Victoria and Joe looked stunning (I wish I looked this good at 8:00 am). They are a really cute couple and love to have fun. They brought along a picnic basket, some wine, and some of their favorite books. We explored the park and had a blast!
 
These two are clearly in LOVE !

I just wanted to let you all know that I will be participating in Toronto’s Bridal Show, happening this coming weekend at the Direct Energy Centre, starting Friday April 20th at 5:30pm until Sunday evening.

I can’t wait to meet new potential clients, vendors and the organizers. REALLY looking forward to this fun and exciting weekend.

Please stop by and say “HI” at booth F617. I also have several BUY ONE GET ONE FREE admission tickets, so please email me if you would like a few !! Hope to see you there !

I’m super excited about how things are shaping up. My “experience studio” is coming along nicely and I was so stoked to find a giant box waiting for me this afternoon at my door. Inside was a HUGE 26 by 40″ gallery wrap canvas of one of my funnest couples of last year !

Have a look how AWESOME this looks ! Imaging one of your photos as an ART PIECE over the couch or in the basement. Just awesome !

I’m updating my product list and will announce more products as they become available. One other AMAZING product that I think you’re going to LOVE is metal prints. They look STUNNING and I’ll be sure to update this post when they arrive and I can snag a few photos.

Meanwhile, Check out these gorgeous albums that I’m so thrilled to be delivering to my clients later this week !!!

AWESOMENESS !!!

 
Seattle-based creative, Chase Jarvis, was one of the first to embrace this. He came up with an app, book featuring iphone photos and created an online community revolving around the idea of  “the best camera is the one that’s with you”. I highly recommend you check out the Site and get inspired !

For more inspiration, check out iphoneography.com
 

I love doing morning walks with Watson and seeing the gorgeous sunrises every morning. I try to take at least one photo of SOMETHING when i’m on the walks. I find it relaxing, but also I’m training my eyes to see things in a different way.

I encourage you all to just go out there and take some photos ! Eventually you may have enough to put together a really cool coffee table book of your iPhone photos, capturing the “Spring of 2012” – or something like that.
 
If you have any cool shots, feel free to share them in the comments.

 
Every year, WPPI comes to Las Vegas and hosts almost a week-long seminar/conference/party. This year was my first time attending and what an experience it was. Not having been in Vegas, ever, this was quite an awesome trip for Kristi and I. During the day we attended workshops and seminars, and by night we played tourists and visited tonnes of casinos, nightlife and managed to get away for a day to the Grand Canyon.

WPPI is an amazing conference. The speaker line up was incredible; so many talented artists and teachers. What I love about this industry is the willingness of others to help, teach and inspire. WPPI brings it all together.

We had the opportunity to sit in on presentations by Zach & Jody Gray, Jerry Ghionis, Dane Sanders, Sue Bryce, Sal Cincotta and many others – very inspirational speakers and we learned a lot.

As I started my business, I noticed that sometimes (if not most of the time), that reassurance that you’re doing something right, or perhaps finding out that you may be able to improve or do something better, is so valuable. It’s great to hear others’ stories of how most went through the same struggles to get their business up and running. It’s very re-assuring that YOU CAN DO IT!

WPPI is also an amazing place to meet new photographers and share stories, ideas and make new friends. This was definitely the case. A buddy photographer of mine, Louis Torres – a Wedding Photographer based in New York, had organized several “shoots” while everyone was in Vegas. This was my first time actually meeting Louis in person. If you don’t know Louis, you need to get over to forweddingphotographers.com and most definitely check out his incredible podcast (under the same name) on iTunes.

For several evenings a group of us got together and photographed each other. This was a great opportunity to play around with lighting, share setup ideas and see how other photographers approach various situations. Very very cool. We met some incredible people such as Jenn Martin from California, Aaron and Phillan Tokarz of White Shutter Photography, Steve Hiscock from Saskatchewan (who will actually be joining me for the Roger Waters concert in Toronto in June), Eddy Eeels from Holland (who we are meeting for a drink on Sunday, since he’ll be in Toronto for a day), Dino Petrocelli from NY, Michael Gallitelli, Jenn Pearce and too many to list !!!

Photo by Eddy Geels                                                                                    Photo by Steve Hiscock

What was really cool as well was the fact that Kristi and I finally had some amazing pictures together. Aside from our “selfies”, we really didn’t have many photos together…so this was just awesome. There was one photo in particular that I fell in love with. It was taken by Jenn Martin and I think it captures what Kristi and I are all about. No doubt this one is going to be made into an HUGE canvas gallery wrap print for our wall at home.

Photo by Jenn Martin
 

This is what WPPI is all about. It’s an amazing opportunity to network with vendors (there is also a huge tradeshow) and other photographers!!! (Yes, your so-called “competition”). There is so much value in connecting with other photographers – trust me !

Our friends Paul and Sylvia Nelson of Paul Nelson Images were supposed to join us, but unfortunately had to cancel their plans this year They are the main reason I was so pumped about WPPI. I once sat with them in a pub in Toronto and we talked business. They really inspired me to take things to the next level and they swore that WPPI would be a life changing event! – and it was! (You guys better be there next year !!!)

So as WPPI came to a close, Kristi and I headed “into the chopper!” (Arnold voice) and took an incredible flight through the Grand Canyon. Since I’m a pretty crappy writer, I’m not even going to attempt at describing it to you. You HAVE TO go an experience it yourself…. but until you do, here are some photos.

We had an incredible time and plan to be back next year and do it all again !!

Hope to see you there.
 

Raph

Since officially launching my business in December 2009, I knew that I would eventually do a bridal show… and so I finally saved up and put together a booth (with HUGE help from my friend Steven Corely, who is a wedding photographer from St. Louis). The Total Wedding Show was held at the International Centre (Toronto) on Jan 20-22, 2012. It was an amazing experience; meeting potential clients, meeting vendors and giving my feet a workout I actually bought these amazing insoles from one of the vendors there. They are called HAPPY FEET and they feel like you are getting a message when you walk… they’re so cool and you can basically rock back-and-forth and get some blood circulating even when you’re standing still! Just awesome and I’ll be wearing them every time I’m shooting a wedding!

So after the move-in and  set-up, the show was on a roll. It was really interesting to see how different vendors approached potential clients, from mass marketing (aggressively handing out flyers, without having a chance to converse) to completely ignoring people at their booths (sad), to having really engaging conversations (awesome), to making people fall in love with them and booking on the spot (really awesome!).

I didn’t want to mass market and but rather only engage the people that showed interest in my work or at least make eye contact. This approach allowed me to converse with potential clients and get a chance to ask about THEM and THEIR NEEDS, while also telling them what my business and what I had to offer them. I didn’t want to be another flyer in their bag.

I think my approach may have helped in scheduling several consultations and eventual bookings. I find that the clients that book me are very easy going and that photography plays a BIG role in their wedding and it’s on the top priority list for their day.

It was an amazing experience and I certainly will be back!

My next bridal show will be April 20 – 22, 2012 at Toronto’s Bridal Show. Drop by and say “hi”.

I just wanted tot remind you all that if you are around on January 20, 21, and 22nd, 2012, you NEED TO GO to the TOTAL WEDDING SHOW at the International Centre on Airport Road. Just follow the link for all the info.

You also NEED to stop by booth #660.

Drop by and say HI !!

ALSO – There will be show specials on select packages if you book at the show !!!

I’ve very excited about this show – I think it’s going to be incredible. I’d love to see you there !

My amazing wife Kristi has been a huge help this year, as was my awesome little brother Sebastian (who’s actually becoming quite the photographer!). I couldn’t have done any of this without you two.

The fun will continue into the New Year. I think 2012 is going to be BIG !! Lots planned right from the get-go: Bridal shows, seminars, WPPI, Jerry Ghionis Workshop and lots of exciting weddings. REALLY looking forward to it all.

Be sure to come and say HI at the Total Wedding Show, happening January 20 – 22, 2012 at the International Centre. Booth #660 is where you’ll find me and my awesome better half, Kristi.

We did a “Picnic in the City” themed engagement shot downtown Toronto. We simply had a blast and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding in May 2012.

We had a bit of time after the ceremony for photos on Church grounds and I could tell that Liane had been practicing her “Vouging” ’cause she simply rocked it!!! After we did out Engagement Session a few months ago, Liane did promise me that should would practice in front of the mirror it was evident that she did !

The reception took place at the beautiful Delta Markham. Beautiful fall themed decorations (Liane’s mom’s creations) filled the hall, as did the music, laughter and dancing ! It was AWESOME !

Thank you guys for having us (me, my awesome assistant and brother Sebastian, and Adam of Adam d’Oliveira) there to capture your AMAZING day !!!