Vancouver: Capilano Suspension Bridge

I used to be terrified of heights, but have been overcoming my fear with rollercoasters, rock-climbing and now, traipsing over the Capilano Suspension Bridge in British Columbia (also the longest and highest suspension bridge in the world)!

It was a lot sturdier than I thought, and our little introductory tour of the site helped...especially knowing that it's no longer made out of hemp rope and cedar planks!

The Capilano (First Nations name Kia'palano, meaning "beautiful river") bridge crosses over the Capilano River, 70 metres (230 ft) above and 140 metres (460 ft) across, and has since been rebuilt with steel cables anchored into 114 tons of concrete. They say it can carry 1333 people. 

But it still sways. Very much, so.

(Too bad Instagram video didn't exist a couple of weeks ago, that would have been perfect!)

The new edition to the other end of the bridge is the Treetop Adventure, various smaller suspension bridges created in 2004 that allow you to trek through the trees with a birds-eye view of all the beautiful age-old greenery that Vancouver is known for. It started raining a little, but we couldn't even tell for the lush canopy overhead.

The Hamilton's IV

The Hamilton's are always a treat for me to capture, and they are no strangers to this blog! Last summer we went nautical in downtown Oakville and the time before that, we took to the barns!

I feel so blessed to have been able to shoot their fourth annual family portraits this year, where our session took place in their gorgeous home and outdoors on a rainy (pre-Hurricane Sandy) fall day...

To K+S, I just want to say, it's always a pleasure; thank you so much for your support! xo

One Year Ago...2011

Happy New Year Peeps!

2011 was a crazy year for us:

We moved from Toronto to Boston.

I said goodbye to my animation job (The Backyardigans, Justin Time) in Toronto to focus on professional photography full-time.

I shot two of my favourite families before we left: The Brights and The Hamiltons

I launched HOGGER & Co., consolidating three (Foodhogger, Fashionhogger, Photohogger) websites into one.

I shot at Boston Fashion Week within weeks of moving to Boston.

I reviewed some amazing restaurants like Nil Bleu in Montreal, Roy's in Hawaii and reviewed some interesting products like Olivado's Avacado Oil.

I shared some fun recipes, like Cardomom Cake, Spicy Tilapia and How to make Cake Pops.

We travelled to Hawaii, Quebec City, Montreal, Boston, Amsterdam and Greece.

I tweeted the Royal Wedding LIVE. With my Mom. Whilst we wore hats.

My photographs were selected for an exhibit at the Boston Convention Center and are ongoing until April 2012!

I met designers Zac Posen, Badgley Mischka, Roopal Patel and Bibhu Mohapatra while covering them for Neiman Marcus.

I met Mindy Kaling.

I got to know some cool Boston Bloggers at several fun events (Holiday Party, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Lit Boutique, Zoora)

We went home for Xmas.

One year ago on the blog.

Thank you for all the support through 2011; it was so nice to meet a few of you in person last year and I look forward to getting to know each of you better in 2012!

Let's do this!!!  

Merry Christmas, 2011!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the holiday season! We were so happy to be able to go home to Toronto for the holidays.  After moving to Boston in the summer, this was our first trip back, so it was really nice to catch up with family and friends and do not much of anything else.  Except eat, of course.  The following sums up our holiday fairly well.

The Hamilton's III

I absolutely LOVE shooting the Hamilton's!  Their enthusiasm and boundless energy for shoots (and for life, in general!) always amazes me, and this third time around (see I and II, here) was no different.  In downtown Oakville, with a nautical backdrop (including props which I didn't even have to ask for - see what I mean when I say these guys are pros?), we were ready.  An added bonus was happening upon a very cool old Dodge, which made for a fun "Cars" inspired theme.   This was Baby Benny's first shoot, having featured him last as a baby bump, this time, he was a natural in front of the camera. Em, of course, is one of my favourites, I adore capturing the lil' guy, who's growing up mighty quick! Then there's K&S who are always up for anything.  Be it waiting for threatening waves to break across the pier, then running away with their kids.  Or....having to pretend fish for the camera then actually having to fish out one of the said props.  K&S, you guys are priceless,  I love you; thank you so much for your continuous support. Words can't express how much it means to me to capture your growing family. xo

 

Happy 1st Birthday Benny!

A year ago Bennett was born. 

He was first photographed here, as a baby bump. 

We've been honoured to have had annual photoshoots with The Hamiltons and a few weeks ago we did our THIRD shoot with them! 

Teasers to come soon!  For now...

Happy 1st Birthday Benny! xoxo

The Bright's

It was such an honour to capture the Bright family, who are dear friends of ours. The J-man and Natalie made the perfect subjects for our "bright" and early morning shoot at Springridge Farm. What complete sports they all were, traipsing around in the sandbox and on bales of hay with various props in the hot sun. Thank you guys for giving me the opportunity to capture these moments for you. xo

Happy Birthday To Us

A and I celebrated our birthdays together again, this year.  Last year we did the spa and dinner.  This year we did it with strawberry picking at Springridge Farm (fantastic place btw!) followed by a picnic in the park.  There was lots of sunshine, not so many strawberries, lots of laughs and a few tears.  Thanks to N, who was the only boy at the party, for capturing all the fun moments of the girls!

 

Seeing Red in Montreal

As seen on the streets of Old Montreal.

Lady Marmalade + Julius Caesar Part II

This is the Julius Caesar part of the ladies who brunch series, as seen here.

Our friend O played Calpurnia (Caesar's wife) on stage with Bard in the Park's theatre troupe at Kew Gardens in the Beaches.  She did a wonderful job as did the rest of the cast.  How on earth can they remember all those Shakespeare lines?  It got quite hot sitting in the sun, as you can tell by the coverups some of us threw on by the end of the afternoon.  

Lady Marmalade + Julius Caesar Part I

On Saturday I met up with some of my girlfriends for brunch at Lady Marmalade on Queen St. in Leslieville in Toronto.
A brought her bubbly 16 month old daughter Jasmine (who you've met before from their family photo shoot last June!).  Jasmine is a favourite of mine to shoot, along with  Anokhi, another close friend's baby.  The two of them have been shot several times by me since they've been born; see them together here.  I've even photographed them before they were born, at A's baby shower and K's baby bump shoot)!  So it was a real treat to see Jasmine again and capture her cheery laugh and sweet disposition (can you believe she can hold a fork and feed herself on her own?)  After brunch, we went to see O in a performance of Julius Caesar at Kew Gardens.  Look for that in a Part II.  Since we're moving to Boston in a few months, these gatherings with my girlfriends are really important to me and I treasure them, as I do their friendships.  I shall miss you guys immensely.  (Pic of me holding Jasmine taken by A)

Picnic in the Park

It's JUNE folks, and it's finally WARM in Toronto (we won't count last night when it thunder showered and was chilly enough to warrant a spring coat, nope, let's forget about that). Today was the perfect day for a picnic in the park. Reminded me of when we did our book club meeting as a picnic in the park a few years ago. Time to do that, again.

Chinatown Hydrants

Oops, forgot to include these guys in the last hydrants post.