Results tagged “wedding photography windsor” from michele bowman ~ Windsor Ontario Wedding Photographer, London, Chatham Southwestern Ontario & Destination Weddings
166
as you all know, most of my blog posts are weddings and engagement session these days, which leads me to look at my life and think that's all i do these days!
it just isn't so!!!
believe it or not, a wedding photographer can have a semblance of a normal life during this insane and crazy time of the year, but it requires leaving the city and computer behind.
leaving life behind is no easy feat when you have a business to run, but i'm all about making sacrifices for the sake of my family and for my sanity, so i bit the bullet, closed up my computer, and away we went!!
we left the humid and hot city of Windsor, for the more temperate climate up north a bit. Tobermory Ontario was our destination, and how lovely it was.
clear skies, no humidity, and living in a tent.
there is nothing more wonderful than sleeping in a tent.
while Windsor melted under scorching heat and oppressive humidity, the family and i basked in humidity free days, snorkeled in the chilly waters of Georgian Bay, and ate too much sugar.
there were even a few days that were so chilly, that we had to wear sweatshirts & socks, drink hot chocolate, and sit huddled around the campfire!! with the humidex in Windsor being over 40C most of this summer, the break from the heat was a nice reprieve.
i was blessed to be able to spend a week with my kiddies and the hubby, where we played lots of card games, ate ice cream, hiked the trails of the Bruce Peninsula, snorkeled 20C waters, laughed lots, slept in tents, roasted lots of marshmallows, and sang the Fish & Chips song.
oh, and we are insane enough to camp where there is no electricity or hot water (which includes showers), because that's the best way to camp and we are just a little bit this side of crazy.
i'm posting a few photos from my adventure, which were all taken with my Canon G11 and NOT my DSLR (which i left in my camera bag all week). hiking over rocky terrain and hanging near water, doesn't lend itself to slugging a big heavy camera. i love my G11.
as you'll see, i'm a big fan of macro photography (which i love doing when shooting underwater loveliness), and i tried my hand at some macro work above-ground this time around. not too bad i must say. of course, i still prefer finding microscopic fish to photograph, but now i realize that i'm not adverse to finding funny caterpillars or funky mushroom, both which are much easier to capture than an unpredictable and quick moving fish.
first off, here are my sweet and wonderful kiddies (yep, i have a kid with a beard). i love these awesome young people with everything and every breath in me. being a mom is my most notable achievement thus far, and i wouldn't trade it for anything.
ahhhhhhhhhh..... sunset light!
now to finish up with one last photo of the best kids EVER!!! don't you just love how these boys adore their sister?
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a camping we will go ~ my life
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165
some engagement photography~
Dana & Chad are getting married in Windsor in July of 2011, and i'm the lucky photographer that gets to document their wedding!
these two lovebirds made it to Windsor this weekend, and wanted to not only meet me for the first time, but have an engagement session as well. i was happy to oblige!
into the blueberry patch we went, and then to the park. it was such a beautiful night, and these two are so much in love. i love the fact that these two are just a 'little bit' crazy. i think we're going to get along just fine.
great time was had by all :)
now for a few photos~
Kait Larmond:
Too Cute!!! You guys look adorable! I can not wait to see more!!!! Love you both xoxo
(08.01.10)
Meaghan Sutherland:
Simply put, you two are the happiest, cutest couple I know! love you both to death...xo
(08.02.10)
Mom:
OMG!!! These pictures are gorgeous. So natural and fun and you are both so photogenic. Love these pics! xxoo
(08.02.10)
Niki Hall:
OMG !!! These are the most adorable pictures, you to are such a match made ion heaven....We love you so much and cant wait to share your special day...xo
(08.03.10)
Patty Martin:
My computer is slow but it was worth the wait. This is such an exciting time. Embrace all the planning and know we are all wishing you great joy and happiness and looking forward to meeting all the family. Love Aunt Patty
(08.03.10)
Jim and Jan:
Dana and Chad, Great pictures and we're excited about the wedding. Gee Dana, Chad is as cute as you (almost!) See you soon.
(08.03.10)
Lindsey McBride:
These pictures are gorgeous! The two of you look so in love!
(08.07.10)
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dana + chad + engagement ~ windsor ontario
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164
some engagement photography~
Andrea & Keith met me at the park on Thursday, and we had a little photo fun together!
These two lovebirds are getting married in September, and i have the honour of documenting their wedding here in Windsor!! YAY!!
these two were a bit camera shy at first, but quickly got into the groove and we had a really great time together. i love working with couples that truly adore each other.
i am leaving for holidays tomorrow, but i wanted to get a few teasers up on the blog for them to enjoy, especially since i did promise them that i'd try my very best to make it happen.
here we go......
Dayna Rod:
Gorgeous photos you guys!! What a beautiful setting. All the best to you in September and beyond. xo Dayna xo
(08.22.10)
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andrea + keith + engagement ~ windsor ontario
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161
a wedding here in Windsor Ontario~
it's that time again.....
BLOG TIME!!!!!
yes, it's a couple of days later than i hoped it would be, but i'm in the midst of wedding insanity around here, and i'm pretty much editing around the clock, so i'm hoping that no one will mind a blog post on Friday instead of Wednesday.
thanks a bunch.
last year, i got a phone call from a bride, we'll call her Stephanie, and we just hit it off immediately! i got a sense from this lovely bride, that she had some SERIOUS plans for her big day, and i couldn't get enough of her excitement!! you see, not only did Stephanie have some BLING BLING ideas for her wedding, but she was totally and madly in love with her fiance, and you could hear that in her voice.
when she asked me to be a part of her day, i knew that i was in for a treat!
i wasn't disappointed.
Stephanie & Kevin's wedding was last Saturday here in Windsor, and i think that the day lived up to Steph's expectations, in more ways than one. family & friends came from all around, to surround this couple with love and attention (and marshmallows), and i don't think i've ever seen so many tears of joy at any wedding thus far.
one thing that stood out to me, was the fact that Steph's grandmother flew in from Florida to not only be at the gown shop when Stephanie picked out her dress, but again when she had her dress fittings! that's the kind of love that encircled this couple last weekend, and didn't disappoint.
it was a HOT day yet again (imagine that.... a hot day in July) , but we tried to keep out of the blazing sun and spent some time finding a couple of shady locations for photos! let me just say, that an air conditioned limo-bus filled with cold champagne and beer always helps to keep people cool. just sayin'.
The ceremony was held at Assumption Church at the University of Windsor, and even though it was NOT air-conditioned, it was a beautiful service with lots of tears of joy.
Stephanie & Kevin picked the St.Clair Centre of the Arts for their reception , and i don't think they could have picked a nicer place. decked out in some BLING decor, with a cake that kept on going, the dinner and party was fantastic! i'm sure the party continued into the night, with dancing, hugging, and pelting with marshmallows (don't ask).
i want to take a moment to thank Stephanie & Kevin for letting me be a part of their wedding day. You guys obviously adore each other to pieces, and the commitment that you have for each other is wonderful to observe. you have had some crazy ups and downs with jobs and moving around lately, but all those things have made you guys come together and really commit to each other in such a great way. with the help if your 'lucky penny' , i'm sure that you will not only have the most awesome life together, but a life filled with adventure and love, boating adventures and the most wonderful family around.
big hugs to you both!!
scroll to the bottom of this post to see some of the awesome vendors that helped make this day special!
now.... the PHOTOS!!!
florist~ Girard & Co. http://www.girardflowers.com/
decor~ Designs by Diane http://www.designsdiane.com
cake ~Renee's Fine Cakes http://www.reneesfinecakes.com/
DJ & photobooth ~ Flashpoint Productions http://www.flashpointpro.com
wedding gown ~ David's Bridal http://www.davidsbridal.com
shoes ~ Deborah Thomson http://www.figgiephotography.com
reception ~ St.Clair Centre of the Arts http://www.stclaircentre.ca/
hair ~ Nicole White from Parlour, Windsor
invitations ~ You're Invited, Chatham http://www.youre-invited.ca
Emilie Bowman:
Looks like I get to be the first to comment :)
Beautiful photos as always momma, and even though I've told you a million times it doesnt hurt to say it again...You are so extremely talented!
Ps- I love the shoes! And the green and purple colours:)
(07.16.10)
Judi Beswick:
As the mother of the bride suffering post wedding blues, these remarkable pics of the wedding brought tears of joy and laughter. Mich, no question you have spectacular talent!
Judi
Stephanie BELL:
As the Bride - All I can say is ThAnK You!!! Thank you for capturing our day and making the memroies last on forever. Thank you for keeping the spirit light and fun even though we thought we might melt away. Thank you for making sure all the small details keivn and i were to busy to truly admire. Thank you for being so taleneted!!!
I couldnt imagin anyone else photographing us on our wedding day!!! I love the pics and cant wait to see the rest of them!!!
Your amazingly taleneted and so much fun to work with!!!
Cheers
Stephanie
amy:
looks like a fun couple!! love the colors they went with!!! i can see why the bride adores them!! they are really gorgeous images!!
(07.17.10)
paige ramsay:
i was lucky enough to be stephs "maid" on that special day and special it was...you captured it all...you have an amazing talent...thank you for helping in making stephs day so special!!!
(07.21.10)
Amelia Thornton / Flirt Photography:
1. Michele - WOW (again!)
2. Steph...please tell everyone where you got those shoes done...sooooo fabulous!
Stephanie BELL:
the AMAZING SHOES where Deborah . . www.figgieshoes.com. Not only is she amazingly talented but is the sweetest person I think I have ever met! Trough the whole process she was just as excited ( if not more ) than I was about the shoes. I didnt see them until the day before the wedding and didnt fret for one second. I knew they would be nothing short of amazing!!!! She does shoes for all occasions - not only weddings, birthdays a night on the town... what ever your looking for I would recomend her to create your one of a kind memory!!!!!
(08.19.10)
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stephanie + kevin + wedding ~ windsor ontario
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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 + wedding ~ windsor ontario & dearborn michigan
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a couple of days ago, i met Melissa & Nick in Kingsville, for their engagement session. i live in Kingsville, and i love shooting here, so these two adventurers made the trek from Windsor and out to the county. they really wanted to get some photos in a flowering apple orchard, but no such luck. the apple trees were flowerless, but that didn't dampen the mood one little bit.
these two are quite the pair!! i know i say it all the time, but i think my clients are the best around, and these two are no exception.
they laugh, and laugh, and laugh together all the time. they make faces at each other, they tickle each other, and they just adore each other to pieces.
it's wonderful to see, and i told them how i could just tell how much they truly loved each other.
i am really looking forward to documenting their wedding in WIndsor, this coming fall, and i'm so very thankful that they have trusted me with such an important job.
Melissa & Nick...... thank you for allowing me to get to know you, and to have to opportunity to be a small part of your lives. i can't wait for your wedding, and your love is truly inspiring.
now, let's get on with a few photos!!
let's start with the sweet faces.
it wasn't 2 minutes into our session when the laughs started!! awesome :)
tickle fight! (Melissa lost)
we wanted to go into the candy shop, but it was closed. bummer.
there's nothing like finding a cool doorway and taking kissy photos of a couple in love.
just sayin'.
yep, more tickling and a bear hug all in one!
Melissa:
Love the pics Michele! Can't wait to see the rest of them! Quite the teaser!!
(05.12.10)
Terri Minoletti:
Great pictures...can't wait to see the rest of them.
(05.12.10)
Uncle Dave & Auntie Brenda:
Very cool pictures:)
(05.13.10)
Ken Teo:
Beautiful couple. I love how you got them so relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera.
(05.23.10)
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nick & melissa | windsor engagement photography
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143
i know i say it often, but i'm going to say it again.....
i LOVE my job and i LOVE being a wedding photographer!!
i'm sorry if you are getting tired of hearing that statement, but it's true, and i am blessed.
yesterday, i met with a wonderful couple about the possibility of documenting their super awesome wedding next year. i sincerely hope that they book me because they were wonderfully sweet and i'd love to work with them, and get to know them even better!
ok, that's not the point here....
what i am trying to get to, is that something came up in our meeting, that was the catalyst to me writing this blog post this morning.
it's about ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS (if you didn't get that from the post title already).
inevitably, the topic of engagement sessions comes up during my initial meetings, because they are included in most of my wedding collections and i frequently get asked "do i need an engagement session and why?"
i do have to say that it's normally the guys that are puzzled about e-sessions, but most brides are pretty pumped about the thought of having one done.
what i want to do here, is explain my take on e-sessions, and give potential clients some insight into how my brain works and why i LOVE doing them.
first and foremost, e-sessions are a great way to get to know your wedding photographer, and for me to get to know my clients on a more personal level.
when a client books me to be their wedding photographer, i want to make sure that i get to know them on a more personal level, so that on their wedding day i am just like an old friend coming to document their wedding. i put all of myself into every job and every client that i book, and i want your wedding day to just be a continuation of the awesome client/photographer relationship that we will have already built.
during an engagement session, i ask my clients to think of a way that i can document them doing something that is uniquely THEM. when i say this, i mean something like, if you aren't a pretty-park person, then posing in front of a bunch of tulips or flower beds and saying 'cheese' for the camera, is NOT a brilliant plan. if as a couple, you LOVE to go bowling with friends, then lets take some photos at the bowling alley! if you love to stay in on weekends, cook cool meals, and watch old movies, then i can come to your home and take some e-session photos of you cooking up a storm!
i think you get my drift with this stuff.
by following you on a 'date' and documenting what makes you 'special' as a couple, then i get a glimpse into your love, and into your lives, which will in turn help me to be able to better understand what i can do on your wedding day to make sure that your images reflect YOU !
the second reason that i feel that engagement sessions are important, is because most couples don't have any professional photos of themselves, and i want to change the world (one couple at a time).
sure, most couples have about 1,000 self-portraits, taken at arm's reach, with their iPhones or compact cameras. the other photos that most couples have, are one's from the last party or holiday dinner they attended. you know the type of photos i'm talking about, all out of focus and full of standard red-eye, maybe with a bit of their heads chopped off.
ok, so maybe you don't NEED an engagement session, but i'm sure that now that you've read my blog post, you WANT an engagement session!!
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what the heck do i need an engagement session for?
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142
hi all :)
when i embarked on the roller coaster journey of being a wedding photographer, i sat down an evaluated a few core beliefs and plans for my business.
the first thing i decided, was that i wanted to be able to give my clients the best possible experience !
how does a photographer give their clients a great experience ?
well, there are two things that i came up with.
first off, i would need to provide photos that capture the emotion and feeling of each and every client and their wedding day.
recently, while reading entries on a photography forum, a wedding photographer named David Murray posted a response to a discussion about wedding photojournalism.
"It is not so much that I want to focus on just the good things during the course of the day as much as I want to find and touch upon the things that we can all recognize as being part of a sublime testament to our shared human experience. Some times these moments are happy, sometimes they are quite or somber, sometimes funny, and sometimes they are filled with joy. But the common thread is that in an aesthetic way, they dig right to the root of what is best in all of us. That is what I strive for when I pick up a camera "
everything David says in this post, is exactly how i feel about what i do.
the second thing that i wanted to do for my clients, is provide them with great customer service. i want to be able to present my work to each and every couple, within a few weeks of their wedding, not months and months afterwards. there is no reason why anyone should be getting their wedding album a year or two AFTER their wedding!
to be able to be the best photographer, wife and mother that i can possibly be, i am only taking on about 20 wedding commissions per year.
i have almost reached that number, and i will not be going over it.
it is because each and every client is so important to me, that i'm limiting my number of commissions to 20.
the wedding season in Windsor is pretty darn short, and my summer is pretty much booked full (except for 1 or 2 weekends), and my fall has a couple of more weekends that i'm currently available.
if you are planning a wedding in 2010, and you're still looking for a wedding photographer, please contact me for more details about my availability.
i am currently taking bookings for 2011 and i'd love to hear from you as well.
my wedding season starts in 2 weeks, with Rob & Leslie's wedding at Willistead Manor, and i'm really excited about it. my biggest fear for the day, would be that we get some freakishly weird blizzard or something. Rob & Leslie are from Arizona, so i don't think that they would be too excited about sharing their wedding day with slushy snow.
here's a photo of Rob & Leslie, from their snowy engagement session i did for them this past Christmas
Brandon- Portland Wedding Photographer:
Congrats on filling up your season! That's always a great feeling. Very nice shot too.
(03.24.10)
Newport Wedding Photographer | Mark Andrew:
Beautiful image. I like your take on commissions. David is an awesome photographer and probably one of the best wedding photojournalists out there.
(03.25.10)
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just a few spots left ! {windsor ontario wedding photographer}
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138
hi blog world.
i just wanted to share some awesome news that i received this morning.
you know, there's nothing better than waking up in the morning to an AWESOME email. well, i guess there are some things that are better, but awesome emails are definitely up there as wonderful.
anyways, some of you might have read (a few blog posts ago) that i was invited to be a member of the WPJA (wedding photojournalist association).
i was thrilled to pieces when i got that news, and i did a happy dance and had a perma-smile for a few days.
yep, i'm a happy-dance kinda gal.
this morning i woke up to an email from the AG|WPJA and i have been invited to become a member of their association as well!
this is what the AG|WPJA does :
"The Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association AG|WPJA is comprised of outstanding wedding photographers, who are at the forefront of the wedding photography industry when it comes to enhancing images. The chief objective of the AG|WPJA is to provide members with a platform where the finest enhanced, manipulated and/or artistic wedding photojournalism in the world is spotlighted and promoted for the bride and groom.
The AG|WPJA is a separate division of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA). Whereas the WPJA upholds strict guidelines that forbid excessive picture manipulation, the AG|WPJA encourages and fosters creative image enhancement, with the vision of promoting Fine Art Wedding Photojournalists.
The AG|WPJA establishes and upholds high standards that are taken into consideration during the judging process for our wedding photography contests. Using all artistic tools at their disposal, members skillfully enliven their work in post production processing."
there are only 13 (now 14 counting me) photographers in Ontario, that are members of the AG|WPJA, and i am very honoured to be associated and listed with some of the best wedding photojournalists in the WORLD!
now i am an honoured member of both associations, and i'm humbled but thrilled that my hard work and efforts have paid off.
now i need to get my butt in gear and enter some of their print competitions!
YIKES!
i also wanted to thank my clients, my family and my friends, for believing in me, supporting me as i grow my business, and just loving me everyday.
thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Arlington VA Wedding Photographer:
Wow! Congratulations Michelle! That's a great honor. I'll have to see how many Washington DC Wedding Photographers are members.
(03.22.10)
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some more great news...
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137
last summer, i got a call from a bride that is living in Toronto, but getting married in Windsor. we talked on the phone for a bit, got to know each other better, and i soon found out that this bride is SUPER COOL!
not only was she sweet and easy to talk to, but she was getting geared up and trained to climb Mount Everest in November, to raise money for charity!
seriously?
this bride was Laurie, and her and her fiance Andy, were planning a wedding in Windsor and looking for a local photographer.
after meeting up on a Sunday morning while they were visiting family, they decided to book with me, and i was very flattered.
see, i am blessed with having some very cool couples hire me, and these two are no exception.
Laurie shared the story about how her and Andy ended up together , and it's a great story about perseverance, secret crushes, and long distance love.
in the end, true love prevailed, and this coming May, the two of the them will be getting married at Pointe West Golf and Country Club in Amherstburg. I'm very excited indeed.
i guess Laurie and Andy met, for a brief minute, while they were in high school. the meeting wasn't mind blowing or memorable, but it was the beginning of their journey.
come university, Laurie ends up meeting Andy again and finds out that they have a couple of classes together. i guess Laurie's secret crush on Andy kept her from really getting to know him for the first little while, but they soon hooked up and got talking.
Andy headed off to Chiropractic school in Toronto, and the two of them tried a long distance relationship, which , after a little while, ended.
once Andy moved back to the Windsor area, they hooked up again, but this time is was supposed to be 'only as friends'. it wasn't until Andy was supposed to move back to Toronto for work, that Laurie realized how much she was going to miss him! from what i was told, it took a couple of drinks for them to be able to finally confess how much they liked each other and Laurie decided to follow Andy to Toronto and continue their blooming relationship.
btw....
i grew up in Toronto, and it's a cool place to live!
at the end of my engagement session with these two lovebirds, i asked them what they love the most about each other.
it didn't take Andy long to share that his favourite thing about Laurie, is that she just lets him be himself. Laurie said the same thing about Andy, which i guess means he just loves her the way she is.
Andy also admitted that he loves the fact that Laurie loves to bake for him!
What man doesn't love a woman who bakes!
here are a few photos from our engagement session in the snow.
a big thank you to Andy and Laurie for allowing me to be a part of your lives and your special day!
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andy & laurie {windsor ontario engagement photographer}
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there are days, that i sit down and just surf the web. since i can't surf on a wave, i might as well surf the web , right?
what i love about the internet, is how you can enjoy the art of some of the best photographers in the world, and be inspired by their work.
i love the interwebs!
slight off topic comment...
in about 1996, Darryl came home one day and announced that we were we going to be getting something called 'the internet'. i was appalled that he was silly enough to spend money we didn't have (he was a full-time student and we had 3 kids under 4) on something as stupid as the internet! yep, we were pioneers in my circle of friends, and the first ones with INTERNET!!!
ok, back to the topic.
when i first decided to follow my dreams of becoming a full-time photographer, i thought i was meant to be a family and child photographer.
then i discovered weddings.
then i discovered the awesomeness of what some call, wedding photojournalism.
according to Wikipedia, this is the definition of a "wedding photojournalist"
"A wedding photojournalist is a person who takes photographs during a wedding using an alternative approach where images are captured spontaneously to emphasize moments and emotion. Much like photojournalists
for the media, wedding photojournalists present the story of the day
through their photographs. A wedding photojournalist typically shoots
images quickly using available light or on-camera flash rather than
using traditional, formal posing techniques and studio lights. The
phrase wedding photojournalist has been in vogue for at least 10 years
and has now become almost synonymous with normal wedding photography."
There are so many wonderful photographers online, that are purists when it comes to covering a wedding in a photojournalistic style. they stand in a corner, and just take photographs as the day unfolds.
i have some BIGTIME heroes in the world of wedding photojournalism, and i am hopeful that one day i will get to meet some of them and even take a workshop from a few!
i am not a purist, will probably never be a purist, and i'm not sure if Windsor is ready for a PURE wedding photojournalist!
there are some photo opportunities that have to be taken , and some of them involve asking the couple and the wedding party, to stand a certain way or in a certain light. as soon as i start choreographing any photos, then i am no longer a 'pure' photojournalist.
that's ok, since i need to make sure that i not only capture the moments and the emotions of the wedding day, but i also need to make sure that i get some of the photos that i know the bride and groom want. when a bride get her hair and make-up done beautifully, then i need to make sure i get some great bridal portraits!
of course, if you ask me to be unobtrusive and act solely as a photojournalist for your wedding day, i will be more than happy to oblige. oh, and if you ask me to only shoot your photos in black and white as well, then i might have to make you a pan of cinnamon buns!
here are a few examples of the types of photos that i'm talking about.
it's all raw emotion, nothing is staged, and i just stood back and let things unfold.
i love my job.
i am thankful to my friends and fellow photographers, Arica Ingratta and
John Lyons, for asking me to help them out with some weddings last year. it was a blast!
on a personal note.....
my oldest son is coming home today, and he's home from university for a week! it's his reading week next week, and i get a whole 8 days with the best Josh in the whole world!
as i've mentioned before, i adore my kids and and i relish every minute i get to spend with them. Josh hasn't been home since Christmas, and i've missed him terribly!
MARTIN ROE:
Beautiful job, I paticularly like the crying shot, lovely processing too.
Martin Roe.
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i just sent my money to EverythingWedding.ca so that i can advertise with them this year, as one of their premium vendors.
i know, it's exciting isn't it?!!
i was never convinced that spending money on advertising, was the best thing for my small business. i have so many other expenses to cover, like updating gear, that i figured i would shy away from the big world of advertising. word of mouth would be just fine for me.
i guess things change.
recently, i have started to become good friends with Jayme Morrison, who is not only one of the brains behind Everything Wedding, but a phenomenal wedding photographer as well.
i am having a great time getting to know her, and she keeps telling me that i write hilarious emails and that i make her laugh! i am looking forward to getting to know Jayme even more this year, and i think we'll get along splendidly!
ok, sorry, i got all mushy and off topic.
Jayme approached me about joining Everything Wedding when they launch their vendor area in March, and i was super touched and deeply flattered.
i was flattered because Everything Wedding is only taking higher end, high quality vendors on their site, and to be asked (in my opinion) was a big honour.
i was especially flattered, because i found out that they are limiting the amount of photographers to only a handful , and that they are being very picky about who gets in.
ummmmmmmmmmmmmm...... so you want me? ok.
EverythingWedding is a site where brides from Windsor and Essex county, can not only become members of this area's ONLY Bridal Cafe (where they can chat about planning their weddings and all that goes with it) but where brides/couples can find everything they need to plan their wedding, in one location!
there are a few little (weird) sites already in use around Windsor, where people have tried to put together a list of local vendors, but they kinda suck in comparison to Everything Wedding (no offense you weird little websites).
i guess what excites me the most about getting on board with this project, are two things.
first off, i'm excited to have been asked to work and network alongside Windsor and Essex County's best wedding photographers. i am SUCH a big advocate of networking with other wedding photographers in the area, and this just means that i'll get to do it even more! i love supporting my peers, i love being able to refer clients to someone i trust (when i'm booked if course) and i just love meeting new people!
secondly, i am excited that Windsor and area brides, will now have a one-stop shopping kind of website, where they can find trustworthy vendors that offer great services, all in one place.
oh, and i also like the fact that i don't have to worry about there not being enough copies to go around, unlike the print ads.
The vendor part of Everything Wedding launches in March, but the Bridal Cafe is already up and running, so if you're a bride and you are curious about it, then give it a try, since it's free and all.
in other news.....
i've been sleeping crappy and i'm sooooooooo tired of it!
my brain is too busy with everything going on in my business, and i can't turn it off. i have so many brilliant ideas, so many things to say, and so many big plans, that sleep is becoming elusive right now. i toss and turn all night long, and it's making me insane (which isn't far from the almost-insane state that i regularly find myself in).
that's all.
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last weekend i had the chance to set up a booth at the Wedding Odyssey in Windsor, which is a local wedding show (if the name didn't give it away).
i struggled with the thought of actually DOING the show, because i couldn't get any definitive answers from any of my colleagues, and to whether it's really worth the money to participate!
it was years ago that i actually even went to a wedding show, and i've never been to any of the Windsor ones, so i had no idea if they were even classy events!
i bit the bullet, wracked my brains as to how i could set up a booth that would both reflect me (and my slightly odd ideas) and reflect my branding. i wanted to stand apart from the crowd and be unique, which i think i accomplished.
there is WAY to much black curtain at these events, and way too many boring tables, so i stepped it up a notch and brought in some LIME GREEN!!!!
yep, that's my colour!
i do have to say, that the traffic at the show was awful! we had hours that would go by, and not one person would come down the hall to see us (or anyone else for that matter). we were stuck in the ghettos of the show, which was actually at the end of a very long hallway and not even IN the main room of the event.
i will never get a booth in the hallway again!
actually, i didn't really have a choice in the matter, because i was kinda late registering for the event and didn't have any choice as to which booth i could get.
i do have to say, that even though there weren't many brides/couples, the ones that i did meet and talk to, were AWESOME!!!!
i am so blessed to be able to meet the best people in the world, and i am always so honoured when i get chosen to document a couple's big day.
the other big thing that i loved about the show, is that i was able to hook up with local vendors!
i got to meet Sarah from 'It's Your Day Bridal', and we really hit it off. i have heard so much about her bridal boutique, from almost every bride that i meet with, and it's always good things! i guess 'It's Your Day' boutique in Lasalle (Windsor) takes a different approach to serving brides, and i've heard that their wedding dresses are GORGEOUS!!!
i can't wait to head over there myself and check out the dresses , and i think i'll take my daughter with me, since what 16 year old doesn't love wedding dresses!!
i was also able to meet and talk with Diane, of 'Designs by Diane'.
Diane is a Windsor event and party designer, who has done some phenomenal work at weddings i've worked at.
i also have a current bride who can't stop talking about the awesomeness of Diane, so i just had to meet her and let her know that i really appreciate her reputation in the area. we had a nice chat, got to know each other a bit, and i admired her booth filled with BLING!! LOL!
i do have to say, that i did feel terrible for some of these brides-to-be, since by the time they finished walking around the show, they were laden with 20 lb bags of flyers and magazines, and had been bombarded with vendors JUMPING out at them and trying to sell their wares. many of these poor girls had such a glazed-over look to them, it was pretty overwhelming to a good chunk of inexperienced wedding show attendees!!!
i have already decided that i would like to do the Wedding Odyssey next year, since i would like to see what happens when i get a booth INSIDE the main room and not in the ghetto hall, and i would also really like to get a booth at the other wedding show that Windsor offers. Unfortunately, the Wedding Extravaganza (which have shows in the fall and winter) has a waiting list for photographers, which is something like 2 years to get in! seriously people?
here is a photo of my booth, which though small, was pretty darn cute (if i do say so myself).
John Lyons Weddings:
Your booth looks awesome Michele! I agree though, I wasn't happy with the turnout either! See ya,
j
Daniel:
Wow, I love the colors of your booth. Yes, it is cute indeed. I hope you got some wedding photography bookings from it!
(01.18.10)
Judene:
Great display. Great choice with the lime green. I agree to go to the Cioccaro next year... if you insist on trying another show(lol). I did the Cioccaro last year and I found that most of the couples there, also sign up with The Wedding Guide. Something to look into, in terms of advertising.
(01.24.10)
Boundless Photos Weddings:
Great looking stand that you have there, love the collage of small prints
(01.28.10)
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It's nice to see that you drop occasional glimpses into your personal life. You are a great photographer. You capture the moment and make the person viewing feel it. Great work! You have a beautiful family!
(08.26.10)