6.13.2016
Jacquelin & Eric's Woodsy Engagement Shoot at the Kortright Centre, Vaughan
Jacquelin & Eric are such a lovely couple and it was such a pleasure to photograph their engagement shoot at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan recently. Eric is an arborist so sticking with a woodsy theme made sense for these two; in the shoot I aimed to bring out how much he makes Jacquelin laugh (he really knows how to make her laugh!) and the natural chemistry that the two of them have together. They are so comfortable and safe with one another and it's really special to be able to capture that in photos. I can't wait to be at your wedding this autumn, you two! Congratulations and best of luck in all the last-minute plans!
Secret Engagement Photoshoot in Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington
I recently had the fun opportunity to do a top-secret engagement shoot at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. Working with this couple has been fun and they are both so sweet! And - my favourite part - they're a very private couple. You don't see that very often these days and I love that they value this.
Doing an engagement shoot at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington was a dream. Although the flowers weren't in bloom quite yet as we would have expected, the place was so full of life! The trees in the arbotoreum won my heart and the architecture in Hendrie Park (large gate, stunning statue, and more) was fun to shoot with. We've done weddings at the Royal Botanical Gardens a few times in the past but an engagement shoot always has a different vibe and this was really fun!
These two soon-to-be newlyweds don't want photos depicting them put anywhere on the internet, but they've agreed to let me share a few sneak peeks that don't reveal their identity. How fun! So, in lieu of cutesy couple's shots, here's some flowers... and a bee! That's pretty neat.
Enjoy.
Doing an engagement shoot at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington was a dream. Although the flowers weren't in bloom quite yet as we would have expected, the place was so full of life! The trees in the arbotoreum won my heart and the architecture in Hendrie Park (large gate, stunning statue, and more) was fun to shoot with. We've done weddings at the Royal Botanical Gardens a few times in the past but an engagement shoot always has a different vibe and this was really fun!
These two soon-to-be newlyweds don't want photos depicting them put anywhere on the internet, but they've agreed to let me share a few sneak peeks that don't reveal their identity. How fun! So, in lieu of cutesy couple's shots, here's some flowers... and a bee! That's pretty neat.
Enjoy.
6.09.2016
Rishon & Karen’s Summery Wedding in Newmarket, Ontario
When Karen and Rishon touched base with us a few months back, we had already had a little glimpse into their beautiful love story. They met, fell and love, and knew they were “the one” within a few short months and wasted no time in getting to the things that really matter: building a great marriage being one of them.
Surrounded by family and friends in a setting that meant so much to both of them (their local church), these two tied the knot on a beautiful day in May and John was glad to be a part of it. The marriage ceremony incorporated a special worship service with live music, the family photos were fun and filled with love, hugs and tears, and spending time doing wedding party photos was like hanging out with old friends.
The day was beautiful and sunny, perfect in every way, and we are so happy for Karen and Rishon as they begin their journey in life together as Mr & Mrs.
Enjoy!
6.08.2016
Cutting the Hustle | On Why A Laid-Back Life (And Business) Is Part of the Good
John and I have put seven years into our business, almost seven years into our marriage, and four years of bringing a little peanut (or three) into bed with us at 6:30 every morning. As we've come to a point of growing our family and our work we've delved into the heart of community, of finding people and supports around us to make it possible to achieve the things we dream of. Seven years of actively pursuing the belief that we can't do it alone and there are people out there to help us. I wrote before about how tweens are the perfect babysitters and dogs are the perfect vacuums. (Almost perfect.) About letting some things slide and finding help with others.
Part of that community-building has been surrounding ourselves with like minded under-40 entrepreneurs, which fortunately isn't too hard to do thanks to the beautiful world of the internet, intentional use of hashtags, and supportive Facebook groups like this one. There are so many under-40's (dare I say, millennials?) that are pursuing their creative and strategic goals and dreams and they are killin' it.
But what we've found, in doing our hunt for a supportive community, is that our circles of young entrepreneurs in the West (Canada, US, UK) are absolutely, uncompromisingly, to-the-bone fully, obsessed with what we all formally call (and rarely question), "The Hustle".
The Hustle is an illness and we want to see it cured.
Let me describe "the hustle" for you. "The Hustle" looks like late nights, early mornings, coffee-on-an-IV drip. It's apparently associated with messy buns and white desks with glittery confetti and hand lettered to-do lists surrounded by flora and fauna that somehow came from the forest and into the office. For men, the Hustle looks like Nikes hitting the pavement and iPhones set to work. For women, the Hustle looks like shiny Apple laptops beside brightly coloured novels and seven or eight de-stemmed flower heads.
There's nothing wrong with the imagery that people are using to describe their passion for working hard. It's getting tired, sure, but that's not the problem. What's wrong is this freakish obsession with "getting it done".
From what I have seen, "The Hustle" is a prettied-up version of what we actually know to be workaholism; a glorification of compulsive working and a can't-stop-won't-stop attitude about getting our inbox cleared. Our inbox, friends. The one thing that we are all very sure won't last forever.
But good Millenial "Hustlers", they have kids, too, you know. Kids, running around quietly in sweet little J-Crew suspenders with fabric indoor tents and absolutely no television in sight. (What do they do?) Kids, battling screens for our attention. Kids, learning their position on the priority list. Kids, they rarely help us "get it done".
Here's the thing: the Hustle doesn't work. Trust us, we tried. Remember the 90's? The main premise of most of our favourite movies from that decade was that the Hustle destroys families. (Liar Liar? The Family Man? Erin Brockovich? The Santa Claus?) Workaholism is a disease and it is used to help us cope with the things we don't want to face. Ouch. Just like any other addiction, The Hustle keeps our eyes turned away from the things we need to stare down, and we do not need to stare down the black hole of Instagram. We do not need to stare down our emails all hours of the day. We do not need to stare down every single possibility or opportunity that might come our way, in the name of getting things done.
We need to stare down the things that matter. Our businesses? Yes, they matter. Our work matters immensely. John and I put our heart, soul and family into New Vintage Media and we will do it whole heartedly until the time comes to stop. But we need to broaden our vision because these little companies we create are not the only thing that matters. We can not abandon the people, the passions, the projects, the homes that we love so dearly in order to get. it. done.
You see, if we are breathing here, our life passions are never done. Our business is never "done". Our family is never "done". You will never, never, never get it "done". Your to-do list is slippery and it will trick you into thinking that it is the most important thing in your life - and it is lying to you.
Here are four tips that we have tried for cutting the Hustle and embracing the priorities:
1. Allocate Time Off Every Day
Many of us self-employed people see waking hours as working hours. They are not the same thing. Look at your daily schedule and allocate time in your day, every day, that you will not work. Perhaps you will not work in bed in the morning. Maybe you will keep your phones and laptops put away from 5 PM to 9 PM. It could be that you even shut off all technology for periods of your day. But, every day, without fail, allocate time away from work. This is easier said than done when the business is your own, but it will not be the ruin of your business. In fact, it might be the best thing for you.
2. Allocate Days Off Every Week
We look at our schedule two months ahead and plan off two days every week. Sometimes, the days are consecutive (Thursday & Friday are often our days-off), but sometimes they are sporadic (we have a few Monday / Thursday combinations). We take Sunday mornings to attend church, but often work in the evenings. However you work it, pick two and stick to them.
On these days off, put aside anything that will make you focus on work. If this means no email checking, then don't check the email. If you truly believe you have a client that will fire you because of an inability to respond within a 24 hour period, set an automatic reply. Contact your clients in advance to warn them of your days off. Even personal assistants have days off, and the odds are good that if you're self-employed, you are not a personal assistant.
3. Find A Passion That Has Nothing to Do With Earning Money
My husband is amazing at this. He loves finding new passions, and often they cost us cash instead of bringing cash in. This can feel constricting when the automatic response is "how can I turn this into business", but it's worth the investment. For a while, John made cigar box ukuleles, for fun. No selling, just fun. Then he made beer, also for fun. And for drinking. Personally, I have zero connection to calligraphy as a photographer, so I learned hand lettering in order to make some playful "welcome" signs for our home. Pick up a craft, cooking, a hobby - that you do not expect to earn money from. You are a business person, but this is not associated with your business.
4. Decide on Who Matters Most
I hope you come high on your priority list, and I hope your family does, too. Consider who matters most in your life - write the list - and creatively plan ways to involve them (and yourself) in the things you love to do. Go screen-free with them. Do things with them that do not have an agenda.
This life is not about Hustling, it's about living. I hope you feel free to enjoy the things that matter most and give them your best, because you are worth more than the capacity of your business. You are not defined by what you earn, or even what you create, and the Hustle can be cured.
Part of that community-building has been surrounding ourselves with like minded under-40 entrepreneurs, which fortunately isn't too hard to do thanks to the beautiful world of the internet, intentional use of hashtags, and supportive Facebook groups like this one. There are so many under-40's (dare I say, millennials?) that are pursuing their creative and strategic goals and dreams and they are killin' it.
But what we've found, in doing our hunt for a supportive community, is that our circles of young entrepreneurs in the West (Canada, US, UK) are absolutely, uncompromisingly, to-the-bone fully, obsessed with what we all formally call (and rarely question), "The Hustle".
The Hustle is an illness and we want to see it cured.
Let me describe "the hustle" for you. "The Hustle" looks like late nights, early mornings, coffee-on-an-IV drip. It's apparently associated with messy buns and white desks with glittery confetti and hand lettered to-do lists surrounded by flora and fauna that somehow came from the forest and into the office. For men, the Hustle looks like Nikes hitting the pavement and iPhones set to work. For women, the Hustle looks like shiny Apple laptops beside brightly coloured novels and seven or eight de-stemmed flower heads.
There's nothing wrong with the imagery that people are using to describe their passion for working hard. It's getting tired, sure, but that's not the problem. What's wrong is this freakish obsession with "getting it done".
From what I have seen, "The Hustle" is a prettied-up version of what we actually know to be workaholism; a glorification of compulsive working and a can't-stop-won't-stop attitude about getting our inbox cleared. Our inbox, friends. The one thing that we are all very sure won't last forever.
But good Millenial "Hustlers", they have kids, too, you know. Kids, running around quietly in sweet little J-Crew suspenders with fabric indoor tents and absolutely no television in sight. (What do they do?) Kids, battling screens for our attention. Kids, learning their position on the priority list. Kids, they rarely help us "get it done".
Here's the thing: the Hustle doesn't work. Trust us, we tried. Remember the 90's? The main premise of most of our favourite movies from that decade was that the Hustle destroys families. (Liar Liar? The Family Man? Erin Brockovich? The Santa Claus?) Workaholism is a disease and it is used to help us cope with the things we don't want to face. Ouch. Just like any other addiction, The Hustle keeps our eyes turned away from the things we need to stare down, and we do not need to stare down the black hole of Instagram. We do not need to stare down our emails all hours of the day. We do not need to stare down every single possibility or opportunity that might come our way, in the name of getting things done.
We need to stare down the things that matter. Our businesses? Yes, they matter. Our work matters immensely. John and I put our heart, soul and family into New Vintage Media and we will do it whole heartedly until the time comes to stop. But we need to broaden our vision because these little companies we create are not the only thing that matters. We can not abandon the people, the passions, the projects, the homes that we love so dearly in order to get. it. done.
You see, if we are breathing here, our life passions are never done. Our business is never "done". Our family is never "done". You will never, never, never get it "done". Your to-do list is slippery and it will trick you into thinking that it is the most important thing in your life - and it is lying to you.
Here are four tips that we have tried for cutting the Hustle and embracing the priorities:
1. Allocate Time Off Every Day
Many of us self-employed people see waking hours as working hours. They are not the same thing. Look at your daily schedule and allocate time in your day, every day, that you will not work. Perhaps you will not work in bed in the morning. Maybe you will keep your phones and laptops put away from 5 PM to 9 PM. It could be that you even shut off all technology for periods of your day. But, every day, without fail, allocate time away from work. This is easier said than done when the business is your own, but it will not be the ruin of your business. In fact, it might be the best thing for you.
2. Allocate Days Off Every Week
We look at our schedule two months ahead and plan off two days every week. Sometimes, the days are consecutive (Thursday & Friday are often our days-off), but sometimes they are sporadic (we have a few Monday / Thursday combinations). We take Sunday mornings to attend church, but often work in the evenings. However you work it, pick two and stick to them.
On these days off, put aside anything that will make you focus on work. If this means no email checking, then don't check the email. If you truly believe you have a client that will fire you because of an inability to respond within a 24 hour period, set an automatic reply. Contact your clients in advance to warn them of your days off. Even personal assistants have days off, and the odds are good that if you're self-employed, you are not a personal assistant.
3. Find A Passion That Has Nothing to Do With Earning Money
My husband is amazing at this. He loves finding new passions, and often they cost us cash instead of bringing cash in. This can feel constricting when the automatic response is "how can I turn this into business", but it's worth the investment. For a while, John made cigar box ukuleles, for fun. No selling, just fun. Then he made beer, also for fun. And for drinking. Personally, I have zero connection to calligraphy as a photographer, so I learned hand lettering in order to make some playful "welcome" signs for our home. Pick up a craft, cooking, a hobby - that you do not expect to earn money from. You are a business person, but this is not associated with your business.
4. Decide on Who Matters Most
I hope you come high on your priority list, and I hope your family does, too. Consider who matters most in your life - write the list - and creatively plan ways to involve them (and yourself) in the things you love to do. Go screen-free with them. Do things with them that do not have an agenda.
This life is not about Hustling, it's about living. I hope you feel free to enjoy the things that matter most and give them your best, because you are worth more than the capacity of your business. You are not defined by what you earn, or even what you create, and the Hustle can be cured.
5.31.2016
Pavel & Sarah's Opposites Attract Engagement Shoot - Part Two
We shared previously about the importance of a two-part "opposites attract" engagement shoot for the beautiful couple, Sarah and Pavel. Once their Toronto Financial District Engagement Shoot was complete, we made our way to the grassy fields of High Park, Toronto to complete a Parisian Picnic inspired engagement shoot, executed perfectly by Sarah.
This second part of the engagement shoot highlights some gorgeous and soft details and points to the lilac colour tones that will be incorporated into the couple's destination wedding next year. I loved being able to capture this couple's romantic picnic in the park and hope you enjoy the soft and sweet photos we took together.
During our time together, Pavel and Sarah told us the sweetest stories of how they are just so completely different from one another, and how they compliment each other so perfectly. They summed it up with a cute little story about food (who doesn't love a good story about food?): often, the couple can't agree on what to eat for dinner. She loves one type of cooking, and he can't stand it; he prefers to eat a certain way, and she can't see why.
But when it comes to chicken... this couple has it figured out. She loves dark meat; he loves white meat; and when they roast a chicken, everyone is happy. They are each the missing half in the other's life and it gives me all the good feels to see such a beautiful love story unfolding.
Enjoy.
This second part of the engagement shoot highlights some gorgeous and soft details and points to the lilac colour tones that will be incorporated into the couple's destination wedding next year. I loved being able to capture this couple's romantic picnic in the park and hope you enjoy the soft and sweet photos we took together.
During our time together, Pavel and Sarah told us the sweetest stories of how they are just so completely different from one another, and how they compliment each other so perfectly. They summed it up with a cute little story about food (who doesn't love a good story about food?): often, the couple can't agree on what to eat for dinner. She loves one type of cooking, and he can't stand it; he prefers to eat a certain way, and she can't see why.
But when it comes to chicken... this couple has it figured out. She loves dark meat; he loves white meat; and when they roast a chicken, everyone is happy. They are each the missing half in the other's life and it gives me all the good feels to see such a beautiful love story unfolding.
Enjoy.
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