Tanya and Adam Wed- Ottawa Valley Photographers

Intimate ceremonies always touch our hearts!

Tanya and Adam were wed at Tanya’s Father’s home in Killaloe. The couple shared their vows and a sand ceremony with their family and friends. The waterfront property is GORGEOUS! The ceremony finished with a BANG as the couple set off a cannon that is on display at the home. Most of the formal pictures were done on this property and a few followed at the reception venue. We were happy to share in their day and Wish this couple a great future!

Vendor Love:

Hair: Trends Salon in Barry’s Bay

Bride’s Dress: Sinders

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Katherine Mullen Bridal

Suits: Moore’s clothing

Flowers: Killaloe Flowers

Decor: Ursula Jeffreys, Marie Dombroskie

Tent and Chairs: Valley Tent and Party Rentals

Caterer: Daryl Schroeder

DJ: Red Rock Music (Cam Gavin)

Sara and Jason’s Poolside Wedding

Sara and Jason are such a special Couple. They joined together with their closest family and friends around a beautiful pool side in Eganville Ontario. The Pool and stunning Tiki Bar area was located in a friends yard (Otherwise known as “Punta Canada”).  It was a gorgeous sunny day with plenty of heat. The Bride walked down the aisle with both of her parents at her side. Sara’s daughters were part of the wedding party. After the couples vows were read Jason had a surprise for the girls. Not only did he have vows and a ring for Sara, but also for them.

His vows:

“I know I wasn’t there for the first steps that you took, but I promise that from this day forward I will love and support you…”

The details of this wedding were centered around this great couple’s Love. Sara and Jason, with the help of the girls, even made their wedding cake from scratch. Formal pictures were taken just down the road at a huntcamp location with fields, rustic buildings, and even an old bus stop! LUCKY US…. the photo ops were endless!

Thank you for letting us share your special day with you… We wish Sara, Jason, the girls, and the new little bundle (coming this year) the best future possible.

 

Vendors:

Hair: Signature Styles by Tia

Make Up: Chantal Smith – Beauty Secrets

Dress: David’s Bridal – Florida

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal – Ottawa

Flowers: Handmade by Mother of the Bride

Men’s wear: Express

Rings: People’s Jewellers

Wedding Favors: Antique Key Bottle Openers- The Wedding Shop

Caterer: Leather Works

Wedding Cake: Made with Love buy Sara, Raya and Alyssa, lovingly supervised by Jason.

Katrinna and Ian’s Couple Session – Ottawa Valley Photography

Katrinna and Ian are a couple that love the outdoors. On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, we headed to their home on a beautiful property in Golden Lake Ontario. It is often referred to as the “back farm”. The property offers heavily wooded areas, fields, trees, rustic barns, and even a stunning pond. Such a  Beautiful piece of land and perfect for this couple’s photos. The bugs were out in full force but it did not stop Kat and Ian from letting us capture their intimate moments on camera.

Our second location was another piece of family waterfront property just a few minutes away.  We captured the couple in their Canoe and on the dock at waterfront.

You can see the LOVE and PASSION between these two so easily! We are very excited to capture their special day in late August. It is going to be such a FUN wedding!

A Special Wedding Day For a Beautiful Couple…

Laura and Travis were an absolute delight to be around, and their special day was such a testament to the Love that they share.

We started off by capturing all of the details of the Bride and her girls getting ready at Brown’s Salon and the Bancroft Inn & Suites to follow. Then we headed to the ceremony at St. Paul’s Church. The sweetest little white church we may have ever seen. The couple shared their vows in a very intimate ceremony and marked their union with a sand ceremony as well. It was Beautiful.

It was scorching hot but the breeze was definitely a great addition to the day. After the ceremony the couple and the wedding party stopped at the Bancroft Eatery & Brew Pub  for a drink before we headed on to our formal location at the park. We ended formals and started the dinner and reception at the River’s Edge Golf Course.

We wish this couple the absolute best future together and had a great time being a part of their day. Congrats again!

    

Love Heats Up a Cold Day Outside… Stacey and Curtis’ Wedding Day.

It was a cold day outside, but love warmed the hearts of all who came to witness Stacey and Curtis wed. We had the honor of capturing the ceremony and formal pictures of this couple’s special day. Our local Eganville Legion was transformed into a very elegant venue and it was a very intimate ceremony. There was a sand ceremony that bonded the family together. The children in this family are absolutely priceless… beautiful inside and out. It was great to watch the day unfold and to be capturing the special moments during the ceremony.

The formal photos were taken at a family farm near Golden Lake. It was a beautiful location despite the freezing cold temperatures. The rustic setting made for some very timeless photographs. The wedding party, family, and couple all braved the cold to get as many formal shots as possible outside. We did spent sometime in the farmhouse warming up and taking photos as well.  I know it meant a lot to the couple to have this location for their memories of their big day.

It was a beautiful day and we wish this couple the best future together.

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) !

An Exchange of Vows at Waterfront… Jen and James’ Stunning Beach Wedding!

Jen and James are two people who we will always remember.  We have been absolutely in LOVE with them since the first day they met with us. Their engagement session was a really good indicator that this couple was full of youth, fun, and passion for one another!  We couldn’t wait to share in their special day and be witness to James’ sense of humour again. It seems like there is such balance in this couple’s relationship. There is so much laughing (I mean gut busting laughter) and joking around. Then in a second the couple is “on their own” in a huge crowd of family and friends in absolute LOVE with each other. The same goes for the entire day from a photographers perspective. We got the best of both funny and romantic with these two!!! The wedding party was amazing to work with as well and just complimented the couple perfectly.

It was easy to see that family was very important to this couple. The day was based around a union of two very impassioned souls and their family and friends. It was so nice to see the importance of  family throughout the day!

The Wedding took place at one of our favorite venues in the valley… The Sands on Golden Lake.  As always the team there did a spectacular job at making sure everything ran smoothly. The ceremony site was set up uniquely for this couple and I have to say it was breathtaking! The couple exchanged vows beachfront on the beautiful lawn. There was a sand ceremony that marked the day.  I saw many tears as I looked around the crowd in between shots. And you could feel everyone’s excitement the entire time.

Formal Pictures were done on the beach and across the road in a field that we have definitely made much use of this wedding season.  During the formal pictures the couple’s puppy posed for some shots with the Bride and Groom and was very happy when he saw the couple after getting out of the car. It is moments like those that make us love what we do even more… the moments that let us appreciate a couple for who they are at heart.  James was so funny as almost every serious pose called for a “blooper” or “goofy” one.  I included a few in the blog but please know that there are many more to be seen!

Overall the day was overcast with peeks of sun every now and again. It was very dark in the morning and it did look like rain was coming.  It was the first time this season that I was a bit panicked upon leaving the house and getting in Lisa’s car. The day before had delivered much rain but not this special day!!! The couple got to celebrate their outdoor union of marriage and pose for some wonderful photos with us! THANK YOU MOTHER NATURE!

To Jen and James: We are so glad that you choose us as your photographers! I think we really had a great working relationship and we got to see and appreciate your Love story so deeply.  I think my cheeks were sore all the way home from laughing so hard!  Your day was a little peek at your real life relationship and we definitely are excited for you to have a wonderful future together. Congrats!!!

Jason & Melissa Say I Do…A Family Affair!

I am going to start off this blog with a quote from Lisa:

“Jenn and I love what we do…we say that all the time!  We think every wedding we shoot is special, and we are really so honoured that we have been invited to be a part of a couples most special day.  However, being part of Jason and Melissa’s wedding was even more special since it was a family wedding!  Not only did Jenn and I get a front row seat for this amazing day but we are so lucky to welcome Jason’s beautiful bride Melissa into the family! ”

This day was clearly so abundantly special. Both of my brothers were groomsmen in this wedding, one being Lisa’s hubby. The entire day had such a high energy feel as we took photo’s. I have to say that Melissa and Jason are two of the most laid back people I have ever met. Their LOVE for one another is so real and present in every conversation, picture, and memory of the day. There was never any need to be stressed or worried about anything… One part of the day just flowed into the next as wedding day unfolded.

The girl’s got ready at Melissa’s Parent’s home, which also was where the ceremony was later held. I stayed with Lisa and took photo’s for awhile and then headed off to grab some pre- wedding shots of the groomsmen in Eganville at the couple’s home.  I think at many times I was holding my camera “snapping away” with one hand and doing up buttons, fixing ties, collars, suspenders etc. with the other! I definitely witnessed some laugh’s as the boys had a few beer to celebrate the occasion. And this may be the only time of the entire day when I could see some “nerves” present. Jason was definitely feeling a few nerves for a couple brief moments during the “getting ready”.   It was such an honour for both of us to be so involved in the pre- ceremony events.

When returning to the ceremony site, I remember feeling butterflies thinking about what Melissa would look like… and honestly when I saw her come around the corner…. I was speechless. She was even more breathtakingly beautiful then I had thought she would be. And I already had high expectations!!!!  The dress was so perfect for her!  The couple shared their vows in front of their closest family and friends.  Melissa even had some tears during hers!!!! It was beautiful! Their was a sand ceremony to mark the couple’s union. Pastor Annette did an amazing job at describing the love these two had for each other and all other parts of the ceremony.

After the ceremony formals took place on the same property. It was full of rustic gardens and had a waterfront view. We also did some formals at a property close by that was an open field in front of a beautiful landscape of water and rolling hills.  The ring bearer and flower girl were so full of personality and were very cooperative with all of the business of the day. The little ring bearer was absolutely a riot and always made us work very hard to get the perfect shot. What he didn’t realize was that all of the little faces he was making were  wonderfully cute memories to have as well.

The Bride’s parents were so accommodating throughout the day, and I know they put so much work into the ceremony and  cocktail hour(s) to follow. Melissa’s dad was even mowing grass the morning of the wedding to make sure everything looked perfect.. and that it did!!! Great Job to both families and all of the friends that helped bring the day together!

The reception was held at the Eganville arena, and was quite a sight to see. The lime green and raspberry colours transformed the hall. There were (what seemed like)  an infinite number of trees lit up with twinkling lights. During the first dance we could really see the intimate bond between these two individuals.  We often tell the bride and groom at every wedding that they need to look at each other during the first dance so we can get some shots using different lighting techniques etc. When I told Jason this he said ” I won’t be looking anywhere else because that is the only place I want to look”.  This couple was perfectly matched for one another.

We would like to note that Sidewinder was the entertainment for the evening and did an amazing job!

To the Bride and Groom:  We wish you the best future filled with as much Love as we witnessed on your Special Wedding Day. Lisa and I  are very lucky that in this case we get to watch your future unfold. CONGRATS!

Retreat, Relax, Restore at Sands Spa at Sands on Golden Lake

Recently while shooting Julie and Jody’s wedding at the Sands on Golden Lake we arrived a little early because Jeff had asked us to come and take some pictures of the new spa that he could use for promotion.  We love weddings at Sands on Golden Lake, it is a wonderful venue with so much beautiful scenery and the staff is fantastic.  So, we were delighted and honoured to be asked to help promote a venue we love!

When we arrived and entered the spa the first thing I noticed is it smells divine!  I’m not sure what the scent is but it is wonderful, the next thing you notice is a feeling of calm.  The colours that were chosen are truly reflective of the “Retreat, Relax and Restore” slogan of the spa.  It is a beautiful and tranquil setting, and the view overlooking Golden Lake is nothing less than spectacular.

Treat your body, Reward your soul.

Experience the difference of a world class spa. We offer massage, body treatments, facial treatments, pedicures, manicures and spa packages.

Our team of professionals will surpass your expectations. Rejuvenate your body and soul.  The atmosphere is designed to promote wellness and tranquility.   (Quoted from Sands Spa web page…link below)

Day Getaways, Spa Parties, and Rejuvenation Getaways packages are available and a perfect way to treat yourself and maybe have a fun getaway with your girlfriends.  You won’t be disappointed.

 

Visit the sands on Golden Lake Website: http://www.sandsongoldenlake.com/index.php

For more information about the spa and the packages available: http://www.sandsongoldenlake.com/spa.php

Update Your Headshots!

There has never been a better time to update your headshots for your business or marketing.  Why not try something a little different…instead of the boring traditional plain background pictures lets step outside the box and actually go outside!  Let’s put you in a more natural setting which can help make you look more approachable, more friendly, and more relaxed.  You can still achieve that professional look with a more natural and pleasant background.  We have such beautiful scenery in the Ottawa Valley, let’s use it!Call us to schedule your head shots for your personal business.  Office packages are also available.

Call us to schedule your head shots for your personal business.  Office packages are also available.

Visit our website for more detailed information.

http://www.specialtreasuresphotography.ca/business-head-shots.html

Please call us with any questions we are happy to help you pick a package that best suits your needs and budget.

Life’s a beach… Julie and Jody’s Wedding

This Wedding was a very memorable one…. right from the night of the rehearsal I could see an absolute excitement about the Groom.  Even though the Wedding day was very HOT, and Jody (like most men) , would rather have been not taking a zillion pictures… His love for his Bride was shining through. He was an absolute gentleman and I loved watching him pick up her dress, shoes, or flowers, without even asking. His concern was her comfort and happiness and it melted our hearts.  He got very emotional during the ceremony and it was honestly the highlight to my day… We just knew this couple’s journey was so dear and close to his heart.

When we met this couple their Daughter was just a baby…. and on the big day… we realized how much she had grown. It was so great to see how their love was also expressed through her. What a wonderful unity to capture!

The day itself, was HOT HOT HOT, and sunny. But it was a perfect day for a beach Wedding! The couple was married at The Sands on Golden Lake, one of our personal favorite venues in this area, and their formal pictures were done along the shoreline and across the road in a field that belongs to The Sands as well.  Before we started shooting the wedding we took some beautiful pictures of the Spa ( which we will include in a blog at a later time), and after we were done it really struck me that this location was so perfect for this couple. It is so intimate and serene…. peaceful and fulfilling. It feels like a perfect place to start the rest of your life together.

Before the Ceremony began, we captured a few images of the bride and her ladies getting ready.  Lisa and I fell in love with the Bride’s shoes and the Dress immediately….  Then the Bride and Groom’s little 2-year-old princess showed up and the excitement in Julie’s face when she saw her daughter made me want to cry. It was beautiful.  We realized shortly after that the flower girls would be 3 little 2-year-old princess’ and fishy crackers were being passed around frequently as they awaited the Ceremony to start.

The ceremony was very personal and intimate. It highlighted all that we love about our couple. It was an emotional ceremony and it was great to be a part of. I love watching and capturing the couple’s daughter walk up to her mommy and daddy several times throughout the ceremony. I loved that she was just left to be a part of the union! Beautiful!

The formal pictures were  very easy to accomplish because of so much love, friendship, and cooperation from the entire Wedding party. Such a great group to work with! During the private couple photos, again in the heat of the day, you could almost feel this couple’s energy. It was truly like time stopped in those moments and they just felt the Love they needed to feel for these photos to be real.

Julie and Jody we were honored to be there capturing your moments and we wish you a lifetime full of many great memories and much love!

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

Pure Bliss… Dana and Tyler’s Big Day

Dana and Tyler’s beautiful Waba Garden wedding was like watching a fairytale unfold.  There were so many things to love about this wedding!  From the elegant hall decor (Even custom wall drapery sewn by groom) to the unique ceremony sitting plan, it was a wedding to remember.  Dana and Tyler are two very like souls whom, from the time that we meet them, were planning their stunning do-it-yourself masterpiece which happened on the couples 8th Anniversary!  Every piece of the wedding embodied their love and symbolized what brought them to this day.  Lisa had the luxury of shooting the ceremony from many, many, many  feet above the ground in a cherry picker.  While she seemed very calm and collected, I am sure I saw a little tinge of green in her cheeks…haha!  The formal pictures at the Garden were stunning.  Unfortunately the rain meet with us and for a brief moment Lisa and I were worried about being able to fully capture the day.  Luckily for us the sun was shinning in Renfrew.  With such a stunning couple it was not hard to create beautiful and dramatic images.  Therefore, we had just enough time to highlight all of the couples special day.

I had a minor set back during the early formal shots.  As a result of being so consumed by the moment, I was unaware of my surroundings and fell…..saving my camera but not my head.  I pressed on and didn’t let it stop me.  However we took a detour to the hospital that night before coming home.  A few stitches and a concussion taught me a very important lesson as a photographer.  BUT I GOT THE SHOT!!!!!

During the dinner the speeches told an important story about the couple.  It was clear they have been in love since very early on in their relationship and value loyalty, commitment, friendship and their love for one another.  There were so many nice things said about the couple and it was evident that they have both made a lasting impression on many people’s lives.  The first dance was a moment “Stopped” in time.  It is always an honor to capture such a loving first dance.  There were two highlights during the other first dances.  The first being the father daughter dance.  It started out as a slow dance to “My Girl” and then became a medley that Dana and her Dad could “Rock Out” to.  It was hilarious to watch and so fun to capture.  As the second highlight, Chris Kyte was featured singing a song for the groom and his mother.  It was a surprise for Tyler and there was a lot of emotion present in the room.  And can I just say we were excited to find out AMBUSH was the band for the evening.  It was a really fun experience!

We would like to wish this blissful couple much happiness. It was great to be a part of your special day.  Dana, You were breath-taking.  Your entire wedding party looked fabulous and I still can’t believe you did all their hair!

Wildflowers and Mason Jars…. Nicole and Mike Exchange Vows

When we first met with this couple, there were a few things that stood out. Number one, we knew that Nicole would not be a typical “Bride” by the many DIY ideas that she had in mind and her ‘at ease’ personality. Number two, We knew that everything involved in the decor of this wedding was an adaptation of their love, a symbol of who they really were; their roots!!! When we heard her say ” think wild flowers and mason jars” in response to us asking about her theme, we both grew immediately excited for the big day. The couple was to be married on their property that was flourishing with apple trees. We did their engagement session there during peak apple blossom season. SIGH!!!!! Beautiful setting!!!!!

The big day finally arrived and it was a scorcher! The couple exchanged vows in between two apple trees with a very intimate setting for their guests to gather. The heat and sun did not affect the vows or the romance one bit. I had a tear in my eye as the bride got a little choked up saying her vows. My favorite part of the ceremony was that the couple’s dog was present for it all…. and even posed for a few formal pictures afterwards. The essence of this couple’s love was so real and their ” down to earth” qualities just made everyone feel at home. It was an honor to capture the ceremony!

The majority of the formal pictures were done in a wildflower garden: a  hidden gem that the couple had found. It was just so true to this couple’s union! We had a lot of fun in ” the very hot sun”. After the formals we headed to the reception that was actually a DIY project all on its own. A “garage” was completely revamped into a rustic and elegant themed banquet hall. It took my breath away when I walked in the room. The property was of the Bride’s family and it was stunning as well. You could tell that it had been used for many family functions. It was equipped with all of the necessities needed to have a great family party!  Again so true to the values of this couple. I must mention that the wedding favors were mason jars filled with homemade jam!!!!!

Congrats Nicole and Mike…. It was so nice to witness your day unfold…and capture the moments as they passed… simply perfect for the two of you!

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!

 

Introduction to Photography’s Photowalk in Eganville’s Beautiful Centennial Park with Ottawa Valley Photographers

Thank you for attending our Introduction to Photography class.

We just wanted to take a moment and say thank you because we had such a great time meeting so many people who shared our passion for photography and wanted to learn more about their cameras.  We honestly didn’t know what to expect from the class that we held at the Bonnechere Union Public Library during the month of June, but we were overwhelmed when we had 29 students arrive!  It was such a pleasure to meet you all and Jenn and I are very much looking forward to all the future plans we are making that you want to be involved with.  We really can’t thank you all enough for your feedback as it will help us improve the classes we offer, and it let us know what other types of photography you are interested in.

Many of you want to be involved in a photography club and we really LOVE the idea and we are working on the possibilities of a local photography club that could meet once a month.  Until we can get the details organized Jenn has set up a Photography Club hosted by Special Treasures Group Page on Facebook which you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/580115972028968/ We would love to see your photos and feel free to ask questions, we want you to be involved!

We ended our classes with a photo walk to our beautiful Centennial Park in the heart of Eganville to practice what we had learned.  Don’t forget you can post your pictures from our Photo Walk on the Photography Club group page too!

Stay tuned as we are planning Photo Walks to the Geo Trail and to Shaw Woods, we will let you know the details.

We wanted our students to see things differently than the whole picture and pick out some details that would make beautiful photos from our Photo Walk

Don’t forget you can contact us anytime with questions and suggestions, and we are looking forward to our future Photo walks and will post the details as soon as we get them all sorted out.

Love the details and textures that are found in the bark on the trees in the park.

 

Happy Canada Day ~ Ottawa Valley Photographers Celebrate with Family

It is no secret Canada Day is my favorite holiday.  Canada Day has always meant the official kick off to summer celebration!  As a kid I always enjoyed my town’s Canada Day festivities, Morin Heights always had lots going on and as kids we always enjoyed the live bands and huge bonfire.  I have always enjoyed taking my kids to celebrate around our town.

My son really enjoys the bike parade every year, and spends a few days planning how he is going to decorate his bike in festive red and white.  This year was no different.  There were a few activities for the kids to enjoy at the youth centre.  They played games, some of the prizes at the games were mustaches which the kids had fun with…and these awful looking teeth, which are really funny for little boys!  The kids could have their faces painted, and who doesn’t love a dunk tank!  Is that wrong that we take so much pleasure in making someone fall into ice-cold water?

Summer Fun, and family is what Canada Day is all about!

What Canada Day celebration would be complete without fireworks?  Everyone loves fireworks and we always enjoy them from Nanny and Papa’s deck, we have a great view and avoid any crowds…it’s perfect.  This year Eganville and the Bonnechere Valley Township Fire Department did a fantastic job!

Thanks for a job well done, we can’t wait for next year!

Fireworks!
The Perfect end to our Canada Day Celebration

LOVE is in the AIR

This busy wedding season has gotten off to a great start. Love is certainly in the air. We have kicked it off with Colleen and Eugene’s gorgeous church ceremony and  formal photographs. The couple was a delight to work with. Eugene has to be one of the most down to earth men that we have ever met and Colleen was radiant both inside and out on their special day.  We have also chosen to include a few different images from two recent engagement sessions. Both of these couple’s are getting married later this summer and we can not wait to be a part of their special moments!  Three very different couples who are all so deeply in LOVE!  It is very inspiring to us to be so close to the True love that makes the world go round. It is our hope, always, that we capture the essence of each couple individually…

Our Awesome Visit to Exposure Show ~ Ottawa Valley Photographers Head to Toronto

May 31-June 2
Toronto, Ontario

We were very excited about our weekend in Toronto at the Exposure Show.  (www.exposureshow.com)

We were up and on the road just after 6 am and ready for the very long drive to Toronto.  (I know some people don’t think 4.5-5 hours is a long drive but I do)  We arrived at the International Centre in Mississauga around 10:30, we had a great drive and traffic was light so we were excited to be there.  After finally finding a parking place (which was at least 5 minutes away from the door) we grabbed our gear and headed in!  HOLY COW!  We couldn’t believe all the people…are there really that many people who love everything photography as much as we do?  Apparently yes there are!

We planned to attend several presentations and visit as many vendor booths as we possibly could and I would say mission accomplished. The entire show was awesome!  We Loved it! I was worth the 5 hour drive, almost like we died and went to photography heaven!

Exposure Show!
Speakers, Presentations and Keynotes

We did see several presentations, and got meet so many of the presenters who were walking around through out to show and welcomed questions or would recognize us from attending their presentation and stop to chat.  It was very cool.

Dixie Dixon was fantastic! First of all she is adorable, she is so energetic and was really inspiring.  She is a fashion Photographer She talked about shooting what you love, and wasn’t afraid to talk about the mistakes she made along the way and what she learned from them.  Her work is really great!  You can feel the connection with her subjects in her work.  Check out her website: www.dixiedixon.com  And Dixie, thanks for the shout out during the presentation and I LOVE my new t-shirt!

We also saw Sam Sciarrino who did a presentation on Contemporary Wedding Photography.  Sam Sciarrino is an internationally known Master Photographer and winner of the SWPP 2011 Contemporary Photographer of the Year 2011. He is the owner of Horvath Studio of Photography in Toronto.  He talked a lot about lighting with speedlights and using reflectors, so we both learned a lot.  His Images are also inspiring and awesome!  www.horvathphoto.com

Bob Harrington was also great, he did a presentation of 40’s glamour lighting, I loved that he had a model and demonstrated his lighting set up and showed how he moved his lights around to get the best lighting.  So again I learned a few really great tricks.  http://www.robertharringtonstudios.com/

Scott Kelby is totally a ROCK STAR!  His presentation ran over time and I could have seriously sat there all day to learn from him.  Plus he was super funny!  He had some really great tricks that I wasn’t aware in Photoshop and some better ways to do things I already knew, so I am really glad we lined up and were able to see him.  I just wish he had a handout of some kind because I couldn’t write fast enough!  http://scottkelby.com/

Kristian Bogner was also a presenter that we truly enjoyed.  He is a World Class Professional Photographer who is well acclaimed and has won the highest Canadian photographic honour, the Commercial Photographer of the Year for Canada Award from the Professional Photographers of Canada Association not once but twice!  http://kristianbogner.com/

There are so many things we saw that I really could write for a full day and still not cover everything from the show!  We saw other presenter that were great, Henry’s Camera did an awesome job booking some of the best presenters in the Business.  Dave Cross was great too and I feel like that shout out really doesn’t do him justice.  He spoke with us for quite a while and I learned a lot, thanks to his assistant who walked us step by step through the software too!  http://www.dcross.com/  Michelle Valberg  http://www.michellevalberg.com/ is also amazingly inspirational.  She loves what she does and you can feel that from her, it makes you love her work, as she speaks with such passion for the area and subjects she shoots! Being around some of the most amazing people in the business and they were so friendly and so willing to share their knowledge was really a great experience.  I can’t thank them enough for what they taught me and the inspiration that I took away from the show!

Speakers, Presentations and Keynotes!

I didn’t want to leave the Nikon booth, but I learned a lot and have finally decided which camera I want.  It’s funny I thought I knew before I got there!   I was convinced and I mean really convinced, nothing was going to sway me…that the D800 was my next upgrade…but being able to pick them up, try different lenses and play with the buttons and menus I have decide to go with the D600.  I was so sure I wanted the D800 which was what a mentor suggested should be my next camera but once I added a grip I didn’t like the feel as much in my hand as the D600.  Once you add the 70-200 lens the D800 was soooooo heavy!  The D600 was a great fit for me, and felt like it belonged in my hand, let me be honest any camera feels comfortable in my hand, but the D600 felt beyond awesome.

Now this is Heaven on Earth for a Nikon Shooter!

I loved that the booths were set up we were able to try out stuff and ask questions, I really loved being able to try out all the camera bags and camera straps, which has help me decide which ones I want.  Again I thought I knew before we got there but after trying out few on I have changed my mind again!  To Steph at the Think Tank booth you rock I appreciate you help picking out the perfect rolling bag!

I don’t know who the gentleman was at the Cotton Carrier booth but you rock too!  I am loving the 2 Camera Vest!

We also had a chance to shoot a model and try out the Photoflex lights.  I felt for the model who had to sit there all day while hundred (probably thousands) of photographers lined up and crowed around to shoot her. You are a trooper and I love the images I captured.  Several booths had models or areas set up so you could give their products a try but this model was my favorite!

Loved this model and the Photoflex System

 

Over all we loved the show, We would definitely go back!

Thanks Exposure Show and Thanks Henry’s for a great weekend.  To all the presenters thank you for sharing, teaching and being truly inspiring!