After an afternoon of fresh country air and trekking through the tree farm (ok, so we got a little help with a lift on the farmer's tractor), we managed to haul back a tree on the top of our car just in time before the snow storm.

We are looking forward to spending the holidays hunkering down, staying warm, and enjoying old fashioned comforts like the smell of white spruce, sledding down bumpy hills, Sam singing jazzy Christmas tunes with the kids on his guitar, sharing meals with family and friends, and being thankful for the hundreds of ways we are blessed.

Christmas means something different to everyone, but for us, we are truly overjoyed to celebrate and welcome life, peace, joy and most of all a little baby in a manger.

This pic is what Christmas looks like at our house - don't ask me about the aprons! :)

Have a wonderful and very merry Christmas!

Lotsa' love,
Mary (& Sam)

Joanne had her undergrad in Economics & Biology.  Lawrence finished up his MBA.  They met while he was volunteering during his business school internship for a nonprofit in Singapore where she was also an intern.  They both ended up falling in love, living and working in the New York City/New Jersey area.  And that was the beginning. 

She went back to Singapore where her family is and he later moved to Dallas, Texas, continuing their relationship via email and phone calls.  Despite the many miles and countries apart, it was a love worth fighting for.  Their hearts just knew and the hard work paid off! :)  Seldom do we celebrate the courageous act that it takes to risk, uproot and start anew - but Sam and I truly admire this about them.

Not only that, we love their generous and warm hearts - always blessing and encouraging those around them.  We just happen to be that lucky! :) 

Their destination wedding was held at the beautiful Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and we were fortunate to also capture their pre-wedding session.  We love destination sessions that allows us to draw from a fresh creative experience and this one was no exception.

This was one of our last lifestyle sessions for the year and we were blessed to hang out with an amazing couple.  Afshan and Ali are two people who in and out of their careers are so devoted to helping others, always putting others first and we love that about them.  We couldn't be happier to shoot their 2-day wedding celebration and later, their "engagement" session.  They wanted something different than on their wedding day, and we were thrilled that they came to us for an extra session to capture them in their element: relaxed, carefree and so in love.

Here is one favourite image that really connects with us and stirs us each time we see it.  This is always a good sign for us - when it hits close to our hearts.   As photographers, we never want to let it just be about the image - but we hope that through it, you see the people in it, who they are, and in some strange way feel a connectedness to the love and life they share.  

Click below for more teaser images from their lifestyle session:

A&A: Thank you for your trust that allows us to capture the beautiful people you are.  We hope you enjoy these and can't wait to show you more. :)

Much love always,
Mary (& Sam)

This past weekend, Sam and I had the opportunity to participate in a fundraiser charity event, Something White for Something Right, held at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa, Ontario.  Hosted and presented by Stacey Price and her team at Marry Me Productions, this fabulous sold-out event provided an evening of exquisite dining and live entertainment, which brought 160+ people wearing their wedding dresses or something white to support a worthy cause.  Proceeds went to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation while raising awareness on discovering and fighting breast cancer. 

Here are some of our favourite images from the unforgettable evening!

It was absolutely amazing to see all the ladies coming in their wedding dresses and to see the guys in their white suits! Thanks to all of you for making the event so fun for us to capture.  Of course, one couldn't help checking out all the different styles of dresses all in one room worn by beautiful women - totally breathtaking! You all looked gorgeous!
 

Cocktail hour wouldn't be the same without the one and only, Mellow Dee, whose music set the perfect mood for the evening.
 

Bel Fiore and Flowers Talk collaborated to provide these bouquets as well as the stunning centrepieces for the tables above.  These were on auction to raise money for the cause.  Love the use of feathers - so chic!
 

Sweets by The Candy Store and The Flour Shoppe added the perfect amount of sugar and spice and all things nice!
 

The main entertainment for the night was put on by the incredible Sway Orchestra, who rocked the house throughout the dining and dancin'!  Thanks guys, for your amazing talent!
 

The successful event was brought together by so many people. Here is Stacey Price and some of her team from Marry Me Productions.  I love the sea of white dresses that represents all the ladies (and their men) standing together to support one another in finding a cure for breast cancer.
 

Thanks, Stacey, for your vision in pulling this event together and pouring your heart into this.  Your talent is so obvious and energy contagious!  It was so worth it to squeeze myself back into my dress (I'm sure some of you ladies can relate?! :) for the cause, and we are honoured to have been a part of it!

Much Luv,
Mary (& Sam)
Ottawa Wedding + Lifestyle + Event Photographers

Celebrity MC's:
Angie Poirier (A Channel Morning)
Sandra & Carter (KISS FM)

Special Thanks to:
SWAY Orchestra

The fall is a time we really look forward to, not only for its colours, but it is also a favourite because it is the time of year for many of our client's family sessions!  We are truly blessed to meet warm loving families whom we are able to share a connection with and always learn so much from each of them. 

Here is a session we did of Lili who just turned one!  Despite the uncertain weather (yes, we had everything from a burst of freezing rain/hail, to wind, clouds and finally sun --typical of Sam and Mary weather!), Lili was a star!  She gave us her biggest warmest smiles, quirkiest looks and although running around trying to capture a 1 yr old kid never is, she made our session look too easy!   And, as all professions comes with its' own set of occupational hazards, we thought we'd share one of ours with you.

Occupational Hazard #142: Falling in love with other people's kids.

For more awesome cuteness, click on the image below!