It saw a small private ceremony and luncheon for 27 of their closest family members at Canoe.

Their second day will take place tomorrow at the stunning Ravine Winery in Niagara-On-The-Lake.

I seriously cannot wait!

Here’s a classic black and white image of Suzanne getting ready in the room she grew up in – putting on her gown in the same space she would dream of doing so years earlier.

May your long weekend bring as much love and happiness as it will for these two families.

During our lovely time together, I discovered numerous similarities between myself and them:

// They both love food but would never call themselves foodies.

// They both love the city but have a strong love for the rolling hills of a picturesque countryside.

// They are both completely in love but are completely not into PDA.

They would have had me completely fooled on that last point considering how happy a little PDA – mixed with a lot of sunshine – made them on their shoot.

I think a little session in that picturesque countryside is in order, but enjoy these adorable images we took in the city for now!

Le Quan is an internet guru from Toronto.

When you put these two together, EVERYONE around them can’t help but laugh, smile, and dance – themselves and myself included.

They’re like two lobsters – mates for life.

Here’s but a sample of the love shared that day – one of the numerous moments where they were completely lost in one another’s presence.

1 // They were madly in love.
2 // They had style.
3 //  They were both so relaxed and so excited about their wedding day.
4 // Their big day promised to be something truly special and unique.
5 //  I HAD to be their photographer.

After they decided to book with me, I quickly began feeling that this was meant to be.

Sort of like a blind date that turns into so much more.

I’m SO excited to be joining them in Muskoka this September, and even more excited to document their love along the way.

Stay tuned for more from this couple as the summer gets into full swing.  For now, enjoy some shots from our quick time together at Enoch Turner School House.

I couldn’t think of a better couple to discover it with – or to celebrate St Patrick’s Day along side.

Tony – you better take care of my first ever girlfriend!

Yes – it’s true – Katie and I used to be lovers.  Grade 7 love at its finest.

Judging by the smiles, I’m sure they’ll do just fine.

]]> http://chrisbodnarphotoblog.com/katie-tony-welcome-st-pats/feed/ 5 http://chrisbodnarphotoblog.com/timeless/ http://chrisbodnarphotoblog.com/timeless/#comments Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:28:40 +0000 admin http://chrisbodnarphotoblog.com/?p=1211 This is one of my favourite shots of 2011, from a wedding I have yet to show.

You’ll see more of it – I promise.

In the mean time, enjoy this timeless image.

Perfection, people!  Perfection!

If you follow my blog, you already know that I can’t get enough of Jamie Boy & Jamie Girl.

These two are hands down one of the most adorable and in-love couples I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending a wedding day with.

They’re living the Love Dream, folks!

When I scroll through the images of their day, I find it hard to describe it – I’m fairly lost for words, which people who know me will tell you doesn’t happen often.

The morning started with Jamie Girl at their lovely home in Parkdale.  I was referred to this lovely couple by her best friend, Katie (a la Goodtimes Crew), and it was lovely being able to spend the morning (and entire day, really) with familiar faces.

The ceremony and reception took place at Eagle’s Nest Golf Club in northern Toronto – an amazing course with an amazingly gorgeous clubhouse.  Jamie Boy also happens to be the Head Golf Pro at Eagle’s Nest, which meant everything was set to perfection (Note: It always is).

I’m going to stop right there and let the images speak for themselves!

Many people don’t know that my beginnings as a photographer came from working in-studio.  I helped manage a studio for one of Canada’s top natural light portrait photographers, while occasionally borrowing his space to shoot personal projects and experiment with light and studio shooting.

The mood in a studio couldn’t be any more different than capturing a wedding.  I have full control over the mood of the entire shoot – from the lighting to the music to the interaction between myself and my subject.  It’s a much more intimate and personal experience for both subject and photographer.

It’s all about making the subject comfortable with little more than your attitude and choice of words – the way you connect, which – while very similar to doing portraits on a wedding day – must now be done without any distractions or excitement of a wedding ceremony fast approaching or just finished.

It’s a MUCH different environment to work in.

Sometimes – usually in the middle of a busy wedding season, or directly after a busy stream of back-to-back weddings – I will sneak away to a studio space and shoot for fun.  Sometimes it’s for a chance of pace.  Other times there is no purpose in mind – just invite a friend or 2, bring a camera, good music, some food, then relax and have fun!

My friend and fellow photographer Nikki decided to join me on my last studio outing.  I decided to slow things down a bit and shoot some film, mostly because I wanted to play with and test out a new lens I just grabbed for my film system.  Since I plan on occasionally shooting with it at weddings this upcoming year, I figured this would be the best time to play around and learn its quirks – both good and bad!

This is one of the rolls I shot that day – complete from beginning to end.  The time span from the first shot to the last is about 4 minutes – seemingly fast but much slower than the 10 frames per second my digital camera can shoot.

I feel that this series gives you an honest look at how fun (and hilarious!) Nikki can be!

Studio portrait sessions are making their way into my client offerings – full details are available by contacting me at the link above!

This year promises to bring many more fun studio sessions – for friends and clients alike!

How do I know?

Just look at that look.

I’ve known Mike since elementary school (grade 5, in fact) and I can tell you that – after all this time and all the “wrong one’s” – Alissa is definitely ‘The One’.

Don’t believe me?

More images to come that will prove it.

Or.

Jamie-boy + Jamie-girl.

They are definitely top contenders for the most adorable and in-love couples I’ve ever had the joys of meeting.

Their day was amazing (as you’ll soon find out).

THEY were amazing.

When I saw the shot below in my library I instantly knew that it was nearly the perfect shot that captured what they represent …

Big bright out-of-this-world love.

Many more of this lovely couple to come.

(Can you tell I adore them?)