When you arrive to capture a simple spring wedding and the bride’s bouquet is bursting with rich vibrant peonies (your favourite flower) you know it’s going to be a fantastic celebration! After a lovely ceremony in a darling chapel, we frolicked around in a wee secluded park and were then whisked away into a fantastic romantically lit dinner followed by dancing. It was a lovely way to tie the know and here is a small sneak peek from the day! (more…)
TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: DOWN-TO-EARTH TORONTO STREETSTYLE
You know what I love most about fashion photography? More than the clothes and the creative process, more than the various tones that fashion photography can be captured in and the opportunity to play with light and shadow, I love the idea that the women I photograph will one day, perhaps in their retirement surrounded by great grandkids with a million laugh lines crinkling around their eyes, look back on these images and think, “Wow. I was a total babe!”
There is a saying that youth is wasted on the young, which has only started to resonate with me as I prepare to exit my twenties. As women we spend too much of our youth deeply criticizing our bodies. Our looks are somehow paramount, even to ourselves, and we waste hours putting on makeup, deciding what to wear, and after all that effort still not being satisfied with what we see in the mirror. Fashion photography, however, has the power to capture a woman at her most confident and creative. That is something truly precious. (more…)
AFFORDABLE TORONTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: ST. LAWRENCE MARKET ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Engagement sessions that incorporate things the couple are naturally enthusiastic about are always the most memorable. For this Toronto engagement session we wandered the iconic St. Lawrence Market, thus capturing the couple’s affinity for local food, coffee and urban style! Simple, style and sweet — everything a modern and meaningful engagement session should be. (more…)
CANDID TORONTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: A RAINY SPRING CELEBRATION
Spring weddings are light and dreamy, breathy and beautiful — but also constantly teased by the lingering possibility of rain. This gorgeous couple’s celebration on Saturday was such an affair, but love conquered all — even the weather! Rather than let a few raindrops get them down, this lively bride and groom busted out some umbrellas and a wonderful sense of humour to make the most of their day. Laughter, laughter and more laughter trickled throughout the entire celebration. Here’s a sneak peek! (more…)
TORONTO BABY PHOTOGRAPHER: NATURAL 6 MONTH BABY PORTRAITS
When a baby reaches six-months-old it is a big deal, not only because they are in fact bigger than they were at their newbon stage (obviously) but also because their sweet personalities are beginning to really take shape. One of the biggest regrets I hear from parents is that they didn’t take the time to capture their little guy or gal at the six months stage. Once they hit a year, they are completely different again and practically a toddler! This little girl and her parents and I spent a lovely morning playing around and here is a sneak peek of the results! (more…)
TORONTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: CHERRY BLOSSOMS AND LOVEBIRDS
When the Toronto cherry blossoms come out to play, I can’t help but want to photograph everyone under them! They are absolutely incredible. It’s like stepping into a storybook for a little bit and the delicate blooms are ethereal, creating a sweet ambiance that you can’t help but smile at. It was a delight to photograph these lovebirds beneath the soft blush petals. (more…)
TORONTO FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER: 2018 TORONTO MOTHER’S DAY MINI SESSIONS
No matter how little you are or how grown up you get, a gorgeous natural portrait with Mum never goes out of style. Not just for little ones, Mama & Moi Mini Sessions are ideal for mothers and kids of all ages — and yes, dads can join in too! These Mini Sessions are designed to capture real, unscripted moments with your kids. They’re not about looking at the camera and saying ‘Cheese!’ They’re about preserving moments of play, squishy embraces, mad giggles, and the loving looks your little one gives you. This Mother’s Day let Gooseberry give your family real moments in photographs that look like beautiful stills from a movie. (more…)
TORONTO BLOGGER: WHEN IS IT THE RIGHT TIME TO REBRAND YOUR BUSINESS
You created a business. You nurtured it. You watched it grow, but then something shifts. You realize, with a pit of dread forming in your stomach, that the brand you worked so tirelessly on no longer suits you and you’re left grappling the question, “How on earth can I rebrand without losing what I’ve already built?”
Rebranding can be an intimidating process, but it can also be a healthy development for a growing business on its way to new levels of success. However, there are a few things that I would recommend keeping in mind to help make your rebrand as effective and efficient as possible. (more…)
TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: ALL THE GREY MATTERS IN FASHION
Fashion is everywhere in this city and being a Toronto fashion photographer is one of the aspects of my business that I love the most. No two fashion shoots are the same. The creativity in the clothes, the people, the photography side of a shoot, the city itself is all so gorgeous that I always come away from a shoot feeling invigorated and freshly inspired. This shoot features the lovely Style Me Marina, a talented Toronto fashion blogger who has impeccable style and a flair for putting together outfits that truly stand out. (more…)
TORONTO FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER: PRECIOUS EIGHT MONTH BABY PORTRAITS
The only thing better than photographing precious newborn moments for a family is revisiting them once little one has learned to sit up to capture them again. It is amazing to see the similarities between the newborn babe and the 8 month chunky baby — as well as the many differences! Chronicling the first year is magical (I know that sounds corny, but it’s true!) You can see all the growth, development and personality take shape of this wee person. During this session we played in this little guy’s nursery, read books, giggled at funny faces and soaked up the natural light! (more…)
TORONTO BRAND MANAGER: 25 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR DAY BETTER IN 10 MINUTES
I have this trick that I would like to share with you for boosting productivity and making any work day far more accomplished. It is the easiest thing in the world to master and a ritual that is an essential part of my day-to-day. My trick is…. (more…)
TORONTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: ST. LAWRENCE MARKET WEDDING PORTRAITS
St. Lawrence Market is one of the prettiest urban locations for wedding portraits in Toronto and on Saturday I had the tremendous delight of capturing this couple’s Irish spring celebration. The morning presented lots of rain, so much so that we were seriously considering moving our portrait session to a different area. But luckily, just as the couple said “I do” to one another, the clouds parted and brilliant sunshine came out instead. (more…)
TORONTO BRAND PHOTOGRAPHER: SETTING TRENDS WITH DIXIE OUTLET MALL
You know what’s great? Finding an excellent deal or sale when you’re in need of a little retail therapy (or just for fun!) And do you know where to find exceptional deals of beloved brands such as Levi’s, Suzy Shier, Guess, Aldo Shoes and Nine West? Dixie Outlet Mall in Mississauga! It has been such fun shooting for this mall and discovering all sorts of amazing clothes, accessories and products at killer prices — like 30%, 50% and even 70% off! If you have a moment, pay this wondrous place a visit. You won’t regret it! (more…)
TORONTO BLOGGER: 21 THINGS I WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE STARTING MY BUSINESS
Running and relying on your own business is exciting, but also petrifying, which is why today I would like to take a moment and share 21 things that I wish I had known before starting my own business many moons ago. In other words, this is a list of things that I wish my younger self had been told. So here it goes! (more…)
TORONTO BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHER: WEDDING DRESS LOOKBOOK
There are some photography projects that are just a dream come true and being asked to create White Studio Bridal‘s wedding dress lookbook was once such dream! The requested aesthetic was soft, modern, minimalist and dreamy, which is exactly what we cooked up in the studio! It was a gorgeous afternoon of twirling, laughing, dressing in hand-crafted Canadian designed gowns and lusting over the exquisite high end fabrics. Be sure to visit the link above for the complete collection! (more…)
TORONTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: A WINDY THOMPSON HOTEL WEDDING
It’s always lovely when Toronto love stories incorporate iconic Toronto scenery on the wedding day. This beautiful couple celebrated at The Thompson Hotel and we had a glorious time capturing one-of-a-kind moments with the majestic Toronto skyline lingering in the background. It was a windy day. It was a chilly day. But it was a magical day through and through as well! Lots more from this celebration to come! (more…)
WELCOME TO GOOSEBERRY STUDIOS: WHY I REBRANDED MY BUSINESS
Welcome to the new and improved LLB Creative, which from now on will be known as Gooseberry Studios. Moving forward, the fresh bright and bubbly banner, Gooseberry Studios, will be home to my photography studio, my fine art print shop, my branding services and my lifestyle blog.
This rebrand may come as a surprise to you, because it came as a surprise to me. About a week ago, my websites were hacked and I lost all sorts of content which placed me in a rather pitiful position. But I made a decision… (more…)
TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: CHIC SPRING PHOTOSHOOT
You wouldn’t guess it to look at this shoot, but this was a freezing day! However, partnering with the warm, energetic personality of popular Toronto Instagrammer, Nafisa’s Closet, made this an exceptionally fun photoshoot! Her website will be launching this fall with all sorts of incredible fashion finds and couture garments! It is always a pleasure creating a shoot that captures various aspects of a client’s personality and this chic spring photoshoot brought together vibrant colours, comfortable clothing and superb styling! (more…)