It's difficult describe my personal joy of watching this family evolve. I met Kevin & Carrie when they were getting engaged (in fact, I captured Kevin surprising Carrie with her engagement ring) and subsequently photographed their joyful, downtown wedding. 

When I found out Carrie was expecting, I was honoured to document their baby shower, maternity photos, and their sweet little son Nate at 4 months old.

So it goes without saying, this session has been a long time in the making. We strolled around their neighbourhood (which happens to be Toronto's Distillery Historic Disctrict), and I watched Carrie & Kevin explore the world anew, through the eyes of their 21 month old. Everything has changed.

And yet some things will always be the same. Sitting on the kitchen floor snacking and laughing at Wee Wendy (their "first-born") trying to get in on the goods, I looked down and noticed Kevin & Carrie holding hands. Life with a toddler isn't always easy, but when you've got love like this family does, it's worth every minute. 

Carrie & Kevin, thank you for these years of honesty, vulnerability, and love – you share your life with the people who love you, and I am so lucky to be one of them.
- Kate
xo

Check out Kevin & Carrie's engagement session and wedding photos!

The wonder years go by in a flash. If you're interested in having some of your family's moments captured in time, consider having me document your day – or a year in your life. Click Connect to find out more.

Hello friends,

I wanted to give you a heads up that I've started a newsletter! Yes, indeed, I have lots to say. :) If you're curious about the content, here's a link to past issues, here's a link to subscribe, and below are my reasons for this endeavour: 

There are two phrases I constantly hear in my work:

“The whole wedding day went by in a flash – I can’t even remember it!”

“Kids grow up so fast – I can’t believe they started school this year!”

Both of these express the same concern: being present and experiencing life as it’s happening.

I created the newsletter with tips to help you Be in the moment during life's big (and small) moments, and not miss out.

Whether you’re worried about being too stressed to enjoy your wedding, or shocked that your child isn’t a baby anymore, I got you. Using simple techniques of reflection, gratitude, breathing, and photography, you can be there to appreciate all the stages of life. 

Subscribers to the newsletter also get exclusive access to printed gifts and promotions, as well as first rights to popular session dates throughout the year. Pretty awesome, right? If you're thinking, "Yes – I'm into this!" then here's what to expect...

Two short letters per month with:

• Right of first refusal to popular weekend sessions
• Concise tips on mindfulness & emotional presence
• Exclusive package offerings, printed gifts & promotions
• A link to new work or a few photos to brighten your day...

The laws of the land: 

• Only 2 emails each month
• I will never share your contact info
• Opt-out any time by clicking unsubscribe

Judgment-Free Territory

If you no longer want to be a "citizen" of Sweetheart Empire, just unsubscribe. I'll still think of you as a citizen of though, because that's just how I roll. Also, I don't judge because inboxes are cray-cray so only say yes to what brings you Joy (at least for newsletters).

Mel & Roy got married at St. Paul's Cathedral, and chartered their own streetcar to cross Toronto with their best friends. The stopped in at SPiN to play some ping pong, and then finished off with a gorgeous reception at Luma. Here are their words on the wedding day:

"When we first met Kate we told her, “we want our photos to feel like ‘us’”. Kate took that impossibly vague request and surpassed our wildest expectations. She took the time to get to know us, listen to our concerns, and help us feel calm and confident. Her attention to detail and friendly nature made our sessions a breeze. Our engagement and wedding photos were exactly what we hoped for: authentic – joyful – and filled with love."

– Mel & Roy

Click here to read more reviews!

Daniela & Manny eloped from Germany to Toronto, to get married at City Hall! It was a lovely spring day, and here are their thoughts: 

"Coming from Germany to get married in Toronto, we haven't had a lot of time to get to know different photographers, what made me a little bit nervous - but Kate made that nervousness disappear right away! 

The contact via Email was very professional and she offered a first meeting up front the wedding photo shoot to get to know each other a bit better. Kate was very easy going, but also very professional. She made us feel comfortable right away. Kate wasn't pushing and the shooting felt more like a teamwork. It was visible, that she's got a lot of experience with calming down and making nervous brides (and grooms) feel comfortable :) We've laughed a lot! 

It was important for us that the pictures look real - and they do! Kate didn't make us pose - shes very creative with how to make the best natural pictures, gave us different themes to talk about, made us think back to different situations - we've had so much fun! And while talking, walking and laughing, we almost forgot that she's taking pictures. 

Also during our a little bit chaotic "friends shoot", Kate was relaxed and took the best pictures ever! Our friends were impressed by her! We love that she's captured even the different characters of our friends in those pics - AWESOME!

Somehow it seems Kate knows exactly how to catch feelings in her photos.
She's a very lovely, friendly and funny person and it's obvious that she loves her job. She made our special day even more special and we've been very happy that we got the chance to meet her. 

She's a great photographer with a great personality! Highly recommended!"

– Daniela & Manny

Click here to read more reviews!

More small, intimate weddings:
Shannon & Andrew's Review – The Briars, Georgina, Ontario
Laura & Jeff's Review – Wards Island Beach Wedding

Laura & Jeff had a beautiful, intimate beach wedding on Wards Island. It was an honour to be one of the select participants! Here is their review:

"We were planning a unique Toronto Island wedding on the beach with 5 guests, and because of this we knew we needed someone we really trusted and “clicked” with, as well as someone who was willing to shoot a non-traditional wedding. So many photographers were unwilling or unable to be flexible, and just wanted us to book packages with multiple shooters or long packages. Meeting Kate during our hunt for a photographer was amazing. She immediately understood our vision and offered advice on planning/logistics before we even booked with her. Throughout the process, Kate was a breeze to work with, despite the fact we had a small wedding, we had a detailed plan. Kate matched our enthusiasm and didn’t treat our plans any differently than she would a large 250+ person wedding. 

On the day of the wedding, Kate came over to the Island and checked out our Bed & Breakfast, quietly taking some of my favourite photos of the day while I was getting makeup done and my husband was getting suited up. She chatted with my mother and charmed my Father in Law, even taking part in our champagne toast prior to the vows. Even though our wedding day was shorter than usual, Kate worked to keep up our energy when we were flagging bit, making sure we got all the photos we’d said we wanted! When we had a delay caused by a missed ferry, Kate was able to be flexible and stay a while longer to make sure we got our photos. 

I would recommend Kate to anyone, anytime."

– Laura & Jeff

Click here for the full blog post of Laura & Jeff's wedding...
Laura & Jeff's Toronto Island Elopement

Thank you to the creative team!

Photographer: Kate O'Connor
Officiant: Martin Frith, Ceremonies With Choice
Ceremony: Toronto Island
Bride's dress: BHLDN
Hair & Makeup: Blush Pretty
Flowers: The Rose Mint
Groom's suit: Indochino
Transportation: Toronto ferries

If you enjoyed Laura & Jeff's wedding, check out...
Amanda & Kirk's Island Wedding Sneak Peek!
Rosemary & Alastair - Summer Camp Wedding at Camp Manitou