Never Say Good-bye

This is a first for me. I have always kept my blog on my photography, however today I feel the urge to say good-bye to someone I would like to call a friend even though it was for a short time, or in the words of Evan Dando of the Lemonheads, "...a bit part in your life". I had the pleasure of working for Chris Smith Management, and met many great people. However the one person I think of the most often is Haydain Neale of jacksoul. I have so many great memories of a beautiful person who was always very positive and kind and, in my opinion, was a musical genius. I know the band didn't sell millions of albums, and that's is no way to judge what is good in music. Let's look at Aqua, Britney Spears and many others who have sold millions of albums.

I have great memories including one time stuck at Pearson International Airport for 24hrs on our way to NYC, the whole time he was making everyone in the band and crew laugh. The time in Hamilton at the Junos when I had to take him shoe shopping in the mall because he forgot his shoes, while everyone looked and smiled at us. I thought so much of Haydain I wanted to name our first child after him, I lost out to my wife's first choice of Beckham. It was around the time I was working with jacksoul that I met my beautiful wife, and the song, "Never Say Good Bye" was 'our' song... It was an easy choice to be out first dance on our wedding day.

I could go on about how important that short time with Haydain was and how he made a large impact in my life. I'm saddened by the thought of never seeing Haydain again, however I was blessed to share some of his time and I will forever be grateful.

My thoughts and prayers are with Michaela, Yasmin and his family, bandmates, friends and especialy his mother who raised a beautiful soul.

I was so excited to purchase my first DSLR that I wanted to make sure I had it before this performance of jacksoul at the Beaches Jazz Fest in 2004.

"I think music can heal and educate. If Jacksoul never makes another recording, I'll always be proud that our music was a positive force for not just love between couples, but love of self, community and the world."

Haydain Neale

The Wedding of Heather and Blair

This past weekend was a bit of mixed emotions for me. I love what I do and this has been a very busy year for me and my business. And for that I am eternally grateful. However this was my last wedding for 2009. I had the pleasure of meeting Heather last summer when she was a bridesmaid for Jennifer and Ryan's wedding. It was great to see Jennifer again, since I haven't seen her since the birth of her baby boy Owen. Only this time she was in the pretty blue dress instead of the white wedding gown. The wedding of Heather and Blair went off perfectly, how can you complain when you get married in November and you have the opportunity to go outside for
formal shots of the Bride and Groom? I know the girls who flew up from Florida didn't think 13 degrees was so balmy, but the rest of us from the Great White North felt like it was a summer's day. We had a large wedding party and lots of family pictures to take and I couldn't thank the Maid of Honor Brittney enough for getting all the groups ready when it was there time. And while I'm on the thank you path, thanks to the family and bridal party who were fantastic, kept everyone loose, entertained and good looking too.

Heather and Blair, I wish you all the best as you both begin your lives as husband and wife with your beautiful girls Shawna and Olivia.

Vendors
Photography - http://www.davidescorcio.com/

Venue - http://www.royalashburngolfclub.com/

Cake - www.flourconfections.ca

Decor - www.annielane.ca

DJ - www.ajscustomsound.com

Invitations www.bigorangedesigns.com

E Session with Ali & Brad

I met up with Ali and Brad at Union Station in Toronto. Ali and Brad where looking for something urban and contemporary. With the weather being very unpredictable days before the Engagement Session we thought Union Station would be a good bet as we could find some covered area in the downtown core. However we were quickly asked to leave Union Station by security since we didn't have a permit. We found our way over to the tunnel between union and the Rogers Centre, when Ali told me a cute story about their first date at a Blue Jay's game, and how the seats they purchased had a two foot space between them, not exactly what you're looking for when you hope to get close to each other on a first date. We had a lot of fun taking photos in and around the tunnels and in front of the Rogers Centre. And to top things off we had a local, how would you say... 'a person of no fixed address', tell us that he was a member of the Thompson family and could get Ali and Brad a beautiful place to stay for free at the family island for their honeymoon! It was all in good fun.

I hope you like some of my favorite photos from the day.