As you may have gathered from my last post, I was at the Gran Bahia Principe in Jamaica this past week with Michelle & Ryan as they took the plunge into married life. I suppose that these images are a bit of a visual interpretation of just that!

On a technical note, for the”Plunge” image, we only had one chance and one shutter press to get it right. All of the lighting was set up and tested just before walking the couple to the edge and counting down! The entire process took maybe 10 minuites, as the light was falling very quickly.

When my good friend Dave (of Dave & Charlotte Photographers – link) asked if I could help him out by shooting portraits and the wedding reception of a cool Indian couple at one of Toronto’s landmark wedding venues, I really couldn’t help but say “yes!”.  Aneesh & Dave were wonderful to work with – very laid back and easy to direct, which made capturing great photos that much easier. Just a wonderful day for all!

The photos below are just a sample of whats to come. Please check out Dave & Charlottes website for the full wedding, which will be posted in a  few weeks time.

Thank you so much for having me at your event!

I just thought I would post the album spreads from a little Engagement Signing Book that I have been working on. For those of you who don’t really know what these are all about (and why they are so cool), it’s a 8 x 10 photo book that  contains both stunning photos as well as blank areas for guests to sign / write short messages in.

These books are a great way to display engagement / lifestyle photographs!

The first photo placed 2nd in the “Kids will be Kids” category and was taken at Trish & Paul’s beautiful winter wedding. The all-too-cute flower girl was shying away from all of the attention she was getting, which made for a perfect photo as she hid behind her crinoline filled dress!

The second photo placed a respectable 10th in the highly competitive “Bridal Portrait” category. You will likely recognize the shot from Sarah & Naomi’s wedding slide show which was just posted the other week. The black on black wedding dress and kilts, combined with edgy posing and a great location, made for a striking image. On a side note, a similar photo of the bridal party was just published in Vogue Patterns Magazine… cool! [:

A big thanks goes out to my couples for providing me with these amazing moments to capture!

A little (or a lot) of rain can be a great natural element to play with!

The commercial shoots that I do range from simple head shots to fully spec’d advertising campaigns and everything in-between. One day I may be in the studio with an art director, makeup, wardrobe and multiple assistants, while other days I may be on my own to produce an environmental portrait of a CEO – in 5 minuites or less.

It’s the diversity that I love.

The photo below was from a recent studio shoot for CHFI Radio’s “Big Bag of Cash” promotion. Co-hosts, Mike & Erin were just awesome to work with and kept the crew laughing for the entire time!

I can’t wait to post more from this session, plus some of the wedding images as well!

I have known Sam & Laura for a few years now and they are one of the sweetest couples that I know! So when they brought me the news that they were going to have a baby, I just had to take them up on the opportunity to photograph some fun maternity photos that leaned on the side of lifestyle imagery.

I had a great time hanging out with the both of you for the afternoon and I can’t wait to meet the little one!

Hand finished black and white photographs can give your moments an nostalgic feel by simply removing the distraction that color can sometimes bestow on an image. You can feel the emotion, the romance and timelessness of the subjects. The effort of dodging (brightening) elements of a photo can bring out life and energy in a subject, while a light burn (darkening) can provide a needed separation from the background, enhancing texture and balancing the tonal relationships within.

Each photograph ordered through my studio receives this loving and detailed treatment. If a picture is worth a thousand words, those words should be spoken with clarity.

For 2011, every photo that leaves the studio will be receiving a hand finishing that includes retouching, tone adjustments and more. It’s my dedication to quality service and to the art that photography is.

Below is a selection of imagery from this past season, showing how proper, subtle editing can further enhance great imagery.

The crisp fall air and changing leaves in Sudbury, Ontario provided the setting for a fantastic day and evening of celebration for Kate & Dave’s wedding. I was shooting along side the fantabulous Catherine Farquharson who had been climbing Mt.Kilimanjaro only a day prior and required me to be available as a stand-in just in case. It of course never came to that, as Catherine is a seasoned jet setter, so headed out to enjoy a fantastic fall shoot with a fun couple!

I Just LOVE red roses. The simplicity of Kate’s bouquet really set things off and I just couldn’t keep my lens off it!

Faye & Micheal’s wedding was shot with Dave, who is one half of Dave & Charlotte. The Berkeley Event Center was the setting and is a Toronto location that I truly love shooting at. It was my 3rd wedding captured there and the weather was absolutely perfect as was the ambiance of the venue.

One thing that I love about the Berkley Church is the combination of vibrancy and texture that all of the different hallways, rooms, nooks and cranny’s provide. I feel like I can shoot there 100 times and have a different feel and flavor each time.