Lisa + Mitch | Elora Barn Wedding | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

When I photographed Lisa & Mitch to celebrate their engagement, they gave me a little idea of what they were planning for their wedding day.  I was excited then, but when I actually had a chance to see their venue, I was blown away!  A beautiful B & B in Elora served as the backdrop for their event, with a stunning home and immaculate barn setting the perfect scene for their rustic decor and heartfelt nuptials. After the ceremony, we took a little road trip to the former family homestead in nearby Maryhill to take some photographs in the barn and surrounding area, a place that was very special and held many memories for the bride.  I love capturing people in a location that has sentimal attachment, it just brings out so much more feeling and love. And that barn light - HOLY MOLY.  Love.

We got back to venue to celebrate with their family and friends, with hilarious and emotional speeches and great food and conversation.  You can tell these two teachers have attracted the kinds of people into their lives that are a true relfection of themselves: genuine, kind, caring and down-to-earth.

Thank you Lisa & Mitch for choosing me to share in your amazing day.  I hope you know that you are stuck with me for the long haul now! ;)

M xo

Amanda + Joel | A Thanksgiving Backyard Wedding | Kitchener Wedding Photography

If I could go back in time, I would have a backyard wedding.  Casual, intimate, personal - all of the things that really make a wedding fun.  Joel & Amanda had just such a wedding. I was contacted by Amanda shortly before the big day, and quickly agreed to head out to her family's beautiful rural property to photograph the backyard bash they were planning.  The day dawned, sunny and crisp on Thanksgiving weekend.  I arrived in the early stages of getting things together and was immediately welcomed by her large and loving family.  The celebration was to be at sunset, with a BBQ and relaxed socialization leading up to the big moment.

I got to work photographing all of the action, watching the kids climb on the swingset, dodging marsh-soaked dogs who were playfully chasing each other and soaking up the fall sun.  As the sun slowly dipped down to an early fall sunset, we gathered the family for photos, a chance for everyone to gather their love and support not only around the happy couple, but also around Amanda's gravely ill Mom, who was an exceptionally patient trooper, sitting through the multitude of combinations that we planned.  It was such an amazing honour to see and feel the love that this family has for one another.

As sundown approched, Amanda snuck away to change into a lovely white dress to surprise Joel, and onlookers gathered on the large deck and on the lawn below to watch them exchange their vows. One of my favourite parts ofthe day was watching Amanda and Joel being gathered into a spontaneous group hug by all of the kids after the ceremony - a big hug full of love and excitement.

Thank you to Amanda and Joel and their entire families for welcoming me into your lives and hearts that day.  I won't soon forget it.

M xo

Rachel + Allan | Married | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

The first weekend of October.  It was cold and raining on and off.  The skies were threatening to open up any minute, maybe with some snow.  Noses were running and fingers were numb.  But none of that matters when it comes to this couple.  They could warm the entire world with their kind, laughter-filled love. As I said in their engagement post, these two make me smile.  And once I met their family and friends, I could see that they both come by their lovely joy quite naturally.  One of my favourite moments was watching Allan try to hold back tears as his stunning bride made her way ethereally through the forest, coming to meet her prince.  They joined hands in front of their guests and spoke to each other directly from the heart, causing both laughter and tears.

After the vows were said and the commitment secured, we snuck off to the woods for a few moments of quiet celebration before heading back to join their guest in celebration.  After a wee mingle, we all packed up and headed to the Timeless Cafe & Bakery, on the grounds of the Timeless Material Co. in Waterloo.  There we had fun hanging out with the wedding party, sneaking up on R + A and just generally being silly! I also had a small heart attack when Rachel's gorgeous pearl engagement ring nearly got lost among the many stacks of wood on the property, but I managed to rescue it without delay! Phew!

A delicious meal followed and then the party moved out to the tent, where their talented friends performed for the gathered masses who came to wish this phenomenal couple a life of happiness and joy together.  Honestly, it could not have been more perfect.

Thank you, Rachel + Allan for inviting me to be a part of your breathtaking day and I can't wait to share many more moments of love, happiness and hilarity as you grow your family in the years to come. Love you both.

M xo

PS Special thanks to Rachel Keyes for coming out to second shoot with me - you are awesome!

2014: Year in Review | Kitchener Photographer

At the end of each year, it always blows me away just how lucky I am.  I get to photograph people who are full of love, laughter and joy.  I am invited into people lives, even if just for a couple of hours and that is so very special.  This year has brought many return clients, giving me the opportunity to watch a family grow and change, which is such a cool thing to witness.  And there have been new clients as well, whom I look forward to meeting, year-after-year to see those wonderful changes.  Like I told one of my recent wedding couples, "You're stuck with me now!  I am YOUR family photographer!" The bottom line is that without all of your smiling faces, I would not be able to do this job that I love.  It is all of you who keep me smiling, laughing and crying along with you.  THANK YOU. From the very bottom of my big ol' heart.  Truly.  You are what inspires me to get better and learn more and find new ways to help you see your happy shine.

This year has seen a lot of firsts for my business, as I branched out into boudoir and wedding photography.  Now that I can make it through either of those without losing hours of sleep the night before, I am so excited to see where these paths will take me!!  I also worked hard to really bring out the storytelling aspects of my imagery, and to work in different locations that helped to guide these stories: the fair, the backyard, in the river, downtown Kitchener, in your home.  I am thrilled to keep moving in this direction of approach for 2015 - so get ready to have me storm your backyards and homes, people! ;)

Another huge part of this year was leaning on my amazing photography colleagues as I pushed into new and sometimes terrifying territory.  I probably wouldn't push myself nearly as far without their gentle nudges sometimes and having them to act as sounding boards is something I value beyond words and try never to take for granted.  To Hilary, the Oprah to my Gayle, the Scribsy to my Flash - I love being on the rocket ship with you and wouldn't want to be on this ride with anyone else. To Michelle B, Dana, Martina, Kate, Sandra, Lisa, and Michelle S - I love you girls so much and am so happy and thankful to have you in my life.

Thank you 2014, for being such a fantastic year.  Welcome 2015!

M xo

Scott + Melissa | Timeless Cafe & Bakery Wedding | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

After a beautiful, sunny engagement session with these two, I was so excited to photograph their wedding!  A small, intimate gathering of their closest friends and family, their wedding took place at the amazing Timeless Cafe & Bakery in Waterloo in their upstairs function space. As expected, the day was full of laughter and smiles and love, all set on the backdrop of the lovely cafe and the surrounding rustic beauty that is Timeless Material Co.  I loved that this wedding was short and absolutely sweet, with lovely details and tons of love.

Thank you Scott & Melissa for inviting me to photograph your day.  I felt so welcomed by you and your families and thoroughly enjoyed the day!

M xo

One Frame | Allan + Rachel | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

Tony + Heather | Waterfront Wedding | Tobermory Ontario Photographer

I almost didn't photograph this wedding and I will tell you why:  Weddings scare me  a little bit.  One chance to get things right just doesn't suit my perfectionist personality. But this lovely couple are long-time family friends and they were ready to beg me to photograph their big day.  I told them we could do an engagement session and just see how it might go... And then MAGIC.  These two are so amazing together as a couple - naturally connected and so in love - that I couldn't possibly miss the chance to photograph their wedding.  The contract was signed and we were on the countdown to September.

And then I got a message that they had decided to elope in June, they just couldn't wait any longer!  My romantic heart was ready to be there to capture their fantastic day.  And plus, for any of you who are familiar with Tobermory, it was the Chi-Cheemaun Festival (affectionately know by locals as "Cheech Weekend"), an event that my family refuses to miss.  They were planning their ceremony between slo-pitch games, a plan that I understood completely.  You don't mess with the JP Johnstone Memorial  Slo-Pitch Tournament.  You just DON'T.

They chose ridiculously beautiful Mermaid Cove in Tobermory, Ontario, as the location for their ceremony, along the rugged shores of Georgian Bay.  The day could not have been more beautiful, blue skies and sunshine, champagne and strawberries for the gathered guests.  After the ceremony, we enjoyed a fantastic meal at the renowned Grandview Motel and then we planned to meet up in the evening to take a few more images in the falling sunlight.

All in all, we could not have had a better day, with amazing friend and family surrounding this couple with love.  I enjoyed every minute of this wedding.  And I was only a tiny bit scared. ;)

Love you Tony & Heather!  Thank you for allowing me to share your beautiful wedding day.

M xo

One Frame | Melissa & Scott | Kitchener Wedding Photographer

Jen + Brad | Pillar and Post Wedding | Niagara-On-The-Lake

Sunshine. Love. Happiness. Joy. Celebration.  All of these things came together to make this wedding a day the bride and groom will remember forever. Surrounded by family at the Pillar & Post in stunning Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, this couple took their vows and bonded their families together with love.  I especially loved the portion of the ceremony when Brad promised to be a great Dad to Q - heart melted!

It was amazing to be a part of such an intimate day, with just a handful of guests to witness their commitment to one another.  This is EXACTLY my kind of wedding.  Moments of tenderness and unabashed laughter.  Relaxed smiles and casual conversation.  Small personal touches in all of the planning and decor.   It fosters a feeling of togetherness that is hard to match at a large event.  And these two pulled it off with unparalleled success.   Of course, that was likely due in large part to their amazing wedding planner Sandra, as well as an extremely detailed wedding binder... :)

Thank you both for choosing me to be a part of this amazing day, the beginning of your journey together as a new couple and family.  I felt so welcomed by your families and I can't wait to photograph your family through the years as it grows.  You are wonderful!!

Enjoy the images!

M xo

PS: A special thank you to my hubby Carl, who acted as my chauffeur/room-service-orderer/bag lugger and sort of second-shooter for the weekend.  Your love and support are more important to me than you will ever know.

Side Note to Future Brides + Grooms:

Are you planning a small, intimate wedding? A backyard DIY affair perhaps? Or in a tiny, historic chapel with a handful of friends + family? Elopement?

Then I am your photographer!

I am taking a limited number of wedding bookings for 2014 + 2015 for small, unique weddings with a maximum of 6 hours coverage. Even the smallest wedding should have beautiful photography to help you remember and cherish every moment.

Please connect at info@mandyblakephotography.com to share your love story with me!

One Frame | KW Photographer

This couple is so in love, they made my job easy. Photographed in the Olde Library at the Pillar & Post, Niagara-On-The-Lake.