Tammy & Phil!

Tammy and Phil - what can I say about these two...? Both genuine spirits with lots of love for one another. Every time they were posed close together, Phil would always whisper something in Tammy's ear and she'd always laugh. Not giggle. An out and out laugh. You couldn't help but wonder what he said to her and it'd just make you laugh alongside them. It was like that all day, and great to be near them just to see how much fun they had.

Despite the rain they were still tough enough to weather the elements. Gotta love it!!

Tammy's shoes.



Doesn't the bride just exude happiness?!


I love this candid moment that Maureen caught as the girls were about to hop in the limo. Apparently someone ordered wind with the rain!


The inside of the church was gorgeous.


After the ceremony, we headed over to the Museum of Civilization for some pics because the weather wouldn't cooperate. I adore this shot of the bride. Stunning!


The flowers were fab!


Too many BEvERages...??


We headed outside hoping the rain would stop. It did...sorta...
Love it!!


A tender moment...


I love the kissy shots!


Tammy by herself. It is A-MAZING!!! What a backdrop! My fave of the day.


Add the groom. My other fave of the day!


'Nuf said.


The pose. The architecture. The result.


A great shot of the groom on a chair we found at the base of the steps. Maureen's fave of the day!


Is a shoot really complete without a BB signature? I think not.


I decided that I liked these shots so much that I would put them in a series. They make smile every time I see them.


I just love the perspective of this shot as we finish up shooting and head to the reception.


Thanks guys, what a great day it turned out to be. You were both real troopers to fight the rain!

Best,

BB

Melina & Brad!

Melina and Brad were probably one of the most easy going couples we've ever worked with. Truly relaxed and stress free, they really made our day so easy. When they initially came to me, they said that they wanted something different. Urban, modern, gritty, and funky. We searched all of Ottawa to get them different, and came up with a number of poses and ideas that we thought would capture their personalities.

Here is a funky make-up shot.


Melina checking out her beautiful dress in a mirror.


A new take on a traditional image.


Mel being helped out of the limo.


Maureen caught this as they were preparing to walk down the aisle.


I love the perspective...


Melina and Brad wanted different...we gave them different...


Nothing better than pillars and concrete to reflect the gritty, urban feel to their images.


Brad's expression is perfect. And wonderful space in the frame.


The group on some rusted stairs...


The boys, relaxed as ever...


I love this portrait of Melina! She looks fab!


Graffiti on a burned out old rig. Need I say more?


Oh my...a new favourite. Love their expressions, love the pose, the door...LOVE IT...


Melina didn't stop smiling all day. I don't think she could have if she wanted to!


Okay, another favourite! Brad is working it.


The stunning bride! Simply gorgeous.


I believe Maureen said "Soooo girly!". I couldn't agree more!


Brad was on at this point! Great portrait.


They had their reception at the Cube gallery. What an amazing venue - surrounded by art, live music and food. It was really unique, just like them!


Loved working with you two (and your family and friends)!

BB

10 things...

Here are 10 things you might not know about me:

1. I am a huge football fan - that is soccer for those not in the know. My team - Manchester United. I know, I know, but I've been on the wagon since...well, since forever. Ryan Giggs would be my favourite player. 34 years old, left footed and still blazingly fast.

2. I shave once a week. Why? Well, to be honest it just hurts to shave. Really no other reason. By day 6, I start to look like a lumberjack.

3. I don't sleep well before weddings. Generally, I spend the Friday before a Saturday wedding prepping. Going to our shooting location, checking the light, charging batteries, testing equipment etc etc. Those things usually don't bother me, what usually gets under my skin is wondering what new pose or interesting idea I'm going to try as I want, ultimately, each couple to have some very unique photos for their album. When the camera clicks its first shot, the nerves are gone and it's game time.

4. I broke my collarbone walking my dog when I was 13. Well, more like a slow jog. Embarrassing. She wrapped my legs and arms up with the chain so that I couldn't put my hands out to break my fall. I had to wear this really geeky strap that made my arms stick out the sides for like a month. Hey, it's hard for a kid at 13.

5. I shed a few tears when my childhood dog died. Me, along with everyone else in the family I suppose. I loved that dog. Loved it. She was the best and so smart. I wasn't mad at her at all for #4.

6. I am a self taught photographer. No BA or BFA. Once took a college course, but I had read so many books by the time I took the course that I didn't get much out of it. The teacher was so mad at me for not taking notes. That is to say that I wouldn't be afraid to take another course or am not up for learning, because I learn new things every day and am fully aware as to how much more I have to learn.

7. I once got stopped by the cops for doing 113km/h in a 50km/h zone. Ticket was like $365. The reason - late for an early morning tee off.

8. My favourite movie is Braveheart. Being of partial Scottish heritage, this movie made me want to go out and buy a sword screaming at the top of my lungs..."Freeeeeedommmmmm!" I've seen this movie like 100 times and every time I watch the movie I get chills on the back of my neck. Especially the scene where William Wallace rides in to the village on his horse just after they kill his wife.

9. I can sing all the words to Johnny Cash's song Boy named Sue. I love all of his songs.

10. I love to have my Tim Horton's coffee (2 cream, 1 sugar) with a raisin teabiscuit. Each one seems to make the other taste better. Weird. Maureen thinks I'm nuts.

I'm going to tag Derrick Rice, Andrew Geddes and Sam and Mary to see if we can keep this going. (see previous post for their blogs).

Enjoy your day!

Who do you stalk?

I get asked from time to time who's blog I follow. I would more or less consider it blog stalking, because I'm checking their blog every morning over my cup of java and oatmeal.

This is my speed dial of bloggers:

Jessica Claire - jessicaclaire.net
She is a superstar shooter, living in SoCal. Primarily a natural light wedding shooter, she has a way of capturing everyone in a very fresh, clean way. I love her stuff.

The Becker - beckersblog.com
Again, a great wedding shooter living in the golden state. I enjoy his images, but moreover enjoy his free spirited approach to blogging and his don't care attitude about expressing his opinion. Lover of all things Apple.

Chase Jarvis - chasejarvis.com/blog
A wonderful commercial and stock photographer. Do a youtube search for this guy, you will love how he accomplishes his shoots. Just amazing. I love this guy.

Jenn and Steve Bebb - bebbblog.squarespace.com
Oh my, are these guys amazing wedding photographers. I have so much to learn from them. They are based in Vancouver Canada, and were voted one of the World's Top 10 Wedding Photographers in 2007 by American Photo. Stellar, stellar, stellar. Just wish they'd blog a bit more (much like myself). Recently Jenn paired up with Jessica Claire to shoot Gary Fong's wedding (an industry icon himself, no longer shooting weddings) If you only had 1 blog to check out today, pick this one.

Chris + Lynn Jakksa - chrispluslynn.blogspot.com
International wedding and portrait photographers based in Vancouver. They are a wonderful husband and wife team, who so easily capture emotion, but are unafraid to tackle the elements and low light conditions to create truly one-of-a-kind images for their clients.

Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser - theblogisfound.com
Wonderfully talented duo who put a wicked spin on what might otherwise be considered fairly mainline photography. Brilliant in their approach. Brilliant in their execution.

Jeff and Julia Woods - jeffreywoods.typepad.com/
Can you believe this guy used to work 2 jobs to support his wedding photography passion. Such was his talent and mental strength that they now rightfully charge a premium dollar for their premium product and service. Currently, one of my fave photographers to stalk.

Jasmine Star - jasminestarblog.com
Only 2 years in biz and this girl has already taken the wedding photo world by storm. Learned by some of Cali's best and brightest (Mike Colon, David Jay, The Becker...), she has created her own niche and is now taking names.

Bludomain - bludomain.com/blog.cfm
My current web hoster. Wonderful product, fun, funky blog.

Nick Onken - http://www.nickonkenconnection.com/shoptalk/
I like this guy. Cool. Laconic. Collected. Great imagery. Talks about more than just photography. Currently has plans to write his own travel book.

***UPDATE***

Hey, how could I forget my Ottawa brethren?! Sorry gang. Some e-props for you.

Derrick Rice - derrickrice.com/blog
Check him out! He's only been in biz a few years (correct me if I'm wrong D) but his burgeoning photography business is taking Ottawa by storm. He's an East Coast lad whose pics and personality please all his clients.

Andrew Geddes - andrewgeddes.blogspot.com
Andrew is another talented capital city photographer. By putting a new spin on traditional wedding photography, he is helping us shape photography in this great city. Have a look at his latest work.

Sam and Mary - smphoto.wordpress.com
Great stuff from this duo. Creative, intelligent portraiture really set these guys apart. I love their lifestyle sessions and hyper-realness to their imagery.

For the rest of the Ottawa photographers out there, you had better hop on the blogging train. It's such a great way to connect with clients. I think Susan Stripling said it best "People come to your website once, but they visit your blog daily". Keep it updated, and folks will keep coming back to see what you're doing in your life and what new, unique ideas you've added to your brand.

If you have a few spare hours...or days, go check them out. All do amazing work in their own field and are very involved in giving back to the photographic community. Some do workshops, some give out their secrets and what made them successful on their blog, some show you videos on youtube. All are educational, but moreover all are interesting and fun.

Enjoy.

Virginia & Andrew!

Virginia & Andrew. You may remember this couple from their engagement shots that we did of them from waayyyyy back in the summer. She, with Julia Roberts eyes, and his, Mel Gibsons. If you thought they were a hot couple then...check 'em out on their big day!!!

I love this shot of Andrew's sister as the makeup artist does her lashes! Tasty light.


Something about a bride's expression as she slips into the gown on her wedding day...


Andrew and his posse!


Let me prelude this by saying that normally I don't do this type of shot as I find it a little on the cheesy side, but on their day I thought what the heck. I told Andrew I wanted to do it and I believe his words were "Nooooo....". Generally, I share his sentiment.
Looking back, I'm glad we did it.

His expression cracks me up every time I look this. Not to mention the hang time!

A shot during the vows.


Virginia with her Mom and sisters. They are all so close.


Maureen's fave of the day. Can't say I blame her...!


Hollywood!


OK. The bride. How hot is she...?!


Love this perspective. So sweet.


They're bringing sexy back!!!


And my shot from the front.


Bride and Groom. Need I say more? We took this at the Experimental Farms, in Ottawa. Quite close to the old observatory.


Funkay!


One of my faves.


How lucky am I to shoot the engagement AND wedding?!

Next I expect maternity, infant, family, anniversary... :)