London Ontario Wedding & Portrait Photography | 2014 Favourites

I've so enjoyed looking back on 2014 over the past few weeks and highlighting some of my favourites over on the Raw Footage Photography Facebook Page. Today I'm compiling those 20 images into a blog post and resisting the urge to add 20 (or 100!) more to the list. I am notoriously terrible at narrowing things down, and in the past my "yearly favourites" posts have included a ridiculous amount of images. I love all of my clients and feel attached to every session or wedding I photograph, so picking just 20 photos from the whole year was so hard. But I tried to pick the images that really speak to me as an artist, images I'm especially proud of and really represent my style and vision - either because they capture incredible natural light or raw, genuine emotion ... or both (my two favourite things to photograph!). Here are my 20 favourites from 2014 in no particular order!

 

 

 

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Deanna & Ryan's Apple Orchard Engagement Session

Everything happens for a reason - including multiple reschedules that bumped Ryan and Deanna's engagement session date into the Fall and led us to change the location to Apple Land. I'm SO glad we were able to shoot on these grounds. Between the pumpkin patch, apple orchard, corn maze and woodsy treasures, it was the perfect spot for an engagement session. These two are totally adorable and so much fun to photograph, and I am so looking forward to their 2015 wedding!

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Christina & Justin's Western Fair Engagement

When Christina asked if there was anything I'd been wanting to shoot, I gave her a few ideas off my "photography bucket list" for her e-session with Justin and was thrilled when they opted to use the Western Fair carnival as their location. We had so much fun trying out rides, tasting treats, playing games and winning prizes (by the way guys, my little girl still adores the little orange bear you won for her!), and it was the perfect setting to capture some fun, candid, romantic moments with this adorable couple. I simply cannot wait for their 2015 wedding! Here are my favourites from our shoot!

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Katelyn & Kirk's Fanshawe Conservation Area Engagement

I've always wanted to photograph a couple in a canoe, and I've been so lucky this past Fall to do it not once but twice! The first time was for Katelyn and Kirk's dreamy sunset engagement session at the Fanshawe Conservation Area. The light was just gorgeous, and I was determined to get some backlit shots, even though I was on the wrong side of the shore. Props to Katelyn and Kirk for paddling this pregnant photographer with all her gear to the other side of the shore and dropping her off on a random rock just to get a bit of backlight. I sure do love that delicious, golden pre-sunset light. I had so much fun with the two and can't wait for their 2015 wedding! Here are some favourites from our shoot.

London Ontario Family Photography | Monica & Nathan's Engagement/Family Session

Nathan, Monica and Sarah travelled from Brantford for their early morning engagement/family session. This was the first time I was meeting them, and it was so nice to get to know them a bit before their wedding day later this Summer. We had a blast exploring the woods, chatting and laughing on a perfect sunny morning a few weeks ago. They are the most adorable little family, and I can't wait to capture their big day! Here are my favourites from their session!

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Martha and Jamie's Fanshawe Conservation Area Engagement

Last Summer, after a morning July wedding, I headed straight to Starbucks to meet a new couple about their 2014 wedding, which seemed like a million years away. That couple was Martha and Jamie, and I'm so glad they chose me to document their special day, which is almost here! We met up again a few weeks ago for their Fanshawe Conservation Area engagement session, and they even brought their adorable pup. Here are some favourites from their session!  

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Britney & Paul's Engagement Session

This was the first time I actually met Britney and Paul in person, and I had so much fun capturing their love of life and each other in this split engagement session. We started off under a gorgeous, blossoming magnolia tree before making our way downtown (complete with a wardrobe change!) to capture a completely different look and feel. I absolutely loved this session, and I'm so excited about sharing my favourites with you! Britney and Paul, your wedding is right around the corner and I cannot wait!!

London Ontario Wedding Photographer | Suzanne and Joel's Sunset Engagement Session

I had such a great time getting to know Suzanne and Joel during their sunset engagement session. This gorgeous couple is so fun and laid back, and the weather for this shoot was perfection. The best part about the the gorgeous locations we used (sun soaked field + rustic barn = photographer's dream) is that they also happen to be their wedding ceremony and reception locations. I simply cannot wait to capture their big day at the end of the Summer. In the meantime, enjoy my favourites from our shoot!

London Ontario Engagement Photography | Seb and Gloria

I still remember the day Seb was born. I was in the first grade, and I got called to the office where I was told that It's A Boy! I remember how overjoyed I was, how lucky I felt for having a little brother. That feeling has never really gone away. I treasure my relationship with my brother so much, a relationship built over years of picking him up from school and walking him home, helping with his homework (he's always excelled in school), teaching him to play guitar (he is now sooooo much better than me and plays a bazzillion more instruments!), explaining the rules of hockey to him (he went on to be an amazing hockey player)... ok, ok, basically what I'm saying is that I taught the kid everything he knows. Just kidding. : ) For real though, I adore my brother and it makes me so happy to see him with someone that makes him so happy. Gloria is wonderful, and I wish them nothing but the best as they prepare for their upcoming wedding. We did a little engagement session in the freezing cold (teeth chattering cold), and it was so much fun. Here are some of my favourites!