JAMES HODGINS PHOTOGRAPHY

We have been so busy lately that I just haven’t had a chance to keep up with my blogging, it’s a good thing, but a bad thing as well as I love sharing our images and stories with you all.  I pretty well summed up the Geraldton wedding of Julie & Derek with their sneak peak blog post and I will say it again it was a blast.  So without much further a due, here are some more images for your viewing pleasure.

Jocelyne and myself just got back from documenting the beautiful wedding of Mandy & Tyler.   Like I expected, the rain held out and the cloudy overcast day was one of the best for photographing in.  Soft light, no shadows, not to hot, not too cold, just an all around perfect day.  We worked our way from Onaping falls, into downtown Sudbury and finished off at Science North where the wedding ceremony/reception was taking place.  The bridal party was in fine form, all smiles and laughter and the bridesmaids had just as quick comebacks as the groomsmen could throw them out there.  Mandy and Tyler looked were all goog-ga-li eyes for each other all day and most of the time I didn’t have to direct them, there in just in the right spot, at the right time, doing the right thing.

It was a pleasure Tyler and Mandy and we are truly thankful that you chose us to document your day.   We were honored to be a part of it and look forward to photographing your future events (like your Trash The Dress/Bass Derby we are going to plan hahaha).

Just for the record everyone.  Tyler had one of the best lines I have ever heard live in a wedding speech.  If you ask, I will tell you.

“Hi Jocelyne and James,

Mike and I watched the DVD and I have to tell you that it brought tears to my eyes.  You
captured so many heartfelt moments throughout the day.  We truly don’t feel as though we
even needed a videographer as the photos told our entire wedding story.

You truly captured all of the tiniest details that we may have otherwise forgotten and
I know that our families are going to be ecstatic about all of our family pics as well.

I just wanted to say thank you for documenting our day in such a magical and artistic way.”

Cheers
Melanie Squarzolo

Yesterday (on our day off) Joce and I had the pleasure of hanging out with our good friends Cindy & Gaston.  We opted for a motorcycle ride to Manitoulin Island, a trip that we have planned for a few months now, but unfortunately has been rained out everytime.  Even yesterday as we left our driveway, the showers started, but by the time we got into Lively the skies cleared and we had beautiful weather for the rest of the day.  We have said this before and we LOVE the fact that is keeps getting proven to us year after year, our clients are our friends.  We met Cindy & Gaston (and their lovely family) when we photographed their wedding at the Saenchiur Flechey Resort just over 3 years ago.  I remember being at their reception after we were all said and done and the both of them sat at our table talking to us for quite some time.  This was their wedding, with all their family and friends, but they sat at our table and we chatted for a good 45 minutes.  I also remember after being there for the first 15 minutes as Cindy was getting ready, looked at Joce and I and said “I am SO GLAD you two are here”.  Little things like this stick with us for a long long time.

After the wedding was all said and done we agreed that we would get together another time and “just hang out”.  It’s hard you know, to find the time.  We are busy, they are busy (running a successful dairy farm and raising 3 wonderful children) but we seem to  make time at least once a year.  It isn’t a lot, but we do jam pack it with memorable experiences.   The next time we met was at their farm where Cindy & Gaston took us out horseback riding on their property.  I can ride a motorcycle, a horse?…………..not so much, but it was fun, and after that we photographed their family portrait as the sun was setting and the wind was dying down.

Here are some images of the from the wedding, to their family portrait to our recent  fathers favorites event.

It’s amazing how they change in such little time.  These girls are growing up to be beautiful ladies.

You never know, I might be in this business long enough to photograph their weddings, wouldn’t THAT be something?  It’s amazing how we get to see these ladies grow up year after year, and Jocelyne and myself feel very privileged to be the ones to capture those transitions.  But let’s not forget about Cindy & Gaston eh?  We had a great ride yesterday checking out Bridal Veil Falls, having fish ‘N’ chips of course and let’s not forget Farquars ice cream “TIGER TAIL” (that’s my favorite), finishing it off with some Hodgy’s Famous BBQ and Cindy’s famous Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips.

Luckily I remembered to pack the Canon G11 in the saddle bag.

Let’s hope that year does not go by between visits OK?

We just finished the wedding of Kayla & Shaun on this beautiful wet Sudbury Saturday.  The rain held out for the guys session this morning but by the time we headed off to the girls location the rain drops fell.  Luckily the Father of the bride had an amazing front porch that we could use and still stay dry (well the girls stayed dry, I was soaked.)  After the ceremony the rain was still coming down so we decided to hit a few spots in the downtown area that we knew were covered and sheltered from the rain, but luckily for us, the rain stopped for the rest of the day the minute we arrived.  Kayla & Shaun were one couple that just could not stop kissing.  I mean when we yell “OK Kiss” they kissed……..and kissed………………and kissed…………..and then kissed some more.  That is what we love to see.  On our way to the reception hall in Falconbridge we stopped off at this little Gazebo by the Garson Arena.  I always liked this spot (it’s where we photographed our “Fathers Favorite’s”  Event), especially on a cloudy day and since we were driving right past I figured why not take advantage of it.  The below image is one of the quick shots we managed to grab before heading out.  Thanks again Kayla & Shaun, we had a great day today and we hope you and your bridal party had as much fun as us.

Joce and I just finished photographing the wedding of Erin & Tyler and boy did we have fun.   12 total in the wedding party with a flower girls, ring bearers, and a dog that loves to roll in the grass (Brandy was not part of the bridal party though).  It was beautiful day today and I could swear it was hotter than 22 degrees like they forecasted, but a good breeze and some cloud cover made for a very comfortable wedding.  Just like their engagement session Erin & Tyler looked like naturals in front of the camera.  Every time I would turn to photograph them, they were already in an elegant pose where I had to yell “FREEZE”.   They made our job very very easy.  Tyler’s best man was non other than Bernie Aho, another very talented Sudbury photographer who’s work is inspirational and fresh.  Bernie is a stand-up guy, easy to talk to and you can tell right away he has the drive and passion for photography and success.  The groomsmen were all smiles and laughs during their session, the bridesmaides were….well….what can we say……GORGEOUS just like the bride.

Tyler had a smile on his face the moment we met him in the morning (which got bigger when he saw Erin walking down the isle) and Erin was absolutely stunning in her raw silk dress throughout the day.  It was a blast photographing these two, their wedding party and their family.  Thanks again everyone for making this wedding a whole lot ‘o’ fun.

Lesley and Sav were married this past June 19th (on my birthday) here in Sudbury Ontario.  We met Lesley and Sav a few years ago when they came to our studio inquiring about our wedding photography.  I met Sav a few years ago before that at my good friend Jeff’s wedding (Sav is Jeff’s brother in Law).  The guys were in full form as they consisted of family members  so hanging out  laughing, boasting and the “odd” posing we clicked off some images in the downtown area.  We headed across town to Long Lake were met Lesley & Girls.  Lesley had the perfect yard for images of her and her girls with some trees, shade and long Country road.   When Lesley walked down the isle all eyes were on her (some were on Sav) as she just radiated elegance.  The Church was bright, open & hot but there was lots of room to roam around and capture some different angles.  We then roamed around the Sudbury Area finding some nooks and crannies to capture the bridal party and the new married couple.  Murphy showed his ugly head again, but we used it to our advantage (inside joke).  The Caruso Club looked amazing and everything was perfectly placed and orchestrated.  Lesley and Sav opted for their first dance right away upon entering (something 90% of our couples now do) and with the atmosphere the Club projected it was one for the books.   Here are a few images from their wedding.  We look forward to reading your comments.

Thanks again Lesley & Sav.  Joce and I had a great time documenting your wedding day.  We look forward to future sessions with you.

Here are a few images from Tracy & Jeffs wedding.  The clouds loomed over for most of the day but the rain held off for our session and for their outdoor ceremony which took place at the Timberwolf Golf course.

“Hi Jocelyne:

Just received this email from the Mother of the Groom from our Geraldton Wedding we photographed last weekend.

“Hey there Joce & James,

Love the blog. Sorry about the menthol toothpaste. It is quite a funny story though (Hehe!). YES it did rain cats & dogs but you managed to help make it a wedding to remember. Thanks guys for rolling with the punches and keeping up with the positive waves. We had no choice but to follow along with you. Derek, Julz and their wedding party loved their photo session so much, they would have kept on posing for you all day and on through the night.

Thanks for the extra care you provided for Derek’s grandma too. We appreciated your concern and consideration.

Joe & I…we’re just crazy happy for the memories you helped us create. Can’t wait until we can see all the photos in August.

You two are truly an amazing and passionate team…Keep on creating magic!”

Renée & Don (Joe) Wilkins, Blind River, Ontario

We are pretty sure EVERYONE had fun at the wedding….especially the Bride & Groom

Just received this email from the Mother of the Groom from our Geraldton Wedding we photographed last weekend.

“Hey there Joce & James,

Love the blog. Sorry about the menthol toothpaste. It is quite a funny story though (Hehe!). YES it did rain cats & dogs but you managed to help make it a wedding to remember. Thanks guys for rolling with the punches and keeping up with the positive waves. We had no choice but to follow along with you. Derek, Julz and their wedding party loved their photo session so much, they would have kept on posing for you all day and on through the night.

Thanks for the extra care you provided for Derek’s grandma too. We appreciated your concern and consideration.

Joe & I…we’re just crazy happy for the memories you helped us create. Can’t wait until we can see all the photos in August.

You two are truly an amazing and passionate team…Keep on creating magic!”

Renée & Don (Joe) Wilkins, Blind River, Ontario

We are pretty sure EVERYONE had fun at the wedding….especially the Bride & Groom