Posts in All Photography

Sneak Peek Wedding! Alison & Allia at the Berkeley Church

Alison and Allia got married! I couldn't help but post a sneak peek of some of the gorgeousness of their whimsical wedding at the Berkeley Church. More to come! Allia & Alison, it was a dream to work with you, and I can't wait to share more wedding photos from your amazing day soon. Check out their magical engagement photos here!

Thank you to the creative team!

Accommodation: The Grand Hotel Bow Ties: Jordan Zouhas Cake: Matt Hall Decor & Flowers: Arlene Carson Hair: Angelina Barbiero, Michelle Bonnick Makeup: Ernestina Leito, Kyle McKellar Officiant: Riaz Charania Performers: Katey Morley, Caitlin Grieve Venue: The Berkeley Church Videography: Sonia Hong, Olga Barsky

All Photography, WeddingsKate O'ConnorMay 16, 2014Berkeley ChurchBerkeley Church, Same-sex marriage, Toronto Wedding Photographer, Vintage, weddingComment

Kevin's Proposal to Carrie

For everything "wedding", I've been chatting with Carrie by phone and email for months. So what to think, when - out of the blue - Kevin emails me before the engagement photos, asking if it would be okay for him to propose properly to Carrie during our shoot... My response, literally, was "Um... That would be amazing!" (with about seven more exclamation marks). Marriage proposal photos - so romantic and actually for real - I do! I mean, yes please! Carrie and Kevin fell in love over a dine and dash in Paris. Yes, you heard me right... They dined, and then they dashed. Don't judge them - Carrie says when Kevin was willing to go along with her wild and hair-brained schemes while traveling together, she knew he was the one for her. Plus, the were in Paris for goodness' sake. It was just the beginning of their adventures.

But wait - how were there engagement photos, when there had been no proposal? Well Kevin and Carrie have known for a long time that they were meant to be. They were so excited to start their lives together that they just started planning the party. It was realized along the way that there was no ring yet... Until the day of the engagement shoot.

Here is a pair of folks who are genuinely in love; the gratitude each expressed for the other just touched my heart. During the photos they took almost no instruction, they just looked at each other and spoke from the heart. Sometimes it seemed as if I wasn't there at all... Except when Carrie held her left hand up to me and screamed, "My Ring!"

Carrie and Kevin have had many more adventures in the years since Paris, including adopting wee Wendy into their lives - basically the cutest miniature dachshund you'll ever meet. We finished off the shoot with a little Wendy-time, just to make sure she was in on the action and family love...

Be sure to follow up on Carrie & Kevin's journey with photos of their downtown Toronto wedding, and a Distillery District family session with their sweet little toddler.

Kevin and Carrie's engagement photos were shot at the Gooderham Building, also known as the Flatiron Building, in Toronto. Carrie's gorgeous yellow diamond engagement ring was custom designed by Graziella Fine Jewelry in Toronto. Hair and makeup by Jennifer Schulz.

Congratulations, you amazing people. I couldn't be more honoured to share these memories with you both!

Be sure to follow up on Carrie & Kevin's journey with photos of their downtown Toronto wedding, and a Distillery District family session with their sweet little toddler.

If you're interested in getting genuine, intimate photographs taken with the love of your life, click Connect to find out more.

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorMay 7, 2014Dachshund, Downtown, Engagement, Engagement Ring, Flatiron Building, Gooderham Building, Marriage Proposal, Paris, Yellow Diamond Comments

Alison & Allia's Brunch Engagement Photos - L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar

This is the way to do it! Leisurely brunch engagement photos, champagne, and a walk to stretch the legs... We begin at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar. Allia & Alison are too awesome to describe. Funny, artistic and completely in love, rooms light up when these two women enter... (See what I did? I tried to describe them anyway.) They suggested we meet at L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar, a stylish yet laid back joint near Bathurst and Dundas. Brunch arrived with an entire french press pot of coffee. Talking, and laughing, it was easy to see why these two are such a sublime match. Champagne followed a delicious breakfast (I told you this is the way to do it!), and then we headed out into the city.

Alison graduated from University of Toronto, so it only made sense to explore the beautiful Victoria College campus. In fall coats, the ladies kept each other warm, laughing, running, even flying. Playing among the gothic stone and ivy-covered walls, we were filled with energy - adventure - even magic.

L'ouvrier Kitchen Bar Canadian Gothic

All Photography, Couples, LifestyleKate O'ConnorApril 16, 2014brunch, Engagement, Engagement Ring, Fall Colours, L'Ouvrier Kitchen Bar, Same-sex marriage, University of Toronto, Victoria College Comments

Published in Persian Tribune! My {First} Magazine Cover

How excited was I, when I was contacted by Elle Daftarian (event planner / dessert maker / mom extraordinaire) to do a portrait session on location at her new bakery.

I was even more thrilled to find out that the images would be used for the cover story of Persian Tribune Magazine! I went to the gorgeous little shop at Broadview and Queen and was instantly taken in. Elle has an eye for beauty that I won't attempt to describe in words - just take a look for yourself.

I photographed the adorable party for Elle's daughter's first communion. It was great to meet her team again and witness their creativity in action, which apparently involves a lot of joking around and a substantial intake of baked goods... Here are the images from our day:

Click here to see more of Elle Daftarian's beautiful sweets, at Sophia's fabulous First Communion party!

All Photography, Lifestyle, Portraits, JournalKate O'ConnorMarch 28, 2014decor, Elle Daftarian, event planner, Persian, Persian Tribune, Petite & Sweet, portraits, published, sweet tableComment

Portraits of Jamie Unwin

One of the most incredible parts of my work is having the opportunity to meet interesting and inspiring people from all walks of life. Jamie contacted me because she needed high quality, natural looking portraits to represent herself; she was running for election in a national campaign to be the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) National Student Representative. We met at her apartment in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood and spent an hour talking and laughing. The photos below are the result.

Not only did Jamie win the campaign, but she has recently been profiled on York University's planning blog as an outstanding student, researcher, innovator, and community member. Jamie you rock!!

Jamie's shoot demonstrates the versatility of a simple portrait session - she can choose the smile that represents her best and use these images for any type of profile - work, school, or personal. Although Jamie has used different pictures for the campaign, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook, they all tie together in their similar style, making her face memorable and familiar to everyone who comes across her work.