Last year Krista had the honor of shooting Michelle and Ian’s stunning AGO wedding while I was away in Vancouver.  Lucky for me, Michelle contacted us for some maternity photos, which gave me the opportunity to meet and work with her and Ian as well.   I showed up to their beautiful home to find Michelle so warm and welcoming and looking as every pregnant woman wants to feel, simply gorgeous!  Although it was our first time meeting, we both felt very comfortable with one another as we exchanged pregnancy stories amidst the shutter snaps.   I absolutely loved her vibrant purple dress, which made her little baby bump really pop.  (I only wish I looked that fab during my later months of pregnancy!)  Ian jumped in for a few photos but didn’t seem to mind letting Michelle take the spotlight, although having Ian around really made Michelle light up for the camera.  Fast forward a few weeks later, and their little bundle of joy has arrived. They welcomed baby Charlotte on April 5 weighing 6 lbs 15 oz.  I got a little peek at her as she slept in her crib, and she is total perfection! Congrats to Michelle and Ian on their beautiful baby girl.  I wish you peaceful nights and long daytime naps! Good luck!

M.

I’m super excited to finally share the images from Dan and Jenn’s beach wedding in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.  Being my first time in Costa Rica, I was so inspired by this new and exciting environment that I couldn’t wait to photograph the wedding!

Dan and Jenn are avid surfers who surf the Canadian coast in Tofino, Vancouver Island where they reside (so jealous!).  They make the trip to Costa Rica yearly to enjoy the world-class surf and pristine coastline, so naturally this was the perfect location to say “I do”.

The morning of the wedding, several family and friends met on the beach to assemble the ceremony location.  Believe it or not this set-up was all created “on-the-fly” with driftwood and palms found on and around the beach…simply awesome.   Then as I heard it, someone knew someone who had a guitar and was going to show up to play for Jenn’s walk down the aisle.  Well, this someone was right, and he played and sang amazingly.   As Jenn walked with her father from the jungle to the beach she giggled and laughed the entire time!  I had to stop and laugh myself because she was literally jumping up and down with excitement.   Once Jenn met her groom at the arbor the guitarist would not stop playing!  It was hysterically funny and yet awkward at the same time.  We all had a good laugh and eventually he stopped so they could proceed with their vows.  Jenn and Dan were completely smitten, beaming, and laughing as Jenn jumped up and down some more.  My cheeks were actually hurting from smiling so much because the joy of the moment was completely contagious.  Following the ceremony everyone toasted the newlyweds with champagne and we managed to sneak in a few photos before the sun dipped below the horizon, which literally happens in a matter of minutes when you are that close to the equator. (Good to know!) Dan and Jenn then took off down the beach on a their fittingly adorned ATV where the festivities continued at Shaka Surf Retreat. It truly was a beautiful, laid-back wedding with a great group of people.

Congratulations to the newlyweds Dan and Jenn on your perfect seaside wedding.  I enjoyed every minute of my time with you and your families and it was an honor to capture this piece of paradise for you.   I hope to catch up with you two in Tofino one day!

M.

…and be sure to check out some of the highlights from their photo booth from a previous post

Because the twilight did not allow for a lot of photos of Dan and Jenn on their wedding day, we got together the following day for a trash the dress photo shoot.  I had found a couple of spots of interest in my scouting and I was super excited to continue with their photos.  Jenn looked amazing with her hair down, all beachy and causal with a hibiscus flower picked from the jungle path…and did I mention she found her dress second hand for under $100 and she looked like a million dollars!  The back of her dress was so elegant and GORGEOUS making me a little reluctant to “trash it” but they were ready for anything I threw at them.  After a couple of locations, (my favorite being under that lone tree on the rocks)  the sunset crept up on us again so we all got in the waves and finished our shoot fittingly in the water.  Sad that the shoot and my time in Costa Rica was a wrap, but so happy to have met them, and shared some incredible days in such a stunning setting.

I have to give a special thanks to Steve and Glenda for taking such good care of me in Costa Rica and for really making me part of the family from the moment I arrived.  You made this adventure truly special and I can’t thank you enough for your company and hospitality.  Looking forward to some drinks on the island with you and hopefully a photo trek or two Steve!

Mel xo

I look forward to seeing this beautiful family again in a few months for our next photo session in the warm summer sun.

K

Recently I spent the week in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica for the beach wedding of Dan & Jenn.  I’m so excited to share the photos (coming soon!) but in the meantime here is a little peak at the shenanigans from their photo booth.    Hot sun, good company, and a wee bit of alcohol can make for some fun photos!

Enjoy.

M.

Brit + Lex – thank you for keeping me entertained through our time together, and thank you for being so willing to do anything I asked of you, and most of all, thank you for not complicating the shoot by drowning!

xo k

k + m

What a perfect time of year for a photo shoot in High Park.  The Sakura trees, or  “cherry blossom” trees are in full bloom right now and make for a gorgeous backdrop.   I met Dorothy and Kevin in the park for their engagement session as we walked and enjoyed the scenery surrounding us.  These two are super cute together and I am looking forward to shooting their wedding later this year.  Thanks for a great shoot you two!

M.

We’ve had a busy 10 days shooting in Mexico – (two weddings, one maternity shoot and two trash the dress sessions) and have come home with some images we are really excited to share.  We’ll be blogging more regularly now that it is truly off-season, so check back in!

k + m

When we arrived to photograph the pre-wedding preparation, it was such a different atmosphere than what we are used to.  Phedra and Ale were getting ready together, calm, relaxed and sharing the moment with family in Italy via skype.  Ale surprised us with his newly-learned skills fastening Phedra’s dress with the tiny crochet hook.  Impressive!  Once they helped each other get ready, we were able to take advantage of the beautifully muted skies at the Evergreen Brickworks for their photographs. These two are seriously photogenic; we were oohing and ahhing over how gorgeous they looked in the photographs on the backs of our cameras (usually we wait to do that at least until we are able to look at the photos on our computer screens!).  They also have an incredible natural chemistry together that wasn’t just put on for the sake of photography.  Once we all had enough of the brisk February air, we went back to Archeo in the Distillery District where they renewed their vows and confirmed their commitment to one another in front of their Canadian family and friends.  It was a short and sweet ceremony, but they couldn’t take their eyes off each other, which was really adorable.  Their first dance preceded their dinner and they then enjoyed the rest of their evening laughing and mingling with their guests.  I have to say the standard kissing game (where guests have to sing a song with the word “love” in it to get the couple to kiss) was taken to a whole new level at their reception.  Many of Phedra’s songbird friends were in attendance,  and WOW – it was like having a front row seat on Broadway.

Our congratulations again to Phedra and Alessandro.  We loved getting to know you and we really enjoyed partaking in your “Canadian” celebration.

M+K