Holly & Steven - East Point Lighthouse wedding

Wedding date - July 25th, 2015

With the prayer beads hung on the line and the outdoor ceremony already set up, we all hoped for a day without rain for Holly & Steven. At the time of their wedding day Holly & Steven were living right beside East Point Lighthouse on a beautiful property overlooking the ocean. They chose this location for their outdoor ceremony and ended up with the perfect day. The sky was moody and blue which made for a striking contrast between the red cliffs and green grass of East Point. 

One of the things that struck me about this pair was their love for their daughter Taylor and how they incorporated her into all aspects of their engagement session, and their wedding day. It wasn't just a couple we were photographing starting their married lives, it was the three of them together, as one. Family was an especially important part of their day and it was an honor to photograph those moments.

Congratulations Holly & Steven! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

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.

Venue - Rodd Brudenell River Resort

Coordination - Simplicity PEI

Officiant - Brenda Bulger

Videography - My Moving Memories

Photography - Brady McCloskey Photography

Len & Brent - Oceanside cavendish wedding

Wedding date - august 13th, 2015

On their first trip to PEI together, the first place Len & Brent visited after checking into their cottage was the rocks at Cavendish Beach. That evening they took a walk on the path, headed down to the rocks, and enjoyed the views of beautiful Prince Edward Island. That trip was the first of countless times over the years that they would visit Len's home province together, visiting family and taking a break from city life in Vancouver.

After many years together they decided the timing was right and quietly got married on a Thursday afternoon this past Summer. For their ceremony location they thought of no better place to say their handwritten vows than returning to the same spot they had visited that evening15 years ago, the rocks at Cavendish Beach. 

Capturing the love of Len & Brent was one of the most memorable days I've ever had as a photographer. Their excitement, nervousness, and joy to be getting married was so special to see and throughout the entire day all of us could clearly see what a strong bond they had together. What an opportunity it was to capture such a wonderful day. 

Enjoy,

Officiant - Dianna Lariviere

Videographer - Serious Media

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

tips for a Rainy wedding day

If you're like some couples, you've been checking and refreshing the long range weather forecast ever since your date popped up. You may be disappointed to see rain on the horizon, but with a little pre planning and a good attitude, the rain certainly won't spoil the fun. 

As a Prince Edward Island wedding photographer it is inevitable that I will experience a rainy wedding day at some point. I've photographed many before, and will likely photograph many in the future. However, there's a few things to think about that will make your day go much smoother if rain is on the way.

Of course, umbrellas! Umbrellas are an absolute must if the weather is looking wet. I've photographed many couples under the shelter of umbrellas and they help to keep hair and makeup in tact, and outfits clean and dry. You may want to consider purchasing enough for you and your wedding party so that in the event of light rain, everyone is still able to venture outside for photos. Make sure to keep your receipt so that you return them if you didn't end up using them. 

In many instances I'll photograph the bride and groom under the cover of their umbrella, and then have them drop it quickly for a few photos. This gives a mix of both views, and is quick enough to make sure no one gets too wet. Besides the wet ground, you may never know it was raining. 

Have a back up plan in place for your photos and an alternate location if your ceremony is outdoors. Being prepared for weather can help ease a lot of stress on your wedding day. By having a back up plan in case of rain, you don't have to scramble on the day of and take up time. I've photographed under the cover of verandas, in public buildings, and under heavy foliage. I've even rode along for a long, limo dance party. A professional photographer is trained to handle unexpected circumstances and work in difficult situations, so hiring one will be a big help when it comes to a rainy wedding day. 

Beforehand, consult with your hairstylist and makeup artist for tips on keeping yourself looking picture perfect despite rain and humidity. A professional will know different techniques to make sure your hair & makeup don't change throughout the day. I asked the talented Holly Ryder from Priti Makeup Artistry to give some tips for keeping your makeup in line on a rainy day. Holly says:

• Primer! It will help everything stay in place

• Waterproof eyeliner and mascara

• Choosing creamy products vs powders, ex. a cream blush & liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer instead of powder alternatives

• Good quality lipstick, it has better staying power than a gloss!

Thanks, Holly! 

Be flexible with your timing. If it is raining, chances are there will be a window of time at some point in the day where it stops completely, or it is only spitting/misting. Being able to do some photos before or after you originally planned can be a way to avoid the rainy parts of your day. If the weather is looking sour, consider options like a first look before your ceremony, or some photos after dinner. This gives you more than one opportunity for photos, and makes sure you don't just rely on one specific time. 

However, even on the worst of days you never know when the clouds may break and the sun starts to peak through! 

The most important thing - keep up a positive attitude. Your wedding day is what you make it. You can't control the weather, but you can control how you handle it. Above all, it's important to not let the rain spoil your day. Your shoes may get a little wet, you may not be able to get to locations you planned for, and you may need to adjust your timeline, but after all it's important to remember to have fun. So, take a breather and keep on smiling!

And if all else fails.....have a drink. 

Been caught on a rainy wedding day? What did you do to keep dry and have fun? Leave me a comment! 

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! 

This is Your Life, Make it Beautiful

Back in the winter of 2014, a former wedding client of mine, Stacey Wyand came up with an amazing idea to bring some smiles and positivity into the life of several PEI woman undergoing various stages of cancer treatment. Over the course of a few weeks, Stacey gathered the support of her wedding photographer, makeup artist, hair stylist, friends, and family to come together and organize a day of fun and laughter for 4 local women. With no motive and no backing from any organization, we set out just to do some good. 

Based on the viral video If Only for a Second, we had a plan to offer a one day makeover for the women. The ladies were treated to a stylist at Rikki's, had their nails done and hands massaged, and enjoyed free time to mingle with everyone. They were instructed not to look in any mirrors until their hair & makeup were finished. What they didn't expect when their reflections were revealed in front of our mirror, were the ridiculous hairstyles that were created for them! Even it was 'if only for a second', their cares and worries were washed away with the shock and laughter of how they looked :)

You can check out the video from last year, filmed by the talented Lowell Productions. 

Because of the tremendous success of 2014, our team was so eager and excited to bring this event back for 2015. On a sunny Saturday in February we returned to Cymbria Lions Club to do it all over again with 5 incredible new ladies! Our 5 enjoyed mingling among themselves and the volunteers, drinks & snacks, and having their hands massaged and their nails painted. We even had prize giveaways including trailer rentals and camping at Marco Polo Land! 

This year we were excited to have Joel from Serious Media to film the day and the reveals. 

All hairstyling and nails were done by the talented Sharon Keller of Bounce! Hair Studio who also created our wigs for last year's event. 

One was unable to make it but we were so happy to have 3 of our ladies from last year's event come back to say hello again this year! Looking great! 

Holly Ryder from Priti Makeup Artistry volunteered her time again this year as well! 

Finally, after makeup and clothing were finished, our ladies came into a separate room where one by one their wigs were applied and they sat in our stool. Waiting on one side of a full length mirror was Joel filming it all, and on the other was me, photographing it all. 

Remember that they had no idea what to expect when they opened their eyes. Enjoy! 

This sign was found the morning of our event last year, and since it fit the theme of our day so well we had to include it. If you scroll back up, you'll notice one of our volunteers, Gaylene had the words tattooed on her arm in honor of her Mother who participated this year. 

From left to right, the amazing team who brought this event together:

Brady McCloskey, Gaylene Colborne, Joel MacDonald, Sharon Keller, Stacey Wyand, Holly Ryder, Michelle Gallant, Valicia Wyand, and Dianne Wyand. 

Part 2!

In April we invited the ladies back for a 'reveal day' at the PEI Brewing Company where we encouraged them to bring along family and friends to come watch the video and view the photos. We all laughed and enjoyed another happy and fun event!

This event has been an incredible experience for us all and we were thrilled to bring laughter and relaxation to these women who have gone through so much. It's an important thing to help others in need and we are fortunate to be able to do so. Watch out for next year because it will be even bigger and better than before!!

A special thanks goes out to all of those who organized, donated, or gave their support in many ways:

• Emerald Isle Property Management

• Bounce Hair Studio

• Priti Makeup Artistry

• Serious Media

• Rikki's Clothing

• Cymbria Lions Club

• North Rustico Co-op

• Marco Polo Land

• Wyand's Trailor Rentals

• O'Connor Glass

• PEI Brewing Company

To finish off, you can view the video of the event right here :)

--

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!

5 Quick Tips for your Engagement Session

Today, let's talk about engagement sessions! It's that time of year where many wedding couples are starting to think about their engagement sessions before their weddings this Summer and Fall. I love these sessions, and have photographed so many couples across PEI in many different locations. Here I wanted to share 5 little tips so you can make the most of your own photo shoot. 

The main reason I include a complimentary engagement session with every full day wedding collection is because it allows us to get to know each other and for the couple to become comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of my clients will show up feeling a little nervous and unsure what to expect at first, and I totally get that. For many, this is the first time they're being photographed by a professional apart from their high school or post secondary grad photos! They may be scared I'll ask them to do a bunch of crazy things, stand in awkward positions the whole time, or be generally uncomfortable. They quickly realize that's not the way it goes. Being photographed is much easier than expected, and quite enjoyable! The truth is, as a photographer my job is about 50% photography, and 50% knowing how to work with people.

You can take incredible photos but if you don't know how to make people feel comfortable, you're not going to achieve the look both you and your clients want. An engagement session introduces you to your photographer with a 'practice run' of sorts, letting you see first hand how they work. I've had many people tell me (even the guys!) how easy and fun their engagement session was and that's what I strive for. 

1. Before the shoot, I often let my clients choose the location so that we photograph somewhere unique and special to them. From baseball fields, to pumpkin patches, to beaches, and farms, I've been taken to many beautiful locations across PEI, all special in their own way. I recommend choosing a spot that has meaning to you such as a favorite spot to visit together, and old date location, or a family member's property. 

2. I encourage clients to add special touches to their session including one of my favorite things.....dogs! Bringing along your dog can help add a fun and light hearted dynamic to your session. Even if your dog runs around and is only in a couple photos, you may enjoy the familiarity of having your four legged friend there with you. Plus, they're a special part of your life so why not have them in your photographs too?

3. In addition to pets, some other objects can be fun to bring along such as handmade signs, a cozy blanket, sports equipment, paint, or balloons. Feel free to bring what you like, or nothing at all. If you do, just make sure to keep it simple and easy to carry. Either way, the photos will be beautiful! 

4. "So, what should I wear?" I get asked this question a lot. I always tell clients to simply wear what they know is going to make them feel comfortable and relaxed. I've had couples show up in everything from dresses and heels, to shorts and sandals - it all depends on what look you're going for, and where your session takes place. Consider bringing along a light sweater or different pieces of jewelry if you'd like a quick and easy outfit change. If you're having a hard time deciding, take a look through my Portrait section on my website for some examples of what others have worn.

5. Lastly, relax and have fun! No part of working with me or any photographer should be stressful. It's a great feeling to come away from a session with photos you're proud of, ones that you will print and hang on the wall for years. Feel free to think outside the box if you want to too. There are no rules, it's your hour to enjoy so have fun with it! 

If you've had engagement photos taken before, what was your favorite part? Any tips you'd like to add? Share them in the comments!

Brady