Lisa & Ron | couple/engagement portraits

Lisa contacted me after hearing about me through a mutual friend (side note: just a HUGE thank you to all the people and clients who have supported me by passing on my name when happy with my work! Word of mouth is big in this industry and it's a warming feeling knowing that people love my work enough to recommend me to family and friends!). So after a few tries, we finally got a date that would work. And, of course, forecasting thunder storms! We decided to chance it and not rebook unless we had to. We met at the gardens and sure enough, the moment we arrived, the Heavens opened up! We stuck to under trees for shelter and worked our way over to this gorgeous little wood hut. With the heat and the rain, this hut was perfect as it looked very "tropical". One option they were looking at for a wedding was a destination wedding! So it seemed to fit :) While we didn't get a lot (well, as many was *I* would like), I was so incredibly happy with the way they turned out. We decided that since they were going to get wet on the way back to the car, they spent the last 5 minutes in the rain together. I think those were my favourite shots :) My job becomes soooo easy when they couples are so in love and these two definitely made my job fun and easy that day :) I loved the little stolen glances and the look on each of their faces when they look at each other. Hope you two had fun as well!

Blessings,
Samantha

John & Michelle | wedding

I met Michelle nearly a year ago and she has changed my life dramatically. I soon came to realize how awesome she is. I met her (then) soon-to-be husband John and their children just recently and instantly connected. She has two children and he has one from previous marriages and they are the coolest kids. Her kids are quirky and his son is more laid back (and plays a great guitar). Their story is made all the more amazing by that fact that in all means, John died. He suffered cardiac arrest back in November and if it wasn't for Michelle, he never would've been revived. She stayed strong with him through his recovery and he fought. And since then, he's run the Ottawa half marathon with her. True survival.

When she asked me a few months ago to photograph their wedding, I wanted to say yes right away but Michelle wanted me to think on it to make sure I felt *good* about it. Why do something you don't want to, right? :) So I thought on it and absolutely said yes. It really felt like a privilege to capture their love and wanting to be one family. The whole day was to just be about them beginning together as one. Everything was incredibly relaxed and non-stressful. At their rehearsal the night before the wedding, Michelle turned to me and told me about how she just remembered a few days prior to order her flowers. I wasn't kidding when I said relaxed :) Another bride would (a) never have forgotten but also (b) panicked a little at the thought of having to order them so late. Michelle merely shrugged her shoulder and walked away.

All in all, it was a gorgeous day as the weather cooperated and gave them sunshine and warm temperatures. Everything took place at the home of Michelle's mother. She had amazing gardens which had my creative thoughts flowing the moment I saw them. She cried very happy tears, especially any time "sickness" or "sorrow" was said because of their journey so far. He welled up more than a few times, including when he saw her at the end of the aisle. The ceremony had me in tears because it was so beautiful and personal. Each person in attendance was given a river rock to hold throughout the ceremony. Then the rocks--full of the energy from the day--would be placed in a vase in their home. And during the ceremony, after the ring exchange, the children were given antique stamped necklaces. Beautiful tokens from their parents to bring the family together. The food was amazing and, like everything else, casual. There wasn't even a wedding cake! They also weren't doing *tradtional* wedding dances, but I talked them into one as the sun was setting over the house. I think those are some of my favorite images of the day because their love is so evident. Her smile is contagious and he couldn't take his eyes off her. Beautiful day.






















Best of luck John and Michelle! Blessings,Samantha

Dave & Jackie | Wedding

On March 27 2009 I had the honor of witnessing and photographing my best friend Natalie's father remarry. They married in a little chapel in Niagara Falls and it was very intimate and beautiful--the exact wedding I look for as a Small Wedding Specialist. While I am always nervous before a wedding, it always seems to be the couple's love that is tangible and calming. As I become more comfortable in myself as a person and as an artist, there is almost this newfound wonder for watching people's expressions and working to capture those (literally) once in a lifetime images. Here are a few images from Dave & Jackie's beautiful day: