Amit and Nidhi

These photos were taken last weekend for Amit and Nidhi's engagement.
It was a cold and rainy day in Toronto, so we decided to shoot in my
studio. One thing I love about shooting in my loft is the huge windows, with honeycomb blinds, which act as a natural diffuser
to provide a beautiful, soft, light.
They are getting married next month at the Royal Ambassador in Colberg,
just outside Toronto. I shot another Indian wedding there last year.
It is a beautiful venue with a private lake, and country setting.
I am exited to photograph their wedding.
Amit will be arriving in the morning on horse back and greeted by Nidhi's family.
This ceremony is called the Baraat.
It is very lively with great music, usually live drummers, and an elaborately decorated horse.
(Sometimes the groom will arrive on an elephant! Although this is more comon in India, I have yet to see this done here, but I would love photograph one!)
Everyone gets in on the fun, dancing and celebrating. It is very colorful, and a great way to start the day. I will be sure to post some shots from their actual wedding day!

These are some of my favorite images from another Baraat ceremony I did last year.

Penny and Oliver

This is Penny and her sweet dog Oliver.
(Oliver was a bit tired from running on the beach)
This shot was taken on my recent trip to LA.
Penny is my Aunt, and also one of my best friends!
Penny was the one who sparked my interest in photography many years ago on my first trip to California. We took a drive down the incredibly beautiful California coastline, all the way to Los Angeles. She loaned me her camera for the trip and I just knew right then that was what I wanted to do.
Penny has influenced my life in many ways.
She opened my eyes to an exotic world I new little about.
She has travelled all over the world and would often send me photos of the places she travelled, India, Thailand, Africa, etc. We have been to many art exhibits in Toronto, Chicago, and Los Angeles. I’ve always admired her free spirit and sense of adventure. I guess you could say I owe a bit of my creative passion and love of travel and photography to her. Thank you Penny!

Inspiration

I just returned from 9 days of inspiration, learning, and some R&R. First I was in Vegas for the annual DWF convention and WPPI trade show. DWF is an online forum of professional photographers I belong to. It was great to meet face to face with some of my peers, and see some incredibly talented speakers.
I learned a lot and look forward to putting some of these new ideas into my work.
Then it was off to LA for the Easter weekend while in LA, I went to see an amazing exhibit by Canadian born photographer and film Maker, Gregory Colbert.
Ashes and snow held at The Nomadic museum, at the Santa Monica Pier,
the venue itself was amazing , made of shipping containers by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban.
The exhibit was INCREDIBLE! I’ve never seen such beautiful imagery.
100 large-scale sepia toned images. They were all printed on Japanese paper, beautiful images, and film of animals and people together in their natural environments. Filmed over 14 years of his excursions to India, Egypt, Myanmar, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and several other exotic locations.
If you have a chance to see this traveling exhibit, don’t miss it!
The website is also excellent.

Las Vegas

This weekend I am off to Vegas for the annual DWF convention, and WPPI trade show. It’s one of the largest events for wedding photographers. I will be networking with other professionals from around the world, attending an actual wedding of two photographers, to be photographed by some of the top photographers in the world. I am looking forward to my first time attending this event. I will be coming back with some great new ideas for the upcoming season,
which I am very anxious to get started with recharged batteries! It’s going to be a busy one, and I can’t wait!
I feel so fortunate to being doing something I just LOVE. After 12 years, of shooting weddings I still get exited about every one. I never know what will happen.
In the meantime I have been putting
together a new portfolio of some of my favorite images from this past season. If you would like to have a peek click here.

Zoe's Bat Mitzvah

Zoe’s Mom, Brenda came to see me last summer to book me to photograph this
important event in their family.
She wanted something less traditional to remember the day.
When she told me they were having it at Canoe restaurant, I knew it would be beautiful.
If your looking for a great place to dine out in Toronto, with a fab menu, and great city views, check it out.
To view a few pics from Zoe’s Bat Mitzvah, click here.

Kira and John

Kira and John live in Michigan, but have family and friends scattered throughout the US, they chose this location for the wedding and had me fly in from Toronto to cover the event.
It was nice to see family and friends come together from so many locations to join in celebrating this couples commitment to each other. Click here to view a slide show with some of my favorite shots from the day.