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Welcome!

Studio 1948 is a collaborative effort between two people with a passion for photography, art, life and each other.  We try to appreciate every day that is given to us, and bring that to our photography and business.  

Though between us we have over 12 years of photography experience and education, we approach our wedding and portrait photography with a fresh and modern perspective. Studio 1948 offers our clients a contemporary experience and exemplary service.  Every wedding and every session is exciting and a chance to create something unique and fantastic.  It is a gift, and we are thankful for every minute of it.

We are also very serious about respecting our environment and are taking steps towards becoming a greener photography alternative. We'll be talking more about this on the blog, check out our Eco-Friendly Wedding Fridays to get started!

If you would like to find out more about having Studio 1948 photograph your wedding or would like to book a portrait session, please email us using the connect page on our website or directly at:  info@studio1948.com.  

We look forward to hearing from you!




Eco-Friendly Fridays | Ottawa Photographers Studio 1948

A short and sweet tip for this week, inspired by a friend who is upgrading her computer!

If you’re like most people today, you’ve got a ton of electronics in your life.  One household likely has multiple cell phones, ipods, televisions, laptops, desktops, dvd player, cd player, printers and the list goes on.  Did you ever wonder what to do with those electronics once they’re over and done with, and you’re ready to replace them with something newer?  As of January 1st, 2010 the City of Ottawa will no longer accept certain items like computers, keyboards, televisions etc. at curbside pick up.  Instead, they encourage residents to use one of 17 facilities in Ottawa where you can take your unwanted gadgets for reuse or safe disposal.

You can go to dowhatyoucan.ca to pop in your postal code and find a drop off near you, and keep your old electronics out of the landfills!

Engaged | Ottawa Wedding Photographers

A few more from Anise and Sara’s engagement session. We had a great time, and there is just something about being downtown that lends itself to beautiful black and white photographs. We have had an unusually nice winter this year, so it was really wonderful to be able to shoot outside as well as indoors.  We started out at the Bank of Canada in their lush atrium, and then ventured out get some city shots, and I’m so glad we did since we were able to get one of my favorite images to date, the first photo shown below (good choice, guys ;) ).
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Now, they said they hadn’t done this before, but clearly they were quick studies, plus they are crazy about each other, that’s pretty clear too.  And I’m not sure how we get so lucky with our wonderful clients, but whatever it is I’m knocking on wood and crossing my fingers that we keep doing it, because it’s ridiculous how great each and every one has been.  So a big thank you is in order, Sara and Anise, and we’ll be seeing you soon.

Cara - These are beautiful, I love your black and white so much.

Wedding at the Courtyard | Ottawa Wedding Photographers

Nancy and Michael got married on perhaps one of the most beautiful and romantic days of the year- Valentine’s Day weekend, during Winterlude in Ottawa and surrounded by softly falling snow just for good measure. It was kind of magical, and that was fitting considering they are two wonderfully sweet individuals, with pretty amazing friends and family who gathered with them to witness their marriage.

I hadn’t had a chance to meet Nancy until a few days before the wedding, but Graeme had already met with her and assured me that she was probably one of the nicest people he’d ever met.  He wasn’t wrong.   We chatted like old friends from the beginning, and when I arrived at the hotel that morning it was the same- I was just one of the girls, albeit one who was hidden behind a camera most of the time!

A few of my favorites from getting ready before the ceremony:

wedding bouquet ottawaThe bouquet was lovely, and it smelled as good as it looked.  The bride’s sister carried an identical bouquet as her honour attendant.

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Meanwhile, Graeme was at the bride’s parents home with Michael..

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a quiet moment, nervous…ottawa weddings

but smiles weren’t far off!ottawa bride

westin ottawa weddingTime to leave, and a concierge managed to grab a taxi on one of the busiest days in Ottawa, good thing because that wind was chilly!

The next is one of my favorites.  Children are so unpredictable, and rarely want to stand still for a formal portrait- but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  For me, this is the little guy we saw all evening, with his sweet but mischievous grin and ready to zoom! Love it.

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courtyard reception ottawaThe Courtyard Restaurant in the Byward Market is a beautiful space for an intimate wedding.  The staff is lovely, and the ambience is excellent for candlelit receptions.  It’s always a pleasure to shoot there, and for Nancy and Michael’s wedding the added little touches were perfect.

Like the super fun kids table, that actually kept the children amused and happy!

wedding kids table

But after the tired kiddos were taken home for some much deserved sleep, the music was turned up and the guests got down!

wedding dancing

The entire day was incredible, and we were extremely privileged to be there to capture it all.  Later that night, at home, we both said how welcome we were made to feel, by both the couple and their family and friends.  Truly one of the best days.  And, Nancy, I know you’re waiting anxiously for this sneak peek- so I have to include this one!

wedding ottawaThe lovely bride and her lovely sister, catching snowflakes on their tongues as we walked to the Courtyard.   I love a bride in boots, and you two have such a great sense of fun! Just awesome!  Thank you so much Nancy, Michael and family. We can’t wait to see you again!

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Liz - I love snow-filled weddings!! Beautiful shots!

Nancy - Lauralee & Graeme - thank you again! I agree with the above comment - the watch shot is amazing - that watch has been in Michael's family forever and you captured it's beauty perfectly. I also love the one with our little Brendon 'taking off' & of Meg & I with our tongues out. LOL and my boots are just so stylish! ;) Can't wait to see more :)

Shona - Lovely images and a beautiful wedding. Love the dress shot & the watch shot...you both are amazing!

Eco-Friendly Fridays | Ottawa’s Green Photographers Studio1948

Sometimes one of the most earth-friendly things you can do is shop locally and/or small scale handmade.  We all know Etsy, which is responsible for many hours of wistful browsing.  There are some extraordinarily talented artisans and craftspeople out there, and many of them can be found on Etsy.  Etsy is also a great source of all things vintage and pretty, which is usually what I spend most of my time scoping.  Like this mustard yellow metal tote that I’m coveting today.

If you are in or around Ottawa tomorrow, then you should also check out the indie Wed By Hand show.  Wed By Hand is hosted by Beyond Events at the Courtyard Marriott, and the tag line is ‘handmand, unique, small, sustainable.  Which all sounds pretty good to me!  The show is open 10am to 3pm tomorrow (Saturday, February 27th) and will hopefully be a great source of ideas and inspiration for engaged couples who want to incorporate handmade and unique items into their wedding.

Enjoy if you go, I’m hoping to pop by at some point too!

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Thinking about Popping the Question? | Ottawa Engagement

Why not do it at a Sens game, with a Tacori diamond ring (um, amazing!) valued at $5000.00? The Ottawa Sun is teaming up with La Maison D’or, Brookstreet Hotel, Weddings InStyle and Mastermind Events to give some lucky guy the chance to propose in unbelievable style.  Contest closes tomorrow at noon, so you still have a chance to enter with the story of how you met, and why you want to propose at an Ottawa Senators game.  More details to be found HERE or by visiting ottawasun.com

Grab a beer, get creative, and good luck!

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Eco-Friendly Fridays | Ottawa Wedding Photographers

We put our eco-friendly friday blog posts on hold for a little while, just to get past the holidays and to devote our full attention to kicking of the 2010 wedding season (which so far has been stellar), but it’s time to get back to it!

The brief hiatus was also used to evaluate, adjust and re-evaluate what Studio 1948 is doing to conserve resources and be kinder to the earth.  It’s something we plan to re-visit frequently.  Along the way we were fortunate to become involved with the Greener Photography network, and are pleased to announce that we have completed the certification process through Greener Photography and have just received our 2010 premier level certification!

Greener Photography Certified Premier 2010

To achieve certification, a member must pass standards and requirements, along with demonstrating their commitment to greener business practices. Since we take a work/life approach to Studio 1948, meaning our business and personal life are integrated in almost every way, our business practices are very much tied to how we live generally.  One thing that was truly beneficial was to write our environmental policy for Studio 1948, and transition it to our everyday lives as well.  Our mission statement is less about how we do business, and more about just how we want to live, sustainably.

We’re really pleased to bring these greener practices to Studio 1948, and love that we can feel good about the work we are doing, in every sense.

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Lauralee - Thank you both! It's a constant work in progress but we're excited. :)

Sarah Goblot - That is wonderful! I always look forward to your green fridays and have missed them. :)

Danielle - Awesome Laurie!! Congrats!!

Wedding at the Canada Science and Technology Museum | Studio 1948 Weddings

When Derek and Katrina mentioned where they planned to tie the knot, I started crossing my fingers and silently hoping ‘pick me, pick me!’.  A departure from traditional wedding venues, a wedding at the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa would prove to be very unique, and very cool. Not to mention that they are a great couple and I LOVE their shared sense of humour. The ceremony and reception were held in the Locomotive Room at the museum.  The room itself is fantastic with two huge steam trains flanking the space, and it was a beautiful and meaningful evening.  Friends and family gave speeches and raised glasses, and there were a few tears and lots of smiles and laughter.  It really was a celebration of two people meant for each other. It was also quite fitting that Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (confession: I had to ask to get the name right) joined the newlyweds at Table One.  After all, we were at Science & Tech, he would have been right at home. ;) A sneak peek of some favorites from the night: Getting ready… ottawa wedding dressThe bride wore a custom gown made by Catherine Langlois that fit her perfectly.

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wedding favors And then they danced… dancing wedding guests ottawa wedding

wedding science museumKatrina and Derek, thank you for sharing your day with us.  You have a lot of love (and photographers!) in your life, and it was our pleasure to photograph your wedding.  The rest to follow shortly!

Ceremony and Reception: Canada Science and Technology Museum

Event Coordinator: K. Klug, Canada Science and Technology Museum

Flowers: Flowers Talk

Gown: Catherine Langlois

Cupcakes: The Bride!

And I would be remiss in not mentioning that Graeme and I were fortunate to have the wonderful Liz Bradley of elizabeth&jane with us for the event.  Sending a big thank you to Liz for all her hard work and help!

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Lauralee - Thank you! Can't take all the credit though, some of the posted images are Graeme's. :)

Danielle - Gorgeous Laurie!! And such a unique location for a wedding! Love that!

Liz - Such great shots Laurie!

Google Docs plans your wedding! | Ottawa Wedding Photographers Studio 1948

Nice!

google wedding docs

Google is probably already the main way couples plan their wedding- googling for wedding photographers, wedding coordinators, florists, venues and everything else is way more common than using the yellow pages these days.  Online searches are quick, paper-free, and you can do them in your pajamas on a Sunday morning curled up with a cup of hot chocolate.  So, google = helpful, but they’ve taken it a step further specifically for engaged couples.

Now, Google documents has wedding planning tools like templates for budget planning, seating, reception menu, oh- and choosing a photographer!  Google is getting lots of help from two of our faves,  Style Me Pretty and wedding photographer Jessica Claire, as well as other top notch wedding experts.  If you haven’t checked out Style Me Pretty you must do so immediately, it’s complete eye candy and has tons of great info for making your wedding unique and personal.

We absolutely love that google has created this service, and are only a little jealous that it wasn’t around when we were planning our own wedding.   When you’re planning a wedding, as fun as it can be, it’s also A LOT to keep track of and staying organized is a challenge.  Anything that could help is worth a look!

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Downtown Ottawa Engagement Session | Studio 1948 Wedding Photographers

There are always a few little butterflies before meeting a couple for the first time, but within seconds of meeting this beautiful pair I knew we’d be just fine. They are so sweet and nice that you can’t help but immediately feel at ease. We took advantage of downtown Ottawa for their engagement session, and even braved the cold and ventured outside for a little natural light photography. If they were cold they didn’t show it. Guess love will do that. ;)

A quick sneak peek:
ottawa wedding photographer

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Cumberland Engagement | Ottawa Wedding Photographers

As promised, more from that lovely winter engagement session!  There’s just something about winter that is so romantic and perfect for engagement sessions.  Summer, spring and fall are of course beautiful, so perhaps it’s that a little chill in the air and a light dusting of snow just makes a couple in love want to snuggle even closer.  Whatever it is, it sure makes being a wedding photographer in Ottawa a lot of fun, and this photographer is extra appreciative of all four seasons!

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They were still up for a little fun, despite the cold weather!  Maybe getting a little practice before they cross the real threshold after their wedding?

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We couldn’t have asked for a better location, either- just the perfect mix of vintage and modern, sigh…

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You are a beautiful couple, inside and out, and I’m so excited to photograph your wedding!  Thank you for being such good sports and putting up with some cold toeses and noses. ;)

Connect! | Studio 1948 Website | Couture Intimates

Kim Bradford - Perfect and romantic in EVERY way!! Love them all!!!

Ellen - Your color and clarity are wonderful. I love them all, but those two series of images are so much fun!

Zaida - Wow. Just wow! These are wonderful---great editorial style!

Rowena - So neat! The first image is my absolute favourite! Love the rest of the images too.

Liz - These are awesome Laurie - my fave is the amazing red+white door. where is this place??!!?

Jennifer Bailey - These are awesome Laurie! I love the feel the snow and the location bring to images. Just a little something extra to the obviously in love couple.

Wendy Leung - OMG the light snow makes it look so beautiful - I love the style of your pictures and the originality of using Cumberland as your background (the old gas pump, red and white doors, side of a red barn-look)! Fantastic!

shona - wow, wow, wow! Just l.o.v.e. this session! Beautiful!