Style Lab Workshop

About 3 weeks ago I journeyed down to Southern California to attend the Style Lab Workshop with Chenin Boutwell, The Wedding Chicks, and Doug Boutwell of Totally Rad Actions. I had a fantastic time getting my learn on with these knowledgeable folks. I also had the good fortune of meeting many talented photographers and new friends.

I was really impressed with how open and willing Chenin was to share information on all aspects of her business. Fellow photogs, I really recommend this workshop. It was well worth the trek all the way from Toronto to SoCal. I would also like to mention that if you haven’t checked out weddingchicks.com make sure you do! Amy and Jocey are amazing, creative, talented ladies. So much wedding planning inspiration on their site.

The workshop was held at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club and was part classroom and part mock wedding. Angel Swanson of Events of Love & Spendor styled the event and everything looked absolutely amazing. You can’t even tell that there was monsoon rainfall 90% of the day!

The science geek in me went ape when I saw these gorgeous flower arrangements with test tubes and Erlenmeyer flasks. I have to admit I always secretly wanted to pinch a few of these from the lab for this very purpose but always felt guilty because they are really expensive. I absolutely love what The Treasured Petal did with the lab glass!Isn’t this dress STUNNING?! I have developed a new obsession thanks to my experience at the StyleLab. I am absolutely head over heels in love with Joan Shum….her dresses that is. She makes the most gorgeous corsets ever! And according to our lovely model Amanda, they are actually quite comfortable. Amanda, a talented photographer herself, and her hunky husband Mike were fantastic. Thank you! Vivian Tran and team from All Made Up did a brilliant job with Amanda’s hair and make-up.

February 6, 2010 - 8:11 pm

gladys - Yayaaaaaa! You rocked it out Jen! I love these, especially the last one! So purttty :)

February 7, 2010 - 1:07 pm

kristine atienza - aww! so nice to relive these again! i love your b/w processing!

Ivonne & Mo’s Wedding | Toronto Wedding Photographer

Ivonne and Mo got married on a very cold day in January but the outside temperature was the only thing cold about that day. They are two of the most warm and generous people I have ever met. The happy couple along with their friends and family were so wonderful to me that I felt like I was part of the family. They got married in a very touching ceremony with a beautiful reception to follow at Il Cavalier Banquet Hall in Brampton.

When I first arrived at Ivonne’s house I was informed that Ivonne was out washing the car! Of all the places that a bride could be on the morning of her wedding, hair and make-up all done. Can you picture it? I bet she was the best looking lady the car wash has ever seen!

Ivonne has stunning eyes which were highlighted beautifully by her lovely fascinator. Ivonne was well prepared for the cold weather and snow with these gorgeous knee high ivory boots to match her incredible Sottero and Midgley gown.

Even the cat got dressed up for the occasion, albeit briefly. He managed to shed his cuffs and bow tie about 30 seconds after this picture was taken. After the evening was well underway we snuck out for a few romantic pictures on this beautiful grand piano.Thank you so much for having me along on your special day. I feel so lucky to have clients like you!

January 31, 2010 - 9:38 pm

Debora Castillo - Hi Jennifer,
Wow! What a beautiful job done with the photo’s. Thank you for capturing those special moments for my baby sister & brother in-law on there special day . We had a blast and were glad you enjoyed yourself too.

Thank’s again

February 1, 2010 - 10:06 am

marissa - That picture with the cat is too precious!

Melissa & Simon’s Wedding | Victoria Wedding Photographer

Melissa and Simon were my last wedding of 2009, in fact they got married on the last day of 2009. Their wedding was at one of Victoria’s finest wedding venues and it was absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was at the beautiful St. Ann’s Academy and the reception was at the Harbour Towers Hotel. Melissa and Simon are wonderful! I can’t say enough how lucky I am to have such amazing clients. Not only are they and their friends and family such warm people but they are really fun too! The whole bridal party truly had an interest in creating fun pictures, even though the weather was slightly less than desirable. I’m from the West (or should I say Wet) Coast so I know that it rains a lot.  But why did it have to rain all day on Melissa and Simon’s wedding day? Some people would let this get them down, but not this group! What was even more remarkable was more than half of the bridal party had flown all the way from New Zealand and Australia for the wedding and they probably thought that 10°C and raining was some sort of cruel and unusual torture!

Isn’t this the funkiest hair salon ever? The staff at The Fix were so much fun and did such a fabulous job on all the ladies’ hair. Melissa gave all of her bridesmaids these beautiful hair clips, below on the right. 

See what I mean! So much fun! Even in the POURING RAIN they were still game for pictures and happy to show off their wicked rad shoes.

After we were thoroughly soaked we found shelter at the back of the B.C. Parliament buildings. This is a really great location. We were safe from the rain and the wind and there was really yummy light.

The lovely ladies from Details did a fantastic job of decorating the banquet hall at the Harbour Towers. The cupcake tower was amazing. It had at least 5 or 6 distinct cupcake flavours and it was complete with matching bride and groom treats at the top!

I love how happy they look during their first dance.

February 3, 2010 - 8:08 pm

julie h - that little girl is so adorable! Beautiful photo! I’m always drawn to taking kids photos at weddings!

Portrait of a Yogi | Toronto Yoga Photographer

One of the things I enjoy most is yoga. It is part of my daily routine (…er, well, almost) and is, in part, responsible for my sanity. So I’m sure you can imagine that I was elated when Jonny Belinko, one of my favourite instructors, asked me to shoot some pictures of him practicing yoga for his new Yoga Instructional DVD, based on Shri. K. Pattabhi Jois’ Primary Ashtanga Series. Jonny is a natural teacher and you can’t help get sucked into loving him and his classes. Jonny teaches at many studios around Toronto including my favourite, Iam Yoga.

Before we started the shoot we went for coffee. Jonny starts each morning off with a cup of espresso. We went to Manic Coffee on College Street, one of the best coffee shops in Toronto.

Jonny Belinko - Toronto YogaI don’t know how many people sit at Manic Coffee like this! Jonny always drinks his espresso with one leg behind his head. He says it tastes better;)

Jonny Belinko - Toronto YogaI love this one!

Jonny Belinko - Toronto Yoga

Jonny Belinko - Toronto YogaOnce we were well caffeinated it was on to yoga.

Jonny Belinko - Toronto YogaJonny Belinko - Toronto YogaI often sit like this. In fact I’m sitting like this right now… as I type!

Jonny Belinko - Toronto Yoga

Jonny Belinko - Toronto YogaI’m a pro at this next one!

Jonny Belinko - Toronto Yoga

Jonny Belinko - Toronto Yoga

Thanks for having me along Jonny. I look forward to furthering my practice with your DVD.  For more information on Jonny’s Ashtanga Yoga DVD click HERE!

January 6, 2010 - 1:59 pm

Hilary - Yoga in jeans = impossible! Does he have the yoga jeans? I agree, shavasna is my favourite, although I highly enjoy sun salutations :)

Tatiana & Kevin | Urban Engagement Photography

Outdoor engagement portraits in Toronto in December can be a bit tricky! That is unless of course you are looking to model your new scarf and hat and only want me to see your nose. Tatiana and Kevin were originally thinking of the beautiful old buildings of the University of Toronto campus as a backdrop but since it was -10°C plus a windchill we had to get creative. We started our shoot in the upper level of the Eaton Centre and then wandered through the underground maze of Downtown Toronto popping up in various foyers and atriums. We then headed to Union Station and finished off the shoot on the platform where we got some of my favourites.

These two are so adorable and I had so much fun hanging out and snapping pics. Their love for each other is infectious. They each have an ear-to-ear perma-grin which made my job so easy. The wedding is next December in Barbados so I don’t think the cold should be a problem!;) Congratulations to you both! You make a beautiful couple!

December 23, 2009 - 3:37 am

stacy - Love the photos.. great couple to work with…well done!!