By chance (okay I’m saying EJ planned it) we were out on the Saturday of the semi-final of the Scottie Tournament of Hearts being played here in the Sault. For those of you that don’t know the Scottie’s are the Canadian Women’s Curling Championships – a big deal in this curling obsessed country. The day after the shoot EJ was heading off to Sudbury to play in the provincial playdowns for a chance to represent Northern Ontario at the Brier (the Canadian Men’s Championship). EJ’s team ended up smoking everyone in the round robin, moved on to the playoff portion and won the tournament. KERBOOM! (Jes is going to hate me for typing that but how can you not kerboom there?). So long winded story shortened up, EJ and his team from the Sault are representing Northern Ontario at the Brier all because he had a photo shoot with me the day before leaving. So athletes if you’re going on some big tournament, give me a call.

The shoot began at the Soo Locks then we made our way into the downtown core. Rachelle and EJ started off the shoot a little shy as most couples do but a few minutes in Rachelle took over. Running ahead, planning new areas, keeping EJ and I on track and not talking about curling.

Thanks for the great morning guys! And good luck in Halifax EJ.

Now what exactly can you use this shoot for? Basically anything you can think of. Family shots, an engagement shoot, a shoot with you and some friends, a solo shoot where you are the centre of attention; I’m ready to go all out and have some fun with this shoot. I have included some shots from Lifestyle shoots this year below and you can also see some more by following the lifestyle shoot link or the engagement shoot link.

A little birdie also told me that there will be a fabulous cake there from Jeannette’s Custom Cakes ready to eat, mmmm.

Tickets for the event are $50.00 each which includes a meal. You can purchase them by visiting the Alzheimer Society at 633 Albert St. E, calling 705-942-2195 or visiting alzheimeralgoma.org for more information (you cannot purchase tickets from the site).

I will be hosting a session currently schedule for the afternoon titled “It’s Okay To Be Awesome” which will be a look at the pros and cons of using social media to help build your small business and how being you can aid in that.

The two part interview can be seen below.

Also incase you haven’t signed up yet or seen it I have launched a new Facebook Fanpage.

The morning started off with me meeting up with the girls at Headlines Hair and Day Spa while they were getting ready. Their ceremony took place in a historic chapel located at Mockingbird Hill Farm in the city’s north end which you gained access to by walking down a snow covered path. The setting was small and intimate with the chapel being warmed by a small fire place. We were then treated to a sleigh ride after the ceremony to sneak in some of the bridal party shoot. The day was gorgeous but the temperature began to dip fairly quickly and luckily the bridesmaids came prepared for the cold with long johns and boots. I may have fallen off the sleigh. I should have probably fallen off more than once but a couple of the groomsmen caught me. We ended the day off at the reception site of the Grand Theatre getting in some more shots of the bridal party and of Laurel and Ryan.

Thanks for the great day guys!

This post is actually coming a little later than it should but it still needs to be made. This big photography thing known as Curt O’Neil Photographer has now officially ran for just over a year. It has been an incredible journey to get to this point where I had the opportunity to meet and work with amazing couples, families and friends. The acceptance to what I have been doing and what I want to do has been more than what I could hope for and I want to thank all of you for that.

This was a big year for me which included launching this business, getting married and visiting Hawaii. Jes and I love the idea of travel and seeing the world and experiencing what it has to offer. As we move forward with this business the opportunities are starting to present themselves for us to be able to do it along with others and share in their special moments with them. The first of such adventures being Italy this summer.

I wouldn’t be able to complete a recap post without thanking some of those involved in getting me to where I am. The first person being my wife Jes – always keeping me grounded and having a goal in sight. From there I have to name a few photo friends who have helped me along the way whether they know it or not Allison, Gareth, Mike, Jordan and Mark. Thanks for your insights, your friendship and your ideas on the random things I’d ask. Also to the crew at WFF thanks for being there and being that tight knit community.

I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and to hope to keep bringing the awesome. To stay in contact with what we are doing here you can follow us three ways:
Subscribe to the RSS feed for the blog: http://www.curtoneil.com/feed/
Join my brand new Facebook page (I’m moving from a group to a page): http://www.facebook.com/curtoneilphotographer
Follow my ramblings on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/curtoneil/

Below are some of my favourite shots for the year. Some won’t mean anything to you but they the moment, the shot, the people all mean something to me. It was hard just narrowing it down to this. I left out anything that was fairly recent and anything that was far back. It’s a snapshot. I also still have shoots from 2009 to finish up and get on here as well.

Thanks again to all of you and don’t be afraid to leave a comment below.

We started the shoot off at Bellevue Park walking the trails and using some of the structures for backdrops from there we headed over to Dish Espresso Bar and Cafe to warm up and get some more funky shots inside the building.

Looking forward to catching up with you during some warmer months and can’t wait for your wedding day.

I usually end these posts saying I’m looking forward to shooting their wedding but I already did that! Laurel and Ryan were married in late December and that post is coming shortly as well. I hope the new year and your new life are treating you well.

We brought along the camera as well as my new Flip MinoHD portable camcorder. We got to our spot just before 6 and there was about 20 people on the street at that time. More and more people showed up as the time went on and the excitement kept building as the small parade before the torch came by. After experiencing it here our decision was made and we raced it downtown. As we hit Queen St. we couldn’t believe the number of people that turned out – it was amazing. After Jessica (our community torchbearer) went inside the Essar Centre we rushed in assuming we’d be able to get a seat or find a spot to watch in standing rooom. This wasn’t the case – the place was packed. The floor, the seats and standing room/upper aisle was just thick with people. It was definitely a great turnout by the city of Sault Ste. Marie for this amazing event.

Below are some pictures I shot. We were actually beside Jessica but I crossed the street trying to guess her path. It was a bad move as the media truck stopped right in front of me so I had to run around it. Below the pictures is a video compilation shot by Jes on the Flip MinoHD which I attempted to edit today (and failed). Jes hates the song, I like it! The shots and the video aren’t the greatest of works but hopefully it provides a glimpse of this event to anyone who may have missed out.

Jessica is the Sault’s very own Paralympic medalist winning silver at the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000 and competing in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. She also holds 5 Canadian swimming records. One of the highlights of the relay (for us because we find things like it funny) is when Jessica’s dog stopped during her leg to “do his business” – when you have to go you have to go I guess.

The possibility for photos from the booth are endless and only limited by your imagination – a random box of props is provided and it is up to you what you do with them. The Awesome Booth really cannot be described in words so below are some sample shots from its debut at a company Christmas party.

The winning numbers are: 12 and 14.

The names that correlate with those numbers are Margaret and Rachel – I will be in touch shortly and get the CDs to you sometime in the new year. Thanks to all who left a comment – I’m hoping to have another give away similar to this in the near future.

Below are 3 quick shots from the the release of Spin at Loplops this past Sunday.