amanda + zack | urban Toronto wedding at the Burroughes Building

Amanda and Zack reside in Buffalo, NY and when it came to planning their wedding from South of the border, they absolutely nailed every single detail. From the most amazing food by The Food Dudes to Amanda’s dream Truvelle dress to the most gorgeous flowers by Fiori in Oakville. Not to mention the warm, unique and low light of the Burroughes building tying everything together. Other key things about their day that made it a dream, not one but two rooftop photo locations. Like come on!

I am the luckiest photographer for these two finding me online and I hope you enjoy looking at their love story.

Vendors:

Blog Curated by: Tallie Garey

Florist: @fiorioakville - www.fiorioakville.com

Caterer: @fooddudes -thefooddudes.com

Hair + Make up : @Fancyfaceinc - www.fancyface.ca

Dress Maker: @truvellebridal -truvelle.com

Dress from: @sashandbustle - www.sashandbustle.com

Save Our Scruff - Spay + Neuter Clinic in Dominican Republic

If you follow along any of my social media channels, you know that a few weeks ago I was volunteering with Save Our Scruff down in Dominican Republic. I traveled with 12 other SOS volunteers to go work alongside volunteers from all over the world who were working for our partner organizations: Geo Veterinary International, AAAS and Moringa's Mission.

My main role was to head down there to document the project and give the media (photos + video) to all the organizations to use for future promotions, marketing and fundraising efforts. 

Soon I am going to do a piece on my experience and curate my favorite images, but for now, here is the highlight video I shot and edited. So incredible to be a part of and I can't thank everyone enough for bringing me along. 

matt + monika | fun archeo toronto wedding

Monika and Matt found my photography through Instagram and contacted me about five months before their wedding and I am so darn happy I was still available. We scheduled a phone chat to make sure we were on the same page and we were laughing our butts off within seconds and I knew it was going to be a great day. 

Monika and Matt got ready at the Thompson Hotel and then had a outdoor ceremony and intimate reception at Archeo Trattoria. This was my first time photographing at the Archeo (I shot a wedding a week later here too!) and I was blown away by the beautiful decor and moody lighting and the outdoor space is perfect!

It was a day full of laughs, tears and romance. Monika and Matt were so fun to hang out with and so easy to photograph as their love is so natural and it translates through all the photos. 

Since their wedding, I submitted a photo from their wedding to a show at the Gladstone Hotel, The Love Actually Exhibition, and it was accepted. I am so happy to be sharing this milestone with such a rad couple.

The Love (Actually) Exhibition is a group photo-show showcasing the power of love & happiness in real moments during weddings. It’s returning for it’s second time and will be an annual show at the Gladstone Hotel. 

Curated by Toronto photographer Scarlet O’Neill, the diverse images of a variety of Toronto Wedding Photographers will be accompanied by a description of what made this moment meaningful along with a list of the wedding vendors who contributed to making the couples day special. This show shows a deeper view into the wedding world and the vast emotions that make weddings memorable days in people’s lives.

Opening Night Reception: February 8th at 7pm-10pm
At the Gladstone Hotel, third floor.
Cash Bar.

Show run: January 30th until Feb 25th. 
Open daily 12-5

Couple: Matt + Monika

Venue: Archeo

Dress: Davids Bridal

Monika Rings: Peoples

Matt’s Rings: His Grandfathers with more modern gold added by Meg Lizabet (@meglizabet, @bespokejewellery)

Hair: @savannamunro_  from @bobandpaigesalon

Makeup: Bride @monikadarling

My experience at the November Refresh Workshop

At the start of 2016 I set two goals for myself: to take at least one workshop and to get booked for a session overseas. I have officially accomplished both.

Ever since I started photography, I have been following (and stalking) a few incredible photographers. There are quite a few I respect, follow and love but I can say I have two ultimate favs, Jennifer Moher and Hugh Whitaker. Months ago I FINALLY registered to take their Refresh Workshop and have been looking so forward to it since. 

The workshop came at the best time in my photography season, the winter "lull". Although I have a few weddings left in 2016 and quite a few sessions coming up, I was feeling blah. I needed a refresh if you will :) 

I can't recommend this workshop enough. Jennifer, Hugh and Erin Lester (Jen's second shooter) are so real. There's no question to simple or too blunt or too silly to ask them and you get a real answer, which I think is the most important aspect of a workshop. 

We covered everything from initial client conversations to how to present a finished product to SEO to social media, everything I wanted to hear them talk about, we talked about. 

The best part of the day was having real models (who ended up being so fun and perfect for our group). We started with the Groom getting ready, then the bride, to a first look and then a reception. It was great to see how Jennifer, Hugh and Erin would photograph with the light we had and the settings the models were in. We were then given our own time with the models to use what we learnt, which was wicked. 

Jen, Hugh and Erin, I can't thank you enough. You gave me the little fire under my bum to do better, which is exactly what I wanted out of your workshop. You have inspired me and motivated me to do just that much better when it comes to showing my work, building relationships and valuing my time. So thank you times 10000!

Here is a peek at our workshop session. Enjoy! 

Behind the Scenes in Costa Rica

For those who don't know yet, on top of being a photographer and freelance graphic designer I am also the Creative Director at Photographers Without Borders(PWB). With PWB, I have seen countries and met people I may of never had the chance too, and it has been incredible.

On February 2, I left for Costa Rica for the second PWB Photodocumentary Workshop to help Danielle Da Silva (the founder) facilitate the workshop and capture behind the scenes footage (both photo & video). Here are a few of my favorites!

Interested in taking one of our workshops? The next one is full in May but our fall one will be announced soon!

www.photographerswithoutborders.org/workshops