steve + mel | outdoor engagement session at Tiffin Conservation

This is Steve and Mel. Steve and I go way back, like 25 years back (crazy!) and have been through so much together. In college, Steve and I were roommates and one day he brought Mel over and I instantly loved this girl. They are such a fun, awesome, laid back couple and after almost a decade, are finally tying the knot. We are officially at the two month countdown (2 from today) until their wedding and I am so fortunate to be capturing it :)

Here is a peek at our engagement shoot from this past fall at Tiffin Conservation Area. Enjoy!

mackenzie + brayden | an in-home engagement session

A few weeks back, Mackenzie and Brayden went to NYC where Brayden popped the big question. This beautiful couple is now getting married in 2018 and I am SO stoked for them.

When Mackenzie contacted me about doing engagement photos, she was interested in some forest shots and I have been itching to do a in-home engagement session, so we made sure to make BOTH happen. From forest to knitted blankets to couch cuddles to pillow fights to boozy drinks to warm up, this session has it all! 

Thanks so much for having me m + b! I hope to work with you guys again soon xo

kate + chris | a junction triangle engagement photoshoot

The best thing about photographers in this country (and maybe even beyond) is that most of us support each other, encourage, inspire and mainly, have several social media groups where we post referrals and try and help each other with getting more work and providing referrals to clients when we are unavailable. 

Because of one of these groups this awesome couple, Kate and Chris, wrote me about capturing their wedding. When they described their wedding in their initial email, I had a really hard time not writing back instantly with an email scream "YESSSSSSSS!!". Their wedding is going to be unique and AWESOME!

When we had our initial chat, Kate and I had an instant connection. Live in the same neighbourhood, love the same music and restaurants and when it came to their engagement session, we knew we had to include some of those elements of our lives. 

When it came to choosing a location, I instantly thought "brewery/restaurant, art and the city", and we found exactly that. My friend Mel has recently turned her lofty apartment into a wicked art filled space used for markets, concerts and more, the Junction Art Crossing. They have monthly markets, weekly workshops and live music as well, it's a wicked space everyone should check out. Another reason to head over there? It's directly beside The Toronto Distillery Co. and Junction Craft Brewery.

Mel let us use her amazing space and rooftop during their November event and we decided to have some beers at Junction Brewery before and grab some for the shoot. 

Here are a few peeks from our day!

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! 

brittany + drew | a rustic farm wedding at rainbow valley wedding barn in caledon

Brittany and Drew are one of those couples that make me feel so lucky to have my "job". I say it in quotes because honestly, hanging out with these two and their friends and family, never once felt like work. 

Brit and Drew found me through a free wedding magazine that I just happened to submit one of my weddings too. Brit and I met up in person for the first time and instantly it was a match and I wanted to capture their wedding so bad. I am so thankful they chose me. 

From the first second I saw them on the wedding day, to the minute I left, my face hurt from smiling and my make up was a mess from crying. Every little detail was perfect: walking in and everyone is rocking out to the Tragically Hip (my fav band), constant laughs all day with the whole group, horses chasing us while doing photos (and while we chased goats), truly emotional speeches, the best dance floor and the list goes on. 

B + D, THANK YOU!! I don't know how many times I can say it, I am so darn thankful I was lucky enough to capture such a perfect wedding. I am so happy you guys found me through that magazine and I really hope I get to work with you, your friends and your families again. 

-Megan xo

Wedding Planner - Amanda Lorusso, Precious Occasions Planning

Venue - Rainbow Valley Wedding Barn

Hair - Tanya Noland- @tanya_hair

Make Up - Ronnie Tremblay- @ronnietremblay

Flowers - Stems Floral Studio

Caterer- Feast Your Eyes

Rentals- Affair Rentals

Bridesmaid Dresses - Davids Bridal

Groom and Groomsmen - Andrews Formals

Brittany's Dress - Avenue 22 (Eddy K)

Second Shooter - Ally Ho

mark + lindsay | a beautiful backyard wedding at Beamer Falls Manor in Grimsby

First off, I have to say that this wedding is the perfect example of "if it rains, embrace it". Mark + Lindsey got married at Beamer Falls Manor (one of my favorite venues to date, with the nicest owners taboot!) on September 10, 2016. The entire day was torrential rain, off and on off and on and finally, when the sun gave them a few minutes of it's time, they got married under a giant willow tree.

Mark + Lindsay are the epitome of a perfect couple. The entire day was filled with candid emotion, love, incredible details and a wicked fun group of people. M + L, thank you so darn much for having me to capture your day. I hope I get to work with you guys soon and can't wait for you guys to see all the photos! 

Second shot by Michelle Lina

lindsay + kyle | a backyard wedding in alliston

First off, I am so honoured to have been chosen by l + k to capture their day. After them being together for 9.5 years, and myself knowing them for all of that time, I again, am so thankful I was the one to capture their love!

When you think of a diy wedding, you think of cute crafts, some homemade decor etc. but this was SO much more then a DIY wedding, it was the perfect wedding. So much love,  sweat and tears went into every moment and every detail of the day. From the bouquets made by the girls (other then lindsays bouquet, which was made by Karen at Schakel Greenhouses), to her dad making the bar, to an uncle making the cafe lighting outside the tent to the mothers growing the lavender themselves that you see through all the arrangements, so incredible.

L + K, I hope I captured your day perfectly and I can't wait for you guys to see ALL the pics 

xo Megan