documentaryphotography
““…I soon realized how powerful video is, and that I could positively affect the world through video, so I dropped out of my international development studies University program. Around this time it had been a few years so since I had volunteered in Kenya and Ecuador so I was all about giving back to my planet.”
Read MoreIf it isn't already apparent in my blog posts, I truly enjoy photographing at Brix and Mortar in Yaletown. It's a nice and small and intimate space with a unique ceremony space but the people there are also really cool.
As per usual, I'll let the photographs and the little bits of commentary do the narrating of this wedding. Just a quick note: That amazing red British car was an awesome sight to see.
Read MoreJust recently, I received a response to a questionnaire I sent out and this is what Jesse and Patricia had to say:
" Jonathan's photography is technically excellent and artistically inspired. He is a pleasure to interact with. Photography was a top priority for us and we shopped way way ahead. We had our pick of the best of Vancouver and met with several of the best-known, award-winningest wedding photographers in the city. In the end, Jonathan came out as our first choice…”
Day 3 of 3 - Reception at Swaniset
The final day of the wedding consisted of a reception at Swaniset Bay Resort and Country Club, located deep within Pitt Meadows. It was great being able to document all the people and friends and family interacting with one another. Also, there was a Lamborghini.
Read MoreDay 2 of 3 - Vania (Ceremony)
The second day of this assignment with Jody Nay Photography started back at the hotel. Today was the Nikta, which I believe translates to the Muslim marriage ceremony (someone correct me if I'm wrong!). I started in the room with Irfan the groom and his buddy Seef, who was his best man (or Muslim equivalent).
While I spent a lot of time with the groom and his best man, I also had a chance to head over to the women's room to document them getting ready as well. Out of respect for their customs, you will only see a few selected photos here from the women's side. With that in mind, I only spent a limited time with the women and stayed in the room with Irfan and Seef.
Read MoreDay 1 of 3 - VANAI
I remember arriving at the hotel in Richmond and standing next to all the participants with water balloons in their hand and a big pot of green goop on the side. There was also silly string canisters and one of the girls was putting on a helmet with a GoPro camera on it.
This was my introduction to a Muslim wedding.
Read MoreThat morning, as I woke up, I noticed that the sun was out. This was amazing. It was November. In Canada... on the Pacific West Coast. Just days prior, when I went to check the wedding site, it was pouring rain. That weather was expected. The sun was not. But there it was, gleaming and shining in all it's glory!
However, it was really cold. Frost was still in the air and as I made my way down to Hazelmere Golf Course, where the wedding was taking place, I could see steam clouds rising from the ground as the sun melted the cold morning dew despite the chill temperatures. Regardless, the sun was great to have that day and made for a great day to an already beautiful wedding for Keith and Jeanine.
Read MoreI don't have much to say about this event so I'll let the photographs tell the story this time. The event started with a brief reception and was then followed by Moderator Tom Clark addressing the panel of four speakers about the 2015 Election and How The Votes Were Won. Near the end, people were able to approach a microphone and ask questions of the speakers about the recent Canadian election. There were laughs, there were opinions given and there was live tweeting too! #CJFjtalk
Read MoreThere's something about horses that mesmerizes me. The ferocity, the movement, the power... an entire situation of chaos being controlled by a bridle and a saddle.
I recall visiting the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan and seeing that Hayao Mayazaki spent many an hour (day? Week? Month? Years?) creating animations of horses and their movement as he watched it on a screen. This affected me profoundly for my own vision. While the application is different (I'm capturing specific moments through photography instead of trying to capture and animate the intricate movements of horses), I feel that horses represent a bit of a starting place and a centering place for me: Amidst the chaos and the uncontrollable situations of horses and riders jumping, I have to watch them carefully, calm myself down, focus and just shoot... and get it right.
I have a lot of fun when I get a chance to be a second shooter at a wedding. For this wedding, I was privileged to work with Kirill Bordon Photography to create amazing memories for this amazing couple. Kirill and I are both film shooters and both have a great enjoyment for the medium we use. Film is fun and we love the results that we get to give to our clients.
Read More
