Varia Studio Blog

Fall wedding in Toronto – Part 1

Varia — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 01:39:53 +0000

I thought of doing this post earlier, but I had no time and I was away for 2 destination weddings in Mexico. Now it is time to catch up with my blog

My first shoot with Osiris and Juan was in Toronto on November 17, one week before we all left for their destination wedding in Mexico, Mayan Riviera. Osi and Juan decided to get the marriage license in Canada so they do not have to worry about some legal requirements in Mexico.

It was one of the last days in fall, when trees still have their leaves and the colors were amazing. We did take advantage of the beautiful yellow leaves and got some great shots. Here are some of the pictures

Trash the Dress in Mayan Ruins and Tulum beach

Varia — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

On my 25th birthday on November 25th I left Toronto for my second time trip to Mayan Riviera this year. It was fun having my friends joining me for this trip to celebrate my “Champaign Birthday” and spending the whole week with them.Ok, lets not forget the real reason why I came to Mexico!!!I met Osi and Juan at ” Bridal Bash” organized by Megan Crouse. Megan is Toronto-based destination wedding specialist and a travel agent. Coupe weeks later I got a call from Osi asking me if I would be interested to photograph her wedding in Mexico in two month. Sure, I am always ready for travel and the first time I met this couple I though they would be great to work with and I was right.We decided to trash one of Osi’s wedding dresses couple days before the wedding. I had this idea of having Mayan Ruins as a backdrop and I could vision it too. Note to all photographers you must have a permit to shoot in one of the archeological sites/ruins in Mayan Riviera. First we tried to get to famous Tulum ruins, but we where told that it was some kind of government event and solders patrolled every possible area. Oh forgot to tell you Osi and Juan are spanish-native speaking which helped a lot to find out that there are some ruins in area that no tourist go to.We were told to go to Xel-ha archeological which was founded around 100 B.C. Osi, Juan and myself sneaked in for an hour to do first part of “Trash the Dress” session at this great site. And of cause we were respectful to the Mayan legecy. These site offered lots great loactions for photographs: giant trees and ruins were perfect to get some romantic shot of Osiris and Juan. The only thing that bothered – mosquitos!Our second stop was Tulum beach – beautiful turquoise water and powder-like white sand. I seen this type of beach so far only in two other locations – Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Holguin, Cuba.Osi and Juan are so easy going- they would do anything I would ask them to do – run, jump, laying on sand and wait when the big wave would come The night before I order the bottle of champaine to my room so I can bring it down tot the beach and use it for my pictures plus I realize it would make bride and groom more relaxed…lol… it was really cool photographing Osi and Juan opening bottle of champaine while waves would destruct them and move and push them it was same when they were drank it too.

Destination Wedding in Portugal

Varia — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:08:00 +0000

In September this year I traveled to Europe to shoot John and Arlene’s wedding in Portugal. They decided to get married in Algarve – the southernmost region of Portugal known for glorious year-round sunshine and excellent sandy beaches. Most guests travelled from Canada and stayed together with bride and groom in beautiful Villa Lusitana in Carvoeiro, Lagoa.

On Sept. 6 John and Arlene got married in very old church called – Igreja De Santa Maria in Lagos. Prince Henry the Navigator lived in this city (Lagos) and was buried in the same church in 1460.

Right after ceremony we drove along coastline to rugged cliffs called Ponta da Piedade. This place is know as the Golden Coast (Costa d’Oiro), because of its yellowish tone of the cliffs. This was one of the most amazing spots to take pictures.

As for final destination for pictures we stopped at Carvoeiro – a charming town with cliffs on either side, small beaches and private villas. We were looking for some small town scenery and this one was perfect – whitewashed houses with doors and windows framed in yellow and blue and old quaint small houses tucked in between the more modern ones.

Guest were all at the villa enjoying the cocktail hour and waiting for bride and groom. When we arrived just before the dinner John and Arlene had their first dance.

All I can say it was really nice wedding with European chic!

P.S. I want to thank Monika W (my friend who went to photography school with me) to referring me to Arlene and John and giving me this great opportunity to travel to Portugal and shoot their wedding!

The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood

Varia — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 22:04:00 +0000

I was inspired by fairy tale “La Belle au Bois dormant” (Sleeping Beauty) when shooting Lucy in the wood.

Trashing the dress in "High Falls"

Varia — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 19:45:00 +0000

This past weekend I shot another “trash the dress” session, this time my brave bride was Anastasia. This beautiful waterfall – “High Falls” is located far from civilization and it takes about 1-1.5 hours to hike to the site. The site is the Peterborough Game Reserve which is around Petroglyphs Provincial Park and it is gorgeous location with its natural treasures and it is definitely worth a hike.
With perfect lighting and great assistance by Natalia, Stan and Anastasia, who climbed the falls and froze in wet wedding dress – I think we did an amazing job and as result got great pictures!

Wedding in Port Whitby Marina

Varia — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:46:00 +0000

On Sunday July 22nd me and my associate Sasha shot this beautiful wedding in Port Whitby Marina. For Sharlene and Phil and their two kids Nashel and Trae this was a really significant “family affair”.
We had a perfect day with blue sky and pretty clouds and refreshing breeze. I found this great location – waterfront Lighthouse , which was not in our plan originally and this spontaneous idea to go there and shoot really adds a bit of a spice to the whole idea of marina wedding!

Varia — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Engagement portraits of Sharlene & Phil

Varia — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 02:27:00 +0000

Last week I shot engagement portraits of Sharlene and Phil in Edward Gardens in Toronto.
What a GREAT couple! Sharlene and Phil are the most easygoing couple I ever worked with.
While I was shooting I found out that Sharlene and Phil have a daughter and a son and they are going to be in wedding party as well and it is going to be a FAMILY AFFAIR as they like to call it! I can wait to shoot their wedding this weekend!!!

07.07.07

Varia — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:46:00 +0000

I was honoured to be a part of May and Michael’s wedding on the luckiest day in the century – 07.07.07.
I was very excited to shoot this very small and intimate wedding of only 10 people and it was great!

Summer wedding in Toronto

Varia — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:09:00 +0000

On June 16 I shot my first summer wedding in Toronto this year. After all my destination weddings I am finally enjoying a good weather in Toronto.

Megan and Blake were so much fun to work with – they ran and jumped and we all had a great time! I shot together with Ivan, who is my second photographer, and he did an amazing job catching some candid moments as well!

Megan and Blake chose a beautiful spot for their wedding, they got married at La Salle Park in Burlington. We shot most of the formal pictures in the park and Pavilion and for fun shots with bride and groom and wedding party we went down to marina.

It was a real pleasure to meet Debbie (Megan’s mother) and seeing some familiar faces too!!!