This is the long overdue post of the wedding of Jorel and Joyce in Niagara Falls, Canada. Yes, it is that side of the falls that everyone says is so much better – and trust me it is. And not because there are less Indians like what I’ve heard, because honestly I think they are more of them there, but because you can see the magnificent entirety of the falls plus there is a shopping mall. :)

Now I’m going to start by saying that you guys are in for a treat. The location, the couple, the people, and the wedding were all amazing. It would be a crime to keep you reading my post and further delay looking at the photos. But I just have to say that what made this wedding more memorable than it already was, was the little surprise that JorEl and Joyce had for me -it was just a couple of days after my birthday and they had the whole reception party sing me a birthday song, I deeply appreciated it that i almost panicked (I actually did) and cried. Check out my reaction here.

So from my birthday treat to this treat of a post right here, let me usher you in to the photos by saying I love every little tidbit of my job and it’s because of my awesome couples :)

Lovely couple Jor-el and Joyce got married in the beautiful Hilton Fallview Hotel in downtown Niagara in Canada on the special 09-10-11 date. Same wedding where, as part of the reception program, was a surprise for me. I was right in the middle of the dance floor arranging what was supposed to be a group shot of the bridal party when the DJ started describing someone who traveled all the way from Manila and had been working all day. Then Joyce was staring at me trying to tell me that it was me the DJ was talking about. I almost panicked – well, I did panic! hehehe. They proceeded by having everyone in the ballroom sing me a Happy Birthday song. It was super sweet and definitely one I won’t ever forget :)

Watch out for the full post soon :) Remember their e-session here.

This is me, in my “OMG! are you serious, is that me they are describing?!” look.

Today’s post is special for a lot of different reasons.

First, it’s special because it’s my first shoot in Canada. And we didn’t just go to any of the most popular places in Canada, we specifically went to Quebec City where the old french charm is teeming and well preserved. Being in Quebec City is like being in another time and it just sort-of consumes you :) Add to that the still harsh winter snow that covered the entire city, which we also specifically wanted as part of the overall feel and look to the shoot.

Second, it was the engagement session of my good friends Noel and Mona that I shot in Quebec City. I’ve known them for just a couple of years but our bond is strong and deep because they have been sort-of my other family whenever I visit the United States. Noel also helps me out by second shooting for me in most of the shoot there and even in Mexico.

Third and last reason, and I think the most important one as of the moment, today is Noel and Mona’s fourth anniversary of being together and I think it would be such a lovely surprise for them to see these photos from Quebec City for the very first time. :)

I hope you guys enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed braving the cold while shooting these and as much as I loved processing these in a different tone as inspired by a recent Giorgio Armani ad. And if you do like them, you also have Iris Smith-Brutario to thank as she accompanied us all throughout the shoot (coerced for some parts of it but still did an awesome job) and made sure that Mona looked her best by dollying her up :)

Do check out some behind-the-scenes photos at the bottom of the post :)

Here some fun scenes and not-so-fun scenes during our shoot :)

Mona and Iris checking out the frozen lake. They are making snow manananggals. lol

Carriage ride! all happy the shoot for the day is over – that’s what they thought! mwahahaha.

This better be the last set Oly!

Hey guys, it’s not so bad here in the middle of the forest, if you go here I’ll make you some really nice shots. hahaha

Dinner with our Quebecan friend, Brigitte Bilodeau :)

Whatever it takes to shoot the best photos possible for my couples :)