Creative Wedding & Portrait Photography

August 1, 2011

Emma & Spencer’s Georgian Bay Wedding – Parry Sound, Cambridge Photographer

Filed under: Weddings — Tags: , , , — johnbrisbane @ 6:11 pm

Girl next door, marries boy next door.  Thats how Emma described her and Spencer to me.  Emma and Spencer started out as childhood sweethearts and became a married couple this past June.  Their wedding ceremony took place on a warm, sunny day, on the deck of the Stockey Center, in Parry Sound, with Georgian Bay’s Big Sound as a backdrop. 

Georgian Bay plays a big part in this couples lives, as they have lived, played, and worked on, and near it all of their lives.  When we did their engagement shoot last summer, we boated out to a couple of the islands near my studio and did a series of images, many of which we incorporated into their custom designed sign in book. 

As the ceremony was planned for early evening, we opted to do almost all the family, wedding party and couple alone images before the ceremony. We found a great part of the Bay, near Nobel, and made arrangements to use it the day of the wedding.  After we did the girls getting ready, and all done up shots at Emma’s folks home in Nobel, Emma and I headed off to the appointed location to hook up with Spencer, who was patiently waiting for his “First Look” at his bride in her gown.  I have done “First Look” sessions for several weddings in recent years and it is always interesting to watch the excitement of both the bride and groom when they see each other for the first time in a private setting, before the ceremony. 

After the ceremony,  cocktails, grand entrance, speaches and just after the dance began I snuck Emma and Spencer away for a few moments for some sunset shots, just as the sun was disappearing over the Big Sound.

A small selection of the images from Emma and Spencer’s day follows.

Wedding Rings _ Parry Sound Wedding_ESR_007e

Bride on a Dock_ Georgian Bay Wedding_ESR_180e

a Mother and Bride_ ESR_061e

Bride and Groom splash in water_Georgian Bay Wedding_ESR_173

Bride & Groom Kissing_Georgian Bay Wedding_ESR_173

Bride and girls_ESR_312_BW_2

Grooms men lift the bride_ESR_303 _2

Bride & Groom Kissing by Stockey Center Parry Sound_ESR_859

bride & groom kissing at sunset_ESR_861e

Sunset kiss by Georgian Bay_ESR_854 _2

July 25, 2011

Dana & Mike are Married!!! – Algonquin Park – Parry Sound, Cambridge Photographer

Filed under: Algonquin Park,Weddings — Tags: , — johnbrisbane @ 8:52 pm

Several weeks ago I got to visit some of my old stomping grounds when I made my way over to Aylen Lake, just east of Algonquin Park for Dana and Mike’s wedding.  Dana and Mike got ready at Dana’s folks cottage on Aylen Lake and as it had rained off and on during much of the day they opted to have the ceremony under an open air chapel in the pines, overlooking the lake instead of on the dock in front of the cottage as they had originally planned.  It was a perfect setting for this couple who are currently living in Edmonton, Alberta.  After the ceremony we made our away back to the cottage and had a great time getting a wide range of family, wedding party and then couple alone images of this happy couple.  We made good use of the family canoe and the overcast skies made for a dramatic setting. We then headed off to Algonquin park where the reception was taking place at historic Bartlet Lodge.  On the way Dana, Mike and I stopped off at spruce bog board walk and did a series of romantic couple alone, images.   A few of the images from Dana and Mike’s special day are below.   Heading back to Parry Sound just after dusk I got to spend about 20 minutes photographing a mother moose and her young calf.

Bride and Groom embracing by water_DMstG-356

Algonquin Park Bride & Groom_DMstG-438

Red canoe & wedding flowers_DMstG-009

Bride & Groom in canoe_DMstG-267e

Bride and Groom snuggle, canoe in background_DMstG-301

Algonquin Park Kiss Bride & Groom_DMstG-408

Bride & Groom Kissing  Algonquin Park_DMstG-389

May 28, 2011

Sandra and Joe’s – Love & Commitment – Parry Sound – Cambridge – Wedding Photographer

Filed under: Weddings — Tags: , — johnbrisbane @ 6:44 am

The wind and rain did nothing to dampen the love and commitment that Sandra and Joe expressed to each other during a wonderful ceremony on May 14th at their home, just south of Parry Sound.   Once it became clear that the wet spring we have been having was not going to let up on their special day  Joe and Sandra made some quick adjustments to the plans they had for an outdoor ceremony.  Their large garge was decked out with a wide assortment of great decorations, chairs were arranged to keep the guests out of the rain, and a huge tarp with appropriate decorations, gave the officiant (Sandra’s daughter), the happy couple, their best man, maid of honor, and young flower girls protection from the day long rain during their touching ceremony. 

After the ceremony we got a range of shots of the couple, key family members, guests as they mingled and enjoyed a wonderful buffet dinner and Sandra and Joe’s first dance.  A few of the images from Sandra and Joe’s special day are included below.

Bride and Groom_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_212

Bride with her mother_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_069

Portrait of a Groom_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_215

Bride and Maid of Honour_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_059

Wedding dress, shoes and invitation_J&SD_005

Wedding Ring going on brides finger_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_186

Girl plays with wedding bubbles_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_327

Bride feeds Groom wedding cake_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_349

Wedding cake and four wheelers_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_347

Bride and Groom's first dance_Parry Sound Weddings_J&SD_374

April 26, 2011

Lori & John Trash the Dress-Lovers Beach,Los Cabos-Cabo San Lucas,Mexico – Destination Wedding Photographer Parry Sound – Cambridge

The day after their wedding at the Rui Palace in Los Cabos, Mexico,  John, Lori and I took a water taxi to famous Lovers Beach, across the bay from the resort.  The surf was high as we waded out from the sand beach in front of the resort to board the boat.  Both the sky and ocean showed off an amazing variety of shades of blue and turquoise as the soft winds and mid-morning sun warmed and dryed us as we made our away towards the beach.  It promising to be yet another awesome day.

Disembarking at Lovers Beach was a challenge.  As our boat reached the shallow water John hopped off into waist deep water and carried Lori ashore while I held my camera gear high to escape the big surf.

Once ashore Lori changed into her wedding dress in a conveniently located cave while I unpacked my gear from the wet sack I had brought along.

Lovers beach is famous for a reason. It is only accessible by sea and it’s wide, golden sand beach looks across a beautiful part of the Sea of Cortez to the community of Cabo San Lucas and a string of high end resorts.  The huge rock formations that surround the beach have a wonderful assortment of shapes and colors providing a magical spot to spend a few hours, or a whole day.

Lori and John quickly got into the swing of things as we explored the area.  The incredible setting proved to be a great choice for our trash the dress session and it didn’t take long for this passionate couple forget about the amazing scenery, and early morning sun worshippers, as they focused totally on each other.  While John and Lori were laying on a long stretch of sand beach, and were in the midst of one particularily passionate kiss, an exceptionally large wave swept right over them, providing for some great squeals and laughs.

After a wonderful couple of hours we headed back to the resort to continue with yet another, in a string of amazing day.

I’ve posted a selection of the images we captured during our Lovers Beach, Trash the Dress, session below.  I think you will see that we had a blast!

In a few weeks I’ll do a post on the custom designed albums I created for John, Lori and their folks.  In the meantime.. enjoy!

Copy of Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos Mexico_LL&JC1305

Bride, Lovers Beach, Los Cabos Mexico_ Trash the dress_LL&JC1093bw

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach Los Cabos_Mexico-LL&JC1214bw

Los Cabos Wedding-Lovers Beach_Los Cabos_MexicoLL&JC1162bw

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos_LL&JC1096

Trash the Dress_Los Cabos Mexico_Lovers Beach_LL&JC1215bw

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos-Baja_Mexico_LL&JC1167rs

Trash the Dress_Los Cabos_Lovers beach_LL&JC1129

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos, Baja, Mexico_LL&JC1124

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos, Baja, Mexico_LL&JC1168

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos_Baja_Mexico_LL&JC1260

Trash the Dress_Los Cabos Wedding_Lovers Beach_LL&JC1300

 

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos_Baja_Mexico_LL&JC1257

Trash the Dress_Lovers Beach_Los Cabos, Baja_ Mexico_LL&JC1268

Lovers Beach_Los Cabos Mexico_Groom all wet_LL&JC1302

Los Cabos Wedding_Lovers Beach_Baja, Mexco_LL&JC1243

Trash the Dress_Los Cabos_Mexico wedding_LL&JC1309

 

April 12, 2011

Lori & John’s Los Cabos-Mexico-Story Book Wedding-Part III- Parry Sound-Cambridge-Destination Wedding Photographer

Filed under: Destination Wedding Photography,Weddings — Tags: , — johnbrisbane @ 8:23 pm

As a warm breeze floated ashore from the Sea of Cortez, John and Lori’s wedding at the wonderful Rui Place-Los Cabos, Mexico continued on into the evening with a reception, dinner and dance under the stars.

After the sun had set the celebration moved to the reception area where Lori, John, family and friends enjoyed a great meal, followed by a round of touching speaches.

The beach front venue, with it’s natural sand floor surrounded by huge plam trees, proved to be a great spot for the dance and the DJ did a great job of keeping everyone up on the dance floor throughout the evening.

Below are a few images from the reception, and from a late night stroll that Lori, John and I took to some of the spots on resort that  I had scouted out earlier in the week.

In a few weeks I will post some images we did of the awesome “Trash the Dress” session Lori and John did the day after the wedding at the famous Lover’s Beach at the end of the Baja peninsula.

Los Cabos Wedding_a romantic embrace_LL&JC1408

Los Cabos Wedding - Listening to the speaches_LL&JC0919

Los Cabos Wedding_Mothers speach_LL&JC0904

Los Cabos Wedding_a Bride and Groom Kissing_LL&JC0841

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom speaches_LL&JC0942

Los Cabos Wedding_Dancing fun_LL&JC1043

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom Partying_LL&JC1021

Los Cabos Wedding_Dancing Fun_LL&JC1009

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom by a cactus at night_LL&JC1371

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom by the pool at night_LL&JC1404

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom_ A Late night kiss_LL&JC1394

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom by a large window_LL&JC1402

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom Late Night Kiss_LL&JC1368

Los Cabos Wedding_Kiss by Fountain_LL&JC1387

April 5, 2011

Lori & John’s Story Book Wedding-Los Cabos, Mexico- Part II

Filed under: Weddings — Tags: , — johnbrisbane @ 7:57 am

Lori and John opted to include a “First Look” photo session into their wedding day at the Rui Palace Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico.  This is becoming increasingly popular, especially for ceremonies that take place later in the day.   We had pre-arranged for John to be waiting for Lori at a secluded location, at the far end of the resort, and at the appointed time I made sure John was looking away before Lori began to walk down the beach side walkway towards him.    As she got closer Lori called to John, he turned and got his first look at Lori in her wedding dress.  This is always an emotional session, and it provides a great spring board from some romatic, couple alone shots.  We moved to several locations around the resort that I had scouted out taking a diverse series of Lori and John, focusing their attention soley on each other before hooking up with the wedding party for some shots of the whole group and heading over to to the ceremony area.

The ceremony took place right on the wide sand beach directly across the bay from the end of the Baja peninsula, the famous Arch and Lover’s Beach.   All weddings are heartwarming, however when Lori and John presented rings to each of their daughters it was an especially touching moment.  Immediately following the ceremony and congrats we had about 20 minutes to get a series of shots of Lori and John, their wedding party and guests as the sun set over the Sea of Cortez.  One of my favourites is the one of Lori and John kissing on the beach as the first stars began appearing in the night sky.

A few of the images from these parts of the day are posted below.  Next week I will post part III with some shots of the beach front reception and a late night stroll.

Los Cabos Wedding_ Bride and Groom kiss on beach under first star of the night_LL&JC0767

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride_LL&JC0354

Los Cabos Wedding_a Groom's first look_LL&JC0358

Los Cabos Wedding_a First Look, First Kiss_LL&JC0362

Los Cabos Wedding_a Bride and Groom_LL&JC0371

Los Cabos Wedding_a Bride and Groom kissing_LL&JC0396

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom Kiss on a bridge_LL&JC0432

Los Cabos Wedding_a Bride and Groom _ LL&JC0467

Los Cabos Wedding_a bride and groom kiss_LL&JC0473bw

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and Groom with their Wedding Party_LL&JC0489

Lori and John's Los Cabos wedding _ LL&JC0630

Los Cabos Wedding _ a Groom looks for his bride_LL&JC0585

Los Cabos Wedding_ rings for the flower girls_LL&JC0671

Los Cabos Wedding_Wedding Ceremony Kiss_LL&JC0693

Los Cabos Wedding_ the whole gang_ Los Cabos Wedding_LL&JC

Los Cabos Wedding _ Wedding Party have fun_LL&JC0747

Los Cabos Wedding Party _ wedding party fun_LL&JC0750

Los Cabos wedding_Bride and Groom kissing on beach at dusk_LL&JC0755

Los Cabos Wedding_ Bride and Groom  walk  at dusk on beach_LL&JC0760

March 29, 2011

Lori & John’s Story Book Wedding – Part I – Los Cabos Mexico – Parry Sound – Cambridge Destination Wedding Photographer

Early last November I had the pleasure of traveling to Los Cabos (Cabos San Lucas), Mexico, on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula,  with Lori and John, their family, and friends to shoot their wedding at the wonderful Rui Palace resort.  I have photographed  Lori, John and their family several times since the girls were born, as well as Lori, her associates, and staff at Lori’s business – Dentistry on the Bay, and I was honored when Lori and John selected me to capture the images of their story book destination wedding in one of the most beautiful parts of Mexico.

During the week we were at the resort I captured a large number images and I will be sharing a few of them in a series of  posts over the next several weeks, intespersed with  posts on shoots done for other clients.  This post shares a few of the images as the girls were getting ready and the guys waiting for the action to begin.

The day of the wedding, was a carbon copy of all others, the week we were on the Baja. Each day the sun rose, early, and quickly, over the Sea of Cortez, the skys were blue and the weather was wonderfully warm.    The day of the wedding, the girls began their day early, with hair, make up and a fair bit of  last minute excitement.  The guys took a more laid back approach, rising later and taking it easy.

Los Cabos_a Wedding Day Sunrise_LL&JC0112

Los Cabos Weddings_wedding dress_LL&JC0206

Los Cabos Wedding_Brides shoes and dress_LL&JC0258

os Cabos Wedding_the wedding ring_Mexican Destination Wedding_ LL&JC0253

Los Cabos Wedding_a flower girl_LL&JC0291

Los Cabos Wedding_the bride getting ready_LL&JC0314

Los Cabos Wedding_a Flower Girl and her grandmother_LL&JC0297

Los Cabos Wedding_bride getting ready_LL&JC0325

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride, and bridesmaids_LL&JC0349

Los Cabos Wedding_Bride and daughters_flower girls_LL&JC0327

Los Cabos Wedding_Groom with his groomsmen_mexican wedding_LL&JC0245bw

Los Cabos Wedding_Groom at his Mexican wedding_LL&JC0238

Los Cabos Wedding_bride and her flower girls_LL&JC0332

March 23, 2011

Andrea and Jeff’s Boutique Wedding in Port Severn

Filed under: Weddings — Tags: , — johnbrisbane @ 8:38 am

In mid October I had the pleasure of working with Andrea and Jeff on their wedding day.  The couple were blessed with a wonderful sunny fall day which was a perfect match for the location at the beautiful Rawley Resort, a wonderful boutique hotel – resort, on the shores of the Trent-Severn River Waterway in Port Severn.

We had met at the resort several months in advance of the wedding to scout out the site and talk about prime locations for the ceremony and post ceremony images.  The resort has a faux lighthouse incorporated into the main building so we knew that would be one of the locations we would use, as well as others along the resort’s waterfront.

Andrea’s folks have a strong Scotish background so it was a natural fit for the couple to have a piper on location for the event.

Andrea and Jeff and their wedding party got ready in the resorts well appointed suites, and the outdoor ceremony took place along the waterfront.

After the ceremony I scrambled up to one of the second floor balconies and we got some group shots of the wedding party and all the guests before getting into the family, wedding party and couple, alone images.  The resort has a number of spots that provide great backdrops and we took full advantage of them before heading up to the top of the lighthouse as the sun was setting in the late evening sky.

The reception was a blast and had a real pub like feel with Jeff, the families, and many of the guests gathering around the piano singing a series of wonderful tunes before the formal part of the evening started.  Just before  dinner we snuck outside to get some very low light shots of Andrea and Jeff snuggling in a few of the more private spots on the property.

Parry Sound Photographer_Bride and her flowergirl_AJM_-71bwcc

Parry Sound Photographer_Bride and Groom with a Piper_AJM_-399

Parry Sound Photographer_a Fall Bride_AJM_-350

Parry Sound Photographer_a wedding party by Trent Severn_AJM_-434

Parry Sound Photographer_a Bride and Groom by window_AJM_-518bw

Parry Sound Photographer_a bride and groom_AJM_-485

Parry Sound photograher_a Bride overlooking Trent Severn _AJM_-531

Parry Sound Photographer_a bride and groom overlooking Trent-Severn AJM_-550

Parry Sound Photographer_a Bride and Groom, moon overhead_AJM_-573

Parry Sound Photographer_bride and groom embracing_AJM_-661

February 19, 2011

Caroline and Randy – In Love and Married – Parry Sound-Georgian Bay

Filed under: Weddings — Tags: , , — johnbrisbane @ 1:15 pm

One of the things I love most about wedding photography is getting to know wonderful couples, their friends and families.  This was the case with Caroline and Randy.  I shot their wedding in October and enjoyed every minute we spent together.

This couple have a strong bond with each other as well as their family and friends.  Randy and Caroline are especially close to Randy’s mom, dad and grandmother and we had fun incorporating them into the photo session.

The wedding and reception took place just south of Parry Sound and we did some of the post ceremony shots in the woods near the cermony site and then headed off to Georgian Bay’s wonderful shoreline for some more wedding party and couple alone shots before stopping off at the family home for a quick marshmellow roast over an open fire and then off to the reception.

After the wedding Caroline and Randy headed off to Scotland for a wonderful honeymoon to see the sites and to visit with more family; talking with them after their return from overseas it was clear that this will not be their last trip as a couple to that wonderful isle.

Parry Sound Photographer _ a Birde_RCC-90

Parry Sound Photographer_a Bride with mother in law _RCC-92cc

Parry Sound Photographer_ a Groom and groomsmen_RCC-35

Parry Sound Photographer_a Bride and Groom _07BW special

Parry Sound Photographer_a wedding party_RCC-322

Parry Sound Photographer_a bride and groom_RCC-372

Parry Sound Photographer_a Bride and groom_RCC-384_rs&e

Parry Sound Photographer_a bride and groom_RCC-410

January 29, 2011

A Life Well Lived

Filed under: Landscape Photography,Portraits,Weddings — Tags: , , — johnbrisbane @ 11:00 am

The passing of a loved one brings many feelings and memories.  This past week I have been sorting through piles of ancient photographs taken by many people over the years to piece together a slide show for a celebration of the life of my mother, Betty Rae Brisbane.  Examining, scanning and editing images related to one’s life clearly drives home the value of family, friends and taking the time to do the things that matter most for those close to you.   In her last few months, Mom clearly knew she was not well and it was helpful when one day she told us  “I have had a good life”.    You did mom!  We love and miss you.

Mom 1_0012e 1946

Bayshore Photorgarphy_Georgian Bay_ for Mom B

« Newer PostsOlder Posts »