Captured Soul Photography

June 2010 Engagements

2011-09-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of shooting these two engagement sessions at two of my favourite locations. Both locals come complete with old architectural ruins, stunning nature, a riverfront and for a more urban feel: graffiti. What more could you ask for in a single location?

Jill and Orlando

Jill and Orlando chose to have their engagement photos at Mill Race Park in Cambridge, Ontario on June 13, 2010. This lovely couple is an online-love success story and are truly an amazing couple. It took Jill a few minutes to get comfortable in front of the camera at the beginning of our session but once she did the rest of the time flowed fabulously and ended up in a playful (and very wet!) water fight between the two of them. Thanks again for the ice cream after the session! It was a great way to spend a beautiful June day.

For these and more fabulous photos from this engagement session, click here.

Jenny and John

Jenny and John (and their wonderful dog) picked Goldie Mill in Guelph, Ontario for their engagement session on June 27, 2010. Jenny is a fun-loving, natural model and it was almost impossible not to take hundreds upon hundreds of photos of her as she posed, laughed and brought life to all our locations. John may be the quiet half of the pair but he is the ultimate good sport, willing to do just about anything to get a great shot. We grabbed shots at the mill and down the trail along the river and included their very fun and photogenic dog in several of the engagement shots.

For these and more fabulous photos from this engagement session, click here.

Jessica and Jeremy • June 12, 2010

2011-09-15T12:43:00.000-07:00

June brings Captured Soul Photography back into Ontario for a summer of stunning local weddings after a winter of chasing after the sun in more tropical climates.

Our first fabulous wedding of the season was with Jessica and Jeremy who were married on June 12, 2010. We began the day with getting ready shots at Expressions Hair Design in Stratford, Ontario and at the bride's mother's home. Jessica wanted portrait photos taken at the elegant Stratford White House so she arranged to have us stop on our way to their ceremony in Waterloo. This incredible victorian location is a perfect spot for timeless photos.

The ceremony and reception were held at Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo, a popular and striking location for weddings in the area. Very little has to be done to this hall to make it impressive... it's an amazing choice for couples that love an open and rustic ambience.

Portrait photos of the family were taken at Grey Silo following the ceremony. We then piled the wedding party into the limo and traveled into St Jacobs Village and along the scenic Mill Run Trail for portraits and candids. Due to the looming threat of rain that seemed to follow us, the couple had come prepared with fabulous black umbrellas with "just married" written across them in large white lettering. Although the couple missed but a few drops of rain, the umbrellas made for some great shots. When the rain actually started to fall (right when we were finishing up! - *Thanks to the weather gods*), I quickly stopped traffic long enough to capture some incredible shots of the couple dancing in the street and then we escaped back to the hall for their very deletable dinner and wonderful reception which lasted long into the evening.

Congratulations Jessica & Jeremy! It was an honour capturing your wedding!

For these and more photos of this beautiful wedding, click here.

Hajnalka & Dwayne's Destination Wedding • May 21st-28th 2010

2011-08-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hajnalka and Dwayne were married on May 26, 2010 at the Majestic Colonial, an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Dawn Fairbanks of Destination Weddings By Dawn worked her magic (as usual) and found the ultimate location for their wedding week (May 21 to 28th, 2010). With Jacuzzi bathtubs in every open-concept room and a bottle of champagne (and chocolate in the fridge) waiting upon arrival, this resort proved to be not only beautiful but truly romantic. The staff, service and food were all fantastic and the resort had by far, the best Michael Jackson tribute show I have seen so far in the Caribbean. Seriously.

Shortly after arrival, Hajnalka & Dwayne had a gathering to welcome their guests and provided each couple with monogrammed beach bags containing care packages that they had put together themselves. The beach bags were a great personal touch and contained suntan lotion, motrin, an itinerary for the week and inflatable beach toys amongst many, many other useful items.

Even on a destination wedding, you can't guarantee the weather and Hajnalka was getting very nervous about her outdoor ceremony as the rain had been persistent all week. But the clouds rolled away just in time for the ceremony and the drops of rain only started to fall again minutes after the last of the portrait photos were taken on the beach. The fabulous resort staff waited to the absolute last second to set-up their preferred ceremony site to ensure that Hajnalka and Dwayne had the wedding of their dreams. The gazebo (ceremony site) was perfectly surrounded by lush, tropical gardens. Their reception was held indoors in a private hall which was perfect as the rain poured all night. The next morning though we awoke to a beautiful day and captured a trash/love the dress photo session which had Hajnalka and Dwayne climbing palm trees and getting completely coated with ocean water and sand. These two are amazing and always up for anything; truly a photographer's dream couple, as you can see in this fabulous video that I shot of Hajnalka taking the "safe" but very long way up the tree....

We finished off the week with a candid photo session of the group swimming, relaxing, and playing frisbee on the beach on the most incredible sunny, blue-sky day. It was a perfect afternoon to finish off the week!

For these and more photos of this incredible wedding week, please click here.

Stephanie & Barry's Destination Wedding • May 2nd-9th 2010

2011-08-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Barry were married on May 5, 2010 at the Iberostar Varadero, an all inclusive resort in Varadero, Cuba. Their fabulous wedding week (May 2nd to 9th) took place on the grounds of one of my favourite and most colourful resorts in Cuba. The beach ceremony could not have been more beautiful: it was the perfect blue-sky day and Stephanie's wedding colours of turquoise and white were stunning against the white sandy beaches and colours of the ocean. Their reception dinner was held at one of the a la cart restaurants and was continued in a private area outdoors for cocktails and dancing. At sunset, the newlyweds briefly escaped their dinner reception to capture a few photos with the most perfect Cuban sunset as their backdrop. You couldn't have asked for a more incredible day!
Normally, we use their extra photos session that is included in their package for a Trash the Dress or Excursion but Stephanie & Barrie wanted to let everyone in their group have individual and family portraits instead! How very considerate of her to provide this for her guests! After the portraits, we ended up with our happy couple cooling down from the tropical heat by playing and splashing in the lobby fountain which earned us some fabulous smiles from the resort staff. After all, a destination wedding is all about letting go and having some fun...

For these and more photos of this incredible wedding week, please click here.

Claire & John's Destination Wedding in Mexico • March 27th - April 3rd 2010

2010-09-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Claire and John celebrated their incredible wedding at the Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Their week in the Mayan Riviera included a fabulous excursion to Tulum - one of Mexico's most picturesque mayan ruins, as well as having an amazing ceremony overlooking the ocean in a lovely gazebo and a reception in an open air hall that took true advantage of the incredible scenery of this stunning resort. The next morning we went out on the lava rock shore for photos of this lovely couple with the gorgeous sunrise as a backdrop and spent several hours in a trash the dress session that truly captured every nook and beautiful cranny of the resort, ending of course with photos of these two brave souls in the stunning turquoise of the ocean, laughing and allowing me to take some of the most romantic photos I have ever captured.

This resort comes highly recommended by our bride & groom as well as their family & friends (and myself). If you are considering booking your wedding at this resort, make sure to spend the extra few dollars to stay with your group at the Royal Club. The special service and food certainly makes any extra charge completely worthwhile!

Our incredible duo reside in Parry Sound Ontario and I am incredibly privileged to have not only had the honour of capturing their wedding but also to now call them friends as well.

For more photos and a review of this resort (and services), please see Claire's wonderful review on the forums of BestDestinationWedding.com

Portrait of a New Family at Waterloo Park

2010-07-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased to finally get together with Pam for a session. We met at a wedding I captured several years ago (and she was also one of my yoga students back before I was shooting full time) and we've been trying to get together for the last year. But we finally made it happen and with perfect timing too. Pam and her fabulous husband just had a baby girl and we had a wonderful amount of fun capturing this new family on camera. The portrait session was taken this past May in Waterloo Park.

For more fabulous photos from this session, please click here

Two Engagements at Goldie Mill

2010-07-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

When I am asked to do an engagement session, the location is always up to the couple. I have travelled all over Southern Ontario for engagement shoots but always seem to come back to several popular spots in the area - and no wonder, they are absolutely stunning locations and have lots of fabulous different backdrops for photos. One of these locations I inevitably return to several times a year is Goldie Mill in Guelph. The area is rich in beautiful architecture, nature, with a bit of urban flair thrown in for good measure.

My first two engagement shoots for 2010 were both at Goldie Mill and both for brides with the same first name (though spelled differently). What does this mean? Well, firstly it a wonderful coincidence and secondly, it shows that anyone with this first name has to have good taste, right?

Congratulations Christie & Jeremy and Kristy & Ian! Wishing you both very happy futures together!

For more photos from Christie & Jeremy's engagement session, please click here.

For more photos from Kristy & Ian's engagement session, please click here.

Lisa & Marc's Destination Wedding • January 18th-25th 2010

2010-06-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

Lisa & Marc were married at the Royal Decameron Salenitas all inclusive resort in Sonsonate El Salvador on January 21st, 2010. Their week in El Salvador included a couple of incredible excursions to see the beautiful country of El Salvador, as well as having an incredible wedding ceremony on the grounds of the hotel under royal palm trees and a reception with tables right in the sand overlooking the gorgeous pacific ocean. This is truly a romantic's dream come true. The next morning we took photos throughout the expansive resort during their sunrise Trash the Dress (Love the Dress) session and concluded the week with a "game day" for the guests as well as a casual group portrait. This is a stunning place to choose for your wedding celebrations and I know that it comes highly recommended by all the guests, the couple and myself included!
Our fabulous newlyweds reside in Ottawa Ontario and just celebrated their honeymoon in Columbia.
For these and more photos from this incredible wedding week, please click here.

Lori & Matthew's Destination Wedding • November 14th-21st 2009

2010-06-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Lori & Matthew were married in Varadero Cuba at the Blau Varadero all inclusive resort on November 19th 2009. Their trip spanned the week and included an incredibly stunning wedding day with a true Cuban sunset, as well as a sunrise Trash the Dress / Love the Dress session and several casual beach and pool candids of their wedding group at play. The also had their bachelor/bachelorette parties at the resort as well as at a neighboring dance club!
Though most of the family resides in Ontario, the couple themselves live in Calgary, Alberta.
For these and more photos of this incredible wedding week, please click here.

Engagement at the Kissing Bridge

2010-06-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

Hajnalka and Dwayne (and their fabulous dog) had their engagement session captured at the historic Kissing Bridge in West Montrose. Hajnalka absolutely wanted a fall engagement session so we managed to find one of the last stunning days of the season and captured a true Ontario fall moment.
For these and more photos from this engagement session, please click here.

Tiffany & Matthew • November 6, 2009

2010-06-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Tiffany & Matthew were married on Friday November 6th, 2009.
Getting ready photos were taken at Tiffany's parents home and the ceremony and reception were both held at The Pines in Cambridge Ontario. Wedding party photos were taken just before sunset at a nearby park and baseball diamond.
For these and more photos from this lovely fall wedding, please click here.

Anik & Adam • October 24, 2009

2010-06-30T09:06:00.000-07:00

Anik & Adam were married on Saturday October 24th, 2009.
Getting Ready photos were taken at Benjamin's Restaurant and Inn in St Jacobs Ontario. Wedding party and bridal portraits and candids were taken around the St Jacobs village and along the Mill Race Trail were taken pre-ceremony. Family photos were taken along the Conestogo River. The ceremony and reception were both held at Hauser Hall in the neighboring town of Heidelberg Ontario.
For these and more photos of this beautiful wedding, please click here.

A Fabulous Engagement at Goldie Mill

2010-06-30T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sandi and Joel had their engagement session captured at Goldie Mill in Guelph on October 20th 2009.
For these and more photos of this fabulous couple's engagement session, please click here.

An Engagement in a Small Town

2010-06-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

When these two jet-setting musicians finally came back to Ontario long enough to have their engagement session done they decided to leave have a quaint engagement session in the small town of New Hamburg. This session was captured at two locations: a beautiful heritage farm that belongs to friends of the family and the Waterlot Park. I had the pleasure of photographing Lisa & Michael's promotional shoot for their french horn duo a couple years back and was thrilled that they chose me as their wedding photographer.
For these and more photos of this lovely couple's engagement session, please click here.

Christine & Paco • October 17th 2009

2010-06-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

Christine & Paco were married on Saturday October 17th, 2009.
Photos of the venue (La Hacienda Sarria) were taken early in the day just after set up was completed. Getting ready photos were taken at the couple's home. Pre-ceremony photos, the ceremony, family and wedding party photos as well as the reception were all held at the incredible La Hacienda Sarria in Kitchener Ontario. The couple however chose to have their bridal portraits taken throughout town. These locations included Breithaupt Park in Kitchener, The Waterloo Train Station in Waterloo, Solé Restaurant in Waterloo, and the Manulife Building in Waterloo.
For these and more photos from this stunning wedding, please click here.

A Family Portrait Tradition

2010-06-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

This was the second year in a row that I had the honor of doing this amazing family's portrait at their home in Waterdown Ontario. This session was captured on October 12th, 2009.
For these and more photos from this beautiful family's portrait session, please click here.

Beth & Jonathan • October 10, 2009

2010-06-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

Beth & Jonathan were married on Saturday October 10th, 2009.
Early morning photos of the guys were captured at an olde-tyme barber shop located at the Walper Terrace Hotel in Kitchener Ontario. After their straight shave, the girls had their getting ready photos taken at the bride's parents home. The ceremony was held at the Zion United Church in New Hamburg Ontario and family and wedding party photos were taken at the Waterlot Park in New Hamburg. The reception was held at the Wilmot Recreation Complex in Baden.
For these and more photos of this wedding, please click here.

Kelly & Tom • September 26th 2009

2010-06-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

Kelly & Tom were married on Saturday September 26th, 2009.
All photos were taken at Camp Trillium Rainbow Lake where the couple first met.
For these and more photos from this wedding day, please click here.

Family Portrait at the Park

2010-06-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

All photos in this portrait package were taken on Sunday September 20th at Waterloo Park in Waterloo Ontario.
For these and more photos of this portrait session, please click here.

Corry & Jason • September 19th 2009

2010-06-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

Corry & Jason were married on September 19th, 2009.

Getting ready photos began with the girls at Salon 8180 in Grand Bend, then moved on to the family cottage and finally ended up at the Oakwood Inn to grab some shots of the guys with their golf clubs. The ceremony and reception were both held at the beautiful Hessenland Inn in St Josephs Ontario. Family photos were taken on the grounds of the inn but for the wedding party photos, we ventured throughout the area taking pictures on the shore of Lake Huron and in downtown Grand Bend.

For these and more photos of this fabulous wedding day, please click here.

Laura & Steve • September 12, 2009

2010-06-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

Laura & Steve were married in a "rock and roll" themed wedding on September 12th, 2009.
Getting ready photos were taken at home the morning of and at The Olde Heidelberg Motel in Heidelberg Ontario. Both the ceremony and reception were held at Hauser Hall in Heidelberg and photos of the wedding party and bridal couple were taken around town.
For these and more photos from this rockin' wedding, please click here.
This wedding has also been featured on theweddingring.ca website. For the full story and photos, please click here.

September Love on the Farm

2010-06-29T23:37:00.000-07:00

Dawn & Adam decided to have their engagement photos done at their farm in Ospringe Ontario. An incredible setting for an amazing couple.
For these and more photos of this engagement session, please click here.

A September Engagement at the Badlands

2010-06-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

Megan & Blake chose the Cheltenham Badlands in Caledon Ontario for their September 13th engagement session. I could only wish that all my couples loved getting so dirty/dusty for their photos!
For these and more photos from this amazing session, please click here.

Catarina & Dariusz • August 15, 2009

2010-06-29T23:28:00.000-07:00

Catarina & Dariusz were married on August 15th 2009.
Getting ready photos were taken at both Dariusz's parents home as well as Catarina's parent's home in Cambridge Ontario. The ceremony was held at St. Ambrose Church in Cambridge and the wedding party photos were taken at the Mill Race Park in downtown Galt. Their incredible reception was held at Carmen's in Hamilton which included a flambé crepe show with pyrotechnics. Now that's dessert with style!
For these and more photos from this awe-inspiring wedding, please click here.

Kara & Riley • August 8th 2009

2010-06-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

Kara & Riley were married in beautiful Northern Ontario on August 8th, 2009.
Getting ready photos were taken at both Kara's parent's farm in Maple Leaf Ontario and Riley's parent's home in Maynooth Ontario. The ceremony was held at Christ Lutheran Church in Maynooth and we returned to both homes for some fabulous portrait photos and lots of candid shots. The reception was held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Bancroft.
For these and more photos from this beautiful wedding, please click here.

An August Engagement Session

2010-06-29T23:14:00.000-07:00

Beth & Jonathan's Engagement Session: captured August 13th 2009 in Stratford, Ontario.
For these and more photos from this engagement session, please click here.

A Family Portrait Session at the Cottage

2010-06-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

A fabulous family portrait session captured on August 5th 2009. So much fun!
For these and more photos from this session, please click here.

Haly & David • July 18, 2009

2010-06-29T23:07:00.000-07:00

Haly & David were married on Saturday July 18th, 2009.
The getting ready photos were taken at Haly's parents beautiful house and the ceremony was held at Zion United Church in New Hamburg, Ontario. Portrait photos and candid shots of the family and bridal party were taken at the same incredible house as well as Waterlot Park and the Norm S. Hill Ball Diamonds, both in New Hamburg. The reception was held at the Chicopee Ski Club in Kitchener Ontario.
For these and more photos of this fabulous wedding, please click here.

A "7-11" Wedding

2009-12-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

July 11th, 2009 was forecast to be the thunderstorm of the summer. The morning of, black menacing clouds rolled in and the sky was dark as night. On my drive into Guelph for the preliminary "getting ready photos" for Kate & Jeff's wedding, we experienced the beginning of a downpour and the power had gone out in many areas. By the time my new intern Lindsay and I had arrived at Kate's, the clouds had vanished and the sun had come out. Granted, it took a moment or two for everyone to trust the fact that the forecast had indeed changed, but once the summer heat rolled in and the sun decided to stay, spirits rose and we knew that Mother Nature was going to be on her best behavior for the rest of the day.

Kate & Jeff were married at Norfolk United Church in Guelph and had their reception at the Springfield Golf and Country Club. In the interim, the newlyweds and bridal party decided to board their white shuttle bus and head to the Arboretum at the University of Guelph for photos but not before making a small "pit-stop" at the local 7-11 for slushies. In fact, Kate even told me that she had created a 7-11 theme for her entire wedding, using the orange and green colour scheme (orange for the flowers and green for the bridesmaid dresses) as well as having a "penny-candy" buffet at the reception and a midnight buffet of nachos and cheese dip (with of course all the fixings). Best yet, Kate & Jeff had their own slushie machine at their reception filled with a much more party-minded slushie mix (piña coladas and daiquiris) than their 7-11 inspiration.

All in all it turned out to be an amazing summer day with much laughter and fun to be had by everyone. After tearful speeches, the dance floor was full and energy was high the entire night long. My kudos to Jeff who was doing a full-out jig when we left for the evening and didn't seem like he would stop all night. I wish you both the best in your future together. May you always have sunshine and never stop dancing.

July Engagements

2009-12-15T12:16:00.000-08:00

A few photos in celebration of three engagement sessions that were captured in July this year:

Like many couples not used to being the center of attention in front of a camera, Jessica & Jeremy were a little unsure of how to let loose without being "posed" but once we began their engagement session in Waterloo Park, they certainly got into the swing of "just being themselves" quickly! We had a fabulous time walking through the park and taking advantage of its many great photo spots and I think we ended up with some amazing photos of this wonderful couple! Jessica & Jeremy have planned their wedding for June 12th, 2010 and I am greatly look ing forward to sharing it with them. Congratulations you two and good luck with the rest of your wedding preparations and planning.

More of Jessica & Jeremy's engagement session can be viewed here.

Tiffany & Matt chose to have their engagement session at one of my absolute favourite areas: the Elora Gorge. The beauty of this area is breath-taking - truly is a photographers dream. Both Tiffany and Matt did a great job of humoring me by trekking through the river and quite a bit of undergrowth to get to all of the best nooks and crannies at this natural wonder. And since the two are such an amazing, fun-loving couple, they had no problem whatsoever with having a full-out water fight for the camera at the end of their session. Thank you Tiffany and Matt for being such great sports and making the day so much fun!

Tiffany and Matt were married in November this year so make sure to check back soon for more photos of this wonderful pair!

View more of Tiffany & Matt's engagement session here.

When you meet Christine and Paco, you first witness their playfulness together and then you click in to the chemistry that these two have between them. Honestly at times during their engagement photo session at the Mill Run in Cambridge I almost had to put the camera down and consider giving them some privacy. These two exist in a world all their own when they're together, or at least when Paco isn't keeping updated on the latest game score on his Blackberry. (just kidding guys) I had the utmost honour of capturing their amazing wedding this October and can not wait to post up their photos. Congratulations you two!

View more of Christine & Paco's engagement session here.

Nothing But Blue Skies (and a Few Pre-Wedding Butterflies)

2009-12-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

June 27th, 2009 was a perfect early summer day of bright blue skies. It's what our entire summer should have looked like: white puffy clouds, sun shining and the perfect temperature. So perfect in fact that the groom and his groomsmen just simply had to spend the morning golfing at the driving range and having a few drinks on the patio at one of the nearby pubs. And the girls? After a morning at the salon, they kicked back, leisurely getting ready for the day's main event. That is, until the nerves started to kick in.

They say that every great marriage, like every great love, starts with butterflies. And Kristy was no exception. From the morning preparations to her walk down the isle, our beautiful bride was brimming with these metaphorical winged symbols of excitement and nervousness. And though Ryan insisted that he was calm, his smile gave away his emotion when he saw Kristy walk down the isle toward him. Although the touching, tear-filled ceremony at Rebel Creek Golf and Country Club soon transformed into laughter and euphoria, I must say that it was incredible to witness these two throughout their event-filled and eventful day. With so much support from their friends and family, and so much love between the two of them, I can only believe that they will have nothing but blue skies from now on.

Thank you so much Kristy & Ryan for allowing me to share in your perfect wedding day. I truly felt like a member of your family, welcomed and included from the first moment. And if you ever need a big sister, I'm just a Blackberry text away.

More of Kristy & Ryan's wedding photos can be viewed here.

Classic Elegance and Wearing Your Heart On Your Shoe...

2009-12-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

Crystal & Dave's wedding was truly a day of elegance, romance and a classic beauty that simply took your breath away. From the weather that turned from a fine mist to a perfect day for photos to the perfect bouquet, the perfect dress, the most wonderful friends and family, a fire-engine-red classic car, a stunning venue, a picture-perfect garden, the ultimate shoes - complete with hearts on the soles - and last but not least: the most amazing couple, every detail added to the overall story-book perfection of the day.

It amazes me that Crystal & Dave did not believe that they were photogenic when we began our engagement session last fall but after an hour or so of playing through the streets and parks of St. Jacobs, it was without a doubt that the camera loved these two! Their wedding was held on Summer Solstice - June 20th 2009 with the ceremony and reception at the ever-elegant Grey Silo Golf Club in Waterloo. Crystal & Dave added an additional personal touch by having photos taken in the backyard, or rather, the intricately amazing rock garden at his parents home in St. Jacobs. Yet the photo op that stole the show was the photos with the family's antique car when the shotgun came out (as a prop - honestly!).

It was the perfect start to summer and I thank Crystal & Dave as well as their family and friends for making the day so wonderful. It was truly a photographer's dream and honour to experience and capture such an amazing couple and their incredible day.

More of Crystal & Dave's wedding photos can be viewed here.

Happiness & Humour at the Holiday Inn

2009-12-15T05:22:00.000-08:00

Nicole & Troy are not simply two people in love; their high-spirited personalities can take you by storm if you come unprepared to the party. Luckily, I had the honour of getting to know this absolutely wonderful pair last fall at their engagement session and quickly realized as we started the session that I would soon adopt Nicole's wonderful laid-back and humored attitude as a very thrilled and excitable Troy gave artistic direction as he kidded around with both of us, meanwhile absolutely getting the shots he wanted. Very rarely in my work do I actually have to put the camera down because I am laughing too hard to shoot - that day was truly the exception.

When the wedding day came, I was a little more prepared for a day of high energy and high emotion. As tears of happiness started flowing first thing in the morning at the hair salon, I knew it was going to be an amazing day of celebration and joy.

Nicole & Troy were married on June 13, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Kitchener. After the ceremony, the bridal party boarded their SUV limo and headed to Victoria Park for photos. Once again, Troy made my job incredibly easy by not only giving me suggestions on all the shots he wanted, but by truly enjoying himself and being the instigator (along with Nicole, of course) for some of the most contagious laughter imaginable. After the park, Nicole & Troy's entourage headed back to the hotel for family photos and an incredible party. And ever the joker, Troy closed the night off by secretly setting up a practical joke for the garter toss – after dancing his way up to Nicole and removing the garter, he sprayed all the waiting single men with a previously-hidden high-powered water gun before throwing the garter itself.

An unforgettable day with a truly unforgettable couple. Congratulations Nicole & Troy! May your lives together be long and full of laughter.

More of Nicole & Troy's wedding photos can be viewed here.

June Engagement

2009-11-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

Laura and Steve and their wonder-dog decided to have their engagement session in and around Goldie Mill in Guelph in June. And I learned quickly that this couple is as diverse and fun as you could imagine. Architectural photos? Sure. Garden photos? Yup. Strolling along a path? No problem. Sitting by the train tracks? Yup. Burying yourself in an ivy coloured wall? Of course! Posing to match the grafitti? Absolutely. Fighting in your hockey jerseys? You better believe it.

And if you want to see more of this amazing duo, Laura & Steve were married in September this year - photos coming soon!

More of Laura & Steve's engagement session can be viewed here.

Prettiest in Pink

2009-10-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

I had the absolute honour of getting to know Heather & Corey during their engagement session last fall. After a wonderful time playing in the leaves and trespassing on private property (if only to get a kiss by the "no trespassing" sign), I was immensely looking forward to sharing in their wedding day. And when the day came, I was completely blown away by the beauty of it all. Heather & Corey's wedding truly was a fairy tale come true.

Heather & Corey were married on May 30th at Grey Silo Golf & Country Club in Waterloo. The rustic beauty of this venue can easily take your breath away but truly, it was the simplistic beauty in the classic details that put the icing on this wedding cake. And of course, it wouldn't have been a spring wedding had we not danced through a few rain drops, but before the storm hit (and it did - in full force) we managed to enjoy some wonderful photo moments with family and friends as well as a few romantic ones under the cast of the amazing storm clouds that - though they tried - could not do anything to dampen this incredible spring wedding. After dinner, when the skies cleared to a truly magical slate blue, we managed to grab a few quick shots before the party was fully underway.

Heather & Corey, thank you for the privilege of capturing your day. You are a joy to be with and an honour to know. Congratulations to you both!

More of Heather & Corey's wedding photos can be viewed here.

School Buses, Playgrounds and Umbrellas: A Wedding in Technicolour

2009-10-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Jeff know how to play. And they know how to take an overcast rainy day and have it explode in a lighthearted (if not a bit mischievous) technicolor celebration of joy and love. I honesty don't think there was one moment of this May 29th wedding day that was not drenched in laughter - the ever-threatening rain could not dampen any spirits and instead the gray storm clouds set a perfect backdrop to contrast the amount of incredible colour that kept appearing in all aspects of this amazing wedding day.

From the moment her dress went on, Sarah was laughing. The only-slightly more subdued ceremony took place at the St John the Evangelist Church (more cathedral, really) in Arthur Ontario and the reception, next door in the Parish hall/gymnasium. Sarah told me she wanted "fun photos" so after boarding the School Bus they had specially decorated to transport their wedding party and family, we headed off to the local school playground to literally play. Climbing on jungle gyms, swinging on swings and jumping in rain puddles with eight crayola-coloured umbrellas kept this dramatic group of friends in high spirits (if not a little wet). Balloons and an icing-daisy covered cake, as well as a cardboard-truck performance by the groom and his brothers kept the evening entertaining and lighthearted. The entire effect was reminiscent of a young and innocent love story, the romance of childhood sweethearts, and the fact that it will never, never rain on Jeff & Sarah's parade.

More of Sarah & Jeff's wedding photos can be viewed here.

Love, Laughter and a Picture Perfect Backdrop

2009-08-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

Corey and Chris must have made a deal with Mother Nature when they planned their May 23rd 2009 wedding. I'm honestly not sure what they owe her now for coming through so magnificently for them but I'm sure that it's nothing short of their eternal gratitude. The two celebrated a late May outdoor ceremony with all of their family and friends set against the majestic willow trees and overlooking the Grand River at Golf's Steakhouse in Kitchener, then spent a leisurely afternoon at a friend's incredible picturesque farm laughing and taking portraits with their family and bridal party. It was a fabulous day with an incredibly laid-back and fun-loving gathering of people. So fun, in fact, that the bride couldn't resist jumping on their friend's trampoline!

A Prime Rib dinner at Golf's is one of the highlights of life in Kitchener so the guests were certainly all satiated and happy, even through a few tearful speeches. After dinner, the bridal party kicked off their shoes and kept the pace up all night dancing and laughing. And at the end, the girls and I went out for a late night photo shoot to show off their black soles on their bare feet - the proof of a great party!

Congratulations Corey & Chris!

You can view more of Corey & Chris' wedding photos here.

May Engagements

2009-08-10T18:44:00.000-07:00

Just a few photos to celebrate two engagement sessions that were captured in May this year:

Kate & Jeff tried to have their engagement session taken last year but unfortunately we were rained out. We re-booked for this May and quickly had to reschedule for a few hours earlier than our previously scheduled time due to another oncoming rain storm but luckily, the second time was the charm as we managed to find some beautiful blue skies for their session at the Laurel Creek Conservation area in Waterloo. Kate & Jeff's wedding date was July 11th, 2010 - photos will be posted soon!

More of Kate & Jeff's engagement session can be found here.

***

Julie & Djordje booked their summer wedding with me late last year but due to a last minute date conflict, they had to move up their Toronto wedding. Unfortunately, I was already booked for their newly chosen date but we decided to have some fun anyway with an engagement session in the Distillery District and along the waterfront in T.O. I sincerely wish I could have captured their wedding but I do hope that they had a wonderful day and wish them all the best for the future!
Thanks Julie & Djordje for inviting me out to "play" with you even though I couldn't be there for your wedding day!

More of Julie & Djordje's engagement session can be found here.

A Little Bit of Country (Club), A Little Bit of Rock and Roll

2009-07-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Country club weddings traditionally bring with it the picture of a classic, elegant wedding – a ceremony overlooking the rolling hills of the green, a reception in a hall filled with beautiful, flowing decor and refined details. And Lydia & Johnny, who celebrated their wedding at the Bayview Golf and Country Club in Thornhill this past May 16th, not only took advantage of this picturesque location but played this classic theme to the hilt with Lydia arriving in style in a stunning classic car, complete with her uncle dressed (much to her surprise) in a full chauffeur's uniform. Although elegance seemed indeed to be mirrored around every corner, this couple's fabulous fun and laid back attitude (as well as the wonderful characters of their friends that made up the bridal party) made the day an amazing amount of fun.

Though we did have to skirt the rain a few times (the rain this year just seems like it's here to stay...), we managed to have most of the day in beautiful sunshine and blue skies which translated into a fabulous evening of wonderful food and a whole lot'a rock and roll, salsa, and wild dancing. This is probably one of the only weddings that I've ever been to where the bride's father showed-up every 20-something year old in the place by dancing the night away with more energy than I think I've had since I was 18! -- And we have the photos to prove it!

Congratulations Lydia & Johnny! What an amazing day.

And I never did find out whose name rubbed off first on your shoe! Who is the next one destined to get married, Lydia? (What a great tradition!)

To view more of Lydia & Johnny's photos, please visit my album from their wonderful wedding in my portfolio gallery.

Spring Bliss: A Wedding that Defies the Weather

2009-07-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Wedding season is certainly underway and amidst all of the days spent in celebration with my wonderful wedding couples, many hours are spent behind the scenes processing the thousands of images that are taken. Now finally comes the joy of sharing some of the finished sessions and packages from earlier this spring with you...

With a slow start to spring (and summer) this year, a wedding in late April can be taking a chance weather-wise, but Andrea & Noel could not have chosen a more wonderful day - at least their timing could not have been better. Since the days are shorter however at this time of year, this very wise bride and groom opted for a late afternoon ceremony and took all of their portrait photos earlier on in the day. Not wanting to diminish the magic of seeing each other for the first time however, they opted to meet in front of an audience of their friends and family under the gazebo at Waterloo Park... Noel waiting patiently if not a little nervously while Andrea made her entrance by walking up a tree-lined isle. After a quiet moment together, we all spent the afternoon laughing, joking, taking photos and narrowly missing the massive thunderstorm that was looming overhead. With the last shots taken under the final rays of sunshine, we left for their ceremony/reception site at the Concordia Club and amazingly enough missed the incredible downpour that followed. Had I not been later told of the hurricane-like weather that occurred that evening, I would never have had a clue. The celebrations kept us happy and oblivious to the world outside.

Congratulations Andrea & Noel!

For more photos of this wedding, please visit Andrea & Noel's link on my portfolio page under 2009 Wedding Gallery: http://www.capturedsoulphotography.com/portfolioframe.htm

Embracing Panamania

2009-05-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Panama may not have been a place that traditionally was thought of as a destination wedding hot-spot but don't tell the Panamanian's that. They will undoubtedly turn up their already high-level charm one notch higher, serve you the best piña colada you've ever tasted and convince you that Panama is the ONLY place to go. It's not hard. According to our intrepid tour guide, Panama has the best coffee, the best weather, the best land value, the most generous amount of rum in your drink and it's tourism industry is only ten years old. So in other words, they're out to impress. And they have. Panama is now easily in the top 10 hot-destination wedding spots and it will only get better.

Panama is growing: hotels, museums, tourist information sites, boardwalks, and restaurants are all in progress despite the lull in the economy. The country is shouting out for people to notice it and if you haven't already taken note, you probably should. Panama is beautiful. Panama is diverse. And Panama doesn't get touched by hurricanes. What more could you want?

Well, you undoubtedly would want to have a wedding there. And you would want to bring your entire family. And if you're anything like Angela & Matt, you may just have a group of 40+ people that would rather camp out on the beach with their surf boards and their glasses full of Lord Panamas than go home at the end of the week.

Angela & Matt always knew they wanted to have their wedding in Panama. They had been there once before and realized it would be a fabulous new destination for their family and friends. The Royal Decameron Resort is one of two beach resorts in the whole country of Panama. Spanning over many hectares (not acres) the resort seems to take an entire day to explore. The beach spans forever, the sunrises are the perfect, they have the equivalent of three days of rain per year, and the rum flows eternally. Paradise on the Pacific Ocean.

So imagine a late afternoon beach wedding, celebrating with friends and family as the sun sets, dining at a private restaurant with the chef conducting a fire show while cooking, taking a midnight dip in the pool (while still in their bridal party attire!), and ending the night dancing at the disco and raiding the all-night snack bar. Then join up with your photographer after a half hour nap for an amazing trash-the-dress session in the ocean at sunrise. I personally thought Ange & Matt a little crazy for wanting to do the shoot the morning after the wedding celebrations but when you're on a roll....

Thank you Angela & Matt for allowing me the honour of attending your week-long celebration. You are truly the quintessential Panamaians: friendly, laid back, comfortable, happy, beautiful and inspiring. And your family and friends not only allowed me into their wonderful circles but welcomed me with open arms. You are truly fortunate to have such amazing support around you. Congratulations!

Captured Soul Photography's New Site Has Been Launched!

2009-05-07T17:10:00.001-07:00

It's been a labour of love for just over a year now but the new website for Captured Soul Photography was launched on May 4th! So exciting! There's lots of new information including a designated destination weddings page and my recently published article "Baby, I Like Your Style (How to Choose a Wedding Photographer)". Can't wait for you to see it!

Love On The High Seas

2009-04-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

I cannot say enough about how much I love destination weddings. Yes, I am partial to sun and ocean and fabulous spicy food, but there are so many more reasons to hop a plane bound for the tropics other than the obvious amazing weather and the perfect margarita.

Two of these reasons are named Jessalyn & Rob.

Jess & Rob hired me well over a year ago to photograph their local wedding. Yes, local. But due to a single invitation for their friend's destination wedding and the resulting week, Jessalyn called me with a huge announcement. They changed their minds. They've canceled everything and were booked to board Princess Cruise Lines newest gem, the Ruby Princess, on Valentine's day 2009. Would I happen to be available to come along?

Yes. Oh, yes.

Imagine for a moment, you don't have to make up your mind. You can take a vacation that whisks you to not one but four sunny destinations. You can dine on gourmet food every night, afternoon, morning, and every hour in between. You can be married on a white sand beach in Jamaica with crystal clear turquoise water as your backdrop, wander the colourful shops and sample the best Sangria in the Caribbean in Mexico, snorkel and bask in the sun with your friends and family in the Bahamas, play with the sting rays in Grand Cayman and still have time to spend endless hours in the hot tub, watching movies under the stars, dancing and laughing and eating (oh, let's not forget the eating), aboard one of the most beautiful cruise ships on the water. I know I sound like an advertisement. But honestly? This week could not have been more perfect. And the 40+ travelers that accompanied these two on their week adventure will wholeheartedly agree. We are all waiting for the day we have an excuse to do it again...

There is a difference between getting married at home and getting married at a fair-weather destination. The cost is much lower to pack your bags and head off into the sunset than it is to host a local wedding. There is far less stress to contend with, expert wedding planners and stunning amenities take care of pretty much everything for you. It solves the problem of flying people in for a weekend and not getting a chance to spend time with them... in fact it solves the problem of being too busy to see your guests entirely. Not only do you have a full wedding day to play with your guests in the surf and sun but you have an entire wedding WEEK. I cannot explain how it creates incredible bonds between people, the lasting friendships that are created and rekindled. Spending stress-free time with family is rare these days and having these stress-free days be your wedding days??? - all the better.

I remember as the wedding night was coming to a close and the coon-skin cap had been finally taken off (inside joke, sorry guys) that Jessalyn, overcome with emotion from the joy of the day, was thanking everyone for coming like there was no tomorrow. I don't think she realized at the time that although the thank-you's were very kind and well-deserving, that she really was was going to see everyone the next day. And in fact, it seemed that the next 5 days of the trip were truly an unexpected gift. When normally everyone would be packing themselves into the cars to go home, we gathered in more laughter, adventure and mohitos.

I really wish to thank everyone in the group for making this experience the final clincher for my dream to move to the Caribbean and shoot destination weddings full time. It may not happen for a few years but I will always have these photos to inspire and remind me to just how wonderful life will be under the Caribbean sun.

And Jessalyn, thank you for being so brave to let your perfect wedding dress slip into the ocean. I will always remember your beaming smile as you turned to me and said "can we run?" and seeing you pick up that dress and sprint - splashing surf and laughter into an unforgettable day.

There is absolutely no way in the world I can just pick a few photos to represent this trip... please visit my gallery to view all my favourites from the week! (and in much higher quality)

Possibly my very last Canadian Winter Wedding

2009-03-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

After almost three years of capturing local weddings, my gypsy feet have begun to itch. So the plan currently is to begin to focus my efforts in what is quickly becoming the hottest (no pun intended) wedding trend - destination weddings. No doubt a part of me will miss my forever-home of southern Ontario but it is getting to be time to move on and begin new adventures. I have booked 2009 with both local Ontario and destination weddings but hope that with my new advertising endeavors, 2010 bookings will lean a little more to the destination wedding world. (mid-November to the end of April I will be leaving open to shoot only destination weddings in order to expand my portfolio) And as of the end of 2011, Captured Soul Photography, with any luck, will be casting sail, camera in hand, bound for the Caribbean.

With this plan in place, Kathleen & Dan's wedding - which I captured in January - may very well be my last Canadian Winter Wedding... and I must say that it was a wonderful way to close this chapter of my career.

The wedding was held in K-W (Kitchener Waterloo) with the ceremony taking place at the Erb Street Mennonite Church in Waterloo, and the pre and post ceremony photos (including the reception) taken at the Walper Terrace Hotel in Kitchener. It was a bit too blustery to capture too many photos outdoors but I'm glad that Kathleen and Dan let me twist their arm to grab some photos in front of the church and by the architecturally beautiful Walper Terrace Hotel downtown.

Congratulations Kathleen & Dan! And Kathleen, I will forever love the fact that your "something blue" was your socks underneath your very fabulous running shoes!

Captured Soul Photography has a blog! Yes, a blog!

2009-03-29T08:33:00.001-07:00

Now I have a place to share my adventures with you and give you a peek of my photo sessions, travels, events, and stories - from both locally and throughout the world!

I am incredibly excited to have you join me through the joys and pratfalls of living in my little world of wedding photography and invite you to share in my dreams and challenges of slowly migrating my business and life from my beautiful Canadian home to sunny climates and a new career of capturing destination weddings.

Please stop by often to visit and comment - I look forward to sharing my journey with you!

Enjoy!
~ Michelle.