Ashley & Lamar: Reception

Ashley and Lamar got married in April in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I was unable to join them, however, they invited me to shoot their wedding reception once they were back home, and of course, have a little fun beforehand.

Allow me this brief moment of unprofessionalism to say...

um... HOTTIES MUCH?!!!!

and sooooo in love!

Then we got to the reception where I found out just where they get their super-hottieness.

and that their friends and family are just as much fun as they are!

We have also unofficially determined that we will be starting every wedding season with a shoot with these two lovelies. I have it in writing... if a Facebook wall message counts. Either way, I think this last one about sums up how I feel about that!

Cuba Si!

For our wedding anniversary this year, my husband and I once again headed to Cuba. This time we spent our week at Grand Playa Turquesa just outside of Guardalavaca. The resort was absolutely stunning and we had a fantastic time!

I soooo love hibiscus!

The two-foot high chess pieces made for some awesome props

Nightly entertainment....

and daytime entertainment! :P

This little girl floated around in her Flintstones-style car for hours.

 
...ahhhh.... beach.....

Fair thee well, Cuba! Until next year....

Joy to the World

Now that I'm sure you're all sick and tired of the "C" word, and completely ready to move out of "the holidays" and into 2009, I think it's time to bring it all back for one more kick at the can, one more last Ho ho ho... since I didn't post for Christmas *cringe* this year.

First, meet Simba, who enlightened me this past Christmas Eve with his own little bit of Joy To the World.

I shot this in 2004, but I think it's my favorite festive shot EVER.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Whatever-You-Celebrate, and all the best for 2009!!!!

The Australian Pink Floyd Show

On December 21st, my husband (world's BIGGEST Pink Floyd fan) and I (fan by association, and avid concert photographer) along with two of our friends had floor seats to the Australian Pink Floyd Show. We'd bought tickets last year and didn't get to go due to massively stormy weather, so we were looking forward to it that much more this year.

The boys from down under did not disappoint.

I was all over the yummy concert backlighting and silhouettes

 

This year's program was a start to finish performance of "The Wall" with, of course, some favorites for the encore. Judging by the reaction of the crowd, they didn't miss a beat!

The APFShow girls were also amazing. Ola Bienkowska blew the audience away with her mind-boggling performance of Great Gig in the Sky... and didn't leave the stage at all afterward for a break! She got a well-deserved standing ovation from yours truly and the thousands of others at the Metro Centre.

 

My husband being a drummer, I make a point to try to get at least one good shot of the drummer from each concert.

And what would any kind of Pink Floyd show be without lasers?!?!?!

There were random Australia references intermingled with genuine Pink Floyd artistry. Show us your home town pride!

At the end of the night, our trip back to the parkade brought us past these lovelies hanging out at the Casino. Danielle being Danielle and me being me, how could we resist! 

Elizabeth & Michael

Liz and Mike got married on October 25, 2008. She and I are distant cousins and hung out together as teenagers. They now live on the other end of the country, so I met Mike for the first time approximately 5 minutes before he walked down the aisle. I could only hope Liz had found someone as outgoing and fun as she was. Boy, was I in for a treat!

The beautiful bride prepares for her big moment in the hotel mirror.

Their daughter Selene was the picture of sweetness in her "princess dress"

Liz smiled through the whole ceremoney. I find a lot of brides let their nerves get the best of them, but she was cool, calm, and collected!

Hook, line, and sinker!

And off to Wentworth Park for some fun...

I absolutely ADORED the boots.

A James Bond moment

We had worked our way around the park, so I went to get the car to come back and pick up the newlyweds. As I pulled up beside them, Liz stuck out her thumb... and this idea was born!

William wasn't so keen on the camera as Aunt Liz and Uncle Mike were, but I managed to catch him looking quite debonair in his suit.

We did have a few serious moments. Mike has served three terms in Afghanistan already, so I really wanted to portray the "hero" ambience he so rightly deserves. When Liz got tired and laid her head on his lap, I had my chance.

I still can't pick a favorite of these two!

The wedding had a fall theme, and was decorated with leaves and branches. The fondant on the cake was peeled back in places to look like birch bark. And, etched into the icing like it was carved into the tree, was this...

After supper, I stole a few more minutes for some waterfront shots. I love nighttime wedding pictures!!!

I'm so happy that Elizabeth found someone who shares her sense of fun and adventure! I know these two are going to be happy together for a long, long time and am absolutely beside myself to have been able to capture their magical day!