What strikes me 1st is that they are both comfortable in their own skin.   . . . at ease being themselves with others.

Everyone should have a friend like Mike.   Someone who is open and honest and has your best interests at heart.  He’ll tell you what you need to hear, which is often different from what you want to hear.   . . . . and when you look back on it, you’re glad he did.   Som’s first experience of Mike was like that.   Those qualities that raised caution in her early on became the things she loved about him.   Truthful and open.  Caring.  Doing what’s right (vs what’s comfortable).

I watched Som greeting her patients one afternoon (Som and Mike are Naturapathic Doctors).   She radiated welcome, caring, friendliness and familiarity.   I’d seen all of that in our previous conversation but being an observer was like seeing her turned up 2 notches!

That’s the excitement of engagement and wedding photography for me.   2 people I admire joining and making each person better, stronger, healthier.   The power of mutual appreciation, support and inspiration.    . . .  and a soul mate epitomizes that power of relationships for all of us.

Som’s idea – silhouettes – I love it! :

The slideshow video of their session:

Andrew and Pam are friends with my 1st wedding couple, Jen and Jeff.

These 2 met years ago on the set of a church video production and photo session – where they couldn’t speak to each other – all quiet on the set.  A few years later, Pam was training Andrew to replace her in a position at the church.  .  .  . which led to a few dates.

Remember when you were 18, 20, 22 – staying up nights with friends,  solving the world’s problems,  talking about what really matters?     These 2 never stopped, I think.    They’re still learning, growing, thinking, striving to be more.

At 30, they are both going all-in to start anew and live by their convictions and ideals – living for meaning and caring for others.   They are at the same college, studying and training for ministry.

Pam – those eyes!!  . . . . . . I cannot wait to photograph you in your wedding dress! :

I had a small case of nerves before starting their engagement session.    . . . . Will I make some connection with them?   There’s a social ease that comes with knowing I am on the same page as my couple.   . . . . all of us knowing what’s most important to make their wedding experience great.    . . . . all of us knowing what’s most important for their photography.

We can’t be strangers or they would never trust me enough to be open, emotional and unselfconscious on their wedding day.

There was no need for me to worry.

Pam and Andrew have a dynamic together and I can picture it in the future with them working together as a team.   Andrew is joking and playing and genuinely funny, breaking the ice;  making you welcome and comfortable right away.   Pam is calm, almost meditative, very perceptive – a listener who is understanding.

Both are caring and personable in such different ways!  . . . . and they’re both very aware of those differences and they appreciate each other for them.    [that's not normal]

A slideshow of their session:

I’m not sure why I doubt – but at every wedding, when I meet the bride in the morning, I am filled with reassurance and so pleased.   It’s not because everything is on time and Mirette looks fabulous and her dress is outstanding.

It’s her attitude.  … and Kwan’s attitude, when we touched base the night before and again this morning.   The plan to have, “All You Need Is Love” sung right after their joining was not lip service or a theme.  That really is their attitude.   I love your values, your attitude and your priorities, Kwan and Mirette.

The ceremony was at the Timothy Eaton church in Toronto:

Genuine happiness – they are now together:

There was a theme at the wedding and it was colours, with people mixing it up in a rainbow of tones, reflecting the 2 different worlds – Chinese and Egyptian – coming together.

Recognize this place from Kwan and Mirette’s engagement photos?    ….. this was great, getting together with friends in the wedding at a favourite hangout, between the ceremony and reception!

Jess and Derek and Faika were there.  Jess and Derek’s wedding in October was where we met Mirette and Kwan. – so 2 of our wedding couples together – and right after Heather and I  arrived , who came back to greet us – but a 3rd couple from last summer – Deb and Grace!    …… that was cool!

The dancing was a riot – so much fun and celebration!

The slideshow video of some wedding images:

He’s from North York.   She’s from KW.   They met in Japan, where they both live.

Tracey’s dad was dying with cancer.  He knew he wouldn’t last many days.   So he made a suggestion.

Two weeks before their announced wedding date, Tracey and Mike were wed in a small, living room ceremony in a Southampton cottage  -  in front of her dad.

In the last days of his life, Lorne Shantz saw the daughter he was so close with,  married.

Two weeks later, on Dec 5th, I joined friends and family celebrating Mike and Tracey’s 2nd wedding in as many weeks.

With a mad, impossible schedule, not enough days – and through difficult times, Tracey and Mike remain friendly, relaxed, easy-going and funny.  Their great attitude was like a guarantee that this wedding would be a happy celebration.   No plans, details or scheduling hiccups could change that.

A Japanese Wish Tree:

SMOOOOOTH! :

… and the wedding slideshow video:

Kwan and Mirette met and became friends at UW’s co-op residence.  There seemed to be more interest than just friendship from both sides but then, it’s hard to read people’s minds.  Months passed, when Mirette had no idea how important she was to Kwan.  …… and when Kwan thought Mirette wasn’t interested (when he meant so much to her!).  At one point, Kwan was vaccinated and ready to travel to Africa for some perspective and time away.  He never made that trip.  Before it could happen, he learned that the love of his life loved him right back.

Mirette and Kwan are genuine, fun and thoughtful people – and they don’t want to lead a normal life.  Their ideas about success and happiness are inspired!   I really hope that bohemian tea shop/hangout/book place you two would love to have will be in my town!

I think they were levitating this terrier.   I told you they weren’t normal!  … even got a picture:

The session slideshow video:

Jess broke out ballet shoes to wear with her dress!

Derek and Jess both radiated a calm, stress free attitude and it was contagious.  All were affected.  (me too).

On their own, each of these two have a relaxed self assurance that I admire.  Together, they have that same sense of assurance,  like an implied  “of course we are made for each other”.     ……  I’ll just be Captain Obvious here and report that it’s true.  Jess and Derek are kindred spirits.

The groomsmen.  Crikey Mark!   Look at that air!!    Paul, Corey and Art on air guitar:

Amazing, original bouquets!   …… and beautiful, adventurous friends, who were up for going out under-dressed on a chilly October day:

Captain Morgan! :

We were rained on for about 1 minute.   ….. then we scared it off with umbrellas.   There’s a metaphor at work here:

I love this:

You both were amazing!   Dancing on a country highway – and the wind was kicking up, so it wasn’t just chilly, now it was cold! :

This is my favourite variation yet on the tapping of spoons on tableware to get the bride and groom to kiss.   Kisses were performed(!) by request when guests placed a donation in the UW Well-Fit charity basket! :

Derek, with Them Cultured Vultures rocked out a number at the reception!  How cool! :

I met Jess and Derek last year, when I did their engagement photos .   Jess is doing fitness, nutrition and all around wellness coaching (could be photos of this coming soon!).  She has a decidedly positive influence on people around her (waist lines are even shrinking).  As the 2nd vegan(most days!) at the dinner, I was treated to the same healthy – gourmet – vegan cuisine that St George’s great chef prepared for Jess.  It was outstanding!  Thanks Jess!

Derek is an IT specialist who can relate to clients, communicate clearly with them in english (not assembly code!) and he gets it about great client care and customer service.  That really is a big deal (and rare!) when your technical expert understands people too!   I can report from direct experience that Derek would be a great business coach if he ever goes in that direction (thanks Derek!).

Hands down, my favourite thing about being a photographer is my connection and involvement in the lives of cool people I admire.  Thank you Jess and Derek so much for having us as part of your wedding day!

…. and some wedding slideshow goodness:

Heather and I were out with Veronica and Luke, capturing engagement photos of them in Elora. This is just Vero and Luke being themselves. ….. engaged and completely into each other!

Here’s the video slideshow of their session:

This is Stefane and Nathalie.  They’ve been married for years.  They’re in love.   They’re adventurous.    ….. and they’re up for something completely different from traditional wedding portraits.      ….. So we set out to capture interesting, creative images that reflect their personalities and their bond.

Why Trash the Dress??

…

Trash the Dress is a wonderful wedding photography movement that inspires and encourages brides, grooms and photographers to try something new;  let go of the comforts of tradition,   …. and create something more meaningful, more expressive of yourselves.

It’s not about destroying the gown –>  it’s about creating images and memories that are interesting, artistic, passionate and fun  ….. without worrying about what it’s going to do to your dress.  Approach this session with care free abandon and your gown will get dirty  …. and probably wet too   -  but you will be making beautiful, expressive images that you will pull out again and again (unlike the dress, sealed up in a closet for decades).

This preserves your dress in a way you can actually enjoy:  in photographs.   Marvel at just how fabulous you looked in your diva gown.  Use great locations you couldn’t try on your wedding day.  Have imagery you could not possibly dare to get done on your wedding day.

This dress was not destroyed.  After a cleaning, it can be sealed in plastic, pristine and spotless – to never be used again! ….. or it could be sold,  or donated.

For something really interesting at your wedding reception, why not choose to have your trash the dress session done several weeks before your wedding?  –> then clean the gown back to brand new condition for the wedding day   ….. and have us project a large screen video slideshow  of your stylish, edgy, creative images at your reception!

In the end, you’ll have images that are far more valuable to you than that dress on a shelf.

Here’s the video slidshow of their session:

]]> http://studiojphotography.ca/children/fall-engagement-portraits-special-kitchener-waterloo/feed/ 0 http://studiojphotography.ca/couples/deb-and-grace-married/ http://studiojphotography.ca/couples/deb-and-grace-married/#comments Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:05:09 +0000 Jay http://studiojphotography.ca/?p=412

No kidding,  ….. and it’s not photoshop.  A real rainbow made an appearance at Grace and Deb’s wedding reception.  How perfect!   This wasn’t the highlight of the wedding though.   This was a very emotional event.  The ceremony took place at the Metropolitan Community Church in Toronto.  Wedding guests were clearly moved  …. it was like everyone was close family.  I saw the same thing again through the reception.

These two are genuine, compassionate ladies who show a deep understanding of themselves and of others.  Something I notice is that they never take each other for granted.  A hand on Grace’s back,  ‘Can I get you something?’,  … an obvious sense of appreciation and enjoyment with each other.  They still have that after 6 years together.

The reception was held at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.    ….  champagne in the meadow …

A video selection of images from the wedding: