Jenn + Alex - Slideshow

I've had photography withdrawal over the holidays. It seems like it's been weeks since I've done a shoot, processed images, and assembled a slideshow. Even though it's really only been a short while, I'm amazed by how much I missed photography. It was so nice to go out for a lifestyle shoot yesterday and I think the short break heightened my creativity [although I'm sure my fancy new lens that Vince got me for Christmas helped as well].

When Vince and I came home from yesterday's lifestyle shoot, I put together the slideshow for a recent engagement session at the Distillery District. Vince wasn't available for Jenn and Alex's shoot so I had asked my friend and colleague, Courtney, if she would be interested in joining me. I love working with her as she always has great ideas. I also find it so interesting to see another photographer's perspective on the same subject matter.

I have been thinking about Jenn and Alex's slideshow ever since the shoot - and I'm so happy to post the end product!

Aisha + Amit - Wedding

Aisha and Amit's colourful wedding reception was their last event after two days of wedding festivities. The newlyweds looked fresh and beautiful as they gingerly walked into the Mississauga Civic Centre for a few formal photos prior to the reception.





The reception was intimate and lovely. Amit entered first with his family and then Aisha with her family.




Aisha and Amit's traditional wedding attire was wonderfully intricate.




This little girl waited patiently for a photo of the bride and groom. There was a lot going on and many people passing in front of her but I think she eventually got one.



Here is Aisha sneaking a glance at Amit during their slideshow containing some of their childhood photos.



Amit gave a speech with touching references to Aisha and their family and friends... and his mom looked happy and proud!




Amit fed this piece of cake to Aisha - and Aisha accepted it - very gracefully.



This sequence contains some of my favourite photos of the entire evening. I noticed Aisha reapplying her lipstick but I knew that I would not be able to capture it from where I was standing and with my focal length. I was pleasantly surprised when I reviewed our raw files and saw that Vince had caught the moment. You did good, babe!



This youngster was focussed and determined to steal the groom's shoes. He assembled a whole crew and plotted out a grand scheme. I'm not sure where hiding behind the bride and groom fit into the plan but it made for some terrific photos.



The boys eventually managed to steal the shoes... but those shoes ended up being decoys. It seemed as though there was more than one pair of decoys in play that evening. Then, during the negotiation process, the real shoes were revealed and one was promptly stolen. The negotiations were playful as everyone exchanged witty banter and shared many laughs.





Amit was able to buy back his shoes and he and Aisha took a few more family portraits.




Soon, it was time for the final ceremony of the evening. Aisha looked beautiful as she bid a symbolic farewell to her relatives and joined Amit's family.



Aisha and Amit made their exit by slipping into the elevator and Vince snapped one final photo as the doors closed.

Season's Greetings

Vince and I would like to wish everyone a lovely and safe holiday season.

We will continue to monitor e-mail and voicemail over the holidays but please note that response times may be a little longer than usual. We will endeavor to respond within 48 hours. Our standard response times will resume January 4, 2010.

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!

L+V

Jenn + Alex - Engagement

I was so excited about Jenn and Alex’s shoot that I processed the images in two days. I think that’s a record! We shot at one of my favourite locations – the Distillery District. Jenn suggested this jewel of a place just outside the Distillery District that was completely free of people and had some wonderful backdrops.



The more I talk to Jenn and Alex, the more I like them. They have the most interesting stories and totally know how to make people laugh! Their personalities really shone through... both in the images and in our chats between shots.



This next photo was actually a mistake. We had just moved from shooting in front of black walls to a light blue background and this was my exposure test shot. It’s way too bright but thank goodness I did not delete it because I made a few tweaks and it’s now one of my favourite photos! There's something about it... I love it so much I want to sleep with it under my pillow. I wish all mistakes could look this incredible.



Here’s what the blue wall actually looked like:



Then we slowly worked our way to the Distillery District!



Don’t Jenn and Alex look like models in this next photo? You guys should totally blow this one up to a huge canvas print.



If there’s one thing that I’ve learned about Jenn and Alex, it’s that they love to kiss. Especially Alex, I suspect. :) But it’s all good because kissing is excellent for engagement shoots.



Jenn and Alex, I had so much fun getting to know you. You are going to have a blast at your 2011 wedding!

Dolly + Christopher - Slideshow

It's time for another slideshow! The slideshow is definitely one of my favourite ways to share our photographs. I love the storytelling ability of slideshows - they are so emotive and thus really resonate with me.

It was a chilly day but Dolly and Christopher were still game for playing in the playground inside Trinity Bellwoods park. They climbed a rope ladder (is that what it's called?), swung on swings, and raced to a colourful jungle gym. Such fun!!! But I think you'll see that their hands were freezing as a result. These two are troopers!



(Click here to see the entire collection of online proofs.)

Hassy, You So Pretty

In honour of my first Saturday free of photography class in four weeks, I thought I would post a few photos that Vince took of me with the Hasselblad H3D. Our instructor brought in this beast of a camera and all the students got to shoot with it - I can't wait to get my hands on the images! I love that Vince caught me manhandling this $30-40k piece of equipment.

Dolly + Christopher - Engagement

It's been a crazy week. Crazier than normal. I've been neglecting the blog so I'm going to make up for it with a long post.

A few months ago, I went on a photowalk to Queen Street West that included Trinity Bellwoods park. I got some great photos but all my images were of trees, leaves, dead foliage, and other inanimate objects. I had a few photos of squirrels and a giant painted goose but something was missing. Photos really come alive for me when there are people in them... thus I was very happy when Dolly and Christopher suggested Trinity Bellwoods park for their engagement shoot.



I'm not sure I believe in destiny but Dolly and Christopher have nudged me a little towards thinking that fate could rule over pure coincidence. Dolly is from Dallas and Christopher is from Vancouver. They met in New York, went on one date, weren't impressed with one another, didn't call, but then bumped into each other randomly a while later and decided to give it another try. [Have you seen the movie Serendipity? Yes, it's cheesy but one of my favourites!] They lived for a while in Vancouver and recently moved to Toronto... right near Vince and me. Here they are telling us the story of how they met - I love watching these two interact.



The engagement shoot was filled with stories, conversation, laughs, and one dirty joke. Talkative, engaging, and outgoing, this charming couple has a great outlook on life. There's something about the way Dolly and Christopher look at each other that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.




These next photos remind me of a romantic film from the 1940s like Casablanca.



We got a little chilly so we warmed up in an Artscape building just off of Queen Street West. Christopher was sharing a tidbit about his daily routine when Dolly looked at him and said, "Oh we're going to have an interesting life." Just a little comment but so full of promise, excitement, and affection.



Dolly and Christopher, all the best for a lovely Vancouver wedding next May and a wonderful life together. Congratulations!

(Make-up by Danielle Schleese.)

Nicole + Steve - Slideshow

Nic and Steve's engagement shoot was lighthearted and playful so I tried to reflect this in their slideshow. My favourite sequence is the one of them chasing the pigeons - I love that Nic and Steve look so purely happy. Vince captured the sequence beautifully with our new beast of a lens... but more about that in a future post. I hope you enjoy the slideshow!



(Click here to see the entire collection of online proofs.)

Nicole + Steve - Engagement

Nicole and I first met years ago when we worked part-time at a retail store that shall remain nameless. We worked together every weekend - she on the switchboard and I in the cash office - and spent a lot of time chatting about family, school, friends, work, and relationships.

We have since left our part-time jobs behind but thankfully we've kept in touch over the years. Then this past summer, over red wine and cheese fondue on a lovely patio evening, she shared news that she and Steve were engaged to be married... and I was so incredibly happy and excited for her!

Here is a preview of Nic and Steve's engagement session in downtown Toronto. What I love most about Nic is her playful and cute personality. It was also nice to see how gentle and affectionate Steve is towards her. The light was beautiful that day and allowed for some amazing backlit photos.



There is such a variety of gorgeous backdrops in downtown Toronto that just begged to be photographed! The textures are amazing and really make people stand out... I think Nic and Steve look so good in these photos.



I love these next photos. Nic and Steve, you are so adorable and sweet together. I can't wait for your August 2010 wedding!

Leanne + Jason - Slideshow

I am incredibly excited to post Leanne and Jason's engagement slideshow. I'm glad that Leanne came to the shoot hungry because one of my favourite sequences is the one with Leanne and Jason sharing a burger! This slideshow makes me smile every time I watch it.



(Click here to see the entire collection of online proofs.)

Chan Family Slideshow

I must have watched this slideshow a dozen times already. Vince rolls his eyes at me whenever he hears the music - there's no hiding what I'm doing. It's my secret slideshow obsession. As you watch the Chan family slideshow, I double dog dare you to resist the urge to pinch Joellis' cheeks!



(Click here to see the entire collection of online proofs.)

Leanne + Jason - Engagement

Vince and I had the perfect Sunday last weekend. After photographing the Chan family at the Distillery District, we grabbed a quick bite (shoved hot dogs and potato chips down our throats), and headed over to Union Station to meet Leanne and Jason for their engagement shoot. Leanne hadn't had lunch so Jason was insistent that she have something to eat. He bought her McDonald's and she munched on fries as we walked. That's the amazing thing about this couple - they are gorgeous and sweet but also refreshingly down-to-earth. And did I mention that Leanne's smile is utterly infectious?



This adventurous and fun-loving couple was open to any type of shot. They were a joy to work with and had a few suggestions as well. Lying on the grass (ahem... the slightly wet grass) was Leanne's idea and the photos turned out beautifully!



I laughed so hard during this shoot - it was so much fun. So. Much. Fun. Below is one of my favourite shots of the day. Yes, I usually quite enjoy photos of people jumping but what is special about this photo is that they jumped holding hands and they still got so much height... WHUUT!



Leanne and Jason have been dating for around 5 years and got engaged this past July. Jason proposed while they were on vacation in Hong Kong and, although Leanne was completely surprised, her family back in Toronto already knew all about the proposal. They will be getting married in April 2011 and it is very apparent that Leanne and Jason completely adore one another.




Congratulations, Leanne and Jason! Your slideshow collection will be posted soon.

Chan Family Portraits

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. Vince and I took a long walk through the downtown core so we could photograph the Chan family. As we entered the historic Distillery District and walked towards our meeting spot, I looked around and exclaimed, "it's so beautiful here!" And it was. I've been to the Distillery District a gillion times but there's something especially lovely about quiet Sunday mornings when there is hardly a soul around. There's no urgency about the day... it's a perfect day to spend with family. Vince of course thought I was nuts.



Joseph and Phyllis are the proud parents of little Joellis. There is a wonderful calmness about this family. Joellis is photographed quite often by her loving father. In fact, he told me that he takes thousands of photos of his daughter! I could soon tell that this was indeed the case because Joellis was perfectly comfortable with the camera - although she may have been confused as to why her father was not behind the lens. This calm and happy child is a perfect reflection of her parents.



Below is a series of Joseph with his little girl - we really love these images because Joseph mentioned that he does not have many photos with his family.



Joseph, Phyllis, and Joellis... thank you so much for a great morning! The slideshow collection will be posted soon!