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Photography Blog

  • S and J’s Downtown Toronto wedding at George Restaurant

    Tuesday, July 4, 2023

    S and J were excited to have a very downtown Toronto wedding. They met lindy hop swing dancing, as you may recall from their engagement photos. They incorporated loads of fun cultural elements into their celebration and some goofy ones too. I was thrilled to see the unique and wonderful Medusa band when I arrived. They provided a beautiful soundtrack for the ceremony and cocktail hour on the fiddle, cello, and nyckelharpa.

    The officiant was a progressive Christian minister who incorporated Islam on her side and Judaism on his.

    Before she waltzed down the aisle, S surprised J by having one of their friends dress up as a lion and sneak up behind him as the band played music from the Lion King!  At the reception, they Lindy Hopped their first dance, did a choreographed Bollywood style dance, had a Balfolk dance lesson and several Balfolk dances that followed, and of course, they did the hora!

    One of the things I love most about being a Toronto wedding photographer is getting to experience so many wonderful cultures!

    The festivities began with a Mehndi (henna party), which was great as I got to meet some of the other guests first and get my own henna done.

    Photo of a hand, a hand holding henna brush and decorative henna on a woman's hand.

     

    Two ladies sitting and smiling at a bachelorette party

     

    Two women laughing and eating in a room with 4 black and white photos behind them.

     

    Three band members. The violin and cello are visible, the nyckelharpa is hidden behind a plant.

     

    Groom and best man waiting for bride to waltz down the aisle

     

    Person dressed up as a lion sneaking up behind shocked groom and best man.

     

    Bride waltzing down the aisle

     

    Couple saying their wedding vows outdoors as guests look on.

     

    Two vertical side by side photos of first the bride saying her vows and then the groom saying his vows.

     

    Couple looking at each other, smiling and laughing

     

    Two side by side vertical photos of a just married couple. In the one on the left, they are smiling at the camera and in the one on the right, they are about to kiss

     

    Two vertical side by side photos of a happy couple. In the one on the left, she is leaning on him with her arm extended in a dance position and in the one on the right, they are hugging and looking at the camera.

     

    Lindy Hop!

     

    Family photo with bride, groom and groom's parents

     

    Large group family portrait with 8 people including grandparents and two year old

     

    Two side by side vertical photos of bride and maid of honour outdoors in nice light.

     

    Groom and best man hugging and smiling at the camera

     

    Four person wedding party, outdoor portrait

     

    Bride, friend and a stuffed animal of a Kiwi bird on the left, bride flanked by two well dressed men in photo on the right.

     

    Triangle style photo of 5 people on left, photo of bride with band on the right. Instruments include a violin, a nyckelharpa and a cello

     

    Beautiful blue wedding ring.

     

    Bollywood style dance!

     

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple Lindy Hop swing dancing

     

    Lindy Hop couples dance. The groom is holding one hand in front of the bride and the other behind her and his forehead is touching hers. They are both facing forward with their eyes closed.

     

    Balfolk dance with many pairs holding hands in a circle and the groom's father looking at the camera.

     

    Hora dance! Couple on chairs being lifted from below while each holding onto one side of a napkin.

     

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  • Cocktail themed engagement photos

    Thursday, June 1, 2023

    We decided on cocktail-themed engagement photos because this couple loves drinking them together. I knew the light was nice and the cocktails were great at Bar Pompette so we started our session there. The next day, I learned that Bar Pompette was ranked #15 of the 50 best bars in North America!

    We walked down College St. chasing a sunset, which disappeared too quickly but managed to get some nice photos outside of Revival.

    Michelle’s brother owns 2Cats Cocktail Lounge on King St. W., so we finished the night off with some more photos there. In case you’re wondering, we didn’t start there because it is super dark and always packed. I felt like I was at a wedding when we were at the bar, because so many popular songs I often hear at weddings were playing.

    Considering how much fun your engagement session was, I cannot wait for your wedding!

     

     

    Man and woman dressed in purple clothes looking lovingly at each other at an outside table at Pompette cocktail bar.

     

    Couple dressed in fancy purple clothes about to enjoy cocktails and kiss.

     

    Happy couple dressed in purple at Pompette cocktail bar. They are holding hands and smiling at the camera.

     

    Romantic photos of couple dressed in fancy purple clothes in front of Revival.

     

    Couple dressed in purple kissing in front of a mural with giant Iris flowers.

     

    Couple holding each other at waist and looking at camera in front of a mural of giant Iris flowers. They are both wearing purple.

     

    Black and white photo of a couple looking lovingly at each other in front of Two Cats Bar.

     

    Couple enjoying a moment together at Two Cats cocktail lounge.

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  • Couple Photos at Guild Park and Gardens

    Friday, May 12, 2023

    Alysia and Alex decided to do couple photos at The Guild Park and Gardens. The first wedding blog post I ever did was due to the fact that I was so happy with a wedding I photographed at The Guild Park in 2007.  The Guild Park is a great place for weddings and portraits because it features lots of nature, an Arts and Crafts style manor house, and a sculpture garden. In spite of living and working in different cities, Alysia and Alex met at work in 2020-she worked in the Toronto office and he worked in the Montreal one.

    Black and white photo of couple on motorcycle with woman facing backwards. Their foreheads are touching.

     

    Black and white photo of a motorcyle riding couple, with the woman in the front.

     

    Colour photo of couple on motorcyle in front of a forest. Man in front, romantically looking behind at woman who is in front.

     

    Black and white image of a happy couple reflected in a motorcyle mirror

     

    Very happy couple hugging and looking at the camera with big smiles in front of the Greek stage at The Guild Inn. The Greek stage is in the background and out of focus. The couple is in focus.

     

    Super romantic photos a the Guild Inn, in front of the Greek stage. Many is behind woman, kissing her on cheek and she is grinning.

     

    Couple photos at the Guild Inn and Park in front of the Greek Stage. Woman is holding man around waist, man is gently holding woman's head and they are looking at each other romantically.

     

    Romantic photo of a couple who are forehead to forehead looking at each other and hugging with out of focus trees behind them.

     

    Romantic photos of a couple in front of blue and pink skies and Lake Ontario.

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  • Engagement photos at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum!

    Thursday, May 4, 2023

    I was so excited when Victoria and Andrew suggested we do their engagement photos at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, because I have been to several swing dances there and it is a super fun place to dress up, take photos, and pretend it’s the 1940s! Andrew is in the infantry of the Canadian Forces, so it was only fitting that we did some photos in front of a Canadian Forces airplane.  Look closely and you will see that his blue shirt features tiny airplanes!  I love that they did 3 outfit changes to match their surroundings, and they brought Portuguese/Canada and Ukraine/Canada flags to pay homage to their heritage.

    Black and white photo of a couple touching heads and smiling at each other in an airplane cockpit.

     

    Side by side vertical photos of a couple in a historic airplane cockpit. In the one on the left, they are about to kiss. In the photo on the right, they are looking at the camera.

     

    Black and white photo of a couple inside an airplane. The woman is looking at the man and the man is grinning a bit at her, and a bit at the camera.

     

    Man and woman dressed in blue and black in front of yellow RCAF airplane.

     

    Close-up photo of couple dressed in blue and black in front of RCAF airplane.

     

    Couple holding up Portuguese and Canadian as well as Ukrainian and Canadian flags in front of yellow Royal Canadian Airforces airplane, indoors.

     

    Couple wearing blue and white in front of white airplane with blue stripes

     

    Couple hugging and looking at camera in front of a 045 airplane against a blue sky.

     

    Man hugging woman from behind in front of gray Canadian Forces airplane

     

    Man hugging woman from behind in front of a Canadian Forces airplane.

     

    Couple in front of Starfigher airplane at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Two side by side vertical photos. In the first, you can see the whole plane standing upright and the second is a close-up of the couple.

     

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple in front of a sunset. In the first, they are dancing, in the second they are making a big heart with their arms.

     

    Woman in red dress and man in suit in front of sunset. He is holding her head, she is holding his arms and they are forehead to forehead.

     

    Silhouette at sunset of a couple from the waist up.

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  • Engagement photos at Cherry Beach!

    Friday, April 21, 2023

    Mike and Erin decided to do their engagement photos at Cherry Beach because they frequently walk their dog there. They met through mutual friends, who hosted a dinner party so they could meet without telling them that was the purpose of the dinner party!  A month later, they separately volunteered to help that friend build a tiny home. They bonded on the 7-hour round-trip carpool ride and have been together ever since!

    Couple looking at camera with forest behind them. Man is Asian, woman is white. He is wearing a dark shirt and she is wearing a bluish gray long sleeve shirt. They are smiling at the camera and are backlit by the sun.

    Couple looking at camera with forest behind them. Man is Asian, woman is white. He is wearing a dark shirt and she is wearing a bluish gray long sleeve shirt. They are smiling at the camera and are backlit by the sun. Man is behind woman, hugging her at the waist. Her hands are clasped around her waist on top of his.

    Side by side vertical photos of couple looking at camera with forest behind them. Man is Asian, woman is white. He is wearing a dark shirt and she is wearing a bluish gray long sleeve shirt. They are smiling at the camera and are backlit by the sun. In the photo on the left, her hand is on his arm. In the photo on the right, he is slightly behind her and he is hugging her around the waist.

    Side by side vertical photos of couple looking at camera with forest behind them. Man is Asian, woman is white. He is wearing a dark shirt and she is wearing a bluish gray long sleeve shirt. They are smiling at the camera and are backlit by the sun. In the photo on the left, they are touching noses. and hugging. In the photo on the right, they are hugging and looking at the camera.

    Couple kissing on red Toronto lifeguard stand with Lake Ontario and a blue sky in the background. Two side by side vertical photos. In the one on the left, you can see their full bodies. The photo on the right is a close-up.

     

     

    Couple in front of Toronto cityscape and Lake Ontario

    Engagement photos at Cherry Beach. Side by side vertical photos of a couple standing in front of Lake Ontario on a sunny evening with a blue sky in the background. In the photo on the left, they are hugging and looking at each other with their heads apart. In the photo on the right, they look like they are about to kiss. Both photos are from tjhe waist up. Man is Asian, woman is white with brown hair. They are both wearing black pants. He is wearing a long-sleeve black shirt and she is wearing a long-sleeve grayish blue shirt.

     

    Sunset silhouette of couple looking at each other. The background is totally white and the sunset is inside their silhouettes. Their heads are blue and their bodies are pinkish.

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  • Engagement photos in Kensington Market and Beguiling Comics!

    Wednesday, April 19, 2023

    Dawn and David were excited to do their engagement photos in Kensington Market.  The last time I did engagement photos in Kensington Market, it was 2009!

    Dawn and David still joke about how after their first date, he left to go and buy comics. Fortunately, she totally understood and they have happily been together for 5 years!

    Kensington Market was ridiculously crowded but we walked a little farther down the street and there was a gap in the hordes of people. I asked them if any place around there was special to them and she said, “Yes. We have been on a few dates at the Pow Wow Cafe. They have the best Indian Tacos! My family is Metis and I have tried to make them myself, but his are better.”
    I haven’t tried hers, but I’ve also really enjoyed the ones from the Pow Wow Cafe at both the Mariposa Folk Festival and The Stan Rogers Folk Festival!

    Since Kensington Market was so crowded, we decided to go around the corner and take some photos at the local comic book store. I already knew David liked comics because of their first date story, but Dawn does too! She was even wearing a Sailor Moon pin on her jean jacket. Note: Masks are required in-store, but they made an exception and allowed us to quickly take some photos.

    Two vertical photos of a couple in front of Pow Wow Cafe in Kensington Market. Woman is wearing a jean jacket, short skirt and black boots with white socks. Her legs are bare. Man is wearing a jean jacket, T-shirt and jeans. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair.

    Couple in front of Beguiling Books storefront. They are holding hands toward the left third of the photo. Woman is wearing a jean jacket, short skirt and black boots with white socks. Her legs are bare. Man is wearing a jean jacket, T-shirt and jeans. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple sitting on floor in front of bookshelves filled with comics and anime. They are each holding a comic book. The books are open and they are looking at each other in both photos. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair.

    Couple holding a comic book in front of shelves full of books. They are looking at the camera. Man is black and woman is Metis with a light complexion and red hair. They are both wearing jean jackets/.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple standing holding hands at a bookstore with turnstiles full of books. They are looking at the camera. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair.

     

    Two vertical side by side photos of a many behind a woman with his arms around her waist. In the one on the left a red and white Toronto streetcar is behind them. They are looking at the camera and smiling.

    Blurred photo of a couple in jean jackets kissing in front of a road. Her long red hair stands out. This is an impressionist style photo.

    Backlit couple in front of an artistic mural looking lovingly at each other. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair. Woman is wearing a jean jacket. Man is wearing a jean jacket with a T-shirt underneath.

     

    Couple in front of yellow and purple graffiti wall in Kensington market, backlit from the sun. They are holding hands and wearing jean jackets. He is dipping her a bit and she is laughing. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair. Many is a few inches taller than woman.

    Couple in front of yellow and purple graffiti wall in Kensington market, backlit from the sun. They are holding hands and wearing jean jackets. He is dipping her a bit and she is laughing. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair. Many is a few inches taller than woman.

    Two side by side photos of a backlit couple in front of a red wall in Kensington Market. In the one on the left, the man is looking at the woman and in the one on the right they are both looking at the camera. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair. Woman is wearing a jean jacket. Man is wearing a jean jacket with a T-shirt underneath.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a backlit couple outside and about to kiss. They are looking at each other in the photos. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair. Woman is wearing a jean jacket, short skirt and black boots with white socks. Man is wearing a jean jacket, T-shirt and jeans. Man is black and woman Metis but has a light complexion with red hair..

    Close-up photo of a man and woman from the waist up wearing jean jackets, embracing each other. She is in front of him and he is behind her, but she is to the right and he is to the left. Her head is turned back to look at him and smile and his face is against hers as he looks into her eyes. Man is black and woman is Metis with a light complexion and red hair.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple sitting on floor in front of bookshelves filled with comics and anime. They are each holding a comic book. The books are open and they are looking at each other in both photos. Woman is wearing a jean jacket, short skirt and black boots with white socks. Man is wearing a jean jacket. Man is Black and woman is Metis with a light complexion and red hair.

    Couple in front of Beguiling Books storefront. They are holding hands toward the left third of the photo. Woman is wearing a jean jacket, short skirt and black boots with white socks. Her legs are bare. Man is wearing a jean jacket, T-shirt and jeans. Man is Black and woman Metis and has a light complexion with red hair.

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  • Engagement photos in Liberty Village.

    Friday, April 14, 2023

    Lynn and Kyle suggested we do their engagement photos in Liberty Village.  It was a beautiful, sunny day but much colder than we expected! These two were a traveling power couple as they met in Dubai, where she worked as a flight attendant and he worked as a chefMan with short brown hair warming up the hands of woman with curly long brown hair. He is on the left and she is on the right and they are facing each other and close to laughter. They are against a red brick wall with windows that have green around them.. Now they are both settled in Toronto.

     

    Two side by side vertical photos of a happily engaged photo. The man has blondish hair and the woman has wavy brown hair past her shoulders. Their border collie mix dog is in both photos.

    Woman in brown dressy coat with white turtle neck and man in black coat leaning against a wall, about to kiss. Two side by side photos. In the one on the right, he is sticking her tongue out at her and she is smiling at him. In the one on the left, she is smiling at him. You can only see her face. You can see the back of his head and you can tell that he is looking at her. She has wavy brown hair and he has blonde light brown hair.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple against a brick wall. He is wearing beige pants and a dark coat and she is wearing brown suede low-cut boots, white pants, and a brown coat. Their arms are wrapped around each other in both photos. Her left is up as she hugs him in the photo on the right.

    Woman in brown dressy coat with white turtle neck and man in black coat leaning against a wall, about to kiss. Two side by side photos. In the one on the right, he is sticking her tongue out at her and she is smiling at him. In the photo on the right, they are kissing.

    Close-up side by side vertical photos of a man with short brown hair in a dark coat hugging a woman in a brown dressy coat. She has one arm around his neck and the other on his shoulder so her wedding ring is visible. She has long wavy brown hair. In the first photo, they are looking at each other and look like they are about to kiss. In the second, they are nose to nose and smiling at each other.

    Man with short brown hair warming up the hands of woman with curly long brown hair. He is on the left and she is on the right and they are facing each other and close to laughter. They are against a red brick wall with windows that have green around them.

    A woman with a brown coat, white pants and brown suede boots about to be twirled by a man in a black coat and beige pants in front of a beautiful, colourful floral mosaic mural on a red brick wall.

    A woman with a brown coat, white pants and brown suede boots about to be twirled by a man in a black coat and beige pants in front of a beautiful, colourful floral mosaic mural on a red brick wall.

    Two side by side vertical photos. In the one on the left, a man in a black coat and beige pants holds hands with a woman in white pants and a beige coat. A red and white Toronto streetcar is in the foreground. They are standing in front of a green garage on a red brick wall. In the photo on the right, the couple is looking at each other in front of a red brick wall and their border collie dog is looking at the camera.

    Couple in front of Lake Ontario sitting on rocks with their dog licking the woman's face and the Toronto skyline in the background. The water is very blue.

    Couple in front of Lake Ontario sitting on rocks with their dog in-between them and the Toronto skyline in the background. The water is very blue.

    Couple in front of Lake Ontario sitting on rocks with their dog licking the woman's face and the Toronto skyline in the background. The water is very blue.

     

     

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  • Sporty and fun engagement photos at Jeff Healey Park and Tom’s Dairy Freeze

    Thursday, April 6, 2023

    I knew I was going to have a fun time photographing Marc and Maya when they suggested we do sporty engagement photos.

    We were initially going to take the photos close to Humber Bay, but the field there was soaking wet, so we pivoted and took them at Jeff Healey Park instead.  This new location worked out great because it also has tennis courts and is located in very close proximity to Tom’s Dairy Freeze . Maya grew up eating ice cream at Tom’s Dairy Freeze, so we incorporated that into our session too. Scroll down to see the excitement that happened at Tom’s!

    South Asian woman trying to get football off white man. They are both smiling and in a field.

    Tackle time.

    White man in black long sleeve shirt lying beside South Asian woman in purpleish pink shirt with football in-between them. Their eyes are closed and the photo was taken from above.

    Their love is a touchdown! 🏈

    Black and white photo of a couple looking into each other's eyes and smiling. They are surrounded by a grassy field and it is a sunny day.

    In that fleeting moment, the world disappeared, and all that mattered was the connection between them.

    South Asian woman throwing a Molkki stick in a baseball field as her white fiance looks on and smiles. Black and white photo in baseball diamond.

    Marc and Maya introduced me to a new sport called Molkki! Check it out here: https://www.molkky.world/molkky-game .
    Have you ever played Bocce? It is similar to that, but different. This game originated in Finland. These were definitely the most sporty engagement photos I have ever taken!

    Couple looking into each other's eyes and smiling in a black and white photo in a baseball diamond as they pick up Molki sticks.

    You can tell these two make a good team as they pick up Molkky sticks together.

    Colour photo of engaged couple picking up Molkky sticks in a baseball diamond.

    Love and laughter, Molkky ever after.

    White man hugging South Asian woman on tennis court. They are each holding wooden tennis courts. They have lots of tennis balls in front of them.

    Courtship at its finest.

    Couple sitting on tennis court. They are each holding wooden tennis courts. They have lots of tennis balls in front of them. They are looking at each other and smiling. Woman is South Asian, wearing a purple shirt and black leggings. Man is white, wearing a black long sleeved shirt and blue jeans.

    Courtship on court.

    Couple sitting on tennis court. They are each holding wooden tennis courts. They have lots of tennis balls in front of them. They are looking at each other and smiling. Woman is South Asian, wearing a purple shirt and black leggings. Man is white, wearing a black long sleeved shirt and blue jeans. They are kissing.

    Game, set, love!

    Two vertical photos of couple on the tennis court. Woman is on left kissing man on the right. They are on either side of the net. The woman has a long sleeved purple shirt and the man has a long sleeved black shirt. They are both holding wooden racquets. Man is white, woman is South Asian.

    Have you ever seen so many sporty engagement photos from one session? I love how they incorporated so many of their athletic interests into their session!

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple eating ice cream. The man is eating his vanilla cone and the woman is looking shocked as her chocolate ice cream falls off the cone. In the photo on the right, they are both laughing. He still has his ice cream, she does not have hers. They are laughing. Man is white, woman is South Asian.

    Ice cream casualty makes for a double scoop of laughter. Maya’s family has been coming to Tom’s Dairy Freeze since she was little and this was the first time she ever left an ice cream.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple eating ice cream. The man is eating his vanilla cone and the woman is looking down as she has just lost her chocolate ice cream. In the photo on the right, they are both laughing. He still has his ice cream, she does not have hers. They are laughing. Man is white, woman is South Asian.

    The aftermath of the dropped ice cream. Unlike in childhood, nobody looks too sad.

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple eating ice cream in front of Tom's Dairy Freeze, outdoor ice cream place. They are looking at each other in the photo on the left. She has a giant chocolate ice cream cone and he has a vanilla cone. they are both laughing. In the photo on the right, they are both eating their ice cream cones. Man is white, woman is South Asian.

    They kindly gave her an extra large scoop after, making this the sweetest engagement session!

    Two side by side vertical photos of a couple eating ice cream in front of Tom's Dairy Freeze, outdoor ice cream place. They are looking at each other in the photo on the left. She has a giant chocolate ice cream cone and he has a vanilla cone. they are both laughing.They are sitting on a blue bench in front of the ice cream store, which has the menu and photos of ice cream on it. Man is white, woman is South Asian.

    These two have a fantastic attitude!

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  • Hehe’s 80th birthday party!

    Friday, March 31, 2023

    I was delighted when Dianne contacted me to photograph the momentous occasion of her father’s 80th birthday celebration in Etobicoke.  It was the first family gathering they had in a long time and it was definitely the type of gathering we all missed for the past couple of years.

     

    80 year old man on right with his two grown daughters on left, all wearing white t-shirts.

    Hehe and his grown daughters.

    Two side by side vertical photos. In both photos, an 80 year old man is holding a boy around two in his lap. They are all wearing white t-shirts.

    Hehe and his great-grandsons.

    Man sitting on a couch holding a photo of his deceased wife.

    Honouring his deceased wife by including her in the family photos.

    80 year old man in middle with his grown daughters on either side of him. They are all wearing white t-shirt. He is holding a photo of his deceased wife.

    Hehe, his daughters, and their mom/his wife.

    Two young women in their late teens and/or early 20s each holding a 2 year old boy.

    Some of the younger family members hold the youngest family members.

    Two grown men in white t-shirts smiling side by side.

    Brothers-in-law

    Man on couch with his dog, who is standing but has his right paw on the man's lap.

    Grandpa’s main companion was happy to pose for photos with him!

    Family of three. Two year old toddler son in the middle.

    The little guy was happy to pose for photos!

    Toddler son holding an orange toy car in-between his parents.

    Family of three.

    Family of five on couch, all wearing white t-shirts. The kids are all boys and the youngest is around 13 and is lying on the laps of everyone else.

    Sometimes it’s fun to try out different poses.

    Large group family portrait of 10 people, all wearing white t-shirts.

    Dianne’s family.

    16 person family portrait, 17 including framed photo of deceased wife/grandma. They are all wearing white t-shirts.

    17-person family portrait.

    Many family members all dressed in white t-shirts, doing cheers to the family patriarch

    Cheers!

    Grandpa blowing out his birthday candles, while many members of his family watch.

    They didn’t put 80 candles on the cake!

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