1KW Photography Blog

1KW Gallery: Affection

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:05:42 -0500

Affection - [uh-fek-shuhn] - fond attachment, devotion, or love

Another homage to my time in Las Vegas...enjoy this beautiful couple.

What family Day was made for...

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:28:02 -0500

It creeps on us every year and we celebrate it the same each time. Here is to what family days were made for...

Happy Family Day

The Sweetest thing I've ever known...

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:15:07 -0500

Happy Valentine's day to the Sweetest thing I've ever known.

Portrait: Damian

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 06:55:21 -0500

Sincere [sin-seer] - free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest, genuine; real and unmixed

I've recently got introduced to Damian a few weeks back which lead to this awesome headshot/portrait session. I say "headshot/portrait" as he needed a few headshots for his portfolio but once we started shooting the session lead to headshots to a few wardrobe changes to hallyway shot until we were out the door and taking photos outside.

We had an awesome time as when we were not shooting we were wiping away laugh tears while he shared a few "behind the scenes" acting stories from his past play performances. Now he is going for the "big time" and we can't wait to see this young star acting in a few movies in the near future.

Best of luck Damian and thanks for the jokes.

Enjoy...

1KW Gallery: Beautiful

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:18:38 -0500

Beautiful - [byoo-tuh-fuhl] - having qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction to see, hear and think about

Here is another one of my 1KW Gallery "a thousand words" is where I approach couples or families and ask to take a few photos of them. For those who are new to my blog, the goal: capture an image of the couple, ask them to review the image and name that image based on the first thing that comes to mind.

For my next couple, she named it beautiful and he named it named it "Dorky" after I asked them to show me how they say hello and goodbye at the same time. I think I'm going to go with "Beautiful" What word comes to mind for you?

1KW Gallery: Style

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:05:37 -0500

Style - [stahyl] - an elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living.

As WPPI is fastly approaching, I just realized I haven't posted my couple photo session from my times in Las Vegas last year. Enjoy...more to come.

2010 schedule so far...

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:19:50 -0500

Today is my b-day and as I look forward to 2010 I realize that things are just starting to pick up. So I thought it wise to post a quick update of my schedule so far. The wifey and I are still confirming the magic number of weddings this year but we know it will be limited due to upcoming projects.

Remember you don't have to decide on your photo package today but don't waste time to book your photographer on your special day. If I happen to busy on your special day let me know and I can recommend a few other Photogs for you.

January 16th - 17th weekend - Booked

January 23rd - 24th weekend - Booked

February 12th - 14th weekend - Booked

February 26th - 28th weekend - Booked

March 5th - 7th weekend - Booked

April 23rd - 25th weekend - Booked

July 2nd - 4th weekend - Booked

July 16th - 18th weekend - Booked

August 20th - 22nd weekend - Booked

September 24th - 26th weekend - Booked

October 15th - 17th weekend - Booked

November 26th - 28th weekend - Booked

December 3rd - 5th weekend - Booked

Wedding Preview: Brenton + Denise

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:37:11 -0500

Remember the gorgeous couple Brenton+Denise of which we captured their engagement photos in the Distillery District? Well, I'm just putting the final touches on the images from their beautiful winter wedding where they stayed at the beautiful Fairmont Royal York Hotel and held the wedding at the sophisticated Riviera Parque a few days after Christmas. It was a wedding that I will never forget for it's style, grace and it's pure jokes. Here is just a hint of what transpired.

Enjoy

Portrait: Daphne

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:24:08 -0500

Calm [kɑːm] - absence of disturbance; Serenity; tranquillity; peaceful

I first met Daphne at my son's soccer practice. Though our conversation was breif we hit it off right away. A few weeks later we were able to connect for a photo shoot. She had a great idea to surprise her boyfriend with a portrait collage of her for Christmas. Naturally we had to take that challenge but not without offering her a challenge of our own. We suggested "Would you be up for taking a few images on the train tracks?" She shook her head from side to side and laughed nervously for a few seconds then "oh...are you serious???"

Enjoy.

Engagement: Denise + Brenton

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:04:13 -0500

Spirited [ˈspɪrɪtɪd] - displaying animation, vigour, courage or liveliness

When I was asked to take Brenton and Denise's engagement session and soon to be winter wedding I did not hesitate. Actually I didn't even gave them a chance to finish the question before I blurted out YES!

The engagement shoot was an all day event from St. James Catholic church to the Distillery District in Toronto. It was hard believe we packed in so many activities in one day, but we did. And we enjoyed every minute of it. In particular, the sweet couple who gave Denise and Brenton a complimented that they were as beautiful as a carved statues. Great praise and well deserved.

Many thanks to the stores like Hastens, Lileo, Sport, Vintage Gardner, and Soma chocolate maker that let us take images in and around their unique locations and sample their products. Drinking Soma's extraordinary rich hot chocolate and relaxing in front of a gorgeous fireplace at Hastens made us feel like royalty. I know, I know. It's a hard life taking images of gorgeous and happy couples but someone has to do it...please follow their journey in a day in a life of Brenton and Denise.

First Impressions

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:44:24 -0500

Thank you to 1st impressions.

If it wasn't for 1st impressions, I would not have left a lasting impression on my high school sweetheart who later became my wife.

When we first met, you were reading a magazine. And the only thing I could think of to strike up a conversation was to ask to read your magazine. Of course, I did not know at the time that you were reading the Glamour magazine. But whether it was considered a good or bad impression, it made a memorable moment for our first encounter and I'm glad for it.

Here is to more memorable moments as impactful as the first time we met...Happy Anniversary.

The Top 3 Traits Clients look for in a Photographer.

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 05:35:06 -0500

I recently conducted a survey to help prepare for the next season of photography sessions. I found the answers to be both surprising and intriguing. I'm always building my database so feel free to add your thoughts as well.

How did you first discover your photographer, Referral, Internet, Gallery, previous weddings or other? (In Order of Frequency)

Referral
Wedding Show
Previous Wedding

What is more important when selecting your photographer, the photographer's work or the photographer's personality or other?

Numerous responses advised that both the quality of work and the photographer's personality are equal. But in order of phases throughout the photographer/client selection process I've listed them below.

Phase 1 - Initial Impression: Work
Phase 2 - Deciding Factor: Personality
Phase 3 - Closing the Deal: Price

What is your least favourite aspect of the photography business?

Hidden Cost or negotiating price
Speed of response from Photographer

What is your favourite aspect of the photography business?

Hands down the majority of the responses reflected the following:

The final product of special moments captured.

SYTYCD-09

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:11:14 -0500

Okay Okay, I love So You Think You Can Dance. I would like to say it's because I use to DJ so it's a natural fit between music and dance. Or it's because my daughter has been competing in Africa+Caribbean dance for the last 10 years. Or even because I use to break dance in a group when I was 10. But it's just because they are amazing dancers and I can't get enough!!!

Here are some of my favourite images...enjoy.

6 words that should be captured on Film

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:36:37 -0500

"You may now kiss the bride" Why is that phrase so important and worthy to be captured on film?

I just recently read an interesting article from one of my favourite magazines Psychology Today. Jay Dixit highlighted "what kissing means for men and for women". I won't discuss the whole article with the exception of these few points listed below.

Men gage women's lips as signal for good health. They also instinctively use kissing to smooth over conflicts - with great success".

While women believe kissing promotes attachment and bonding. And use kissing to assess the health of the relationship.

Both men and women use kissing to access compatibility which explains the feeling of sparks when you kiss someone for the first time.

Makes you think. For those who are about to partake in the union of marriage just remember when you hear the words "you may now kiss the bride" show one and all the spark in your relationship. If for anything else to ensure that the moment is captured and invokes the feelings you've experienced on that special day.

The wifey and I display our "KISS" image as our flag-ship portrait in our bedroom. Can you spot it in this picture below?

Ok Ok, it's actually the moment before we kissed but it still acts as a reminder (or a gage) on the level of romance in our relationship. Thanks again to our wedding photographer Florian to encourage us to take this image.

Do you have your "KISS" image planned? If not make sure to request one for your engagement or wedding photo? If you do have a similar image, is it proudly displayed and if not then ask yourself why not??

Out in the city: Caribana-2009

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:13:29 -0500

Had an awesome time at Caribana in Toronto (T.O.) this year. Can you imagine conducting Engagement Photos with these moving backdrops???