Calla Evans Photography

So long, farewell.

Don't let the title of this post fool you, I'm not going anywhere, I've just switched to a brand spankin' new blog!  Woo!  I never quite got the hang of typepad and it always seemed such a chore to post something new, so I've got a shiny new blog that takes a fraction of the time to post on.  From now on I'll be blogging at www.callaevansblog.com.  So come on over, check it out, and let me know what you think.  This blog will stay active for a few weeks to allow all of you to update your bookmarks and RSS readers.

Cans for Comments!

Cans for Comments is an opportunity for you, dear blog reader, to do something wonderful this holiday season while still sitting at home in your pjs.  And if you live in Toronto, I highly recommend the sitting at home in your pjs today, have you seen the weather outside?!  All week long, until midnight December 12th, for every comment that's left on any entry in this blog, I'll donate one can of food to the Daily Bread Food Bank.  Over the years some of my photography has been used by the Daily Bread and we've embarked on some pretty awesome photo projects together to challenge stereotypes about food bank clients as well as raise awareness for all the great things the Daily Bread does.  So it only seems fitting that my Cans for Comments contribution will go to them.

There are a whole lot of other wonderful, fantastic, talented photographers taking part in this canned drive.  For a partial list click here.  And while you're clicking, don't forget to click on a past blog entry (or 10) and get giving!

 

Day seven - Thao & Allen Anniversary Session!

Earlier this fall I got the awesome opportunity to meet Trang's sister Thao to do a very autumn feeling anniversary session with her and her husband Allen as a gift from Trang & Scott.  I really enjoy shooting anniversary, family, baby and just general "let's take awesome pictures" sessions.  It's something slightly different than my normal pre-wedding and wedding shoots and I just love the idea that people are willing to step outside the traditional notion of a portrait session and take the opportunity to mark a special point in their lives with really fun, relaxed pictures.  And portrait session gift certificates make great gifts for this upcoming holiday season!  Thanks, Thao and Allen, for being extra awesome on an early Sunday morning and congratulations again on six years of marriage.

 

Day six of the month of blogs - Sharon & Benny get married!

Since their first wintery pre-wedding shoot, followed by their much warmer second summer session, I've adored Sharon and Benny.  I love the calm, gracious way they seem to approach life and each other, and Sharon's smile is so contagious I couldn't stop grinning while prepping their ceremony shots.  I'm looking forward to seeing you two at Mike and Min's wedding next month, it's going to be a rockin' party!

Both families took advantage of the note-on-door reminder system.  I love sticky notes.

Benny loved his card and cufflinks from Sharon.

Normally Aleks stands in for my exposure tests, but Benny was in the right place at the right time.  We told Aleks she could have the day off, he did so well.

Sharon and her family seemed equally impressed by Benny's gift to his bride.

A quick prayer for the boys and a touch up for the girls...

Can you get enough of this smile?!  Didn't think so.

 

We borrowed a page from Min & Mike for this one....

Are they not the most gorgeous couple ever?!

The light at the Berkley Church got me all sorts of excited.  I can't recommend this venue enough.

The parent dances always make me cry.

Thanks again for an awesome day, Sharon and Benny.  Aleks and I wish you nothing but the absolute best in your new life together.

Day five - Mel & Ivan!

I think this is just about my favourite pre-wedding session from the past few months.  After some scheduling challenges and a missed ferry, we finally got to the island bright and very, very early on Halloween morning.  Mel and Ivan, I had so much fun getting to know you and I can't wait for your wedding this August!  If this session is any indication, your wedding photos are going to be rockin'!

Day four - Nathania & Brian sneak peek!

It's been a funny week around the office.  Lots of sacrifices to the computer gods and cursing of a certain company that starts with ap and ends with le.  But I won't let that stop me from getting these wonderful blog entries out.  Nathania and Brian were married this past Saturday, but only now am I getting to posting their fantastic pre-wedding shoot.  We had a blast down at the waterfront and they were really up for anything, which made the shoot super fun!  And as a special treat, I'm posting one of my favourite images from their wedding at the bottom of this entry.  Thank you for sharing your day with us, Nathania and Brian, we had such a great time with your family and friends and we can't wait to see you at Anthea and Chris' wedding in May!

Day three of the month of blogs - Kimberlyn & Luigi!

Be warned, dear blog readers, this is going to be a long one!  I was looking forward to Kimberlyn and Luigi's wedding since their rockin' pre-wedding shoot where they blew me away with their absolute awesomeness.  And when the big day rolled around it did not disappoint.  Aleks and I always get emotional at weddings, a tear here or there usually during the speeches, but from the moment Luigi watched his beautiful bride walk down the aisle, I was a wreck!  Even weeks later when I was processing their images, I felt the tears well up.  Kimberlyn and Luigi, I hope everyone gets to experience love like yours at least once in their lives.  You can see the deep respect and genuine adoration you have for each other in every glance and kiss you share.  And your faith is incredibly inspiring.  I am so so so lucky to have been a part of your day and I can't wait to hear about all the awesome and amazing things the future holds for you two.

 

 

Trang & Scott - one year in!

The best part of my job, far above anything else, is the couples I get to know.  Every weekend I get invited to share in something so awesome with such amazing people, I often feel like I have a HUGE extended family here in Toronto.  One of the things I tell couples when they meet with me for the first time is you want to make sure that your wedding photographer is someone that you like as a person.  Because spending 10 or 12 or 18 hours of one of the most important days of your life with someone you can't really stand isn't much fun, no matter how much of a fantastic photographer they are.  And I think it's this attention to the connection that's caused such a boom for us this past season.  I'd say at least two-thirds of our business is referrals, with some couples referring us to their friends before they've even seen their pictures.  To me that definitely means we're doing something right and I love that my extended family just keeps on growing.

We shot Trang & Scott's wedding a year ago, when things were just taking off for us, and I think we've seen them at least 3 or 4 times this summer as their friends join them on the married side.  Their wedding is still one of my favourites and I think it marked a real turning point for Aleks and I.  Trang and Scott, you two will always have a special place in my heart, as cheesy as that sounds it's very very true, and I love spending time with you guys.  I hope you love your anniversary photos as much as I do and I'm already looking forward to the session we'll have to mark year number two.

A month of blogs - Sarah & Brad!

This blog has been neglected for far too long!  Starting today, December 1st, I'll be posting a blog a day in an attempt to catch up on the mountain of awesome weddings and portrait sessions I have to show you all!  I think I have enough photos and other goodies to fill three months, but I thought one was a manageable goal for now ;-)  And to start the month off right I've got one of my favourite weddings of the summer - Sarah & Brad!  Married on the grounds of Graydon Hall, their wedding was the perfect mix of laughter and tears - in fact, during Brad's speech to Sarah during the reception, even Tara and I were getting a little weepy eyed behind our viewfinders.  This is the second of three weddings I shot with Tara this season and she rocked it out of the park with some fantastic images.  You can see more of them on her blog!  Speaking of blogs, keep an eye on this one for 30 more amazing (I hope!) posts this month.

I loved everything about Sarah's shoes, her dress, and her girls' dresses.  Such an amazing combination of colours for a sunny summer wedding.

Her reaction to the earrings Brad gave to her that afternoon was priceless!

Warning - awesome shot by Tara coming up!

Aren't they just about the hottest couple you've ever seen?

Sarah's sisters were looking amazing.

I disown any responsibility for the following photograph.  Sometimes you just keep your ears shut and keep pressing the shutter ;-)

I couldn't get enough of Sarah's eyes.  So gorgeous! 

The shot above is going to be in my new print ad.  I also love the one below.

Papillon Cakes made this fantastic cake based on the designs of Love the Card.  I loved how everyything co-ordinated - guests could not stop talking about the original design!

So glad I was able to catch this awesome moment before the grand entrance.

Sarah & Brad, getting to know you was one of the highlights of my year.  Your happiness was felt everywhere on your wedding day, and Sarah, your calm, gratious approach to life is something I can only strive towards.  I wish you two all the best in Victoria and I hope our paths cross again soon.

Happy Birthday, Aleks!

Today is Alek's birthday, and I am so excited I started working on this blog post days ago.  Aleks is the other half of Calla Evans Photography and without her I would probably be half as productive, three times less fashionable and laugh a bazillion times less on the job.  In fact, without Aleks there would be no Calla Evans Photography.

On the business end of things, Aleks is indispensable.  She keeps me and everyone else organized, on time, and with a smile on their face.  She's constantly amazing me with the images she captures, the stressful situations she's able to diffuse, and the way she's able to encourage me when I'm not having the rockin'est day.  She knows what I need before I've even figured it out and most of the time we don't even have to talk when we're shooting, she just knows what to get and how to get it.  And she is always so happy to stand in while I test my light for group shots or the cake cutting.

Allie, I know things weren't always easy this year.  Some of our busiest weekends didn't always bring out the best in me, but you have been the best second shooter I could ever have asked for and the best friend I could ever have wished for.  You're like the big sister I never had and I consider you and Nathan (and Addie) part of my family.  You've been there for me during the toughest times of my life and without you I wouldn't have been able to live many of my dreams.  You make me laugh, you make me think, you encourage me to be a better person and a better photographer.

You're also the most stylish, down to earth, loving, loyal, determined, caring and HOTTT (that's right, three t s) woman I know.  Your dedication to your friends and family makes me love you and I'm amazed at everything you've done.  Watching you cross the finish line at your first two races this year made me so happy!  I'm so proud to call you my friend and I seriously cannot wait to see all the fantastic things you're going to accomplish next year and in the years ahead.

Happy birthday, awesome lady-pants.  No, YOU'RE an awesome lady-pants.  Good one!

* special thanks to Ryan for the photobooth images as well as the shot of Aleks and the shoes.