Back....with McKelvie

After a long delay, I really wasn't sure how to start this blog again.  For a time almost 100 people a day were coming to visit...Though the travelling, the photography, the design work, and the pursuit of a PhD hasn't stopped, the blog disappeared.  Being busy isn't an excuse but better later than never.  The best way I think, is to work backwards...

AND that begins with the amazing wedding of John and Tracey McKelvie...

I met John 3 years ago when he donned the zebra stripes and joined our Men's league hockey referee association. We got along right off the hop never taking the insults hurled our way too seriously and always laughing in the locker room rather than fishing for the comfort of missed emails and text messages.  With Johnny there is always time for a beer after the game.

We did the family shoot first and as you can see from the shoot this family has come together wonderfully.  It was here that I first met Tracey and, though John would probably cringe at me publicly announcing this, it's clear by his smile he couldN'T be happier.  Tracey and I often joked about how good it was her to take on another child in John but all kidding aside it's also obvious he also knows just the right buttons to push to make her smile.

here is the Engagement, turned family, shoot video:

The Wedding was done right - The kids played a central role acting as bridesmaid's and groomsmen; the speeches short but meaningful; the food was simple but delicious; the dancing was genuine; and the love between John and Tracey clear...  With Carla Jean Stokes and Nick Lachance, I think we were really able to capture their special day!

Thanks for letting me share your day...

A few more of Cindy and Jay

It seems everyone really enjoyed the first batch of photos, so I thought I would throw a few more up there for everyone to enjoy a bit more of their day.

Jay and Cindy

Yesterday I was in Niagara to capture a very special wedding. Cindy and Jay have been together for 16 years and just last year they got engaged. The two have long eschewed the big splash and the large gatherings. Their wedding was no different. They decided to jet off to Niagara. They had a second couple join them and act as a witness and asked if I'd make the trek from Waterloo to document their day. Aside from a co-worker of Cindy who had to prepare the bank draft for their ceremony, only those in Niagara knew the purpose of their journey. I've done more than a few weddings now and they all have their own charm, but this wedding was special. It was perfect, it suited their personalities and the smiles that adorned their faces from the moment I met them Saturday night until the final glass of Champaign Sunday was so charming.

This story has a personal connection. From here on I'm going to add a bit more detail and allow those who read to get to know me a little more through my posts...

I've known Cindy for more than 18 years. Her younger brother and I were the best of friends when they lived up the hill from my family in Rothesay, New Brunswick. A few years later, Jason started coming around. We were a lot younger but Jason and Cindy always treated us like we were essentially their age. As we all aged, geography separated us. One day in the fall of third year in a bar in St. Andrews, NB I ran into Mike, whose band was playing there (tiny little St. Andrews of all the places...). Mike and I got back in touch that year as best as email would allow. Two years later I left for Korea and began mass emailing everyone about the adventure. Mike forwarded the email on to Jason, who by now had become quite a web developer and he suggested I start blogging. before blogger and wordpress and the myriad of other free options, Jason created a lovely blog that allowed me keep an online journal of the adventure. Since then Jay and I have worked on a number of other web projects for my clients and share both of us share a passion for photography. 18 years later, the relationship is as strong as it ever has been and it was an honour to be part of their wedding.

The couple is now in Toronto for a few days and then off to the beautiful West Coast of Canada. I look forward to seeing them when I'm in Halifax next month.