It has been a long time. Due to unforseen circumstances, I had to take our blog off line for a while… now, we’re back… kind of.

I have created a new blog that caters to photographers (both amateur and professional) who love to travel. I get asked questions about my trips, what camera gear I used, what techniques I used for certain photographs … plus many others. I have been fortunate enough to have many outstanding photography teachers plus, I have had the honour of visiting many places on our planet. The goal of this new blog/site is to discuss photography from a traveller’s perspective.

So… you can check out our new blog/site, www.holyfstop.com

We hope you visit often… and don’t forget to subscribe to receive our updates to the site.

Take care and all the best,
Roël
p.s. after this post, this blog will no longer be updated, but its content will remain intact

We’ve had some really odd weather this year, so when you get a lovely, sunny, autumn day, well… you just want to get outside and take in the sunshine.

Mother Nature was really kind recently when I spent some time with Kayleen and Gerben.  They will be getting married next year in Stratford so we got together for their engagement session.

Gerben’s family has a really beautiful farm somewhere between Stratford and Woodstock (OK, so I can be directionally challenged sometimes) and we spent the afternoon there – walking around, talking, entertaining the horses, having a little (OK, a lot) of fun and chasing the light until it disappeared.  And as you can see from the colours in the photos, it was a beautiful autumn day!

Kayleen and Gerben:  Thanks for a great afternoon – I had a lot of fun with the two of you.  Anne and I look forward to your wedding!

If Kayleen and Gerben have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery”.

One thing that Anne and I are really grateful for is that we get to travel internationally several times a year.  It is a big, beautiful world out there and we love seeing (and photographing) it.

We recently visited Scotland – it was my second time there and Anne’s first.  It was really special visit for both of us as it is a really beautiful country, the people are unbelievably friendly and also, some of Anne’s late relatives hail from the Inverness area.

Autumn is a really unpredictable time in Scotland – sometimes the weather is great, sometimes it is not.  We were really, really fortunate to be blessed with several days of sunshine (when we toured Argyll and the Isle of Skye) and witness a really wild storm on the east coast (in Stonehaven).  It didn’t really matter what the weather was like… the countryside is stunning and in the event of inclement weather, we just found a cozy pub and consumed several pints a pint and ate some great meals.

After I get some sleep (and more time to process images), I will post more about Scotland… in the meantime, I’ve posted some of my favourite shots from our trip in this post and also in the online gallery.

In the winter of 2008, I had the pleasure of meeting Holly at a bridal show. When Holly and her fiancé Nathan invited me to their home the following year, I knew they were extremely well organized. Why did know this? Not only did they take a year to research wedding photographers, they also booked us to photograph their wedding over 18 months in advance!

We recently spent some time together in Stratford for their engagement session. It was a really leisurely time together despite the cool and cloudy weather.   I really appreciated the opportunity to get to know them better before their wedding day.

Holly and Nathan: Anne and I look forward to your wedding next summer – and we know everything will run like clockwork!

If Holly and Nathan have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”

Anne and I had the pleasure this past winter of meeting Catherine and Stephen at the Bridal Expo in London, Ontario. We found out that they planned to get married in Mississauga, very close to where we lived prior to moving to Stratford.  And when they let us know that they wanted us to photograph their wedding … well, we were thrilled to hear the news.

Catherine started her morning getting ready at the Waterside Inn in Port Credit (where they also had their reception). After spending some time with her and the family, we then headed to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Lorne Park – and stopped en route to visit Stephen at his family’s home.

Mother Nature did manage to cooperate with us for most of the day, so after the service, we went to visit Benares Historic House – a beautiful location where we decided to have a little fun.  Then finally, we went back to the Waterside Inn for their reception.

Catherine and Stephen:  you and your families are wonderful people and thank you again for kindness and the honour of photographing your wedding.  We enjoyed our day with you and we wish you lots and lots of love (and happiness) in your life together.

If Catherine and Stephen have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”

When Anne and I moved to Stratford, Ontario about 3 years ago, we knew that we would be geographically close to London – but we had no idea that we would be spending so much time there! We feel extremely fortunate as we have been warmly received by the people of London – and thrilled that most of our wedding clients are from there.

I met Joanna and her sister last winter at the London Bridal Expo … and shortly after the show, Joanna and Ryan hired us as their photographers for their wedding. Needless to say, we were thrilled when we heard the news.

I had the opportunity to spend some more time with them during their engagement session this summer – and in a few short months, their wedding day was upon us (isn’t it amazing how quickly time flies when you are planning a wedding?).

Joanna and Ryan were married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London (a really beautiful church). Mother Nature was somewhat cooperative with us, and when the rain stopped after the family photos, we briefly headed out to Eldon House for a few (quick) shots with the bridal party.

We then arrived at the London Convention Centre for their reception. For those of you looking to host a large event, this is a great place.  The staff are extremely well organized, very professional and courteous. Not to forget, their catering staff really know how to serve a great meal!

Joanna and Ryan: Anne and I are honoured you chose us as your photographers and hope you had a really wonderful day. We wish you nothing but joy and happiness in your life together. BTW, I hope you had a couple Mai Tai’s for me in Hawaii!

If Joanna and Ryan have given you access to their online gallery, please visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery.”

Before I start speaking typing about our next wedding, I would like to say a couple personal things.

First of all, being a witness to a wedding, is an extremely rewarding experience.  One thing about us wedding photographers is that we are often silent witnesses to the wedding day and with the diverse cultures in Canada, it is amazing what you can see through your viewfinder (and feel in your heart) when you photograph such an event.

Also – I have been honoured by the many multicultural weddings I have had the chance to photograph.  In Canada,  not only do you find people from different cultures getting married, they are often of different faiths.  I love how most Canadians not only try to understand different customs – they actually respect them.  Needless to say, I am a very proud Canadian photographer – especially since I was an immigrant to this country at the tender age of one.

I met Sona and Brent earlier this year – and they are two of the sweetest people I have ever met.  They live in Red Deer, Alberta and decided to get married in Ontario where Sona’s parents reside.

From the first day when we met at Elan Cachet (the wedding planners for this fine event – and if you need a wedding planner, they are *fantastic* to work with – thank you Antoinette and Michelle x2) until I said goodbye to them at the reception, the whole process of getting to know them better and being part of their wedding has been extremely enjoyable.  And – they crafted the perfect wedding day – taking the best from both their East Indian and Scottish heritages and melding it into a beautiful celebration.

Their wedding and reception was held at Glencairn Golf Club.  It is a *beautiful* location and if you are a photographer reading this blog, it is a dream to photograph a wedding there.  It is not because of its scenic beauty (and there is lots of it) – it is because the staff are so helpful and they will go out of their way to help you get the perfect shot (thank you Tanya and Erin!).

I would normally speak about spending time with each Sona and Brent – and I won’t.  What I will say is that I really appreciate the time I had with each of them before the ceremony – just chatting with them (and taking a few photographs) and getting to know them both even better.  I think they were both a bit nervous – and who wouldn’t be – they were about to get married and I could tell that in their hearts, they were making the best decision of their lives.  To say that they adore and love each other is an understatement.

Take a look at the slide show and you will see the best of what Hindu and Scottish weddings have to offer.  There is so much Anne and I got to witness during their wedding day, well, we are almost speechless (and you would never know it from reading this post!).  BTW, the fabulous decor was provided by Design2Decor – and I don’t really need to say anything – just take a look at the reception hall to see their work.

Sona and Brent:  you two were destined for each other and we are so happy that you found each other.  Anne and I thank you and your families for your hospitality (and extreme kindness) and we send you nothing but love, joy and happiness.  Not only did you take two different cultures and incorporate them into your wedding day, you showed us all what it actually means to respect and embrace our differences.  If the world were to ever to follow your example, the quality of life on this planet would go up exponentially.

If Sona and Brent have given you access to their online gallery, go to our home page www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery”.

Late summer weddings are always lovely – and Janet and Don’s wedding in Toronto recently was no exception. Anne and I met them late last year and we were really looking forward to photographing their wedding.

After spending some time with Janet and her family, we met up with Don and his family at the church.  Janet and Don were married at Corpus Christi Parish in the Beaches in a really lovely service.  We were then wisked away to the absolutely beautiful Toronto Hunt, which IMHO, is one of the nicest venues for a wedding (and reception) in Toronto.  The grounds are simply beautiful – with its elegant clubhouse and perfectly landscaped grounds.   And not to forget, it has an incredible view of Lake Ontario and the service there is second to none.

Janet and Don:  Anne and I wish you a lifetime of happiness and thank you for the honour of choosing us to be your photographers.  You had a really lovely wedding day and we trust you enjoyed it to its fullest.

If Janet and Don have given you access to their online gallery, visit our home page at www.roelphoto.com and click on “online gallery”.