jals photography

Often when I speak to couples for the first time, 90% of the time they are telling me that they have never been photographed before. And almost all of them say that they are "the most awkward couple you've ever met." I can tell you with absolute certainty that this is not true! . I totally remember those initial nerves! But when you find a photographer that you connect with and a location that you love, the nerves fade quickly and you have an amazing time! (With amazing pic...tures!) I have found that couples are most at ease when they are given some direction, but then allowed time on their own where the photographer is not right up in their faces so they can relax and connect. . Well, once the wedding is over, it doesn't have to be the last time that you are photographed as a couple! This is the 4th time that I have photographed Sharon and Peter! We had an adventure session in Haliburton this fall and for them, being back in front of the camera was just like riding a bike! . I love photographing couples sessions of all kinds. Every part of your relationship deserves to be documented. Every year that you are together you are building onto your connection and your history. You face challenges and share joys and it all shapes who you are as a couple. Don't let your professional photos end at your wedding day! See more

Have you ever thought about having a theme to your wedding? When planning my own wedding, my theme was Caribbean-inspired! We were married overlooking Lake Ontario and we used tropical elements throughout the day. My favourite detail was our huppah which was decorated with giant palm leaves and bright flowers. I've always loved big, bold colours, so it was a perfect fit for our day! . Mary and Erik chose a Lord of the Rings theme for their backyard fall wedding last year. T...he elements all came together beautifully, with gorgeous table decorations, hand crafted details and even costumed guests! They also got capes for themselves and their wedding party, which fit the theme perfectly, looked awesome and also helped keep them warm! . The best thing about the theme is that it fit their personalities perfectly. Often times couples feel pressured to have a certain aesthetic and that takes away a lot of the fun in preparation. . Tips for adding a theme to your outdoor wedding: What's something that both you and your partner love? Is it a show? Place? Book? Hobby? Themes can be very subtle - personalized table numbers or a small detail that you wear can speak to a theme Can you find items to be recycled or upcycled? Mary and Erik found items from Value Village which were absolutely perfect How will the details hold up in the weather? Will you need extra support for items if there's wind? Protection if there's rain? Au naturel can be its own theme! Your location you choose can showcase your favourite things - forests, the seasons, cottaging, the water, mountains - anything goes! . https://jalsphotography.com/lord-of-the-rings-backyard-wed/ See more

In my latest blog post I write about Lisa and Rob's gorgeous fall elopement from last year! This elopement was incredibly touching, but the thing that made it stand out the most were the heartfelt vows that Lisa and Rob wrote for each other. As you can tell, there was not a dry eye! . Whether you're having a big wedding or a small elopement, I can't recommend writing your own vows more! If you or someone you know are getting married, here are some vow writing tips! . I...t is sweet to put in an anecdote or two that talks about memorable moments in your relationship Think about general promises and more specific promises that you'd like to make to each other Keep them a length that you are comfortable with! Longer isn't necessarily better If you are not comfortable with reading them in front of others, pick a spot during the day, like a first look or during your photos, when you can take a moment and read them to each other Transfer them onto paper so that you are not reading them off of your phone. They make a great keepsake this way, too! Write from the heart! As cliché as this sounds, you'll know what fits best for you and your partner . Did you write your own vows? What did you love about it? https://jalsphotography.com/black-river-retreat-fall-elope/

Confession time! I have a bad habit when I'm photographing couples. I always say that we're finished shooting and everyone relaxes. We start getting back to the cars then Bam! I spot something and we inevitably end up grabbing a few more shots afterwards! So it's no surprise that this happened at Carley and Brock's engagement shoot at Vanderwater Conservation Area. We had just finished an amazing session and had wrapped up. Carley put back on her walking shoes and we w...ere heading back to the car. I was trying so hard to stick to the plan, but I kept looking to the side and saw this epic light hitting the water. I caved and thankfully Carley and Brock were down to head to the water (again!) for a few more photos! There is something so magical about fall light, especially as the sun is setting. A romantic end to a fantastic shoot! See more

I realized recently that I never share my blog posts on here, so I'm about to change that! Today on the blog I wrote about my favourite places to photograph weddings and elopements in Prince Edward County! Best reasons to have a wedding or elopement in the county? A nice central spot between Toronto and Ottawa Wineries for daaaaaayyyyssss... So much variety in landscape - open fields, waterfront and forests! Charming small town vibes in Wellington and Picton I have photographed some phenomenal Prince Edward County backyard weddings, beachfront weddings, museum weddings and cottage weddings. I also had the pleasure of photographing a gorgeous forest elopement in the county. I am consistently amazed at all of the beauty and variety it has to offer! Share with a friend who is looking for a gorgeous place to get married! https://jalsphotography.com/prince-edward-county-wedding-v/

This is one of my favourite photographs from last year and I'm only now realizing that I haven't shared it! Presqu'ile Provincial Park is always one of my favourite places to go. I have been there at least to a dozen times this year! This engagement session was on a warm fall evening. We had just spent time exploring the forested area together then popped over to the rocky beach for sunset. I feel peaceful just looking at it! . This couple was supposed to be married this past weekend and postponed to next year. I know these are tricky times for couples navigating between wanting to commit to each other but also having the big celebration they hoped for. Whatever you decide is the right answer! Elopements, small weddings, postponed weddings and delayed receptions are all valid and I'm happy to be right there with you on the journey!