Friday, July 30, 2010

creativeLIVE Video Submission | Jasmine Star Workshop

Last weekend, I tuned in to creativeLIVE to watch David duChemin's workshop on Vision-Driven Photography. David is one of my favourite photographers so I was totally psyched. I knew I would love the e-course but what I didn't know was how much I would love the format! The workshop was broadcast live over the Internet and the audience was encouraged to interact with David via chat or Twitter. Thus, it allowed for a worldwide audience in a surprisingly intimate setting. I was hooked. Umm, and did I mention that the live workshop was 100% free. WHUP!

From August 25 to 29, Jasmine Star - wedding photographer extraordinaire and champion blogger - will be holding a wedding photography workshop on creativeLIVE. She will, get this, be shooting a wedding LIVE during the workshop. The Bride & Groom have already been chosen - here is their funny and sweet video submission. Jasmine is also inviting 6 photographers to join her in Seattle so of course I had to give it a shot. Now, I'm warning you that the 60 second clip that you're about to watch is my first attempt at video (Kodak feather clip notwithstanding) and I clearly have much to learn about this medium... but here goes! :)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

A Secret Love Affair

Ever since I was a teenager, I've had a secret love affair with Ward. Ward's Island, that is. There's something magical about this island - people live in quirky houses that remind me a little of Valparaiso. Beyond that, there is a quiet calm that is so different from Centre Island yet there is more colour and cheer than Hanlan's Point. Yes, my secret love affair with Ward persists to this day. Now, my love for the island is compounded by a feeling of nostalgia as I step off the ferry. A nostalgic feeling of carefree and youthful abandon. The hustle and bustle of the city seems so far away.



The last time I went to Ward's Island, I got a terrible sunburn from lying on the beach. So I was more than a little glad that we had cloudy and dramatic skies when Vince and I headed over to photograph Christina last Sunday. Christina, Vince, and I had a ton of fun and the photographs from our session will be posted soon! In the meantime, here's a photograph of Vince from that day - my take on one of my favourite Vanity Fair photos of Hilary Swank. Although the lighting is better in the Vanity Fair photo, I have to admit that I prefer my version a tad more, not only because it's of my hubby but because the horizon's straight. Yup, my OCD friend is peeking through - he's a little shy but sometimes he comes out to say hello.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Rena + Stefan | Slideshow

We are so happy to present Rena and Stef's wedding slideshow. Please enjoy!

Friday, July 16, 2010

Rena + Stefan | Wedding | Canoe Restaurant and Bar

"Each diamond is 0.1 carats - one for each year we've been together", Stef explained as I took their rings to be photographed. Rena and Stef have been together for 14 years as of this August. On July 3, they celebrated their lifelong love with their family and friends. The wedding was a beautiful mix of Korean and Ukranian traditions and took place 54 floors above the city - amid the Toronto skyline at Canoe Restaurant and Bar.















I have to say that this next photo (on the right) is one of my favourites. Rena is so warm and caring and she was literally smiling from ear to ear the entire day. For this next photograph, I said, "now don't smile" and Rena obliged but burst into laughter immediately after I pressed the shutter.






























Rena and Stef requested lots of guest candids so I was glad to have my hubby Vince there as the second shooter. He really excels at candid photographs. Most of these next images are from his camera. My favourite one is the last one of the sleepy little boy over his dessert. So adorable!!









I think my favourite sequence is this next set of three photographs. I start to tear up every time I see them. The emotion of the evening was literally beyond words.









Their neighbour and friend, Peter Katz, played the perfect song ('Til You Come Home) for Rena and Stef's first dance.




Then one of my most favourite songs (Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole) for the father-daughter and mother-son dances. I love these dances because the parents always look so happy and proud.




The dancing portion of the evening was so incredibly fun. Rena and Stef's guests clearly like to ROCK IT OUT! Soon it was time for one of the highlights of the night - the Ukranian dancing. It was simply amazing!








Congratulations Rena and Stef - we wish you all the best for a wonderful life together! Your slideshow will be within the next few days. :)

  © 2012 | Lesley Wong Photography | All rights reserved.

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