Barb + Family Portraits - Memory Road
One of the great things about meeting families and getting out and taking portraits is that I often get introduced to different locations. This time around, Barb suggested, that we do a portrait session on Memory Road. The reason was a quite a special one, it was where she got engaged. So, what better place then that. Having never been down Memory Road before I didn't quite know what to expect, but it ended up being a perfect little spot just off the highway.
One of the great things about meeting families and getting out and taking portraits is that I often get introduced to different locations. This time around, Barb suggested, that we do a portrait session on Memory Road. The reason was a quite a special one, it was where she got engaged. So, what better place then that. Having never been down Memory Road before I didn't quite know what to expect, but it ended up being a perfect little spot just off the highway.
Located about 10 minutes before the border outside Thunder Bay, the first thing you see when you drive by is a huge sign saying 'Memory Road'. That is where we took our initial photos. Once we were done there, we grabbed the whole family and basically just walked down the road, stopping along the way. It was a dirty road which was an awesome setting for walking photos and there was also some tall grass along the side which I took advantage of as well. Most of the photos you see here are candid, which is just how I like it. I made sure to get a few posed photos but otherwise it was a very natural and spontaneous session.
Of course, just before we were about to finish up, we used a couple of the tractors at the base of the road to get some final photos. After all, how often do you get to use those kind of props in a photoshoot. It was so nice meeting Barb and her wonderful family. I had a lot of fun and it seemed like everyone else did too, if the smiles were any indication!
Katrina + Ed Wedding
It was only a couple weeks ago but Katrina and Ed's Wedding Day is still fresh in my mind. The day turned out to be one of the nicest so far of the summer, although, it was fairly hot. But, there is no way I will ever complain about hot weather in this city with winter always around the corner.
Katrina and Ed's wedding took place at their new house out on Hawkeye Lake. For those of you that haven't been to this lake it is absolutely gorgeous. I had been to their house a year prior but that was for engagement photos and the house wasn't quite done then. Seeing it for the first time with all the guests and family gathered around was quite the site. Of course, the backdrop of the Hawkeye Lake definitely helped set the mood.
It was only a couple weeks ago but Katrina and Ed's Wedding Day is still fresh in my mind. The day turned out to be one of the nicest so far of the summer, although, it was fairly hot. But, there is no way I will ever complain about hot weather in this city with winter always around the corner.
Katrina and Ed's wedding took place at their new house out on Hawkeye Lake. For those of you that haven't been to this lake it is absolutely gorgeous. I had been to their house a year prior but that was for engagement photos and the house wasn't quite done then. Seeing it for the first time with all the guests and family gathered around was quite the site. Of course, the backdrop of the Hawkeye Lake definitely helped set the mood.
Before I made my way to the wedding site however, I first made my way to Katrina's house to capture some moments of her and the other girls getting ready. As I have mentioned many times before, I absolutely love taking getting ready shots. They are truly candid and there are always a ton of raw moments if you know how to look for them.
After about 45 minutes, I made my way to the ceremony. We had to wait a bit for Katrina to arrive but it gave me plenty of time to get a ton of candid photos of the guests. Soon enough it was time to get the ceremony on the way. With the chairs set up right on the water, and the guests gathered around anxiously waiting, Katrina eventually made her way down the steps and into Ed's grasp. I couldn't have asked for a better setting to take photos as you can see from some of the photos below.
Once the ceremony was done, there was some mingling and then we were off on the houseboat. We used this opportunity to get some great photos of the wedding party and of course, Katrina and Ed. Shortly after docking we got all the family portraits out of the way.
There were really some great moments so I had to make sure to always be ready. For instance, Katrina decided to hop on the back of the neighbours jet ski. I ran down the dock grabbed a seat and prepared myself for some action shots of the bride flying through the water. What I wasn't ready for was the fact that the driver decided to come very close to the shore and completely drench me on three occasions. It was a bit of shock, but as they say, anything for the shot. Luckily I was using my XT-1 which is waterproof. So after they were done I went back to my seat at the dinner table much more wet then when I left. Suffice it say, people got a kick out of that.
And that was my day. I got a couple last shots at the end of the road of some of the signs and then it was a 40 minute drive back home. Thanks to Katrina and Ed for letting me photograph their wedding. I still can't believe how many great shots I walked away with. I only hope they think they same.
Heather + Jordan Wedding
With a few small weddings under my belt this year, Heather and Jordan’s special day was my first big one of the season. The weather was absolutely perfect so I knew it was going to be a great wedding. (Not that there are ever any ‘bad’ weddings’) The day started at a small little church just off of Oliver Road. As soon as I arrived I got my usual candid photos of the guests, the church itself and just the usual moments leading up to the ceremony itself. You can always feel the anticipation the air and I just love that feeling. I guess that will be me in August when I get to marry my beautiful Fiancé Anne.
With a few small weddings under my belt this year, Heather and Jordan’s special day was my first big one of the season. The weather was absolutely perfect so I knew it was going to be a great wedding. (Not that there are ever any ‘bad’ weddings’) The day started at a small little church just off of Oliver Road. As soon as I arrived I got my usual candid photos of the guests, the church itself and just the usual moments leading up to the ceremony itself. You can always feel the anticipation the air and I just love that feeling. I guess that will be me in August when I get to marry my beautiful Fiancé Anne.
Once the ceremony began, that’s when I really went to work. The good thing was that there was a a lot of room to move around so I was able to get some great creative angles and photos without being a distraction. That is one of the main challenges when shooting inside a church of any kind. As a photographer you want to get the ‘shot’ but you have to do so quietly and discreetly as possible. I’d like to think I have become a pro at it.
After the ceremony, everyone gathered in the church lobby and congratulated the couple. We then decided to do the family portraits right outside the church. I found a nice shaded area in front of the trees. Although it was mainly family group photos I never stopped looking for this spontaneous moments. This goes on throughout the entire day.
Heather and Jordan were very smart and left plenty of time for portraits which meant we were able to travel to a few different locations. The first stop was the Marina. We got some fantastic expansive photos at the firepit area along the water. From there we simply chose different spots and just went with the flow. I came up with some ideas and so did they. It was very relaxed atmosphere and the resulting photos showed that.
Once we left the Marina, it was time for me to just focus on Heather and Jordan. We made our way to Friendship Gardens. I had forgotten how pretty it is there. Some of my favourite photos of the entire day took place there. One of them being the one with the windmill in the background. I also found a nice little spot nestled in the trees. It was then time to head on over to the reception, which took place at the Valhalla Inn. Before everyone settled in, I was able to get a lot of detail photos of the decorations and table settings, as well as the cake.
From there, it was just a matter of walking around and documenting the ceremony. I only had a little bit of time to work with so we decided to do the ‘cupcake’ cutting before hand. I did get the opportunity to photograph the first dance and a fun game they did with the crowd. After that, my day was done. All in all, I came away with so many great photos. Thanks as always to Heather and Jordan. It was a very fun wedding to photograph and everyone was fantastic to work with.
Katie + Kurtis Engagement
After a couple tries I finally managed to get a break in the weather to shoot Katie & Kurtis’s engagement session. The location was the Roslyn Road brickyard. This location was very special to both Katie and Kurtis in that it was where Kurtis first proposed! It is located about 10 minutes outside the city and is quite beautiful. This was the first time I had even heard of the place so I was very anxious to see it and also use it as a backdrop to what would turn out to be a very fun session with Katie and Kurtis.
After a couple tries I finally managed to get a break in the weather to shoot Katie & Kurtis’s engagement session. The location was the Roslyn Road brickyard. This location was very special to both Katie and Kurtis in that it was where Kurtis first proposed! It is located about 10 minutes outside the city and is quite beautiful. This was the first time I had even heard of the place so I was very anxious to see it and also use it as a backdrop to what would turn out to be a very fun session with Katie and Kurtis.
Once we got to the location we walked in a bit and immediately found a large pile of bricks in an open area. After that it was off to the races. There are a bunch of different areas to explore which we definitely did. It was right off the main road so we also walked along it for a few moments. It was a long open stretch which didn’t really have any traffic. So I got them both to stand in the middle of the road while a laid down and took one of my favourite shots of the day. With about a half hour left we then made our way to the train tracks down the road. As you can see from the photos below we had just as much fun here as we did at the brickyard.
The wedding is in a few months and I can’t wait! Katie and Kurtis were extremely easy going and basically did anything I told them to. Even climbing piles of bricks in high heels. Thanks again to both of them for a super fun and spontaneous engagement session.
