Andrew + Family Session
Here are some highlights from my mini-session with Andrew and his family the other day, in their backyard.
Here are some highlights from my mini-session with Andrew and his family the other day, in their backyard.
Lindsay + Andrew Portrait Session - Centennial Park
After having to postpone our original session, we finally found a date that worked for everyone. I’m so happy we did, as it was such a pleasure to capture some fun moments with Lindsay and Andrew at Centennial Park.
After having to postpone our original session, we finally found a date that worked for everyone. I’m so happy we did, as it was such a pleasure to capture some fun moments with Lindsay and Andrew at Centennial Park.
Ola + Andrew Family Portraits
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I had two sessions on the same day, and this was the second one. It was with Ola and her family. It was just mini-session and also kind of a unique one. Ola and Andrew are expecting a third child and they decided to do the reveal during the session. So, the idea was to pop a balloon with a piece of paper inside and confetti indicating whether it was a boy or a girl. Before we got that point though, we decided to get some family portraits near the train yard on Simpson Street.
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I had two sessions on the same day, and this was the second one. It was with Ola and her family. It was just mini-session and also kind of a unique one. Ola and Andrew are expecting a third child and they decided to do the reveal during the session. So, the idea was to pop a balloon with a piece of paper inside and confetti indicating whether it was a boy or a girl. Before we got that point though, we decided to get some family portraits near the train yard on Simpson Street.
Some people may think that the train yard there isn’t the nicest area but there are a ton of great backdrops and unique spots to use. Plus, Ola’s two sons adore trains so that was another reason too. Along with some family photos I made sure to get the two boys on their own as well as Ola and Andrew. As I always do, I captured some great candids too, which is easy to do when kids are involved.
I made the suggestion of doing the balloon reveal against the huge brick wall on Simpson Street and Ola was completely up for it. As we made our way there, Jack, the oldest son, carried the weighted balloon. Well, somehow it came undone and before anyone realized it, it was way up in the sky, gone for ever. Luckily, Ola had a backup balloon! After finding a piece of glass on the ground we setup for the popping of the balloon. Once they popped it, they found it was another boy! Then, one of the cutest things I have ever heard during a session was Jack asking where the boy was? I think he thought it was in the balloon! It’s moments like that, that truly make my love my job, if I could even call it that.
The day of the session, I sent my usual sneak peek gallery to Ola and she responded with an email saying Jack whined the whole way home because he wanted to keep playing and talking to the ‘man’. Suffice it to say, I cannot wait until we do a future session. By then, there will be three boys!
Sarah + Andrew Wedding - Chippewa Park
My latest wedding was this past weekend at Chippewa Park. Sarah and Andrew chose me to capture their special day I couldn't have felt more honoured. First of all, the location is fantastic, it's so beautiful there that anytime I get to shoot a wedding at Chippewa, I feel so lucky. It also helped that Andrew and Sarah were the absolute perfect couple to follow around for the day. Lastly, it was perfect weather for a wedding. The sun was shining with a few clouds dispersed in the sky offering the occasional shade.
My day stared in the early afternoon catching some fleeting moments of Sarah and her bridesmaids, two of which who were men! As soon as I saw that I thought back to my own wedding where I remember my wife saying she probably would have had a couple of her male friends in her bridal party. I spent about 10 minutes in one of the cabins observing the nervous energy that comes with every wedding. Before I knew it, we were making our way to the main area where the wedding would take place. After a short period, and some great initial candid shots of guests it was time to get the ceremony started. It took place in behind the main building at Chippewa in the open grassy field.
My latest wedding was this past weekend at Chippewa Park. Sarah and Andrew chose me to capture their special day I couldn't have felt more honoured. First of all, the location is fantastic, it's so beautiful there that anytime I get to shoot a wedding at Chippewa, I feel so lucky. It also helped that Andrew and Sarah were the absolute perfect couple to follow around for the day. Lastly, it was perfect weather for a wedding. The sun was shining with a few clouds dispersed in the sky offering the occasional shade.
My day stared in the early afternoon catching some fleeting moments of Sarah and her bridesmaids, two of which who were men! As soon as I saw that I thought back to my own wedding where I remember my wife saying she probably would have had a couple of her male friends in her bridal party. I spent about 10 minutes in one of the cabins observing the nervous energy that comes with every wedding. Before I knew it, we were making our way to the main area where the wedding would take place. After a short period, and some great initial candid shots of guests it was time to get the ceremony started. It took place in behind the main building at Chippewa in the open grassy field.
The ceremony itself was a pleasure to photograph. There was so much genuine emotion, not only from Sarah and Andrew but all the family and friends in the crowd. You could really feel all the love and admiration. As with most ceremonies, it was over before it began, at least that's what felt like. It was then time for some family and group portraits. We decided to do all the portraits right in front of the building which was built from logs. It made for the perfect backdrop.
Unique to Chippewa is the fact that it has a small amusement park which lends itself to some great photos opportunities and that is exactly what happened once the wedding party set out on the rides. The first ride was the bumper cars which was so much fun photographing. Everyone had a great time on those. I almost wish I had hopped on to capture some photos from the action but I just stayed on the side lines and photographed from afar. Next up after that was the Merry-Go-Round and eventually the Tilt-A-Whirl. Suffice it say, I came way with some truly unique photos.
The last part of the day was the reception. From the speeches to the dances to the garter toss, there was never a shortage of important and fun moments happening. The food was also fantastic and was made my Pinetree Catering. The had the food truck there as well. Along with the food and people, the decorations were fantastic as well. There were so many different things to take in that I had to make sure I got everything. From an appetizer table with endless arrays of food, to a tea station and also a couple different dessert tables to name a few.
My favourite part of the reception was by far all the dancing photos I captured. I only included but a few here but I came away with more then any other wedding I can remember. I still can't believe just how many people got up and danced throughout the night. Once my night was over, I said a quick goodbye to Sarah and did my best to find Andrew but he was somewhere I couldn't find him. I know that wherever he was though, he was having a good time because both Sarah and Andrew were smiling the entire day. That is always a good sign that you are enjoying your wedding day which is how it should be. Thank you to both of them for letting me be part of such an important day.
Annette + Andrew Wedding - This Old Barn
With wedding season just about over, I'm now able to catch up on weddings from the past month. The first one I'm proud to post is Annette and Andrew's. They quite possibly chose one of the most unique and beautiful locations I have had the pleasure to photograph, This Old Barn. The backdrop for the wedding, with the hay bales and fields was so picturesque. As soon as I arrived at the wedding I quickly started grabbing photos of the decorations and eventually people as they arrived. The rest of the day went by so fast, but I managed to get so many great photos.
With wedding season just about over, I'm now able to catch up on weddings from the past month. The first one I'm proud to post is Annette and Andrew's. They quite possibly chose one of the most unique and beautiful locations I have had the pleasure to photograph, This Old Barn. The backdrop for the wedding, with the hay bales and fields was so picturesque. As soon as I arrived at the wedding I quickly started grabbing photos of the decorations and eventually people as they arrived. The rest of the day went by so fast, but I managed to get so many great photos.
It was a relatively small and intimate wedding which is always fun to photograph. As I mentioned in a previous post, this allows me to get even more photos of guests and moments between them. Not that I can't do that with larger weddings, but when the crowd is much smaller it's just that much easier to get in close. As people arrived, I got a ton of good candid photos and I also peeked in once in a while to see how Annette was doing. Overall, it was a very relaxed wedding and no one seemed nervous at all.
Once it was time for Annette to make her way down the isle, everyone smiled as she did so. Andrew was of course beaming and there were tears of joy in the crowd as well. The ceremony was really nice and there were some truly genuine moments. When photographing during the ceremony I always look for reactions in the crowd. Those sometimes end up being some of the best photos of the day.
After the ceremony was over, there was a quick congratulations inside from everybody and then it was off to the fields for all the formal family portraits. It was almost impossible not to walk away with fantastic photos seeing as how the backdrop was just perfect. We took advantage of the wide open field and the hay bales. When we finished the family photos we had some fun with just the bridal party. One of my favourite photos of the entire day was when Andrew tried to jump up on the hay. Let's just say he came up short the first time. I will say this, they were quite big. I don't even think I would have been able to make the leap.
The next stop for the bridal party portraits was at the top of the hill. It overlooked Mount McKay and also, the wide open field with which we just came from. Not only did I get in close on a lot of the portraits, I also made sure to step back quite a bit and get some nice expansive photos that show off just how huge the property was.
We then made our way back to the main area and mingled for a bit. I just love this part of the day because everyone is just so relaxed. I was able to snap a few more photos of Annette and Andrew along with a lot of candid photos. Before we knew it, it was time for the reception. What I liked about the reception was that it was split up nice. Everyone ate, then there was a break to wander outside, then some speeches, and another break. Eventually it was time for the 'pie' cutting. I didn't count but I believe there were at least 10 different homemade pies. I'm sure it was more. I'm not one for sweets, as my wife would attest to, but I had a slice of pumpkin and blueberry. Both were fantastic. Of course the whole layout of the pies was beautiful as well. From what Annette told me, she handled the decorations for the whole wedding.
During some of those breaks, I always made sure to follow the guest outside and there were no shortage of request for quick family portraits. Something I have been doing at some of my recent weddings is bringing my little Instax Polaroid printer. I use my Fuji X-T1 and print directly from it. I can't stress enough how popular it is. Once people see and hold the little polaroid in their hand and watch it magically expose in front of their eyes, they alway tell other family members and friends. Before I know it, I'm getting multiple requests.
As it got darker, it was time for the first dance. Everything was lit up beautifully and with the guest gathering around watching, it made for the perfect first dance. After that they had the parent dances and eventually the guests. And then my night was over. I am still amazed at how many photos I came away with. Annette and Andrew were the perfect couple to photograph as they did anything I told them to. If I had an idea for a photo that I wanted to try, they did it without hesitation. Having such an easy going and kind couple to photograph made my job that much easier. Thank you!
