Spain, Morocco and Portugal

September 19, 2017

I was lucky to recently travel to and do a tour of Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Here are some of the photos I took while on my trip.

Barcelona Shoreline

Barclona didn't have any beaches until the 1992 Olympics. They are now considered some of the best in the world.

The Sagrada Familia. Still being built today.

Lots of good food in Spain

Fountain in Valencia Spain

A Sunset on the beach in Asilah Morocco

Exploring some Moroccoan shops

Lookout in Morocco

Taken with my phone. A sunset in Porto, Portugal

Not there anymore. A memorial for the Barcelona terrorist attacks last month.

Photos from Around Canada- Toronto Photographer

July 01, 2017

In celebration of Canada's 150th birthday here are some pictures I have taken around Canada over the years

Thunderbrook Falls in Grand Falls Windsor Newfoundland

Cabot Train in Campe Breton Nova Scotia

Birds at Parlee Beach New Brunswick

Sunrise in Prince Edward Island

Sunset in North Bay, Ontario

Winter in Montreal Quebec

Hiring a Photographer for Your Cottage Events- Muskoka Photographer- Toronto Photographer

June 29, 2017

Having an event at the cottage this summer? Why not get the event documented. Whether it's a family reunion, birthday party, anniversary party or you just want to capture a day at the cottage.

So why hire a photographer? I mean we all have a phone in our pocket that can take photos don't we? Why pay someone when we all have a camera in out pocket. Well here are a few advantages of hiring a photographer

Equipment and Lenses- Well yes people can take amazing photos on their phones there is defiantly an advantage to having long zoom lenses for close ups, wide angles for wide shots and a good camera body.

Knowledge of light- Events at the cottage mean people are everywhere. A photographer will be able get photos in harsh sunlight, dimly lit places or wherever you may happen to be. Whether is cannonballs into the lake at high noon or board games inside the cottage with artificial lighting.

Unbiased Eye- A photographer can see the event objectively. Getting photos of everything and everyone at the event.

Where there to photograph- I know this seem obvious right? But this means you are able to get lots of photos because that's what a photographer will be doing, taking photos. Because the photographer isn't concerned with anything else they can just focus on always getting photos.

How much does it cost and what's included?

Cost is $100 for the first hour and $35/hr after that. Included you will get an online gallery with lightly retouched photos to download.

Travel within 150kms of Huntsville, Ontario

Photojounrislistc style photos of the event plus any portraits you want.

For more info visit the contact page or email me at mlawrence145@gmail.com

Summer time Picnic Fun- Toronto Photographer

June 26, 2017

I had the privilege of shooting a picnic this past weekend. There was lots of fun to be had. There were lots of games and activities, Bouncy castle, bean bag throw, baseball games, wheelbarrow races and a water balloon toss that eventually turned into a water balloon fight!

Obliviously there had to be food at a picnic. What better than snow cones!

Getting Games Set Up

Getting the wheelbarrow race set up.

Lots of Preperation

Water Relay

GO GO GO!

On your mark, get set, go!

Baseball Fun

Wheelbarrel Race

Blanket Toss Game

The Water Balloons Where Definitely the Biggest Hit.

Ready to Toss

Tossing

And Catching!

Some got a little wet when they caught their water balloon.

It quickly evovlved into a water balloon fight!

Stocking Up

No one is leaving dry on my watch

Gotcha!

Enjoying each other's company.

For information about hiring me to capture your event go to the contact page, or email me at mlawrence145@gmail.com. For info and prices please see the pricing page.

Tips for Better Portraits- Toronto Photographer

June 16, 2017

Taking portraits can be difficult. When people get in front of the camera they can stiffen up and freeze. Often smiles can look forced on unnatural. Here are a few tips to getting better portraits with whatever camera you have.

Engage in Conversation

Asking couples things like "think about the first time you met" or "think of the most romantic thing the other person did for you". This will bring out natural smiles and expressions you would never get telling them to "say cheese".

Be Aware of Your Background

Watch out for things like trees or poles sticking out of peoples heads that often don't get noticed until you develop the photo.

Know Your Subject

Knowing what kind of people they are you are able to better communicate with them. This gives you a better idea when directing them.

Have Fun!

Sometimes the best pictures of people are not the stand in a row and look at the camera photos. Have a family do something fun together and get more semi candid photos. Play tag, kick around a soccer ball, have a family water fight or throw a football around. Let the kids be kids. After all your fondest memories with you family is probably not wearing matching outfits being lined up tallest to shortest.

Why Hire a Photographer For Your Next Event Toronto Photographer Muskoka Photographer

February 09, 2017

It's the time of year people start planning events for the spring and summer. Family reunions at the cottage, birthday picnics at the park and lot of other events. Why should you hire a photographer? After all everyone has a fairly decent camera in their phone nowadays. Here are a few reasons it's a good idea to hire a photographer.

An Objective Eye

A photographer can see all the action going on. They are not going to focus on one side of the family or people they know or like best.

Less Distractions

Hiring a photographer means they can 100% fully focus on capturing your event.

Knowing how light works

A photographer knows what is needed in diffrent types of light and how to shoot in more tricky lighting situations.

Good Equipment

Now let me be clear that you can take amazing photos with whatever camera you have. However a photographer having equipment like telephoto lenses that can capture action shots from far away identify has an advantage.

You Get the Enjoy the Event

When someone else is capturing the event it means you get to enjoy it knowing the photograhy is taken care of.

If your interested in having your event in the Toronto or Muskoka area photographed in a photojournalistic style contact me.

First Wedding Shoot- Toronto Photographer

July 11, 2016

On the first weekend of July I was privileged to shoot my very first wedding! It was at the beautiful Country Heritage Park in Milton Ontario

The Happy Girls

The Boys

The Groom

Flower girl

Bride with bridesmaid

You have to take some fun and silly photos during your wedding.

Guests enjoying the wedding

What's going on down there?

Wedding Day Selfie

First dance as husband and wife

2016 Photo Project- Best of February

March 09, 2016

February was crazy month weather wise. Freezing cold followed by spring like weather.

Spring like day at Long Branch Park

Vanities Day Love

Birds on thin ice

Duck enjoying the snow.

Driftwood on Toronto beach.

Photo 366 Project- Best of January

February 03, 2016

I decided that in 2016 I would try and take a photo everyday. Only rule is it has to be a photo. Can be taken with a DSLR, point and shoot or even a phone. Would fore me to be more creative and exercise my camera skills. Here are the best of January.

Walking with Papa. January 1st.

Squirrel on a snowy day in Montreal. January 6th.

Duck flying though the air. January 19th

Padlocks in the Distillery District of Toronto. January 14th.

Water splashing up on rocks in Long Branch Park, Toronto. January 25th.

Some Scenes of Montreal

January 09, 2016

Went to Montreal for a quick trip at Christmas. Here are a few photos I thought I would share.

Snow covered bench in Old Montreal

Mount Royal Park covered in snow.

French stop sign. Interesting fact is Quebec is one of the only places where the term Arret is used on these signs. Even in France the signs say stop.

Squirrel enjoying winter in Mount Royal Park.

The Photo that Started it All

December 19, 2015

I have also loved taking photos. When I was young my aunt had a toy camera that I played with so much she eventually gave to me. A few years later my parents got me a 110 film camera for Christmas. It was this photo that I took on a trip to New Zealand though that made me want to get more into photography. I took it with a simple point and shoot camera but there was something about it that I really liked. So when I got home I purchased my first DSLR and signed up for a photography class.