Nadia Meli Weddings 7uAyB_HkMKw /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/p6_masthead.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/p6_profile_pic.jpg People are my passion - and photography gives me a key to their lives and stories. nadia_meli_link /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/p6_s1_f1.jpg --4D7Xqj4LM Nadia Meli is Italian born, German raised, international photographer who specialises in intimate weddings and elopements across Europe. Nadia started her wedding photography business back in 2010 after photographing various friend’s weddings. Since then, she has shot hundreds of weddings all over the world and had her work published by numerous magazines and online blogs. Thanks to her unique, natural and genuine style of shooting, she has become a renowned photographer in her field. Nadia’s greatest passions are people, their stories, their lives and seeing their special moments come alive. Because of this, she started teaching workshops and online courses in 2015, which focus on developing a vision for photographers and helping them find their own artistic voice and style. Nadia Meli shares a collection of her favourite imagery, guided by her purpose to make the 'beauty of love' visible /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p1_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p1.jpg <p>Robert after giving a love letter to his parents, the day of his wedding</p><p><a href="/EU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750">Nikon D750</a> | 1/100 sec. | f/2 50mm | ISO 640 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-50mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p2_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p2.jpg <p>Vanessa hugging her father after the ceremony</p><p>Nikon D700 | 1/5000 sec. | f/2.2 85mm | A1:C16 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-85mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p3_thumb.jpg true true /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p3.jpg <p>Sunset in Santorini with Teresa and Peter</p><p><a href="/EU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750">Nikon D750</a> | 1/1250 sec. | f/2.8 35mm | ISO 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p4_thumb.jpg true true /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p4.jpg <p>Guests having fun during cocktail hour. A beautiful Italian wedding</p><p>Nikon D700 | 1/4000 sec. | f/2.8 35mm | ISO 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p5_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p5.jpg <p>Teresa and Peter eloped to Santorini. This was their photoshoot after the ceremony We climbed up some crazy mountains, this bride was amazing in her heels!</p><p><a href="/EU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750">Nikon D750</a> | 1/800 sec. | f/2.8 35mm | ISO 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p6_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p6.jpg <p>The parents of the groom dancing</p><p>Nikon D700 | 1/80 sec. | f/2 35mm | ISO 3200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p7_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p7.jpg <p>The grandmother of Vanessa during speeches!</p><p>Nikon D700 | 1/100 sec. | f/2 85mm | ISO 2000 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p8_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p8.jpg <p>This was the last shot of the night at Teresa and Peters Elopement. We were done with photos, they were headed to dinner and right after I said ‘it’s a wrap!’ Teresa took off her shoes immediately.</p><p>Nikon D700 | 1/50 sec. | f/2.5 35mm | ISO 100 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p9_thumb.jpg true true /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p9.jpg <p>Eden and Leigh - coupleshoot at Brighton Beach</p><p><a href="/EU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750">Nikon D750</a> | 1/1000 sec. | f/2.8 35mm | ISO 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p10_thumb.jpg true true /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p10.jpg <p>Moira and Constant during their coupleshoot on Signal Hill in Cape Town</p><p><a href="/EU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750">Nikon D750</a> | 1/4000 sec. | f/2.2 35mm | ISO 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p11_thumb.jpg /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/gallery/p6_s1_p11.jpg <p>Intimacy, Constant and Moira in Cape Town</p><p><a href="/EU/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750">Nikon D750</a> | 1/2000 sec. | f/2.5 35mm | ISO 200 | <a href="/EU/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g">AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4</a></p> /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/p6_s1_f2.jpg NxOx7goGYZo "Nikon's equipment is incredible, helping me to create images that are so precise and full of colour. I am a firm believer in efficiency and the following kit is all I need for the kind of pictures I want to create." /imported/images/web/EU/products/DSLR/updated_front_ppdd/nikon_dslr_d750_black_front--original.png D750 One of the first Nikon cameras I used was the D700 – I loved it so much, especially for its ability to capture beautiful colours and pastels. Its successor, the D750, is a wonderful progression from this original piece of kit. It’s super-fast, which is really important for wedding photography, with its compact body meaning I can move around freely without getting in the way of the guests. Its low-light capabilities are also incredibly handy for night-time reception photos when the party gets going. /%%LOCALE%%/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d750 camera /resources/rwd/images/d850/overview/product_views/01_nikon_dslr_d850_24_70_front.png D850 The D850 is amazing – it’s such a beast! The ISO range of 64-25600 is second to none which, for a photographer who doesn’t like the look of flash, is an excellent feature, and one I constantly put to the test in the work I do. Its sensitivity to light, nuance and expression also means that the resulting RAW images are beautiful and full of colour. The D850 has taken the lead as my new favourite camera. /%%LOCALE%%/product/digital-cameras/slr/professional/d850/camera-overview camera /imported/images/web/EU/products/lenses/nikkor/ppim_ppdds/85mm_f1_4_G/nikon_afs_85_g_1060x900--original.png AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Nikon’s 85mm is a fantastic lens. In fact, I tend to use it most of the time along with the 35mm! It’s super-fast and the colours are extremely beautiful, with its Nano Crystal Coat minimising the impact of ghosting and flare. I just love it! /%%LOCALE%%/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-85mm-f-1-4g lens /imported/images/web/EU/products/lenses/nikkor/ppim_ppdds/35mm_f1_4_G/nikon_afs_35_g_1060x900--original.png AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Another key component of my kit bag is the 35mm. This wide-angle lens has a fast f/1.4 aperture and is much more suited to shooting in low light. Paired up with the D850, it is perfect for those night time action shots! This is a lens I can really rely on. /%%LOCALE%%/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-35mm-f-1-4g lens /tmp/EU/2419865273/3760176746/2327365364/27184057/1391280926/2780083465/1053240650/3915156789/2964121563/162809814/2705208286.png AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G This is such an easy lens to use. In fact, when you look through it, it is almost like looking at the real thing through your eyes, which is why it has remained so popular amongst wedding photographers. Its large maximum aperture of f/1.4 ensures a bright viewfinder image, and it’s ideal for low-light shooting scenarios where you need a shallower depth of field. /%%LOCALE%%/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-nikkor-50mm-f-1-4g lens /tmp/EU/2419865273/3760176746/2327365364/27184057/1391280926/2780083465/1577100463/1505962159.png AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED For wedding photography, it’s always useful to have a macro lens in your kitbag which you can call on to capture those smaller, up-close details, whether that’s a flower or an intricate piece of lace on a wedding dress. This lens fits the bill perfectly, with a 1:1 reproduction ratio and a Vibration Reduction (VR) system which guarantees fast, steady focusing when shooting handheld. /%%LOCALE%%/product/nikkor-lenses/auto-focus-lenses/fx/single-focal-length/af-s-vr-micro-nikkor-105mm-f-2-8g-if-ed lens /resources/rwd/images/ambassador2018/ambassador_nadia-meli_veil.png DyRRvjwPh1I COMMUNICATION AND CONNECTION In wedding photography, establishing a connection with people is crucial. I speak to my clients a lot, both before the shoot so I can get to know them and make sure they are happy with my role, and also during their special day. By encouraging them to have conversations and asking them questions, they react and engage, which creates images which are far more natural and genuine. This eventually means that they react without instruction, allowing for a more organic and fun process. DON’T STOP SNAPPING As well as talking constantly, I also shoot constantly. You don’t want to miss any of those unique and wonderful natural moments, so keep the camera clicking as it is often those spontaneous and unplanned moments which become yours and your client’s favourite shots. KNOW WHO YOU ARE It is so important to know who you are and what you want to communicate in a style that is unique to you. I always say that it is so important my images look like an extension of me, and there are four words which I try to encapsulate through my work: “joyful, genuine, intimate and alive”. For your images to become a reflection of you or ‘your signature’, you need to know who you are first. PERSONALITY Having been in the industry for almost ten years, I believe it is hugely important to work in a way that is fun and engaging. I feel very privileged that many of the clients and people I work with want to work with me for me, and don’t just go to a photographer based on price. They see me for who I am and the work that I do, not just another vendor on the list. My greatest passion is people, their stories and seeing them come to life – and this passion lives through the work I do. GET GOOD, FAST One of the best pieces of advice I received when starting out my career was ‘don’t waste too much time in the middle field’. This means get as good as you can, as quickly as you can, and build a name for yourself based on the quality of your work. Following the first wedding I shot back in 2010, my work developed really quickly. In the space of 8-10 months, the quality hugely improved. Of course, this is even more important now than when I started ten years ago, knowing how many photographers there are and how competitive the industry has become. <span>Keep up-to-date with Nadia's beautiful work by following her on social media:</span><br /> <span>Instagram: @nadiameli</span><br /> <span>Twitter: @thenadiameli</span><br /> <span>Facebook: @TheNadiaMeli</span><br /> <a href="http://nadiameli.com/" target="_blank">http://nadiameli.com/</a> I AM KADIR VAN LOHUIZEN Photojournalist & Lecturer Menu DAVID YARROW Wildlife & Fine Arts OVERVIEW PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS Photography Tips SPECIAL PROJECT About the Special Project BIOGRAPHY Biography GALLERY Gallery WHAT’S IN MY BAG What’s in my bag? Read more Read less Find out more View Camera View Lens Meet the other Nikon ambassadors Close STORIES TO BE TOLD Stories to be Told /EU/learn_explore/ambassadors/europe_ambassadors/europe_ambassador_landing.page LOAD MORE LOAD MORE View All Lenses View All Cameras Lens Cameras [host] = [abf.nkisc.eu] [X-Forwarded-For] = [54.84.161.62] [connection] = [close] [accept-encoding] = [gzip,deflate] [user-agent] = [Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; Amazonbot/0.1; +https://developer.amazon.com/support/amazonbot) Chrome/119.0.6045.214 Safari/537.36] learn_explore/ambassadors/europe_ambassadors/nadia_meli/overview

Nadia Meli

Weddings

People are my passion - and photography gives me a key to their lives and stories.

Meet the other Nikon ambassadors