Welcome to Flirt Photography... My name is Amelia Thornton and I LOVE photography. I inherited my passion for photography from my grandfather - it was his Minolta SRT-101 (from 1967) that saw me through post-secondary school studying journalism and his handwritten notes on images that still bring a smile to my face. I love sunshine and available light. My family members are my friends, and I consider my friends family. I drink too much coffee but I love herbal tea. I like songs that make me want to dance, run, or drive a bit too fast. I love water, the smell of rain, thunder clapping while lightening streaks across the sky, waterfalls, oceans... I like to sit on a patio or in a park and watch people - how they interact, how they smile, how they laugh, and even sometimes...how they cry. I think everyone has moments of emotional beauty every single day. I want to show you how beautiful your life is through my camera lens. This is who I am and what I offer to share with you.
Thanks for your patience as I launch this brand new blog. I will continue to add to each of the sections available as time permits.
Hello faithful readers…so sorry for the lack of posts but I have been too busy shooting (it IS after all wedding season!) to regularly sit down and write for you.
Tonight, I would like to introduce Suzanne & Pete. These two lovely folks are tying the knot country-style on a private farm later this month. It may be hard to remember in this heat wave, but there actually was quite a lot of rain last month and it seemed to happen every time Suzanne and I tried to schedule her engagement photo session…hence the title of this blog entry. It was on our third attempt that we finally managed to make this photo session work by getting together Tuesday night in King City. Suzanne drove TWO HOURS and Pete came in from the west end where he is working for a few weeks. We did our best to ignore the 40° + weather stopping at one point for a cold drink to cool off. We had fun traipsing around King City that evening and wrapped just as the sun was setting so Suzanne could start her long trek home.
Here are some of the shots from our evening in the sun…
I loved Suzanne’s skirt – so pretty!
a moment to relax…
and special thanks to my friends Dave & Charlotte for the inspiration behind this shot…
Suzanne & Pete…congratulations on your upcoming wedding. I will see you both in a few weeks for your lovely celebration. All the best…
Friday July 30, 2010 was a great day! I had been looking forward to this wedding for months. I first met the bride Tamsen in the Fall of 2009 when we discussed her wedding and my photography services. We clicked right away (no pun intended) and I immediately felt she was a sincere, sweet and sensitive person…I was right!
Tamsen and Michael invited their friends and families to the MacLean House of the Estates of Sunnybrook for an intimate and romantic celebration. Tamsen and Michael both have children from previous relationships and it was with their full support these two blended their families in love.
I met Tamsen early in the afternoon for some shots as she prepared for the big moment…I LOVED her gown – it suit her perfectly.
It was too early to get changed so we headed outside for some pre-wedding bridal portraits in jeans…Tamsen looked gorgeous (her make-up was done by Warda Amrani…and regular readers may remember her as the MUA involved in my promo film).
The team from To Suit Your Fancy showed up to decorate and WOW – they knocked it out of the park. I have decided it is impossible to have too many candles or too much crystal at a wedding. I loved everything they did! (I had an opportunity to work with them before during the wedding of Kari & Sean Davis last summer – they did a great job then too!)
As Tamsen and her Matron of Honour continued with hair and make-up I went to shoot some detail shots…
Tamsen surprised Michael by having his ring engraved with the word ‘forever’ and the date of their wedding ‘7 30 2010′
This was one of the candle holders from the decor team..I loved how the crystals were the same shape as Tamsen’s engagement ring…
Tamsen and Irene getting ready…
Dressed and ready for some real bridal portraits…
Tamsen greets her first guests, explores the beautiful MacLean House and takes a moment to review her vows to Michael…
the daughters of the Matron of Honour…
Michael a few moments before the wedding…
Rosanna Riverso serenaded the bride as she walked down the aisle and entertained guests with her three-piece band during the cocktail hour. She did a magnificent job!
Tamsen makes her entrance…
I LOVE it when the groom cries…sooooo romantic!
watching the wedding…
a guest shoots a photo of his friend…
Michael reading his vows to Tamsen…
a moment alone (well, almost alone) to take it all in…
on the grounds of MacLean House…
what a lovely couple…
some of the gorgeous crystals and candles hanging from the trees…
the foyer…
Grenville Pinto provided some entertainment and did double-duty as the DJ for the evening…great show! This shot was from my second-shooter Adrian Blake…
Tamsen dancing with one of her new step-sons
a moment of thanks…
saying farewell to the photographers…
After the wedding I camped out at The Fairmont Royal York with a BIG cup of coffee to get to work on the photos. I met Tamsen, Michael and their friends for brunch at the hotel in the morning where I put on a slideshow of photos for everyone. It was great fun! Last month while in New Brunswick for Luise & Maciej’s wedding I signed up for Fairmont’s loyalty program - I highly recommend it (fast check-in, free HSI, and fantastic customer service).
To Tamsen & Michael…what a remarkable day! You two are an inspiration to everyone around you. Have a great time in Mexico and I will see you when you get home.
I am really excited for the weddings I have coming up this season but one in particular is shaping up to be a stunner! I will be taking another photographer with me on Saturday September 11, 2o10 to shoot the celebration of Darrin & Alicia’s wedding. My motto in life is to celebrate life and love and these two people do both on a daily basis. I will share more about their incredible love story after the wedding. For now…here are some of the engagement photos we shot in and around King City last night.
a little soft light sunshine…
I love summer evenings…
this was shot off a trail Darrin found while mountain biking…
breaking all the rules for love…Alicia did the sign really say “prohibited” from entry?
I think he likes her…ha ha…so sweet…
the feeling is mutual…
Darrin & Alicia – you guys are the real deal! Congratulations on all the great things coming your way (the house, the wedding, each other…). See you in September!
Leah - Amelia, these are stunning. She is just too cute!July 27, 2010 - 12:12
Jori P - Amelia; these pictures are amazing. You did an amazing job. I can't wait to work with you more and I am soooo excited for the wedding. You certainly have a gift. Thank you.July 28, 2010 - 08:58
With very few exceptions my clients generally choose wedding photography packages that include a second-shooter/photographer. I am blessed to have a great network of friends who are pro-shooters and they often come to help me out for my weddings (well paid, of course).
The role of second-shooter is an important one but lots of fun too. A second shooter gets paid to do what they love but has much less pressure in terms of managing the client relationship and delivering goods to the clients. Typically this person will shoot more candids but he/she may also take direction from the lead photographer to make sure all the important shots of the day get done (and done well).
I have been doing the hiring lately so when my friend Paul Dipp of Delicious Imagery called up a few weeks ago and asked me to come work for him I was really excited to switch roles and hang out with a fabulous photographer. Paul and I met in photography class a few years ago and have kept in touch via a group of other students (thank you Facebook). Aside from being a creative and accomplished photographer, Paul also happens to be infinitely cool and totally hilarious (as an aside, he has the best taste in music).
We headed out to the Hamilton area to shoot the wedding of Krista & Brett at Liuna Gardens. Paul had fractured one of his ankles a couple of weeks earlier – I couldn’t believe he was running around shooting all day…incredible work ethic!
With permission, here are some of my favourite shots from the day.
a moment with one of the flower girls (there were three of them!)
The bridesmaids…
Meet Krista & Brett…these guys are a great couple and really lovely people!
Krista with her girls…
It is quite clear Krista shares a very special relationship with her grandpa – he came to the reception as she and Brett were in the middle of their first dance and Krista cried when she saw him. It was so sweet!
Just before the sunset I had Paul steal Krista away from the festivities for a few minutes – the light outside was gorgeous (as was the bride)…
Paul…thanks for the call. It was soooooooo fun working together (even if it was the hottest day of the year!). Hopefully we can do this again some time and/or I will have you out to shoot for Flirt.
I’m out in Calgary shooting The Calgary Stampede at the moment…next entry will feature some shots from the shows and rodeo. Until next time, friends…
Ahhhh paradise! I had been looking forward to June 30th for, well…for about eight months (since I first got an email from the lovely Luise). Luise is a stunning and lovely young woman from New Brunswick who relocated to Ontario a few years ago for work. When she and her fiance Maciej were dating they travelled to New Brunswick to coordinate a meeting of their respective families which ended up taking place in a picturesque seaside town called Saint Andrews.
I LOVE St. Andrews…I ended up there by chance last summer while on a whale-watching-road-trip-adventure and honestly I think I left a little piece of my heart there last year. When Luise asked if I was interested in going back to this little slice of Canadian paradise to shoot her wedding I jumped at the opportunity. I decided to incorporate a holiday with this wedding and spent a week driving through the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick (as an aside, I am disappointed to report I am now zero for two on drives to the east coast and moose sightings). I had time to visit Hopewell Rocks and Grand Manan Island before the wedding and I will certainly be heading back to New Brunswick for more exploring in the future – I absolutely love it out there. I was supposed to go out to Machias Seal Island one day (from Grand Manan) but the swells were too high and my charter boat had to cancel at the last minute.
Even though Luise and Maciej live in Ontario they are not in the GTA so we didn’t actually meet face to face until the wedding day. Here is the beautiful bride a few moments after we met at Serenity By The Sea spa:
Once the ladies finished getting ready it was time to head back to the imperial Fairmont Algonquin Hotel to get dressed.
Next up was a private charter boat trip over to Ministers Island.
The island is in Passamaquoddy Bay (isn’t that fun to say?). The small island (only two square kilometres) is only accessible at low tide by a wide gravel bar for cars…otherwise you have to take a boat at high tide. The island became somewhat famous in the last decade of the nineteenth century as the summer home of Sir William Van Horne (president of the Canadian Pacific Railway)…in fact, rumour has it he extended the railway all the way out to New Brunswick so his friends could come visit him at his summer home (that rumour is also associated with the construction of the Fairmont Algonquin Hotel as the high end guests needed somewhere to stay while in town).
Sir William Van Horne (among many other talents) was quite an accomplished painter. He had a bath house built near his home as a workshop for his painting and it was just outside where Luise & Maciej exchanged vows overlooking the Bay of Fundy. Here is her Dad walking her down the aisle…
Maciej, you may now kiss the bride…
The reception was held nearby in the cilindrical bath house surrounded by windows with gorgeous sunlight streaming in. The meal was created by the uncomparable Chef Alex Haun. Alex has 12 culinary gold medals to his name (five of which are international wins) including a win at the culinary olympics held in Erfurt Germany. He and his lovely wife Jennie now own and operate Savour (a restaurant located in St. Andrews, NB). There, they create monthly tasting menus using fresh and local ingredients paying close attention to their environmental footprints by using items from local suppliers and even their own farm.
The grounds of Ministers Island are stunning. Luise, Maciej and I took some time for photos while the guests sipped wine on the shore.
We found some horses nearby and since Luise loved them we took a few pics with them grazing nearby.
An owner came by to feed her thoroughbreds and insisted the bride get photos with the horse. Luise actually got up on the horse in her gown – what fun!
We ended the night back at the Fairmont Algonquin where the guests enjoyed drinks on a patio until the wee hours of the morning.
Normally, I don’t have an opportunity to see my clients the day after the wedding day but since this was kind of a destination wedding we were all still together for brunch the next day. Luise & Maciej had booked a special trip with Fundy Tide Runners for everyone to go out whale watching. I stopped by to catch a few shots of the crew heading out for the day before I started my drive home to Ontario.
Luise & Maciej…what can I say? Thank you so much for having me document your special day. I had such a great time getting to know you and all the guests. Your wedding was absolutely lovely and I look forward to staying in touch with you guys. I wish you both all the best for a future full of love and happiness!
Nikki - Truly amazing work Amelia!!! It was a pleasure to meet you and I'm so glad my brother and Luise found you to photograph their wedding!! You are truly a talented person!!!
The pictures are amazing!July 4, 2010 - 22:51
You know what they say…first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in the baby carriage! Well, in this case it is true.
I had a great time shooting Michelle & Frank’s wedding at the Old Mill in March 2009 and then last weekend I had the sincere pleasure of being invited over to their home to meet baby “A.” What a little gem! This little angel had a bit of a rough start but she is home now and safe & sound with her mommy and daddy. I popped by to shoot these photos on Father’s Day – how apropos that she was home in time to celebrate the special day (a first for her father).
Michelle & Frank…congratulations on the new addition to your family. I wish all three of you a big adventure full of love and laughter.
Everyone has friends (at least I certainly hope so). Personally, I am lucky enough to have some really amazing ones and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with my “best friend,” Chris and her family. Chris and I have been friends for (dare I say it?) 22 years! I call us “family by friendship.” We were supposed to be in London this weekend with two other friends (all of whom were locker partners in the ninth grade!) but life got in the way and we couldn’t all make it work for London. I decided to jump into my car and head out to Leamington for the weekend to hang out with Chris and her family.
Chris is funny (among other things). She apologized a few times on Saturday for the fact we were in such a small town because “nothing exciting happens here,” (for the record, I actually LOVE small towns – in, fact I lived in one for a year with population of only 1,200 people). Leamington is a city near the U.S. border with a population of approximately 31,000. It is on the north shore of Lake Erie and is the most southerly part of Canada. We were joking around on Saturday that I should move there (for a girl from the GTA…real estate prices there are insanely affordable). Anyway, we had a fabulous visit together and managed to get out to a beach and pier on Saturday afternoon/evening for some updated photos of the kids and their cousins (so sweet!). After socializing with family and putting the kids to bed (which included a dramatic tooth-pulling episode and subsequent visit from the tooth fairy) we were off to bed.
I CANNOT believe it…but I slept through an F1 Tornado. That’s right…a TORNADO…and apparently it was packing winds of up to 175 km/h! And Chris thinks nothing exciting happens in Leamington…
I got up in the morning because I heard Chris’ daughter telling her about the tooth fairy and came upstairs to some very stressed out folks. Oh dear! We had no power (which surely had something to do with all the downed power lines including the ones across their driveway and touching the front of the house). As we listened to radio reports and made spotty calls on cell phones the extent of damage became shockingly clear. One neighbour lost his barn, another (oddly) had all the water sucked out of his pool (gone!), roofs were blown off, very mature trees were down everywhere…some blocking major roads, others landing on cars and houses.
We went out to inspect the damage on my friends’ property and each time we turned a corner we were more shocked and saddened. Chris has (had) gorgeous mature trees on her property…it was the idyllic setting you dream of to raise kids…a half acre, a tire swing…sigh…gone! Sod was torn up, trees toppled over, power lines a twisted mess, the swing set bowed by the weight of power lines and sagging branches. It wasn’t long before one of her kids found some darling baby birds…oh, it nearly brought me to tears. The nests had been thrown from tumbling trees and shells were disintegrated (or in some cases nowhere to be found) and these poor little birds that did not yet have feathers were in the grass struggling to survive. They must have been lying there for four to six hours when we found them and most were still breathing (I counted seven just on Chris’ property). Her husband came to the rescue (if I can use that word) and put them out of their misery…it was so heartbreaking!
Sunday was finally going to be the day I went to shoot in Point Pelee National Park…but it was closed. Actually all of the parks were closed (including the one we had used for family photos the evening before). I could only shoot photos of things that were nearby as many roads were closed due to safety concerns, road crews, and the fact the Mayor of Leamington had declared a state of emergency. Estimates of damage are in the millions (which include a few dents to my car!).
If there is any silver lining in this experience it was the fact so many friends and neighbours banded together to help with the clean up on Sunday. I was really impressed with how the community pulled together to get the massive job underway.
Here are some photos…which largely speak for themselves…
Yes…the machinery below was once housed in a barn…
a building torn off its foundation…
the roof of a barn…
twisted metal from who knows where…
debris in the field…
imagine the force required to do this…
former barn…this farm has been in business since 1951!
concrete pole snapped like a twig…
clearly this tree had some underlying issues…but look at the SIZE of it compared to the house…
where do you even start?
I lost count of how many trees I saw like this…
this oil, lube, and filter business (Great Canadian Oil Change) had just opened five weeks earlier…their sign (in pieces) was found strewn throughout the soccer field across the street
umm…nope…sorry kids…no playing on the swingset or swinging from the powerlines today…
one of the baby birds…
one of the dents in my car…not too bad actually but I found one on the roof too and some additional paint damage to the spoiler…
yikes…
Chris and family…I am so sorry you had to go through this and know that I will be right back in my car and over to help in any way I can…just say the word! Love you!
Lynn Shuryn - Only you could sleep through a tornado.
And probably me, too.
Your site is amazing!! And not only are you a talented photographer, you are quite a creative writer. Ever think about writing a book?? I'd buy it.June 8, 2010 - 10:13
What an exciting week! I have been kind of chomping at the bit to share something with all of you and now…I finally can!
As a wedding and lifestyle photographer I have the opportunity to meet many new people – usually they are clients and their friends, but sometimes they are other professionals working in the industry (note: if anyone needs referrals please feel free to email me!). Last year my friends Dave & Charlotte (awesome people and photographers) introduced me to Andrew and Emily Sorlie of Sorlie Arts. This husband and wife duo is so creative and talented. They are producing some really cutting edge films for weddings, commercial clients and special events. I ran into Andrew at an industry event in March and we got to chatting about a new idea. Before long we arranged to spend the day together (May 2nd) shooting a promo film for Flirt Photography. The idea is for prospective clients to have an opportunity to kind of get to know me before we even meet. Without further ado, here it is:
I have many interests in life and one them is movies. I adore movies…production, direction, acting, costume design and especially lighting in films. I often go to movies and relish the entire experience – heck, I even go by myself if everyone else is too busy or not interested. I was sitting in a movie theatre doing just that a few months ago when the commericals and trailers started up. I thought…heeeeey, how come I never see anything here other that cell phone ads and soft drink commercials? Let’s change it up, folks! I asked Andrew & Emily to do some extra work on the film they had put together and they happily spliced together a 30-second version of the mini-film. YEAH! An official Flirt Photography commercial! I made arrangements for it to play at the Silvercity Yonge & Eglinton theatre for a couple of weeks (quick – go see a movie!) and last night a whole bunch of my friends (including Andrew & Emily) went out to see Sex And The City II and see our work up on the 110 ft jumbo-tron. It will be playing there on ten screens until June 12, 2010.
We shot the film along Queen West, down by the waterfront and waaaaaay up high on the roof of Manulife Place. We must have looked like a bonafide film crew too…Andrew, Emily, me, an assistant, a make-up artist (the very talented Warda Amrani), TWO gorgeous couples and at times a security guard…phew…that’s a lot of folks! Here are some of the shots I took that day (you will recognize some of them as moments from the film above):
Meet Tania & Tony – I LOVE this couple! They are so genuine and fun to be around. Tania & I met as the make-up artist was getting us ready for the day. The moment I saw her gorgeous bird cage veil and suitcase of outfits and shoes I knew we would be fast friends. She has an amazing sense of style. Tania & Tony came out for the big debut at the theatre last night and although I lost count, I bet they had 15 friends and family members with them – now that is LOVE!
Who doesn’t like dancing on the street?
I saw this wall and knew we had to use it because of Tania’s yellow dress. You can’t see it in this particular photo, but her engagement ring has a stunning canary yellow diamond for the centre stone.
The new King & Queen of engagement photography…
Schoolhouse fun…check out the red shoes (love them!)
To Tania & Tony – what can I say? You guys were amazing and so much fun to work with. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for agreeing to be part of the promo project. I hope you guys had as much fun as I did!
I had a second couple for the day too – meet Denise & Derek…
This shot makes me laugh because a few minutes earlier the guy driving this car yelled at us as he drove by saying we didn’t have a permit to shoot in his alley. It seemed fitting that we use his car as a prop when he went inside.
Next we went down the waterfront. Denise & Derek have a boat which was moored too far away but we wanted to incorporate the water somehow…
This is the same area. I love tall grass and soft plants in photos.
Finally it was off to the super-high rooftop of Manulife Place. We had an “in” there and used it to our full advantage. There are a few shots from up on the roof where you can see the cityline. Andrew got a photo over the edge with his i-Phone – YIKES!
And the last one is from the pool deck at Manulife…hotness!
Denise & Derek…you guys are incredible. I love the chemistry you have and I thank you both so much for being part of this project!
To Andrew & Emily…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU…for your talent, your vision, your patience AND the most awesome promo film ever! I count myself lucky to call you both my friends!
To Warda…You were such a pleasure to work with. Thank you for so patiently staying with us all day for touch-ups. You knocked it out of the park and I hope we have many opportunities to work together in the future.
Enjoy the film, folks, and stay tuned over the next week or so for some Trash The Dress photos (I just shot them tonight).
Mary - Lemon Fresh Designs Photography - Great photos! Love the idea for a promo video as well. Hope you had a good time too at the TTD session on Sunday. Was great to meet you. Cheers, Mary :)June 1, 2010 - 14:42
Beautifully Blended… » Flirt Photography - [...] It was too early to get changed so we headed outside for some pre-wedding bridal portraits in jeans…Tamsen looked gorgeous (her make-up was done by Warda Amrani…and regular readers may remember her as the MUA involved in my promo film). [...]August 2, 2010 - 00:44
Monday, May 24, 2010 at 10:51am Posted in Uncategorized
First up, I do apologize for the delay since my last blog post. I have been running around shooting weddings (which I will share in due time) and lots of other events (more ballet, an anniversary party, a fun workshop, some birds, and a family milestone). I have also been working behind the scenes on a new ad campaign for Flirt Photography (more soon). That said, I have to share the wedding from Saturday May 15th. That was the day Jill & Chris got married. I adore this couple!
Chris is a Scotsman and a firefighter so when I heard those two bits of info I was already excited about this wedding…did someone says kilts AND a firetruck? The 911 connection didn’t end there…this bride’s uncle is none other than Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair. Add to that a stunning bride, two loving families and the 100 + guests who were absolutely thrilled to be part of the celebration and you’ve got a recipe for success.
I took Adrian Blake along to help out for the day. Adrian is not only a talented photographer but he also happens to maintain a gig at Henry’s camera store in Mississauga (if you need any photo-gear I highly recommend going to see him!). Adrian…thanks for all your help and effort – and of course your fabulous photos…I know Jill & Chris will love them.
This celebration was put together by the lovely and talented Alexandra Vachliotis of Ever After Occasions. I highly recommend Alex and her team of wedding coordinators. They did an amazing job and the entire day was a seamless and romantic affair.
While Adrian went to hang out with the guys getting ready, I started my day with Jill at her parents’ home. What a proud and happy family!
As the procession started there was a buzz in the church. When an usher brought Jill’s mother in to be seated the whole congregation errupted into cheers. It was so moving. The cheers continued as Jill’s Dad walked her down the aisle. It was clear she shared a very special relationship with each member of her family.
Jill and Chris were piped out of the church and the piper stayed to play while the receiving line took place. This shot below is from Adrian.
Next we were off to the Burlington Golf & Country Club for some photos and the big party. Chris and his Dad (and one of the groomsmen) are proud firefighters and so it was only fitting a fire truck be present. What fun!
Some fun with the bridal party…
A few moments to take it all in…
And we were off to the party…what an entrance…
The speeches at this wedding were amazing. I have never seen a couple more loved, more appreciated or more celebrated by their family and friends. Jill’s sisters (and sister in law) were here bridesmaids. Here are her sisters sharing some love for their big sister…
and then it was Dad’s turn to talk about his three girls…
Cutting the cake…
It’s not a party until someone catches the bouquet and someone catches the garter…and if those two people happen to be dating one another…all the better!
Jill & Chris…thanks so much for having me document your special day. It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with you. I wish you much happiness and love on your new journey!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 11:39pm Posted in Wedding
A promise is a promise and so it is that I am now in a position to share some photographs from the wonderful wedding of Rachana and Shrirang which took place recently in India (at the bequest of the family I will not be sharing photos of the guests and family members who attended).
This wedding was a glorious celebration. Friends and family came from three different countries and each one was literally beaming with happiness! It was my pleasure to not only witness but document this incredible event.
Southeast Asian weddings are BIG affairs (this one was seven events over five says in two different cities). We started in Mumbai with friends and family of the bride gathering for a Mehndi celebration. Rachana has a very large extended family and they all spent the afternoon and evening at her family home wishing her well. Some of them (including her cousin below) had Mehndi applied to their hands and/or feet. The artists who applied the Mehndi worked at lightening speed – it was amazing to watch. They insisted on doing Mehndi on my hands which was great fun (although it meant I couldn’t pick up my camera anymore that evening).
Mehndi on the hand of the bride's cousin
The following day I met up with the happy couple to shoot some engagement photos in and around Mumbai. We had hoped to shoot at the Nehru Planetarium but it turned out they were closed on Mondays and unfortunately their automatic sprinkler system quickly ruled out the idea of using the grounds. Luckily Rachana and Shrirang knew the city well so they knew exactly where to go and we ended up at The Hanging Gardens (also known as the Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens). This place reminded me of Central Park. Mumbai is a bustling metropolis of over 13,000,000 and right in the middle is a gorgeous elevated park with fountains, flowers, trees and walkways…beautiful!
The Hanging Gardens in Mumbai
Gee…do you think maybe they like one another?
Look at this gorgeous Sari…the first of many Rachana would wear for her wedding…
Our next stop was the United Services Club. The club was established in 1928 on the shore of the Arabian Sea for officers of the armed forces. Admittance is strictly reserved to a select few so it was simultaneously nerve-wracking and funny to get through security there and watch the faces of the guards as they realized I really was allowed to enter. The club actually made a very special allowance for this VIP wedding – normally the military prohibits photography on the grounds (as a measure of national security).
Rachana was stunning as she waited for guests to arrive for a celebratory dinner…
The detail on her sari and her jewellery were beautiful…
The venue for the dinner…
And regular readers may recognize this fantastic couple…Syerah & Steve. I LOVE this couple. I shot their wedding last summer and it was Syerah who referred me to her friend Rachana.
The actual wedding took place a couple of days later. The day started with a Pooja for the groom’s family. A Pooja is a religious ceremony of gratitude and an invitation to the Hindu Gods to bless the union about to take place.
A Hindu priest blessed the marriage.
Applying Sindoor is said to please Hanumana, give strength, offer protection from evil eyes and make the worshipper fearless
After the Pooja it was time for the main event. I attended a turban ceremony that afternoon where guests of the wedding were given an opportunity to don a turban. It was great fun to watch the westerners get ready for the wedding. It was also a chance to see some of the pride of uncles and cousins of the groom as they prepared for the day.
Shrirang arrives at the venue for the wedding…
the groom announces his arrival…
the bride’s hands during the wedding ceremony…
After a lovely ceremony and reception everyone took a day off to recover before flying to Indore to continue the celebration. Another Pooja was held by the groom’s family but now his beautiful bride was invited to participate.
Snana or abhisekha
To Rachana, Shrirang and their guests…thank you so much for your hospitality and enthusiasm. I look forward to working with you on your album. All the best…
michele bowman - what a great adventure and AWESOME photos!! i hope to one day be able to have a chance to do something like this!
it looks like you were kept busy!!
hugs my friend!!March 31, 2010 - 09:49
Joanne - That must have been an amazing adventure! Fabulous pictures Amelia! :)April 4, 2010 - 02:55
by Amelia
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