I hope that you will indulge me and allow me to share some images of and about my sweet Nana, Jean.

All of these images were taken on February 9, 2011.

The date of her funeral.

I am so glad I have these photos.

Everything in the house is exactly as she left it.  From the notes on the fridge, to her tie-dye crocs under the living room table.

When I look at these images, I can still feel her with me.

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As much as I miss her, I will be of good courage and will choose to remember her with a smile.  The world lost one of its best people.  I wish you all had gotten the chance to know her.

Hold your loved ones tight, darlings.

{x}

Tara

I know it’s very easy for a wedding photographer to go on and on about how special all of her couples are… but when I say this about P+J, know that I mean it.

These two are a team.

Impenetrable.

He :: so protective of her, her heart, her dreams, her feelings.

She :: so proud of him, in love with his quirky self, and open to anything their future has in store.

Together these two pulled off the ultimate DIY wedding in Ontario’s Wine Country.

Seriously, this wedding would make Martha Stewart proud.

It makes me proud to have been a part of it.

If I can say nothing else about my 2011 season, I can say that I have witnessed countless moments where the curtain between reality and dreams was pulled aside.

Revealing a better world.

One where true love does indeed exist, and where two people can find their soul’s match in another.

We should all be so lucky.

{x}

Tara

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The Players ::

Flowers :: Gathered and arranged by Justin’s mom

Desserts :: Created with love by Patricia and Justin’s mom

The Decor :: Lovingly scouted by the couple, and staged by friends & family

Bride and Groom Prep ::  The Grange at Stag Hollow

Ceremony and Reception :: Ridgepoint Wines

Um, HELLO Granparents in love.  So sweet!

Loved the venue, loved the food, loved the Bobbette & Belle treats, loved the Stemz Flowers, loved the laughter, loved the friends and family.

You know you’re photographing the wedding of Good People when their friends visibly adore the heck out of them.

Count me in as an adoring friend.

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Joanne + Greg are going to be my neighbors pretty soon and I am super excited to have them in the ‘hood!

Wine and Bobbette & Belle treats for everyone!

{x}

Tara

P.S. That chick in the yellow?  That’s me.

Nerd alert!

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The Players ::

Bride and Groom Prep ::  The Millcroft Inn and Spa

Ceremony and Reception ::  The Alton Mill

Flowers ::  Stemz (Many flowers from J&G’s wedding are featured on Stemz’s new website)

Mini-Cakes ::  Bobbette & Belle

Hair and Make Up :: Ivy Lam (obviously)

Officiant :: Not Liza Minnelli

Magic :: Provided by couple

Best Looking Ladies :: The Chickens

What a beautiful and classic wedding to finish my season…

Classic perfection.

I can’t wait to see the magic 2012 has to bring!

{x}

Tara

I was listening to Florence and The Machine’s “You’ve Got The Love” really really loud while I edited this wedding.

And I cried.

I cried because Trina and Greg look at each other like two people who are In It.

They’re In It for the long haul.

The good, the bad.  The in-betweens.

He makes her laugh.

And he ADORES her.

It’s so clear.

This is for life.

What a couple.

What a night.

What an AMAZING party.

{x}

Tara

Take one fabulous couple who recently married, add one stranger’s backyard and a pinch of sunset.  Mix well.

Follow this with one red canoe, a gorgeous lake set ablaze by the setting sun, and a couple who is up for anything.

After all your hard work, go jump in the lake.

{x}

Tara

An outdoor Muskoka wedding on the family property.

Two people who are ridiculously in love with one another.

Seriously.  Each glows at the sight of the other.

The only catch to the incredible plans for this day was NO RAIN.

Rain was not invited.

But sometimes the occasional uninvited guest shows up.

Luckily, this near wedding-crasher didn’t stick around long…

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One thing that Joanne mentioned to me before her wedding was her relationship with her mother.  How the two are kindred.  From the moment I walked in the door, this special relationship was apparent.  While Joanne’s mom stared out the window to the rainy lake, wishing for better weather, Joanne stood in the room next door looking out in the same direction, wishing for the same.  Clearly the combined power of the Stewart women is something to behold.

The skies cleared almost immediately.

After a VERY busy season, I am sneaking away to Italy for a few days.

I will be back in the studio in early December.  Rested, relaxed, and ready to create more imagery.

Be in touch, lovers.  Just 5 bookings remain available for 2012.

Remember how magical childhood felt?

Abby made me remember.

{x}

Tara

Suz + Josh :: big love.  BIG.

Oh so much goodness.  First the Harbour Castle.  Then the Evergreen Brickworks.  Then the Steamwhistle Brewery.

Then forever ever.

{x}

Tara

We practiced identifying our ears and nose.  We ate Goldfish.  It was awesome.

I wonder if Leah’s mom and dad would consider donating their next baby to me…their babygirl is just too cute and I think I need one of my own!

{x}

Tara