Best Wedding Photographs of 2019 Roundup

2019 has come and gone and all that’s left are the memories and photographs to bring me back to the moment. Boy, what a year it was. I can start with the obvious highlight, travelling to Los Angeles for an epic wedding and getting to take a sun filled vacation in the middle of our busy wedding season. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience that has left us lusting to get back to the California coast ever since. Having the opportunity to photograph in the stunning venue that is the Grass Room in DTLA and also heading out to Malibu to explore and create work at the Frank Lloyd Wright Ranch were dreamlike experiences. My memories feel like a nostalgic music video where everything was beyond expectation and imagination. We were also able to spend a lot of personal time in LA, documenting our travels in both film and Super 8 (which is most likely what has influenced my memories to feel like a music video). As artists, we were able to fulfill some visions and explore scenes we had never even conceptualized.

On top of going to one of the most gorgeous wedding venues in Los Angeles, I also had the opportunity to return to some of my long time favourite venues here in Toronto; The Gladstone Hotel, Madsen’s Greenhouse, The Drake Commissary, and The Broadview Hotel, to name a few. Each one of them have their own unique aesthetic, and I always get excited when I get the chance to revisit them to capture a wedding day. I think the coolest thing about shooting in a venue more than once is to see how my couples really infuse their own personalities into the space and into the events of the day, things never feels repetitive or overdone. The uniqueness of each wedding is something to take notice of and something I definitely focus on documenting as a wedding photographer.

I also got to shoot at some venue and locations for the first time. Ricarda’s for a gorgeous restaurant wedding with modern vibes, Hotel Ocho which is super cool and trendy, and Archeo which is a quaint little restaurant in the heart of the distillery.

After Los Angeles we headed out west to photograph a gorgeous wedding in the mountains of Canmore (which you can check out in Brian’s best of the best over on his blog). Being able to work in Alberta is extremely special for me as it gives me the opportunity to visit and spend time with my family. I’m extremely grateful to have a career that allows me to travel, especially when that travel takes me bak to my home province. On top of that of course, Canmore is absolutely breathtaking and I will never ever get tired of photographing weddings in the mountains. Even though it was 12 degrees in July, I still love the province I’m from and am planning many trips back home in 2020.

As epic as those locations were, it was 100% the amazing people that we got to share these experiences with that made them so perfect. 2019 represents the most couples Brian and I have ever worked with and it was a whirlwind year. I feel like I’ve honed in on my craft and that I’m able to explore the world of wedding photography through my own eyes and tell stories in ways I’ve always envisioned. I’ve been refining my editorial approach to weddings and have been able to find a balance between the editorial and documentary elements that make up an entire wedding day. The way I see it, a wedding needs a photographer equally skilled at capturing the narrative elements of a wedding day and the ability to capture beautiful atmosphere that we see in our mind’s eye.

Another 2019 win that I don’t feel like I should go without mentioning, is that I hosted my first workshop on Albums. With Album x Print I want to be able to share my knowledge to help other photographers make albums a real, viable part of their business. The workshop covers everything from how to sell albums to how to design them, and everything in between. Since the first workshop that took place February 2019 I’ve had the opportunity to refine the curriculum and am hosting the next workshop on March 29, 2020 in my home studio in Toronto. For more information you can check out the Album x Print Workshop under Education and I look forward to making albums and education a core part of my wedding photographing business going forward into the new decade.

2020 is already off to a great start and I have so much to look forward to for this exciting new year. Here’s hoping that 2020 is as good to me as 2019 was but in the meantime, here’s a brief look back on this past year for Ryanne Hollies Photography.

Wedding Portraits at the Wright Ranch in Malibu

Writing this entry feels like an excerpt from my journal. Two days after Jackie and Skylar’s DTLA Grass Room wedding in Los Angeles we hopped in our Jeep and drove to Malibu, California for their portrait session. We travelled down the Pacific Coast Highway taking in the authentic California coastline views and then proceeded to climb the winding roads up the mountains of Santa Monica. Being from Alberta, I’m no stranger to death-defying cliffside drives but this one certainly reminded me of all those road trips through the Rockies when I was growing up out West. The nostalgia of it all combined with our reeling emotions of the recent wedding day really had me appreciating the small in-between moments of this once in a lifetime experience.

As you drive into the Wright Ranch you turn the corner and everything unfolds in front of you, like a whole other world suddenly revealing itself right before your very eyes. At first you see the stunning minimalist architecture of the building, then the vintage trailer literally built into the cliffside, and as you getting even closer the California valley fills your field of view. A panoramic view of Malibu, the ocean, and the sky all appear at once, and it rendered me utterly speechless.

As a photographer and curator I have been heavily influenced by architecture and it’s ability to influence how we engage with a space. The Wright Ranch creates an accessibility that allows you to explore wherever and whatever peaks your interest. We were lucky enough to be there with the bride and groom as well as their families and bridal party who really embraced the whole experience. Before we got started, I stood back and observed. It was so fascinating to watch each of them explore different spaces of the ranch and some of them even headed off on their own to take it all in.

The experience of being up on top of the world in California was one in a million. I don’t have many words for it other than an it was an overwhelming outpouring of creative energy. Jackie and Skylar had fallen in love with the ranch when they first saw it and you could see how much it meant to them to be there. They wanted to take it all in, exploring every nook of the minimalist space and the ground that surrounded it. We played a bit of their favourite music as they shared their quiet and intimate moments in the ranch, it was enough to give you the good kind of chills knowing that there was an authentic and engaging experience unfolding before you.

We were able to slow things down and shoot the session on digital and analog film. Shooting both 35mm and medium format, we were really able to capture the feeling of the environment and the emotional energy that transpired from being in such an awe-inspiring landscape. Brian shot medium format 6x7 slide film to create mini cinematic frames to transport us back to that moment in time is something that can never be replicated by digital photography and a big reason why we still shoot so much analog film in our wedding photography and personal work. Being able to look at the slide film by simply holding it up to a light really allows you to connect with the images and it’s a little window into our experience. I’m excited we get to share that with the bride and groom.

Our time at the Wright Ranch felt like a low-key celebration of the entire experience in California. It was the last time that Jackie and Skylar were surrounded by the people that are most important to them and a chance to just take a deep breath and let everything sink in after a whirlwind of emotion on the wedding day.

I feel like maybe I will wake up tomorrow and this will have all been a dream. This experience holds a very dear place in my heart and it will always be a fond memory, not only as a wedding photographer, but as a human being. What we have left are our negatives, some slides, the photographs, and an unforgettable story to tell.

VENDORS
Photo Location: Wright Ranch, Malibu
Collaborating Photographer: Brian Bettencourt, 3B Photography

DTLA Wedding at The Grass Room

One year after their sunrise engagement session at Underpass Park in their now home in Toronto, we all flew out to Los Angeles for Jackie and Skylar’s wedding celebration in beautiful Los Angeles California.

Skylar is from Orange County and Jackie is from North Carolina, they met at the National Ballet school in Banff, Alberta and moved across the country to Toronto to dance for the National Ballet of Canada. They decided to get married in Los Angeles, a place that has a lot of sentimental value for them both and was the perfect place for them to gather their closest friends and family for a joyous celebration.

Jackie and Skylar decided to host their day at the DTLA Grass Room, which is a converted greenhouse now turned wedding venue. Now, I’m sure you are picturing something very specific but this isn’t your average greenhouse. The Grass Room is located in the North Sea district so naturally it has a blue facade with a giant whale mural visible from the street. It has massive ceilings with site specific murals high up on the walls and themes of underwater life and a tropical jungle subtly incorporate all the aspects of it’s quirky history. The eclectic and modern design of the Grass Room is completely unique and every aspect of the space has been meticulously redesigned to tap into your imagination and bring you into a whole other world. It was unlike any other wedding venue we’ve ever photographed.

The bride and groom’s fun, easy-going personalities were reflected and highlighted throughout the events of the day. They started off the celebrations with their emotional (but hilarious) ceremony that had the guests laughing through tears brought on by the sentimental and deeply rooted vows. I always love seeing couples write their own vows and often when they go to recite them they both bring up the exact same reasons why they love each other and how much they’re looking forward to spending their whole lives together. It’s a not-so-subtle look into the intricacies and history of two people’s journey together and for Jackie and Skylar it was evident how they each played a significant role in one another’s growth and personal evolution. Those are real things that create a profound bond that naturally blossoms into a genuine and sincere love such as that of Jackie and Skylar.

There was truly, never a dull moment and I sincerely mean that statement. From the champagne tower that Skylar filled a little too full, to both of them trying to cut the cake through multiple layers unsuccessfully, they had theirs guests on their toes but laughing the whole way. It was a relaxed atmosphere, there was nowhere else to be and all the guests were present and soaking in this incredible day.

The high emotions were carried throughout the entire event and were capped off with some incredible live performances by their close friends and a special performance by Skylar’s little sister. Their friends did a duet to the song “Rivers and Roads” by the Head and the Heart which was powerful and gave you goosebumps. It was followed by the groom’s younger sister performing her favourite Taylor Swift song, which she was practicing over and over in the backroom prior to her performance. The bride and groom stood at the front of the crowd absolutely captivated and took in the unreal performances, singing along and tearing up while having the biggest smiles on their faces. It’s so clear that music plays such an important part in their lives and being able to have these live performances by those closest to them was really a culmination of it’s significance. Oh, and did I mention Skylar played a set on the drums as well? He was able to have his drum teacher from back in the day and his band perform at the wedding so naturally Skylar had to show off his skills. The crowd went wild and the night continued with a buzz of excitement and energy that elevated the party to legendary status.

There were so many small details that clearly held strong meaning to both the bride and groom that made their day unique and a true reflection of their relationship. There was a quote from their all-time favourite band the Lumineers on the marquee in the back courtyard, the vintage lounge space that reminded me of their Toronto apartment had a book from their proposal and a book from their engagement session to give it a home-sweet-home touch. These are all just a few examples of the way they were able to express themselves in this quirky, mythical feeling place, combining their experiences of Los Angeles California and their now home of Toronto into one ethereal atmosphere where everything just felt right.

This day feels like it was pulled out of a fairytale and sometimes I have to look back at the photos to remind me that it was all real. To put it lightly, the opportunity to fly out to California and experience this day is an unforgettable one. Jackie and Skylar, your wedding day not only lived up to the hype, but it without a doubt exceeded it.

This blog post is Part One of Two. My journey with Jackie and Skylar didn’t end after this incredible day. You can check out Part Two where we headed up the coast to Malibu for a spectacular bridal session a couple of days later.

VENDORS
Collaborating Photographer: Brian Bettencourt, 3B Photography
Florist: Eothen Floral
Planner: Ro & Co. Events
Accommodation: Hotel Covell
Venue: DTLA Grass Room
Cocktail Catering: The Whaling Club
Catering: Hungry Bear Catering
Coffee Station: Long Shot Coffee
Videographer: Cinema Life Weddings

Wedding Portraits at Osgoode Hall

2019 seems to be the year of vogue-esque brides, and I have absolutely no complaints. Amber and Trevor decided to have an intimate, family-only wedding in downtown Toronto at the Chase Oyster Bar.

Although they were not allowed to have professional photographs of their ceremony we were able to take advantage of the Shangri-La Hotel and Osgoode Hall for some editorial portraits and family photos beforehand. Amber channeled her bold style it into a modern, elegant, and fierce wedding look. She was able to achieve the look of a stunning bride while continuing to be total badass babe at the same time. Every detail had been thoughtfully taken care of ; from her blush Chanel lipstick, her vintage jewellery and even the meaningful roses she had in her trendy updo.

The weather seemed ominous that day, but after a little drizzle during the first look at the Shangri-La the skies opened up and we headed to Osgoode Hall for the rest of our time together.

From a photographer’s perspective it felt like an interesting in-between mixture of an editorial portrait session and an intimate elopement. We got to explore the beautiful grounds of Osgoode Hall and with the high-fashion look that the bride and groom were presenting, it wasn’t overly difficulty create some gorgeous wedding images. The trees in were blooming a vibrant magenta creating the perfect contrast to the stone buildings and lush greenery surrounding Osgoode Hall and downtown Toronto.

I had the opportunity to shoot with my medium format camera to give Amber and Trevor an authentic editorial film experience. The film photographs from the day are timeless and really brought out the essence of vogue. There’s something about weddings on analog film that really pulls together all the little things in a much more artistic and authentic way. It was the perfect compliment for this elopement since the vibes were so haute-couture and the bride and groom had the perfect were truly something out of a magazine. It was such a pleasure to work with these two and their families on the day of their intimate wedding, although their looks were some of the best I’ve ever seen from a bride and groom, it’s really their personalities and the people involved in the wedding day that make it truly special and memorable for me as a wedding photographer.

VENDORS
Stylist - Parlour Beach
Wedding Dress - Reformation
Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Groom's Suit - Tiger of Sweden
Accommodation: Shangri-La Hotel
Photo Location: Osgoode Hall

Downtown Toronto Wedding at Hotel Ocho

I’m so excited to share this gorgeous Hotel Ocho wedding. To say Joanna was a stunning bride is putting it lightly. She was something pulled straight out of a high fashion magazine and Dave was the perfect complimenting groom in his dapper Tiger of Sweden suit. Their style worked hand-in-hand with the rustic and authentic downtown Toronto vibe that Hotel Ocho is so famous for; the red bricks, exposed beams, being right by the busy intersection of Queen Street and Spadina, it all felt very quintessentially Toronto. Hotel Ocho is a one the best wedding venues in Toronto, it checked off all the right boxes for me as a wedding photographer, but most importantly, it felt so right for Joanna and Dave’s intimate wedding.

This was one of those weddings where fate played an important role. When Joanna and Dave were looking for a last minute wedding photographer, Joanna’s close friend, Angela, connected us. Angela is a makeup artist and we’ve worked together on past weddings, including Ali and Alex’s wedding at Airship 37. After we met with the bride and groom, we knew that somehow it had all worked out and we couldn’t wait to be a part of their beautiful wedding day.

Their wedding day was simple; a heartfelt church ceremony followed by a gorgeous reception at Hotel Ocho with all their closest family and friends. Although we didn’t know each other for a long time before the wedding, we really got to bond throughout the day, especially during our portrait session at David A. Balfour Ravine. Dave is seriously goofy and could make Joanna laugh no matter what situation I put them in. He jokingly threw in a few funny faces during our photo session but when it came time to share private moments with his bride he was affectionate and warm. It was hard for them to contain their emotions and sentiment for one another during the portrait session since they really allowed one another to live in the moment and truly take in their feelings and embrace them for all their worth. As the day progressed we got to see more of the nuances of their relationship and how truly perfect this bride and groom are for each other. Looking back through the images I could really feel the love they’ve cultivated for one another over the years and although they had their doubts (as every couple does) about being in front of the camera, they couldn’t have been any more natural or themselves throughout the entire process.

The simplicity of the wedding day rang true in their choice to not have a bridal party, only their witnesses acting as maid of honour and the best man. The reception was full of genuine conversation, Joanna and Dave made sure to talk to every single person throughout the dinner to express their gratitude and importance of their presence. In true Dave fashion, he cracked everyone up during his speech and Joanna reminded everyone how grateful they were to have their loved ones share this day with them.

It was a perfect day, filled with so many acts of love, including Joanna’s brother performing a song on guitar to accompany the father-daughter dance, which had her dad in tears. It was a sweet moment between father and daughter and it truly highlighted the importance the bride’s family played in her life leading up to the wedding day.

A special thank you to Angela for connecting us, you are so talented at what you do and it was a pleasure collaborating with you again.

Joanna and Dave, you are two in a million and it’s clear you bring out the best in each other. Here is a little look into your intimate wedding day at Hotel Ocho in downtown Toronto.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian Bettencourt, 3B Photography
Makeup Artist - Angela Xuereb
Hairstylist - Cutz by Carla
Wedding Dress - Mona Richie
Groom's Suit - Tiger of Sweden
Florist - Charisma Florist
Venue / Catering / Coordination - Hotel Ocho

A Family Wedding at The Drake Devonshire Inn

Here is the last wedding of my 2018 season, and I must say that Ali and James made this day the perfect note to end on. Their small, intimate family wedding was hosted at the Drake Devonshire Inn in Prince Edward County. Although the winds were strong and the waves were angry, the sophisticated interior of the modern inn created a perfectly warm environment to celebrate a meaningful day.

In celebration of the Bride’s Ukrainian heritage, Ali and James walked down the aisle together and stood on a hand-embroidered cloth called a Rushnyk, which was passed down by her parents.

With the entire hotel all to ourselves we explored each unique space, from the owners suite to the waterfront, we spent little moments throughout the day taking portraits and taking in the moments that had unfolded.

Our dining experience was incredible, but it came at no surprise.. every single meal I have had a Drake restaurant has been insanely delicious (and I’m not just saying that). Throughout the evening, the kids kept us all entertained with shuffleboard competitions, handmade cards for the bride and groom, and more than a couple of trips to the photobooth.

I love every opportunity that I get to shoot at the Drake Devonshire as I find it always provides a new source of inspiration. The ever-changing art installations and the 70’s themed living room lobby provide a stimulating atmosphere to explore and create in. Being able to share this space with two people who were literally up for anything (including sunset photos when it was no more than 2 degrees outside) made it a refreshing and enjoyable way to cap off the 2018 wedding season.

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian Bettencourt, 3B Photography
Hair and Makeup - Village 272
Wedding Dress - Jealous Bridesmaids
Groom's Suit - Pasqualino
Bride's Shoes - Nine West
Groom’s Shoes - Johnston Murphy
Wedding Bands - Elizabeth Blythe
Florist - Flower Fantasy
Venue / Catering / Coordination - The Drake Devonshire

A Rustic Wedding Bellamere Winery

Kayla and Fiodar got married at Bellamere Winery on a beautiful (but chilly!) Fall day in London, ON.

Kayla and Fido met playing varsity volleyball, which is actually how Brian and I met as well (if you didn’t already know) so before you even look at a photo of them you can probably infer that they are both very tall and very beautiful people. Speaking of volleyball, the reason I met these two special people is because I played volleyball with Kayla’s sister Krystyna while I was completing my undergrad at Ryerson University in Toronto. Krystyna is one of my closest friends (and a badass, talented architect) so it was pretty cool to see her doing her thing as the maid of honour.

Bellamere Winery has a vast field in the back of the property which was where we spent most of our time doing portraits. We also found a gorgeous tunnel of evergreens which made an ideal stop for couples portraits. The field created the perfect scene for the Bride and Groom’s first look, which I don’t mind saying myself, was pretty cinematic and emotional. Since the moment Kayla and Fido set eyes on each other they couldn’t wipe the grins off their faces. These two expressed their love in such an outwardly joyous way, it really was a pleasure to capture. I felt inspired by the season, the earthy natural surroundings and these two people that are so genuinely in love.

The ceremony, albeit a little on the cold side, rang true to their relationship with kind, honest vows and no shortage of laughter. They said their I do’s under a seemingly symbolically circular pavilion and continued on to celebrate in the warmth of the charming rustic winery. It’s cottage-like feel and beautiful DIY decor created the perfect setting for a eventful evening.

The night before the wedding, Krystyna showed me some photographs from their mom’s wedding in 1985. I immediately fell in love with them and with a little push from Brian, we decided that we would recreate some of these images on Kayla’s wedding day. There are only a few, but throughout the post you will see the 1985 version and the 2018 version of a couple of images. This gave me an opportunity to blend an older, more traditional style with new and modern idealisms of wedding photography. I found myself reflecting of what a timeless image really consists of and exploring with my camera, a space between nostalgia and the creation of strong, impactful images.

I think most of these images speak for themselves and share the memories that we created on this very important day.

Congrats Kayla and Fido, and thank you for including us and trusting us on your wedding day..

Kayla’s Mom’s Wedding, 1985

Kayla’s Mom’s Wedding, 1985

Kayla’s Mom’s Wedding, 1985

VENDORS
Second Shooter - Brian Batista Bettencourt
Hair and Makeup - Selah Vie
Wedding Dress - Allure Bridals
Bridesmaid Dresses - Dessy Group
Florist - Amy Leigh Art
Venue / Catering - Bellamere Winery
Officiant - Patti