Last Sunday, I had the pleasure to photograph Susan and Kevin’s engagement. I was really looking forward to it as we have canceled the session before due to bad weather. I was taking an afternoon nap, (I am not old, I just like my naps!) when I was abruptly awaken by a rumbling sound. Naturally I thought, tractor trailer or construction truck passing through the neighborhood. I crawled out of bed and peeked out the window still half asleep. The clouds got darker by the minute which prompted me to go and double check the weather online. Once the page loaded I was greeted with an unfamiliar flashing red bar that read “Sever Thunderstorm Warning for Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton”.  Oh (insert obscenities here)!!. It was about 4pm and I dialed Susan’s number hoping to intercept her before she left for her make up appointment. Errg….no answer. I then heard a loud crash and then the rain began. Profanity began to fill my head as I watched large puddles forming on the street. My phone began to vibrate, I pick up and it was Kevin. The call went something like this…

Me: Hello?

Kevin: Hey Kevin how’s it going?

Me: It’s going I guess.. (uneasily)

Kevin: So, it’s looking like a torrential downpour right now, is it raining where you are at?

Me: Yeah it’s the same here. I tried calling Susan but I take it she’s at her appointment.

Kevin: Yeah, I don’t think she wants to cancel this time.

Me: Well, we’ll see how it goes, I am checking the hourly weather report and it says it should clear up by the time we shoot.

Kevin: Yeah? Alright then, we’ll keep in touch.

Me: See ya…

Kevin: Bye.

By 5pm, things settled down. The clouds began to part and the sun peeked through. We made arrangements to meet at Kariya Park in Mississauga a little earlier for our shoot and I am glad we did because we were covered in beautiful light the whole time. Susan and Kevin were great to photograph and just be around, I can’t wait for their wedding next month! Here are some of my favorites from the session.

So the weather has returned to “normal”…somewhat and while you are enjoying the sun and beautiful patio weather, I am bringing the ice and snow back with this post (just this one).  Meet Rachell and Jim who’s engagement I had the  pleasure to photograph at the end of February. We had not seen each other for a while since the two of them are from out of town but we hit it off like we did when we first met in January which made for a fun and relaxed shoot. Here are some of my picks. Congrats guys, see you soon for your wedding!!!

My favorite…

A couple of months ago, I was briefed by Joee on one of his top secret missions. The mission was to document a live engagement. The challenge was not only to be discreet, but to know who to photograph! I have never met Dave and Elna before and although a live proposal is not something one would miss, it took place in the middle of Brookfield place where there is generally a lot of people walking around.

I met Joee after Margaret and Tamer’s engagement session and we scouted the area and came up with a game plan to get the best possible coverage. As the time drew near we split up and took our positions. Shortly after the targets I mean Dave and Elna showed up with a bunch of their friends. It took every trick in the spy book to maintain visual while not being seen. Dave motioned for Elna to be by his side, as soon as that happened, friends surrounded the couple with rose petals and it began.

Success!

Congrats guys!!

I was getting ready to call it a night one evening when Jess my good friend from Ryerson sends me a message on google chat.  The conversation went like this…

The chat continued on for another 15-20 minutes, I was no longer tired, I was just uber excited and happy for Jess. This conversation was then followed by breakfast ( i love breakfast), and the engagement session.  I was always on the fence about photographing  friends, there is just something about it, but after this session, I am totally game! Both Jess and Eric were pretty easy going and  it did not taken them long to forget the camera was around, they just hung out like they would normally and let me document it them being themselves. My kind shoot! Congrats guys!

We were shooting in sunset and I was so happy that I caught this beautiful light.

On September 12th, 2009, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and document Pam and Dal’s engagement party on behalf of Joee. I have documented an engagement party before (Mukeshni and Vimlesh), but this was  larger in scale, there were about 300 family and friends in attendance. The evening was filled with some rituals and a lot of dancing. I had an amazing time and so glad I got to meet Pam and Dal as they were just a great couple to work with. Here are some favorites of the night.

The shoot went really well, they were such an easy couple to shoot because you could just see the chemistry these two had! Cannot wait to be a part of their wedding next year!