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hi all!
it looks as if i'm joining the ranks of thousands of wedding photographers before me, and i'm getting a booth at a local wedding & bridal show!
The Wedding Odyssey is here in Windsor , this coming weekend. the event is being held at the Ciocarro Club here in the city, which is just off Walker Rd, south of the 401 (look for the signs).
i'm a nervous wreck!!!
i have never built a booth, have never been to a wedding show even as a guest, and it's tough to know what to do or expect.
i've been scouring the internet and wedding forums, trying to look at photos of other booths, see what other wedding photographers like to do, and get a sense as to the best way for ME to build something.
you see, i have some pretty clear ideas about what i like and dislike, and one of the things i dislike the most is conformity!!!
i like to be different, i like to be myself, and i just like being me.
i have a tiny little spot at the show, down at the end of some long, dark hall, so it's been tough to know how to proceed with designing something that will not only showcase my photography, but help to get people at actually NOTICE me at the end of this dark hallway.
i think what i've come up with is fun and original, and i'm looking forward to putting it all together.
i think i will do a mock-up tonight, in my living room , so that i can get the full effect.
it's CRAZY!!!
if you're coming to the Wedding Odyssey, please make sure that you stop by and say hello.
i would love to meet some new people!
since no post is complete without a photo, then please enjoy the following.
i'll just let you know right now, that if you hire me and you have kids at your wedding, then i WILL BE TAKING PHOTOS OF THEM!!
i LOVE kids and the silly things they do, and there's nothing more fun than kids dancing.
this one makes me smile :)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Wedding Odyssey { windsor ontario wedding & bridal show }
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Patrick and Melissa's wedding was the last wedding of 2009 for me, which of course, made me very sad because i love my work and actually enjoy being busy every weekend! i worked alongside Arica again, and this was actually a last minute gig for me. i wasn't scheduled to work with her that day, but was called at the last minute and luckily i was available.
the last wedding that i posted, was all about the intimate, quiet, romantic and emotional day that was Steve & Alanna's wedding. this wedding was pretty much the opposite of that, but totally wonderful in its own way. some weddings are just quiet and intimate, and some require coolers of beer to be loaded on the party bus! it's just the nature of the beast i guess!
Patrick and Melissa were just the friendliest and nicest people around, their families were wonderful and loving, and their bridal party was CRAZY! (in a good way of course).
it was a fun way to end my year.
the ceremony was held at a little church, right in the heart of little Italy here in Windsor. even though it was the DARKEST church i have ever worked in (and actually had to use my flash, which i hate doing) i do have to say that it was one of the nicest services i've witnessed in a while. Catholic services are usually all very similar, with the priests reading from the same manual or something. most are very lovely, but this one was a bit out of the ordinary.
i spoke to the priest before the service, to go over the photography rules with him (all churches have rules ya know) and i was instantly charmed by this short, elderly, italian man. i liked him right away!
during the service, he started out with the ritual wedding stuff, read what he needed to read, and yada yada yada.
then......
he moved away from the microphone, stood about a foot in front of the bride and groom, and gave them the best sermon. it was quite the evangelical sermon, if i do say so myself.
it was all about the love of God, putting Jesus at the centre of your relationship, and on and on like that.
AWESOME!!!!
i guess you must just get to a point in your life, when you just don't care what people think about you and whether you're following the rules or not.
this guy was NOT following any rules ,and Arica and i loved it.
i guess what struck me the most, was his compassion and honesty. it was very honourable.
i live in my own little world, where i still believe that everyone is honest with me and unfortunately i get let down a lot. i always appreciate when someone speaks from the heart, doesn't put on any airs, and just says what is true.
again, it was AWESOME!
sorry for my rant, but i wish more people would just be honest, share their heart, and not be afraid to do so.
there, that's my little sermon (i will keep it short due to time constraints).
after the service, we headed onto Erie Street for some photos, then to Willistead Manor. a cool place if i do say so myself.
the reception was held at the Ciocarro Club. yummy :)
ok, so by the time us photographers get to the reception, we're pretty hungry. i admit it.
we work all day, don't take time to eat or drink, and they arrive at the reception and order 4 gingerales and eat 3 buns (or sneak a dessert off the sweet table~ which was Arica, NOT me for the record). i drank the 4 gingerales and i HELPED Arica to sneak a dessert off the sweet table. Arica is italian and can't resist a freshly made cannoli, it's hereditary i think.
the reception was lovely, there was soup, and the DJ was GREAT!!!!
it was quite the party, and the choreographed dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was the icing on the cake.
the only bad part of the reception, was when i accidentally blinded myself with my flash unit (which was only about 6 inches from my eyes at the time) and i saw nothing but a bright white box for about 10 minutes. i was totally blind, and i even felt my rods and cones shriveling up immediately!
seriously, it HURT!
it took about 1/2 an hour before my vision started to return to normal, but by then i had a wicked headache and thought i might die (ok, so not really, but it wasn't very nice at all).
luckily, my near blinding experience didn't last long, and i was actually able to drive myself home afterwards. it was touch and go for a moment.
here are a few photos from the day.
i do have to mention, that the following photo was NOT enhanced in Photoshop. the sky was actually this colour blue that day! awesome , isn't it.
these girls laughed ALL DAY LONG!!! it was hilarious!
when i asked the girls to get their groove on, this is what they gave me
when i asked the guys to give me something, they decided to throw dead leaves at the groom. nice.
the bride and groom got announced at dinner. it was just like being at a football game!!
told ya. football game.
i don't joke about such things.
Anonymous:
You have an awesome eye and are very talented. Keep up the good work.
(12.07.09)
Deborah (Figgie):
Gorgeous work, as always, Michele!!
That shot of the reception crowd whooping and hollering is the best thing EVER!!!
(12.07.09)
Cathy:
I love the b&w shot from above of the couple in the circle. And also the hilarious bouquet toss shot. That girl in front is really going for it!
(12.08.09)
Daniel (Vancouver wedding photographer):
Love the detail shot of the to-do list. It's an easy miss at any wedding, but I'm glad you got a photo of it! Beautifully photographed wedding!
(12.15.09)
Boston Wedding Photographer:
Great story telling in this series. Speak to fun in the fall weddings. Great photos.
(12.16.09)
Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer:
What a great series of shots, Michele! And I love that last flower-catching shot...so much fun! As a Norfolk Wedding Photographer, my goal has always been to capture every moment that I can for my clients, and I can tell you are very adept at doing so as well...very nice!
(12.16.09)
Windsor Wedding Photographer:
What a great way to end the year Michele! I love the entrance shots, looks like it was a fun crowd!
(12.24.09)
Patti Wallington (Niagara Falls wedding planner):
These wedding photographs are excellent, you really told a great story of the day with your work. You captured the emotion of everyone is all of the pictures perfectly. Good job!!
(12.29.09)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Ciocarro Club Wedding Windsor | patrick & melissa
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first off, i just want to apologize for my recent lack of blog entries. it was not my intention to ignore my duties as a blogger, but life got in the way and the blog got neglected.
i am truly sorry (insert sad face here).
a few weeks ago, i was the photographer at a wedding (working with Arica Ingratta again) here in the Windsor area. i want to tell you right now, that it wasn't just a normal wedding.
for some reason, this wedding sticks out in my mind.
it's not because of anything over the top, or super exceptional about anything in particular, but it was because of the people (namely the bride and groom).
i had never met Steve & Alanna before this day, so i didn't know their story, but i'm the type of person that wants to know the REAL you and your story, so i ask.
Alanna shared with me that she's been best friends with Steve's sister for 20 years, and it was only recently that her and Steve met up at a wedding. They had kind of known each other for the years that Alanna has been friends with the family, but they had never seen each other often and i guess it just wasn't the right time.
Alanna and Steve are a bit older then most of the couples i've worked with this year, and i think that's exactly what made this wedding so special. both Alanna and Steve didn't find their soul-mates until they were into their 40's, and because of that, i think they both appreciate each other even more.
it was truly beautiful.
one of the things that i strive to capture with my photography, is the feeling and emotion of the moment. i don't know if that makes any sense, but it's how i feel about what i do as a wedding photographer.
i know the wedding day is filled with stuff, like the flowers, the dress, the jewelry, and everything else that is planned for months and years. i'm not saying that those things are not important and shouldn't be photographed, because all of those things are beautiful and are a part of making the day special.
i guess what i'm trying to say, is that i am just a sucker for people in love.
it is truly lovely, when you can just tell how much people love each other. it is truly lovely, when the couple can't stop looking at each other, especially when the other one's not looking, with a look that says "i am the luckiest person alive". the look between a mother and son during the first dance, always makes me cry, and the look between a dad and his daughter is enough to make me crazy!
weddings are so emotionally charged, that i can hardly stand it! i have pretty much given up on my make-up lasting the whole day.
i want to thank Steve and Alanna for allowing me to be a part of their wedding day, and for letting me have (even though small) a glimpse into their story and their love.
oh, and i want to thank Steve for making sure he gave us his best model poses. i think he must be a closet watcher of America's Next Top Model, because he TOTALLY worked it that day!
one more thing.....
i also want to thank Steve and Alanna for picking the Windsor Club as their reception venue. I have NEVER been served such a huge piece of prime rib IN MY LIFE!!! it was awesome and hilarious all at the same time (of course i couldn't eat it all, since i had to work and everything, but it was fun nonetheless)
seriously......
it pretty much filled the plate and was about 2 inches thick.
my hubby would have cried from joy at the sight of it.
wedding reception : The Windsor Club, Windsor Ontario
flowers: Vernacular, Lasalle Ontario
cake: Gabby's Cakes, Windsor
hair : Salon One, Windsor
photos at : The Art Gallery of Windsor
just look at how much these two are in LOVE!!!! it's so FREAKIN" AWESOME!!
Steve getting his inner model groove on! . LOL!
i caught this moment between the two of them, and it makes me feel all gushy inside.
Megan St. Amour:
I always look forward to seeing your blogs and looking at your wedding pictures but this wedding in particular made me smile. I do agree that you can feel the love that these two share even by just looking at some of the pictures you took. Every single picture made me all tingly inside and I can only hope that my wedding is like this (In many years of course, I'm only 19). Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us.
(12.02.09)
Photographick:
Great pictures, I love the emotion you have captured! I am sure your clients are very very happy.
(12.14.09)
Boston Wedding Photographer:
Very classy wedding. You can tell from the photos. Love the colors as well. That cake looks so appetizing. Great low-light work!
(12.16.09)
Michael Kent - Philadelphia Wedding Photographers:
Wonderful images you've displayed. I love the detail shots - great use of light and color. You also captured some beautiful moments of the bride and groom.
(04.09.10)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
alanna & steve {Windsor Club ~ wedding photography}
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SNEAK PEEK!!!!!!
a few weeks ago, i photographed a beautiful wedding with Arica (again) , and i have to say that this one is up there as one of my favourites.
Steve & Alanna were the sweetest couple , and not only were they sweet, but their story was off the charts.
this photo says it all.
you can tell how happy Alanna is, even with her eyes closed.
they found each other later in life, but that just makes it even sweeter in my opinion.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... love :)
WHAT'S HITTING THE BLOG THIS WEEK?
- more Steve & Alanna
- Melissa & Patrick
so keep checking in, ok?
Tonee:
this is such a sweet picture to showcase. lovely job. I am really digging the brides bringing back the half veil this year!
(11.29.09)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
alanna & steve {windsor ontario wedding photographer}
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http://www.michelebowmanweddings.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/115
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are you ready for another installment of "what Michele does every weekend" ?
i photograph awesome and super cool weddings !!!
can you believe it?
I have yet to shoot a wedding that wasn't pretty spectacular (ok, so there was this one weird one, but that was an anomaly) .
Laura-Beth and Rob just blew me away with all their cuteness and lovey-doveyness. there is nothing more wonderful, than when a couple just ooze love from every pore and ounce of their being.
Laura-Beth and Rob met when Rob sold her a car, her first car ever.
i love cute love stories too by the way.
anyways, they met, they fell in love, and now they are making Windsor their home.
i wish them every happiness in the world.
oh, and i worked with Arica Ingratta once again, and i have decided that she is the perfect wedding date! LOL! we always have a blast together, and i always look forward to working with her.
ceremony- Oakwood Bible Chapel, Windsor
photos - Art Gallery of Windsor
reception - Fogolar Furlan
wedding planner - A Perfect Day Event Planning
photobooth - Shutter Bug Photo Booth
DISCLAIMER- the following photograph has NOT been photoshopped!!! Laura-Beth has flawless skin and wears minimal make-up.
can you say "JEALOUS"?
yeah, so i like to stick rings in marshmallows. do you have a problem with that?
Lesley Warren:
One word: beautiful.
(10.18.09)
Jodi S.:
I always love the ones you do with their rings. Brilliant! I wish someone like you was doing weddings 18 years ago....
(10.28.09)
San Francisco Wedding Photographer:
Gorgeous wedding photos! I love the ring shot as well.
(11.03.09)
Houston Wedding Photographer:
What a beautiful couple! You did an awesome job covering this wedding. I'm salivating over the4 foot chocolate waterfall. You B&W conversions are awesome...keep up the good work.
(11.05.09)
Napa Valley Wedding Photographer:
Michele,
Great idea for a ring shot. Like the look of the bridal portrait on the stairs.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
laura-beth & rob { Fogolar Furlan Windsor~ wedding photography }
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.michelebowmanweddings.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/109
Good Luck!!!! I hope it goes smashing for you! I am heading off to the PPA I was hoping you might be around. It would have been nice to catch up.
(01.09.10)Best wishes for a successful show.
(01.10.10)