Paint Fight Engagement Photography - Albion Falls, Hamilton Ontario

We took a walk with Amanda & Trevor the other week to enjoy some of the beautiful fall colours that were just starting to bloom across the forest at Albion Falls .

 After taking one last toe dip of the season, they did exactly what one should do on a beautiful fall day.

They had a paint fight.  : )

Mhmm. That’s right, a paint fight engagement shoot!  We found a highly decorated bridge in Red Hill Valley that was the perfect backdrop for the duel.

It started off with a showdown.

And started off slow.

 

But then it got messy.

 

 And then really messy.

And then the messiest of all messyness.These two made a completely beautiful Rorschach Inkblot  of…their love :)  

*cue violins, fade out...*

 the end! :)
 

Ninja-Style Photography

When people ask us what our photography style is, I like to say its Ninja-Style. Now from what I know about Ninja’s, they get really mad when you claim you are a Ninja, and yet don’t actually follow the Ninja way.  Misrepresenting a Ninja never turns out good in the end. Therefore, to back up my claims, I present you with concrete evidence that, indeed, “It's not uncommon for Mike to be found perched precariously in a tree above an unsuspecting bridal party or silently somersaulting behind the last pew in the church” (taken from our website )

Exhibit A.

This is a beginners move in Ninja-Style Photography execution. Note the lack of foot holds, however the height and danger element leave something to be desired.

Exhibit B.

This shot does not accurately represent just how far up and precarious the situation was. This particular shot involved Mike taking off his shoes, rolling up his pants and wading through the river (I must note it had been sleeting earlier that day, so it was freezing) and scrambling up the side of a gorge that was lined with shale, all to get the intimate shot you see below.  I would say this would be a moderate move in Ninja-Style Photography.  During the reception speeches at Allasan & Mikes wedding, they thanked us and said “we knew when our photographer was off-roading on our engagement shoot, that they were the right choice for us!" Just doin' our job, guys. ;)

 And lastly, but certainly not least, Exhibit C.

This would be a classic example of expert Ninja-Style Photography. Mike does not think twice about missing an amazing photo op in the face of danger. Despite my anxiety and desperate wish for a big huge fireman trampoline to put under him, there really was no other way to capture the awesome hoops this 6”5 groom was shooting (his lovely bride also joined in,  but that’s a whole other post!). These great shots were taken by a guest at the wedding, and I do believe that a crowd eventually ends up forming and there are probably some Instagram versions of this spectacle floating out there as well.

First, the climb up, balance, and assurance to his sweaty-palmed wife that he knows what he’s doing. 

Don't you love the basketball, frozen in time there? :D

Don't be deceived by the shot perspective here, I was  on the top of a step-ladder here, on my tip toes.

Second, the set up.

Please note, there is a reason why we bought stretchy-paaants for him for photoshoots. Too many ripped seams

Third, the shot. 

 The backboard and the whole thing shook like crazy every time Dave took a shot. I think I actually turned away from the scene and couldn’t look anymore.

But you know what? It was all worth it in the end. Nobody ended up a quadriplegic, and we ended up with this kickass shot of Dave being a superstar. 

And there you have it, proof that Mike truly is a Ninja-Style Photographer.

Another Reason Why Mike Loves His Job!

Today Mike had a  photoshoot with two adorable little girls. I can't show you the pics yet, but I wanted to share just how freakin' cute this is! They had it all prepared for him beforehand, and the pumpkins represent all the different places they were going to go. Each pumpkin has a different face, because 'you make different faces in each picture'. Mike literally melted into a puddle when they handed him this super awesome card, so amazing!

Keith & Karen - August, 2012

Karen and Keith’s intimate wedding at the Scottish Rite in Hamilton was a lovely way for all of their closest family and friends to spend a Sunday afternoon.

 Both the venue and the outfit were a shout out to Keith’s Scottish heritage – it’s not very often we get to experience a groom that rivals the bride in outfit and attire. But with his kilt, sporran and dirk tucked in there just in case, Keith looked every bit the Scottish gentleman for his beautiful lady.  

 I think the thing that we noticed most about the two of them was how comfortable they were with each other, and how when they looked at each other, you could just tell that everyone else in the room just disappeared and they were in their own little world. When they are together, they are both relaxed and in tune to each other and it’s really lovely. 

Karen put a lot of thought into really personalizing her reception area, and I was so delighted when I saw her unique ideas for each centerpiece. Each table number was accompanied by a little blurb about the two of them, so all the guests got a glimpse into their lives and their love for each other. Fabulous! 

But guess what else?

And yes I squealed a bit at this, because it’s the most perfect DIY, inexpensive, unique and totally Canadian bonbonierre idea ever (yes I mean ever): little mini Tim Hortons espresso cups! Filled with chocolate! Heck yes! So cute.:) 

 

We had a lovely time with these two, and I know that they are going to have a very happy future together. Congratulations guys!

Why the heck do we need an engagement shoot anyways?

Why, thank you for asking. We get this question a lot, and I’m here to tell you why it’s a really good idea to book an engagement shoot with us before your wedding.

Number one answer? Because they are fun.

Seriously, they are. That’s the main reason we include them with all of our packages. Basically it’s like, you guys are on a date, and Mike is the weirdo ninja paparazzo in the bushes snapping away furiously as you guys are canoodling and schmoopying and doing all that stuff that maybe you haven’t done together in a while. 

Going on a date, with just the two of you, focusing on each other and just…feeling each other’s energy, and hearts and enjoying each other’s company. And then having awesome pictures to remember it with for the rest of your lives? It’s perfect! 

You two are in love. That’s why you’re getting married.

And your wedding day is going to be all sorts of amazing, but that day is extra special, which is why you dress up all fancy-like.  You’re probably not going to spend too much more time after your wedding day in your wedding clothes. (Unless you’re like me who likes to wear her wedding dress for Halloween, because why the heck not.)  There is really only a short period of time where you’ll identify as ‘the bride’ or ‘the groom’, but you’ll always identify with being ‘each others’. So capturing you guys as who you are, how you belong together in every day life, is so important because it’s who you’re going to be for the rest of your lives.

 It doesn’t matter if you still want to ‘lose weight’ before the wedding (just gotta add in here ladies, do not put this kind of pressure on yourselves…!) or maybe you just got a less than fab haircut or your future husband looks stiff and silly in pictures. Forget all this stuff. We are professionals, and our job is to bring out the beautiful in you both, by making you comfortable, and letting you guys do what you do. 

And if you’re sitting here thinking, “what if we don’t DO anything?”, believe me, you do. We’ll step in if we need too, to get you guys loosened up a bit, suggest some poses maybe or Mike will tell terrible jokes.  Actually, the terrible joke part happens regardless of whats going on. Anyways, so then, when the big day rolls around, you guys will not only have amazing pictures to show on your welcome table and in your guest book, you’ll know exactly what it feels like to spend time with Mike, to have a big crazy-ass camera pointed at you. You’ll know how amazing you look in the pictures we take. So you don’t have to worry about making sure you have your model lips on, or you are tilting your head just so, because all that stuff is baloney and you’ll have had real time practice looking fabulous without even knowing it.