Posts tagged Toronto

Amanda & Matt's Liberty Village Engagement Photos

Amanda and Matt are just a gorgeous pair. We met at Balzac's coffee shop, in Toronto's historical Liberty Village to do their engagement photos. It was a windy day, but they laughed together and kept one another warm... Actually it was a crazy windy day that had all three of us wondering if we shouldn't reschedule, but we decided to just do it! Whenever Amanda or Matt needed encouragement, the other was there to keep them (and me) going... And these two are no strangers to cheering one another on. Matt proposed to Amanda just after she crossed the finish line at the San Francisco women's half marathon! She was his champion.

Amazing.

Amanda & Matt, it's been fantastic working with two people who are truly inspirational. I am so excited to share your wedding photos soon!

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorFebruary 17, 2015Balzac's, Coffee Shop, Couples Photography, Engagement, Engagement Photos, Liberty Village, Marriage Proposal, Street mural, Toronto Comment

Jessie & Allan Engaged!!

Somehow I have been unbelievably lucky in the department of awesome clients who are funny, smart, down-to-earth, loving, and all around great... and Jessie and Allan are no exception. This was a super easy going, urban photo session in some of my favourite neighbourhoods of downtown Toronto. I went to college with Allan, and was thrilled when he asked me to meet Jessie and become their wedding photographer. I convinced them to do engagement photos, even though they weren't super into the idea of tons of wedding-related "extras". Yet when I was promising them it would be fun, I had no idea what I was in for. Anyone who knows Allan and Jessie knows they are both hilarious.

We met at their downtown home and walked through Kensington Market to Chinatown. The summer afternoon light washed over the city, and I barely had to do anything to make these two smile - they took care of that.

Engagement Photos Alexandra Park Toronto

Jessie and Allan, I am privileged to be photographing your wedding, and so happy that you've each found someone who brings so much joy and laughter to your life.

For a sneak peek of Jessie and Allan's incredible cottage wedding, in Georgina Ontario, view the 2014 slideshow here!

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorJuly 9, 2014Alexandra Park, Chinatown, Couples Photography, Engagement Photos, Graffiti, Kensington Market, Swedish Hasbeens, Toronto, Urban Photography Comment

Shannon & Matt Exhibition Place Engagement Photos

I met Shannon through an awesome project called "Barter Babes" where she traded kick-ass financial advice for _fill-in-the-blank_ (I paid with homemade soups for her freezer). In one year Shannon shared her her enormous expertise with 300 Toronto women, and lived off of barter alone. This lady is a character to say the least, and had me laughing instead of crying while we went through receipts and paperwork that had always intimidated me in the past... So when I saw that Shannon was engaged to the love of her life, Matt, I instantly messaged her my congratulations and a not-so-sheepish "don't get married without me!!" Meeting Matt, it was no surprise that he too is hilarious, kind, laid back and a pleasure to hang out with. These two are a perfect match, and I am SO super stoked to be shooting their wedding tomorrow - see you there!!

Click here to see Shannon and Matt's elegant midsummer wedding at Geraldo's at LaSalle Park!

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorJuly 4, 2014Barter Babes Project, Barter Economy, Couples Photography, Engagement Photos, Financial Planning, Polka Dot Dress, Shannon Lee Simmons, The Ex, Toronto, Toronto Exhibition Comment

Kate & Ben's Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Wedding

What an adventure it has been getting to know Kate and Ben! After their [second] engagement session, I tagged along to the Cloak & Dagger to see Ben's band playing bluegrass to a packed house. They. Are. Awesome. If you haven't heard of The Barrel Boys, do check them out and start fan-girling like me, stat!

Alongside our glasses of cider, the talent was overflowing and I suspected that theirs would be a wedding to remember…. I couldn't have been more right!

Ben and Kate had their wedding at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse - a gorgeous place for light and acoustics. It was a happy, relaxed event and the entire day was filled with music. A high point for me was when the whole congregation sang Eight Days a Week - I am telling you - my heart swelled. Not only are Kate and Ben talented musicians themselves, but their guests blew us away too!

It was simply a magical day full of the laughter and love that surround Kate and Ben. I feel so incredibly privileged to have been there with every single one of their friends and family cheering them on…

Check out Ben and Kate's video testimonial here!

The groom jamming with his bandmates on the wedding day.

Personal details on the wedding day - everything has meaning when it's a life milestone.

I am so happy for Ben and Kate. I can't wait to share images from their reception - an incredible night of impromptu [uber-talented] singing, and a wild / hilarious / surprisingly successful live square-dancing lesson. Until then,,, check out their at-home engagement session here (with more music!) and their Christie Pits/Bickford Park engagement session here and their short-story video testimonial here!

Photographers: Kate O’Connor and Rudo Vacula

Thank you to the creative team!
Caterer: Herrera's Fine Dining and Catering
Dress: David's Bridal
Hair & Makeup: Do My Hair
Invitations: Paper Ideas
Favours & Gifts: Kelly's Candy Apples
Flowers: Beachwood Flower
Men’s Attire: Moores
Officiant: Michael Lafleur
Venue: Enoch Turner Schoolhouse

Tell me about your wedding and find out if we're a good match:

Email: hello@sweetheartempire.com

All Photography, WeddingsKate O'ConnorFebruary 27, 2014Abbey Road, Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, Fall Colours, Featured Wedding, Music, Musicians, Purple, The Beatles, The Grand Hotel, Toronto, Toronto Wedding Photographer, wedding, Yellow Comments

Sarah & Jason

Sarah and Jason took me on a tour of their old neighbourhood for their engagement photos. Davisville and Oriole Park on a sunny autumn afternoon. Best friends before they became a couple, the two went for sushi every week for three years, just for an excuse to spend time together. Then Jason would walk Sarah to the bus stop and wait with her, or Sarah would walk Jason to his nearby apartment where they would, no doubt, linger a little longer near the 1970s water fountain out front… Just a couple more minutes in each other's company.

This was a super meaningful session for Jason and Sarah - to take some time in the midst of wedding preparations, to remind each other about how it all began, and why they were doing this in the first place. Naturally shy in front of the camera, I used all my tricks to get them engaging together, and soon they were laughing, dancing, and being 150% themselves (including several fantastical discussions about kid-napping cute puppies from the park).

When I look at these images I feel like it was truly a photojournalistic experience. The personal nature of their locations and stories allowed real moments to happen that I was witness to (and now you are too). The three of us connected to create something authentic, and to me that is what's so inspiring about true love.

Sarah and Jason I feel privileged to have made these photojournalistic engagement photos with you, and I am simply thrilled for your upcoming wedding!

The Course for Brides / Wedding & Family Photographer