Sara Lynn Paige – Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer

Fjord Glacier In Film

Sara — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 18:30:00 +0000

The wind is pressing in around me, lapping at my hair and cheeks like a happy puppy. Alaska is happy to see me.

I’ve loaded only one roll of film this morning. Twenty-four chances to capture an Alaskan morning, my Alaskan morning. This very one. One I’ll never have again and nobody else will share it with me unless I get it right. I fumble around with settings and focus, and hope that my sojourn into the film world isn’t a disaster. Breath in that cold, crisp air.

Go.

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Fjord Glacier In Film - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Le Matos @ Velvet Underground Toronto

Sara — Tue, 02 May 2017 14:15:51 +0000

Well, the thing I was always worried about happening happened. I can barely listen to Le Matos’s without yearning for their live show. It just sounded so full bodied, so much richer. I could feel the vibrations in my bones! I was always scared to go to live shows because I worried that it would alter my experience of the album. What if the show is so good the album doesn’t sound the same after?. Well, it’s happened now with Le Matos. (And before that, Slow Magic). But it was worth it. So, so worth it. I would see them again in an instant.

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Le Matos @ Velvet Underground Toronto - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Dance With The Dead @ Lee’s Palace Toronto

Sara — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 13:55:34 +0000

Holy shit, time flies. It’s been just about a month since I saw these BAMFs play live at Lee’s Palace. (And then ran into them in line for Carpenter Brut the very next night.) They were kind enough to indulge a fan for a “selfie” too. It was something else watching them perform songs I’ve listened to on headphones for years. One of my favorite things is watching musicians get into their zone. Since photography is my day job, it’s really nice when I can just shoot for myself, and it’s not often artists I’m super into drop by the Toronto area. I’m so glad these gents came my way. (I hope they come again!)

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Dance With The Dead @ Lee’s Palace Toronto - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Squidlid @ Lee’s Palace Toronto

Sara — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 03:38:50 +0000

A few weekends ago some of my favorite electronic bands were on tour in Toronto with shows all weekend, so we made a weekend of it. Squidlid surprised the hell out of me. They opened for Dance With The Dead, and holy crap did they put on a show. They call themselves a “Dark Electro-Pop spectacle for the everyday explorer”. They had new bioluminescent masks after every few songs, and just when you thought it couldn’t get crazier, they did! I really enjoyed photographing their show and I can’t wait to see their next deep sea spectacle.

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Squidlid @ Lee’s Palace Toronto - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Sarah + Daniel’s Romantic Wedding At The Ancaster Mill

Sara — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 10:09:01 +0000

The first wedding throwback we’re going to look at is such a beautiful walk down memory lane for me. You might remember Sarah & Daniel from their adorable snowy ice-skating engagement, but their wedding was just as adorable. Cute little birds nests for decorations, birds on top of the cake, and little edible eggs on top of the cupcakes! I think my favorite of all though, is that cheeky grin Daniel flashed us when his wife said I do. Sarah & Daniel are parents now, so congratulations on their love and on their new adventure.

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Sarah + Daniel’s Romantic Wedding At The Ancaster Mill - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

A Birthday Flight

Sara — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 10:39:48 +0000

When I was a tiny human I was obsessed with the film The Chipmunks Adventure. I watched it several times a day, knew all the songs by heart, and somewhere in my mom’s house is home movie of Chipette versions of me and my friends singing “Off To See The World”, a song from the film. Two years in a row my mom made me a hot air balloon birthday cake and on one special occasion my dad brought back a beautiful hot air balloon paper lantern from Korea to hang in my window.

For one birthday, I couldn’t have been more than five, my dad arranged for a friend to take me and my mom up in an airplane ride above Okinawa. My mom filmed the entire thing and set it to the theme from out of Africa. (My mom made a lot of really awesome home movies. I guess that’s why she’s a filmmaker now!)

Fast forward to two years ago, when I surprised Tom with an airplane ride for his birthday. (He always wanted to fly.)

I made our very own home movie of the event so that we could have a matching pair, even if they are over a decade apart. And he actually got to fly the plane!

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
A Birthday Flight - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Ending The Radio Silence

Sara — Mon, 16 Jan 2017 10:15:47 +0000

I’ve been the worst blogger. It’s been a whole year (actually a little over, but who’s counting?) of radio silence on my end. Not on purpose, mind you, at least not intentionally. At first it was just crazy busy life that got in the way. Before I knew it I had 52 posts and counting in my backlog “to do” list and a year had gone by.

I’ve been sharing my life online for nearly a decade, but somewhere in the last year I was caught up in mixed feelings about it. Do I share mostly “work things” now that my career is photography full time? But I spent most of this blog’s life writing about my daily life, so I don’t want to lose that freedom! Will people feel weird about seeing my personal life on my “portfolio”? Won’t people get bored of only seeing my work? It was this constant tug-of-war between what I wanted to do, what I felt I should do, what “other professionals were doing” (when will we creatives ever learn, am I right?), etc. It weighed on me. You can imagine the self imposed pressure I was under to make a decision and take charge. I just never did. And that pressure grew. Suddenly sharing my life or work or whatever -because I couldn’t get my poop in a scoop and decide- didn’t seem so fun anymore. It was draining, it was depressing looking at how long it had been since I last wrote. How should I start? (All my saved drafts started with an apology.)

Then I went to Hawaii and everything changed. It was a life altering experience for me and I am forever changed. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself, we’ll get to Hawaii later. (I promise.) For now, let’s try to start where we left off…

Starting last January, for my 30th birthday, I gave myself a one word focus. Instead of a laundry list of resolutions and goals I might never complete and then inevitably carry around like suitcases full of guilt, I chose one word. One drive. 2016’s focus was balance.

What a joke! The moment I had written the word down, my entire year blew up and challenged my every sense of balance. My work life balance, career balance (more on that later), my time management balance, even my closet; the list really goes on. It was a crazy year for me, but in the end I’m satisfied with what I learned and how I grew. Though I’ve taken on a new word this year, I will still strive to grow and work on balance in my life. One never really does stop learning and growing.

So I want to share at least one entry a week with you for the next year, whether it’s work or play, and I am excited! I am thrilled to be here once again, and boy I have so much I want to share. So whether you’re an old friend or new one, I’m so happy that you came (back).

These photos are from last January when I went to go see my dad in Alaska for the second time. Alaska is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, but more on that later too (because I still haven’t shared photos from that adventure).

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Ending The Radio Silence - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Slow Magic @ The Hoxton Toronto – So Cute Tour

Sara — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 21:57:15 +0000

I’ve been anticipating Slow Magic’s return to Toronto since his performance at the Garrison last winter. It was magical. His energy is on a whole other level and he interacts with the audience in a way I’ve never seen before. And I don’t care if it’s a Thursday night and I have to trek all the way downtown Toronto to see him, I hope I never miss a performance if he’s in town. He’s worth it.

? by Slow Magic

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Slow Magic @ The Hoxton Toronto – So Cute Tour - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

Kimi + Peter’s Kariya Park Japanese Garden Engagement

Sara — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:04:56 +0000

I lived in Japan until I was ten, so when Kimi brought her grandmother’s kimono to our shoot at Japanese style garden Kariya Park, I died a little. It was so beautiful and breathtaking, and for a moment I felt transported halfway around the world. I also had a chance to meet Ellie, whom I’d seen on YouTube videos and via e-mail, but boy was she a delight in person. One of the most common questions I get asked is if couples can bring their furry family members. The answer is always yes, yes, and yes. (She’s so cute, wouldn’t you say yes?)

Makeup: Blush Wonderland

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
Kimi + Peter’s Kariya Park Japanese Garden Engagement - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -

A Charity Gala For The Oakville / Milton Humane Society

Sara — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 13:14:37 +0000

This summer I a had the pleasure of attending an Elvis themed charity gala (Hound Dog Hullabaloo) for our local humane society hosted by the wonderful animal advocate Jane Smith, featuring the buzzing hot talent of Steve Michaels. It was a super fun event with a lot of really caring people. If you missed the opportunity to donate (or you just feel like helping out) you can donate here. (Thank ya, thank ya very much!)

Hound Dog Hullabaloo to benefit Oakville & Milton Humane Society
Venue: Private Home, Oakville
Caterer: Jennifer’s Kitchen
Entertainment: Steve Michaels
Rentals: American Rentals

© Sara, Oakville Documentary Wedding Photographer
A Charity Gala For The Oakville / Milton Humane Society - Sara Lynn Paige - Hamilton, Oakville & Toronto Wedding Photographer -