2016 Favorites

There are so many Thank Yous to be given at the end of each year. To everyone including all the amazing brides and grooms, the family members who helped organize their family photo sessions, the wedding guests who let me sit with them at their table, the people who showed up nervous to their shoot and left relaxed, the fellow wedding vendors who created beauty, the fiances who helped pick out their partner's outfit, the kids that made us laugh, the limo drivers who took us around, the people that didn't grumble when I asked to take their photo, and to absolutely everyone else who was behind my lens this year......I thank you.

2016 took me near and far, seeing so much and meeting so many. To think of all the amazing experiences and moments I've had the pleasure of being a part of can be overwhelming, but looking back through every folder makes me smile, laugh, and say 'awww' too many times. Thank you to each and every client who trusted me to capture a part of their lives this year. Here's a look back at some of my personal favorites photos from another year of the coolest job ever. 

Enjoy.

2015 Favorites

From East Point to North Cape, from Belfast to Cape Egmont, from PEI to New Brunswick, 2015 has taken me far and wide capturing the moments that matter to you. I sincerely cannot thank each and every client enough for putting their trust in me this year. It's been an honor capturing every wedding, family, couple, commercial job, and everything else in between. 

Each year I sift through every session to choose my personal favorite shots to share. For many different reasons these shots are just a few of the ones that stick with me. I hope you enjoy this collection and I cannot wait to see what 2016's will bring. 

Enjoy,

Caroline & TJ - Cliffside Wedding in Cascumpec, PEI

Wedding date - August.28th, 2015

Every time I travel "West" for a wedding, it always ends up being such a fun day filled with the most friendly and fun loving people. TJ & Caroline's day was no exception - including a party bus, oyster bar, and a cliffside ceremony. TJ and his groomsmen even arrived at the ceremony in a pontoon boat, how fun is that?

Caroline & TJ have been together for years and their friendship and love for each other was obvious on their wedding day. I love to see couples who are best friends, and that was the case for these two. Congratulations to the new Mrs & Mr Campbell! 

Reception venue - The Loyalist Country Inn

Transportation - Ultimate Limo Bus 

Photography - Brady McCloskey Photography

Megan & Travis - Rodd Brudenell River Resort Wedding

Wedding date - August.29th, 2015 

Oh, what a day!

Megan & Travis met a few years ago through a mutual friend during their university days in Halifax. Travis, from Ontario was living with one of Megan's friends from PEI, and their first encounter came when she visited their house one day. After she left Travis asked his roommate who that amazing girl was, and the rest was history....

Megan & Travis wed on a sunny, mild day in August with an outdoor ceremony at the Rodd Brudenell River Resort, with all photos taken beforehand. They both got ready with friends and family, headed outside for their first look, and casually took photos while walking around the beautiful, riverside property. Before leaving Megan & Travis that evening I told them they had the most amazing attitude towards their wedding day that made it exactly everything it should have been. They were giddy, laughing, crying, and and above all, having FUN - the most important thing. Their love and excitement was contagious and they clearly had their best day ever. I'm so happy I was able to capture it.

Christi & Rob - Floral Inspired Summerside Wedding

Wedding date - July.4th, 2015

In the Summer of 2006, a Newfoundland guy and a PEI girl both moved to Calgary, and after 6 years out West they ended up connecting on eHarmony and in the words of Christi - clicked instantly. A couple years later during a trip to PEI, Rob proposed on the beach and that's what brought us to July.4th, 2015 in Summerside. 

Christi & Rob are the type of people you instantly connect with, trust, and simply want to be around. Their love for their friends, family, and each other drew me in and made me feel as if I had known them years. They were just so happy to be marrying each other and it was such an exciting thing to see. 

Some of you may know Christi's brother Michael who is a partner at Prestige Floral Studio in Summerside, the one behind some of the most beautiful wedding florals I've seen over the years. Christi chose her bridesmaids dresses and stationary, and let her brother handle the rest. Her only request was to incorporate trees, a reminder of her Father who had passed. You'll see from these photos that he certainly achieved a beautiful look any sister would be happy about! 

Congratulations Christi & Rob - wishing you many years of happiness!

The Shipyard Market was decorated beautifully and as someone noted - "looked like the wedding of a celebrity!"

In one of our favorite moments, Christi's Mother was the one to catch the bouquet! 

Hair - Amanda jones

Makeup - Shangri La

Ceremony - Summerside Presbyterian Church

Reception - Shipyard Market 

Florals & Decor - Prestige Floral

Cake - Sweet Pea Creations

Stationary - Hunt + Gather Paperie

DJ - DJ DWX 

Photographer - Brady McCloskey Photography

Ellen & Kevin - Romantic Charlottetown Wedding

wedding date - July.11th, 2015.


Ellen & Kevin have been together since meeting at UPEI almost 9 years ago and they tied the knot this past July on a sunny, warm day in Charlottetown. Beforehand, Kevin proposed using a photo book he created and on each page was a different part in their lives together - trips, building a home, getting a dog, and so on. On the last page though was a photo of their dog Kobi with a sign that read "Ellen, will you marry me?" AH!!

On their wedding day they chose to do a first look, followed by all their photos, ceremony, and then ending with their reception at the PEI Brewing Company. They are so sweet, kind, and friendly, I was so happy to be involved in their day and get to meet so many of their close family and friends. I hope you all love the photos as much as I do! 

hair - bounce hair studio

makeup - Makeup by Aimee Barker

Wedding dress - Caseley's Bridal

Bridesmaids dresses - David's Bridal - Halifax

Suits - Moore's

Flowers - Flower Buds

ceremony - park royal church

reception/catering - PEI Brewing Company

Cupcakes - Lovely Day desserts

DJ - Dave Mane

photographer - brady mcCloskey PHotography

Kayla & Tyler - PEI wedding at Green Island Getaways

I'm so excited to share this wedding with you all! I met Kayla & Tyler last Fall for their engagement photos and knew right then and there their wedding was going to be fantastic. They are natural in front of the camera and we had so much fun photographing them throughout the day and night. 

These high school sweethearts got engaged during a hiking trip to Mt Washington in the Summer of 2014. This Summer they accomplished their dream of having a fun and relaxed outdoor wedding on PEI! 

Kayla & Tyler dodged the rain and held their outdoor ceremony on the lawn at Green Island Getaways, in Granville, PEI. Afterwards, we travelled to the PEI National Park for photos before returning to the rustic barn for their reception. Going through these photos I'm reminded of the way these two laugh and interact with each other, it's pretty easy to see how much they care for one another. 

Thank you Kayla & Tyler for inviting me to share in your beautiful day!

PS - To see the video of their wedding, click here!

number of Guests - 132

wedding dress - chester & felicity

bridesmaids dresses - the perfect pear Bridal

Hair - Whispers Hair design

makeup - aimee barker

Venue - green island getaways

flowers - Superstore & Flower Buds

Decor - Color Your Event

Caterer - Chef Jeff Stewart

Videography - Serious Media

Photography - Brady McCloskey Photography

50 Golden Years

I was recently invited to be a part of a very special day, Ethel & Gordon Vessey's 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Being a wedding photographer, I'm so fortunate to be able to share in the wedding day of so many incredible people every year. I often love to think about where these couples will be together in 5 years, 10 years, or even like Ethel & Gordon - 50 years. I mostly see the beginning of a couple's marriage life so it was a fun experience to photograph a couple 50 years in, still as happy and loving as the day they were married! 

Along with their family and friends, Ethel & Gordon packed the York Community Centre on a Sunday afternoon, mingling, sharing stories, and celebrating their golden anniversary. I was amazed at just how many things they had saved from their wedding after all these years - including their wedding day outfits, cake topper, and engagement photos.

It's funny to notice back then their engagement photos were taken separately, not together!

A receiving line allowed the couple to chat with and greet all their guests as they arrived. 

A steady stream of friends and family poured through the doors throughout the afternoon, often times lined up outside the door as they waited to greet Ethel & Gordon. 

Congratulations to Ethel & Gordon and to all of those who have reached this milestone. Here's to many more years together! 

Kristy & Lincoln - Spring Wedding in Summerside

After photographing Kristy as a bridesmaid in Bethany & Brad's June 2014 wedding, I was so excited to get an email asking me to be the photographer for her own wedding day May.16th, 2015! There were many fantastic vendors, small details, and friends & family that came together to make it a spectacular day. It was hard to believe that just two weeks before the wedding we were blasted by a freak snowfall! 

Their wedding day included many special touches including a first look with Kristy and her Dad, and a visit to Kristy's grandparent's home before the reception. Lincoln & Kristy are the type of couple who are surrounded by loving families who want nothing but the best for these newlyweds. It was a pleasure to be there for the day and experience the love these two have for each other. 

Thank you Kristy & Lincoln, and to all your family and friends. Congratulations!!

A first look with Dad. 

We couldn't forget their dog, Kimby who was in on the first look too! 

How about these colors?! Kristy is also the talented owner of Radiate Happiness Designs, and handmade her own necklace, as well as the bridesmaid's necklaces.

Kristy & Lincoln chose to have the majority of their photos taken before the ceremony, and then off they were to be married!

Although Kristy's grandparents were unable to make it to the ceremony, they dressed up in their best clothes and waited at home all day for the newlyweds to arrive. It was a very special touch to have them still included, and to hear their marriage advice after so many years together. 

Lincoln is a huge baseball fan so we fit in a quick trip to the baseball diamond before the reception! 

ceremony - St james roman catholic church

reception - shipyard weddings & events

hair - laura morgan

Makeup - Aimee barker

flowers - Prestige Floral

bridal jewelry - radiate happiness designs

Decor - Once Upon a wedding

cake - elaine lock

LIMO - ECLIPSE LIMO

photobooth - instabooth pei

BAND - SUNDAY PUNCH

videography - my moving memories

photography - brady mccloskey photography

 

 

2014 Favorites

A collection of some of my personal favorite photos from the 2014 year. For many different reasons these photos stuck out to me as memorable in some way, whether it be the client's expressions, the memory of that moment, or even the technical side of the photo. These photos also document many of the places I've traveled to and the people I've met along the way. Photography has allowed me to capture countless memories shared with so many individuals. From January 1st to December.31st, thank you to everyone who invited me to share these moments with you. 

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do! 

Recap - East Coast Survival Guide

This past weekend I travelled to Halifax to attend Applehead Studio Photography 's East Coast Survival Guide Photography Workshop. Since traveling to Philadelphia last year for Cliff Mautner Photography's Lighting & Skills Bootcamp, I decided to do at least one in person educational experience a year, on top of online learning. I've been following Applehead's work for a while now and when the opportunity to attend their workshop came along, I jumped at the chance! The photography duo of Liam & Steph have a incredible creative eye and their flash and editing styles were something I really wanted to learn from. They were recently named the "Best Wedding Photographer in Halifax" by The Coast. 

16 of us came together for 3 full days of tips for running a successful photography business here in the Maritimes. In between a ton of laughs, we covered everything from client communication, contracts, and marketing, to photographing, editing, and workflow. Though I was mainly soaking in all the information, I managed to take a few behind the scenes photos too:

No matter your skill level, any photographer knows that a bright, sunny day at a waterfront is one of the most difficult situations to photograph in. We photographed on the Halifax waterfront where Liam & Steph walked us through some of their techniques for managing these locations. 

The lovely Kyle & Kristie from the video team Lowell Productions  came over to be our models for the day! Otherwise know as "Canada's Cutest Couple", they were great to work with! 

Getting the shot, from anywhere. 

Our second volunteer couple being photographed by us all. 

Back at the studio on Saturday night we all tried out a few new flash techniques for shooting in reception style lighting. Looking forward to using some of these to make improvements to my own method. 

Being in the creative industry I think it's especially important to never stop learning. Every so often it's refreshing to step out of your comfort zone, do something different, and gain some new inspiration to take your work forward. Workshops are a perfect way to share ideas with like minded people. 

Group composite taken by Steph & Liam! This group was fantastic. We shared many laughs, and drinks throughout the weekend! I learned a lot from them alone, and can't wait to cross paths again.

While there, I finally updated my head shot! Thanks Steph for the new photos! 

A few previews of our hashtag #EastCoastSurvivalGuide on Instagram! Stuffed beaver and all. 

On our drive back home on Sunday evening, CHERYL PERRY PHOTOGRAPHY , RIKI SULIS PHOTOGRAPHY , and I stopped at the Confederation Bridge to take a few photos...

All in, the weekend was incredibly helpful and I came away with a ton of practical tips for business going forward. I'd highly recommend Liam & Steph's workshop to anyone looking to pick up some new knowledge. Whether you've been photographing for two years, or ten, you can never have enough education. Now all that's left is to wait for wedding season to officially begin for me! Just 3 more weeks until Kristy & Lincoln's big day!