Kristy and Duane’s Fairytale Ending….

Kristy and Duane have such a moving story.

A story that brought me to tears when we  heard it on their special day.

We worked with this couple for their engagement session.  While we could see the Love between the two of them, we had no idea that their was such a wonderful story binding this couple.  The wedding is the perfect ending to this fate filled journey. When Kristy and Duane were very young they use to be great friends. They spent much time at Duane’s Grandmother’s house in the summer. It sounds like they were very close to one another.  Life happened and the great friends lost touch in their teenage years. However  years later they reconnected by chance and well… the rest is history! It was so moving to listen to the stories  being told of their childhood together and their very unique friendship.

There are many other pieces that make up the puzzle and have led to this fairytale ending… Including Landon. A sand ceremony was held to signify the union of this family. It was a perfect way to show how this family has come together. The ceremony was held in Augsburg and the little old church was so stunning to photograph. Kristy’s Son Landon and Mother walked her down the aisle to her Prince Charming.   It had all of the perfect elements of humour and seriousness. It was an intimate ceremony….  The couple’s Love filled the room.

Their were three formal locations. One was the family homestead that this couple hold dear to their hearts. We also used the Centennial Park in Eganville, and Fourth Chute Waterfalls.  The day was gorgeous from start to finish.  The wedding party, filled with closest friends and family, were so much fun to work with.

The Dinner and Reception were held at the Eganville legion. I can not say enough about the details of the decor. I love fall. I love leaves. I love the colours….. Kristy and the gang did a wonderful job bringing fall to life.  She even had a little table set up with crafts for the kids… I could tell that this couple really valued those they held dear. The are both very sensitive to the needs of others and their love for children warmed my heart. Lisa and I both agree the reception was a perfect elevation of their spirit as a couple.

To the happy couple:

We wish you the best future in Love.

Congrats again Guys!

Julie and Billy’s Intimate Wedding Left Us In Awe!

Julie and Billy were such a fun couple! From the moments before to the moments during their Wedding we were in absolute awe at their approach to being Wed. It was a unique wedding that was held at Spectacle Lake Lodge.  Both the Bride and Groom were always completely in the moment. I could see them taking mental images of their day and soaking up all of the Love and warmth that surrounded them via their family and friends.

There was much to love about this wedding, from the bouquets and boutonnieres to the ceremony set upon the beach… it was such a free-spirited event. The Bridesmaids wore their personal choice of a black dress and the Groomsmen wore their own suit with matching shirts and Skinny Ties… So So Awesome! You could tell that everyone who stood in the wedding party was chosen for their role in this couple’s life. They all meant so much to this couple.  Both the Bride and Groom’s family was equally as important to the union and while getting ready at the cabins by the water, I watched Billy share a hug  with almost everyone who walked by.  The couple’s dog Bear was even sporting a tie for the ceremony and later an evening tie that was just the type of special touch that this wedding presented. Everything was elegant yet very meaningful. They had soaps made as favors and even the soap was a custom scent! We were very sad when we got home and realized we left them behind at our seats!

Julie and Billy  gave one another thought out gifts before the wedding.  I delivered them both and felt honored to capture these special moments. Watching the expression on Billy’s face as he opened his was priceless! I think he truly enjoyed having a personal photographer that day. Although he did tease me A LOT he also let himself be open enough that I could capture who he is. It is always a challenge to get a Groom to let himself be captured in the moment, and when Billy was in the moments of his wedding day he was an open book.  I really enjoyed being able to see his friendships with his groomsmen too. Lisa says the same about working with Julie and her girls. It was like they were completely present for every part of this special day.  Again, It was an Honor to share in the getting ready portion of this day.

Saying “I DO” came next. The commissioner, Amber, was the perfect person to officiate this wedding.  This is the second time we have  had the chance to work with Amber and, just like the first time, she completely organized every part of the ceremony specifically for this couple.  She allowed the ceremony to bring their Love to life for all of their guests to witness. I would recommend her to any couple who are looking to have a custom-made ceremony.  I went searching and found her personal website. I just have to share it! http://www.algonquinweddings.com/  The ceremony was set on the beach and in every picture that I have that includes the wedding party, I can see the excitement and involvement in their faces. They were standing up for a couple who was meant to be together and they knew it.  Bear sat upfront with the Parents.

Formals followed shortly after the ceremony and that is when I really got a feel for where this couple gets their values. The family photographs were more candid than posed, even when we were posing them for traditional photos.  There was no staged moments to this wedding and it was very heart warming! There was a special moment that stands out for me as a photographer. Although I only include one picture of the bride with her grandmother in the blog, please note that there are so many more. I captured a connection between these two women that I have yet to capture at any wedding.  Two very connected souls had a special moment during their formal shot together. I still get teary just thinking about the moment.  I can’t even explain it in words but it was absolutely beautiful.

The couple and their entourage got their formal pictures taken on a little path that lined the water. It was a very tranquil setting with greenery that left openings for the waterfront to peek through… Just gorgeous. It was a fun experience for us and the group was easy to work with. They were just themselves as goes par with the rest of the day. Friendships as strong as these make for great photo ops!

The couple shared some special moments in front of the camera and even got in a canoe for a photo. It was amazing to see everyone on their toes ,worrying about the bride, as she headed out in the canoe. I know this was a dream come true for Lisa because she loves being out on the water herself. It was about capturing the couple as themselves and this beautiful bride felt herself out on the water. I almost forgot to mention that she wore moccasins as her wedding shoes. They were a perfect addition to her outfit and another statement to her individuality…  Another reminder of how much she wanted to be “herself” on the most important day of her life! LOVE IT!

Spectacle Lake Lodge was a great venue for an outdoor wedding, The dinner was held indoors and the staff put together a very intimate area for the couple to display their union. The meal was fabulous. The best Bison we have ever had. I believe all of the main course meats were cooked in a smoker… it was a meal that left you wanting more… no matter how full you became. During the dinner one of the Bridesmaids, Dasha, hosted games for the bride and groom. It was an absolute riot! The speeches were very moving and brought the couple’s personalities into the spotlight. Everyone who spoke seemed to speak about how this couple goes the extra  mile in friendship and in their own relationship with one another. That gives us so much happiness and excitement for them to share a future together.

Overall, this wedding was as down to earth as the couple. It reflected their past, present, and future together. It showed the importance on everything that is meaningful in life and, without sounding to corny, left us in AWE of LOVE itself. We wish them the best future together and know they are a perfect match for each other! Congrats … and Billy after reading this I hope you don’t think I was TOO CROSS (haha… he really liked poking fun at me) !

Busy Little Bees are We – A few session to show off!

As I mentioned in the last post we have been really busy this summer and while we have kept up with blogging the weddings we have done we haven’t blogged about the other sessions we have had that have also been lots of fun to do.  Jenn and I are so lucky to be doing this job that we love!  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying find something you love and you will never work a day in your life…it really is true!

A Fabulous Family!

We love meeting new people but we also love working with people we already know.  We were honoured that the Phillip’s Family contacted us to do a family session while the whole family was visiting over the summer.  It was great working with such a large and fun group!

Cake Smash!

Everyone like cake and how much fun would it be to just jump in a devour one!  We were so excited to see one our newborn clients return for a 1st Birthday Cake Smash.  Wow has he grown!

We did a few family photos around the farm before just giving him a cake that his Mama had made…at first he didn’t really know what to do with it…and then he just leaned forward and stuck his face in!

How adorable!  We look forward to watching this handsome little boy grow!

A Baby on the Way!

Expecting a baby is such an exciting time and we had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful Mamma to be Michelle, and her family.  Michelle is just stunning and we loved meeting her and her daughter and husband for a family and maternity session.  Pregnancy passes so quickly, maternity sessions are a perfect way to capture this exciting time and the beautiful glow of pregnancy.

Good Luck with the birth of your new addition, we can’t wait to meet him or her!

Sigh…How beautiful is this Mama to be

Wedding Reception Photo Booth for Desiree and David was loads of fun!

Jenn and I have been booked every weekend this summer, and we are loving it.  It is busy and some day’s I feel like I am going crazy but that just makes me love it more.  This past Saturday was supposed to be a weekend to attend a family function but it got postponed, it is indeed strange to think we had a weekend free…until we got an e-mail from Desiree asking if we could do a photo booth for her reception.  She only contacted us about a month ago, and I first I though oh no!  I hate to send that I’m sorry we are already booked e-mail, I don’t like to disappoint people.  When I checked the calendar I remembered we had originally tried to keep this weekend free oh good I don’t have to disappoint the bride!  I love that!

So, we set up a photo booth at the reception for this adorable couple and had a blast.  It is so fun to see everyone trying on hats , masks and boas, and having a ton of fun doing it!

Thank you Desiree and David for allowing us to be part of the fun!

You can see the entire gallery of photos from the Photo Booth by clicking the link here:  Desiree & David’s Photo Booth

Nicole & Dean Say I Do! – Ottawa Valley Photographers -Special Treasures Photography

“If I do not have love, I gain nothing.” 

A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians (12:31-13:8a)

Nicole and Dean have been together since high school.  They are high school sweethearts which is as adorable as they are so, we were honored that they asked us to be part of the day that they have both been waiting for…I also love heading to Wilno for a wedding! St Mary’s Church is really one of my favorite churches.   It is a beautiful church that sits at the top of the hill.  Father Blach is so nice to work with, and the folks from Wilno always make us feel so at home! Thank you so much Jackie, Lorraine, Raymond and Nancy for being so welcoming.

There was such attention to detail from the pew bows at the church to musician Krystal Jessup’s beautiful voice for the ceremony and the gorgeous decorations by Balloon’s of the Valley for the reception.  It was truly a beautiful day!

Ava the flower girl and Isaiah the ring bearer were just adorable…Ava even asked me to take a picture with her, I thought she was asking to have her picture taken so I stepped back to capture her smile when she said no get her (meaning Jenn) to do it, I want it with you.  What a cutie pie!

We also want to thank the lady in Barry’s Bay who allowed us to use her property for photos since the area we had in mind was so busy with folks enjoying the beautiful day on the water.

We had lots of fun with Nicole and Dean and their family and friends, thanks everyone especially Lisa, Sarah, Sharon, Tracy, Brad, Chris, Travis, and Jamie it was such a pleasure to work with you all!

To Nicole and Dean, you are both so much in love and we wish you a lifetime of happiness and blessings!

 

DeRailed Band Photo Shoot ~ Ottawa Valley Photographers

It is no secret that our family and music go hand in hand,  so it probably comes as no surprise that Steve and close friend Chris are working on recording a CD!  It is a long process to get a CD ready for recording and Steve and Chris have been writing their own music, and lyrics…I have been lucky enough to hear some of the songs they are working on and so far I am loving it.  I am probably the one family member with the least amount of musical talent, but I take pictures and band promo shots were needed, so this is where I could help…Jenn has more musical talent than I do but we still rock the photos better than we would rock the recording studio so this was our way of doing our part and being able to help out.

The band is called DeRailed…so, we wanted to do the pictures on old railway tracks but finding them in Renfrew County is really hard to do. (If you have any suggestions where we can find some please leave us a comment or email us: specialtreasuresphotography@gmail.com) We luckily have a great piece of land where we hunt every year and there used to be rail tracks that ran right along the edge over an iron bridge (It is actually an OLD wooden bridge so I have no idea why we call it the Iron Bridge!) It made a great location for pictures.

Thanks boys we had a great time helping get your promo shots done and are so honoured to be a part of this awesome adventure!!  Can’t wait to hear the finished CD!

Special Treasures Photography is Looking for High School Reps!

Special Treasures Photography is looking for High School Reps from the class of 2013 and the class of 2014!

We are so excited to offer this special program for area high school students.  High school students are energetic and love photographs so we want you to help spread the word about Special Treasures Photography.  We will give you the chance the chance to earn credits toward a full session and your digital gallery of images, just for sending referrals our way.  The High School Rep program is open to any students from our area high schools in Renfrew County!

What is a High School Rep?

 

Senior Reps are students who represent Special Treasures Photography in exchange for credits toward the cost of their own senior portraits. You will be an exclusive spokes-model for Special Treasures Photography. All you have to do is show off your portraits to your friends and family.  It’s that easy!!!  With each referral you’ll also earn credits toward your full session and your full gallery of images on DVD.  It is possible for a rep to save hundreds of dollars on the cost of their own senior portraits by referring their friends and classmates to our studio for senior portraits.

When your family, friends or classmates have their portraits done at Special Treasures Photography, we ask them who referred them.  When they give your name, a $25 credit is applied to your account for each referral to the studio. This referral credit applies directly toward the cost of your own full portrait session and your entire gallery of images on DVD

For example, suppose you refer five friends to Special Treasures Photography…you will receive a $25 credit for each friend, for a total of $125 credit toward your own pictures!  Refer 10 friends and you have $250.00 in credits!

So, the more people you refer the more credits you get for your own pictures!

This is an exceptional opportunity to have your portraits taken AND save a TON of money on your High School Senior portraits.

All we ask of you is that you help promote our work to your family, friends and classmates by handing out your Rep Cards to everyone that needs their picture taken and posting your images on-line!

What Do I Get For Being a Rep?

 

• Free Mini Session

• Referral Cards

• 5 Watermarked Images to use on Facebook

• 1 Facebook Timeline Cover Photo

As a REP you receive a FREE mini photo session from which we will print Rep Cards of you to give out to your friends and classmates.  You will get at least 5 watermarked images to post to Facebook and use as your profile pictures.  You may also post the images to other social media sites you use.  Please contact us for more information and a full description of the High School Rep program.

How do I get chosen?
Fill out an application and tell us about yourself. The more your personality shows through, the better. Our decision isn’t based solely on your grades or activities/clubs you are involved in. We are just looking for someone who is outgoing and willing to work hard as our High School Rep.  High School Reps are chosen based on the information you provide in your application. We are looking for a variety of students who want to show off their personality and are comfortable in front of the camera.

What if I Still Have Questions?

Please feel free to call us: 613-628-9222 or e-mail: specialtreasuresphotography@gmail.com

You can also visit our website: http://www.specialtreasuresphotography.ca/ or find us on Facebook

PLEASE NOTE: You must have your parent/guardian’s permission to participate, we are happy to meet with them and tell them all about the program.

2nd Annual KatieBear FunDay on Saturday May 25th at the Eganville Arena

2nd Annual KatieBear FunDay

Saturday May 25th at the Eganville Arena 11am-11pm

2nd Annual KatieBears Funday!

We love being a part of local events, it is such a great opportunity for us to help out local community groups and charities and just get out and be part of the community we love.

We are so excited to be part of KatieBears 2nd Annual Funday and really excited about offering a photo booth.  We will have fun props for folks to dress up if they wish.  Photos will be printed on site for only $5.00 each and part of the proceeds will be donated back to KatieBears.  So get ready to smile!

There are a whole lot of other events and activities for everyone just have a look at the list below!
We hope to see you all there!

KatieBear Idol – 2 Divisions Kids & Adults
KatieBear Craft Show – Up to 50 Vendors
Ottawa Valley Rc Addicts – Remote vehicle display
Balloon Artist
Display by OPP and Bonnechere Valley Fire Dept.
Games and prizes for kids and adults
Shave you Head for KatieBears
Frisco’s – Great food and drinks 🙂
Fresh Popcorn & Cotton Candy
Silent Auction
Crown & Anchor
Dunk Tank
Photo Booth by Special Treasures Photography
MyFM Onsite
50/50 Draws/Lottery Hat/$100 Game
Faster Than Plaid – Community dance

If you are interested in participating in KatieBear Idol or as a vendor please visit the KatieBear’s Facebook or Event page for more info or to send them a message, there is still room for all types of vendors.

Katie Bears Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KatieBears/160402097411207

Katie Bears Event Page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/143921705774412/?ref=22

Under the Sea – Friends of the Library host annual fundraising Dinner for the BUPL

The Friends of the Library hosted their annual fundraising Dinner for the BUPL (Bonnechere Union Public Library) on April 27 2013. This year’s theme was “Under the Sea”

This is the first time we were asked to participate and the evening was really fun! The Legion was transformed in to an under water oasis  and looked fantastic. Some of the attendees wore costumes and the decorations which was the work of a team of helpers were really AMAZING!

The Greek God Poseidon who was portrayed by Chris Hinsperger owner of the Bonnechere Caves made and appearance and presided over the evening…(Great Job Chris!)

The decorations were AMAZING!

George from Frisco’s was on hand serving freshly sautéed shrimp along with a selection of dishes and salads that were made by the Friend of the Library Volunteers.  It was obvious the food was enjoyed by all!

The annual fundraising dinner hosted by The Friends of the Library to support the Bonnechere Union Public Library was enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Bonnechere Valley Township Mayor Jennifer Murphy (whose costume was an adorable tiara with the letter “C” …get it?) presented Judy Sauvé with a volunteer award for all her hard work with the many local organizations she is proud to be part of.  Judy accepted the award to a standing ovation!  Now that is Valley Pride!

The evening entertainment was provided by The Red Shoes.

Both wearing their cool Red Shoes, they performed a great selection of Under the Sea music.

 There were games to entertain guests with prizes, and a silent auction.  We enjoyed ourselves and so did everyone we spoke with.  If you have not attended the annual dinner before we recommend you plan on attending next year.  It is not only a fun evening it is really a great cause  to support our local library

I know we can’t wait to see the decorations next year, we are told they get better every year.

A Winter Family Session in Ottawa Valley

I love family sessions!  I love the challenge of capturing kids.  Kids are busy little people, who often don’t want to just sit and smile, the younger they are the more of a challenge they are, but I love it.  Kids are fun, and the truth is I get to act silly for a couple of hours making funny faces and telling silly jokes or stories to get their attention.  Getting adorable shots makes it all worth while.  A special thanks to A & P and the entire L family, we had fun with both of you and your children are just adorable!

Rustic Elegance and So Much LOVE… Amanda and Alain’s Strathmere – Ottawa Valley Wedding

Amanda and Alain’s wedding was  full of the most impressive details. After meeting Amanda and Alain and capturing their engagement session, we knew we were in for a very elegant display of what this couple “is”. The actual day started out with the sun peaking around every building. It provided such a natural haze that complimented the day perfectly and we were able to use the light to our advantage. The girl’s got ready at Strathmere, a breathtaking location. Strathmere also was the location of the reception that would later take place. My favorite thing from the morning was watching all of the details unfold in the venue, and watching the brides reaction to that. I also noticed all of the little touches the Bride had put into her pre-wedding time. All of the girls wore robes that were embroidered with their name and place in the wedding, The mother of the bride and the bride had custom-made hangers for their dresses, even the water bottles had custom labels. It made me realize how much planning truly unfolded before this day! Amanda gave such personal gifts to her girls and received a scrapbook from her wedding party. I just kept thinking…” these people care so much about one another”. When the process of “getting ready” really got going, the music came on and even that was perfect for the day of Amanda’s wedding. I loved watching her sing and capturing the moment’s when she realized she was about to marry the love of her life. All of the girl’s looked beautiful in the end, and Amanda was so stunning. Amanda’s mom and dad were just beaming! I could see by the look on her Dad’s face that he adored his little girl and was so encompassed in her beauty. When she gave him his gift, he looked so proud and  so very happy!  It was a morning to remember!

As I continued on with the girls, Lisa headed over to accompany the gentlemen after spending some time with us at Strathmere. The guys got ready at the groom’s parent’s home where he grew up. They shared a few beers and lots of laughs. You could see the bonds of friendship between these gentlemen. As a personal gift, the groomsmen were each presented with a fish-hook for their lapels. And the mother and Father of the groom were also presented with a gift. Lisa notes that the ring bearers were just adorable in their suspenders and newspaper boy caps. Unfortunately, upon getting ready to leave, the father of the groom was attacked by the family cat. He quickly cleaned up and off they headed for the church. It is amazing that he was so in the moment of his son’s wedding that he just brushed his pain aside. Both of these families were so loving.

The girls and the father-of-the-bride headed on in the limo, while Alain and his groomsmen awaited the brides arrival at the church. The ladies sang “going to the chapel” and emotions ran high.  I was accompanying the women in the limo and as we pulled up I felt all of the emotion of the day creep up on me. I think it was seeing the two ring bearer’s and flower girl playing outside. It was the first time I saw the little boys in their outfits, with their little hats! I immediately started snapping through the limo window. And then it was time…. one of my favorite moments has always been capturing the bride getting out of the limo. For Amanda, just by working with her, I knew it would be ideal for the sun to shine very brightly. Guess what …it did and the pictures are memories of that!

The church was small and rustic, the oldest church in the Catholic diocese. It was the right fit for this couple to be married. The curtains opened and As I captured the bride and her father walk up the aisle in tears, Lisa was focused on Alain and his emotional reaction to his soon-to-be wife. What a beautiful moment. The sun shone so brightly through the windows of the church. At times it gave Amanda an angelic hue. She wore a cathedral vail and it was almost completely illuminated. Blessed was the day! The family and friends gathered were mesmerized by this couple’s exchange and by speaking with a few of them after, it was one of the first wedding’s many of them had been to where the vows were both ‘heard’ and ‘viewed’ so clearly. My heart chuckled because I know it was a fine tuned detail on where the Bride and Groom stood. Another perfect touch. It was so moving for us to see the bride and groom get emotional throughout the entire service. This commitment meant so very much to them and they embraced it whole-heartedly. What great moments for us to capture. It is those moments that make us truly “love” what we do.

Formal photographs took place after the ceremony at a quiet garden and at strathmere. Two very peaceful, rustic, and enchanted locations.

The dinner and reception highlighted all of Amanda and Alain’s love, devotion, and uniqueness. The rustic details were coordinated perfectly and the planning clearly had paid off. We loved the little burgundy pumpkin place settings. And we loved the fishing cake topper. And we loved the rustic venue. And we loved the wishing tree…..need I say more….we loved all of the details, they were so right for the couple. Throughout dinner the speeches were full of good wishes and cheers, however, they were also full of friendship and admiration for this couple. Everyone who spoke remarked on how one or both the bride and groom were selfless individuals who were always giving so much of themselves.  It was wonderfully received by the bride and groom and you could tell they were so grateful for the words of their family and friends. The bride’s brother was the M.C. of the evening and he provided both comic relief and some very heart-felt moments. The dancing begin at dinner and did not end untill long after we left. It was a very fun wedding and at the same time it was a very intimate and emotional day. There was the first dance…. the first dance that was a pre-recorded song sang by THE GROOM! UMMMM…. AMAZING!!!!! The best part was that the bride did not know this was coming. And then the father/daughter dance and the mother/son dance unfolded. The entire time these dances took place there was a slide show rolling, courtesy of the groom’s sister. There was not many dry eyes in the room. It was just another of many details that magnified what goes on in this couple’s world everyday….so beautiful.

To Amanda and Alain: we were honoured to capture your special day in love. We wish you the best future in life together. We hope you enjoy the photos and that they always help you remember your wedding day. Congratulations!

Elizabeth & Kevin Say I Do in beautiful Algonquin Park ~ Ottawa Valley Wedding Photographer

I honestly believe that Algonquin park is a little piece of heaven on earth.  So what better place to tie the knot?

Elizabeth and Kevin have been a couple for a long time and have a beautiful teenage daughter, they decided to tie the knot after many years together and choose a spot that was special to their family.  Spruce Bog Boardwalk in Algonquin Park.  The family visits this spot often and thought it was a perfect place to share their love with family and friends looking on.

We walked about half way through the trail and came to a large rock just off the path.  Elizabeth and Kevin stood atop the rock while the sun shone through the trees in a magical way while they exchanged vows, and rings.  Their family and friends looked on and it really was a very special day.  While it was a small group you could feel the bonds of love and friendship shared by everyone in attendance.  We truly appreciate being part of this wonderful day!

Sneak Peek: The same but different!

Here are just a couple images. Check out how the same photo can be dramatically changed by just adding a few cool effects.

Effects can also add fun elements to layouts!

Don’t forget to check our facebook page for many more sneek peaks of other sessions, including last weekends High School Seniors and “With friends session”

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Special-Treasures-Photography/198910016796120