Amy + Andy Wedding - Chippewa Park
Amy and Andy recently got married at Chippewa Park this past September, and I was lucky enough to be chosen to photograph it. The wedding itself too place at Chippewa Park, nestled in the forest down this beautiful short trail. I have been to Chippewa many times but I never even knew this little area existed until I arrived for the wedding. It was definitely a pleasant surprise, and as a photographer, I was excited to be able to shoot a completely new location.
Amy and Andy recently got married at Chippewa Park this past September, and I was lucky enough to be chosen to photograph it. The wedding itself too place at Chippewa Park, nestled in the forest down this beautiful short trail. I have been to Chippewa many times but I never even knew this little area existed until I arrived for the wedding. It was definitely a pleasant surprise, and as a photographer, I was excited to be able to shoot a completely new location.
I arrived about 30 minutes before the guests were supposed to arrive and that gave me a chance to scout out the location which was of course already decorated. I made sure to get a lot of detail photos of the decor and setting. As the guests arrived I basically just did my thing. At each and every wedding I'm constantly on the lookout for candid photos or just opportunities in general. After all,
Once the ceremony started, the wedding party and parents began making their way down the trail. The wedding itself was very small but that just meant I was able to get a few more photos of the guests then normal during the ceremony. After the ceremony, there was the usual marriage license signing and then everyone made their way to another open area where we did some groups portraits of the guests with Amy and Andy.
Since we were at one of the nicest parks in Thunder Bay, we took advantage of the wonderful view down by the boardwalk and water. We did manage to capture some group photos but in the end it was a bit too chilly and windy so we made our way back to the ceremony site and got the rest o the bridal party photos there. I only show a handful of photos from the wedding in this blog post but we got some many great shots of the both the guys and gals. It was nice to have a good amount of time to get those done as some weddings are pretty tight on time.
That was it for now for the formal portraits with the wedding party, the next stop was Mount McKay where we took a few more photos overlooking the city as well as in front of the mountain itself. One of my favourite photos of the day was Amy and Andy standing in front of Mount McKay.
The next stop was the reception which took place at the Nor Wester hotel. Yet again, it was in a room that I had never photographed in so that was a pleasant surprise. Just the like the wedding, the reception was small and intimate which was a nice change from some of the larger weddings I have done this year. Not that I'm complaining though. Overall, it was pretty laid back. Oh, and the food was amazing!
Before my time was up and while there was still some light out I knew I had to get Amy and Andy outside for some more portraits. The Nor Wester has one of the most beautiful backdrops in all of Thunder Bay, so that was a no brainer. Suffice it to say, the portraits we captured were some of my favourites of the day. The light was perfect and Amy and Andy were so natural in front of the camera.
Each and every wedding and I get to meet a new couple and also a whole new set of family and friends. Everyone was so nice and easy going. Thanks again to Amy and Andy for letting me be part of their wedding day.
Raeanne + Lance Wedding - Valhalla Inn
Raeanne and Lance recently got married this past September and I was fortunate enough to be entrusted to document their day. Each wedding I do is a new adventure and challenge and this one was no exception. Both Raeanne and Lance were such a great couple to photograph and follow around for the day. That also goes for the entire wedding party. Everyone was extremely easy going and that just made my job that much easier.
Raeanne and Lance recently got married this past September and I was fortunate enough to be entrusted to document their day. Each wedding I do is a new adventure and challenge and this one was no exception. Both Raeanne and Lance were such a great couple to photograph and follow around for the day. That also goes for the entire wedding party. Everyone was extremely easy going and that just made my job that much easier.
My day started at the hotel where the ceremony was taking place. I still think the Valhalla in is one of the nicest hotels in Thunder Bay. Raeanne and Lance decided to have their wedding in the courtyard which is such a beautiful spot to have a small and intimate ceremony. After the guys and then the girls did their walk down the pathway, the ceremony got started. It was filled with a fair share of tears as well as some laughs. I often photograph the crowd to capture some candid moments and from what I saw, everyone was having a great time.
Before I knew it the ceremony was over and it was time for the guests to congratulate the happy couple. They went inside for that, but not for too long. We decided to just do the family portraits back in the courtyard, that way they didn't have to travel to far. Once we were done that, it was off to Kam Park for portraits with just the wedding couple. I would say this was my favourite part of the day because we came away with so many great photos. It's such a good venue that I don't think a lot of people know about or really take advantage of. After about an hour we headed back to the hotel for the reception.
The reception was a great time as well. Not only were the speeches funny and sincere, the food was awesome as always. My night ended shortly after the first dance but before I left I did manage to get a lot of candid moments along with the some really fun dancing shots. I couldn't have asked for a better wedding couple to photograph. Thanks as always to Raeanne and Lance for choosing me to capture their day!
Lindsay + Markus Wedding - Tapiola
A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to be a part of Lindsay and Markus's wedding. To see some of the fleeting moments from the day please take the time to view the slideshow as well as all the images below. As you can see from the photos, it was such a fun day. Although, it was a bit stressful for me on the way to meet up with Markus and the boys getting ready. I was betrayed by Google Maps. It told me to go to one end of the road, where I thought Markus was getting ready, it turned out it was the other end of the road. Luckily, I still managed to get to the house only a few minutes late. Who knew you can drive that fast down a dirt road in a Mazda 3.
A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to be a part of Lindsay and Markus's wedding. To see some of the fleeting moments from the day please take the time to view the slideshow as well as all the images below. As you can see from the photos, it was such a fun day. Although, it was a bit stressful for me on the way to meet up with Markus and the boys getting ready. I was betrayed by Google Maps. It told me to go to one end of the road, where I thought Markus was getting ready, it turned out it was the other end of the road. Luckily, I still managed to get to the house only a few minutes late. Who knew you can drive that fast down a dirt road in a Mazda 3.
Once I arrived at the house, everyone was just relaxing and getting ready to start putting on their suits.I just tried to be a fly on the wall and stay out of the way, documenting the process and capturing anything that caught my eye. The highlight of this portion of the day was when Markus opened up Lindsay's special present for him. The letter she wrote, which he read out loud, definitely produced a few tears in the room, including Markus.
After spending a bit of time outside in the backyard it was time to head out to Tapiola. It was literally a 5 minute drive so we didn't have to go very far at all. Surprisingly, I had never been to this location before so I was anxious to see what it was like. I was definitely not disappointed because the ceremony was set up at the back end of the wide open field with the forest in behind. It was quite beautiful. As we waited for everyone to arrive I simply walked around and got a ton of candid photos of guests and the process leading up to the actual ceremony.
Then it was time for the ceremony, which was absolutely perfect. There were so many smiles in the crowd and you could really feel the emotion from Lindsay and Markus as they each made their way down the isle. It was a relatively short ceremony but it provided so many great photos on my end. Not only of the guests but of Lindsay and Markus's two dogs as well. Before I knew it, they were sealing their vows with a kiss and then walking off to meet the guests. Shortly after some photos of the family, we gathered up the boys and girls and made our way to another portion of the park. That is where we did the majority of the bride and groom portraits. There was nice little bridge crossing over the stream as well as a huge open field.
Once I was done Apple Wagon Films, took over for about 10 minutes and did some amazing video footage with their drone. I wanted to give a big shout out to Curtis and his crew for being a pleasure to work with. When we headed back we got a few more intimate photos on the bridge and then eventually in the field where the ceremony took place. As you can see from the cover image, it was hard not to come away with spectacular photos. Plus, it also helped that Markus and Lindsay were the perfect, most natural models.
Up next was the reception which was under the big tent. It was decorated to the tee by Shalini Irish at Maid for the Bride. She did an amazing job and it was a pleasure working with her too. The reception itself was very laid back. There were some speeches, some tears, and eventually some dancing. The highlight of the reception was definitely the garter toss where Markus put on quite the show. I think even Lindsay was surprised.
After I got some good dancing shots my night was done. I said good bye to Lindsay and thanked her for a very action packed day. I'm so happy to share all these wonderful moments with them finally.
Courtney Lynn + Jake Wedding
Out of all the weddings I have done so far this summer, Courtney Lynn and Jakes wedding is the closest I have come to a destination wedding. Even though it took place in Thunder Bay, Courtney Lynn and Jake now live in New Zealand, and a lot of the guests that attended the wedding were also from New Zealand as well. Being originally from Thunder Bay and having lived in New Zealand for the past 5 or so years, Courtney Lynn decided to have the wedding in Thunder Bay mainly because most of her family still lives here. I had met with her about a month before the wedding for the first time and I was immediately surprised that she had an accent from living abroad. Suffice it say, I heard much stronger accents come the day of the wedding and it made for quite the surreal celebration.
Out of all the weddings I have done so far this summer, Courtney Lynn and Jakes wedding is the closest I have come to a destination wedding. Even though it took place in Thunder Bay, Courtney Lynn and Jake now live in New Zealand, and a lot of the guests that attended the wedding were also from New Zealand as well. Being originally from Thunder Bay and having lived in New Zealand for the past 5 or so years, Courtney Lynn decided to have the wedding in Thunder Bay mainly because most of her family still lives here. I had met with her about a month before the wedding for the first time and I was immediately surprised that she had an accent from living abroad. Suffice it say, I heard much stronger accents come the day of the wedding and it made for quite the surreal celebration.
My date officially started at Courtney Lynns' family home, where I followed around the girls as they got ready. I really wish every wedding allowed me to capture the getting ready shots of both the men and the women but it just doesn't always work out with timing. In any case, I came away with a ton of great photos from this portion of the day alone. There was no time to photograph the guys getting ready but I would have plenty of opportunities to get photos of them throughout the day.
Once everyone was ready to go, we all left the house and headed towards the wedding location. The wedding was taking place at a beautiful property just off of Highway 61 on Farm Road. The only real bad luck for the day was that it rained which meant that the ceremony had to take place under a tent outside instead of in the open field. So, as the rain came down, people gathered around the tent and anxiously waited for the ceremony to start. Under the cover of umbrella's the bridesmaids and eventually Courtney Lynn and her Father made their way down the wet dirty road.
The ceremony itself was very intimate and had it's fair share of genuine laughs and of course a good amount of happy tears. Even with the rain pouring down outside the tent, all the guests were having such a great time and the ceremony turned out perfectly. As soon as it was sealed with a kiss, everyone made their way to the barn where the rest of the day was taking place. After some greetings and short hello's, me and the wedding party went back outside to do some portraits. Luckily, the weather took a break for a bit and we just to put up with a soft drizzle.
I was so thankful to be able to get the portraits done outside. It was such a spectacular location with the most amazing backdrop which you can see from the photos down below. It also helped that the entire wedding part are real sports. Not once did anyone complain about getting wet. After we were done doing the group shots, I stole Courtney Lynn and Jake away for about 15 minutes and we made our way to where the ceremony was supposed to take place. There was a nice wooden door way, as well as a spot with yet another amazing backdrop. Also, I took advantage some of the huge trees in the area too. All in all, I absolutely love how the portrait session turned out.
The rest of the night was spent inside the barn and there was no shortage of photo opportunities. One of the cool things Courtney Lynn did for the reception was set up a designated spot for guest portraits. It wasn't just your usual spot either, it was very cool old vintage couch set against the nice wooden wall. A lot of the guest and pretty much everyone for that matter used the couch at some point. It was a great idea and actually made my life that much easier. I was able to get guests in and out of the spot quickly because they knew where to go, but it also allowed for a lot of candid shots as other people gathered around.
The reception was a blast. The speeches were just crazy. I have seen a lot of speeches in my day and the ones that took place at this wedding were not only funny but very original. I only included a select bunch of photos of guests and the bridal party but lets just say that I came away with a staggering amount of photos of people laughing and also crying.
This was also the first wedding I have every been to where the guests were dancing to the dinner music. Even the DJ was telling me the same thing. It was quite the scene. So, you can imagine, that once the actual dance portion of the nite started, almost everyone was on the dance floor. The only challenge I had was to get in the crowd and not get knocked out from all the people swinging around. Luckily, I'm quite agile, although I had to duck out of the way of a few elbows here and there.
Each wedding the passes I am always left amazed at how many awesome wedding couples there are out there. Not only did I get to know Courtney Lynn and Jake during the wedding day, I also got to meet a lot of very cool and funny people. Below are just a few of my favourite moments and it was extremely hard not to just upload all 800+ plus photos but I had to draw the line somewhere. Thanks as always to the bride and groom for trusting me to capture their wedding day!
Treena + Warren Wedding
Sometimes it's funny how things work out, case in point, Treena and Warren's wedding which I recently photographed. Originally I was supposed to cover a completely different wedding but as it turned out, that wedding fell through because they decided to do a destination wedding instead. There absolutely no hard feelings because that's just how things go sometimes. Then, just when I thought the day would be a write off, Amy, a former coworker approached me and asked if I could photograph her brother Warren's wedding. Even though I was just need for 2 hours, I was super excited to be able to photograph a wedding after all.
Sometimes it's funny how things work out, case in point, Treena and Warren's wedding which I recently photographed. Originally I was supposed to cover a completely different wedding but as it turned out, that wedding fell through because they decided to do a destination wedding instead. There absolutely no hard feelings because that's just how things go sometimes. Then, just when I thought the day would be a write off, Amy, a former coworker approached me and asked if I could photograph her brother Warren's wedding. Even though I was just need for 2 hours, I was super excited to be able to photograph a wedding after all.
The location of the ceremony took place at Knox United Church, which I had never shot a wedding at before. It ended up being the perfect location for a nice intimate wedding. My day started about 30 minutes prior to the wedding which gave me ample time to get a ton of candid shots. It was very fun documenting the arrival of everyone and the emotions of the day.
Like most church ceremonies, it was pretty laid back and nicely paced which allowed me to move around freely, although discreetly. I always enjoy looking for different angles and also reactions and expressions in the crowd as well as from the wedding party. The great thing about Knox United Church is that it has a balcony on the second floor. I did have to be quick because it was a fairly short ceremony but I did manage to get a couple great wide angle photos of the entire ceremony.
Once the ceremony ended there was a brief meet and greet outside the church which once again allowed me to just move around in and out of the crowd and capture moments. Since I was only there for 2 hours we soon made our way to Seaman Park which is right across the street from Boulevard Lake. It's beautiful, if not somewhat hidden park, which is perfect for a small wedding party to get portraits done. This was probably my favourite part of the day because it was the first time I was really able to interact and talk with Treena and Warren, and a lot of their family members.
It also went by pretty fast but we got a lot accomplished. After I finished all the group photos, I eventually got Treena and Warren away from the crowd to capture some intimate moments between just the two of them. Before I knew it, my time was up. Even though it was fairly short wedding, for me, I came away with a lot of fantastic photos. I'm so glad Amy contacted me to photograph Treena and Warren's wedding.
Samantha + Brandon Wedding - Fort William Country Club
Another beautiful Saturday afternoon, another gorgeous wedding. Samantha and Brandon were the latest couple that allowed me the pleasure to document their special day. It all started with some getting ready shots, first with the women, who were over at the Victoria Inn. As soon as I arrived I started snapping away capturing some candid moments. Some of the reactions were priceless, and those are my favourite types of photos. After spending a bit of time with the girls, I rushed over to where the guys were staying, which was the Valhalla Inn. Luckily, Thunder Bay is pretty small so it doesn't take long to get anywhere.
Another beautiful Saturday afternoon, another gorgeous wedding. Samantha and Brandon were the latest couple that allowed me the pleasure to document their special day. It all started with some getting ready shots, first with the women, who were over at the Victoria Inn. As soon as I arrived I started snapping away capturing some candid moments. Some of the reactions were priceless, and those are my favourite types of photos. After spending a bit of time with the girls, I rushed over to where the guys were staying, which was the Valhalla Inn. Luckily, Thunder Bay is pretty small so it doesn't take long to get anywhere.
Just like the getting ready photos with the girls, it was the same with they guys. They were all pretty relaxed, even Brandon. Although, I could still feel some of the nervous tension in the room which is completely natural. It was then off to the Thunder Bay Marina for some pre wedding photos with the whole wedding party.
The bus unloaded everyone at Byte Restaurant and we were off from there. There were some quick 'first reaction' photos and then we just walked all around the Marina, stopping here and there for portraits and plenty of candid photos along the way. Our final destination at the Marina was Breakwater Taphouse, for a cold refreshment which was very much needed seeing as how hot outside it was. Everyone relaxed for a bit but that didn't mean I stopped taking photos. Some of my favourite shots came from this part of the day.
Once everyone was refreshed, they hopped back on the bus and I jumped in my car to make my way to the final ceremony which took place at the Fort William Country Club. Admittedly, this was my first wedding there and I've been doing this for almost 6 years. After spending some there for this wedding, I really hope I have many more weddings there as it's absolutely gorgeous.
As soon as everyone arrived, there was a quick washroom break and then we all hopped on the golf carts and drove out to the fourth hole. Even though we didn't have much time, we got a lot accomplished. I was able to get some portraits of Brandon and Samantha with some of the surroundings as well as the entire wedding party. I knew I had to at least get a wide angle shot with Mount McKay in the background. The best part about the 4th hole was some very kind golfers allowed the wedding party to borrow their golf clubs and hit some balls. So I captured some very fun action shots of the guys and gals actually hitting golf balls!
Things slowed down a bit once we got back to the club as it was time for the girls to get ready and wait for all the guests to arrive. This is usually the time of day that I get the most candid photos. Well, this and the actual ceremony. Once everyone arrived, the ceremony took place and like with everyone wedding I do, it was quite beautiful.
The reception began shortly after which took place inside the club house. After seeing all the wonderful guests interact at the ceremony and also spend quite a bit of time with the wedding party, I knew the reception was going to be a great time and an awesome opportunity to capture some fun and intimate photos. The food was really good, the speeches were funny, there was the shoe game and of course the first dances. They even had a photo booth set up with a Fuji Instant Camera which the guests loved. After taking the photo, they were asked to put it on a frame so Brandon and Samantha would be able to share in those moments. It was a really a great idea.
The evening ended for me with a whole lot of dancing and eventually some really nice fireworks. Not only did everyone in the room pretty much dance at some point, everyone also went outside for the fireworks. I even managed to peel my way through the crowd to get a few shots of the happy couple looking on. It was a fitting end to my night as the whole seemed like one giant celebration which is how it should be. Not only were Brandon and Samantha the perfect couple to photograph and so were the friends and family. I'm so glad I was able to be a part of their wedding day.
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.
Sophie + Caleb Wedding - Whitewater Golf Club
My first spring wedding of the year was at the Whitewater Golf Club with the amazing Caleb and Sophie. I had the pleasure of photographing their engagement session last year and I knew right way after capturing them during that day, that their wedding was going to be a great time. Let's just say that I wasn't disappointed. Upon arrival, I didn't even see Caleb or Sophie, but I wasn't expected to. Not many people were there at 1:00pm so I unloaded my camera gear and started to get some photos of the decorations and atmosphere before everyone arrived.
I recommend this for every wedding as it gives me a moment to take it all in and also get photos of things before they are altered or moved around. As the guests started to arrive I continued to get some candid photos of people, as I do with every single wedding. Honestly, the candid photos are the ones that couples tend to like the best, so I make sure to get a ton of them during the entire wedding day. I would go as far as saying that the bulk of the photos from each wedding are the natural, unposed ones.
My first spring wedding of the year was at the Whitewater Golf Club with the amazing Caleb and Sophie. I had the pleasure of photographing their engagement session last year and I knew right way after capturing them during that day, that their wedding was going to be a great time. Let's just say that I wasn't disappointed. Upon arrival, I didn't even see Caleb or Sophie, but I wasn't expected to. Not many people were there at 1:00pm so I unloaded my camera gear and started to get some photos of the decorations and atmosphere before everyone arrived.
I recommend this for every wedding as it gives me a moment to take it all in and also get photos of things before they are altered or moved around. As the guests started to arrive I continued to get some candid photos of people, as I do with every single wedding. Honestly, the candid photos are the ones that couples tend to like the best, so I make sure to get a ton of them during the entire wedding day. I would go as far as saying that the bulk of the photos from each wedding are the natural, unposed ones.
As I mentioned before, Caleb and Sophie were so great to work with during the engagement session. They were extremely relaxed and easy going. That came through with this wedding as well. It wasn't your traditional wedding where they had to only see each other at the ceremony. They were walking around talking before hand and we even did portraits before the ceremony took place. I'm not saying it's imperative all couples go about it this way, but it really allows for a a more spaced out wedding where the portraits aren't so rushed. I also got the chance to so some quick ring photos as well.
Whitewater is such a beautiful location, inside and out so people not only took advantage of mingling inside but the patio served as a the perfect spot to hang out as well. As the guests arrived I was told that Sophie would be spending some time getting ready downstairs so I followed her down there and captured some fun shots of her and her bridesmaids. Again, everything was just so relaxed it made my job that much easier.
Sophie and Caleb had decided to do the bulk of the portraits before the ceremony so we gathered everyone up and headed out to the front area where there is a nice field surrounded by some trees. Having shot here a few times before, it is the perfect locations for the family portraits as it is close and the backdrop is pleasant enough. Even though we had left plenty of time to get the portraits done, we did have to cut it short because of rain. Luckily, we did get all the group photos in, as well the guy and girl photos of each wedding party. We weren't too concerned with the couple shots of Sophie and Caleb because we would have time later in the evening around sunset to get those ones.
Once we headed back to the reception area to prepare for the ceremony, everyone was getting excited for it start. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating. As soon as we were just about to get going, the rain came down hard. There was a moment when they were considering doing indoors, and they even moved almost all the chairs inside. Luckily, that was the last of the rain, and the ceremony would take place outside after all. I was so thankful, because the lighting was absolutely perfect. It was overcast which made for the perfect atmosphere. Plus it meant it was bit cooler as well.
The ceremony was beautiful, but it's hard not to be with such an amazing location as the backdrop and of course such a great couple in Sophie and Caleb. It didn't rain again and everything else went off without a hitch. Once the ceremony was done, everyone headed back inside to get ready for the reception. As with most receptions, the food was fantastic and the speeches were also very moving and funny. Obviously, not being part of the family, I am a little detached from everything, but with that being said, I could fee the emotion in the air and I made sure to capture all those emotions.
Other highlights include Caleb and Sophie smashing cupcakes into each others mouths, a garter and bouquet toss which had some splendid moments. And of course the first dance, followed by the dances with both father and mother. I also got the chance to do some portraits with Sophie and Caleb out on the golf course just as the sun was setting. I truly believe every single wedding couple should get away for at least 20 minutes to do this. Not only did it give them a bit of a breather from the whole day, but it also allowed us to just focus on the two of them, even just for a bit. It also goes without saying that shooting portraits as the sunsets allows for the absolute best lighting of the entire day. Suffice it say, we came away with some intimate and unique photos that I hope they will both cherish the rest of their lives.
That was my night for the most part as my work was done at 10pm that evening. There were so many great moments throughout the day but on a personal note, my favourite one came from something new that I just started doing this year. As any wedding photographer would admit to, there are very few lulls during a wedding but seeing as how I had a moment to eat, I took those fleeting moments to obviously scarf down some fantastic prime rib as well as do up a short slideshow of the day. It was only 20 or so photos but it only took a short amount of time for such a truly memorable payoff. I chose some of my favourite photos from the day all the way up to the reception and created an short little looping slideshow on my older then old iPad. I handed it to Sophie and Caleb and left them to it. As I walked around to take some more photos I couldn't help but peak over to see how they were doing. To my surprise, the slideshow brought a smile to Caleb's face and tears to Sophie's. That moment, right there, reminded me why I love wedding photography so much. After that, I made sure to pass it around to all the guests in the reception and I think just about everyone viewed it.
In the end, it was a small gesture on my part, but one that I think, at least gave them a sneak peek into the story I would eventually tell about their wedding day. Which is what I am sharing with everyone right now through the photos below. Lastly, something new I am offering for free at the moment is a personalized slideshow for each wedding. Even though it is a substantial amount of work, I just love the end result and it's worth the extra time and effort. You can see that directly below. Thanks as always to the Sophie and Caleb for letting me be a part of their wedding day!
For those who would like to view all the photos from the wedding day, follow the link below.
http://chondonphotography.pixieset.com/sophiecalebwedding/
Tammy + Weston Wedding
Tammy and Weston had the pleasure of being my first wedding of the 2016 season. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit anxious and nervous going in but I'm actually like that before every single wedding. If I wasn't, I would probably be worried. Once I arrived at the church and starting taking photos of the venue everything fell into place and the entire day went by very quickly. Before guests started arriving I used the opportunity to grab a few detail photos and also get set up. I had done one other wedding at this church before so I was already familiar with it.
About 30 minutes before the ceremony guests started arriving and I just did my thing. I looked for all those moments when people don't realize you are photographing them. Those natural moments, are I think, some of the most genuine and memorable ones of the day. But then again, that is what 90 percent of my wedding photography is comprised of. This year, I am going to incorporate a lot more black and white photography as I think certain candid moments really shine when you strip away the colour . So you will see a mix of colour and black and white photos throughout.
Tammy and Weston had the pleasure of being my first wedding of the 2016 season. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad bit anxious and nervous going in but I'm actually like that before every single wedding. If I wasn't, I would probably be worried. Once I arrived at the church and starting taking photos of the venue everything fell into place and the entire day went by very quickly. Before guests started arriving I used the opportunity to grab a few detail photos and also get set up. I had done one other wedding at this church before so I was already familiar with it.
About 30 minutes before the ceremony guests started arriving and I just did my thing. I looked for all those moments when people don't realize you are photographing them. Those natural moments, are I think, some of the most genuine and memorable ones of the day. But then again, that is what 90 percent of my wedding photography is comprised of. This year, I am going to incorporate a lot more black and white photography as I think certain candid moments really shine when you strip away the colour . So you will see a mix of colour and black and white photos throughout.
Once guests settled in, it was time to start the ceremony. The wedding part and parents made their way down the aisle and once Tammy arrived at the alter it began. As with every wedding I photograph, the ceremony was very lovely and very laid back. These are my favourite kind of weddings because there is no rush and it allows me to just walk around (discreetly) and get photos of the guests and of course the wedding party.
After the ceremony, guests gathered in the entrance and congratulated Tammy and Weston. We then went back into the part of the church where the ceremony was and captured some of the family portraits. We had to stick indoors because it was blistering cold outside. Shortly thereafter it was time to head to This Old Barn, which is where the reception took place.
I showed up around 5 which allowed me to get a lot of great detail shots before most of the guests arrived. As well, it allowed me to get ready to photograph the guests as they made their way in. Just like the ceremony, it was a very relaxed reception. I simply went with the flow and came away with so many fantastic photos of people interacting and eventually watching the speeches and the first dances.
As the dancing began, I took a few more photos and then my night was done. Before I left we quickly got a good shot of Tammy and Weston eating the cake and a final family photo with the relatives. It was such a fun wedding and a good transition into the 2016 wedding season. It's going to be a super busy year and I know if every couple is like Tammy and Weston, I'm in for the best season to date!
My Favourite Wedding Photos of 2015
Well it’s that time of year again where I choose my absolute favourite wedding photos from the past season. I have been doing this for a couple seasons now and each and every time it’s such a hard, but task to do. By going through all my photos it forces me to look back on the year and see what I have done well and also areas in which I could possibly improve. After all, as a photographer, I’m constantly looking on ways to evolve and adapt. With that being said, I am extremely proud of what I accomplished this year. All the amazing couples and families definitely made it that much easier of course.
Well it’s that time of year again where I choose my absolute favourite wedding photos from the past season. I have been doing this for a couple seasons now and each and every time it’s such a hard, but task to do. By going through all my photos it forces me to look back on the year and see what I have done well and also areas in which I could possibly improve. After all, as a photographer, I’m constantly looking on ways to evolve and adapt. With that being said, I am extremely proud of what I accomplished this year. All the amazing couples and families definitely made it that much easier of course.
As many photographers will tell you, shooting a wedding is probably one of the most difficult disciplines to do. But, it’s also one of the most rewarding. Each wedding is completely different and always unpredictable. You always have to be ready for whatever happens, and rarely does anything ever go to plan. At the end of the day though, it is extremely satisfying to know that I was the one responsible for telling the most important story of the couple’s day.
Any comments or feedback are always welcome. Of course, if you see yourself in one of these photos don't hesitate to share this post with your friends and family! Here’s to a great upcoming wedding season in 2016. I’m already looking forward to meeting and photographing all the new couples. Thanks for viewing!
Nikki + Rob Wedding - Gammondale Farm
Nikki and Rob were officially my last wedding of the season, and what a busy wedding season it was. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect wedding to end the year too. The location was Gammondale Farm which is one of prettiest places in town in general, let alone the location for a wedding. Before I made it to Gammondale, I had the chance to spend some time with Nikki and her bridesmaids getting ready.
Nikki and Rob were officially my last wedding of the season, and what a busy wedding season it was. I couldn't have imagined a more perfect wedding to end the year too. The location was Gammondale Farm which is one of prettiest places in town in general, let alone the location for a wedding. Before I made it to Gammondale, I had the chance to spend some time with Nikki and her bridesmaids getting ready.
Not all couples hire me to capture 'getting ready' photos but I always encourage it simply because there are so many natural moments during that time. You can always feel some nervous tension during this time, but that just adds to the emotion. It also allows for some truly memorable photos. Although, one of my favourite photos of the first part of the day was a wedding dress shot. I don't always get a chance to capture the wedding dress by itself but when I do, I always like to try something different. In this case, I managed to hang it on the window with the blinds slightly drawn behind. The final result, I think, turned out pretty cool.
When all was said and done at the house, I made my way to Gammondale Farm. The day was overcast but that proved to be perfect weather for this Fall wedding. As soon as a I arrived I noticed all the people waiting anxiously by the pumpkin field. It was quite the backdrop for a wedding, the farm on one side and the expansive hillside on the other. As guests waited I just walked around and captured a lot of candid photos.
Before we knew it, Nikki had arrived and was getting ready to make her entrance by horse and carriage. That moment alone, summed up the entire day, everything was just so picturesque. Accompanied by her Father, who eventually helped her down and walked her down the aisle, the ceremony soon began. It was a lovely ceremony with all the close friends and family watching on, smiling. I could see that Nikki and Rob were completely lost in the moment.
Once it was done, everyone headed back to the farm area and mingled for a little. As everyone gathered I got some more great candid photos. Eventually we managed to get the closest family members together for some formal portraits. Of course we used the amazing backdrop for the portraits. Once we were done there we got some more portraits against the main big barn and then I spent a short amount of time with just Nikki and Rob. There were so many vibrant colours there that it was easy to come away with good looking photos. Plus, Nikki and Rob looked amazing.
The reception took place in a tent just beside the main house. It was an intimate reception which I always like. The food was served in the main house, which was decorated so beautiful. There was a candy table, a s'more making station and of course, a desert table. For the ceremony, it was pretty laid back, the speeches were short and everyone pretty much just hung out and enjoyed the evening. The real fun began later in the evening when the dance floor opened up. It wasn't just any dance floor, it was located in the main big barn. It was decorated so lovely and it as the perfect place the spend the rest of the evening dancing the night away.
I only stayed for the first dances and then my night was over but everything looked amazing and Nikki and Rob doing their first dance in that atmosphere was a perfect end to the night, at least for me. I know their night kept going so I can't speak to that. Nikki and Rob were probably one of the most easy going couples I have yet to photograph which made the day so much fun and relaxed. I'm still amazed at how many great photos I came away with.
Brittney + Adam Wedding
When my niece Brittney asked me to photograph her and Adam's wedding I obviously said yes. After all, how often will I get to photograph a family member's wedding. Plus, it also meant I would be surrounded by a lot of family which would make the day that much more fun, and relaxed. My day began at the ceremony which took place at Lakeview Presbyterian Church.
As guests arrived I walked around and got my usual candid photos and then before I knew it the ceremony was set to begin. Shooting in a dark church can often be a bit of a challenge but this church actually had fairly good lighting. I was sure to stay behind the scenes and keep it discreet all while getting some good natural moments of Brittney and Adam, as well as the guests and wedding party.
When my niece Brittney asked me to photograph her and Adam's wedding I obviously said yes. After all, how often will I get to photograph a family member's wedding. Plus, it also meant I would be surrounded by a lot of family which would make the day that much more fun, and relaxed. My day began at the ceremony which took place at Lakeview Presbyterian Church.
As guests arrived I walked around and got my usual candid photos and then before I knew it the ceremony was set to begin. Shooting in a dark church can often be a bit of a challenge but this church actually had fairly good lighting. I was sure to stay behind the scenes and keep it discreet all while getting some good natural moments of Brittney and Adam, as well as the guests and wedding party.
Once the ceremony was done everyone gathered outside for a short while and then it was off to the Marina to do all the family portraits. It was mid September when the wedding too place so the weather was perfect. We moved through the portraits at a good pace and also got a chance to get some portraits of just Adam and Brittney by the arch. The next stop was Waverly Park with just the wedding party. We started right at the front of get school. It's such an epic looking building so it's quite easy to get some dramatic shots. My favourite was the one with Brittney and Adam on the stairs in the wide angle shot.
We then moved on down to the park area to get some good group photos as well as some individual ones of Brittney and Adam. From this part of the session I just loved the photo of Brittney and Adam sitting on the bench, just showing their feet. It's little details like that, that I love focusing on sometimes. It's easy to always take photos of the whole body but I always try and slow down and focus on some of the finer details as well.
It was then time for the reception which took place at the Valhalla Inn. The reception was a ton of fun, especially since I was able to sit at the same table as my wife Anne, but also, I was surrounded by so much close family and relatives. The highlight of the ceremony was definitely when all the guests were invited to tie a balloon to their ankle and try and pop everyone else's before theirs was. It was a lot of fun and everyone was laughing and running around.
It was so great being a part a family wedding like this. I was honoured to take photos of people I already knew and a lot of people I was meeting for the first time. From my point of view it looked like Brittney and Adam had fun the entire time and I just hope I was able to capture some of those special moments.
