Natasha - Boudoir

I am loving shooting boudoir these days - there's just something about it. Maybe it's that kick of fashion that I start to crave while primarily shooting weddings and engagements all year. Or that rush of excitement I get when I know I have made someone look and feel beautiful. I love my one on one time with a bride, so boudoir is an extension of that. Just without the wedding dress and with a whole lot of skin, ruffles, and lace.  I am such a girly girl - I can't help but feel happy when shooting boudoir!

Three years ago, when I first started out, Natasha approached me about having head shots done. We got along great and came out with some pretty cool shots. Thinking back, probably a lot cooler back then when at that time, I was excited to get work let alone a competent exposure ;) Just kidding. I was really excited when Natasha had seen one of my latest boudoir sessions and had to have one for herself. We of course needed to have the amazing skills of my sister, Sarah, for makeup to complete the look. I wish I could bottle up what she does and sell it. From what I've seen, every girl seems to feel 100% amazing after Sarah's done with them. I've posted a bunch of my favourites from the session but it was so hard to pick. So many fun and gorgeous shots. Natasha, you're stunning!

Makeup by my amazing sister, Sarah! Love her. Seriously, look at those eyes! Yea, I'm sure that's not all you're looking at, but seriously! ;) Beautiful girl! 

Love me some harsh shadows :)

I love how Natasha's room had images of her idols throughout it. Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.    Dayum, girl!  

Thi & Conrad - Engagement - Liuna Station, Hamilton

Through meeting, conversations and our session, I have noticed that Thi and Conrad have a quiet, innocent, and sweet kind of love. It isn't necessary for them to be over the top in order to feel the love and care that they share for one another. I could see it clearly as I was photographing these two. The soft kisses Conrad placed on Thi's forhead without my promp. The way he moved her hair from her eyes when it got windy. The gentle holding of hands and the many, many, sweet laughs that Thi could not contain. These two share something very special. I was honoured to document them, share in their moment, and get to know them better. In June I will be shooting their wedding and I can't wait to see what their day brings. 

Here are some of my favourites of the engagement session shot at Liuna Station right here in Hamilton. They met and worked together in the Hammer a few years back so having their session local (even though they now reside in Ottawa) was only fitting.

Style Me Pretty - My Favourites!

As promised, here is a post of my favourite images from our Valentine's Day Inspiration Creative that was featured yesterday on Style Me Pretty. I can't thank everyone enough for all of their support and kind words - it was definitly an exciting day for me! Head over to Rhiannon's blog to see her recap also!

Thank you so much to the team that made it possible :) They are all such amazing wedding vendors whom I'd be honoured to work with again!
Style & Concept Design: Rhiannon Banda-Scott, Hey Gorgeous Events 
Cake: Olivia Nguyen, I Do Wedding Cakes  
Florals: Lisa Collins, Sweet Woodruff 
Paper: Michelle Ellen Lee, PaperTalkPress
Venue and necklace/bracelet: The Art Gallery of Hamilton
L O V E mugs: Anthropologie online
Bride's vintage stud earrings: ALDO accessories
Heart-shaped sugar cookies: Sweetness Bakery
Hair styling: Madelaine Griffin, Aura Salon and Spa
Make up artist: Sarah Smith
Bride's floral headpiece: Jenn Wood, migonnnehandmade on Etsy
L O V E banner: Linda, victorianstation on Etsy
Model: Jody Mifsud

Style Me Pretty Feature - Valentine's Day Inspired Wedding

To say that I am obsessed with the ever-so-fabulous blog Style Me Pretty is quite frankly an understatement.  The blog is so addictive and has definitely become a daily ritual of mine - though some may some call it more of an addiction. :) How can you blame me though? SMP is constantly updating their blog with the most drool worthy, gorgeous, creative, and lavish weddings. It's the part of my day where I like to day dream, envision my own wedding (someday), and get that extra kick of inspiration that I crave.  I'd take Style Me Pretty over a coffee any day - it totally hits the spot!

Earlier this year I was contacted by an amazing woman, who as you know, I have mentioned a million times on my blog - Rhiannon. This girl has an insane ability to visualize every single detail necessary to create the most stunning weddings and bring them to life. Rhi and I met up to brainstorm and discuss a potential Valentine's day creative and soon realized that half of our inspiration folders contained most of the same images. Our similar taste made this shoot that much sweeter to plan. The day of the shoot came and our ideas of a beautiful Valentine's Day wedding came to life. I have to give Rhiannon full credit though - I just took the photos and made them look pretty after everything was set up but I couldn't have been more pleased.

We wanted to create this shoot to highlight our ideas and skills, but we did this mainly as a goal. A goal of being feautured on our absolute favourite wedding blog. I am honoured and excited to be featured on Valentine's Day and am very proud of the team who made it all happen!

Tomorrow I will be posting more of my faves but until then...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! xo

Click here to see the images on Style Me Pretty! Yay!

Rhiannon - Boudoir

Hey guys!

I have something a little different on the blog. If you're a regular on here you know that I've made quite a few mentions of my friend/wedding planner extraordinare Rhiannon. She is absolutely amazing inside and out and I am so fortunate to have gained such a great friendship with her. It feels as though we were sisters or best friends in another life. We just GET each other.

As you know, I am completely in love with weddings and I really do try and make each couple look and feel like models on their wedding day. I especially enjoy when I get to work one on one with the bride in the morning and create stunning portraits of her that she will love. It's all about feeling the most confident and beautiful you've ever felt in your life. Everyone should feel that way - especially on their wedding day.

If you know me, you know I am a sucker for fashion. I went to school and studied commerical photography and hoped to get into some form of beauty advertising. To me, weddings are the perfect fit for that. Who knows, in the future I may get to do both. A great way for me to unleash my fashionista side is by shooting boudior. I often get asked to shoot boudior sessions for brides-to-be to give to their husband on their wedding day - or even as a surprise after the wedding is all said and done with. Rhiannon did just this. She was recently married and for Valentines' Day wants to suprise her hubby (it's okay she let me post them!) with an album of sexy images.

We had a blast shooting and came out with some really soft and beautiful images that I'm quite excited about! I hope you like them! :)

 

Many thanks go out to Sarah Smith (my uber talented twin sister) for doing Rhiannon's amazing makeup and hair. Stunning. XO