JAMES HODGINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Last October, Serge and Michelle contacted us for a photoshoot as they really didn’t have any professional  images of them as a couple (see blog post).  Well now we are photographing their wedding in July 2012 as they were recently engaged while on vacation in Jamaica.  CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN Michelle & Serge.

Jasmine & Kyle are getting married in 2012 in the beautiful destination of Aruba, but at the moment they are here in Sudbury with the snow, the wind and the cold.     Kyle though is heading out to Columbia for work for about 30 to 60 days and will be away from his beautiful fiance, and everyone knows how hard that can be.  So besides using Skype or wracking up a large phone bill we did a quick couples shoot so that Kyle and Jasmine can have something to look at and remember each other while Kyle is away.

It was great to reconnect with Jasmine (we photographed her mothers wedding in 2009) and get her back in front of the camera, and we look forward to capturing images of these two on the beautiful beaches of Aruba in 2012.  Thanks again to the both of you for braving the wind and cold today, we had  great time with you both.

Jennifer, Charles and Coco braved the Northern Ontario weather, through sleet and hail, snow and rain, they made their way downtown to enjoy a quick, cold fun filled engagement session.  Oh boy was it cold and snowing, but it did make for a great session.  Even though I had to have them  hold their breaths while I tripped the shutter button they did discover a new talent of holding your breath and smiling at the same time.  It was Coco though who really didn’t seem amused that we took him out of his cozy warm truck to be involved in the whole process.

Or, if there are no roses around just sit back relax and watch sunset.  This was one of the last shots I captured during Chantal & John’s couples session.  The light was fading fast and we passed that “sweet light” moment but we still managed to capture this moment.  Turns out it was one of their favs.

In my last post about Hailey & Dan’s engagement I add the pic of Dan’s ride. Well I think now I should add a pic of Hailey’s ride as well don’t you think?

Yesterday Joce and I found ourselves on the outskirts of North Bay near Powassin Ontario photographing the engagement session of Hailey & Dan.  We were hoping the rain would hold off until we got there but it started just be before we arrived and quickly tapered off before the shoot.  This left the Country roads dark and wet and the leaves glistening with rain drops.    The idea was to photograph the couple with  Hailey’s horse and then some of them alone but since Dan had his bike with him I figured we should get an image with his ride as well.

As we were all wrapped up we decided to go check out the church that Hailey and Dan would be married in  Hailey’s mother and grandmother both were married in the same church so of course Hailey had to do the same.  The church is located in Powassin and it had some great shaded areas with loads of trees and architecture.   As Joce as getting some more details from the couple I thought I would scout around and see what I could come up with.

Thanks again you two for an amazing session.  Joce and I had a blast catching up and exploring with you.  We can’t wait to show you some of the kickass images we created yesterday.  Looking forward to riding together and capturing more bike images.

Well we had a great day at NSI today and I could not be happier with my class.  What an amazing group of people I have this year.  Today was mixed bag of tricks and I had to juggle a few different scenarios today due to some unforseen circumstances, but I tried to jam pack the day in with as much information I spew forth in 12 hours.  We started the morning off with everything about weddings, interaction with clients, building trust and a relationship with your clients, 5 essential poses for couples & bride & grooms, basic off camera flash techniques, slideshows, a quick studio portrait with no explanation, and how “not” to use a GPS correctly.  This was just the first day.

We had the most amazing couple from Toronto that volunteered to model for us today so we quickly went into the 5 essential poses (which can be done in 5 minutes), right into a wedding dress to show some quick off camera flash teqniques, and then right into a studio for a quick portrait.  Ashley & James were amazing being very patient with our whole group and allowing each of the students to get the shots they wanted.  Most of the time I didn’t even have to pose them.  I was talking to my students explaing what I was going to do next, I turn around and there we have it, they were in a perfect pose without even posing, without even knowing we were looking at them.  This couple were the PERFECT fit for each other.  James is Firefighter for Brampton and just finished his photoshoot for this years Brampton Fire Fighter Calendar.  Ashley owns and operates her own business  www.stage-of-art.ca Toronto Interior Designs, Home Staging, and Decorating Ideas in the GTA with great success but both managed to find the time and accomadate me and my students here at NSI.  Thanks again Ashley & Jamie, it was VERY much appreciated, and the both of photograph amazing well together.

Here are a few images from todays class folks.  It’s 1:00 am, and I need to get some much needed sleep.

Jamie didn’t have an outfit to wear with the wedding dress that was provided for Ashley, but he did bring his bunker gear, so we I offered to photograph him in the gear for something different.

And of course…..the gang

Tuesday night we headed out to Trout lake to photograph the Chaters Family and the engagement session of Andrea & Nik.  After driving 400 miles on a dirt road, through Sasquatch invested forests, up and down death defying mountains and across shark infested marshes, we arrived at the beautiful property.  We worked hard, we worked fast as the clouds were rolling in and shutting down our daylight right before our eyes.  After creating some beautiful family portraits of the Chaters (blog post to follow) we then started the engagement portion of the session with a dragon.  That’s right, Woody the bearded dragon.  Note: To all fellow photographers looking to photograph a bearded dragon.  Do not, I repeat do not convince the owner to take pictures outside with no leash.  Why?  Because they run away that is why.  Little does Nik know but as I watched Woody mad dash towards the woods my heart sunk to the bottom of my stomach where it then tried very hard exit my body.  What would be the chances of finding Woody after it rushed into woods?  ummmmm. I would say zero.  Good thing  Nik is quick and on his game as Woody never had a chance leave the grass. PHEW!.

As the sun was fading fast in the horizon and the clouds rolled in, we headed down to the lake to take advantage of the lovely waterfront creating some stunning images of  Nik & Andrea.

As Joce and I were leaving to head back home, I remembered Nik’s bike under the tarp and quickly asked “would you like a cool photo of your bike?”
Of course he said YES PLEASE.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A PICTURE OF THEIR BIKE.

So for you Nik, even though you have crossed over to the darkside and bought a PS3

We had a blast guys, and your family is wonderful.  Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday.

We just photographed a quick impromptu engagement session for my good friend Justin and his fiance Vickie.  They will be married this May in Hawaii at the Turtle Bay Resort and unfortunately Joce and I cannot attend because of previous commitments.  Fortunately though we were honored to photograph the two of them for their wedding invitations.  Vickie was a natural in front of the camera with stunning eyes and striking features……….Justin?……………….not so much.   Just kidding Justin.  The both of them photographed like they were made for each, each complimenting the other (Vicki more than Justin), just kidding again, I just can’t help myself ever since Justin pulled a very funny joke on me way back when.  I might as well tell you all now as it is very humorous.

Justin used to live in the apartment below me many years ago so we would hang out at each others places alot.  One time while I was at his place, he asks if I would like some “Beef Jerky”.  “SURE” I say, I love beef jerky.  After chewing on it for several minutes I had to admit to him  “Jeeez Just, this jerky tastes like #@%$”.  He then grabs the package back out of the cupboard and looks at it saying  “Really?  The dogs really seem to enjoy it”    Thanks for the dog treats buddy.

Anyways, we a great time last night, hanging out, laughing, photographing, hitting up Dairy Queen and checking out Justin & Vickie’s new home.  Thanks again you two, we had a great time, and hopefully soon we can get together again.

This Sudbury Wedding couple will be tying the knot next summer right here in Sudbury and even though it’s still a year away things are moving fast.  We photographed their engagement session last week and opted for an grunge feel with a more conservative look.  Finding this graffiti area in New Sudbury many years ago we figured it would be a great place to get a good variety of images with the setting sun, the clouds, and some of the concrete jungle architecture.    Throw into the mix that Natasha has these “stunning” eyes that  would jump out of the image and the way that the two of them melted into each other when they were close I knew we  could come up with some amazing images.  Thanks again to the both of you for choosing us to document your wedding next year.