A Series of Shots
It was a BEAUTIFUL day! A great way to start the wedding season. A bright day that wasn’t too sunny, warm but not hot, and just breezy enough to keep the flies at bay are perfect conditions for fantastic wedding portraits. With plenty of time scheduled between the intimate and touching outdoor ceremony and the lovely reception at the Delta Fredericton, it was easy to capture many moments like those above. Sometimes the best photos are taken in the split seconds between poses.
Stephanie and Conway were the epitome of elegance. Simple yet elegant. I especially loved the buttercream colored bride’s dress and the wonderful colors chosen for the bridal party to compliment it. I think this artistic “sneak peek” at their photos conveys the love they share and the feel of the day. Congratulations to a wonderful couple.
A Fabulous Location
And a fabulous couple to take photos of. It seemed as though it may be a totally rained out day but we were hopeful! And after only a minor delay in schedule luck didn’t rain upon us. It cleared enough to keep dry if not completely warm. And this new- to -me location turned out to have numerous opportunities for unique backgrounds in a very short walking distance. I hope Travis and Felicia are at least as warmed by these beautiful pictures as I was by their wonderful smiles, easy going attitudes, and their sense of adventure. Not to mention blue eyes as beautiful as I’ve ever seen.
This engagement session was a gift purchased from the Radio Price Club (in the photography section).
A Sunday Stroll in the Square
A so – so Sunday afternoon in Officers Square, downtown Fredericton, late in april is not necessarily what one would consider ideal for an engagement session but gray skies, leafless tress and brown grass can be decieving. Stone buildings, brick structures with wrought iron, quaint benches and of course the river front can make for spectacular backgrounds. Dim skies open the options for locations, produces excellent lighting conditions, and reduces suinting. Always a bright side to bad weather! I suppose there is a bright, if not humourous side to everything in life!
This chilly day was warmed by the friendly and eager attitudes of Jasmine and Adam (not Aaron 
. We spent an enjoyable chatty stroll around the square. and captured some great shots as well. And since Adam suggested he thought some of the chosen backdrops would lend themselves well to black & white photos … here a a few.
Oh What Fun!
A sunny day in March, plenty of snow still on the ground and a temperature of 13 degrees. What could be better than that for an early spring e-session? A young couple, very much in love, who truly love to have fun – that’s what! It was a wonderfull way to spend a beautiful spring afternoon. The only exception being the occassional sinking to the hips in the snowy fields. Because when I say there was plenty of snow, I mean PLENTY! But even that was made more enjoyable by the laughter that filled the air as this fantastic couple, Lindsey & Aaron, “posed” for engagement photos in the very place where the romantic groom -to -be proposed and where they will say their vows this summer.
I wish you a lifetime of romantic gestures, love, laughter and fun! Enjoy this small preview of your engagement album and others on my facebook business page.
Luck of the Draw
It was a stormy day in November when I first met Kelly at The Wedding Show. And it was a warm morning in March when she redeemed the prize she had won. As part of the wedding fair I gave away 3 full engagement sessions which includes 3 hours and up to 3 locations, 50 prints in a Topflight proof album and all digital images on a flashdrive. The response to the prospect of winning one of these prizes was so great, I decided to add several prizes of a mini-engagement session. Several couples were offered a 1/2 hour shoot in one location, 12 prints in a folder and the options to purchase prints or digital images.
Kelly and Jaret were the first couple to book their session and opted to bring along their beloved huskey, Miller, for some engagement / family photos at Kilarney Lake. This location is familiar to them as they live near by and often walk their beautiful dog there. Portraits are more meaningful when the location means something! The pictures posted above and on my facebook business page show the loving nature of this beautiful young couple . I wish them well with their upcoming wedding and I look foward to my future e-sessions!
A Winter Walk
Saturday’s engagement session reminded me of a saying…
“Take my hand and walk with me. The best in life is yet to be!”
Although it was a cold, windy day with glaring sunshine, the atmosphere was definately warm and welcoming. The happy couple, Stephanie and Conway, took advantage of the snowy setting and were undaunted by the crisp chill in the air. A short walk around the Delta in Fredericton was all that was necessary to see the love, laughter and friendship that exists between these wonderfully open people. Hopefully the temperature will be warmer for their upcoming summer wedding!
My First!
Wedding show!
Several weeks ago I ran into someone who designed business cards for me at least 13 years ago. “Are you still into printing?” I ask. No, I do photography. “Me too.” I say. I photograph weddings. “So do I!” I reply. I’m organizing a wedding show in 4 weeks. Want to have a booth? “Sure!!” I declare. “oh no” I think. What have I gotten myself into?
I have never been one to do something important without giving it my all. I set to work with the expertise of my friend Wendy guiding the way. Having never even been to a wedding show didn’t help! How to stand out in a crowd? And a crowd it was. There were at least 6 photographers in attendance. And I truly believe I held my own. Long straight tables with white skirting were provided. I gave mine away, opting instead to pack 3 circular tables along with my own cloths, mini-lights, lamps, back boards, frames, large sign, cords, albums, box of handouts and decorations along with Wendy and me into my JEEP. My space was welcoming. One where excited brides and their grooms-to-be, or bridal party, or mother-of-the-bride could come into instead of walk by. They could look at sample albums or enlarged prints, get pricing info, a voucher for a before Christmas booking discount, and even a sample 2 piece fudge favor made entirely in the microwave in 10 minutes or less! (email me if you want the recipes provided at the show).
Have a look at my space! Welcome to my wedding blog if you are visiting after stopping by my booth. Hope your day was as enjoyable as mine!
OK … so they’re NOT wedding photos
But they are worthy of the space. Sometimes taking pictures is a chore, especially when the subject is not entirely pleased to be said subject! Most of the time it is enjoyable. Rarely it is thrilling. Kind of like book reading (if you are an avid reader like me you understand). A great book leaves one emotionally hooked, enough so to plough through a series of not so good reads searching for that warm, cozy feeling, great book, read. Today was a great book day, figuratively speaking!
Senior photos is a lucrative market I have not pursued. Photographers charge large sums of money for what is often a job well done, but producing what I refer to as cookie-cutter results. Recently I have wondered if there is a demand for those “outside of the box”, cutting edge, grad portraits. Pictures that really capture who a teenager is NOW, and not what they are expected to become. I think perhaps there is… for those young people who are truly unique, who are still experiencing life before adult responsibilites, and who will look back on their senior album and say “I was not afraid to express myself!”
Why post these portraits on my wedding blog and not include them with the others posted on my portrait blog? Because I believe your wedding photographs can be this unique, this personal, and this representative of who you are… if you dare to express yourself.
Wedding Booth
Meet My Shoes
Little things mean a lot! And even though I wouldn’t describe my feet as little (size 9 if the shoe is made wide), in the grand scheme of my accumulated equipment, supplies and props, a pair of rubber sandals may seem insignificant by comparison. However, the comfort level of a photographer’s feet are paramount to success! Over the years I have compromised comfort for fashion somewhat… wearing leather sandals, heels, or boots during the church ceremony and switching to sport sandals or sneakers for outdoor portraits. I struggle with practicality and the need to look professional. I often times ruin good leather footwear in wet grass and/or sink heels through damp ground. Not to mention suffer with sore feet after the day has come to an end!
The answer to my problem came while on vacation in my family home, Cape Breton, in July. On a rainy day… can you imagine a rainy day this summer 
)… I went shopping with my mom and she bought me a pair of rubber sandals. They were on sale at Marks Work Wearhouse for 50% off of 50% off. Bottom line – $7 including tax for a pair of sandals dressy enough to wear in church and practical enough to stroll through wet grass and wade through waterfalls. I wonder how much longer before the snow comes. I may have to stop wearing them when it does!
