About Us

There is something magical about taking a photograph, and being able to experience a moment in time over again. But as a photographer the feeling goes deeper than that, looking through the lenses at the subject, be it a person or a lone tree in a field. Right before the shutter snaps there is a moment where the photographer feels for that moment in time, that there is nothing else in the world except them and the subject. Photographs speak louder and more often than words. They are a ticket into the past, they are the feeling that touches your heart and a moment recorded forever.
    
We are the Erika & Ryan a team. we both find beauty and order in chaos, watching for the delicate interplay of light and contrast and -SNAP- there is that moment. That moment of shear natural beauty in everyday things. We approach our calling with an openness of spirit, an openness of mind that allows us to become caught in a moment of time, however minute to find the perfection that exists in everyday moments. Perfectionists at heart, we are driven to improve, learn, and to find the connections between technology and artistry, nature and mathematics; there is a mathematical equation within every image. We experiment with new media, lighting techniques, proportion, layering. We are driven to develop constant mastery of technical skill which we realize is the unattainable goal and therefore will provide us with a lifetime of learning opportunities.

We don't like to use chemicals for development, nor do we want to waste paper, so we view our images on the computer and print only the very best. We enjoy photographing a variety of subjects, be them people, or inanimate objects, landscapes or interiors. Delving into different worlds keeps us fresh and creative. Each different area of photography we tackle helps to compliment another and only helps us to fulfill our ongoing quest for knowledge.

But at the end of the day the purpose of our photography like all art is to share the beauty of the world and to evoke emotion. To tell a story through the image, to create a believable subject and to deliver a message of truth. Our art is 50% heart and 50% soul, its speaks to us on so many levels with so many layers. It is every ounce of who we were at that moment in time, it is a reflection of our life, our family, and our community. It reminds us of our past, and is helping to pave the road for our future.

Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

That’s right we had the privilege of shooting 3 awesome weddings on top of the C.N Tower in Toronto Ontario, one of the world’s tallest buildings. The 3 weddings were sponsored by Proud FM of Toronto, and the 3 couples Richard & Sam, Lee & Paulo, and Margarita & Lora had to enter a contest to win their Free wedding on top of the world, and were married on June 22nd 2008 by Reverend Dr. Brent Hawkes of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, who has been performing gay and lesbian weddings since day go, and even made me tear up 3 times (yes 3 times) with his sermon. He really is an amazing reverend and the most decorated person we have had the pleasure of meeting.

Now I don’t want to write a novel here since we have so many amazing photos to show you all and i would really like to get to it, but I do want to say a few words. Firstly to our new friends Sam, Richard, Lee, Paulo, Margarita and Lora CONGRATULATIONS!!

We hope you all had an amazing night, and great honeymoons. Even though we only spent limited time with you all it wasn’t hard to see the love you have for each other, you are all truly inspirational and exactly the type of love stories we are passionate about capturing. Each and everyone of your weddings was such a great time, running around the C.N Tower going up and down the elevators all night was an adrenaline rush and we are so honored that we were chosen to share in your special day. We wish we could say that we would do it again, but seriously our feet were killing us by the end of the night, 3 wedding in one night is a ton of work, and I think we owe a lot to Justin Ruttan of Cherish Event Management for inviting us to be apart of such an amazing event, and throwing 3 beautiful weddings. We have worked with Justin earlier this year on the Burgin Wedding, and we can’t wait to work with you again. So Justin even though our feet were killing us, we hope you will ask us to help you out next year to!
Also the accommodating staff at the C.N Tower who ushered us to the head of the very long tourist lines, gave us access to private elevators when they could and kept us all in touch via walkie talkie all night long.
To everyone Thank you!

So without further adieu, here are some of our favorites from the night.

Cheers
Erika & Ryan

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

Lee & Paolo

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

Sam & Richard

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

Margarita & Lora

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

oh yah and here’s a funny shot of Justin, trust us he was not the videographer!

wedding photography Big Gay wedding on top of the world!

October 6, 2008 - 9:08 am Gerri Weatherbee - Love these, Ryan!!! Absolute perfection... :)

July 6, 2008 - 1:40 pm Mary rowell - Great photos... Looks like the couples are in love and will live happily ever after. We are having a lots of gay weddings here in San Francisco since the courts here have figured out these folks were being discriminated against. Its good to get a preview. Congrats to the couples.

July 4, 2008 - 2:26 pm Lauren - The Reverend may have made you tear up, but these photos have definitely made me tear up. They are beautiful, and capture all of the love present. Incredible. Standing ovation for you guys out here from Edmonton. Congrats also to these couples! I just can't even say enough about these photos. Well done you two.

We’re Here!

So Ryan, my mom, myself and my mom’s cat Crash all made it down to the east coast safely!

Since dinner is almost ready I just want to make this a quick post and say hello to my little sister Jackie who is out in Miami right now, hope you are having a blast and I can’t wait to hear all about it!

And to Ryan’s littlest sister Alana, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! sorry we couldn’t be there but we will bring you back some from PEI or Montreal.

Here are a few pics of our trip on the way down.

Driving through the underground, underwater tunnel in Montreal.

personal Were Here!

Here is my mom catching some zzzzz’s in Quebec in front of the Restaurant Madrid.

personal Were Here!

…and here is me posing with her …

personal Were Here!

…and then here is Ryan getting in for a shot.

personal Were Here!

personal Were Here!

personal Were Here!

Here is mom and Crash driving into Saint John.

personal Were Here!

Irving Nature Park Beach, Saint John N.B

personal Were Here!

Me flying my sweet rainbow star kite.

personal Were Here!

Ryan flying his two string kite.

personal Were Here!

My mombo!

personal Were Here!

Moi!

personal Were Here!

Stay tuned for more photos to come, we are heading out to PEI for Canada to camp so hopefully we don’t get stuck in the rain.

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

We are driving to the east coast!

So Ryan and I are moving my mom to Saint John N.B at 4am this morning, and yes we are still awake and not sleeping because of course we could not get our internet installed at our new place in time to complete some of our work, so we had to park in the Williams Coffee Pub parking lot and steal a signal from them to get a peak at a mountain of emails and blog about the Carley and Jefferson’s wedding.

So if you are wondering where we are going to be for the next few weeks (until July 13th) we will be hitting up, Saint John N.B – to see my fabulous family, St. Andrew’s by the Sea N.B- to meet with the Fairmont Algonquin, Prince Edward Island – to go camping, Fredericton- to shoot John & Laura’s engagement session, and Montreal- to shoot Jen & James’ engagement session and visit my bestest friend Meagan.

We will be checking our email along the way, so we hope to hear from you. And if you are in any of those areas and would like us to meet with us, get shot by us, or just chill out in the east coast with us, drop us a line, we would love to meet, shoot, or chill out with YOU!

Cheers

Erika & Ryan

personal We are driving to the east coast!

Jefferson Loves Carley

This Saturday we shot an amazingly beautiful wedding at Barrie’s McLaren Art Centre. We have been waiting a few years to get a wedding at that location.

The McLaren is Barrie’s old Library converted to an art gallery, in my opinion it is the best old architecture we have in this budding city, so having an opportunity to shoot there was great.

Carley and Jefferson were very calm and laid back for 2 people getting married in what looked like for about 15 minutes, a monsoon!

Carley our bride had the biggest bouquet in history, it was stunning, and covered most of her when she held it, but the flowers were huge and they smelt so fresh, you could smell the flowers during the ceremony. The ceremony officiant was Tom Cooke, he is probably Barrie’s best kept secret when it comes to wedding ceremonies. he is so funny, and light hearted and he really takes his time to make sure that the ceremony is designed for the couple. If you would like Tom’s info please contact us and we will give it to you, he is a hidden gem, and we are so lucky to work with such an amazing person.

For photos we hung around the galleries and then walked 5 mins from the gallery to Michael and Marion’s restaurant for the reception taking photos in down town Barrie.

Carley and Jefferson were such a blast and we wish we could have spent more time with them. Jefferson is taking Carley to Paris for their honeymoon and I am extremely jealous, but they both deserve it, they are both hard workers and we wish them all the best.

Take great photos in Paris, and make sure you pick up a large piece of art to hang in the bedroom, I’ve heard of this place called The Louvre, I don’t know if they have any art there but its worth a look. Haha!

Mclaren Art Center was such a beautiful location and i wish that more brides and groom would consider getting married in the galleries there, so here is a link to their website and wedding info.

http://www.maclarenart.com/visit/rental_catering.cfm

Erika & Ryan

…oh yeah, and here are a few moments from Carley and Jefferson’s day.

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley
wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

wedding photography Jefferson Loves Carley

February 14, 2009 - 9:09 am Show us your Love! - Best Kisses of 2008 » Modern Photographers blog - [...] Carley & Jefferson- In an Elevator (McLaren Art Center, Barrie Ontario) [...]

February 13, 2009 - 1:43 pm Show us your Love! - Best Kiss of 2008 at Rowell Photography | Barrie, Toronto, GTA Ontario Wedding Photographers - [...] Carley & Jefferson- In an Elevator (McLaren Art Center, Barrie Ontario) [...]

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