Ontario Sheet Metal Workers’ & Roofers’ Conference 2024
For the first time, I had the pleasure of photographing the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers’ & Roofers’ Conference, which took place at the Delta Hotel here in Thunder Bay. A select group of sheet metal workers qualified to compete the a day before the event on a miniature snowblower. The winners were then announced at the conference the next day.
For the first time, I had the pleasure of photographing the Ontario Sheet Metal Workers’ & Roofers’ Conference, which took place at the Delta Hotel here in Thunder Bay. A select group of sheet metal workers qualified to compete the a day before the event on a miniature snowblower. The winners were then announced at the conference the next day.
I was actually also tasked to film and finish the video in 24 hours time, so that it could be shown during the conference. No small task, but it was totally worth it to see everyone in attendance enjoy the final piece.
It was a very fun evening, and I was glad to be a part of it.
Barbara + Darren Engagement Session - Katherine Cove + Agawa Rock
With Barbara and Darren’s wedding fast approaching next month, they wanted to do an engagement session in the area of their wedding. It just so happens to be around Katherine Cove, which is exactly where we did their session, along with Awaga Rock. Anyone familiar with Thunder Bay, knows that it’s about a 6 hour drive.
With Barbara and Darren’s wedding fast approaching next month, they wanted to do an engagement session in the area of their wedding. It just so happens to be around Katherine Cove, which is exactly where we did their session, along with Awaga Rock. Anyone familiar with Thunder Bay, knows that it’s about a 6 hour drive.
So my wife Anne, our new puppy Lucy and I left the day before and made a little mini road trip out of it. It gave us a chance to sight see a little along the way too.
Back to Barbara and Darren … we started the session at Katherine Cove. They both were quite fearless climbing and navigating the rocks to set up for some very fun and candid photos. Everyone of course stayed very safe, and it was a dry day, so none of the rocks were slippery.
After spending about 45 minutes there, we drove about 10 minutes east to Agawa Rock. If you haven’t been, make sure you go. I’m still amazed at all the hidden gems in Ontario, this is probably top of the list.
As you can see from the photos, we ended up with some epic photos. I simply can’t wait until the wedding the next month!
Lastly, I couldn’t help but get at least a little bit of video during the session. It’s more in the style of behind the scenes, but I also included some of my favourite photos too.
ONWA Family Portraits
It was that time of year again to capture some family portraits at ONWA. I've lost count how many years it has been now that I have been doing this but I get super excited each and every time. Usually there are about 5-8 families that show up which is actually pretty good, but, this time around there were over 10 families and some of them were pretty big too. Suffice it to say, I had my work cut out for me but it just mean I was able to capture even more photos then usual.
It was that time of year again to capture some family portraits at ONWA. I've lost count how many years it has been now that I have been doing this but I get super excited each and every time. Usually there are about 5-8 families that show up which is actually pretty good, but, this time around there were over 10 families and some of them were pretty big too. Suffice it to say, I had my work cut out for me but it just mean I was able to capture even more photos then usual.
My favourite part of these portrait sessions are the kids. They always bring such joy and energy that it's hard not to come away with some truly great expressions. Below you can see just a small sampling of some of my favourite photos. If I included them all, you would be scrolling down for ever. The Fall session can't come soon enough!
Alexa + Shawn Wedding - Mine Centre
Ok, so where to start? Officially Alexa and Shawn celebrated their wedding at the begging of October but it really did feel more like an adventure! The wedding took place in Mine Centre, and the reception in Fort Frances, which is 45 minutes away. Since the wedding was out of town, my wife Anne joined me and we made it a little getaway at the same time. I am so used to doing weddings alone here in town that it was so great having my wife join me for this one. Plus, it gave her a chance to relax while I shot the wedding on the Saturday.
Ok, so where to start? Officially Alexa and Shawn celebrated their wedding at the begging of October but it really did feel more like an adventure! The wedding took place in Mine Centre, and the reception in Fort Frances, which is 45 minutes away. Since the wedding was out of town, my wife Anne joined me and we made it a little getaway at the same time. I am so used to doing weddings alone here in town that it was so great having my wife join me for this one. Plus, it gave her a chance to relax while I shot the wedding on the Saturday.
Alexa gave us very easy instructions from the get go on how to get to Mine Centre which is right off the highway. That didn't stop us from missing the road to the house which was so easy to spot. We eventually realized our mistake and made it to Alexa and Shawn's house and the eventual wedding venue. Right away I got excited because I was able to quickly see what I would be photographing the following day. Since we arrived in the middle of the afternoon it gave us a chance to settle in at the beautiful cabin down the road that we stayed at that night. I can't thank Alexa enough for putting us up at the cabin right on the water, we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful location. Suffice it say, we immediately unpacked our stuff and sat on the dock for a bit.
Before we knew it, it was time to head into Fort Frances for the dinner that evening for family. Just before we arrived at the place it was being held, we saw some intense fog on the country road and knew we had to keep driving a bit more to get some epic photos. If you want to see some photos from that short experience, check out my personal blog.
After that, we made our way to the dinner. The food was really good and it was also nice to see Alexa and Shawn again, as well as their family and friends. Once everyone was done eating, Alexa and Shawn opened some of the gifts. Of course I made sure to get some photos. As it wrapped up, Anne and I made the drive back to the cottage to relax.
The next day, which was the wedding was a whirlwind of a day. I pretty much on my feet the whole day, just like everyone else, and it went by so fast. I started with the getting ready shots of both Alexa and Shawn, which then led into the first look and eventually the ceremony. This all took place right along the gorgeous lake, and it ended up being the perfect day. Although, I would have preferred if it was a bit cooler, but then again, I'm used sweating constantly during summer/fall weddings.
When the ceremony was finished, Alexa and Shawn and the rest of the wedding party and immediate family formed the receiving line. This gave me a chance to just walk around get even more candid shots of the guest. We also did some family portraits while everyone was gathered and one of my favourite shots of the day was an overhead photo of absolutely everyone releasing balloons into the air. It's not often I have the opportunity to get up high over the guests like that.
As the guests dispersed we just kept going. Next up were the bridal party portraits which we drove a couple minutes down the road to, at an empty field with bales of hay. As you would expect it was the perfect location to do the wedding party portraits. Not only as the grass nice and high, but we were able to use the hay bales and the sun was in perfect position, slowly setting in behind the field.
Because we had a little more time, we managed to actually head over to where Anne and I were staying and get some more portraits on the dock. I could easily spend hours shooting portraits so it was nice that they left enough time to go to a couple different locations. Once we were done those the wedding party left and I went inside grabbed my stuff and Anne, who had already packed everything up, and we headed off the Fort Frances. What came next was probably the scariest moment of my wedding photography career.
So, I though we were making good time because we left right away but I was a bit worried because the portraits at the dock did run a bit long and we only had about a half hour to get to the hotel because the reception started at 6. Only the drive takes about 40 minutes. As soon as we arrived at the hotel we checked in fairly fast and eventually found our room, I did the quickest change of clothes, didn't even shower, packed my bag, and headed out the door down the hall to the reception. It was probably the quickest I had ever gotten ready.
As I made my way to the reception I expected people to be making their way in and maybe the wedding party would be arriving too. Well ... as I walked in, absolutely everyone was in the seats, the lights were dim and Alexa was doing her dance with her Dad!!! My heart literally sank. I missed the first dance between Alexa and Shawn. I froze for a moment but then immediately grabbed my camera and just started taking photos. That's all I could do. Shortly after the Mother and Son dance Alexa came up to me and I apologized profusely. Never have I ever missed an important moment like that during a wedding. I actually pride myself, especially being a one man show, on being able to capture all those really important moments. In the end, Alexa had thought I was already there and that's why they started the first dance. She completely understood, I think, and they just redid the first dance again later in the evening. Wheww. I think I still have panic attacks about those few minutes though.
The rest of the reception went off flawlessly and I got so many great photos. And yes, that included the 'first dance'. I must say too, the food was amazing, and, Anne and I were pleasantly surprised by the 'second meal' later in the evening, which was also extremely tasty. It was very long day but it didn't feel like it because I had so much fun. It also helped that Anne joined me of the reception and we sat at such a fun table too. I couldn't have asked for a more easy going and sincere couple in Alexa and Shawn. I think the turnaround on this wedding for photos might be a new record for in just over 3 weeks especially with how many weddings I have had this summer, but I was very anxious to go through all the photos and eventually present them to Alexa and Shawn. I just hope they like them as much as I do!
Evelyn + Jim Wedding - Kenora
My biggest wedding of the year recently took place a couple weeks ago in Kenora, and boy was it a fun one. I don’t always get to do a wedding out of town but when I do it’s always a good time. Mainly because it’s exciting being in a different city with locations I most likely have never photographed at before. I find this definitely keeps the photos spontaneous. For Evelyn and Jim’s wedding it was a 2 day event and it really did fly by considering how much time I spent taking photos of them.
My biggest wedding of the year recently took place a couple weeks ago in Kenora, and boy was it a fun one. I don’t always get to do a wedding out of town but when I do it’s always a good time. Mainly because it’s exciting being in a different city with locations I most likely have never photographed at before. I find this definitely keeps the photos spontaneous. For Evelyn and Jim’s wedding it was a 2 day event and it really did fly by considering how much time I spent taking photos of them.
We arrived in Kenora on the Friday, checked into our hotel which was right on the water and got settled in. After grabbing some dinner and walking around we headed back to the hotel and eventually took a shuttle to the bbq. The BBQ was simply a way to celebrate before the wedding and for everyone to spend some time together in a relaxed atmosphere. It was at a beautiful house on the Lake just on the outskirts of town. The food was awesome and I was also able to get a few really great photos. It was then back to the hotel to get a good nights rest because Saturday would be a very long, but fun day.
Once noon rolled around I made my way to Jim’s house to take photos of everyone getting ready. This is often my favourite part of the wedding and usually results in some of the most candid and sincere photos of the day. I spent most of my time with Evelyn and all the girls upstairs. One of the highlights for me regarding the getting ready photos was being able to spend some time with there vintage Mustang and using it for some detail shots of the rings and shoes. It’s not often that I am able to have such a wonderful prop to use as a backdrop. After about 4.5 hours at the house I quickly rushed back to the hotel, showered and then was out the door to do some portraits by the water. Luckily the wedding itself was taking place a few minutes from the hotel on the waterfront.
I met everyone down by the waterfront and we spent some time getting some group photos as well as some more individual one of Evelyn and Jim. It was then time to head to the cruise ship where the wedding was taking place.
Once everyone boarded the ship we took to the open water. This was my first time on this particular cruise and it was extremely beautiful. Kenora has so many spectacular cottages on the water and I got a chance to see a lot of them. The weather was perfect so that helped as well. About 15 minutes after we left the dock it was time to get the ceremony on the way. All the guests were seated on the top level and Evelyn was ready to begin her walk up the stairs. Her father walked her ‘up’ the aisle and then it began. There is something to be said for having a wedding on the roof of a cruise boat with beautiful scenery all around you. It was quite picturesque. Everyone then congratulated them and was time to go downstairs for the reception.
The dinner too place on the main deck. I was amazed they were able to fit that many people in there but it worked great. Once the speeches were done and everyone ate we made our way back to shore for a quick stopover. Any guests that didn’t want to stay, particularly kids, had the option to leave. We then set sail one more time and that is when the dancing and fun continued. They had a DJ set up who was playing some great tunes and everyone was really enjoying themselves. Of course I was able to capture some more fun photos of people dancing and talking etc.
Before I knew it, it was time to dock one last time. That ended the night for me but some of the wedding party and guests made their way to Evelyn and Jim’s houseboat docked at the hotel. So the kept the party going a bit longer. This was probably one of the most unique weddings I have photographed in a long time. All the different locations I saw and people I met made it one to remember. As I do with all my weddings, I would like to say a big thank you to Jim and Evelyn for inviting me to be a part of their wedding day.
