Jessica Lin Photography at the Dash Weddings Bridal Show November 13th!

After many years of relying heavily on word-of-mouth referals (which are fantastic), I have finally decided to add bridal shows to my list of ways to meet newly engaged (and looking-for-wedding-photographer) couples. My main reason for avoiding such shows in the past is those huge overwhelming shows where hundreds of vendors and thousands of brides share the same physical space for a weekend, but don't actually leave that space with anything but sore feet and bags full of price lists. Luckily, someone came up with the great idea of fewer vendors in a more intimate space - the "boutique" bridal show concept - which is right up my alley.

So this fall we will be taking part in the Dash Weddings Bridal Show at the Park Hyatt in Toronto. I've been to many shows (wedding and otherwise) as a browser, and even a dozen or so non-wedding shows as a vendor - so it's not a completely foreign concept to me. What sort of caught me off guard is the amount of time it's taken me to assemble all the pieces.. new album supplier = new sample albums need to be made. And since it's a booth at a show, there are things I don't normally have for consultations (such as a big banner and 1.000 postcards) that need to be designed and sent off to various printers. I am actually currently working with 4 different printers (this week) for all the different elements, and trying to keep track of turnaround times and what's already been sent has been exciting to say the least. It's a lot like being a kid at Christmas waiting for all my printed pieces to be finished - except that I already know what I'm getting!

Anyways, we are so excited for our first wedding show :) and would love to see you there if you are planning your wedding or have a sister/friend/cousin/daughter who is planning her wedding - please spread the word! Hope to see you there :)

Sneak Peek of the Most Beautiful Thing I've Ever Made

First of all, my apologies for being too busy to blog lately - I have a backlog of stuff I want to share, but it's just a matter of finding the time..

Anyways, today my mission was to create something totally awesome using images from our wedding trip - because it seemed like a great idea, and because I would love to start offering something similar to my wedding clients - and it was one of the most creatively satisfying days in the history of my life :)

Norman doesn't get to see it until I get it back from the printers, so neither do you ;) but I thought I'd share a little sneak peek of the final image....

I can't wait to see the final printed version! I promise to share as soon as I pick it up :)

xo Jessica

Andrea + Dave - Lakeview Restaurant Engagement Session

Andrea + Dave are an awesome couple - really creative (she designs jewellery and he does web design and branding) and so easy to get along with :) So it was no surprise that we had so much fun shooting their engagement photos at the Lakeview Restaurant near Dundas and Ossington. What a fantastic location! Check it out..

This fantastic 24-hour diner is usually busy at most hours of the day - we took manager John's advice and came in at 8am the Monday after Nuit Blanche weekend and had the place to ourselves :)

I loved Andrea's shoes :)

Now we can't wait for their wedding at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse next spring! Thanks for a great morning Andrea + Dave :)

xo Jessica + Norman

Newly engaged? Contact us to book a consultation!

Natalie + Chris - Beautiful Muskoka Wedding

Thanksgiving weekend brings to mind all sorts of cozy fall thoughts.. family getting together, turkey dinners, pumpkin pies, crunchy leaves on the ground, crisp fall air. This Thanksgiving weekend we went up to Muskoka to photograph Natalie & Chris' wedding, and although the air wasn't exactly crisp (at 30 degrees!) the colours were beautiful and the family enjoyed a spectacular lakeside view. This time I'm going to start you with one of my favourites and then take you back to the beginning.. enjoy :)

(I am so in love with this one!)

 Anyways - here's where we began..

Natalie + Chris got married at the Red Leaves Resort on Lake Rosseau, which was not only beautiful but full of friendly and helpful staff (especially important on your wedding day!) 

ready to start getting ready..

I loved Chris' chocolate brown tie and shoes :)

Natalie's veil was made from part of her Mom's veil, which I thought was so awesome..

Baby Jack! (yes, somehow Natalie + Chris managed to plan their wedding during their son's first year - he is now 13 months old and sooo cute!)

get ready for a seriously beautiful ceremony...

Jodie & Jeremy - October Lakeside Wedding

We loved photographing Jodie & Jeremy's engagement session because they were both so easy-going and enthusiastic, so we were really looking forward to their wedding. They had such a perfect day :) and a huge part of that was how happy they both were to be getting married to each other, and to have all their close family and friends there to share it with them...

I'll start you off with some super-pretty details!

this bowl belonged to Jodie's Grandmother - I love personal details like this :)

Because we were doing the photos of the bridal party before the ceremony, we arranged a special 

"First Look" moment for the bride and groom.. here's Jodie waiting patiently for Jeremy..

As Jeremy's close friend Darryl guided him down to the dock with his eyes closed, he gave him good practical advice such as "watch out for the pit of snakes on your left" and "jump over the hot lava" - it was awesome :)

waiting...

almost....

:)

and then we added the bridal party...