Faith + Joe Wedding
Every once in a while I am asked to photograph just a small part of a wedding, which is always a nice change of pace. That is exactly what happened for Faith and Joe's wedding. They just needed me for the ceremony and some portraits afterwards. All in all, it was just under 2 hours. Even though it went by very very fast, short weddings like this are extremely fun and challenging in their own right. After all, I still want to make sure I tell their story through my point of view.
Every once in a while I am asked to photograph just a small part of a wedding, which is always a nice change of pace. That is exactly what happened for Faith and Joe's wedding. They just needed me for the ceremony and some portraits afterwards. All in all, it was just under 2 hours. Even though it went by very very fast, short weddings like this are extremely fun and challenging in their own right. After all, I still want to make sure I tell their story through my point of view.
I believe I accomplished that with Faith and Joe. The church ceremony was quite beautiful, and because it was fairly slow paced, it allowed me to really take my time and find those fleeting moments and frame my photos to the best of my ability. I'm always looking for angles and different compositions, and anytime I am working in a church, it's always something I really try and do.
Once the ceremony was done, we all headed over to Vickers Park for some quick family photos. I was able to get the important family group shots and even some candids in between. I also did a little bit of video at the very end as everyone was getting ready to go their separate ways for a bit. I'll be sharing that within this blog post once it's done. So be sure to come back if you want to check that out.
It was an honour spending a little part of their wedding day with Faith and Joe!
Nicole + Terrence Wedding
Where do I begin with Nicole and Terrence's wedding? It was such an epic and fun day I guess I should just start from the beginning. Upon arriving at their beautiful property on the outskirts of Thunder Bay I parked my car and strapped my cameras on my shoulders. I didn't look back after that because the day just flew by with so many great moments.
Where do I begin with Nicole and Terrence's wedding? It was such an epic and fun day I guess I should just start from the beginning. Upon arriving at their beautiful property on the outskirts of Thunder Bay I parked my car and strapped my cameras on my shoulders. I didn't look back after that because the day just flew by with so many great moments.
I showed up just a bit before the ceremony was too begin which was perfect timing because it allowed me some time to check out their property and of course get a ton of candids of the guest s and wedding party. They ended up having to delay the wedding a little because there was. mixup with the bus which worked out well for me, because it gave me even more time to capture some moments before the wedding.
Once the guests arrived the ceremony got started, and a beautiful ceremony it was. It was a lovely ceremony to capture and because it was outside with the perfect weather, it made my job that much easier. All in all, it took about 30 minutes, at least that's what it seemed like to me. After the ceremony, everyone conversed and congratulated Nicole and Terrence and then we got to work on the portraits.
I immediately knew it was going to continue to be a fun day because none of the wedding party really cared if there were beer in the photos. I know some photographers might be bothered by that, but to me, that's who they were and it was real life. I learned a long time ago, to just go with the flow, and I truly believe my photos represent that realism. There were a lot of laughs during the portraits and it really gave me a chance to meet the whole family.
I of course stole the bride and groom away for a bit to get some intimate and casual photos just of them. Nicole and Terrence were so easy going to made for truly natural photos. Not only for the portraits but for the entire time I was there. I couldn't have asked for a nicer couple.
The rest of the evening was extremely laid back and fun to capture. I essentially just wandered around looking for moments as I always do. I also made sure to pull Nicole and Terrence aside a bit later in the evening to get some beautiful photos of them and the horses. If I could have taken their miniature house 'Darwin' home with me, I would have. He was simply adorable. Let's just say once he was free on the field, he didn't want to come back. One of my favourite photos of the day was Nicole going after him.
I also managed to capture a little bit of video from the day which you can eventually find within this blog. It's not something I specialize in but I have been trying to spend 5-10 minutes with couple at weddings when I can to capture some.
Thank you to Nicole and Terrence for letting me photograph their special day and getting to know not only them, but their entire family and friends. It was truly a memorable day for me.
Katherine + Scott Wedding - Thunder Bay Marina
What can I say about Katherine and Scott? Well, they are one of the nicest and most genuine wedding couples I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. Their wedding took place at the Thunder Bay Marina, and it ended up being the perfect weather. It wasn't too hot and it was overcast which meant the lighting was absolutely ideal for me to document such a special day.
What can I say about Katherine and Scott? Well, they are one of the nicest and most genuine wedding couples I have ever had the pleasure of photographing. Their wedding took place at the Thunder Bay Marina, and it ended up being the perfect weather. It wasn't too hot and it was overcast which meant the lighting was absolutely ideal for me to document such a special day.
Upon arriving I immediately started getting some candids of the guys and the few guests that were already there. Shortly after, Katherine and the girls arrived and we did the 'first look' which actually turned out to be some of my favourite photos of the day. You could just feel the pure emotion and love between Katherine and Scott. I had so much fun looking for moments amongst the guest and of course the wedding party and family. It wasn't that hard at all because there were so many people at the wedding and everyone was so happy to be there.
The ceremony was beautiful and filled with some great moments as well. I managed to walk around and really get some nice close up photos as I always do, but also good wide angle photos showcasing all the people there and the beautiful location. It really is one of my favourite places to capture a wedding.
After the ceremony and some catching up with guests we did the bride and groom portraits. As you would expect, Scott and Katherine were complete naturals in front of the camera. With one of the nicest backdrops in Thunder Bay, I captured some of my best wedding portraits to date.
Once we were done the portraits, we made our way to Bight for a well deserved drink. I can't remember the last time I was looking forward to a cold drink. The night ended for me at the reception which took place at the CLE Coliseum. It was actually my first time photographing a reception at that venue. They really did an amazing job in decorating the venue. I was only there for a couple hours but I still got a chance to photograph a lot of the details, guests and of course the first dance.
I'm so very thankful to have been a part of Katherine and Scott's wedding day. I hope that these photos will help them see all the great moments that I was able to witness throughout the day.
Courtney + Evan Wedding - Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel
My first wedding of the season took place a few weeks ago in May and I was so excited for it, if not a bit nervous. Within a few minutes of arriving and getting started, I was off to the races. Anyone who has seen my work before on this site, knows that I love candid photos. I would say 95 percent of every wedding I shoot is candid. I always challenge myself to find those special moments or expressions throughout the day. It's a hard challenge often times but a fun and rewarding one nonetheless.
My first wedding of the season took place a few weeks ago in May and I was so excited for it, if not a bit nervous. Within a few minutes of arriving and getting started, I was off to the races. Anyone who has seen my work before on this site, knows that I love candid photos. I would say 95 percent of every wedding I shoot is candid. I always challenge myself to find those special moments or expressions throughout the day. It's a hard challenge often times but a fun and rewarding one nonetheless.
Courtney and Evan's wedding took place at the Best Western hotel off the highway, and it's always a beautiful location so I knew I had a great backdrop to work with. The weather held up so that was awesome. After getting a bunch of candids before the ceremony, it was soon time to head on outside to the courtyard to get the main event on the way. As I mentioned above, it's a beautiful venue so that made my work that much easier. It was quite a beautiful ceremony and I think I managed to get some nice genuine moments, not only of the wedding couple but also everyone else.
Once the ceremony was done, there was a short break and then we tackled the family and wedding part portraits. Just before the reception was to get on it's way, I stole Courtney and Evan away for a good 20 minutes and we did some portraits with just them. Knowing that I would probably get the chance for some more portraits with them later in the evening during golden hour, I didn't take up too much of their time.
It was then time for the reception which I never know what to expect. I must say, the food was amazing, the speeches were so funny, genuine and emotional at times. It made for some really pure moments within the crowd. Courtney and Evan did the shoe game which also had everyone laughing and of course their was the first dance along with the parent dances as well. Then ... it was time for the dance floor to open up and it was so great to see so many people out on the floor. I got so many great dancing photos! The ones below are just a small sampling, but some of my favourites from the bunch.
Before I was done my day, Courtney and Evan joined me outside for some more photos outside. The lighting was just perfect and the weather was too. The resulting photos were definitely some of my favourites from the entire day. The highlight of the night hands down, goes to Courtney. As we made our way outside, she sprinted, in her wedding dress, to the open field where a whole bunch of geese were settled down. Well, once they saw her coming they all flew away and it made for quite the seen. I wish I would have had my zoom lens on me but I still managed to get a pretty good photo.
I couldn't have asked for a better wedding to start the year with. Courtney and Evan were an amazing couple to photograph and the entire day was just so much fun!
15 Favourite Wedding Photos of 2017
I hope it doesn't sound conceded when I say that it was extremely difficult to choose my favourite 15 wedding photos of 2017 because I had so many great ones. If anything, I think it speaks to just how many amazing weddings I was fortunate enough to photography. It obviously helped that each and ever wedding couple in 2017 was simply amazing.
I hope it doesn't sound conceded when I say that it was extremely difficult to choose my favourite 15 wedding photos of 2017 because I had so many great ones. If anything, I think it speaks to just how many amazing weddings I was fortunate enough to photography. It obviously helped that each and ever wedding couple in 2017 was simply amazing.
Why only 15 photos? I wanted to challenge myself. I didn't count the exact number but I would estimate that I took at least 30,000 photos this wedding season. That may seem like a lot, and I guess it is, but I am quite selective when I photograph weddings. With that being said, the photos below are simply the ones that affected me the most.
I'm very excited for my upcoming weddings in 2018 and I can't wait to see all of the special moments I am able to capture. Don't forget, if you are still on the lookout for a wedding photographer, I'd love to talk!
I mentioned above how hard it was to narrow it down to 15 photos which is why I included a few extras that just missed the cut. Thanks for viewing!
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.
Jamie + Cory Wedding
One of my last weddings of the year was another family affair. It was my wife’s niece Jamie and Cory’s wedding. It goes without saying that I was very excited to capture it. I knew it would be a fun day, but that didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be working hard all day, which is exactly what happened.
One of my last weddings of the year was another family affair. It was my wife’s niece Jamie and Cory’s wedding. It goes without saying that I was very excited to capture it. I knew it would be a fun day, but that didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be working hard all day, which is exactly what happened.
My portion of the day started first thing in the morning with Jamie and the rest of her bridal party at the Victoria Inn. The original plan was to spend about an hour with them, then head over to the where the boys were at their house. Well, I rarely find that weddings go as planned and I ended up spending a lot more time with the girls then originally planned. It was fine by me though, because there was a lot going on, and I came away with a ton of good photos. To be honest, there is usually more going in when the girls get ready then when I photograph guys.
I photographed the girls while they were doing their makeup, nails and pretty much all else that goes into getting ready for the Jamie’s big day. All the photos below are simply a small sampling of what I captured, it was definitely hard to narrow it down. My favourite part of this portion of the day is when Jamie got a brief moment to say hi and bye to her two little ones. I eventually had permission to leave when Jamie and the rest of the girls were all dressed up, so I rushed to where Cory was getting ready and instantly took a handful of photos. I was literally in and out in 10 minutes. The boys had to hurry up and get to Mount McKay where the ceremony was taking place.
Once I arrived at Mount McKay I grabbed my cameras and got some photos of guests arriving and eventually the rest of the wedding party. It was kind of a unique wedding in that there was a first ceremony for close family and then another shortly after where everyone could attend. As a photographer, I will never complain about being given the opportunity to photograph two ceremonies for one wedding. They both had a completely different feel and the photos I took reflected that.
The main (second) wedding took place in the main grandstand which was quite beautiful with the mountain framing everything behind. I had a lot more room to work with during the second ceremony, and there were more people which meant more opportunity for candid photos which I love to do. As soon as it was over, everyone gathered around the outside of the grandstand and congratulated the bride and groom, then it was off to do some family portraits. It was actually quite a hot summer day so my main goal was working in the shade as best I could. It was hard to do because we were in the wide open, but I did manage to eventually find some. That is where we did all the family portraits, and there were quite a few.
The portraits took a little longer then expected because we had to wait around for a bit, but I was still able to get a few quick photos down at the entrance to the mountain where there is a beautiful swing hanging from a tree. I didn’t even know it was there until Jamie suggested it. I have since used that location one time since then for a portrait session.
It was then time for a short break so I went home, regrouped and had something to eat. Before I knew it, it was time to head to the reception at the Victoria Inn. As usual, before all the guests arrived, I got some detail shots of the decorations and of course cake. From that point on it was just a matter of looking for moments with people interacting and having fun. That was not hard to do. One of my favourite moments from the ceremony was when Jamie was handed a beer outside in the hall, and as soon as she opened up, it started foaming from being shaken. Like any crazy bride would do, she quickly brought it up to her mouth and I drank the whole thing. Everyone around her cheered their approval.
As mentioned in the first paragraph, this wedding included some extended family of mine so the table I sat it included some close friends and relatives. Plus, my wife eventually showed up which was so awesome. Oh, and did I mention, it happened to be my birthday. It was the second year in a row that I was shooting a wedding on my birthday.
I’m not one for attention and especially when I photograph, I try to be discreet unless I’m interacting with people. Well, I got called up to the head table to get a group shot, but I soon realized that it was a trick to get me to the front. Before I knew it, Tony was on the mic getting the entire crowd of 200+ people to sing happy birthday to me. It was a cruel thing to do but greatly appreciated. I can go on record and say that it was the most people at one time that have ever sang happy birthday to me. Suffice it to say, I was a bit taken aback.
After the speeches were done, it was time for the cake cutting and then eventually the dancing. The first dances were very nice and with the huge dance floor I had a lot of room to move to compose some really good photos. Then it was time for the dancing to start and a lot of the crowd do so immediately. Because I was with friends and family I stayed longer then I was required to and hung out for a bit. The good thing about staying a bit later then usual, is that I was able to get some epic dancing photos, the garter and bouquet toss and eventually a huge group of people forming a training dancing through the entire room. It was a fitting end to a long but extremely fun wedding.
Family weddings are always fun to photograph, and Jamie and Cory’s wedding was no different. It was some of the most fun I have had at any wedding all year. They were so kind and generous and extremely easy to photograph. The same goes for all their friends and family as well!
Lindy + Tyler Wedding
My wedding with Lindy and Tyler started at the Murphy house, which just so happens to be one of the more beautiful homes in the city. I have only ever done one other wedding there about 4 years ago and it was inside. So, I was very excited when Lindy and Tyler decided to have an outdoor wedding.
My wedding with Lindy and Tyler started at the Murphy house, which just so happens to be one of the more beautiful homes in the city. I have only ever done one other wedding there about 4 years ago and it was inside. So, I was very excited when Lindy and Tyler decided to have an outdoor wedding.
It was a very small and intimate wedding which was very nice. Set against the backdrop off the mansion, it was the perfect setting. Plus, the weather was amazing. As the crowd arrived and Tyler anxiously waited, I captured a lot of great candid photos. Once Lindy arrived, the ceremony started, and what a beautiful ceremony it was. With the 3 piece orchestra playing music in the distance and the guests smiling away, there were plenty of opportunities for good photo moments.
Once the ceremony was done, we did a few family portraits in the yard and then we were off to the Marina to the portraits with just Tyler and Lindy. As you can see from the photos below, both Lindy and Tyler looked amazing with what they were wearing. The portraits, as they always are, were very laid back and natural. When we were done photographing at the Marina, I suggested that we head downtown for a few portraits in the back alley of St. Paul street. There are some fantastic graffiti covered walls there that I have used before, and I know Lindy and Tyler would look superb against such a backdrop.
The photos from that particular portion of the portraits were some of my favourites. Since we were doing very well on time, I got to 5 Forks, where the reception was taking place, a good 30 minutes in advance. It gave me a chance to photography all the wonderful detailing that I hear Lindy's mother put a lot of work into.
Just the like the wedding, the reception was a gathering of the closest family and friends. I always worry when the reception isn't very big, mainly because there just aren't as many photo opportunities but I think I was able to get a lot of good photos.
For this particular wedding, it didn't end with the reception, instead, Lindy asked me to come to the afterparty which was the following night at the Foundry. It was similar to the reception the night before in that everyone just gathered on the top floor, enjoyed some food and drinks and had a good time.
Lindy and Tyler were amazing to work with and I still can't believe how many great photos I came away with. I think that is a testament to just how natural Lindy and Tyler were behind the camera.
Dannielle + Steve Wedding
Most of the time my weddings consist of couples I am meeting for the very first time. Everyone once in a while though, I get to photograph an old friend, and in this case, it was Dannielle. We went to the same elementary school way back in the day. Well, when it was time for her to get married to Steve, she ended up contacting me to capture her wedding. Of course I said yes, and that was that.
We did end up doing an engagement session last December and that is when I first met Steve. As soon as I got to know him a little, I could see that they were indeed the perfect fit. It made me all the more excited to eventually photograph their wedding. It also, helped that I knew I would see some old classmates at the wedding too.
Most of the time my weddings consist of couples I am meeting for the very first time. Everyone once in a while though, I get to photograph an old friend, and in this case, it was Dannielle. We went to the same elementary school way back in the day. Well, when it was time for her to get married to Steve, she ended up contacting me to capture her wedding. Of course I said yes, and that was that.
We did end up doing an engagement session last December and that is when I first met Steve. As soon as I got to know him a little, I could see that they were indeed the perfect fit. It made me all the more excited to eventually photograph their wedding. It also, helped that I knew I would see some old classmates at the wedding too.
My day started at the ceremony which took place at St. Margaret's Church. As soon as I arrived all the guests were there and the wedding party was getting ready to walk down the aisle. I set up quickly and starting getting some candids of the guest and eventually of the family walking down the aisle. Throughout the ceremony I was able to capture some very beautiful photos of not only the guests but so many good ones of Dannielle and Steve.
The ceremony went by pretty quickly for me and before I knew it, everyone was heading back down the aisle to go outside. I like to think I'm pretty quick at packing up but as soon as I got outside, almost the entire party were about to leave to the next spot! Luckily I knew the destination which was Seaman Park, right by boulevard. That is where they decided to do all the family portraits and also the bridal party as well.
It really is a very nice spot which so much room to work with, and also a lot of tucked away spots that are great for portraits. Of course Dannielle and Steve's (and the entire wedding party) outfits made for some truly memorable and fun photos. They even pulled out some flasks at one point!
Once we finished the bridal party portraits it was time for just Steve and Dannielle. We stayed at the park for a little bit and then eventually travelled to Centennial Park to get some more portraits done there. Centennial Park was where we also did their engagement photos. This time around, it wasn't a blizzard though.
The final part of the evening for me was some of the reception, which took place at the Italian Hall in the main boardroom. I had a bit of downtime before the guests arrived so it gave me a chance to take my time with the detail shots of all the decorations. Once the guests started arriving I was back into candid mode, where I just kept into the background and captured interactions and reactions. It was also my first wedding where they had a caricature artist. It was such a neat idea and the guests loved it. I wanted to get one done of me, but sadly it would have taken to long.
I was at the reception for the first dances, the cake cutting and then that was it. It was such a pleasure being a part of Dannielle and Steve's wedding day. It also made me realize just how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday that we were in Grade 6 playing in the school yard. I couldn't have asked for a more laid back and fun wedding couple to photograph!
Kendal + Richard Wedding - Rose Valley Lodge
Admittedly, Kendal and Richard's Wedding was one I was looking forward to because they seemed like such an amazing couple, and also, because they were getting married at Rose Valley Lodge. I had never photographed there before so I was so excited to be able to. They, and the location did not disappoint!
I arrived at the venue about 1 hour before the wedding which gave me time to get a few getting ready pictures of Kendal. It was in a small wood cabin which was just down the path a bit. There was a lot of natural light in and around the cabin so I was able to get a few beautiful portraits of Kendal and also of the dress.
Admittedly, Kendal and Richard's Wedding was one I was looking forward to because they seemed like such an amazing couple, and also, because they were getting married at Rose Valley Lodge. I had never photographed there before so I was so excited to be able to. They, and the location did not disappoint!
I arrived at the venue about 1 hour before the wedding which gave me time to get a few getting ready pictures of Kendal. It was in a small wood cabin which was just down the path a bit. There was a lot of natural light in and around the cabin so I was able to get a few beautiful portraits of Kendal and also of the dress.
Once she was ready to go, we headed out to the main area and did all the family portraits and eventually ones of just Kendal and Richard. The backdrop at Rose Valley Lodge is simply amazing! They of course have the horses (and donkey) along with the forest and mountains. It was pretty much impossible not to come away with epic photos, which is exactly what I did.
Kendal and Richard were so natural behind the camera. Some of my favourite photos were the ones where they were interacting with the horses. There was also a few other great spots around the property too that we took advantage of.
Kendal then hid away for a bit as guests arrived. No matter the wedding, I always get a ton of candids of the guests. After all, the bride and groom don't really ever get to see that part of the wedding, so I think it's just as important.
Before I knew it, it was time for the ceremony to start. Once they made their way down the aisle, everyone settled in and we were off to the races. I must admit, Both Kendal and Richard's speeches were so funny and also so very sincere and heartfelt. Just photographing the reactions of the crowd, I would see tears one moment and then outright laughter the next. Kendal's speech included a Cheerios Box and Richards' a doggy bag. They also referenced Star Trek a few times which I appreciated, because I'm a big fan.
Just like that, they were married. Everyone there congratulated them after it was all said and done, and you could just feel the joy from everyone. Most wedding couples get their guests to sign a book, not Kendal and Richard. They had oversized Jenga blocks that they had everyone sign. It was such a cool idea. Suffice it to say, I got a lot of shots of the different messages.
My time ended shortly after that, but not before I got to spend my afternoon with one of my favourite couples to date. Their wedding was so unique and beautiful that I am so honoured to share all the photos I captured!
Brandon + Rachael Wedding
Brandon and Rachael were my last wedding in August and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day. I arrived as they the guys were anxiously waiting for the guests, and eventually Rachael, to arrive. It gave me a chance to get accustomed to the venue, and of course, capture a ton of candid photos of all the guests arriving. Once all the guests arrived, that was when Rachael also made her way to the venue. I was able to get some really good getting ready photos once she was in her dress and before I knew it, it was time for the ceremony to start.
Brandon and Rachael were my last wedding in August and it couldn't have been a more beautiful day. I arrived as they the guys were anxiously waiting for the guests, and eventually Rachael, to arrive. It gave me a chance to get accustomed to the venue, and of course, capture a ton of candid photos of all the guests arriving. Once all the guests arrived, that was when Rachael also made her way to the venue. I was able to get some really good getting ready photos once she was in her dress and before I knew it, it was time for the ceremony to start.
The bridal party started making their way down the aisle and Brandon waited for his beautiful bride to walk down the aisle. There were so many great photos I captured fro the ceremony but, I ended up getting one of my favourite photos of the year with Brandon unable to hold back the tears as Rachael approached. It was such a raw and real moment that I think every photograph truly seeks out.
Of course the ceremony was beautiful just as I expected. After it was done everyone congratulated the happy couple. Another photographer was there to capture a huge group shot using a drone which was awesome to watch. I even captured some photos of the guests and the wedding party posing for it.
The property had a huge field, and old barn and of course a tractor, so I made sure to incorporate all of those into the wedding party portraits. I couldn't have asked for a better location to work with. It definitely made my life easy. We spend a good couple hours taking advantage of all the great spots.
The last stop for the night was the reception which was at the Portuguese Hall. It was my first time photographing there so I was excited to see how it was. It ended up being the perfect venue for Brandon and Rachael to end their evening. All the guests had a great time, especially rolling the dice to get the happy couple to kiss. If they lost the roll, they had to kiss someone in the crowd. It made for some fun moments.
Brandon and Rachael were one of the most easy going and easy to photograph couples I have ever had. I feel so honoured to have been able to spend a time with them and their family celebrating and capturing their special day.
Jessica + Jonathan Wedding
Looking back on the beginning of August now that it seems Fall is now upon us, I really do miss the hot weather, even though I often complained at the time. I also remember the beginning of August because it was my first wedding of that month, Jessica and Jonathan's. My day started with Jonathon and the boys in their hotel room at the Prince Arthur.
As soon as I arrived I could feel a bit of nervous tension but otherwise everyone was super relaxed. I soon learned that all the guys had a great sense of humour (as well as the ladies), which would make my day that much more fun. In typical fashion all the guys slowly got ready, helping each other out and joking along the way. I was able to get some really great candid moments in the short amount of time I was them.
Looking back on the beginning of August now that it seems Fall is now upon us, I really do miss the hot weather, even though I often complained at the time. I also remember the beginning of August because it was my first wedding of that month, Jessica and Jonathan's. My day started with Jonathon and the boys in their hotel room at the Prince Arthur.
As soon as I arrived I could feel a bit of nervous tension but otherwise everyone was super relaxed. I soon learned that all the guys had a great sense of humour (as well as the ladies), which would make my day that much more fun. In typical fashion all the guys slowly got ready, helping each other out and joking along the way. I was able to get some really great candid moments in the short amount of time I was them.
The next stop was with Jessica and the rest of the gang. Everyone was smiling and laughing and you could tell they were so looking forward to the day ahead. I have said it before, but some of my favourite photos from a weddings come from the getting ready portion of the day. This one was no different.
The ceremony took place at St. Patricks Cathedral, which surprisingly, I had never photographed at before. Once inside, I was amazed at just how beautiful it was. The ceremony itself was equally beautiful, and because of the sheer size of the church I was able to go wherever I wanted and capture so many great angles and moments.
After some brief mingling, it was off to Hillcrest Park for a short period of time to get a few family portraits and then eventually to the Marina for all the bridal party portraits. The whole wedding day was very fun for me but I think my favourite part of the day was the time spent at the Marina. It gave me a chance to really get to know everyone and simply have a good time following them around. It also helped that the Marina is one of the nice places in town to take photos at, so we came away with a ton of great shots.
The final part of my day was back at the Prince Arthur for the ceremony. By then, everyone was ready to relax, have some drinks and food and enjoy some very funny speeches. Jessica and Jonathon also had a game where you had to read a movie quote and then guess the movie in order to get them to kiss. I think I actually knew most of the movies but I was still stumped on a couple.
Before my time was up, I was able to capture the first dance and the dances with the parents as well. I feel so lucky to continually be fortunate enough to photograph so many amazing couples. Jessica and Jonathan's entire wedding day was extremely fun for me to capture. Not only were they very kind and easy going, but so were al their family and especially the wedding party.
