Elizabeth is a European-trained fashion designer with an amazing eye for detail. The day I had models wearing her pieces the girls were actually fighting over who got to wear Elizabeth’s gowns (as Elizabeth says; “Fashion without fit is like icing without the cake.”). Each garment Elizabeth creates is honestly a work of art so when she called and said she was getting married and wondered if I would pop by the shoot her gown for her I immediately said yes. Her wedding gown was kept under lock and key until the day of the ceremony and I couldn’t even get a clue out of her…she was so excited to unveil her most important creation! I felt like we had hit it off so well working together on the creative shoot six months earlier that she was far more like a friend than a client so I offered to stick around for a few other parts of the day to provide some photo coverage for her.

I met Elizabeth at the Glen Erin Inn in Mississauga as she and her best friend got ready for the wedding. Later, all the little flower girls arrived and were treated to their own special dresses also created by Elizabeth. Next it was off to St. Peter’s Anglican Church where Elizabeth finally got to see her dashing groom Andre. Some of Andre’s family members had flown in from France just to share this special day. I left after some family photos outside the church but I was so thrilled to be able to help my friend on her wedding day.

Without further ado, a few images from this fantastic celebration:

To Elizabeth & Andre…félicitations et beaucoup de voeux pour une belle vie ensemble.

Meet Lee & Nate. Now some people in this world have cool jobs (actually, truth be told…I happen to be one of them). You’ve met some of them before – the kind who start talking about what they do and where they have been and how much they love their work and other people in the room light up and love hearing all about it. Well, Lee & Nate are two such people. Why, you ask? They’re SAILORS…no kidding! How amazing is that?

There are a multitude of reasons I love New Brunswick (the people, the landscape, the proximity to the ocean, whale watching…I could go on all day). When I met Lee and one of her bridesmaids in my Toronto studio last year *I* was the one lighting up listening to her talk about adventures on the high seas and falling in love with her fiancé Nate. Lee asked me to head back out to a perennial favourite of mine: St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered why because I love it out there so much I was already in. Then came the rest of the news…not only was she marrying the love of her life in this picturesque town…she was doing in on a tall ship…in the Bay of Fundy. I did a double-take! Pardon? Oh, and did I mention it is a pirate ship? Used for whale watching tours? Oh my!

I had another wedding to shoot that week (more on that in another post) so I snuck in a little road-trip vacation and drove 5,600 km in 12 days (also more on that in another post). As I pulled in to St. Andrews and checked in to the magnificent Algonquin Resort (formerly known as Fairmont Algonquin) I kind felt like I was coming home. I made time for a walk through town and a trip to the pier overlooking Passamaquoddy Bay (say that five times fast) before turning in to rest up for the big day.

The next morning I went to meet Lee and her lovely bridesmaids at the Tara Manor where everyone was getting ready. Since this was a destination wedding of sorts we had to juggle keeping some friends and family and of course the groom from seeing the beautiful bride before the perfect moment.

Lee was absolutely stunning. She chose the perfect wardrobe for the day. She has a very classic beauty about her and a lovely personality to match. After a few photos getting ready and portraits of the bride I went to the opposite end of the hotel to spend some time with the guys. One of them had actually driven straight through the night from Ottawa to St. Andrews to be there for the happy couple (now THAT is friendship).

Next on the agenda was one of my favourite moments of the day…the first look. This is becoming a bit of a trend in the wedding industry and I wholeheartedly support it. Sometimes in bigger weddings that magical moment of seeing one another down an aisle can get lost with friends and family popping out from seats and camera flashes firing away. Taking a few moments in private to see one another for the first time and connect as a couple is really magical (it makes me cry a little bit every time). Lee and Nate chose the Kingsbrae Botanical Garden for their first look. I think Nate was actually speechless when he turned around and saw Lee for the first time.

After some photos we were all off to meet up with the wedding party to board The Jolly Breeze. This particular ship had very special meaning to Lee & Nate because it is where they fell in love…working as sailors. Lee’s brother escorted her down the proverbial aisle to a sea (literally) of adoring friends and family. We sailed out to the Bay of Fundy for the wedding and listened as friends and family serenaded them and read poems. After the wedding everyone was bussed to the Salmon Interpretive Centre for dinner and dancing.

All in all this was a truly magnificent wedding. Lee and Nate’s friends and family members clearly love them both very much. I was honoured to be part of this very special celebration.

To Lee & Nate…thank you both for your patience as I transitioned to a new computer system last Fall and I wish you nothing but the best (with lots of adventures on high seas). <3

And now, some photos...

My good friend David Dunkley of KC’s Hats was the featured milliner at the recent National Bridal Show held January 27-29, 2012 at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto. If you were at the show, chances are you met David and/or saw his lovely work in the fashion show. I happen to LOVE David’s work (and he is also a cool guy to hang out with!) so I jumped at the chance to help out at his booth by photographing each of the lovely ladies that came by to try on his beautiful pieces (fascinators, veils and hats). We have spent this past week emailing those photos to each of the women who came by the booth so they could remember just how gorgeous they looked that day. Now you can get in on the fun too! David and I (along with some of our friends in the industry are going to open the studio doors for two days of questions, answers, new friends and lots of fun. Now is your chance to get answers to all those questions you forgot to ask the folks you met at the National Bridal Show (or at other shows, or via email, etc.).

Please join us Saturday February 18th or Sunday February 26th for a glass of wine, some munchies and an open dialogue on the ins and outs of planning your perfect wedding. There will be some truly amazing people present for one or both days of these seminars including:

* decor companies (Your Main Event Decor Company and another special guest)
* wedding coordinators (Couture Wedding Consulting)
* the best milliner in the country (David Dunkley of KC’s Hats)
* a gown designer (to be announced next week)
* a cake designer (to be announced next week)
* a DJ (to be announced next week)
* enter a daily prize draw for the day you attend

Space is limited so call or email Flirt Photography to reserve your spot today.
Email: amelia@flirtphotography.ca
Phone: (416) 985-7487

Now several years later after puppies, home ownership, and both scholastic and professional achievements they made it official. It was glorious. It was beautiful. It was incredible. With their friends and family happily by their sides this beautiful couple made the ultimate promise at Alex’s family cottage on a very hot and very sunny Saturday.

To Alex & Chelsea – thank you so much for trusting me to document your special day.

And to my good friend Chris Badanjak – thank you for coming up for the day to help out.

Until next time…

We got together a few weeks ago for engagement photos but it was a really crappy/rainy day weather-wise. We literally got in our cars and chased the sun north to Newmarket. While we did manage to shoot some photos that day, ultimately we decided to reschedule for a second day and hope for better weather…and so it was that we got together this evening at the Orangeville Badlands. Paydirt (literally…it is really dirty there) but the sun was shining as a cool breeze blew through the area.

David and Bree were troopers (A+ for effort guys!) – we all got a bit of a workout traipsing up and down the steep hills in the area, climbing over fences and sitting in trees.

Here are several quick sneak peeks from a few hours ago…

To David & Bree…thanks for coming back out today – it was fun to spend some time with you guys today. I hope you got the mud off your boots! See you soon.

Until next time friends…

My family has a farm east of Toronto. My mum and step-dad were kind enough to host a day of photo-fun. I invited five of my photography buddies to head out for a day of shooting. We also brought along a milliner, a gown designer, gowns from two other stores, two hair-stylists, two make-up artists, designer furniture, a decor company, a cake designer and six models. The idea was to feature all of the wonderful vendors, artists and models in a wedding magazine but everyone involved has decided to share images on their own now.

Each of the models is wearing fascinators, veils and jewellery by David Dunkley of KC’s Hats. Hair and make-up were done by Lisa Barclay (independent artist) and Pamella Alexandra (of P.S. I Love Your Make-Up). Gowns were provided by Helen Sweet of The Bride’s Project and Elizabeth Oliveira of Labl Stylelab. The furniture was provided by Kantelberg Antiques and decor was provided by To Suit Your Fancy.

If you don’t already know who David Dunkley is I highly recommend a trip to his studio store at 998 Bathurst Street. David has an incredible flair for design. Not only will you find breathtaking pieces in his studio but David will happily create a custom fascinator, birdcage, veil or hat for you (he did one for me that I often wear when I shoot weddings now).

Lisa Barclay and Pamella Alexandra were so much fun to work with. I think the photos speak to their talent – all of the girls looked absolutely beautiful! Marion and Chanel of Marion’s Hair Studio did more than their fair share to help out too…absolutely incredible!

And for those on the hunt for the perfect wedding gown make sure you get in touch with Helen Sweet of The Bride’s Project. Helen certainly lives up to the name “Sweet,” – she is delightful and so friendly and helpful. She does amazing work and has a gorgeous collection of gowns available for an absolute steal (plus, when you shop there you are helping save lives…win/win, my friends).

You will find contact information for each of the involved parties at the bottom of this blog post.

Here are some of my favourite shots from the day – I hope you love them as much as I do…

For the discerning fashionista you need look no further than Labl Stylelab. I can’t say enough great things about Elizabeth. Oliveira. She designed the gowns in the following photos. I have seen more than my fair share of wedding gowns in my day and I can honestly say I have never seen garments more beautifully constructed than these (seriously, the models were fighting over who got to wear them)…just amazing work!

I would be remiss without sending a HUGE thank you to both Kantelberg Antiques and To Suit Your Fancy. My dear friend Garrett of Kantelberg Antiques had a photo session with me a few weeks before the farm shoot. I was kind of joking when I asked if I could borrow a few pieces from the store for this shoot. He blew me out of the water when he not only said yes, but sent A LOT of pieces. Then To Suit Your Fancy showed up with an entire team of decore specialists. James is a visionary – really, he can make any room or venue look like your wildest dreams. We have worked together before on weddings before and it is always a pleasure to see what his team comes up with.

Finally here is specific contact info for some of the fabulous folks who helped make the shoot happen…

Milliner: David Dunkley of KC’s Hats
web: http://www.kcshats.com

Make Up Artist: Lisa Barclay
web: http://www.lisaraemua.com

Make Up Artist: Pamella Alexandra
web: http://www.psiloveyourmakeup.com/

Hair Stylists: Marion & Chanel of Marion’s Hair Studio
web: http://www.marionshairstudio.ca

Decor: To Suit Your Fancy
web: http://www.tosuityourfancy.com
Gowns:
Labl Stylelab (Elizabeth Oliveira)
web: http://labl.ca/stylelab-about.html

Bride’s Project Cancer Crusade (Helen Sweet)
web: http://www.thebridesproject.com/

Furniture: Kantelberg Antiques (Garrett Goldup)
web: http://kantelbergco.com/

Thanks to all the models and my photo-friends who came out for a great day producing some truly beautiful images.

Until next time – happy shooting…

I am out east this week shooting two weddings in New Brunswick. The first one was in St. Andrews (my third trip there) and took place on a tall ship in the Bay of Fundy two days ago. The next wedding is this coming Saturday in Sussex. I will be posting photos from both of the weddings over the next few weeks. With a week off in between weddings it didn’t make a whole lot of sense to head home only to turn around and come back east so instead I find myself on a road trip for fun (YEAH!).

When I first found out I was coming back out this way I immediately booked a charter off Grand Manan Island to go see puffins and seals on Machias Seal Island (my trip to do that last year was cancelled due to inclement weather). Wouldn’t you know it…I was foiled again but this time by rain. So on Sunday afternoon while leaving St. Andrews I consulted my Garmin Nuvi to see what possible destinations were within a reasonable distance. After a coin toss (it was either going to be north or south) I decided to head north and finally check Percé Quebec off my travel hitlist.

The town of Percé is a very small village near the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec. Historically this was a very prolific fishing community but today the town is mainly a tourist location due to Percé Rock (or “the rock” as the locals refer to it) and Bonaventure Island. One of my photog-friends Ethan Meleg is an amazing nature and wildlife photographer. I found out about a colony of Northern Gannets on Bonaventure Island (a quick boat ride from Percé) from a blog post Ethan did a couple of years ago and since then it has been on the backburner of my travel hitlist (thanks for that Ethan).

I was hoping to make it here Sunday night but because of all the rain I had to pull over to sleep about half way here. I finally arrived late this afternoon and had just enough time to check in to my hotel before heading off in search of a good vantage point for some photos. I got lucky this evening when the sun finally came out for about 15 seconds.

Without further ado…Percé Rock:

A little bit later this evening I found a new spot and I may go back here for sunrise:

As it turns out I may also have opportunities to see puffins, seals and whales tomorrow…I am crossing my fingers for some good photo-ops.

Until next time, happy shooting…

For this particular celebration I asked my dear friend Anita Hadjur to come along for both the engagement shoot and the fabulous wedding. We always have fun shooting together and I knew she would make a wonderful contribution to these events. You can find out more about Anita here.

Erica & Chris decided to get married at the Palais Royale…why you ask? Well, because one of Erica’s favourite bands recorded an album there and Chris went to a few awesome concerts there too. You will see from a few of these photos the gifts they gave one another were musical, the reception tables were named after favourite albums and each guest needed a backstage pass to attend…ingenuity…I love it!

And without further ado, some photos:

To Chris & Erica…thank you! All your hard work and planning certainly paid off. What a wonderful wedding celebration. It truly was an honour to document your special day. I wish you much joy and happiness as you begin this new chapter of your lives together.

I shall leave you with an excerpt from a lovely email I got from Erica & Chris about a week ago:

Hi Amelia,
After a whirlwind post-wedding of visiting family and then running
off on our honeymoon, we’re finally back in Toronto (got in last
night) and I wanted to take a minute to send you a note and say a VERY
big thank you to you and Anita for all of your help and hard work on
our wedding day. You were both truly amazing – and somehow
everywhere at once! So many of our family commented on how great you
both were and everyone is just so excited to see how the pictures
turned out. My mom can’t stop raving about the few that she saw on
the screen of your camera, so I just know we got some seriously good
photos!
Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks again for being so great.
Please send our thanks to Anita as well. Can’t wait to see the photos!
Thanks,
Erica (& Chris)

(Now you guys see even more why I love my job sooooooo much?)

I am kind of beside myself that I get to travel out to one of my favourite places and do it all again (twice) this summer…that’s right…TWO weddings in New Brunswick in August (I’m so excited!). Anyhow, Patty & Mark’s wedding is one of them and I am really looking forward to watching and documenting these two take the official plunge.

Mark & Patty have something special. You don’t see it often but you know when you do see it. They kind of light up when they look at each other. Let’s see here…Merriam Webster defines TORCH as follows:
1. a burning stick of resinous wood or twist of tow used to give light and usually carried in the hand : flambeau
2. something (as tradition, wisdom, or knowledge) likened to a torch as giving light or guidance 3. any of various portable devices for emitting an unusually hot flame
Yep…that about sums these two up.

And so I introduce you to this lovely couple.

We started down at Cherry Beach…

Then it was off to BCE place – we actually got kicked out but it was worth it!

Next we found ourselves outside Union Station – these bikes are for rent (what fun!)

Our final stop was Polson Pier…

See you soon guys!

I first met Ariana when she was a couple of weeks old. I shot some photos of her on Father’s Day last June and you can see those here.

Without further ado…baby Ariana’s first birthday…

To Michelle & Frank: congratulations on a wonderful first year and I hope you continue to marvel in Ariana’s milestones. With love…