends, and I feel so lucky that photography led me to this friendship! They are starting a new adventure very soon, so we had one last session together yesterday (for now, I hope!) among the colourful fall scenery in Oakville.
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I’m so thankful for you two and I can’t wait to catch up again one day soon! ❤️
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Check out M y h e A R T for the most exquisite hand-painted purses, like this clutch perfect for bridal parties!

08/07/2019

I delivered Rachel + Natansh’s wedding gallery this week and am so excited to share some more images from this beautiful, colourful, amazing day. I was either wide-eyed or teary-eyed throughout the whole ceremony. My first solo wedding and my first Indian wedding all rolled into one. Won’t soon forget this ❤️

07/23/2019

One of my favourite shots so far from R + N’s ceremony. It was the first Indian ceremony I’ve attended. The whole time I was just thinking about how full of light, happiness, and colour it was. And how beautiful it was to see these two families come together, how physically important each parent was in the process.
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So thankful for these two for inviting me into their ceremony and being so open and caring. ❤️

07/16/2019

The first image of many I know I’m going to share from Rachel and Natansh’s wedding on Sunday ❤️
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I used to work with R + N over three years ago, and was so excited when they asked me to photograph their wedding! There is so much I can say about them, but what you really need to know is that they are so warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind. They are so open and loving with their family and friends, and it was such an honour to capture all that love. R + N's celebration was full of music, dancing, laughter, and happiness. The way their families came together to marry their son and daughter was beautiful.
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Thank you two so so much for letting me be a part of this beautiful day. I am so grateful.

07/11/2019

Things I haven’t been doing the past couple weeks:
✖️ posting consistently to Instagram
✖️ keeping up with blog posts
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Things I’ve been doing instead:
✖️ reading to educate myself
✖️ preparing for my first solo wedding
✖️ staying off my phone more
✖️ spending quality time with my person/my people
✖️ enjoying the summer
✖️ going for walks
✖️ reading for pleasure
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Our focus will not always be on the things we think we “should be focusing on.” And that’s more of a blessing than anything. Stay open to experiences, give yourself the flexibility to explore and do things you love, and stop worrying about an algorithm. ⚡️

07/02/2019

I love the buzz of a bridal party. The outfits, the bouquets, hanging out all day with your siblings + closest friends.
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What are some fun things you did with your bridesmaids and/or groomsmen?
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| Second-shot for Chloe Jane Photo + Film |

07/01/2019

Happy Canada Day! I’m so thankful to live in this beautiful country!

I’ve got a new blog post up with all my favourite photos from Gina + Victoria’s best friend session featuring some delish Tim Horton’s treats 😋☕️

Hope you all have a great Canada Day!

Nothing says "Happy Canada Day" like a best friend photoshoot on Lake Ontario with some Timmie's coffee. Which is why I'm so excited to share more of these photos with you today!

06/27/2019

It was calling for rain all day, but the weather held up for these two. I have to say I feel like we got the best of both worlds, because as we were getting to our last photo location for the day it started raining. N + C totally embraced it and cozied up as the sky got darker and rain drops broke through the trees.
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| Second-shot for Chloe Jane Photo + Film |

06/25/2019

Congratulations to N + C, who giggled and laughed and smiled SO big the entire day! It was such an honour to help capture your love. ❤️
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Thank you to Chloe Jane Photo + Film who hired me to assist her for this wedding! ✨