Gillian & Patrick's Wedding :: July 22nd, 2006

I have known both Gillian and Patrick since we were all attending Port Hope High School. I first met Gillian when she was a new kid to the school and we both played first alto saxophone in band. We used to annoy everyone around us during practises by having full conversations talking through our saxophones. We had a lot of fun with it. Patrick was always one of those really nice guys who hung out with a group of great guys. They always called me by my last name only and were always good for a laugh.

Gillian and Patrick did not get together until years after graduating from high school and it could not have been more of a perfect match. Timing is everything and they found each other at the perfect moment. I was not sure if Gillian would ever find someone to match all of her crazy eccentricities but Patrick was definitely up to the challenge and together they have already climbed mountains. Gillian is one of my most cherished friends. She is someone who is willing to jump in her car and drive hours to come to you in a time of need. She is one of the strongest and bravest people that I have been lucky enough to know. She is a great teacher and is an inspiration to her students. She is one of those people who just makes you feel good about the world.

Gillian and Patrick got married on private property just north of Cobourg. Their wedding was absolutely perfect. The rain held out and we had a perfect ceiling of clouds for the photographs. For their first dance there was the most spectacular sunset that I have seen in a long time. After the dance, and much to all of the kids' delight, Gillian brought out her favourite little buddy, Henry the guinea pig for a dance. The day was amazing and it could not have happened to a better couple. I wish you two the best of everything. I love you very much.

Gillian getting ready with her high school graduation portrait hanging above.




Gillian had a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and hanging from them was a satchel filled with lavender.

The cutest shoes ever!

The honoury bridesmaids, or as we called ourselves, "the support team".

One of Gillian's many great faces.

When drinking beer at your wedding you must drink out of "bride " and "groom" beer mugs!

My friend Gillian

One of my dearest friends, Gillian, married the love of her life, Patrick, this past Saturday. I got to photograph the day with the help of my friend Liz. It was such a perfect day! I am still working on the photos but I know that you who know them are dying to see the photos! I will be posting the images on a separate site for all of you to see. Keep your eyes on the link and I will continually update it as I get the photos done.

More of Baby Katerra

I will never get tired of photographing my baby niece Katerra! Here are some photos that I have taken over the past few days of her arriving home from the hospital. It has been a busy week but I feel blessed to have her in our lives. Thank you to everyone for their well wishes!

Welcome Baby Katerra! I am an Auntie!

Today my youngest sister, Abby Jean, gave birth to a healthy baby girl! Katerra Shenzira showed her beautiful face at 11:15am weighing 7 lbs 8 oz. Abby and Dennis are absolutely ecstatic with their new little princess! Dennis came up with the idea of calling her Katerra and Shenzira was Abby's choice (it is a take on the Egyptian name Chenzira meaning "born on a journey"). Both Mom and baby are doing well in the hospital and I cannot wait to visit them again tomorrow morning! I certainly hope that Katerra does not get sick of my camera because I have already fallen in love with my little niece and there will be no end to my clicking shutter! Here are some of my favourite photographs from the day.


Minutes before the birth.

Grandma (well my Mom!) and baby.
This is my best "I just may steal your baby" look.

Michelle & Alan's Wedding :: July 8th, Rockwood

Michelle and Alan are the type of people that you meet and immediately feel as though you have known them forever. They are such a friendly and fun couple! I originally met them in December of 2004 when I photographed Michelle's brother Mike's big day when he married his beautiful wife Jade. July 8th was Michelle's day to shine!

Michelle and Alan's wedding took place at the Rockwood Conservation Area in Rockwood, Ontario. The Conservation Area is a gorgeous location to visit, whether it be to camp, canoe or hike, and it was an absolutely fabulous spot for a wedding ceremony. The ceremony took place within the ruins of an old mill that burned down in 1965. After the ceremony we took photos around the ruins as well as along the Eramosa River before heading to the reception that took place at the Rockmosa Community Hall.

New Custom Guestbooks

I am happy to offer custom guestbooks as part of my line-up of albums. The guestbook is custom designed by myself with photographs of you and are created based on your wedding's colour scheme. They are printed by Asuka as a 7" x 7" Stitch-Bound Hard Cover book. The cost for these are $200 for a 20-sided book. If you would like to book an engagement session to include one of these albums, the cost would be $350. To see a sample layout of a guestbook for Amy & Neil, please click here.

Feedback from Recent Weddings

"Hi Jessica
We just got home from our honeymoon, the whole way home I couldn't wait to get on the computer to check your blog...I knew the pictures would be good, but I am totally blown away, I am SOOOO excited by what I see already, I can't imagine seeing hundreds more! ;)

Thank you so much for your wonderful job and professionalism, you made the day complete."

[from Jess, June 24th, 2006 wedding]

::

"Hey Jess, I had a chance to look through the pictures and they're awesome! Thank you so much for sharing our day and taking such vivid pictures that will forever remind me of one of the most special days in our lives."

[from Katy, June 17th, 2006 wedding]

More of Abby

Although my sister Abby's due date is not for another two weeks, she looks as though she will be ready to give birth any day now! Her last day of work was on Friday so now we just have to wait for the little guy/gal to come out. Today we took advantage of having perhaps her last "free" weekend and went to Port Hope where we grew up. Living in Port Hope we spent a lot of time at the beach so it felt natural to take some portraits of Abby there.

Amy & Neil :: Engagement Photos, July 5th

On Wednesday I met Amy, Neil and their puppy Hachiko at Bellwoods Park in Toronto to take some engagement photographs. Bellwoods is a great location for this as there are many different spots within the park to take photos. We had a perfect day of sun and cloud which made the colours really pop in the images. I cannot wait until their wedding which is taking place on October 8th at Liberty Grand!

Baby Chanel Elise

Baby Chanel was almost six weeks old when I visited her with my sister two weekends ago. I had not seen her since visiting her and her parents in the hospital on May 17th. It is amazing how quickly babies physically change and become their own little person. Chanel is a strong girl and I cannot wait to get to know her better.


My sister Abby is convinced that her baby (due July 22nd) and Chanel will become the best of friends, much like herself and Chanel's mom, Robyne.

Myself and Chanel.

Henry the Guinea Pig

My friend Gillian is a bit eccentric at times but she is one of the most fabulous people that I have been lucky enough to call a friend. Some of her favourite things in the world (besides her fiance Patrick!) are her guinea pigs, particularly her little boy, Henry. Henry is one wild pig who takes the run of their apartment as he is definitely the boss of their three cats. Guinea pigs are such strange animals with their wild hair, buck teeth and chicken-like feet.

Watch out for more of Henry at Gillian & Patrick's upcoming wedding on July 22nd (I'm not kidding!)...