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the other day, my daughter asked if i would do a little photoshoot for her and her 7 friends. yep, you read correctly, SEVEN teenage girls and me!!
i guess that's what you do when your mom is a professional photographer right?
everyone had to wear white and blue, and they were ALL wearing high heels!! it was kinda funny watching some of them try to walk in such high heeled shoes, but since they were ALL better than me at doing it, then i'd better not say much.
these girls are good friends, and they wanted a photo to commemorate the ending of grade 11 and the beginning of summer.
here is a collage of these gorgeous young ladies and an extra one of my daughter (because i'm the mom and blogger, and i think she's pretty awesome).
aren't these girls all GORGEOUS!!! seriously people, these are some STUNNING YOUNG WOMEN!!!
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good friends
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i met with these two lovebirds last year, when the met me at a local Starbucks and they open their lives to me, and shared the story of their love.
true love.
i'm a sucker for a good love story, and one that begins in childhood & in the teen years, blossoms into something real and adult, and then culminates in a wedding, is.......
moving, touching, awesome, a gift from God, real.
real.
not without struggles, challenges and hard work, this love story has been through it all, and has arrived at the other side stronger and God-centered.
beautiful.
this wedding day was a bit different than normal, since it started out in Windsor, and then became a cross border event. the reception was being held at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn MI, and i was excited to get the chance to check out another wedding venue! i do have to say, that i've been very blessed to be photographing weddings that aren't all at the same venue, which gives me the chance to experience new things and have a wedding adventure every weekend!
i'm just an adventurous kinda gal :)
let's see...... what kind of stuff happened on their big day.
well, there was the fact that i got to watch the groomsmen iron their shirts, which was great, because i always enjoy seeing men tackling domestic chores.
Matt was gifted with some ROCKING cufflinks, which were little mini yellow Jeeps!! fabulous!
i didn't get pulled over at the border, and actually got through really quickly, so that was great because i didn't have to get all ninja on a border guard (i wasn't going to miss this wedding, no matter what).
ok, i might not have got all ninja on the border guys...... it would have more than likely looked like big-baby tears.
i'm ashamed.
back on track now.....
when we headed out to take some photos of the bridal party, we were ATTACKED by throngs of mosquitoes!! it was INSANE!
luckily, i was surrounded by videographers that seemed to have sweeter blood than i, so they took the brunt of the attack.
according to Matt, God put an old Jeepster Jeep in the parking lot, just for us, so that we could get some photos near a cool car. he was a happy groom.
Christine had two surprises for Matt, which were a cool Jeep groom's cake (i LOVED it) and she also sang for him later in the evening. very romantic.
hmmmmmm..... looking back, i see that this was quite the Jeep centered wedding!! fun stuff!
i would like to take a moment and thank Matt & Christine for allowing me to be a part of their lives. you two are some of the most lovely people i know, and i am so thrilled to have been able to witness such an important moment in your lives. you are both funny, loving, and gracious, and i smile every time i think of you both.
i can't wait to see what awesome things God does in your lives, as your journey as a couple and a family begins.
very exciting stuff!!
God is good.
Michelle Bondy:
Michele, these are gorgeous. Such creative shots and I always love the candid shots.
(06.25.10)
amy:
these are gorgeous!!! love the candid shots!! great job on these they look so happy coming down the aisle!!
(06.25.10)
amie leigh artistry:
wonderful work! love how you captured all those candid moments!
(06.25.10)
Newcastle & Hunter Valley weddings and protraits :: Xanthe Roxburgh:
Fantastic mix of sweet/subdued and having fun images.
(07.07.10)
Steve Campbell:
Matt, I saw your grandmother at camp and she gave me this web link. Congratulations to you both! We are so pleased along with you that God has brought you to this point. Enjoy the ups and downs of married life!
Warm Christian love, Steve and Susie Campbell
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christine & matt ~ windsor ontario wedding photography
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this past weekend, i had the pleasure of documenting Melissa & Steve's wedding here in Windsor.
i have to start my post by saying that it was was FLIPPIN' HOT outside on Saturday, and i found out that with the humidity (i think it was about 80-90%) it felt like over 110F !!
the other problem was, that it was an outdoor ceremony and it was surrounded by trees, so no breeze!!
i think i almost died 3 times during the day (i don't do heat/humidity well, and never have). if there had been a pool close by, i wouldn't have put it past us all to just jump right in and cool off!!
ok, enough whining and complaining. i'll get on with the post now.
i met Melissa last summer, when she and her mother drove out to Kingsville to meet with me about photographing the big day. i instantly fell in love with Melissa, and both her and her mom kept me in stitches during our whole meeting!! i couldn't remember when i'd laughed so hard!!
i couldn't wait for their wedding (and i can't believe that it's been a year since we met).
in October, i photographed Steve & Melissa's engagement session just before the leaves all fell for the season, and it was a blast.
steve & melissa like a good party, and i don't think their wedding disappointed. they were surrounded by good friends, awesome family, and a good mood that just wouldn't quit!
the day started at Steve's place, where the guys were in great spirits even though they knew that wearing a tuxedo in the sweltering heat might be the end of them.
at Melissa's parent's place, the party continued with mugs of champagne, some tears of joy, and HOT PINK Louboutin shoes!!! i love fabulous shoes!!!
the ceremony was held outdoors at Branteaney's Bed & Breakfast, and it was a beautiful service that was the shortest i've ever witnessed (which was probably a good thing for the guests in suits in that heat). i think i am now a huge fan of Branteaney's. it was such a nice change from an indoor ceremony, and the setting was serene and beautiful. other than the clouds of mosquitos (because of all the rain we've had recently) , it was picture perfect.
i didn't want to spend too much time outdoors if at all possible, because when the bride and groom have to towel each other off before each photo, you know it's too hot . we fought through the heat and a few rain showers, and got some photos on the picturesque grounds. i couldn't believe how everyone was being so wonderful and patient, but i did work quickly.
next came the air-conditioned party bus, the nicely air-conditioned bar in downtown Windsor, and the air-conditioned reception hall (Torino's in Tecumseh)
gotta love the invention of AIR-CONDITIONING!!!
oh, and i love that cold water and gingerale were invented too :)
the reception was a party to remember, and the first time that i've ever met a blow-up doll named Alejandro. he was quite the party animal!
i want to thank Steve & Melissa for letting me party with them all day long, it was a blast!! you have both been so much fun to work with, and it was an honour to be a part of your big day. i will forever remember Alejandro, the fact that i worked with a groom with quite a few rapper names, and a bride that is courageous and stylish enough to sport Christian Louboutin shoes in HOT PINK!!
you two are such a great couple, and i hope that our paths cross again very soon.
hugs to you both.
some fabulous vendors~
gown~ Bridal Couture, Windsor
make-up~ Esthetica Day Spa, Windsor
hair~ Youseff's Salon, Windsor
flowers~ Oak Farms, Leamington
ceremony ~ Branteaney's Bed & Breakfast, Lasalle
officiant~ Joe McParland, Civil Marriages
shoes~ Christian Louboutin
reception hall~ Tourino's Banquet Hall, Tecumseh
photo booth~ Perfect Shutter Photobooth
cake~ Renee's Fine Cakes
decorator~ Windsor Event Decor
DJ ~ A. Donavan Mariani, Open Air Events, Windsor
now for some photos!!!
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155
as i got to talk with this lovely young lady, i quickly realized that she was pretty awesome and i think we clicked right away. she knew that i was just getting my photography business up and running, and she needed a 2nd photographer for some weddings last year, so we hooked up and it was the beginning of a great relationship.
Arica Ingratta is younger than i am (by about 15 years i think.... man, that makes me sound old), but she is a fabulous artist and wonderful photographer in Windsor (her company is Manifesto Photography) . even though she is younger than i am, i was seriously impressed with her maturity and her love for God and serving Him. i couldn't wait to work with this great lady.
not long after the two of us met, Arica approached me one day and asked what i thought of this guy Josh. you see, i have known Josh for about 8 years now. i met Josh's parents when we started attending Heritage Park Alliance Church, and i think Josh was just finishing up high school or something. Josh's family are some of the dearest people around, and his dad can scale a tree faster than anyone i've ever met (it's quite amazing actually).
Arica seemed to have a little crush on Josh, and mentioned that they had gone out for coffee one night. i told her my opinions about this great guy and his family, and she seemed pretty intent on seeing him again.
because i got to work alongside Arica week after week, wedding after wedding, and we spent all day together shooting these weddings , i was able to hear about her budding romance and watch as the love between this couple blossomed and grew.
it was pretty evident early on, that God had set up this match, because the more Josh & Arica sought after God, then closer and closer they became.
i just loved seeing the sparkle in Arica's eye every time she talked about Josh, how he made her laugh and how he loved her so very deeply. they challenged each other on every level, and it was just so wonderful to watch this all unfold before my very eyes!!!
i am very blessed to be deeply in love with the most awesome man on the planet, and our love for each other grows deeper and deeper as the years go by. every time Arica spoke of her love for Josh, i just knew that it was the same type of love that i feel for Darryl even after all these years, and i couldn't have been happier for the two of them.
everyone deserves this kind of true and deep love with their spouse!!
last weekend, i had the honour of photographing Arica & Josh's wedding, in a log cabin at the top of some mountain in Tennessee (can you say, scary road?). it was quite the media circus, since Arica's good friend Stacey is a wedding photographer as well , and we were joined by the videography services of Iris and Light (from California). there were 4 of us with cameras, trying to NOT get in each other's way, and it made me chuckle a bit!! i think we were all pretty great and didn't get in each other's way too much, and i know that i was pretty thrilled to have so much creative talent around me. the only trouble is, that when you have so many artists trying to document such an amazing wedding, in such a fabulous location with such great people, you MIGHT end up being an hour late for dinner.
just sayin'.
the whole wedding was perfect from start to finish.
Arica & Josh were surrounded by the people they love most in the world, they made sure that their wedding was centered around God, through lots of prayer and worship, and i was deeply moved.
i have never photographed the wedding of a close friend before, and i do have to admit that it was challenging in a few ways.
first, the pressure to take great photos is pretty high, especially when the bride is a photographer herself, and secondly, because you are emotionally involved.
there are so many times that i was just crying, hiding it all behind my big camera, as i watched love unfolding!!! i got so carried away in the moment, that i would forget that i was even working, and i just found myself wrapped up in all the awesomeness of what God was doing. it was almost too much to take!!!
you know what?
i actually find that watching parents crying is the biggest thing that sets me off with my own tears. i can't take it!!
i guess i am imagining what it'll be like when my own kids get married and start their own lives.
oh great, i'm tearing up even now. how embarrassing!!
here are a few photos (ok, a bit more than a few) of Arica & Josh's special day.
i wish them all the happiness in the world, and i want to thank them for asking me to help document their wedding.
Arica, you are truly one of a kind, and the best wedding date around. i have been blessed to have you in my life, and i will always remember your sneaky-sneaky face as you steal cannoli from the dessert table, before dinner. i loved being your shield from the crowd.
Josh, you are truly a man of God, and i know that you will treat Arica with all the love and respect that she deserves.
thank you both for allowing me to be a part of your lives.
Brandon- Alaska Wedding Photographer:
Details, getting ready, portraits...all amazing. I just love all of your shots...especially the last one.
(06.01.10)
Birmingham Wedding Photographer:
Love the detail shots...the color is esp nice. Great job!
(06.02.10)
Milla:
GORGEOUS job Michele. I love the portraits of the two of them... awesome, awesome job.
(06.09.10)
Andy | Devon Photographer:
Its amazing to see these kind of shots only a talented hands can do simply a masterpiece dude.
(07.16.10)
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arica & josh | a windsor wedding photographer in Tennessee
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154
before i took the trip to Mexico, i tossed around the idea of doing some scuba diving while i was going to be there.
you see, i am a scuba addict and i have a little adventurous side to me.
i'm not a rebel, i'm not some crazy party animal or drinker, and i'm afraid of heights, but i do have a little side to me that needs to get out once in a while.
that side of me craves the underwater world, and the wonders beneath the sea.
i decided to research the scuba diving opportunities in the area of Playa del Carmen, and i quickly realized that if i chose to dive a local reef, then i was going to be disappointed.
i have been spoiled by the spectacular reefs in Roatan, and i knew that the over-populated and strained coastline along the Mayan RIviera would not offer the experience or photo worthy reef i so longingly crave.
i knew that i had the option to travel to Cozumel for the day, but i actually didn't have the time to do an all day trip, and because of flying and diving restrictions, i couldn't leave such a trip until Friday.
i guess i could have chosen to do the bull shark dive with a local dive shop, but my sense of adventure doesn't include free swimming with some of the world's most aggressive sharks!!
(please don't get me wrong, i love diving with sharks and dive with them all the time, but bull sharks are just ANGRY sharks and i decided that i would be prudent)
on a side note..... i would like to do a cage dive with great white sharks one day. sharks are wonderful and misunderstood creatures.
anywhoooo...... i found out that the Maya Riviera has some cool diving spots called 'Cenotes' , which are actually underground, freshwater rivers that are accessed by sinkholes. they are rivers that the Mayan's used way back when, for freshwater.
there was one problem to my little plan.
i don't like caves and small places, and i don't like diving in the dark.
unfortunately, diving the cenotes requires being in the pitch black most of the time, as well as swimming through a few small spaces.
yep, i wasn't too sure about all of this!!
i'm not a big fan of Mexico, the way that big hotels & tourism has essentially destroyed everything beautiful and natural about such a wonderful coastline. i knew that i would probably not travel to Mexico on my own accord, ever again (unless it was for another rockin' wedding of course), so i just needed to suck it up and dive a crazy dark cave and get over myself!
go me, being all brave and everything.
i packed up all my dive gear, lugged it all the way to Mexico, and signed up for a cenote dive!!
it was an awesome adventure.
my dive guide was Tomas, he drove Yoaz (a student from Isreal) and i to the dive site on Wednesday morning, and i sucked it up and did my best to NOT have an anxiety attack underwater.
i took a nice bright light, had my underwater camera with me, and leapt into this little pool of water that soon opened up to caverns and underwater beauty.
full of stalagmites and rock formations, these underground, water filled caverns were something to behold.
even in the darkest dark, and through little spaces, i was calm and cool.
i am a pretty experienced diver now, and i know my limitations, i am confident in my abilities, and i felt that my dive guide (Tomas) was well-trained enough to keep me safe.
Chac-Mool (named for a Mayan god or something) was the location for our 2 dives, and everything about it was right up my alley. from the wild dogs to the little farm and shady snack hut, everything about my cenote adventure was 'me'.
i know this was a crazy long post about my little cavern diving adventure, but i just had to share my insanity with you all.
i am a firm believer that everything i am, and everything i'm passionate about, makes me the photographer and the person that i am.
so, here are a few photos from my little diving adventure...
the table where we get ready. i love getting ready for diving!!
the entry hole into the cenote. i wasn't too sure about this, and i almost backed out at one point!
not a great photo, but you can see that we weren't the only ones in the caverns
a dive group in another entrance to the cenote
a dive group just floating around at the surface
cool stalagmites
this is my favourite photo of the day. i love the way the light shines in from above, and the colours are just so beautiful!
we surfaced in an air pocket, which was totally dark except for our dive lights and camera flashes. this is a tree that i'm floating beside.
my view when i surfaced from my last dive. what a great ending to a great adventure!
one of the wild dogs. just a little puppy!!! too cute!
the shady hut where we ate our lunch! i was skeptical.
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my little diving adventure ~ Chac-Mool Cenote
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Michele, you are the coolest mom ever! And it says a lot when your daughter isn't just willing to LET you take her friend's photos - she trusts you and your non-dorkiness enough to ASK you to do it! Beautiful shots, and what a great idea! Wish I'd thought to do this with my friends when I was Emily's age. xoxoxox
(07.16.10)