Lemonbee Creative, led by Melissa Woodward, was originally founded as Live Every Moment Photography in 2011 in Kirkland Lake. After relocating to Hanmer in late 2019, plans to reopen in March 2020 were delayed due to the global pandemic, which significantly affected Melissa's photography and design work. In 2023, Melissa rebranded the business as Lemonbee Creative, reigniting her passion for photography, design, and the arts.

Melissa has always wanted to be an artist. She excelled in art class in high school, but after graduation, she took a different path, earning a Liberal Arts Diploma and a Degree in Psychology and Sociology. At 26, she decided to return to the art world and worked towards a diploma in Graphic Design. Learning the rules of design gave her the freedom to break them and explore her creativity. Melissa graduated with Honours from Niagara College’s Graphic Design and Art Fundamentals program in 2009. Her love for art and design continues to inspire her to create unique and innovative work for her clients.

In addition, Melissa is an award-winning, multi-accredited active member of the Professional Photographers of Canada, holding the prestigious Master of Photographic Arts designation and winning Photographic Artist of the Year in 2017. Her work has been recognized and exhibited in galleries across Canada and internationally, showcasing her exceptional skill and artistic vision.

Awards & Designations

PPOC Designations

2017 - Master of Photographic Arts (MPA)
2016 - Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA)

PPOC Accreditations

The Professional Photographers of Canada recognizes photographers who can deliver above-average quality photographs in a chosen category. Accreditation is the first elevation above general membership and is achieved by submitting samples to a PPOC board of Review for Accreditation. The judges consider the following criteria: Impact, Creativity, Style, Composition, Presentation, Colour Balance, Centre of Interest, Lighting, Subject Matter, Image file quality, Technique and Story Telling.

I am proud to have achieved the following accreditations:

2017 - Image Manipulation
2016 - Nature Photography
2015 - Botanical Photography
2014 - Fine Art/Photo Decor
2013 - Newborn Portraiture

PPOC Awards

2017 - National - Photographic Artist of the Year
2015 - Ontario - Best in Class
2015 - Ontario - Judges Choice

PPOC National Image Salon

2018 - 1 Merit, 2 Accepted
2017 - 1 Excellence, 2 Merit, 1 Accepted
2016 - 3 Accepted
2015 - 3 Merit, 1 Accepted.

PPOC Provincial Image Salon

2017 - Ontario - 3 Accepted
2016 - Ontario - 1 Merit, 2 Accepted
2016 - Atlantic - 1 Excellence, 2 Merit, 1 Accepted
2015 - Atlantic - 3 Accepted
2015 - Saskatchewan - 2 Accepted
2015 - Ontario - 2 Merit
2014 - Saskatchewan - 1 Accepted
2014 - Ontario - 3 Accepted

Other Accolades

2018 - 2 prints accepted into the 11th Annual Contemporary Art Exhibition in Kirkland Lake
2017 - 1 print accepted into the 10th Annual Contemporary Art Exhibition in Kirkland Lake
2016 - Nominee in the Open Theme category at the Fine Art Photography Awards
2016 - 1 print accepted into the 9th Annual Contemporary Art Exhibition in Kirkland Lake
2016 - received 3 Honourable Mentions in the Fine Art category at the Moscow International Fotography Awards (MIFA)
2015 - Nominee at the 10th Annual Black and White Spider Awards in the categories of Abstract and Fine Art held in Los Angeles, CA
2015 - received an Honourable Mention in the Fine Art and Micro Photography categories at the International Photography Awards
2015 - 4 images accepted into the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Juried Photo Show, with one image receiving an Honourable Mention
2015 - 2 images were on display at the Anvil Center in New Westminster, BC, as part of the Open Exhibition at the PHOTOGraphie Festival