Cheyanne + Jason Wedding - Fort William Historical Park
My last wedding of the year was definitely one to remember and a fitting end to a crazy and fun year. Cheyanne and Jason had their wedding at Fort William Historical Park, which, as I mentioned on many occasions, is one of the most beautiful locations in town.
My last wedding of the year was definitely one to remember and a fitting end to a crazy and fun year. Cheyanne and Jason had their wedding at Fort William Historical Park, which, as I mentioned on many occasions, is one of the most beautiful locations in town.
The ceremony, because of the season, took place inside. It was a very elegant set up, for an intimate group of people. It was a short and sweet. ceremony, but one filled with so much emotion. Soon after it was done, the entire wedding party made their way to the inside of the park.
Luckily the weather held up with a slight hail storm hitting us just as we were finishing up. It was more than enough time to get all the group and individual photos done. I of course made sure to snap a ton of candids in between. Cheyanne and Jason even brought some umbrellas that we had some fun with.
The reception was a blast! It was a laid back evening, but a fun one. The entrances were full of energy, the speeches offered a mix of laughs and tears. The first dances were so beautiful and of course, the dancing afterwards resulted in so many good photos.
I still can’t believe this wedding season is over. It was my busiest yet, and I simply can’t wait until next year.
Alanah + Brenden Wedding - Fort William Historical Park
What can I say about Alanah and Brenden’s Wedding day? Only that it was so much fun and I can’t believe how fast the whole day flew by. I started with Alanah and the girls getting ready at their mom’s house. I was able to get a few details before they showed up and then a lot candid moments.
What can I say about Alanah and Brenden’s Wedding day? Only that it was so much fun and I can’t believe how fast the whole day flew by. I started with Alanah and the girls getting ready at their mom’s house. I was able to get a few details before they showed up and then a lot candid moments.
It was then off to photograph Brenden and the boys, which was just as fun. They were all in the process of getting their suits on and enjoying the last bit of time before the bus showed up. Their was the usual amount of nervous energy but everyone was also very calm and relaxed. It made for some unique photos.
Next up was the ceremony, which took place at Redwood Park Church. It was actually my first time doing a ceremony there and it was a very pleasant experience. The highlight for me was after the ceremony, when Alanah and Brenden gathered all the kids for a group shot. It was by far the most children I have ever managed to capture in one photo. Quite the feat!
We then headed back their parent’s house for a few photos of the wedding party. Two of my favourite photos were Alanah and Brenden getting on the very real zip line running through the backyard. The other photo was all of the wedding party sticking out their heads on the big yellow school bus.
The final stage of the wedding day was the reception which took place, once again at Fort William Historical Park. We had a bit of time so we headed down the trail for some more wedding party photos. It was quite hot out but I tried my best to get most of the photos done in the shade. Brenden suggested a photo of the groomsmen throwing him in the air which led to an epic photo. To my surprise, Alanah, also volunteered to get the same shot. Let’s just say she got even higher than Brenden.
The rest of the night was the reception which included an ice cream machine, a dice game for getting the bride and groom to kiss, the shoe game and a very lively dance for once it was time to open it up.
Thank you to Alanah and Brenden for trusting me to document their wedding day. :)
Fort William Historical Park - Family Day 2020
It was such an amazing Family Day at Fort William Historical Park. Even though there were a lot of different events going on for Family Day throughout the city, we decided to spend most of our time at the park and it was well worth it. I couldn’t get over all the amazing activities that happened throughout the day. We spent about 3 hours walking around.
It was such an amazing Family Day at Fort William Historical Park. Even though there were a lot of different events going on for Family Day throughout the city, we decided to spend most of our time at the park and it was well worth it. I couldn’t get over all the amazing activities that happened throughout the day. We spent about 3 hours walking around.
Of course the day was centred around activities for kids, but we still had a great time. Noah and Baylee got to shoot a musket, we did the ice maze of course there was the Ice Dragon Boats. I didn’t participate, but I captured some great photos. They also had a lot of animals out, fires throughout to warm up to and so many more things to see.
I’m already looking forward to next year, hopefully we can make it out!
Brandon + Anna Wedding - Fort William Historical Park
My last wedding of 2019 took place at Fort William Historical Park. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful location to end such an amazing year. Once I arrived I met up with Brandon and some of the wedding party at the main entrance. We hopped on the shuttle bus that eventually took us to the park, which is where everything was taking place. Once we got there, Anna arrived, and we made our way in. After gathering everyone in the wedding party and the immediate family, we continued on and photographed all the portraits.
My last wedding of 2019 took place at Fort William Historical Park. I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful location to end such an amazing year. Once I arrived I met up with Brandon and some of the wedding party at the main entrance. We hopped on the shuttle bus that eventually took us to the park, which is where everything was taking place. Once we got there, Anna arrived, and we made our way in. After gathering everyone in the wedding party and the immediate family, we continued on and photographed all the portraits.
There is no better place in Thunder Bay to photograph wedding photos than this location. There are endless backdrops and an immense amount of character and history. Plus, Brandon and Anna looked the park. It was honestly one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever had the pleasure of covering.
We spent the next hour or so wandering around the park and stopping at various locations doing bridal party photos as well as family ones as well. It was super casual, and the weather was actually quite mild for the middle of the winter. This portion of the day actually went by super fast. I could have easily spent another 2 hours photographing Brandon and Anna but the ceremony was starting shortly.
The ceremony and reception took place in the Canot du Nord building right by the front gate. It was fairly small and intimate wedding. Throughout the ceremony and reception and just did my thing, capturing moments throughout. I also made sure to continue to get family portraits on request. We even went outside just after sunset to get some portraits with friends and family. The lighting was absolutely perfect.
I stayed just until the speeches were done, but that was more than enough time to tell their story through my eyes. I’m very excited for yet another year of weddings, and I hope it’s even better than 2019!
ICC Citizenship Ceremony at Fort William Historical Park
Last week I was honoured to photograph a very important ceremony for a lot of people. It was the Citizenship Ceremony held at Fort William Historical Park and it was hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Approximately 50 new Canadians were officially declared Canadian Citizens. Before that happened, they all had a chance to meet with the other guests as well as share their stories and journey that brought them to this point. They have all been in Canada for quite a while now, so it was exciting for each an every one of them to be able to finally call Thunder Bay home.
Last week I was honoured to photograph a very important ceremony for a lot of people. It was the Citizenship Ceremony held at Fort William Historical Park and it was hosted by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship. Approximately 50 new Canadians were officially declared Canadian Citizens. Before that happened, they all had a chance to meet with the other guests as well as share their stories and journey that brought them to this point. They have all been in Canada for quite a while now, so it was exciting for each an every one of them to be able to finally call Thunder Bay home.
The event included roundtable discussions where new citizens were able to share their stories and then one person from each table shared a brief story with the entire room. It was amazing to hear all the unique stories and in many cases. After the discussions were over it was time for the new citizens to partake in the oath of citizenship and officials get their certificate.
It was such a great event to be a part of and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I eventually get to cover another one in the future. Congratulations to all the new Canadian Citizens!
Chrystal + Joshua Wedding - Fort William Historical Park
My last wedding of the 2017 season was with Chrystal and Joshua at Fort William Historical Park and I couldn't have asked for a more fitting end to the wedding season. It also happened to be a winter wedding which is another bonus, and, it actually snowed too.
I arrived at 1:00pm and my first order of business was to capture the bridal party portraits. Luckily for me, the backdrop was already in place with a beautiful vintage green couch, provided by the wedding planner Shalini Misir of Maid For The Bride. It also helped that Chrystal and all the bridesmaids were a blast to photograph on the couch. The wedding party's attire mixed with the vintage theme, really made it easy for me to create some truly beautiful photos.
My last wedding of the 2017 season was with Chrystal and Joshua at Fort William Historical Park and I couldn't have asked for a more fitting end to the wedding season. It also happened to be a winter wedding which is another bonus, and, it actually snowed too.
I arrived at 1:00pm and my first order of business was to capture the bridal party portraits. Luckily for me, the backdrop was already in place with a beautiful vintage green couch, provided by the wedding planner Shalini Misir of Maid For The Bride. It also helped that Chrystal and all the bridesmaids were a blast to photograph on the couch. The wedding party's attire mixed with the vintage theme, really made it easy for me to create some truly beautiful photos.
Once the men arrived, I also spent a bit of time with them posing on the couch. As with the women, the men were dressed perfectly which you can see from some of the photos below.
Chrystal and Joshua also hired another photographer to shoot their wedding along side me. It happened to be Dan Garrity who I had never worked with before, and to be honest, I had never worked with any photographer before. I am after all, a one man show. It ended up being extremely fun and rewarding to work with Dan. I can't speak for him, but I definitely learned some new things in working with him. Plus, while I was doing one aspect of the wedding, he was doing another, so its as a win for everyone, especially Chrystal and Joshua.
After the portraits on the couch were all done, it was time to go the the Fort, specifically the Canot Du Nord room, and get some family portraits. The room itself, as with most of the fort, was a flashback to the 1800's. There was a grand fire place and and over all vintage feel, which perfectly suited the theme for the day. While I was doing the indoor portraits, Dan was working with the rest of the part outside. I can't wait to see those photos.
When we were all done the indoor portraits, I got the chance to do some outdoor photos with the entire party as well. I came away with some good group shots, some of just Chrystal and Joshua, and of course, a epic snowball fight. The snow was coming down pretty hard by the time we got outside, so it was perfect timing to say the least.
The last part of the wedding took place back in the main building. Some of my favourite highlights from the reception was the first dance and the shoe game. There were a lot of great moments in between too. Before I left, Trevor of IDJ, who was amazing as usual by the way, got all the married couples on to the dance floor for an anniversary dance. It also provided the opportunity for their godparents to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
That was the end of the day for me and it was the perfect finish to such an amazing final wedding of the year. It truly had everything I could have asked for, most importantly, the opportunity to photograph yet another amazing couple in Chrystal and Joshua.
Jesalynn + Chris Wedding - Fort William Historical Park
Jesalynn and Chris celebrated their wedding just under a month ago and I was lucky enough to be chosen to photograph it. My day started at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship Church which is where the ceremony took place. It's a very small church but it was the perfect venue for an intimate wedding. It was a also a great place to photograph a ceremony because it had huge a lot of windows that let in a ton of natural light, which made for some good dramatic shots.
Jesalynn and Chris celebrated their wedding just under a month ago and I was lucky enough to be chosen to photograph it. My day started at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship Church which is where the ceremony took place. It's a very small church but it was the perfect venue for an intimate wedding. It was a also a great place to photograph a ceremony because it had huge a lot of windows that let in a ton of natural light, which made for some good dramatic shots.
As I waited for Jesalynn to make her way down the aisle, I roamed around and captured a ton of candid shots of the guests and the groomsmen. Once Jesalynn was ready to do the walk, all the guests rose up and watched as she made the walk. I was able to go about anywhere in the church which was awesome for angles and to also be as discreet as possible. I'd like to think I'm pretty quite on my feet during a wedding but maybe I'm completely wrong! I hope not.
Once the wedding was over, Jesalynn really wanted to get a large group shot outside the church and that was exactly what we did! Even though it was very, very cold out. It ended up being one of my favourite photos of the day.
Jesalynn and Chris both work at Starbucks so they had the great idea of heading over there after the ceremony to get some truly unique and fun photos. I say we spent about almost an hour there and it was totally worth. I absolutely love when wedding couples are willing to go to public places like that.
It was then time to head to the reception which was at Fort William Historical Park. I have done many weddings here so I know how beautiful the room is there. It's very easy for a photographer like me to walk around freely and capture a ton of moments. I mixed in the usual candids with some more portraits of the groomsmen and bridesmaids with Chris and Jesalynn. I didn't spend the reception with them, but I did manage to get the first dance photos and some of the speeches. Also, Jesalynn was kind enough to feed me dinner so I got the chance to have some amazing food. Overall, the entire day was very laid back but super fun. Both Jesalynn and Chris are probably two of the nicest people I have ever met and I am so thankful I was able to be a part of their wedding day.
