"I cannot say enough about how wonderful it was to work with Kate and Rudo. After meeting, my husband and I knew that they would be our photographers. Our entire experience with them was fabulous. To our first meeting, engagement shoot, wedding day, thank you cards, printing of pictures- they always put us first, were always accomodating and tended to our every need.

And their work speaks for itself. When we originally met with Kate, she was our lead photographer, and saw some examples of pictures on her iPad, we were amazed. Rudo and Kate's photography is outstanding. From candids to poses to details, they captured our wedding day and engagement photos perfectly. They really captured every moment and really listened to our needs.

Throughout working with them, their commitment to professionalism and excellence was always evident. They made my husband and I feel like we were their only clients. We always felt so comfortable, like old friends. And their humour and ability to be easy going on the wedding day really stood out and was so helpful. I loved the candids and detail shots they took at our wedding and I loved the pictures they took of my husband and I at St James Park. It was a true pleasure to work with Kate and Rudo, and I highly recommend them."

~ Andrea & Daniel

When Lisanne and Adam told me they had found an apple orchard for their engagement photo session, I was so excited! I am always looking for new locations to do photo shoots, and if a couple can suggest something unique - I'm in. I drove to Devins Orchards near Aurora, and was blown away by the "countryside" feel - hills, forest, wildflowers - so close to the city! The fall colours were incredible under the golden, autumn sun. We were also lucky because this magnificent orchard would soon be closing down for the winter and we had the entire place, in its harvest-season glory, to ourselves.

Wandering through the apple trees was peaceful and romantic, though the quiet conversation was interspersed with Lisanne's joking around. I looked at this awesome couple and could tell they were going to keep smiles on each others' faces for a lifetime to come.

Happiness.

Thank you Lisanne and Adam.

Click here to see Photographs from Lisanne & Adam's romantic summer wedding at The Manor by Peter and Paul's.

Moving back to Canada, Lynsey and Ben asked to do their photos on the beach to remind them of their home of the past several years - Ben's native land of Australia. Though Cherry Beach in Toronto doesn't have "much" good surfing or reef... for wedding photos it is great! There are lots of sweet spots; it's romantic, laid back, and there's room to run around and have fun... elements that suited Lynsey and Ben perfectly.

We went to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Toronto, where the wedding party was getting ready, and where the reception would be held later that day. The groom and groomsmen were relaxing and enjoying a few beers, instructing one another on the best way to tie a tie and how to "work it" for the camera... I could tell this was a laid back bunch of people.

True to my suspicions, we found the bride and her bridesmaids drinking champaign, eating fruit and listening to music in the bridal suite. Although everyone looked very ladylike, when it came time to tighten Lynsey's wedding dress I finally saw evidence of what I had been told ahead of time - that these girls are rugby players! The ladies practically lifted Lynsey off the ground to hike that dress up, and proceeded to pin her with their legs when they were synching the waist... Not exactly the way they do it at the bridal shops, but hey - it worked and Lynsey looked fantastic. Plus there was lots and lots of laughing in the process.

We arrived for some fun at Cherry Beach. Sure, the Australian contingent made fun of Lake Ontario's [non-existent] waves and stoney shore, but we also took advantage of the area's architecture, the gorgeous city skyline, and the hazy summertime light.

The best thing about the photo shoot was that, when this gang wasn't laughing their heads off and fooling around, Lynsey and Ben couldn't get enough of one another. They were right there in the moment together with their closest people, and their love was plain to see.

The ceremony took place at St. Patrick's Parish Church, where Father Fleming presided with a very touching and sometimes funny sermon. Lynsey and Ben have had a lot of adventures together on the other side of the world. It was plain to see in their body language that they were ready for this. Father Fleming could tell too, which is why he had a Kleenex box on hand when Ben started to get emotional.

Finally we went back to the Hyatt Regency and started to party. True personalities came out during the speeches. Ben sang Dionne Warwick's "I Say a Little Prayer" to Lynsey and drank out of a Rugby Shoe (some sort of Australian tradition? I don't know!)... Needless to say, the night continued as the day had begun: laughter, joking, reminiscing, celebrating, love. Just as it should be.

Thank you Lynsey & Ben and Congratulations on your little guy Liam!! I wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Photographers: Kate O'Connor and Johan Hallberg Campbell

Thank you to the creative team!
Cake: Olivia at I Do Wedding Cakes
Catering & Venue: Celly Kan-Holbrook at the Hyatt Regency Toronto
Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick's Parish Church, Toronto
Dress: Val's Bridal, Courtice
Hair & Makeup: Charlene Cordoba at The Mobile Stylist
Flowers: Anne Marie Voth at Linden Grove Flowers

Sweetheart Empire is brand new. I had the immense pleasure of working with an incredible design team, artists Jamie Lawson and Marlon Lulgjuraj of Poly Studio to create the visual identity for my brand and logo. Here are some excerpts from my personal journal, taken down after two of our calls - early on and then at the end of the project:

Wedding Photographers Logo Design

FEB 6, 2013 I just received my round 1 designs from Poly, and HAD to write, because I am so excited!

Round 1 consists of several initial designs based on conversations, written input, and visual references.

What to say? I don’t know which one I am going to choose for the direction – they are all soooo sweet! I really feel that Jamie and Marlon hear me, and my ideas... Considering the numerous and seemingly scattered ideas I have run through (ranging from sadly vague, to obsessively specific), it is amazing to see what the guys have come up with.

MAR 1, 2013 Just got off another Skype call with Jamie.

I can’t say enough about how freaking great the process has been.

When I feel I’ve been super random, or way too specific about things that I don’t even know are possible, Jamie is patient, open minded and understanding. And his understanding extends completely into the professional realm. He hears my half-formed thoughts and translates them to solid references in design. He has a breadth and depth of creativity and visual literacy that includes a knowledge of topics spanning history, fine art and pop culture - and probably a lot more...

I am just SO happy!

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So, besides the fact that I actually write in a personal journal (#nerdalert), clearly I had a positive experience. When there were challenges, Jamie helped me articulate what I didn't want, and we found a solution. What's more, the process really helped me discover myself and define the kind of business I want in my life.

Your logo is the visual representation of your name and what you stand for. Important, right? Yes. Everybody: use Poly Studio.

Here's a taste of what Poly had to work with for my reference material randomness:

Genius Wes Anderson. I love his quirky characters, fantastical story lines, and eye for artistic detail; the flawed nature of love, family, humans.

Above: from my travels in Ashland Oregon, and Karow - a caravan park on the outskirts of Berlin. Below: a million of my Instagrams.

As I love to travel, I'm also obsessed with maps. My fantasy is to go on a Trufflepig Trip - that's a screenshot of their homepage, below left.

Movie posters and travel pics and Instagrams, oh my! If you've ever created a mood board for a project (or wedding) how was the process? Would you ever hire a professional graphic designer? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

I met Adinne and reese (yes, with a small r) while photographing another wedding, and I thought they were fabulous. So you can imagine my delight when I found out they were engaged to be married! For their engagement photo session these two were ideal because they wanted photos that were very personal and unique to their life - my favourite! They took me on a tour of their fantastic neighbourhood, the Annex in Toronto. We walked from their house past the local convenience store, Steven's - an Annex institution. Afternoon sunlight set the perfect mood for this vibrant, urban and totally in love couple. Adinne and reese then introduced me to the local breakfast place, Grapefruit Moon, a wonderful place for weekend brunch or a late afternoon beverage... And seeing as they are regulars, everyone in the restaurant seemed thrilled with their engagement too! Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your lives. I'm so glad that I met you through Denise & Charlie - it's been awesome getting to know such fun-loving, smart and interesting folks. The joy you bring each other is contagious and I can't wait to post the wedding photos! ~ Kate