Challenging Photo Shoot

On March 3rd, I did a mock photo shoot with a group of students from Sheridan College in Oakville..  The plan was to meet the brides and grooms at the Holiday Inn on Bronte rd (at the QEW) and shoot there for two hours.  From there, we would move on to the Bronte Pier, then off to Paletta mansion.  We were shooting outdoors at the pier and the mansion.  

A couple of days before, the weather report said it would be windy.  Sometimes wind is a good thing, it can play with veils and dresses to give you that something extra during the shoot - and that will invoke memories for the Bride and Groom.  "Remember how cold it was that day?  Remember when the wind took the best man's top hat off and it rolled into the parking lot? That was the best day" ... ah, wind.  The memories you create.

On the day of the shoot, the gale force winds were going to be a problem.  But, a good photographer perseveres.  Quickly we changed plans and shot mostly indoors - except for a few key shots.  We shot at one of my least favourite locations.  It was our backup location.  Sheridan College in Oakville.

First, we got a couple of hours with our brides and our grooms - for getting ready shots and some shots of them alone.

Bride in front of the big picture window in the room.  Had to use this window.

Groom and best man, reflecting on the day - or is it dreaming of BMWs ??

Bridesmaid helping the bride get ready

After a couple of very successful hours, we decide it was time to move to the pier.  An attempt was made to get a couple of shots at the pier - but it was just too windy.  So off to Sheridan we went...

Sheridan college in Oakville is built in such a way that the guts of the building are showing.  You can see what is holding the ceiling up, how the water gets from here to there, how that wall attaches to the other walls.  It's a technical marvel - but not really that ideal for a wedding shoot.

So you find things like reflections, or really nice walls to shoot against.  One thing Sheridan has is a lot of natural light ...

Softness of the dress against the harsh industrial background - reflection is a bonus.

Flower girl found the mirror

The very cute flower girl for the day

Needless to say it was a tough day.  But I came away with a couple of good shots, and a lot of memories.  Oh, remember when the wind almost took my camera bag at the Pier when I got out of the car?  That was the best day ...