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.

The speed of Digital!

Something for your mind to chew on today.

I get asked all the time if I get worried about everyone owning a digital camera these days?

The simple answer is NO.

And here's why...

Alongside digital SLR's, manufacturers are making wonderful P&S cameras with anti-shake, anti-dust, self-cleaning, built in video cameras, noise reduction....the list goes on. And for next to nothing! Which is amazing, and I'm so glad for it. It's driving down the price of the camera's that I've got on my Christmas wish list for one thing, and secondly, I'm proud to be part of an industry that is no longer so financially exclusive. It's exciting when I see 7 and 8 year olds with their own camera fighting for a spot when the bride and groom walk down the aisle!

But I digress...

My point was that despite the fact that cameras are so cheap today, packed with so much amazing shooterness (yes, shooterness!), all the basic photographic rules still apply. And if you don't know how to use to your benefit or control, you'll have a hard time 'getting the shot'. The aesthetics, the light, the composition, the attachment to the subject, when to shoot - these things haven't changed since the dawn of the photographic image. You can shoot and shoot and shoot until you're blue in the face, and say that you'll fix in photoshop, but what have you learned? You've 20 shots of the same thing with the same mistake. And you'll continue to make that mistake.

People ask me why they should pay me for my services when their uncle who owns a digital SLR, is an avid amateur, will shoot their wedding for $500 and give them all the images untouched.

Same reason you don't take your car to a plumber. It's going to seem like a plumber fixed your car.

Why would you give the responsibility of capturing the biggest day of your life to someone clearly isn't going to get you exactly what you want? You want images you will cherish the same 20 years from now as you do today.

This just emphasizes my point. It's great that everyone at a wedding today has a camera. Will they get some great shots? Yes. Will they capture some great expressions? Surely. Anyone can get lucky.

We're not in the business to get lucky. We work very hard to get you the shots that you hired us for in the first place. And do it fast. We scope out the venue, check the light against the time we'll be shooting. I storyboard all my weddings, and I have a shot list (I'm not talking about the Bride w/ Dad and Mom list) that we stick pretty closely to. We have our eye on details and moments, and using top end professional equipment that we know not many other folks in attendance will have and set us apart in that respect.

So, does it bother me that camera's are loaded with options and a ridiculous number of features and everyone owns one?

Once again, no. I'm glad that the advent of the digital era is upon us. It's allowing everyone to be able to take photos of events in their lives. Photos that will probably be around for a long, long time. Never has it been easier to upload pics to your own website or blog, or load an album into Facebook and connect with old friends or family across the world. That's truly remarkable!

Do I think I can take a better photo than the average shooter? I think that I have all the tools and knowledge and preparation to providing you with the best possible photos on your day. I think I come very well armed to give you some pretty special photos. Photos that you may not find in anyone else's album or on their wall or above their mantle.

Have a great Thursday!

Byron

Quick update!

If you've been trying to contact me at my old address...it likely won't work for you. Please start using my new email address:

info@byronbrydges.com

Sending messages to my old address will bounce. Just wanted to give everyone the heads up in case you were frustrated with your email bouncing. Several people have told me so.

Sorry for the inconvenience,

Byron

BIG NEWS IS FINALLY HERE!!!

Hi Everyone!

Well I have to tell you that I'm just so excited about this post, because I've been dying to tell you all for so long about our big news....

Our NEW WEBSITE has just launched! I won't spill any beans as I want you to check it out all for yourself, but I will post this pic as a little teaser.



Go and take a look around - let me know what you think!! Comments good or bad and honest critiques are always welcome. I hope you enjoy the new look and feel of the Byron Brydges website as we were so stoked to put it together!

Now, stop wasting your time - go to www.byronbrydges.com to see it for yourself! And don't forget to turn your speakers up...

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... :)

Photo of the Month - October!

Being that it's fall in the Great White North, we must celebrate! And what better way to do that than honouring Mother Nature by giving her the PoM photo. She deserves it!

This is the view from our front window.



As Canadians, we fully accept that there are 2 seasons here - this winter and last winter.

Hey-OOOOOO!

Amy & Brian!

We drove to Montreal to shoot Amy and Brian's wedding. They had their pictures taken on the McGill University campus and then were later married in the same lovely church that the groom's parents were married.

This is now on our 'all-time favourite church shots' list!


They had agreed not to see one another until they got to McGill to shoot. It was a wonderful moment that we all got to take part in. I love Brian's expression as Amy walks up behind him...


They got each other gifts. She got him a new watch (I too am a watch fanatic!!) and she received a beautiful pearl necklace. Here he is about to put it on her.


Maureen got this shot of the girls. I think the expressions on each of them is just perfect!


And while she was shooting the girls, I was off with the guys. Here is my fave of them!


Amy is such an expressive girl. She has a beautiful, happy smile and you can't help but smile yourself!


I don't think Brian stopped smiling all day. Especially when he looked at Amy.


See what I mean!?


We love our sun flare! Pizzazz!


McGill has some great old stone pillars and steps. We had to use them. This is Mo's fave!






PERFECTION! We love this shot...


The very happy and very photogenic bride and groom!


Awesome couple!
Awesome day!
Awesome shoot!

You guys are...well...awesome!

Pic of BB in action!

So...here's what I look like when shooting. Not pretty, but it gets the job done!



This was taken by a couple who attended a recent wedding we shot. They are looking to start their own wedding biz in Montreal and are off to a good start! When they send me a website, I'll post the link.