Punta Cana 2010

Punta Cana was BEAUTIFUL! It's amazing that places like the Dominican are getting 25+ weather in February when we are used to experiencing cold, snow and below 0 temperatures. As soon as you get off the plane you can't help but smile! IT'S WARM HERE! In the summer time it's too hot to handle for us and even Dominican's but this is their home. Dominican's work in some of the hottest weather imaginable. Canadians break a sweat at 25+. You look at a Dominican, not a drop, it's unreal!

We stayed at the Melia Caribe Tropical with 20 other guests attending Jamie-lee and Brock's wedding. It's a massive, lush, and beautiful resort! At one time it was two separate resorts but now it's combined into one. It's definitely confusing at first because there's two of everything and the aesthetic of both sides is very similar in a lot of ways.

Dominican's are wonderful people and love to joke and be around visitors from all over the world. Anytime I was taking pictures they would yell paparazzi at me and laugh then pose or do something silly. They work very hard for very little money and travel from all over the island to work for a good 2 weeks. Then they go home for 3 days to see their families and then back again to work 12 to 15 hour days. Doing more then one job at a time! They live in housing provided for them not to far from the resort.

Your stay in the resort is paradise compared to outside the resort. You see the difference when you get off the plane into the bus to the resort. You can drink as much as you want, eat as much as you like and dance at the disco until 4am. You wake up in the morning and you see palm trees everywhere and you hear the sounds of tropical birds. It's a real vacation!

Gus and Guidos

Shannon Eckel-Braun a very talented interior decorator invited me to take some photos of her latest restaurant design. Welcome to Gus and Guidos with the Geek Italian Experience!

Walking in for the first time I could see that the decor was fabulous, the lighting was perfect, and the layout was GREAT! Shannon really did an amazing job at executing her vision for this restaurant. Meeting the owners you can tell that family, friends and FOOD are very near and dear to them and making their guests feel welcome. The restaurant feel and decor truly amplifies all of the above.

Staying for lunch was amazing! The food was incredible and I was seriously spoiled and appreciated every bit of it. This is a MUST stop and visit! Located in Brantford at 245 King George Road it's an experience that makes you want to go back for more.

Developing A Passion

Take a look at some of Omar's first photo's into modeling. For his first time he did an outstanding job! He was nervous at first but that ended pretty quickly as his interest in front of the camera started to become more of a developed passion. You really never know until you try!

Interests should be pursued and I have a strong belief in that. For example recently I found out that I'm a pretty good pool player. Never really played much but now I'm definitely going to play more! What I love about it is that it has to do alot with angles and I can relate that back to my photography. Thank you Deb and Carl for making me into a pool shark. Working on the break but like anything else practice is key.

Fab Bridal

Fab Accessory Boutique is going BRIDAL next month for the Boutique Bridal show at St Georges Hall Feb 4th and 5th. Some of the ladies from Fab and Twice is Nice volunteered their time to model some of the really beautiful pieces that will be at the show. We had a good time trying on wedding dress from Bridal Depot in Waterloo and accessorizing. Fab's booth will be made up from images taken from this shoot! The girls did an amazing job and looked very beautiful!

Please come out to the show and say hello to Debra Joseph and the Fab team! If your going to be a bride, bridesmaid, mother of the bride or just attending they have something for you. Fab loves to make you look stunning at great prices.

Bull Sight!

Last month I had taken some photos for Eyeview Optical's new store Siht Optical located in the Bauer Lofts. The add is up now in the Grand Magazines January/February issue so definitely take a look whenever you get a chance. Christine owner of Eyeview and Siht Optical had asked if I could take some more photos for her adds. With an idea in mind, edgy but still classy!

Some of the photos were taken in front of some old wall paper that was reveled through many layers at my home based studio. In the midst of renovations you find some inspiration!

The Gift of Family

This past month I did photos at my home based studio for the McNeils. Their two little girls are adorable, and a joy to take photos of. I was super impressed with mom and dad's way of parenting. Throughout the whole shoot they had such an amazing way of interacting with the girls. They really taught me a thing or two about interacting better with children. For example something as simple as the the animal game! You say an animal and the oldest of the two would make that noise and the youngest would just smile really big. They loved it!

Family photos are so important to do around the holidays and I'm so lucky to see the love between so many families. It's a constant reminder of what the true meaning of Christmas and the New Year is all about. Spending quality time together!

Happy New Year everyone and enjoy the holidays with loved ones!

Let's see the Glasses

Recently, I have been shooting for Grand Magazine in there advertising section for many business in the area. It's been wonderful and I have met some great business owners, one of them being Christine from Eyeview Optical. She so personable and very knowledgeable in her field. She's basically sold me on a pair of her very well priced glasses. For any of you looking for new eye ware, Eyeview has a great selection and fabulous pieces that really compliment your face.

Grand's next issue will be coming out in January/February so be on the look out for Christine's add for Siht Optical, her new location opening in the Bauer lofts. A must see and an easy stop if any of you are Vicenzo's shoppers because their new location will be in going in there as well!