Posts in All Photography

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!

Kate & Ben Around Town

Kate and Ben had the first half of their engagement shoot last spring, at their sweet apartment, when the weather was still cold... For the second half we took advantage of the fantastic weather to wander out and about. We explored Toronto's colourful Christie Pits neighbourhood of Bickford Park and Korea Town. Apart from my highly technical instructions of "Jump like you're in the 70s!" most of the photo shoot consisted of this gorgeous pair hanging out, shooting the breeze, snuggling and laughing, and me capturing it all.

Can't wait for next week when we photograph their wedding!

Click here to see photos from Kate & Ben's amazing autumn wedding!Click here to check out their first engagement shoot, when they played me a private music show in their own home :)

And check out Ben & Kate's short-story video testimonial here!

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorOctober 25, 2013Bickford Park, Christie Pits, Engagement, Freedom, Graffiti, Jumping Photos, Korea Town, Toronto Comments

Alissa & Kevin having a giggle in the Gladstone Cowboy Elevator

Alissa and Kevin got married!! Here is the sweetest of sneak peeks taken in the classic Gladstone Cowboy Elevator, built in 1907. There are many gorgeous images to capture in the Gladstone Hotel, but the highlight in this case was definitely Kevin and Alissa's ability to forget about all that and enjoy a few special moments on their wedding day. Congratulations!! More lovely photos to come...

All Photography, WeddingsKate O'ConnorOctober 14, 2013Black and White, Gladstone Cowboy Elevator, Gladstone Hotel, Sneak Peek, Toronto, Vintage, weddingComment

Andrea & Chris' Bicycling Adventure Engagement

Andrea and Chris wanted to do something fun for their engagement photos, and decided on involving their passion for biking. Creating the images of Andrea and Chris checking out and chasing each other, with Chris' extra-fancy bicycle, had us all laughing our heads off. This outdoorsy couple brought me around the downtown Oakville waterfront, where we walked among beautiful gardens, explored gorgeous, little streets close to Lake Ontario, and basked in the setting sun on the harbour.

Chris and Andrea I am SO excited for your wedding day - it has been wonderful getting to know such great folks and the best is yet to come!!!