Movie-poster-esque

Fin!

Janet & Rex

I love shooting in Unionville; always with a photo-ready shopfront to lend it’s facade and far less of a chance that I get hit by a crazy downtown taxi driver. This was a bridal (and groom) session shot in Markham as unfortunately I couldn’t fit into the stowaway luggage for their destination wedding in Jamaica. Need to work on my yoga flexibility for that…

Our lovely bride

I’ve been told marriage is kind of like this (kidding..!)

Quick warm-up hot chocolate break on a blustery day was mandatory

I’ve taken a few shots at different comps in front of this iconic spot before, and every time the results are amazing

Josh & Hilary

Stealing away probably the nicest day of the month for our session downtown, our session shows what a variety of locatins Toronto has to offer all within a foot-travellable distance. And don’t worry guys, the ‘baseball pitching’ shot is indeed part of your final image collection!

Awesome subjects in gorgeous light

BOOM! Epic.

Crazy perspective

Bawwww!

A definite fav

I know, I know – it’s been far too long once again between blog entries, but the sad truth is that our season never really had a ‘slow’ period this year – winter’s supposed relaxation time has been non-existent, but rather just a different brand of crazybusy (new word).

As the title of this entry suggests, our emails will be a bit slower as jclayphoto heads first to Seoul, South Korea and then over to Tokyo, Japan over the next 3 weeks or so (blog to follow sometime in 2014). In the meantime, however, feast your peepers on the awesomeness that was Tiffany and Rob’s winter wedding!

We were treated to every type of weather that day, from deluge of snow to sunshiny, almost balmy conditions; the weather cleared up nicely for our formals with just enough sun to keep the shivers at bay. Then again, I wasn’t in a strapless gown, so I had it easier then many.

Cheers everyone!
Jeremy & Kathryn

Gents are in play – it’s go time!

This is probably one of the cutest things ever.

Our bridal party

Perfect candid moment

Texture.

Also as a bonus (! Blog bonus! What craziness is this?) see below for a few highlights from Ashley and Matts most-wintery downtown engagement session.

This poor blog was in need of updating, and one would think (…some of us hoped..!) that given the winters’ we here in the Greater Toronto area are accustomed to, a great opportunity was available to catch up with some digital housework – blog updates, website overhauls, that sort of thing. However, with a chill in the air, not only does our wedding work continue (see below, a snap from Cassandra and Victor’s late season event), but it lets us devote our free time to other pursuits, as well!

Probably the biggest news update is that Kathryn and I are engaged! It was made official late 2011 in our lovely hometown and, while a ‘…it’s about time..!’ moment for many, the question still remains for who is going to photograph the big day….

Next, I’ve been able to keep up with a bunch of personal photo projects that their simply isn’t the time to embrace during the hectic wedding season. Working once again with my favourite band shooting for their website (www.megadeth.com) was a pleasure indeed.

Yes, that is me, forever a fanboy.

As well, a few other bands covered this new year:

Lacuna Coil

Motorhead

Volbeat

We also photographed mega-popular Korean girl group SNSD (AKA Girls Generation) for their brief stop-over in NYC fan signing event.

Of course, we kept up with our origins in shooting fashion

…and also just recently The Toronto Star interviewed us on Trash The Dress sessions (featuring the lovely Ray and Joyce photo below). is the article link for those interested.

Finally, this past year was one of a great personal triumph for me; January, 2011 I realized how much I had fallen out of shape and made a commitment to myself that this time next year I would get myself into a level of fitness I could be proud of. Though it was difficult at times and an ever-going pursuit (especially considering at least once a weekend our job provides an often grandoise wedding-reception dinner sparing no trimmings!), I am now at a stage of fitness I can have pride in.

Yes, that is me in all of the photos. No, I can’t believe I’d let myself go so badly either. Jeremy Clay body transformation and weight loss .com? haha

2012 is booked solidly, and shaping up to be another amazing year; we are taking 2013 bookings presently as well, though we are limiting our bookings to 1/2 of our total 2013 amount to allow some ‘breathing room’ through the year. Kathryn and I look forward to another great season with you all!

Cheers!

Firstly, a very happy holidays to all of our jclayphoto.com friends and an amazing New Year, as well. 2011 was, somehow, an
even more successful year then last; we have nothing but gratitude and humble thanks to all of those who continue to make us
one of the most highly recommended wedding photography studios in Toronto. Our most sincere thank yous.

Our last full wedding for 2011 was for Yaryna and Yuriy, whose gorgeous day you can see a few samples from below.
This was the first time Kathryn and I had come across a few new traditions for a wedding (which you will see a few frames of)
- every time I think we can say we’ve seen it all, someone will suprise us all over again!

We were treated to a lovely day, gorgeous venues, and most importantly, a genuinely kind and warm couple, who
were a total pleasure to work with. Cheers to all, I intend to post a few more updates to round out the year, including a
few remaining engagement sessions as well as some big personal news!

Jeremy

A detailed shot of this magnificent dress

A wee bit of hairspray

Yaryna told me this was traditional, but it was both Kathryn and I’s first time encountering a male bride counterpart!

A quick look over

That first look for family and friends

Love the intimacy of this frame

Off to meet Yuriy outside

So much going on here. A favourite photojournalistic shot from the set

Getting ready to head out for some photos

I grabbed this candid in between shots – adorable moment.

Wasn’t sure which one I liked best

Bridal party with a quick glass of bubbly (I may have ended up soaked in booze)

Another lovely candid

Our couple arriving for their ceremony

Storytelling is our fav part of the job

Luckily we had a few moments afterwards to snap a few more frames

A guest candid. Often, clients ask about how we approach images outside of the bridal party; we prefer to
avoid the static, ‘posed’ shots unless by specific request and instead aim to get ‘real life’ shots of
their guests enjoying the day. This is an example of such a shot”

Classic

Movie grab?

This shot makes me worried about how to outdo it.

Okay, so this one clashes with the set’s mood, and I don’t recall who’s bad idea it was initially – lacking a peg leg, eyepatch, or stolen chest ‘o’ booty, I still insisted Michael give me his best ‘pirate’ impression. I was convinced such a shot would never see the light of the blog but…I don’t know, can’t help but love it.

I must say, the Yashan’s must be sick of me by now – 2 engagement sessions, an editorial session, and
two weddings with their daughter and now their son? Makes me feel all warm and tingly! Both families made
Kathryn and I feel right at home for the wedding of Laura and Jay, which was an emotional and loving affair.
Add to that Fall makes for gorgeous colours and amazing photos, (Laura & Jay’s
engagement images fell around the same time last year and they were stunning too) so it’s only natural
their wedding shots would follow suit!

…and with the gents…

Gorrrgggeeeeeouss

Maybe a few tears

An amazing moment as two families share congratulations at the union of the families

Jay’s son shedding a tear in the frame makes in one of my top fav photojournalistic shots this year.

You know how we do formals…

Chill, relaxed gents

Stunning ladies

We don’t like to overdo dramatic effects and lighting on images, but sometimes a shot calls for it. The mood/sky
and composition here demanded a bit of drama if you ask me.

I left this file big, because it needs to be printed big. It really does.

The many faces of Jay while I tried to get a civilized cake cutting photo. TY Laura for the cake attack at the end tho!

Ash and Dan are one of the nicest couples I’ve worked with this year, and their warmth and happiness obviously comes from their upbringing as we certainly were more then welcome spending the day with them. Picking images to blog is like choosing amongst your children (er…maybe not…), and the process far too hard for this set. Just have a look for yourselves, and enjoy!

Dan lends a hand:

..and with the girls….

Probably a top 5 of the year in my eyes

Wedding ready!

Epic home – definitely jealous!

Couldn’t choose between the above image and this one – they both have a different feel and style,
but are equally great:

Lauren took this awesome shot from the balcony

A great in-between moment. These shots really make up a wedding’s story

Our bridal team

Coolest cake topper ever?

Goodness I love this image

This is..er…a bongo belt. I don’t yet own one, myself.

Fin

Our Groom (we started off the morning with James & fam for a few traditional photos.

“The groom is no longer a boy, but a man ready to take on responsibility. The hair is tamed; the wild years of youth will be put aside and a new life will begin. In the language of fairy tale the comb and the razor, the tools of braiding and shaving, become symbols of initiation into sexual maturity. They take on magical transforming properties and represent the transition from one stage of life to another.”

Our Bride

James and his boys await the ladies

Prepared to meet her groom

First Look

Our Bridal Parties

We managed this gorgeous shot just prior to the ceremony

Epic

A different type of reaction shot. This one warms the heart.

Perfect weather for the outdoor ceremony

Married and beaming

A few quick photos in front of The Liberty Grand

Reception time – how classy the decor!

First Dance

Pig Dance!

Giant. Bread. *drool*

Love this candid of the boys

Snuck a few images at the end of the night – it was freezing at this point, but worth it in my opinion! And yes, they call that a turbine.

K, this is as adorable as photos get

Going big!

I, for some reason, had Superman wallpaper liner in my pocket (don’t ask).

Some of our best images were those great moments ‘between’ shots

Just thought this oozed cool

…because she’s ‘Tiff’. Eh? EHH?

Awww! Our lovlies pose for a formal: (oops! Forgot to resize this one – *right click* and *view image* to see in full)

Fin