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Kelly and Jordan’s photo farm adventure

Manuela Stefan — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:25:19 +0000

Kelley and Jordan are getting married next January. We all hope for some snow so we can get winter flavored photos. To add some contrast to their photographic memories they decided to do their engagement photos at Jordan’s parents’ farm close to Bancroft. I still can’t believe how that September day had turned out. On the way there I have driven in torrential rain, barely seeing ahead. The forecast was not very encouraging, yet there was a faint chance that there could be a little break in the gloomy weather in the afternoon. The moment I parked the car at the farm, I could feel only a few drops here and there and then not only it all stopped magically, but the sun came out to the point where it was quite hard to bare! Regardless, we had so much fun exploring the 100 something acres with tons to see and enjoy! It felt like a little trip within a trip A few kilometers into my drive back to the city the skies closed again, it got really dark and the rain started coming down in the same manner as early in morning. I smiled and I felt so grateful towards the bearded people up in the sky who have orchestrated everything to perfection

Kelley and Jordan, I look forward to having more fun together in the New Year! Hugs, Manuela.

Engagement photo journals: more of Toronto’s Harbourfront

Manuela Stefan — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:51:08 +0000

I said this before: each spot in Toronto has its unique character and it does not matter how many times one goes back to certain areas, there is always more to find and explore. This is the case with Toronto’s colourful Harbourfront. On each occasion I return there I discover more angles and I find the personality of the couple I photograph always inspires me differently.
Lisa and Mike are a lot of fun. From day 1 I was fascinated with their backgrounds: a lovely mix of European/ Asian on both sides which gives them such beautiful features. They are lovely, playful, easy going, relaxed and I very much look forward to attending their nuptials at the end of August.
Until then, enjoy this record of a spontaneity filled evening we have recently spent together. More to come! M

Toronto engagement journals: fun and colour at Toronto Island

Manuela Stefan — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 21:36:13 +0000

I have lots to catch up on as I have been quite absent from the blogging scene and not only…but for good and exciting reasons, as I have traveled to Europe and have thoroughly enjoyed myself. Taking photos but also spending time with family and some of my fantastic friends.
So here I am, all refreshed and energized now that the wedding season begins at full speed…

Back in May, Lindsay, Jeff and I decided to go to Toronto’s Wards island for some summery engagement photos. That day, the lines at the ticket booths were atrocious…so we missed the boat going to Wards. We decided to catch the first one for Centre Island and then walk over. We even said this may happen for a reason…and it surely did. While on the ferry we chatted about some wedding details and that’s when I found out Lindsay and Jeff’s theme will be ‘peacock’…how intriguing! Right away I tried to remember if I had any peacock images in my collection…I recalled having taken some in Nova Scotia, but the bird was behind a fence and I did not quite like that…
Anyways, our stop over on Centre Island proved to be much more fun and surprise filled than we could have expected. We found so many colourful spots, nice little forests, red barns…and just when we least expected, a beautiful peacock with tail fully spread! What a delight to watch and photograph! How exciting to witness such magic happen in front of our eyes and right away I knew we got the cover shot for the guest signing book! Very ‘coincidental’! Well, we know there is no such thing. And this little story is the best proof for it.

Lindsay and Jeff, I hope your wedding day and your life together following it will be filled with lots of such moments when time literally stops and magic takes over.
Our little island adventure was quite memorable, enjoy this vibrant record of it!
Hugs, Manuela

Engagement photo journals: back at Toronto Brickworks

Manuela Stefan — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:06:45 +0000

I first met Reyhaneh and Will a few years ago while photographing Will’s beautiful sister’s wedding. Little did I know what this would lead to. I have to say I was super excited when Will contacted me to let me know about their decision to get married down South and asking me to be a creative part of it. Again, little did I know…Only a few short days before our departure to Los Cabos we met to take some fun engagement shots. I do not think I have seen a more excited and playful girl! I was literally not even finishing a sentence suggesting them what to do next that Reyhaneh, with a huge, infectious smile on her face, would already climb a pile of bricks or place herself appropriately against a fun backdrop. I was so taken by her playfulness and willingness to simply enjoy the experience that I knew what was waiting for me just a few days down the road. Well, that is another story I will have to reveal sometime soon, so stay tuned.

All I can say for now is that words cannot describe how I feel when I recall our adventures, thank you for becoming such fantastic friends. Love, Manuela

More engagement photo fun at Churchill Park!

Manuela Stefan — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:35:12 +0000

I know I said this before, but I love Churchill Park. It is my oasis 10 minutes away from where I live. I take walks there to clear my head and simply take in the smell of leaves and the fantastic views over downtown Toronto. I walked there a few days ago and, to my disappointment, all the graffiti was gone! Therefore, Mona & Emon were the last to get some cool vibrant engagement photos against it. That day was quite something! It started with light rain and then, all of a sudden, the clouds broke into white puffy patches just to make room for an amazing blue sky. The sun started to shine, the light became beautiful and warm, we had a blast! Even more exciting, Mona and Emon decided to get married down South. I can’t wait to join them in Punta Cana in January! M

Engagement photo journals: playing around Union Station

Manuela Stefan — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:10:27 +0000

Kathryn & Duncan are getting married this weekend, I can’t believe how fast time goes by. They wanted to get an urban feel for their engagement photos, so I figured Union Station may be a great starting point for something like this. I thought of how beautifully the light falls in between the tall columns, while also keeping the nearby buildings in mind. But again, I was surprised with the little finds along the way. As we were moving around I noticed mirrors and shiny marble surfaces that sparked the imagination and playfulness. Guys, thank you for being so great, spontaneous and relaxed, I am sure your wedding day will simply be fantastic and fun filled! See you in a bit! Hug, Manuela

Engagement photo journals: old stones and trees

Manuela Stefan — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 20:57:28 +0000

Melissa and Mark are getting married this October at the quaint King Edward hotel. They love downtown Toronto, so do I. I am always super excited whenever I get to shoot around my favorite part of town. I am a downtown girl and I simply love it! We had so much fun with our engagement session. Melissa recommended the area around Ryerson as she has studied there and loved the look of some of the old stones. Such a nice flavor to add to our images! This, combined with some of the spring colours, made for a wonderful decor for Melissa and Mark’s sweet and romantic side to come out.

Looking forward to the wedding day! M

Baby photography journals: Carla and Freddy

Manuela Stefan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:01:58 +0000

When baby Carla and Freddy’s mom contacted me, she mentioned she wanted a particular style of baby photography for her children: very candid. After seeing samples of my work, she thought I had what she was looking for. With the exception of a few shots where I placed baby Carla on a plate (a place a little person may not necessarily choose for an afternoon nap), I let moments unfold and played along. It is amazing how responsive kids are when not asked to do specific things and when they simply are. As I found out, Freddy does not like to smile at cameras, he does not like to pose. But he did not have to, he was simply his adorable self running around, hiding or proudly fixing things with his screwdriver.

Aleks, thank you for the opportunity to meet your family and to spend some great moments in your lovely home!