Putting together this particular editorial was not a feat for the faint-of-heart.  We took a big risk and chose a specific outdoor location (Rockwood Ruins) because we felt it was the perfect backdrop for the scene.  What we didn’t anticipate as part of the risk, however, were severe winds, rain and a tornado watch – which is exactly what we got and threatened to send us running for cover on more than one occasion during the day.  As a team, we had only one opportunity to make this editorial work.  We put a lot of time and effort into developing the concept and bringing it to life, so having it trampled (literally) by a tornado was just not an option.  Thankfully, Mr. Tornado took pity on us, and only left us with a downpour of heavy rain, thunder, and lightening – but not until we had packed away the last box into the vehicles.  *Phew*.  We always say “big risk, big reward”, and we like to think that this double feature was our big reward for a risk we took that may be bordering on slightly crazy…

We hope you like the feature.  To see it in print, please make your way to any Chapters, Shoppers, or a newsstand across Canada (oh how much do we love the sound of that?).  Enjoy.

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We would also really like to thank all the incredibly talented people who’s time, effort and creativity made the Da Vinci Renaissance Editorial FAB-U-LOUS!

Location:  Rockwood Conservation Area

Producer, Concept Co-Creator and Stylist:  Lisa Allain – Visions of Platinum and Garnet

Concept Co-Creator, Designer, Florals and Styling:  : Paras Mehta – Design 2 Decor

Cake: Konstadin – Cakes by Konstadin

Invitation and Menu Design:  Deb Lau Yu – Palettera Custom Correspondences

Wedding Dress: White Toronto - Marchesa

Headpiece: David Dunkley

Model: Julia Nonkes

Hair Stylist and Make-up Artist:  Shobana Lakkavally – Amplified Soul Make-up + Hair Couture

Savoury Table: Sarah Lock and Chistine Ostiguy – Yorkshire Pudding Inc.

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A special thanks to Megan Strating who was a second shooter extraodinaire during the week, was my memory and organizer for the week, and enjoyed her first-ever dip in the ocean.

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Just 6 days after our maternity shoot, Baby Emma was born!  I was so excited to meet this little bean that weighed in at just 6lbs 2 oz.  Of course she is super-cute like her mommy with very big expressive eyes.

Congratulations again to new mommy Maricar and daddy Cyril.  Your daughter is simply adorable, and I look forward to photographing her again as she gets a little bigger:)

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This post will be in stark contrast to what you normally see here on our blog.   My career has me documenting extravagant affairs – gorgeous people, beautiful details, and festive celebration.  I love what I do, and I so enjoy being part of each couple’s celebration of love with their families.  My time in Africa opened my eyes and had me documenting love in a completely different way. This blog post has been a long time coming, and marks the two year anniversary of the day I left Africa, not for the last time, I am certain.

Africa has always captivated me.  I left Canada full of excitement and wonder at what my trip would hold for me, and nervous to leave behind Wyatt, my 2 year old son, to embark on a journey that had been one of my lifetime dreams.  I had in my mind’s eye the photographs that I hoped to come back with.  I envisioned landscape and wild life photographs good enough to be printed in coffee table books and hung in art shows and galleries, photographs that were inspired by Andy Bigg’s work – not photographs that would merely find the end of their road on the walls of Wyatt’s nursery (and if I’m being honest – they haven’t even found their way there yet).  I have to say, my expectations got the better of me, and I was disappointed with my seeming inability to document animals in their natural habitat. It was a learning curve, to be sure.  In the end, I joked that my “gallery” would consist only of animal butts and lone tree shots.  At least the lone trees co-operated!  My good friend Sabrina, whom I met on safari, summed up her experience with the challenge of expectation much better than I ever would, which you can read here.

I came back from Africa having learned many lessons, the least of which was the fact that I have a lot to learn about landscape and wild life photography (so if you want your pets photographed – Melanie is your gal!).  I learned that there is a reason I photograph people for a living – I was so drawn to the people of Africa.  Africa is not only a place of geographical beauty, but also a place of resilient, joyful people where a sense of community, optimism and hope resonates.  As we trekked through villages, city slums, orphanages and schools, the same messages prevailed.  We, as North Americans, could learn a thing or two from these beautiful, stoic, hopeful people where family (in whatever form it comes in) is the center of life.  In an email back to my own friends and family after I spent the day visiting Kibera (one of the largest slums in Africa – think 800 000+ people living in an area less of than 1 square mile), I wrote “…despite all of the struggle here, there is an underlying sense of community, and a joyous spirit that emanates from the people.  The people were happy to welcome us to their community, the children were exuberant, and the overall feeling was one of hope, not despair.  Amazing.  I left there feeling humbled. Materially I have everything, they have nothing, and it was they that brought a smile to my face.”

Two years later, I still smile when I think of my time in Africa.  I can’t wait to go back.

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And now for the photographs of the animals…..I have to say, I found it extremely difficult to work within the boundaries of shooting on safari.  Being in a vehicle, you aren’t able to choose your position – you can’t find the angle with the best light, or the best composition.  You are at the mercy of the driver, who is simply trying his best to get you a good view of the wild life.  The animals aren’t exactly co-operative either – just when you think you have the angle you want, you sit waiting, hoping that they will look directly in your lens… inevitably they end up turning way – leaving you with a camera full of images of animal as*es .  If I had it my way, I would have been out of the truck, lying in the grass, tiptoeing around them, finding my angles.  But then I would have ended up as lunch.  And that wouldn’t have been good either.I want to make special mention of a few people who made this trip amazing for me:

My family – Christopher, who encouraged me to go on this trip, despite the fact that our lives were in major upheaval at the time.  I often forget that if it weren’t for him, I would still be slugging it out downtown in the world of finance, dreaming about making photography a career.  He is the number one reason that I am able to be doing what I love on a day to day basis.  Also, Susan, my amazingly generous mother-in-law, who drives up from Chicago whenever I ask her to help look after Wyatt while I take flight.  And, my monkey, Wyatt, whose enthusiastic welcome-home hugs and kisses make want to keep walking out the door and walking back in again, just to draw them out a little longer.  He doesn’t understand the world of travel yet, but I am hopeful that through example, he will take an interest in the world around him, and become a compassionate little soul, with a heart full of gratitude for the life he is able to live here in Canada.

Ryan Snider, owner of Socially Responsible Safaris, and our trip guide was absolutely incredible, from the beginning stages of planning to the very end.  I chose his organization, because I knew that I wanted to do a safari, but I also wanted to see the “real” Africa – not just luxury tented resorts.  Yes, I wanted to see the animals, but I was more interested in the people, and the culture, and wanted to travel with someone who had roots there, who knew Africa.  Ryan does.  Without getting into all of the details of his background (you can look him up on his website), I went on this trip with high expectations, and he managed to meet every one, and then some.  He truly cares about his work in Africa, and supports many charity projects through his organization, Give International.  Ryan is an amazing human being, and I would recommend his safaris over and over and over again.  Also, 100% of the money donated to his charity goes directly to the projects, whether they be employment projects, schools or orphanages.  If you are interested in volunteering in school or orphanage there, he can also set that up for you.

Photographer and author, David DuChemin, was the mentor photographer on our trip.  He has a history as a humanitarian photographer, but now spends most of his time writing, partnering his own photography travel workshops and also owns Craft and Vision – an ebook publishing company.  His advice was instrumental in helping me get out of my photographic funk so that I could refocus on what was important, and come back to Canada with a couple of images that I am proud of.  If you are a photographer or want to be one, his books are worth a mention too – check it all out at www.davidduchemin.com.

And last but not least, my gals – Maureen, Sabrina, and Beate – you made the trip of my life so LIVELY.  Thank you for sharing this incredible experience with me.  I went on this trip for the photographs, but realized along the way that if I left without a single photograph, but came back with your friendship and our shared experience, I would be 100% happy.  Can’t wait to do it again one day – what’s next?

Okay – lastly for real – one more image that pretty much sums up my skills as a wild life photographer:I bet this image would have been AWEsome from the other side.

So – our first ever wedding show has come and gone, and we couldn’t have chosen a better show to “get our feet wet”, so to speak.  We have never had the desire to exhibit in any wedding show to this point – our impression of them is that they are usually overwhelming for everyone involved (engaged couples and vendors alike), a ton of work, a big expense and a whole lot of tacky (and quite honestly, not worth the hassle).  Our interest in exhibiting did an about-face when WedLuxe Magazine decided they were going to partner with the Ritz Carlton Toronto for their debut in the world of wedding shows.  We knew we had to be a part of this inaugural event – we were certain that if anyone was going to do a wedding show right it was WedLuxe.  Putting 100% faith in them, we sent in our registration forms and got to work – and a lot of work it was – creating albums, portfolios, prints, cards, designing and building a booth, etc. etc..(hence the lack of blog posts in recent months – sorry for that, but we promise it will pick up soon!).  In short, the work was worth it.  The show was a huge success, thousands of engaged coupled poured through the doors, and we were honoured to be the official show photographers (hurray!).  To see the show in detail, you can go here to the WedLuxe Blog where Angela (Editor-in-Chief at Wedluxe) posted an *epic* 8-part blog summarizing the details of this fabulous show and tons of images from yours truly.  We have also posted a few images below of some of the highlights.  As we wandered the show photographing it, two things struck us:  1 – we were in the company of amazingly creative, innovative and talented people here in Canada – and 2 – the Wedluxe team outdid themselves in the planning and organizing of a boutique show that was unbelievably glamorous, full of gorgeous details, and appealed to the senses of couples that are looking for the best of the best in Canada. If you weren’t able to get to experience the show in person this year, they have already set the date for their next show – January 5th and 6th, 2013.  We hope to see you there!
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Above are images of the “Kate Spade” lounge – where guests could take a break to enjoy a cup of tea and a snack while taking the opportunity to flip through complimentary Wedluxe magazines, given out at the show.Ritz Carlton wait staff served signature pink drinks and treats to guests.

The grooms were not ignored!  Wedluxe created a chic “Mad Men” inspired lounge for men only, where big screen tvs were set up and food and drinks were served.

Brides seemed to really enjoy the Beauty Boutique lounge – where they were able to get hair and make up trials and manicures while sipping cool drinks and enjoying light snacks.  Oh – and there were tons of free products given out.  Brides exited the beauty lounge looking like a million bucks, with swag bags full of great product!

Above left – the Cake Opera exhibit.. How could this character not catch your eye?  Above right – Editorial features printed in the magazine came to life through vignettes that were placed throughout the show.  This one was “Paler Shades of White”.

We just love the colour combination and set up of Cynthia Martyn’s table scape.  Beautiful!

Above left:  the work of the amazing Fuscia Designs – talented and sweet people too!  Above right: The Fashion Gallery – featuring dresses from Ines Di Santo, Vera Wang Toronto, Studio Sposa, Pearl Bridal House, Valencienne, Sarah Houston Bridal Couture,
Sash and Bustle and Kate Spade.

We shared top pick with Alex Albojer of Life Images, and were happy to do so – we’ve always admired his work, and he is an awesome guy as well.

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The day started out with rain in the forecast, and it was unbelievably hot and humid, but luck shone down on us all day.  Paula and Chris started off getting ready at their good friends’ home in Dundas, which also functions as home base for their business The Healing House.  It was the perfect backdrop for bride’s prep, with a light, airy feel and personal vintage touches everywhere.  It did rain – but as it was raining at the ceremony location, we stayed dry taking photos at Hermitage Ruins.  The thunder rolled in just as we finished at Hermitage, but by the time we pulled up to The Waterfront Centre for their ceremony, the rain had stopped and the sunshine was beaming .  We were like kids in a candy store photographing Paula and Chris.  They were truly up for anything – Paula, in 14 layers of tule creeping out onto the ledge of a cliff, and lying down on the forest floor before she even walked down the aisle.  They were a dream to work with, and fully put their trust in us, which we truly appreciate (though may not have been the best idea – I was a bit nervous when Paula was on that cliff, I have to say).

Thank you, Paula and Chris, for punctuating our joy in what we do, and thank you for choosing us.

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We laughed our way through this shoot.  The kite was a bit sketchy – hand made from a Youtube tutorial, but we were soooo hoping it would fly.  I was over-the-moon excited when it took off into the sky just as we got it out of the car, but then it failed to perform for the rest of the shoot.  I blame the wind.  Definitely no fault of the kite fliers, whose effort was valiant.  Jacquie almost ended up on her face from trying to run after Rob in a field full of unseen gopher holes.  We had so much with these two, and can’t wait to see what their wedding day has in store for us.

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