Hi, I’m Melissa
Editorial & Documentary Wedding Photographer · Sitges & Barcelona
Hi! I’m a Canadian wedding photographer living in Sitges, just outside Barcelona — and I photograph weddings all over Spain, Europe, and beyond for couples who want their photos to feel as alive as the day actually was.
I love documentary storytelling mixed with a bit of editorial polish. What I really care about is the real rhythm of your day — the emotion, the movement, the light, the little details that make it distinctly yours. I know when to step in with gentle direction, and when to just get out of the way and let the moment happen.
If you're planning a wedding in Sitges, Barcelona or elsewhere in Europe, I'd love to hear what you're imagining.
I work with couples who care deeply about atmosphere, emotion and photographs that feel both beautiful and honest — images worth returning to, long after the day is over.
Why Weddings?
Weddings bring together everything I love to photograph: people, emotion, style, place and memory.
There is beauty in the big moments, but also in the in-between ones: a dress being fastened, a table just before guests sit down, a parent trying not to cry, friends taking over the dance floor. My job is to notice all of it and turn it into a gallery that feels like the day itself.
What to Expect
Working with me is unhurried and collaborative. Before the wedding, we take the time to talk through your day properly — the timeline, the venues, the light, the moments that matter most to you. On the day itself, I arrive prepared, attuned and ready to work. I guide you through portraits with clarity and ease, so you never feel posed or on display. And when the formalities give way to the evening, I stay present — watching, waiting, making images that reveal the day as it actually was.
My Journey
Originally from Canada, my relationship with photography began with old family albums — the kind you sit with slowly, noticing the people, the light in the room, the clothes, the details that bring a memory back to life. That quality of attention has stayed with me.
After years moving between cities and countries across Europe, I now call Sitges home. That life — different light, different cultures, different ways of celebrating — has shaped how I work: with curiosity, with genuine feeling, and with an eye for the details that make each story irreplaceable.
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Why storytelling wedding photography?
I love creating gently poses, intimate portraits with my couples to create timeless, heirloom imagery but I feel that the rest of the day should be storytelling moments that are a true reflection of you as a couple. Documenting all those moments naturally allows for me to tell a clear story of your day.
Light-filled, timeless wedding photography in Catalonia
A wedding is a celebration of two people's love for each other. That's why it's important to make sure your photos are both beautiful and authentic. The best way to do that is by capturing images that feel lighthearted and joyful, free of tension and clutter. When your wedding portraits look bright and airy, they'll show off the true spirit, colour and reflection of you day.
What makes imagery timeless?
Time doesn’t necessarily make your photos timeless. A great picture has timeless qualities because it captures something special and unique about that moment: the emotions, the setting, the people, etc. It can be as simple as a happy couple embracing in front of an old church building to a more complex scene involving all of these factors. It is my vision and ability to eliminate distractions combined with my editing style that contribute to the creation of timeless imagery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DO YOU COVER WEDDINGS AROUND ALL OF SPAIN?
Based in Sitges, I’m here to help couples capture their wedding day in a way that feels natural, timeless, and full of emotion. I mainly photograph weddings in Barcelona, Sant Pere de Ribes, Sitges, and Vilanova, but I also take on a limited number of weddings each year in other areas of Spain and abroad.
Every wedding is unique, and I’d love to chat about your plans to see how I can help capture your special day. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to check availability and talk more about your wedding dreams.
WHAT IS YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY EDITING STYLE?
I edit in a style that is film inspired and described as many as being bright and airy or even timeless and true to colour. I am inspired by Fuji and Portra film as well as photographers such as Greg Finck and KT Merry.
HOW DO YOU CAPTURE A WEDDING?
My photographs are a mixture of artfully posed pictures and pictures of real-life moments that tell a story of your day. I arrive at weddings a little early to capture the details of the shoes, the dress, the flowers, the perfume, and any other details. After I photograph the details, I take pictures of the bridal party while they are getting ready. During this time, I also get to know the bridal party.
Once I have photographed the details, I photograph their real moments as they occur during hair and makeup. All these moments capture authentic feelings and are natural and unposed as they occur. I also continue this approach throughout the day, capturing you and your guests' raw and natural emotions as they occur.
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What are the real 2027 wedding trends? Sitges-based photographer Melissa Mayes breaks down what she’s actually seeing on the ground in Spain and across Europe — from whimsical, story-driven styling to intimate, documentary-style celebrations that favor feeling over performance.