Photography Blog

I am pleased to announce that this image won a Merit award at a recent PPOC Meeting.

I had a blast photographing my friend’s  family back in the fall.

Hopefully, it will be warm enough to go outside without jackets again, soon!

I highly recommend James Gardens for family portraits. It’s also a fantastic spot for wedding photos!

The boys look very alike, but they are three years apart.

Eric must be very strong, because he managed to give both of them quite a long piggyback ride.

They still know how to have fun together.

Traditional family portraits.

A more creative family portrait.

Thanks for having me photograph your family!

I was very happily surprised when my friend Andrea contacted me to let me know that not only was she getting married, she was also interested in having me photograph the wedding!  Andrea and I have been friends since high school.  I wondered when Mr. Right would come along and he definitely did.

Andrea met Christopher through mutual friends in May and they have been inseparable since then.  He is from Killarney, Ireland and just moved to Canada in 2012.   They share many interests and of course, most importantly, they are extremely in love (as you can see from the photos).

Their wedding took place at Toronto City Hall, but they are planning another destination wedding at a later date.

Andrea smiling at Christopher during the ceremony.

Christopher smiling at Andrea during the ceremony.

They are hugging each other’s moms (and their new MIL’s) in this photo, both of whom are thrilled with the union.

Both of their families outside the City Hall Christmas Tree.

They made each other smile like this throughout the afternoon.

It was a pretty warm today for December, but she is doing a good job of pretending not to be cold.

More smiles…

City Hall.  This is where the union took place.

Andrea and some of her girlfriends outside the now famous Toronto sign.

Andrea pulling Christopher in for a kiss.

Congrats again, Andrea and Christopher!

Andrea and Ian are an extremely creative, crafty and romantic couple.  Andrea made her dress out of her mom’s wedding dress.  You can see the original on Andrea’s blog at the following link:

https://aem-physicsgirl.blogspot.ca/2015/09/architecture-of-wedding-gown.html

Andrea started out her day by getting ready at Teti Hair Salon. Not only did they do a great job, they also finished ahead of schedule.

Check out her Fluevog shoes.

I love how there were regular clients getting their hair done at the salon when Andrea was getting ready for her wedding. Those clients loved watching a bride!

The wedding ceremony took place at Toronto City Hall.

City Hall allows a maximum of around 30 guests and we were at capacity, so these two were definitely surrounded by lots of love!

Photo of the guests in City Hall.

The famous Toronto sign changed. I wondered if they changed it monthly, but then realized it was changed for Nuit Blanche, Toronto. Andrea and Ian were quite happy about that.  I think the black and white Toronto sign goes a lot better with their retro tandem bike and retro style than the colourful sign.  Note their friends on bikes.   They had escorts as they biked from City Hall to Peter Pan Bistro for the reception.

Don’t you love the “Just Married,” sign on the bike?

The guests really enjoyed each other’s company at Peter Pan Bistro.

Ian looking dapper, as always.  He made his own jacket!

Finally, the pictures many of you have been waiting to see…Andrea in her wedding dress!  Front, side and back.  Note that the dress has pockets.  Remember, she sewed this dress out of her mother’s wedding gown.

Andrea picked up the flowers for her bouquet four days before the wedding and made her bouquet the day before her wedding.  Ian used the burgundy ribbon to wrap the gift he gave her on her birthday, which was also their third date. They have used it to wrap presents ever since, including her engagement ring.

They had a macaron tower from Nadege. One of her friends said there is an “Andrea 5”-Ian, sewing, physics, macarons and lindy hop.

The “Andrea and Ian” pose.  Yes, they have their own pose!

Andrea has the best umbrella.  If you speak french, you will know what that means.

They managed to stay grounded.

Congrats on your marriage, having such a fantastic wedding day and on successfully incorporating so much of yourselves into your wedding.  I love your willingness to try anything and of course, how you are not afraid to show your love for each other in the photos.

Rachel and Mike’s Wedding started out in Etobicoke and moved to Fountain Blu, which is apparently a fairly new venue on the exhibition grounds.  Special thanks to Sarah and Lisa for photographing this wedding.

The videographers set up the housecoats and wedding dress, which made for a cool photo here.  Note that every housecoat says bridesmaid on it.

Mike and Rachel before they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day.

Mike and Rachel seeing each other for the first time on their wedding day. I love how the bridesmaids and Rachel’s mom are all smiles in the background.

Bridesmaids on the grounds of The Exhibition Place.

Groomsmen photos at Exhibition Place.

Bridal party photo at the ex.

Rachel.  Don’t you love her bridal train?

Their wedding ceremony took place at Fountain Blu.

I love these creative photos in front of the arch at Exhibition place and in front of the water fountain.

Who doesn’t love sparkles?  I love how the silver on the cake compliments the silver table cloth.  I also love how Rachel is hugging Mike during the first dance.

First dance with her dad.

First dance with his mom.

Note the infinity loop their hands are making.  Together forever!

Congrats on a beautiful wedding day, Rachel and Mike! We wish you an eternity of happiness together.

Michael and Anna’s wedding was filled with loving moments throughout the day.  When I arrived at The King Edward Hotel to photograph Mike and the guys getting ready, they were already ready, so they had a drink before the ceremony.  Mike looked as happy as he does in this photo throughout the day.

Anna got ready at their downtown condo.  Amy Griffiths from Bridal Hair Collective, helps put on her veil, as one of her bridemaids looks on.

She met Mike at Berczy Park, across the street from their condo to reveal herself in her wedding dress to him for the first time.

We went to Alexander Muir Memorial Gardens for the formal portraits.  This is a beautiful spot for wedding photos in Toronto!

Don’t they look like they belong on the red carpet?

The bridal party requested a jumping photo, so here goes:

We headed to Hazelton Manor banquet hall in Woodbridge, which was also a fantastic spot for photos.

I am not sure what Michael’s dad whispered in his ear, but whatever it was, it put smiles on both Anna and Michael’s faces (he whispered in her ear too).

This happened during the ketubah ceremony.

Here is the Chuppah.

We took a family photo before Anna was walked down the aisle by both of her parents.

Breaking glass.

After the ceremony, I climbed to the top of a ladder to take this photo of all the guests outside Hazelton Manor.

The horah dance has always been my favourite event at Jewish weddings.  I am not sure if Anna felt that way when she was hoisted onto the chairs….

Beautiful table settings.

Mike surprised Anna by singing to her as they danced the first dance.

First dance with parents.

I love how Anna is leaning on his shoulder as he speaks.

First taste of the wedding cake.

Reception time!

Mike and his brother and father are really getting into it at the reception.

Anna and her friends are all on the dance floor.

Congrats on having a picture perfect wedding, Mike and Anna!  May you have as much fun throughout your marriage and lives together as you had on your wedding day.

Wedding Planner: Designed Dream

Hair: Bridal Hair Collective

Flowers: Royal Orchid Florist

Make-up: Make-up by Carmelaxo

Cantor: Cantorben

Cake: Just Temptations

Christine and Bryan had one of the shortest engagements of all the couples I have photographed. I think they were engaged for just 5 months, but you never would have guessed that, from all the thought that went into their wedding day.  It makes me wonder if everyone should have a shorter engagement, because they really pulled it off!

Their ceremony took place at Hart House at U of T. I was pretty excited about that, because my own wedding took place at Hart House.

Christine arrived at the wedding just a little after Brian.  I loved the light coming in on her face in this picture.  Brian was excitedly anticipating seeing Christine in her wedding dress for the first time.

Brian walked down the aisle very confidently.  Christine and her dad were all smiles as they made their way towards him.

“I do.”

I love the moments before and after a kiss, even more than the actual kiss.  They are always so full of anticipation, love and relief (the latter is especially true if it happens after a wedding ceremony).

Bridal party and some family members in front of the Hart House arches. It was a windy day, but I love how the wind gave some flow to the dresses.

Bridal party.

I love how they are looking at each other in the photo on the left and I love the light in the one on the right.

They had a very Toronto wedding, so we had to make sure to incorporate very Toronto landmarks, like the CN Tower!

Their reception took place at Canoe restaurant, which featured excellent food and amazing views of the city as well as beautiful table settings.

I think you could guess where this wedding took place from this photo.

Everyone got into celebrating with the happy couple.

Toronto at night as seen from the window of Canoe.  You can also see a photo from Christine and Bryan’s slideshow to the left of the CN Tower and it was hard to avoid my own reflection (on the right of the CN tower).

They learned how to dance for the first dance. I love how the guests are watching and smiling.

Congratulations Christine and Brian! May this beautiful celebration be the beginning of a long and happy life together!

I knew Lee and Dee would have an awesome wedding, but I didn’t know it would be filled with so many unique and super cool details!  Their wedding definitely had a downtown Toronto feel, since Lee got ready at The Hilton Garden Inn around Jarvis and Dundas, Dee got ready at their place in Leslieville and the wedding took place at a new venue called The Gates at Gerrard and Church.

Lee and the Groomsmen watched some videos on YouTube before they put the boutonnieres on, to make sure they were doing it right.   You can see the results below.

Dee and her bridesmaids made the bouquet and boutonnieres out of paper.  These were definitely among the most incredible bridal bouquets I have ever seen and they were definitely the most creative!

Check out Dee’s bridal themed nails.

Dee’s matron of honour wrote out her speech in an attempt to memorize it. In case you were wondering, she rocked it! It was filled with emotions from tears to laughter.

Dee getting ready.  I thought it was pretty funny when she stood in front of the cow’s skull on her wall and it looked like there were horns coming from her head.

Almost done getting ready! Note the beautiful painting of Dee on the wall, by Heather Horton.

Dee’s dad walks her down the aisle to  immeasurable applause!

First married kiss!

They brought some props.  Note the black and white photos. Dee’s photo is of her parents on their wedding day and Lee’s photo is of his parents on their wedding day.  I find it amazing that both sets of parents are posing the same way.

It’s OK if it rains on your wedding day! You can still take photos outside!

Dee’s matron of honour likes joking around.  She was framed here!

Lee’s family and Dee’s family.

Don’t you love Dee’s dress? It is by Starkers! Corsetry. I also love Lee’s hair…er…wait…I mean Dee’s hair.

Their friend Kalli Roger did an amazing job making the cake. I think Dee was pretty excited to dig into it!

Their friends and family were this enthusiastic for the entire reception.  I think they win for ‘least subdued crowd’ I have photographed in my over 14 year long wedding photography career!

I brought them outside for some night photos. It was raining a tiny bit, but that was OK!

Is it just me, or does Dee remind you a little bit of Amelie here?  Don’t  you love her shoes? She designed them herself!

Last dance together before the night came to an end.

Congrats on your marriage, Dee and Lee!  May the fun continue with many more dances and creative endeavors.

Thanks again for having me there to photograph your wedding!

Andrea had a birthday celebration a few years ago, which I attended.  It was my first time meeting Ian and I whispered “I think he likes you,” to her.  More recently, she told me they got quite a kick out of my comment because it was their third date!

They met at Tweed Ride Toronto , so of course their bicycles were an important part of their romance (and were an absolute must for their engagement session).

Bicycles are their main mode of transportation.

This is “Their pose,” because they are “That couple,” as they would say.

I love the way he is looking at her here!

“Their pose,” again!

I think photos taken just before and just after a kiss are the most romantic.

Ian pulled the flowers out of his pocket and completely surprised Andrea with them.

They  surprised me with the jump. I think they may have surprised themselves too.

We happened upon this car.  Someone else was getting married that day.

Holding hands while biking is not an easy feat.

Congrats on your engagement, Andrea and Ian! I am looking forward to photographing your wedding, soon!