Skip to main content
Weddings

About

Operating out of the Ottawa/Gatineau area, Direct Your Focus Photography is made up of two experienced, fun, professional and easy going women. Pamela and Melissa met ten ago when Melissa created the design for Pamela's wedding flowers. Both of them are equally passionate about photography and love their role in being able to capture such an important life milestone.

Services offered

Direct Your Focus Photography offers packages that include engagement, full-day wedding coverage, trash the dress and destination weddings.

How we work

DYF believes that photography is an essential element to your wedding day, they believe in creating a personal experience with each of our couples so they can provide you with the level of detail you deserve. They focus on what is important and feel it is their priveledge to help you create lasting memories.

illustration popular

Vendors you may like

Check out other vendors that are popular with couples right now

Frequently asked questions

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Contemporary
Photojournalism
Portraiture

What photography services do you offer?

One event per day
2nd shooter
Add'l hours
Boudoir shoot
Engagement shoot
High-res
Multi. locations
Trash the dress

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Digital files
Prints
Save the date
Thank you cards

What is the starting price for your wedding photography services?

$1,300

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

One event per day
2nd shooter
Digital files
Engagement shoot
High-res

What is the price of your most popular wedding package?

$1,950

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

One event per day
2nd shooter
Digital files
Engagement shoot
High-res
illustration notebook

Any other questions?

Reviews for Direct Your Focus Photography

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
11 reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
Laina
Laina Sent on 18/07/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Truly a Hidden Gem!

What to say about Melissa and Pamela; there's just to much! They were the first vendors we booked all the way back in December 2020 when we first got engaged. Even though our date wasn't until July 2023, they consistently kept in contact with us and were always available for a chat if any questions came up.

Their personalities make shooting with them so easy and enjoyable. They are laid back, yet professional and know what shots to get and how to get them in the most quickest way possible! Our wedding timeline was behind by 1ish hours due to bad weather before our outdoor ceremony, and without even batting an eye, they said that they would stay to make sure we got our first dance and parent dances photographed.

Turn around time for photos have been wonderful. We had our engagement shoot with them roughly a year ago and we had our gallery within the month. While we have yet to receive our wedding gallery from our July 1st wedding, we have received not only sneak peeks on their social media, but also reels and videos that they compiled (something we didn't even ask for!).

All that to say, these two are amazing. If you are looking for an affordable, quality and all around great photographer, Direct Your focus is where it's at!
Christa
Christa F. Sent on 12/05/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Crank it to 11

I wish I could give more and more stars.

Hiring Melissa was the best decision I made since I said yes to my husband.

Not only was she easy to work with during the actual shoots (patient, funny, easy going, professional) but she actually saved my wedding.

We were having a destination wedding and we didn't get a rehearsal walk through, so Melissa took time out of her day before the wedding to give us a complete walk through, complete with professional suggestions.

Beyond that, there were severe issues with our travel agency which left Melissa stranded in Ottawa.
Not only did Melissa calm me down (via text) but she made her own arrangements to still make it to Mexico, ensuring she was there to photograph and more.

Without Melissa's good nature and professionalism, I would have been an absolute wreck and I wouldn't have nearly as many good memories about my wedding as I do.
Erin
Erin O. Sent on 17/08/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Excellent service, very reasonable cost

We first met Melissa when we hired her for florals. When our original photographer submitted a quote above our budget, I asked her advice. She mentioned that she also was a photographer with her partner Pam Dawson. Working with her for both florals and photography really reduced our stress levels..she was quick to respond to messages and very accommodating of the changes we were required to make after Covid forced us to change our plans.
Laura
Laura E. Sent on 29/08/2017
5 out of 5 rating
I could not have picked a better duo to team up with, even if I tried. These two lovely ladies, were more than just our photographers, they became part of the day, part of our family! They made everyone feel comfortable, and rather than purely posed photos, they are real, pure and GORGEOUS. Running with their ideas, and creativeness, we captured some of the most beautiful pictures, that I would have never though to attempt myself. Through communication, they learned who we were, and never made us strive to be the couple we weren't. Working with Direct Your Focus, is something no bride (or groom) will regret - and the lasting friendship that comes with the contract, was worth much more than any priced package! :)
M
Melissa Sent on 09/11/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Everything we could have hoped for! Highly recommend

We initially booked with Pam and Melissa back when we first got engaged, which ended up being years before our wedding thanks to the pandemic. They remained flexible and in communications with us, and thankfully ended up being available for the day we ended up getting married (after two reschedules!). I can’t think of one single thing I would hope that would be different with them or their service.

Even as we saw our friends and family after the wedding, so many were remarking “your photographers were great!” When reminiscing about the wedding… and that was even before we got the photos back. They were professional but laid back enough that it didn’t make the day stressful at all, they got all the shots we’d hoped for and more but I didn’t even notice them there throughout the day because they were so good at capturing the candid moments. They made everyone feel at ease in front of the camera (and I have a partner who is not a big fan of having his photos taken) and knew when to give us breaks, switch up the location, etc. They knew our venue well so had lots of ideas for locations to get stunning photos, and the photos all turned out amazing and we had so many to choose from— I chose my favourites and ended up getting 400 printed lol.

They got us our photos back within a few weeks and we had a couple sneak peeks leading up to that too to tide us over which was awesome, and we even got some videos from dancing at the reception to look back on (for better or worse lol) which was amazing.

I can’t recommend Pamela and Melissa more, they make a great team and are so affordable for a two-person team and the great quality of work they produce. Book them now if they’re available for your big day!!
N
Nadia J. Sent on 07/01/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely amazing!

Pam, thank you is never going to be enough. Working with you, Melissa and Danielle was beyond amazing. I will be recommending you to all future photography needs! The pictures are amazing, you are amazing! Thank you again, xo much love.
Allison
Allison C. Sent on 24/09/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing!!!

Pamela and Melissa were just the greatest and our wedding wouldn't have been the same without them. Our sneak peak photos so far have been beautiful. They have an amazing sense of humour and our entire family loved them (they fit in so well that we were even being questioned if they were extended family... which they are now!). If you have the chance to book with Direct Your Focus, do not hesitate. They were amazing.
V
Victoria M. Sent on 30/08/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Melissa and Pamela went above and beyond what I ever expected in a wedding photographer. They were friendly, accommodating, punctual, professional and very affordable! My engagement and wedding photos turned out amazing I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Do not hesitate to book Direct Your Photography, you will not be disappointed!
S
Sophie S. Sent on 02/06/2017
5 out of 5 rating
Merci à Melissa et Pamela pour votre beau travail. Vous avez capturé nos plus beaux souvenir de cette journée. Vos personnalité nous on fait sentir à l'aise et on facilité la prise de photo. Je ne peux vous remercier assez. :)
Stephanie
Stephanie C. Sent on 06/06/2016
5 out of 5 rating
These ladies are amazing! Friendly, fun, and professional. I wanted photographers to be able to capture moments, not poses, and they delivered. I'm so glad they were able to capture all the happy memories from our wedding day. 10/10 would hire them again!
illustration stars

Are you interested?

Awards

11

Direct Your Focus Photography Real Weddings

Erin & Dan
11 Photos · 15/Aug/2020

Preferred vendors

Bean Town Ranch
4.9 out of 5 rating , 47 reviews
· Farm Weddings
All Seasons Weddings
4.9 out of 5 rating , 709 reviews
· Wedding Officiants
Ramada Ottawa on the Rideau
4.6 out of 5 rating , 8 reviews
· Hotel Weddings
Orchard View
4.9 out of 5 rating , 35 reviews
· Wedding Banquet Halls
Octave Entertainment
5.0 out of 5 rating , 29 reviews
· Wedding DJ
Melissa Lafrance Events - Artificial Flowers
4.9 out of 5 rating , 14 reviews
· Wedding Accessories

Map

Ottawa K2B 5G3 Gatineau (Quebec)

Other vendors in Quebec for your wedding

Wedding Vendors