Fantastic Year, Fantastic Couples

The past year was truly incredible in so many ways. Not only did I get to spend most of the year with our little Cooper and watch him grow and develop, but I met some amazing people who invited me into their lives to document their big days. I loved every minute of it.

14 couples took a chance on an unknown photographer. What I got out of it was making 38 new friends and I had the time of my life.

One word you will rarely, if ever, hear me say is "client." I actually hate it. It's so impersonal. This year my "brides and grooms" became my friends. I had so much fun getting to know them all. Having fun shooting their engagement photos, and their weddings. Their tears of happiness as they come down the aisle. The giggles while shooting the bridal party. The absolute love I see and feel as I photograph the Bride and Groom alone for the first time. I have nothing but incredible memories of this past year, and I owe it all to these special people who took a chance.

I can't wait for the new Brides and Grooms I will be getting to know in 2011. Those who have again taken a chance on little girl with a camera...and a love for love.

I have a feeling the next year is going to be just as amazing as 2010. Here's a look back at my new friends on their big days.

Ashley and Shawn Teaser

I have been an editing machine lately. I have so much to show you! And I can't wait for you see what I've been up to...and that's been a lot of shoots. A lot of amazing families, people in love, cute babies and weddings.

While I was editing Ashley and Shawn's wedding photos, I came across this photo that I nearly forgot I took. I love the colour and the backlight, but I especially love how beautiful Ashley looks.

Ashley and Shawn were married at the amazingly gorgeous Mono Community Centre, and Ashley got ready at the Nottawasaga Inn. Seriously...there was just too much pretty to go around that I couldn't wait to show you. Ashley is truly gorgeous in her dress that she blew me away. I can only imagine how Shawn felt!

More to come, but please take a look at the incredible Ashley!

Adam and Jen Teaser

Well, I'm checking out for two weeks. That's right...vacation!

Tobin and I are celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary, and we decided to really spoil ourselves. We're spending two weeks touring the East Coast of Canada and eating as much seafood as our bellies can handle. We even have a waterfront cabin with a hot tub! Oh, my aching muscles need that!

So, I may blog a few photos from the gorgeous coast, but for now, here's some photos from Jen and Adam's wedding at the Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston. We had a blast shooting in the arcade and the mini putt course. I love it when a couple's first priority for their photos is fun shots. LOVE it! But I couldn't resist sharing with you these intimate photos of them. I love that the only light hitting them is the light from the arcade/mini putt.

Have a wonderful two weeks!

Carolyn and Dominic are Married!

It's always a weird thing when you are asked to shoot a wedding, or even a family portrait for that matter, when you've never met the person/couple/family before.

My heart was racing as I drove to the Tavern on the Green in Brampton in August. I didn't know who I was looking for....just a bride and her name is Carolyn.

When I finally found her, I was floored. She was soooo stunning! I mean radiating beauty and happiness. Once I met Carolyn and her daughter Stephanie, I knew I was going to have fun.

Carolyn and Dominic were married in the most gorgeous setting....right after an intense, very quick rain storm that casted this amazing light and mood on the ceremony and the photos afterward. The thing I loved most about this wedding, is that is wasn't Carolyn and Dominic getting married...it was the two families (Carolyn and Stephanie and Dominic and his two sons). I loved it.

I also loved how Carolyn couldn't stop smiling...I mean REALLY smiling. Ear to ear...eyes crinkling, cheeks flushed....really smiling. I've never seen a bride so happy to be married to the man of her dreams. And for Dominic's part...he's really handsome and I felt like I was shooting a model for a tuxedo ad.

So, enjoy the photos from Carolyn and Dominic's wedding. These are some of my favourite from the summer.

Cooper is One!

It's very strange, maybe even a little "crazy Momish," but before Cooper was even born last September, I had his first birthday photo totally planned out in head. Now that today was his first birthday, I was so excited to finally get these shots.

Cooper was so funny. I'm not sure if he really understood what was going on, but I really think he loved every moment of his big first birthday. He had dinner with his grandparents and great grandparents and Aunt. He ate cake made by his great aunt and other aunt. He was beyond spoiled by everyone and loved both the attention and the new toys he got.

It's a little bittersweet to see my baby turn into a toddler. He's so busy now and the last year was a blur because it went by so quickly. I'm excited for the next year. Still can't believe he's one!

Kimberlee and Nick are Married!!

I have been so anxious to post the photos from Kim and Nick's Wedding at Tangle Creek Golf Course. It will always be one of my favourite weddings. Not just because it was fun, it was full of love, it was gorgeous....but Kim and Nick are such an amazing couple.

They are beautiful on the outside, but it's their inward beauty that really gets me. They are generous, loving and so close to their families. Through them, I have been able to get to know their families and they are the people you can tell who have given this couple their incredible traits. They immediately make you feel like you're one of them.

Kim and Nick are the type of couple who are soul mates. And I don't use that lightly. They are passionate, they are fun, and they can't stop looking in each other's eyes.

Kim said something in her speech at the wedding that Nick sometimes stops and looks at her with utter amazement and it gets her every time.

Kim, on your wedding day, everyone was staring at you with utter amazement because you looked like a bride out of a magazine. You were stunning and your husband wasn't bad either.

Always love each other the way you do now. Judging by how your families are, when you have a family of your own, it's going to be one amazing home.

Candice and Brad are Married!

Over the past year it's been so great getting to know Candice and Brad. I've known Brad since we were little kids riding the bus to school together. But now he's a grown man, with a beautiful woman by his side.

This couple is a great mix of traditional country charm and modern fun. They care for each other, they are kind to others and they love to have a good time. That's exactly what happened on their wedding day.

The day was bright and warm and Candice was more beautiful than I've ever seen her. It all took place in Stratford.....a really beautiful town. We went to Centennial Park which is full of lush grass, big gardens and the most elaborate waterfall feature I've ever seen in a park. It was perfect.

But not perfect enough. I loved it when Candice said, "we need to find a corn field." We jumped in the limo and ran around town looking for a corn field and railroad tracks. So fun!

Enjoy these shots from their wedding. I love their love, their spirit and most of all....how every minute of their wedding day was fun. Candice and Brad, I can see you in your eighties the same way...only even more in love.