documentographer » life photographer

I write from my home office of the apartment that Heather used to live in.  She moved out when she met Mike.  It feels fitting to write from here, her former home, about her wedding on Saturday, as she embarked on her new life.

Here she is, beautiful Heather:

And here is Heather’s neighbour.  She’s 98 years old, and was there in that very spot, when Heather came home from the hospital the day she was born.  This scene was so touching, I can’t even tell you.  98 years old, and yelping with joy!

And, without further adieu, here are Heather and Mike, formerly of the engagement shoot seen HERE.

They had a beautiful ceremony and celebration at the Steamwhistle.  It was a perfect day, and so special for me to be included in.  Congratulations, and enjoy Greece!!

ps — your apartment says “Hi”

Dear couples planning a wedding,

Whether you are finding the planning process stressful/overwhelming/difficult, or fun/exciting/imaginative, I want to make sure you know about the Wedding Co.  It is a fabulous company sharing a collection of selected, trusted and talented vendors to help make planning your wedding easier and more fun for you.  It’s a terrific directory, and resource, available online here: www.theweddingco.ca

I write about this now, because starting tomorrow, for the next ten days, they are hosting an online wedding show. It is called, The Spring Wedding Show, and is available here: www.thespringweddingshow.com

I am happy to say I’ll be there, please stop by my virtual “booth”.  

Yours sincerely,

catherine

Welcome to our little love-in.  (And who says computers separate us from each other?!)  The amazing Nutritionist  extraordinaire Meghan Telpner, who I adore, gave me a blog award yesterday.  Here’s what she said:  

First she photographed my BF Vanessa for her book cover, and than I have her do my pics and than sent her along to my other BF Macy and then my friend Stuart caught on. Catherine has become a wonderful friend and she is maybe the best in the whole world at what she does. She captures people at their most beautiful from the inside out. She is delightful, sweet, very funny, beautiful… I might just have a girl crush. She makes me want to put complete stranger’s wedding photos and baby photos on my wall.

I’m blushing.

In exchange, I shall share my five favs:

1. Anna Kuperberg’s photo blog. I have never met Anna in real life, but what does real life have to do with this? Her blog and photos are so amazing, what’s not to adore?  For me, this woman represents what life photography is all about, and what I aspire mine to be.  Thank you for the inspiration!!!

2. What does it mean to be a human being? Jordan Bower is living the dream. For the past million months, he has been traveling around India.  And every day he shares a photo that makes me pause. 

3. Style Me Pretty. If you are getting married and want some inspiration, this is the place to go.  It is a beautiful blog, and amazing resource.  It seems to just get more and more terrific.

4. Of life after 24. This blog is where photographer meets poet.  Alyssa is the talented artist genius who doesn’t even know it.  It’s gentle, inspiring and beautiful, just like her.

5. Seth Godin. How one man can share such profound insights on a daily basis, astounds me. He has altered how I think about my business and the world. Now that’s a blog!!

For those who won, feel free to pass the award on to your 5 fav blogs.

they knew it was much more than a hunch

that this group, could somehow form a family, and that’s the way they all became the bridal party bunch

Congratulations Suzana + Gord.  This was such a memorable wedding, you guys were all hilarious!!!  Thanks for sharing the fun with us.

I say “our” dream wedding, because I know that every person who attended Ben and Shelly’s wedding last weekend in South Beach, wished it was their wedding.  Your first thought might be because it was at the mind-blowingly stunning Setai Hotel, but, that is not why.  The most amazing thing about this wedding, was that even though it was in such a gorgeous location, it was the couple, their friends and family, and the love, that made it.  Not the hotel.

To illustrate, there are two things you should know before you watch the slideshow:

1. Ben wrote his wedding speech 3 months into dating Shelly.  He mailed it to himself in a self-addressed envelope, and didn’t open it again until he read it on Sunday. Quite possibly the most romantic thing I have EVER seen. 

2. Shelly’s favourite song, ‘The One Who Loves You The Most‘, was performed specially for them on YouTube, by the artist Brett Dennen.  Another surprise. How’s that for a first dance?

ok. Watch it.  See for yourself.  Our dreams came true.

ps — Shelly’s hair and make-up was done by the Celebrity Artist Amy Palma.  www.sobemakeupstudio.com

pps — ***if you are finding the video is skipping, or the pace is off, please wait to let the video load completely after you press play.***

One might think that when the swine flu causes you to re-locate your destination wedding, say, a wedding that took over a year to plan, one might be disappointed.  All your visions, dreams and ideas, all out the window.  But what if all signs indicate that Plan “B” is better than Plan “A”?  

This past weekend, we went to South Beach, Miami, and never looked back.

For example, take a moment to compare weather forecasts in the two locations.  Plan A vs. Plan B.  Which would you choose?

Can you believe it?  If swine flu hadn’t come along, the whole thing would have been ruined anyway.  And we wouldn’t have gotten Vanity Fair shots like this:

Not even for a single second, did anyone, and I mean ANYONE, wish that the wedding had taken place as previously planned.  This wedding was perfection in every way — even though it was all organized and planned within 72 hours.  I shall share more, and you can see for yourself.

Kudos to pulling off a perfect celebration!!