Welcome

Thank you for stopping by our blog. This is where you'll find the scoop on our lives and some of our recent work.


If you are looking for a photographer, feel free to take a closer look at our portfolio in our  weddings website and our lifestyle website


We'd love to also hear from you, so feel free to leave us a comment and let us know what you think!  Thank you and please visit again soon.

We had an fabulous time with Joanne and Lawrence as they tied the knot, kicked back and celebrated in style at the Ravine Vineyard Estates Winery, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.  Their love for each other and for their family and friends, really made this day memorable for all.  Their day was perfect, the weather cooperated, their guests enjoyed themselves, the venue, food and details were amazing - we couldn't have asked for more. 


As I couldn't possibly narrow down my favourites to share with you from their beautiful outdoor wedding, it will have to come in two parts! :)


Here are some favourite details. I love this gorgeous bouquet by My Bouquet Floral Design and the colours that were coordinated for their wedding!


J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding

The bride's beautiful dress, custom tailored by The Wedding Present:

J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding

Joanne, getting pampered by the fabulous Mandy Wilson (Hair) and Teresa Hoogendam (Make-up) of Allure Hair and Make-up

J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding


I love the anticipation in the room as the bride dons her french netted veil.  LOVE these bird cage veils! :)


J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding


There's just something about a bride and groom seeing each other for the first time that makes it truly one of my favourite parts of the day.


J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding

J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding
J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding


Chillin' with their long-time best sibling/friends who were a part of their uber cool bridal party.  Lookin' amazing! 


J&L Ottawa Niagara Wedding

Up next: Joanne and Lawrence's wedding ceremony at  St. Marks Anglican Church and their beautiful outdoor reception at the Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery.

Stay tuned!
Mary (& Sam)
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2010 is off to an exciting start!  We've happily received a new addition to our lens family namely, the Canon 24-70 F2.8L.  A sort of bittersweet occasion, this lens will replace our well loved, but aging 28-70 F2.8L - one of my fave lenses in our lineup.

First impressions:

The lens is slightly longer and bulkier, but when you're actually using the lens, you'd never be able to tell.  Autofocus is accurate, fast and quiet - moreso than the 28-70, but that could be because of age.  While the 28-70 was beautiful and sharp at the long end (70mm) the 24-70 seems to really shine on at the wide end where images seem crisper and sharper.

For those of you who are wondering: Should I upgrade my 28-70 to the 24-70?  My advice would be that if your old 28-70 still works, keep it and use it.  It's still a fantastic lens and can produce amazing images.  To upgrade just for the extra 4mm is just pure extravagance in my books :)

So what will become of our trusty old 28-70?  Since the AF is not what it used to be, and in the spirit of reusing and recycling, we'll probably re-purpose it as a video lens and use it entirely in manual focus mode.

canon 24-70 F2.8


Happy shooting!
Sam
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jin:

your 2870 rocks. some might say it is sharper than the 2470. happy shooting

(01.19.10 @ 11:29 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Canon 24-70 F2.8 VS 28-70 F2.8 | Review . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.samandmaryphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/97
January 4, 2010 // Wedding
In the coming weeks, we are really excited to be sharing more images from our 2009 weddings. To start off, if you've seen this post, we've given a sneak peek of Nawshaba and Azaid's gorgeous wedding.  Their wedding took place at the Crown Plaza in Ottawa, where wedding planners, Liz and Rose from Bridal Solutions, did a fantastic job of pulling together all the elements to make the day so beautiful.  

Here are more images from their wedding that was absolutely so full of amazing colour, culture, and richness.

Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding
Indian Wedding

Ceremony & Reception Location: Crowne Plaza
Cake: Denis Clement
Caterer: Haveli
Event Planner: Bridal Solutions
Hair: Studio New York
Makeup: Yelena Perunov
Videographer: John Lagrois
Music: 7 Swaras

N&A: Thanks for inviting us into your world and sharing your culture with us!  Some day you'll have to visit that old farm and see if your flowers are still there. :) May you enjoy this amazing journey together.  p.s. Sam will never forget the "paan" experience, of which I'm sure he'll want to thank you for! All the best!

Much love,
Mary (& Sam)
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Liz:

These are just stunning. Great work and beautiful light captured!

(01.06.10 @ 09:20 AM)
wei:

this is an amazing wedding.

(01.12.10 @ 11:19 AM)
jin:

WOW. AWESOME WORK

(01.19.10 @ 11:29 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Nawshaba & Azaid | Wedding . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.samandmaryphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/96
December 31, 2009 // Personal
As we wrap up this past year, Sam and I have had the chance to look back and be thankful for so much.  For us, it has been a year of experiencing great joy, risk, hard work, and immense satisfaction in the community we are a part of.  We have pushed ourselves beyond what we thought could be possible, and it didn't hurt nearly as much as we had thought!

We could not have done this without your support - our most awesome clients, friends, family, fellow photographers, and fabulous vendors.  Thanks to all those who encourage us by reading our blog, following us on twitter, or facebook - this social media thing is just beginning for us, but it has really opened our eyes to the wide network that is out there!  Thank YOU for the love, for your welcomed comments, feedback, emails and especially for stopping by to personally say "hi" and introducing yourselves, so we are able to connect a face to your names.

Thank you for being a part of our lives and inspiring us to keep doing what we love doing!  Sam and I want to wish you all a very merry and happy new year! May it be full of joy, laughter, great experiences and purpose.

Looking into our vault of images, we found this folder of images of us in action, that we thought would be good to share on the blog.  Here are a few that stood out for us and reminds us of all the people we've had such fun working with.  Hope it gives you a peek into a slice of who we are!

Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes
Sam and Mary Behind the scenes For more, Sam and Mary - the good, the bad, the bloopers, and just plain fun - check out the slideshow below!



Our warmest heartfelt thanks to all those we've met and worked with this year! You guys have made our year one we will always remember!
Here's to an amazing new year in 2010.

Much love,
Mary (& Sam)
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Kim Ing:

You two are such hotties! Hope to cross paths with you again sometime in 2010! All the best!

(01.04.10 @ 11:26 PM)
Jamile:

A great 2009 for you guys!! Great to watch you get better and Better and BETTER!! You're always pushing the limits, and it's great to watch. To a successful 2010!!!

(01.09.10 @ 11:55 PM)
Dina:

Getting caught up on your blog this afternoon and am blown away by the beauty in the last few posts! The Indian influenced wedding was GORGEOUS...definitely thinking about remarriage (to my husband, of course!) and doing it this way! Loved the glimpse into your home with the girls and the pics of you both.

(01.19.10 @ 03:46 PM)
Savannah Kenney:

Ok so Mary I haven't gotten the chance to meet you yet, I got to spend time with Sam at ImagingUSA. Can I just say that Mary you are adorable!! Can you please come be my personal stylist, pretty please?

(01.27.10 @ 06:08 PM)
Mary:

Thank you from our hearts for the love and comments!
Kim: Hope to bump into you too. Wishing you a fantastic year with your biz!
Jamile: Thx for always supporting, encouraging & cheering. You know it means a lot to us. Thank YOU!
Dina: If you ever want to renew your vows, we want to be there. You two are inspiring to Sam and I.
Savannah: You're too sweet, thank you! I'm so there... need I another reason to go shopping? :)

(01.29.10 @ 08:53 PM)
Nicole:

you guys are doing amazing! I LOVE LOVE LOVE all ur wedding stuff- it's brilliant and beautiful! i also love all the shots of you guys doing the thing you love to do! very inspiring!

(02.27.10 @ 01:23 AM)
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December 30, 2009 // Personal
We are finally settling into the winter break and loving times spent outdoors - "wasting" time.  Oftentimes, we forget that life exists in between the busy-get-up-and-go times.  Today, and possibly for the rest of this winter, I commit to getting lost.  Getting lost in the woods, lost in sleep, lost in reading a story to my kids, lost in the smell of good home cooking, lost in stillness.

Today, there is nothing like lying on a bank of snow and looking up at the sky, listening to the quiet of the skies and feeling the snow falling on my face.  Watching icicles form does come close though.

Ice Storm Ottawa


May this winter be full of wonders for you!
Happy Winter!

Lotsa' luv,
Mary
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wei:

hi sam and mary, glad to see you guys are taking the time to chill out and relax a bit. i know what you mean about getting lost. i need to do the same too. best!

(12.31.09 @ 01:54 PM)
Mary:

Thanks, Wei! Good to hear from ya - We know you guys will have an amazing year! Stay lost! -M

(01.01.10 @ 12:46 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Ice Storms and small wonders . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.samandmaryphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/95