Engagement sessions are best done several months before your wedding. We like that it allows you to choose a different season than your wedding to give you more variety in your images. Doing your engagement session early also allows you to focus on your wedding plans closer to your date. Choose a location that expresses your personality and sense of style. It's a great chance to get creative and most of all, have some fun!

We've always wanted to shoot a session in an old junk yard. So, when Krista and Steven came to us looking for something unique for their engagement session, we knew they'd be perfect for this! Besides being a super sweet couple, what struck us about them was their love for life, travel and adventure. Having reached their dream of traveling to every continent, we can't wait to see what's in store for them next!

Krista and Steven just recently tied the knot at the lovely Juniper Kitchen and Wine Bar. Here are a few of the many images we love from their engagement session (stay tuned for their wedding images!).

K&S, you guys are awesome! If I ever need someone to fix my jeep, I'll give Steven a shout. ;)

Hugs,
Sam and Mary

Well, this is a nice surprise!  We recently received a phone call from the Kanata Kourier Standard informing us that Sam and Mary Photography won the Reader's Choice Diamond Award for best wedding photographer.   

We'd like to send out a special "Thank You" to all who voted for us.  We're thrilled and honoured to contribute to the success of our community and look forward to serving you with excellence again next year.

Winners are published in this week's issue so pick up your copy today! :)

Hugs,
Sam and Mary

With spring around the corner, thought we'd share some photos from this bright and happy Ottawa wedding.  They had an intimate wedding at the restaurant, Play | Food & Wine. 

Pulling a couple away for photos is one of our favourite times in a busy wedding day and we always recommend budgeting enough time to enjoy the experience and not feel rushed through it.  Besides giving the bride and groom a break from the crowds and a moment to just soak it all in, this session allows us to capture the love and connection between the two newlyweds.  The unspoken, but quiet, often subtle, and powerful expressions of their love. 

Here are some images from their fun session on their wedding day.  We love it when our couples break away from tradition and express their own unique sense of style.  This splash of yellow is just what I needed today.

How can one be uncheered by this?

Thanks, R&M! We loved celebrating this day with you and to witness the tears flowing during your beautiful "surprise" ceremony.  So worth it! Thanks for sharing your love.     

Happy Tuesday!

Luv,
Mary

We met with Meg and Mike and instantly knew we would become friends (so much so that they have moved into the neighbourhood :) - ok, so that part was a coincidence, but we are so glad they did! :)  Besides being passionate, they are always so positive and super sweet, which is what we love about them.  You could see by the way they smile and look at one another that they are a couple in love  They wear their hearts on their sleeves and we really admire that about them.  We were honoured to celebrate this day with their family and closest friends.

This is how the day started... one of my fave pet photos ever.  

I love this look on Meg, so stylin', beautiful and calm her big day. 

It's so important to carve out a small part of an otherwise busy day to enjoy a quiet moment.  Here is the handsome groom waiting to meet his bride. 

Love this one of the guys!

... and Meg with her BFFs.

We love capturing these frames of sheer happiness, bliss and intimate moments between the bride and groom.

One of my all-time classic favourites of the happy couple.

We just adore this awesome candy buffet provided The Candy Store.  A sweet way to add colour to your wedding as well as favours for guests.  So fun! 

I love this pic in B&W.  They are so cute 2gether!

Thanks to Leah from Restaurant E18hteen who did an amazing job with this cake!

The lively night of lovin' and dancin' the night away into a lifetime of love and happiness...

Location: Ottawa, ON
Ceremony and Reception: Restaurant 18

Bridal Gown: Becky Whelan
Music/DJ: Rico Falsetto 
Favours: The Candy Store
Flowers: Flowers Talk
Officiant: All Seasons Wedding
Transportation: Elite Limos

M&M: Thank you for all the laughs, jokes, stories and making us a part of your day.  It was great to celebrate with you as you begin your life and family together.  Thanks for being super fun and real.  You guys rock!

Much lovin',
Mary (& Sam)

   

Last night, Mary and I joined the rest of the world in witnessing the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Though we've lived in Canada since we were kids, and have thoroughly experienced true Canadian living (cold weather and all), it was nice to be reminded of some of the symbols and imagery that represent us, and our nation. The mountains, the snow, the prairies, the Natives with their elaborate costumes, what a beautiful country we live in!

We also enjoyed the Celtic fiddlers and dancers featuring Ashley MacIsaac playing insanely energetic "Devil in the Kitchen" and who could refuse K D Lang's brilliant performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" which left us breathless!

One of the most memorable parts of the celebration for me was the passionate performance of his poem "We are More" by Shane Koyczan. Now I'm not a poetry buff by any means, but his words resonated with me and painted a picture of Canadians that goes far beyond our frozen pond ice rinks and quirky colloquialism (eh?).

We'll leave you with the poem below.  Leave a comment and let me know what you think.  More can be found about Shane and his work at: House of Parlance Media

Thanks, Shane for bravely sharing this with us.

GO CANADA!!!!!

Sam

ps. Anyone for some Tim Hortons? :)
 

We Are More by Shane Koyczan
   
When defining Canada
you might list some statistics
you might mention our tallest building
or biggest lake
you might shake a tree in the fall
and call a red leaf Canada
you might rattle off some celebrities
might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie
might even mention the fact that we've got a few
Barenaked Ladies
or that we made these crazy things
like zippers
electric cars
and washing machines
when defining Canada
it seems the world's anthem has been
" been there done that"
and maybe that's where we used to be at
it's true
we've done and we've been
we've seen
all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine
and turned into theme parks
but when defining Canada
don't forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories
about the one that got away
we do more than sit around and say "eh?"
and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One
who inspired little number nines
and little number ninety-nines
but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines
off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
and some say what defines us
is something as simple as please and thank you
and as for you're welcome
well we say that too
but we are more
than genteel or civilized
we are an idea in the process
of being realized
we are young
we are cultures strung together
then woven into a tapestry
and the design
is what makes us more
than the sum total of our history
we are an experiment going right for a change
with influences that range from a to zed
and yes we say zed instead of zee
we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy
we dream so big that there are those
who would call our ambition an industry
because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow
we do more than grow wheat and brew beer
we are vineyards of good year after good year
we reforest what we clear
because we believe in generations beyond our own
knowing now that so many of us
have grown past what used to be
we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have
when they say things like "someday"

someday we'll be great
someday we'll be this
or that
someday we'll be at a point
when someday was yesterday
and all of our aspirations will pay the way
for those who on that day
look towards tomorrow
and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set
and we will get interest on our inspiration
because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks
more than backpacks and hiking trails
we are hammers and nails building bridges
towards those who are willing to walk across
we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss
we are not the see-through gloss or glamour
of those who clamour for the failings of others
we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers
uncles and nephews aunts and nieces
we are cousins
we are found missing puzzle pieces
we are families with room at the table for newcomers
we are more than summers and winters
more than on and off seasons
we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay
because we are more than what we say or do
we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are
we are students
students who study the studiousness of studying
so we know what as well as why
we don't have all the answers
but we try
and the effort is what makes us more
we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for
so keep exploring
go far and wide
or go inside but go deep
go deep
as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss
and suddenly there was this location scout
trying to figure some way out
to get inside you
because you've been through hell and high water
and you went deep
keep exploring
because we are more
than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
we are more than hills to ski
or countryside ponds to skate
we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait
we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes
a country that is all the ways you choose to live
a land that can give you variety
because we are choices
we are millions upon millions of voices shouting
" keep exploring... we are more"
we are the surprise the world has in store for you
it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"
so don't say "been there done that"
unless you've sat on the sidewalk
while chalk artists draw still lifes
on the concrete of a kid in the street
beatboxing to Neil Young for fun
don't say you've been there done that
unless you've been here doing it
let this country be your first-aid kit
for all the times you get sick of the same old same old
let us be the story told to your friends
and when that story ends
leave chapters for the next time you'll come back
next time pack for all the things
you didn't pack for the first time
but don't let your luggage define your travels
each life unravels differently
and experiences are what make up
the colours of our tapestry
we are the true north
strong and free
and what's more
is that we didn't just say it
we made it be.