I am so excited about these images! I attended a workshop at Pikto in Toronto last weekend, “Ultimate Fashion Photography”. The one day long course was totally inspiring. Photographer Josh Cornell (http://www.joshcornell.com) was such a generous teacher. He covered everything from working with agencies and models to business development and of course we got in to some shooting. It was really nice having a small class of other photographer, just 9 of us. We each has an opportunity to work the models (Jenn and Leigh) and get to know some of the in studio equipment. This is something I have little experience with being a wedding photographer in Muskoka, Ontario. I’m almost always shooting outdoors. And when we’re indoors we’ll use the on and off camera flash, and always take advantage of natural light.

Following any photography workshop, whether Wedding Photography, Fashion or otherwise I leave with a new energy. Working with generous teachers and talented photography students is inspiring. We’ve all got something to bring to the table and sharing experiences is so valuable. Cheers to a new year in business, sharing ideas and inspiration!

To view all the edited images take a look at the Kate Hood photo gallery!

This is a culmination of all my favourite things…a sister, a baby bump, a bedroom, and sexy lingerie. My dear sweet sexy sister lives in Nunanut, that’s right Nunavut! Right now it’s dark and damn cold, but still she manages to heat things up (while pregnant none the less).

So here she is…the most beautiful pregnant woman I have EVER seen. Ever! She is 7 months along, loving life, excited to meet her baby, and simply glowing. We knew while she home we’d have do a quick session (last time she was home we shot on the beach…just a little pregnant, http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/beach-belly-maternity-portraits/. The afternoon before the shoot we ended up at LaSenza…the belly shoot quickly turned into a boudoir shoot! Here she is…my beautiful, sexy, wonderful, happy, easy to photograph sister.

I loved seeing her. Listening to baby’s heartbeat, feeling his hiccups, and simply enjoying a much needed visit. We are so lucky to have seen her before baby’s birth. I love you, sisty! See you in February.

For many reasons this was a very special wedding for Jay and I. When Michelle booked us we had no idea there were so many close connections. I suppose I should make this assumption when shooting close to home. In this case at beautiful Bracebridge United Church,  The Fairways at Kirrie Glen for the reception, and Touchstone on Lake Muskoka. After a few emails back and forth and then a wedding invitation we discovered that Jay and the Groom, Derek grew up together. They were both trouble makers in high school…I had never met Derek but did know his mother who still lives in Sundridge. It was wonderful to be at wedding where there with so many familiar faces. This wedding was also one of our last of the season, Thanksgiving weekend. It was a beautiful way to spend this time of thanks and celebrate the end of season. And most importantly this wedding was so special because of Michelle, our Bride. I discovered early on that Michelle was so not into photographs of herself. In fact it was this preference that drew her to us. She really appreciated our affinity for candid/photojournalistic perspective. I promised Michelle we’d avoid {as much as possible} the typical “smile and look at me” poses. I think we did a pretty good job getting some very sneaky, very beautiful images of her {pssssst, Michelle, you are beeeeeautiful!}. I must say Derek was a total ham, happy to be the centre of attention. He tok the pressure off.

It was a day to remember, rain, snow, sunshine, and wind…a lift truck for the group shot and a romantic power outage to finish it off. Congratulations to Michelle, Derek and your wonderful families! To view the rest of this sneaky wedding album visit Smugmug, http://katehood.smugmug.com/Weddings/Michelle-and-Derek-a-little

And then the power went out. Just like that. regardless the party continued, the generator hummed, and the dancing commenced.

I recently took a little road trip to Kingston with the purpose of meeting and photographing new borns, Mary Jo and Beatrix. It was wonderful. These perfect little twins are…well perfect. I was lucky enough to spend the night and shoot all day on Monday. Between naps, feedings, and changes were shot for 5 hours. It was a great way to work. Sleepover parties with babies, parents, and great dinners are totally up my alley, FYI.

Thanks Matt and Susan for the visit and the chance to capture these beautiful images. Your babies made my job easy and it was wonderful to finally meet them both.

P.S. This is post one of two…we took a lot of photographs. Stay tuned. To view the entire first half of the album visit smugmug, http://katehood.smugmug.com/Family/Mary-Jo-and-Beatrix

Here are a couple of additional shots from our recent Toronto Island Wedding at Gibralar Point. To view the first wedding post visit here, http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/liz-and-cheryl-married/. Have I told you we love Liz and Cheryl? We do, a lot. Congratulations L and C.

My sweet, fabulous, awesome, and dear husband Jason shot every wedding with me this year. He is rocking it, totally! He has wowed me and impressed me to no end…and I am very, very lucky to have him along for the ride. These images are his. He shoots, I edit. Easy as pie.

We spent a weekend in Midland over the summer with our oldest family friends Julie (and Paul) and Anna (and Chris…by the way was MIA, as usual). We love midland. Went to the local bar, enjoyed watching women harass our husbands, and ate wonderful appetizers on the NEW porch (nice job Bill!). Julie and Paul (and new baby Lachlan) live in the same neighborhood as their best friends Alissa and Ryan. In fact their back yards connect so it was pretty much like a block party…from behind…sort of.

Looking forward to our next visit!

Ok, one Kiwi and one Canadian. Alex and Nathan (remember their engagement shoot? http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/07/17/yyz-akl-love-also-cheese/ )…and everyone from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and every other corner of the earth were so much fun to be with that day. As usual we started early shooting the wedding party getting ready, Jay off to Port Cunnington and I got to hang out at the cottage. It was a beautiful start to rainy, windy day.

{The Preparation}

The ladies seemed to be having a lovely time enjoying massages and make-up…a little last minute pressing too.

All the dresses were made by Alex’s sisty Michael, she is an incredible designer. Alex, all the way  from New Zealand trusted her sister wholeheartedly to design all of the dresses. And she did a beautiful job.

Ah, and the jewels she wore, each piece was stunning.

{The Ceremony}

We were so lucky to see the sun come out during the ceremony. In fact just moments before Alex walked down the aisle it was pouring. I even made a mad dash to our car to get all 10 of our wedding umbrellas. Turns out we didn’t need them.

If you remember Alex and Nathan’s engagement session we shot mostly at an old barn near her father’s cottage last time they visited Canada. It was a stunning location. You can imagine how sweet it was to shoot in a similar location at Port Cunnington. They have a beautiful (if not slightly dangerous) barn on the property. We took the above shot just inside the creaky door.

Alex was like a Narnian* Princess. She looked so dreamy. I can’t say enough of what an incredible job her sister did on the dresses. Alex has since offered to do the same for Michael, she’s not yet taken her up.

{The Party}

And the party begins…They were so ready! Have you ever been to a party attended by both Kiwis and Aussies? It’s dangerous. Add 50 excited Canadians, some Hockey vs. Haka talk and you don’t know which way is up!

Jay shot an entire series of this kid. He had quite a relationship with his food…

This was one of our Kiwi table mates. We loved him, he and Jay kept each other well occupied. Another stellar Jay shot.

A slide show journey through the lives of Alex and Nathan, surprisingly many parallels considering all of those continents and oceans that separated them. At this time we were also lectured on the differences between Haka and Hockey…heard of Haka, perhaps it can be described as a pre-rugby ballet?

{The Dance}

Alas, the first dance. Jay and I have been looking forward to this since we first heard the details. Alex and Nathan have been taking Tango lessons in New Zealand. They surprised their wedding guests with a very exciting first dance. Apparently this was the moment Alex was most nervous about. They rocked it and their guests loved it.

After one of the busiest weekends of the year (Thanksgiving) we were able to enjoy some family time with our niece and nephew, Alexnadria and Markus. Cuties! Happy Birthday Alex!!!!!!!

I know, I know I really do say it every time, but we are so lucky to work with such awesome couples! Kathy and John were no exception. We know these two through a good friend here in Sundridge and were pleased to photograph their wedding. The day began at Grey Gables Bed and Breakfast in Pembroke, a beautiful location for photos in town. Jay and I spent the night in one of their rooms and absolutely loved it! You should go!!!

Then it was off to the ceremony, another great location…a blueberry farm on the edge of town. Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch has it all, fresh berries, a petting zoo, a great view, incredible set up…and a very organized staff.

Thanks Kathy and John…and everyone from Pembroke! We love it there.

P.S. This post is totally dedicated to all things KATHY…she was so into bonding with the camera. Kind of my dream as a photographer…

John, the handsome groom is pretty talented with tools (kind of makes a living building beautiful things…Nalon Renovations in Pembroke). Take a look the alter! Kathy had been talking about this alter John was going to build, I assumed it was going to be fairly standard in terms of wedding alters….beautiful and traditional. Well as you can see it is a sculptural masterpiece! WOW, John…I love it. I was floored.

This was so great! Kathy and the wedding part sang the ENTIRE entrance song, “I Gotta Feeling”! It was crazy.

At last the blueberries! It poured all afternoon, so we didn’t get to gallivant through the fields but we did score a basket of gigantic fresh blueberries. After this series was done we ate them all and loved every bite.

Another great shot captured by my brilliant husband, Jay.

Ah, the toilet scene. Kathy is one of four sisters and also a twin to my dear friend Bethy. The five of us piled into the bathroom stall and enjoyed a short “portrait” session. This was Kathy’s warm up.

Kathy’s nephew was a dancing machine. UNSTOPPABLE. This is just a snippit of his performance.

Once it stopped raining we took advantage of the incredibly clear night. Love is so dreamy.

Fantastic DJ! We loved partying with this crowd.

Posted in Black and White, Wedding ]]> http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/kathy-and-john-married-amoung-blueberries/feed/ 1 katehood http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/lindsey-and-jamie-married/ http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/lindsey-and-jamie-married/#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:27:15 +0000 katehood http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/?p=398 ]]>

The end of August was AWESOME. We shot two beautiful Muskoka area weddings and this was the first. Lindsay and Jamie take beautiful pictures, remember their engagement session? Here it is, http://khiphotography.wordpress.com/2009/07/31/horses-heavy-equipment-and-hot-love-almost-married/. If possible their wedding was even more beautiful. I’ve said it before and here I go again, I LOVE shooting locally. It’s great to live with and work for my community. Cheers to my dears, Lindsey and Jamie. Love them.

Here is the just beginning. These are my faves of almost 1000 edits! It was a great day!