Sophie's Bat Mitzvah

I met Alison (Sophie's mom) a few months before Sophie's grand event and I knew that it would be a classy - and meaningful day.

But I could have never dreamed that Sophie was all that her mother said and SO MUCH MORE! Alison told me she was beautiful and had a great theatrical personality, but when I met her I was completely taken by just HOW gorgeous she was, with her perfectly naturally curly hair and her personality so interesting, polite and incredibly confident.

Her ceremony was very meaningful and Sophie conducted it with reverence and confidence. Her speech revealed just how grown up she really is and what a great woman she's about to become.

I was also glad to have a few minutes with Sophie all to myself. I wanted to capture her beauty for years and years to come... So we can look back at it one day when I photograph her wedding!

What do you say Sophie?

All I have to say is, that I hope my girls turn out like you! You will be a dream teenager and I wish you all the best in the years to come!


Enough said. Now on to the gorgeous princess.







Her auntie decorated the place and made the flower arrangements.


I love this shot... Sophie is keeling over laughing as the "women" in her laugh are blurred out in the background...


Here she is with her also very theatrical cousins!


For family and friends wanting to order and view all images of Sophie's Bat Mitzvah pictures, click here to be notified when their online gallery is launched!

Also take a loot at Sophie's quick slideshow Click here!

Out of this World Lifestyle Session: Carol & Denis, 40 Years and Counting!

(Warning, long journal entry, but the story makes the pictures!)

Everyday when I get up, I know I'm blessed. I'm blessed more than I even know and I KNOW!

I have an amazing husband that would do absolutely anything for me, two gorgeous girls that are the most precious thing in my life, a wonderful family all around and a job that I love.

Sure, there's hard times and there's times when all I do is work, but I know that what I do is more than just "take pictures". I have the opportunity to capture stories and leave a legacy for generations to come.

(I know I sound cheesy, but those of you who know me, also know that I AM CHEESY!!!)

So, last year when Simone called me up, she said that her parents had been married for 40 years and had a really "neat" living situation and she would like me to do a Lifestyle Session for them.
A Lifestyle session is so much more than a Portrait Session... It's like a Portrait Session on Steroids! (not really, please!)

I waited for Carol to call me and she did! She gave me directions to her place and said: "don't expect a house. We don't live in a house."

For the record, stuff like that gets me really excited!

When I arrived I saw a large large LARGE garage with an industrial size garage door and a regular house door beside it. Carol & Denis emerged from the little door and greeted me warmly.

I was fascinated when I walked in. White, shinny tile flooring with a big... well, look:



Yep, big HUGE Semi Cab attached to a 5th Wheel Trailer.

That's where they live! In the Trailer, inside a nice warm, clean garage with a laundry and kitchen and their bedroom and closet are IN THE TRAILER! Then, after Christmas, they close their trailer doors and open the big garage door and head out to Texas for the harshest part of winter.

But do you know what struck me instantly as I walked in? There was no stuff! None!

There was a large dining table with chairs and a big screen tv. That's it! Oh, and so much love!

What a life!

Yesterday I went back there to show them their slideshow in DVD format since they don't have high speed internet out in the country. We sat down, had tea and cookies and watched the slideshow together.

Carol then told me how nervous they both were the morning of the photoshoot, not knowing what to expect, but then in her words: "as soon as you walked through the door, Patty, I relaxed and you made us feel so good".

Well, what can I say... I'm blessed. I'm blessed to love my job, to think that what I do makes a difference.

Here's what else I know: these pictures are something that Carol & Denis and their kids and grandkids will treasure forever and ever.

Enough talking. On to the pictures.

Here's Denis styling on his GoldWing.


Almost 41 years and loving each other so strongly! Beautiful!


Couldn't pass up the boot shot!


Now we're talking!








Denis plays guitar and we had to get some guitar shots. Carol says she can listen to him playing the guitar and singing all the time.


So I wanted to do some shots of Denis with his guitar in the field.

Here's his Roadie.


These are my absolute favorite.








When I told them that I would make them a slideshow set to music, Carol asked me if Denis could sing for that. YES YES YES!

So, what you hear is Denis' voice throughout. And his beautiful guitar playing.

Simone, I'd like to thank you for this wonderful opportunity to meet your parents and capture this memory for you all.

Now, on to the slideshow! Click here!

It's a Perfect Surprise!

Genny at The Perfect Surprise called me up the other day and said: "I heard you're wonderful and I need you!" Music to my ears really!!!

She was having a "Sex & The City" Fundraiser for the Arthritis Society as well as launching her business! So she asked me to photograph the event which included an airing of the Sex & The City movie at the Park Theatre and fabulous draws for door prizes as well as a prize for the Best in Character! There were all kinds of gorgeous girls dressed up as their favorite Sex and The City characters!

Click Play below to see the slideshow or click here to see it in full screen!

Ashley & Mike's Slideshow!

Here's Ashley & Mike's Slideshow! Click here!

For family and friends wanting to order and view all images of Ashley & Mike's Wedding pictures, click here to be notified when their online gallery is launched!

Leticia & Dean: Married at The Gates! October 5th, 2008

She called me up and said my favorite magic words: "You were referred to us by..." and "We also had already found you on the web..."

This time they were referred to me by one of my favorite blog stalkers, my sister in law, Bronwyn who is also a big fan of my work (or maybe it's just because she gets free pictures?)... Hard to tell, but hey, thank you Bronwyn!!!

When Leticia called me, she and Dean were living in Toronto but would be having their wedding here in Winnipeg, to celebrate with family at The Gates, Sunday Brunch style! YUM!

I was so excited for many reasons, but also because half way through the conversation she started speaking Brazilian Portuguese to me! I KNOW!!! How exciting is that?

It turns out that her mom met her dad here and they moved to Brazil where they had Leticia, then moved back here 12 years ago...

Dean described at the reception how they met.

He was in Grade 8 when she moved here and was introduced to the class. His knees buckled and somehow he knew that she would be at his side for the rest of his life.

So after much seeking, he finally got her. They've been together for a long long time and this past weekend they joined each other in matrimony!

Does that make you tear up? It does for me! I'm such a suck for weddings and beautiful stories...

Oh the beauty of love...

There was SO much beauty at this wedding!!!

Starting the Spanish Dress... I've never seen anything like this!



The Ring just complimented the whole vintage feel...


And Dean had a gift for his Lily... and a note that I couldn't read because my eyes were WET!!


STUNNING flowers by In Full Bloom.

Da Boyz and their cigars.


The girls having fun... (or perhaps MAKING fun of me lying on the ground)


Bronwyn, Alana, Leticia, Vicky and Shelly.


Cake Deliciousness by Chocolate Zen!!! I actually had wedding cake this time! It was UNREAL!


I just love the setting at The Gates on Roblin. It's absolutely beautiful and there are so many different locations for pictures! Truly worth it!




Now, to quote Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally, "I don't think it's a matter of opinion". Leticia is truly and unbelievably beautiful! No doubt about it!


Here Dean is lovingly stoking Leticia's belly - in love with her and baby Lucas!


And here is the lucky man!


Dean is just so sweet (and handsome!) and he was joking with me throughout the pictures that he really wanted a shot of himself looking up to the sky! So, you bet! Here it is!








Now he's just goofy!


A little shop talk... Ever since I've gotten my D700, I've been blown away by the shallow depth of field that it has at 2.8 and I've been COMPLETELY ADDICTED to shooting my 70-200mm lens at 200 all the time (at 2.8) as if it were prime. I don't even move the zoom on it AT ALL!

Ok, all done shop talk. Don't you just love this shot? I DO I DO I DO!


I have a million versions of this shot... and I just love how Leticia looks like a prairie princess here..


And in the following 3 shots you'll see that Dean just COULDN'T keep away from Leticia!







You didn't think I was actually going to pass up a little flare, did you?



I wanted to showcase Leticia's dress... So I asked her to twirl for me. According to her sister Victoria, as a little girl, she loved wearing pretty ballerina dresses and twirling, so I knew she'd be too happy to oblige.


Then I moved her to where I knew the Sun would show through...


I love the fact that she has her eyes closed in this shot... It's like she's enjoying the moment.


I love Dean's expression.




Dean really wanted this shot... Here you go!


For family and friends wanting to order and view all images of Leticia & Dean's pictures, click here to be notified when their online gallery is launched and get a $5.00 credit towards your pictures!

Thank you Leticia & Dean & families! It was so wonderful to meet you all and I'm looking forward to going through all the millions of pictures that I took on Sunday! Stay tuned for the slideshow!