it’s soooo cooooold!!!! I am Canadian but for some reason I did not expect this so soon. Thankfully, I had Tina and Mike’s images to create which reminded me how warm they are as a couple as well as during their engagement session. Here are some of my favorites. =)

Congrats guys!!!

We sure had some crazy weather these past few days. First with the aftershocks of the earthquake a couple of days ago (anyone else feel it?) and tonight’s rain and thunder storm! Regardless, something compelled me to post Jen and Ron’s latest session. My only explanation is perhaps because they’ve been together for over 13 years, they have been through thick and thin together and nothing phases them as they can weather any storm together. Here are a few of my favorites =)

Ron claims that he’s fun like the iPhone where as Jen is more efficient and organized like the BlackBerry…i think they are both fun and organized..=)

Last week I had a great time photographing Neelofur and Faisal’s engagement session. These two have been together for about 8 years and decided to tie the knot next month!!! I can’t wait till their wedding.

Meet Jovie and Adrian! When they approached me about an idea they had, I was left intrigued and excited! (More about this in a later post…don’t want to spoil it.) Part of the idea involved an enagement/maternity session which was amazing!!

Jovie is an awesome wedding planner and together they not only make a great couple, but a great team. They not only make sure that the bride and groom are enjoying their day but they go the extra mile to make sure everyone else who is involved, be it the DJ, the emcee and of course, the photographer is well informed and taken care of. I have worked with them enough to know that if Jovial Events is on the job, I know it’s going to be a great wedding!

Like many of my sessions, my couples are relaxed and comfortable. This was no exception as Jovie actually took a little snooze part way through. She said it was too comfortable…hehehe..I’ll take that!! =)

Here are some of my favorites from the session.  Special thanks goes to Lucy for helping me out on this one.

My personal favorite…

Wow…Where to begin?! It’s been a crazy 24 hours but it was all worth it. I have known Ron and Jen for  about 12 years. As close friends we grew together and I have watched their relationship flourish. Seeing my two close friends get engaged yesterday afternoon was definitely something and Lucy and I were so happy and privileged to be a part of it.

I know that Ron had been planning for nearly a year now. He had so many ideas of how he would propose to his love of 13 years. However, what he finally chose was simple and brought it back to what was important to them.

You can imagine, being together for so long, a couple must have shared so many memories together. It was for this reason that Ron decided to take Jen on a little journey of their relationship before popping the question. Guided by little arrows, hearts and photos of their past, a path was created in which Jen would follow in order to reach Ron who was waiting at the planetarium at The Ontario Science Centre. The photos were an amazing, covering everything from when they first got together, graduation as well as their trips and adventures.

The staff at the Science Centre were amazing. They were super helpful in making this happen. While we were putting the photos up, the staff would come by to share some kind words and support to Ron. They were all behind him 100%.

I have to say that this experience was quite a challenge to document as we chose to have Jen experience this journey without knowing our presence. At one point, Lucy was shooting from a sniper like position, but the sound of the camera shutter almost gave us away. Phew…Here are some photos…

literally seconds after this photo was taken. I ran for cover as Jen suddenly turn and looked around. I thought that I gave it away somehow. We found out later than this is when Jen heard the sound of Lucy’s shutter.
This is one of the first photos of them taken.They finally came out with the good news!!!! The suspense was killing me!!!

Congratulations guys!!!!!

More tomorrow…Congrats guys!

As it turns out, Stephanie and Chuck were guests at Jessica and Eric’s wedding. They told me that they not only loved my work but how my team worked together. I was happy to hear this as the importance of having a good team is sometimes overlooked by many. It is for this reason that my coverage always includes a second photographer, not an assistant, but a photographer. What this means to you is that I bring another individual who is disciplined in wedding photography who understands my style and approach to help provide you with complete coverage of your special day. I was flattered to hear this and it was not long before they decided that I was the photographer for them.

Here are some photos taken on their engagement session.

Stephanie, Chuck, thank you and I can’t wait for your wedding in July 2011!!!

As I went through the photos from this session, I relived many of the moments I shared with Andrea and Edward and their friends that weekend. It became apparent to me that there was no way this would be an ordinary post, there was a story to be told in this session, as a result I will be posting images mini adventure in addition to the engagement photos. Enjoy!

After loading the cars full of food, clothing and supplies, we were off! It did not seem long until the convoy needed make a pit stop for some food.

After photographing Andrea and Edward a little, I was reminded at how hard it is for this couple to be serious. They were always making each other laugh and smile. See what I mean?The cottage was beautiful. It had a rustic kinda feel to it but was also very warm and cozy. I have to admit that I would totally consider going to a cottage after this experience.After an amazing hot pot meal, the group (Andrea, Edward, Derek, Joanna, Benet, Karen, Lucy and myself), enjoyed a beautifully star lit sky and warm fire outdoors where Andrea and Edward shared with everyone their story of how they met and how Edward proposed. It was a great evening.Something I forgot to mention, there was the promise of good food, and at first I thought it was a bunch of take out. Not the case here, Andrea and Edward are amazing in the kitchen and the BBQ. Andrea makes these light and fluffy eggs they are to die for, as for Edward, when he puts on this hat, he becomes king of the BBQ. He made home made mini burgers, an amazing rack of lamb and flavorful steak a la “SPM”. After an amazing lunch, we set out for the town for some photos. There were the “usual” photos, but upon our return, Lucy and I noticed this magical light in an open field. We had to pull over frogger over some traffic to get the following. Andrea and Edward were amazing to be so, cool with these spontaneous mini shoots.On our last day, we hiked 30 minutes and spent another 20 minutes strategically climbing down a rockface into a cove. I have to say it was quite dangerous given we were travelling with everything. There was one point where I thought we would forgo this location because it seemed too dangerous, but Andrea and Edward did not let this roadblock stop them. We figured out a way to get down there and boy was it worth it!   

Phew, we are at the end of the post! Thanks for taking the time to check out this unique engagement session. Andrea, Edward, thank you for inviting Lucy and I to spend the weekend with you both and your close friends. We had an amazing time together and we cannot wait till your wedding!!!
P.S. Happy Thanks Giving everyone!!!!!

Had an AMAZING weekend with Andrea and Edward in Tobermory for their engagement photos. I just had to share this one with you guys and I can’t wait to show you the rest.

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…

]]> http://fungkeblog.com/2010/04/01/rachell_jim_engaged/feed/ 2 http://fungkeblog.com/2010/01/28/the-elna-and-dave-proposal/ http://fungkeblog.com/2010/01/28/the-elna-and-dave-proposal/#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:33:54 +0000 Kevin http://fungkeblog.com/?p=1590

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!

Whether is was over the phone or email, Joy and Luke sounded very enthusiastic and excited to talk about their wedding. Breakfast at Chez Cora was the setting for our first meet. Over pancakes, eggs and grapefruit juice, Joy and Luke divulged the story of how they met, how Luke proposed and their wedding plans. I knew right there and then that I wanted to document their love and their wedding.

Since they commissioned me to document their wedding we have been bumping into each other quite frequently and randomly! Whether it was on subway, or grabbing bubble tea at Pacific Mall, we keep seeing each other! If I did not know better, I would think they were stalkers…just kiddin’.

I recently photographed their engagement session at the Distillery District and had an awesome time. Here are just a few favorites.

Joy, Luke, you guys are awesome and I can’t wait for their upcoming wedding in August!

ok, ok….so Elaine and Alex are not engaged…but they might as well should be, they’ve been together for 5 years, 3 months and counting! In any case, they were kind enough to have me photograph them as a couple, we had a great shoot planned out. Would have been some off camera light action, some urban concrete like backdrops, some urban grunge stuff and a lot of mainstreeting but…something we did not account for was the weather. It rained so hard that day the all day shoot turned into a 30 minute session indoors in her condo. Boooooo! The upside was that it was an overcast day and she had pretty nice light coming through her windows. Regardless, the session was fun and full of laughter. It was just nice to see how great this couple got along.

And finally, the family shot. Elaine, Hagu and Alex. Thanks so much for letting me document your love.

I have known Adam for since grade school and although we were never close friends, we did catch up here and there until we lost contact at one point when we went off to different high schools. Flash forward close to 12 years, I open up Facebook and guess who messages me? Adam! He’s been trying to reconnect with people and there is no better site than facebook to do it. While creepin’ on his facebook profile I noticed that he was engaged and asked if he and his fiance found a photographer yet. Still not familiar or comfortable with wedding photography, I naturally differed to my close friend Ron from July 12th. Here are some from the engagement. The wedding was set for August 8, 2008.