Saint Lawrence Market Wedding | Jina + Paul

I was happy to have done yet another urban wedding at the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto. As much I love photographing destination weddings and outdoor weddings in the greatest nature, I also felt that city weddings are always the core of it all. At least for myself, I started in photography with a strong interest in street photography. The people, the faces, the interactions, the movements, the culture, the decisive moments that got captured in a city, on the street always fascinated me. It never failed to give me tremendous fun to have a photo walk in a foreign city. In fact, that's what most of my travel photos were made up of. Lots of candid portraits of people in urban settings. To document love and urban weddings in Toronto's city core gave me comfort and joy. Jina and Paul were city people. They're quite hipster by my definition. I always felt that hipsters were those with a free spirit and an unique style. They're open minded and happy to have an alternative approach to things. They didn't try too hard to be different but they also didn't seem to care for fitting in. Jina and Paul were super easy going when I suggested weird ideas for creative wedding photos. It's such great fun working with these two and their young bridal party and loving friends. 

Lots of love,

Ally

Engagement Photo Ideas - Intimate Home Engagement

I'm writing a series on alternative engagement photo ideas.
Engagement sessions are something that many brides-to-be and grooms-to-be often struggle with. It's a love-hate relationships to some. They love to have some photos done but they feel awkward by the whole idea. 

Many of my couples share the same concern that they're not the most enthusiastic when it comes to having their photos taken. Many feel that engagement sessions are not necessary and even embarrassing. It's perfectly understandable that not everyone is comfortable of having pictures done in the public, not to mention being intimate when others are watching.

Home engagement sessions are intimate, romantic and relaxing. Engagement photos done at home are perfect for couples who want their intimate moments to be documented but might be too shy to do it in public. Although you still have to bare with me being there. making those photographs. I promise I will be as quite and unobtrusive as possible. 

Another benefit of an engagement session at home is that not only it can document the space you two have been living in together, the pictures also can be a piece of evidence of some of the details and routines in your everyday life. As simple as making a pot of Sunday morning coffee together to perhaps integrating your beloved dogs or cats in some of the images. It's surprisingly sweet when you look back to those moments. With a documentary approach, it's also more relaxing and natural for you as a couple to be photographed. Not every engagement picture has to be kissing and hugging. Capturing a subtle interaction between the two of you and an eye contact can be romantic and intimate as well. 

Click to see more alternative engagement photo ideas:

Toronto's One of the Kind Winter Engagement

Engagement Photo Ideas - Winter Engagement

I'm writing a series on alternative engagement photo ideas.
Engagement sessions are something that many brides-to-be and grooms-to-be often struggle with. It's a love-hate relationships to some. They love to have some photos done but they feel awkward by the whole idea. 

Click to see a more recent Winter Engagement at the Bluffs and here to see a Engagement Session in the Snow.

Winter is the quietest time in Toronto for good reasons. The weather is unpredictable and when it's cold it can get really cold. My fingers often freeze when I shoot a winter engagement. But for the same reason, this can be the best timing for couples who want to avoid the crowd when their engagement pictures are being taken. Also for brides and grooms who plan their weddings not far ahead, the timing for an e-session can be limited and a winter session might be just inevitable.

For those who want to stay warm, an indoor session is ideal. When it comes to indoor engagement session, location scouting is the key. I generally prefer spacial interiors, abundance of natural lighting and interesting elements to play with for creative portraits and documentary style images.

Another benefit of a well-planned indoor winter engagement photo session is that we can always head out for a little bit of winter vibe. That way, we can have our beautiful Toronto winter captured but can still dress lightly in the cold weather and not freeze ourselves to death.

Another obvious and more adventurous option for winter engagements is to pick a outdoor location and commit to bearing with the cold. It can be well worth it especially if we time the snow correctly. Outdoor winter portraits are gorgeous. Faces are elegantly lit by the light reflected from the snow. Snow engagements are also unique as not that many cities are blesses with the charming snow weather like Toronto. Finding a location that can showcase the snow is the key when it comes to a snow session. Brides-to-be can also wear their beloved winter coats and boots for the shoot. I suggest preparing a plan b when it comes to winter engagement shoots so no one get disappointed by the weather.

Click to see more alternative engagement photo ideas:

Intimate Home Engagement

Scarborough Bluffs Engagement | Jessica + Al

Jessica and Al were the fighters. The two had been through a lot together. Truly in sickness and in health, the two were ready to tie the knot and spend the rest of their life supporting and loving each other. Jessica was also a big fan of photography. She appreciated creativity and originality. It gave me certain pressure and a lot of fulfillment as a photographer to document their connection and love for each other. For their engagement session's location, we chose the mighty Scarborough Bluffs. Their wedding's taking place in a barn in Cambridge so an e-session in Toronto's water front was something different. I also felt the bluff signified something strong and unbeatable. I felt that it's a good for for these two resilient minds. Jessica and Al reminded me of a Rocky's quote. "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward". I wasn't sure if I fully comprehend the idea but I still felt like I can smell the difference of people who had been through challenges in life. There's that undeniable toughness in their skin, in their breath, in their eyes. Jessica and Al were soul mates and partners in crime. I can't wait to document their wedding in the summer!

Lots of love,

Ally 

Gladstone Lower West Side NYE 2016 | Small Wedding Venue Toronto

The New Year Eve countdown at the Gladstone is an unique, must-go spot for those of you who're into fun themed parties with an artistic crowd. Everybody dressed as they're in the Roaring Twenties in the Lower West Side. The Gladstone Hotel itself is a historical 19th century Victorian building with lots of characters. This night, the unique venue is dressed up in vintage and classic designs. The fun, hipster crowd come in nostalgic yet trendy costumes. Don't think this is only for party animals in their early twenties. Some of the best dressed guests are in their 50s and 60s. Who says there's an age limit for being playful. This is the work hard, play hard crowd. The living life to its fullest crowd. I enjoy a lot making documentary, candid pictures at this amazing party with photojournalistic eyes. As I'm photographing the NYE party, I fall more in love with this intimate venue. It makes an unique small wedding venue in downtown Toronto. It's a one of a kind space in the core urban area. The artist-designed hotel rooms upstairs also make the perfect space for getting ready photos. I know that the Gladstone hosts intimate weddings and I have to yet to finally photograph a wedding here. Inside out, The Gladstone has a lot of potential for photography for a wedding day. Urban brides and hipster grooms or just any couple who are throwing an intimate wedding and are looking for a local, unique wedding venue should definitely take a look at the Gladstone. If you end up choosing this venue, I wish I will be there to document it. I promise to make the most out of your special day. xoxo.

Lots of love,

Ally