Doing Nothing in Jamaica

I love to travel. Warren and I did so much travelling in the first year of our marriage. Living in Europe will do that for you! Then our second year was spent living in Grenada and that was an adventure in and of itself, even though we never traveled off the island. The next five years were spent having three children and moving three more times. Needless to say there wasn’t really a spare moment to go on vacation.

We went on our first cruise and ended the five year travelling hiatus and now we are hooked. Our bucket list is miles long and we are only beginning to scratch the surface… literally! For Christmas this year I bought us a scratch map of the world so we could document our travels in a physical way. Now the itch to scratch is even higher than before!

In November we decided a little last minute to get away and take a nice break. We decided instead of a trip we would just have a vacation. To me they are very different things. Trips are full of touring and activities, exploring and adventuring. Vacations are when you sit on the beach and do nothing.

That is exactly what we did.

Well to be fair we also sat by the pool and did nothing, sat on a boat and did nothing, and sat on our balcony and did nothing. And we needed it. It’s so important to take care of yourself and your marriage. This is one thing I wish I had known when I got married. You have to keep tabs on your relationship, you have to make time for each other and for your marriage. I wish it was enough to just be in love. It’s not. Having a successful marriage takes hard work. These vacations that we go on without the kids are so fantastic but that’s not what makes our relationship successful. Only when we take the time for each other, even if we have to schedule the elusive one-on-one time, it’s worth it. It’s worth the daily effort and daily checks to make sure you are putting everything you can into your marriage.

Vacations are a really nice reset. They take you out of your every day life and give you a chance to breathe without the weight of responsibility and the distractions of every day life. I think when we usually go on a trip or vacation we feel like we have to spend our time site seeing and soaking in the new place we’re visiting. But sometimes it’s okay to just sit and be still.

So enjoy the pictures of us literally doing nothing and having one of the best vacations we’ve ever had.

More specifically, enjoy the pictures of us reading, drinking (virgin) pina coladas, dancing on boats, eating yummy food, and some bloopers from when I made Warren take 100000000 pictures of me!

A shout out to Ink Box Toronto for my awesome temporary tattoo! I loved it and I think I’ll be sporting them a lot more… maybe I’ll start a new trend like Where’s Waldo, but Where’s the Tattoo? instead!

We stayed at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. We give it 3 stars. It was good, mostly clean but needs some updates, which they were doing while we were there. Decent beach, some seaweed, and a little rockier than I like. The food was hit or miss, there was some really good food and then there was some really mediocre food. Service was really good, and their on-site excursion/activity center Dressel Divers was the best part!

The P Family // A Toronto Lifestyle Family Session

Okay do you know how I love gushing? I’m a huge fan of adjective. Like I really, really like them. Now you’ve been warned because I cannot help but gush about this family session.

First of all their house. I walked in to this stunning house in Toronto. From floor to ceiling I was already giddy. The natural light, the decor, it was all beautiful and I couldn’t wait to capture it all! Seriously… just wait until you scroll to the pictures of baby S’s nursery. Is it possible to be jealous of a baby? Well I am. Giving homage to her half Australian parentage, there are adorable pictures of baby animals hanging over her crib, and the cutest mobile I’ve ever seen. I loved it all. It almost makes me want to have another baby just so I can have this nursery… almost.

Second, their dog. Don’t hate me… I’m not a huge animal person. It takes me a long time to warm up to animals. But for some reason, Ocean had me at hello. She was the sweetest pup ever and baby S is so lucky to grow up with such an awesome best friend. Again, jealous of this baby.

And third, the family. Oh this family was so sweet! You could tell how in love and obsessed they were with baby S, and how could they not be? She was seriously the best behaved baby during any photo shoot I have ever done! I typically set aside 2-3 hourrs for a newborn/baby family session because sometimes the baby needs to eat, poop, pee, change, stop crying etc. But baby S was happy and content to be doted on by her parents and we were done in about 45 minutes. We had one little eating break but even then we got some great shots during that! Oh and mom and dad were so in love and so comfortable in front of the camera. Just before I would give a direction they would do exactly what I wanted them to, and that would be interact with each other and with baby S.

It’s hard sometimes to break the habit of the traditional family photo shoot where everyone is looking at the camera smiling in every picture. I love it when families just talk and laugh with each other. Those are the pictures worth having. Smiling ones are lovely too, but being a family is what you want to remember!

This family was a dream and I can’t stop staring at these photos!

In-home session tips:

• Have the rooms that you want to take pictures in cleaned is great, having your whole house clean is even better. I know it’s difficult but trust me, your stress level will go way down!

• Prepare for baby accidents and roll with them! Remember I have three children so you never need to apologize to me about messes and/or crying babies!

• Interact with each other as much as possible, I’ll let you know when I want you to look at the camera.

• Houses look different at different times of the day. When booking your session pay attention to your rooms and when they get the best light, it makes a world of difference!

• Be comfortable! You’re in your home, a safe, cozy place, these pictures are not as “formal”

Meagan + Phil // A Valens Consveration Area Engagement Shoot

Meagan and Phil are a special couple to me. Meagan and I go way back to elementary school. She was one of my idols even though she was only one grade ahead of me. We continued on to the same high school where we road the bus together. You see, I grew up in Cambridge Ontario but lived in a rural area. Meagan also lived out in the country so we had loads of long bus rides together. We have lost tough throughout the years but when I got her wedding inquiry I recognized her name immediately.

Let me tell you, it makes a HUGE difference when you feel like you know your photographer (and in this case, she already did!). It’s one of my biggest business goals to connect with my couples. For the main reason that I want them to feel comfortable being themselves. When a couple can just be themselves their photos become real memories and tell a real story of their relationship. So one of my questions during a potential client interview is, “what are your hobbies? what do you like to do together?” Sorry, that’s two questions! This lets me in to see what kind of engagement session we can have, I love to do something during an engagement shoot that the couple already does together, making them even more comfortable.

When I asked Meagan this she said she would love to do them at Valens because they love to explore the park and they do it quite often. I was super excited! That’s where I grew up, my childhood home is in the conservation area , plus my love of water and voila! the perfect engagement session for them!

They decided on a November session so they could be all cozy and warm and cute and man were they ever. Add that splash of red to a beautifully overcasted evening and I was doing happy dances every time I checked the back of my screen.

We had a lovely walk around the lake, to the iconic Valens Lake bridge, then to some beautiful yellow leaves that stayed just for our session so we could add some fall colours in and have some fun leaf throwing.

These two were perfectly in love and I could see it with every frame. I’m super excited for their wedding day and the magic these two will create with me!

Monica + Stuart // An Unforgettable Distillery District Wedding

When I first spoke with Monica on the phone we talked for almost two hours. She was looking for a specific kind of photography but also someone that her and her fiance, Stuart, would get along with. One of the first things she told me was that their wedding was going to be very personal. They were having their buddy officiate, her wedding planner was a friend, and almost all of their vendors they had had a relationship with previously. I loved that she really knew what she wanted and she knew how important it was to connect on a personal level with her photographer.

At the end of that initial phone call, it felt like we had been friends forever and that is the dream right there for me. Having clients turned friends allows me to really capture the relationship! Monica was so great with communicating with me what she wanted while also trusting me to do what I do best! Which is take pictures while joking, dancing, and laughing with them!

From the moment she sent me a picture of her wedding dress I was hooked. She kept me in the loop with all of the planning and I was able to really build a bond with her and her wedding. I loved knowing all the details before showing up on the day! I always joke that in another life I would have been a wedding planner. I am basically obsessed with all things weddings and details and I still get so excited every time I walk into a ceremony space or reception area and see all the hard work and attention that went into planning.

I walked into Archeo and was just floored by how stunning it was. Monica and Christine from Flower Treasures pulled off a romantic, intimate, and fun wedding! I knew immediately it was going to be one of the best weddings of the year! And from a wedding photography standpoint, an absolute dream to photograph.

I’m getting ahead of myself! First I went to the AirBnB that Monica rented for getting ready in. This is always a tricky part of the day because not all houses have great light. Renting an AirBnB with beautiful natural light and without the clutter of a regular home gave us the perfect backdrop for bridal detail shots, getting dressed, bridal portraits, first look with brides maids (and fun pictures with bridesmaids in PJs!), and first look with dad. I would highly recommend paying looking into to reserving a house with natural light if you want pictures in the morning while you’re getting ready.

On the other hand, Stuart and his groomsmen got ready in his friend’s condo, and lucky for us, they had an awesome roof to take pictures on! If you’re using a smaller space for getting ready, see if there are alternate locations in your area that we can also do photos in!

Once we arrived at Archeo it was pretty much smooth sailing. Monica and Stuart opted for a first look (which I highly recommend… stay tuned for a post on why) and from there we did all of their family photos, birdal party photos, and bride and groom portraits! Monica was a princess in her gown, and we cannot forget the beautiful moment where they met Riley, their fur baby, for a quick wedding day family photo. Riley was so excited to see her mom and dad, it was such a sweet moment.

I’ll never forget Monica and Stuart’s ceremony. Archeo has a beautiful patio with amazing stringed bulbed lights, and of course, the signature red brick background of the Distillery District. Their vows were personal and touching, funny and sweet. They had their friend marry them which was the perfect tough to this personalized ceremonies. I love it when couples write their own vows, and I almost always cry… okay, I always tear up. I love love!

The wedding continued in it’s perfect, with one of the most delicious wedding meals, doughnut table, and as you know, I love some good (and bad!) dancing! And you know it’s a great wedding when your photographer doesn’t want to leave!

This beautiful wedding wouldn’t have been possible without the following incredible vendors

Coordination and Florals: Christine of Flower Treasures flowertreasures.com

Cake: Tasty Treats by Robyn @tastytreatsbyrobyn

DJ: Adam John goodkarmaevent.com

Hair: Jacqueline @jacquelinephoenix.hmua

Makeup: Anna lashesandlipstick.ca

Dress: Blush by Hailey Paige at Pearl Bridal pearlbridalhouse.com

Venue: Archeo, Distillery District archeo.ca

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal davidsbridal.ca

#MonicafoundStulove

Missy + Kyle // A Golf's Steak House Wedding

Back in October I had the pleasure of photographing Missy and Kyle’s wedding. It was an interesting story, but the short version is that unforeseen circumstances left them without a photographer for the day. My hair and make-up artist friend Jacqueline (Jacqueline Phoenix HMUA) called me on a Saturday afternoon and asked me if I was free to shoot this wedding… today! Luckily I was off that day and after packing up my gear (I had just charged all my batteries the night before) and arranging babysitters for my kids, I was off to the wedding! Within half an hour of the phone call I was there, camera out, ready to help out this bride and groom in any way I could. Jacqueline was a life saver for them, I’m so glad she was there to help them out with this hiccup and that I was free!

This was a wedding where everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. However, through it all Missy and Kyle remained calm and just went with it. I was truly amazed and inspired by them. They wanted to celebrate their love and that is what mattered to them! It was also a good lesson, that no matter how much you plan and prepare, there might be things that do not go exactly as you want them. You’re day might have some bumps in it but as long as you remember that the day is about you marrying the love of your life, it can still be perfect!

Missy and the bridesmaids were finishing up getting ready when I arrived and the groomsmen were about to get dressed. They were getting ready all in one location so I was able to zip around the house capturing the final touches of the bride getting ready, some detail shots, and the groomsmen getting their suits on. It was a little hectic when I first arrived but things slowed down a little bit and everyone was able to relax and start enjoying the day!

It also rained! Have no fear brides, if it rains on your wedding day there are so many options. It’s actually considered good luck for it to rain so count it as a blessing. Since it was rainy we went to the CIGI building in Waterloo to take some pictures in front of this beautiful brick wall with the pretty teal shutters. It was a small space but we had a lot of variety with the added benefit of the overhanging roof to sheild us from the rain. The large mirror-like window walls was a great dramatic option, the brick was was perfect, and there was a little ally way with trees that added some green to the day. After we were done taking pictures we went to the Golf’s Steak House where the ceremony and reception were being held. When we arrived things had settled down and we were able to do family pictures and I got some detail shots of the reception before all the guests arrived.

The rest of the day went by so smoothly. The flower girl was adorable, the ceremony was beautiful, and the vows were personalized which meant some funny jokes and strong emotions. My favourite! This couple definitely deserved a smooth day after the chaotic morning and I was so happy to be there with them, watching their love! The weather gave us a little break and after the ceremony I was able to take them outside again. Behind Golf’s Steak House there is a patio with beautiful trees and then some stairs leading down to this little clearing right on the Grand River. You could see the bridge and lots of greenery in the background. It was the perfect spot for them to take a breath together and enjoy of moment of those first moments as husband and wife. This was my favourite part of the day. Being with just them, calm, intimate, with that perfect after-the-rain lighting!

We did eventually go back inside and enjoyed a great dinner, and some truly touching speeches. I was honoured when the father of the bride thanked me for coming on such short notice, it was very sweet of him! I love the speech portion of the night, especially at this wedding since I didn’t get the chance to get to know Missy and Kyle leading up to their wedding day, I got to know them the day of and it was wonderful! They have so many friends and family who love them and that is always amazing to see. The rest of the night was partying and this group knew how to party! I had such a blast breakin’ it down on the dance floor. So just a heads up to all my 2019 brides, you will see me bust multiple moves at your wedding!

After I was done for the night Missy changed into her pajamas so I know that we were meant to be friends! I loved that she had thought of that little detail and was ready to really let loose and enjoy the rest of her day as comfortably as possible.

New idea: a line of wedding gowns made out of flannel?! Pajama gowns, coming to a town near you!

Happy wedding day Missy and Kyle!