Brittany & Allan - Riverside tent wedding in Kensington

WEDDING DATE - July 7, 2017

Brittany & Allan met long ago as young teens when they both worked at the Cavendish Boardwalk in the Summer months. Allan was Brittany's best friend's manager which led to them often running into each other before Allan finally built up the courage to talk to Brittany. After a few dates Brittany claimed she didn't want a boyfriend, but once Allan got another girlfriend, Brittany soon changed her mind....haha! Many flip phone text messages were exchanged and their dating years began. After 7 years together Allan proposed to Brittany (who is a teacher) while having coffee on their patio the morning of her last day of school for the year. They flew home to PEI that evening and celebrated with everyone they loved. 

I met Brittany and Allan during our university days at UPEI when Brittany and I lived in the same residence building. We later bonded more over our shared experience as exchange students in sunny Barbados. When it came time to plan their wedding, I was thrilled to be their photographer! 

As evident in the emotions, expressions, and the laughs in these photos, Allan & Brittany fully enjoyed their beautiful day this past July. An all star team of vendors helped pull it all together as well. 

Congratulations Britt & Allan, you are the funnest!
 

Wedding advice from the couple

Enjoy every moment and don’t get overwhelmed with all the small details. It is truly about the memories you get to make and the moments you spend with all the special people in your life. The immense love you get to feel that day is unlike anything, so soak it all in!

NUMBER OF GUESTS- 120
OFFICIANT –MARSHA WEEKS
PHOTOGRAPHY - BRADY MCCLOSKEY
HAIR- KENSIGNTON HAIR STATION
MAKEUP- MAKEUP BY AIMEE DOW
WEDDING DRESS – MAGGIE SOTTERO, BRIDAL DEBUT
GROOMS SUIT- HUDSON BAY COMPANY
FLOWERS- ISLAND MEADOW FARMS
PLANNER- KLF WEDDINGS (KRISTINA FISHER)
DJ- MUSIC EXPRESS (ANDREW CROSS)
CAKE- BUNS AND THINGS BAKERY
CATERER- MELVIN FORD

Gloria & Nick - Sparkling NYE Wedding in Charlottetown

Wedding date - December 31st, 2016

Since photographing the wedding of Katie & Greg on NYE 2015, I love the idea of a December 31st wedding. What better way to celebrate and dress up then attending the wedding of two people you love? Or as Gloria put it, what better way to start a new year than to marry your best friend!

Gloria & Nick met in 2008 while both attending UPEI and started dating 3 years later. Shortly after this Nick moved off Island for work as an engineer, but began driving back to PEI every single weekend to visit Gloria. On a cold and rainy day in the Summer of 2015 during their annual hike around Howe Point, Nick used the help of their golden doodle Ollie to propose to Gloria. From there started the wedding planning for NYE!

It is safe to say everyone had such a fun time at this wedding. Gloria & Nick are the type of people you want to be around, and feeding off their energy and enthusiasm was so great. They took every moment as it came, didn't stress about small details, and took the time to enjoy a few limo sociables. It was like hanging out with friends and I love that I was able to capture this day for them. Thank you for the laughs, the hugs, and the espresso shots. 

To Gloria & Nick, here's to many more happy days like this! 

Brittany & Clark - Healy Farm wedding in Kentville, NS

Wedding date - July 8th, 2017

At the end of 2015 I received an email from Halifax wedding planners Elegant Productions about a mystery couple who just had to have me for their 2017 wedding day in Kentville, NS. I was flattered but curious as to who it was and why they were hiring an Island based photographer. After several emails to confirm things I was surprised and thrilled when my friend Brittany sent me a message letting me know it was her and her fiancé Clark that I had booked! 
It was a beautiful thing to be invited to capture their wedding day this Summer at Healy Farm in Kentville. Surrounded by family and friends, including many who travelled all the way from Clark's home of Australia - Britt and Clark made everyone feel special and appreciated. They are two of the kindest people and I am so happy to call them friends!

A backpacking adventure turned into an unforgettable love story for this fun loving couple when they met during Brittany's travels abroad. Movie nights and walks home from the pub lead them to their fist official date. Upon Brittany's return, the two continued their 2 year long distance relationship. Toughing it out, Brittany and Clark re-united and went on a bucket-list tour of Newfoundland. It was on a beach in Fogo Island that Clark romantically picked a pebble, and proposed. If that isn't cute enough, the two decided to get married on the 5 year anniversary of telling one another they were in love. 

Elegant Productions helped bring Brittany's vision to life with a beautifully treed venue (Healy Farms) and added touches of vibrant Canadian greenery with hints of yellow mustard. Soft tones were paired perfectly with the raw harvest tables and refurbished wood chairs Brittany's late grandfather had crafted over the years. The day was a perfect fit to reflect the spirit and love Brittany and Clark share with one another. It was an honor to capture this day for my friend her new husband. 

Wedding Advice from the couple

1. In their own word's, Brittany and Clark recomends couples take their time with the planning process. Enjoy every minute of the engagement!

2. Invest in a Pro! Help take the heat off by hiring a planner to help turn your vision into reality.

3. Consider stocking non-alcoholic beer and wine for 'cheeky' guests who may secretly be pregnant.
 

NUMBER OF GUESTS -90
PHOTOGRAPHY- BRADY MCCLOSKEY PHOTOGRAPHY
VENUE- HEALY FARMS
OFFICIANT- TERRY MACDONALD
HAIR- LAKEHOUSE (JESSICA FLETCHER)
MAKEUP- ALLISON KIRBY
WEDDING DRESS- PETER TRENDS & BRIDAL BY AUBREY ROSE
GROOM'S SUIT- MOORES
FLORALS- CHELSEA LEA FLOWERS
DECORATOR- ELEGANT PRODUCTIONS
CAKE- CAKES BY LIZ PINCH
CATERING- CERTAINLY CINNAMON
STATIONARY- DULY NOTED
TRANSPORTATION-NEW HOLLAND TRACTOR
VIDEOGRAPHER- ARROW & KNOT
BAND- THE FINE TUNERS

 

CBC - "P.E.I. photographer named one of Canada's 'most inspiring'"

On October 8th 2017, CBC News ran an article about me recently being named one of Canada's top 25 Most Inspiring Photographers for 2017 by Weddingbells Magazine! It was a huge honor to be put on this list and I thank Weddingbells for the shout out.

This was a fun interview to do, and I am so thankful to Sara Fraser from CBC News for doing such a great job writing this! I since received a lot of thoughtful messages from family, friends, clients, and strangers and they have all been so appreciated. If you haven't read the article, you can do so here:

P.E.I. photographer named one of Canada's 'most inspiring'

Enjoy!

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Hannah & Michael - Rocky Mountain Wedding in Jasper, Alberta

Wedding date - April 14th, 2107

Hannah is a Jasper girl & Michael is a PEI boy who met while Hannah attended UPEI. After dating for years he proposed on the Island in front of 20 family members, followed by a surprise party with all of their closest friends, with lobster, fireworks, and cake to boot!

When I received the initial email from Hannah & Michael asking if I would consider traveling all the way to Jasper to capture their Spring wedding day, I was completely on board right away! It had been 12 years since I'd seen Jasper and the thought of photographing a wedding there was a dream. I knew Hannah and I had mutual friends and although we had never officially met, I knew she was just as great as everyone always said. Once we met we clicked right away and it was like we had always known each other. 

From the moment I arrived in Jasper, Michael, Hannah, and their families made me feel apart of their group, inviting me to a family BBQ, rehearsal party, and other activities. Everyone was so incredibly friendly, welcoming, and fun! I took some time to hang out, ski, and hike before the wedding as well. If you're also thinking of a destination wedding, let me know! 

Hannah's Dad Warren said that "every good day starts with exercise", so on the morning of the wedding a group of us set off for a 6am hike to Old Fort Point, overlooking Jasper. It was a beautiful morning with a dusting of fresh snow that would later melt that afternoon. We all enjoyed the peace and quiet at the top of the mountain and appreciated being together. After an outdoor ceremony by the river that afternoon (complete with a hail filled canoe arrival!), everyone enjoyed a casual 'outdoor picnic' with a bonfire, marshmallows, homemade beer, snacks, and a rule of only comfy clothes allowed. We travelled around town photographing and followed it up with a party that lasted late into the night. The next morning we had brunch and sadly parted ways, reflecting on an amazing and dreamy experience.

I loved their advice to other couples - do not be afraid to be different because they were so happy with all of their choices! They centered their wedding around everyone having fun, and didn't worry about the tiny details. Thank you Hannah & Michael for being incredible hosts, clients, and now, friends. Cheers to the #Wamsays! 

<3

Photography - Brady McCloskey Photography
Ceremony venue - Jasper airfield
Officiant - Gloria Kongsrud
Hair - Tirza Olsen & Natasha McColl
Makeup - Olivia Tassone & Lyndsey Perharm
Wedding dress - Perfect Pear Bridal
Groom's Suit - Dow's Menswear
Flowers - Weddings by Whitney
Coordinator - Jasper Event Management
DJ - DJ Tommy K
Cake - Cocos Cafe

Reception Venue - Best Western Jasper Inn & Suites
Transportation - Sundog Tours

Sprouting Photographer Podcast Interview

For the past few years I've been listening to and learning from so many episodes of The Sprouting Photographer Podcast, so earlier this Summer I was shocked when Sprout Studio CEO Bryan Caporicci emailed asking me (from little ol PEI) to be featured on an episode. With an average of 50,000-60,000 downloads a month it was a little intimidating to put myself out there, but those who know me know I could talk business and photography for hours, it was fun! Click the link below to be taken to the episode, or search Sprouting Photographer podcast on iTunes or Google - I'm episode #308!

Listen to the podcast here

Karen & Lloyd - Elopement in Avonlea

Karen & Lloyd met and started dating in their home province of Newfoundland 11 years ago. After five years together they decided to pack up and move to Prince Edward Island, to a property they never even saw in person. They now call the Island home, living in between two potato patches just as you would. Inspired by their ongoing happiness and love, they decided to elope this June with a little 5 minute ceremony on the North shore of PEI. With just the two of them, Marsha Weeks, a friend to sign as a witness, and me to sign as the second witness, they had a simple and special ceremony overlooking the water. Being a long time Anne of Green Gables fan, Karen picked the picturesque Avonlea Village for photos of the two of them afterwards. We then spent an hour and a half together, laughing and enjoying their new titles as husband and wife.   

Whether your wedding has so many guests that I can't possibly make my way through them all, or so little that I must sign as a witness, everyone's love is just as special in the end. They said they didn't have one good photo of the two of them, but now there are so many. Thank you to Karen & Lloyd for sharing your happiness with me!

Travel - Australia & New Zealand

I recently returned from one of my favorite trips I've ever done, 5 weeks in Australia and New Zealand! Although I've never been a big fan of photographing landscapes and I actually rarely travel with my camera, this time I put an effort into capturing the beauty around me, enjoying the process, and creating art to have forever. I had such an amazing time exploring and photographing these, and I love the end collection it forms. It was my first solo trip which made for a lot of quiet, relaxing days photographing and enjoying the incredible outdoors. l only brought one camera and used just one lens I hadn't touched in years, the tiny and super travel friendly, Canon 40mm lens. 

This may be something I start to do on more of my trips in the future but until then, I hope you enjoy! 

Australia

During my three weeks in Australia I visited Sydney, Byron Bay, Melbourne, and Wollongong. I soaked up the sun, swam, surfed, visited friends, hiked, and enjoyed many Tim Tams and espresso martinis along the way. 

New Zealand

For almost two weeks I travelled New Zealand, including renting a car and driving over 2000km in 9 days on the South Island. Though I travelled through many places, I spent nights in Queenstown, Te Anau, Invercargill, Dunedin, Wanaka, Lake Tekapo, and Auckland. I spent so much time in the outdoors, hiking, walking, reading, and driving. Kilometre after kilometre, I couldn't believe how dramatic the scenery was and no matter where you went, it never became boring or dull. It truly was an experience I'll never forget.  

Elizabeth & Josh - Saraguay House Wedding in Halifax, NS

Wedding date - October 8th, 2016

So excited to share this wedding day! During the time they were living in Toronto, Liz & Josh contacted me about their Halifax, Nova Scotia wedding at the Saraguay House and I was very interested from the beginning. I photograph the majority of my weddings on Prince Edward Island, but if the timing is right I love to travel too! It was easy to see why Liz & Josh chose the The Saraguay House, it was an amazing backdrop for their east coast wedding and Elegant Productions showcased it all beautifully.

Liz & Josh are a super interesting and fun couple who met at the concert of their mutual friend (who later played during the cocktail hour!). They quickly hit it off, became engaged, and planned their NS wedding, where Josh used to live. Their attitude towards the wedding day was so calm and easy, and they truly enjoyed their time with friends and family. I believe the vibe and the fun that was had shows through in these photos and that is just what you want from your wedding photography. This wedding was also incredible for me as a wedding photographer, so I hope the fun I had also shows through!

Congratulations Liz & Josh!

Wedding date - October 8th, 2016

Planning & Design - Elegant Productions

Reception flowers - DIY by the bride 

Bouquets & boutonnieres - Chelsea Lee Flowers 

Decor rentals - MacFarlands Party Rentals 

Specialty rentals (twinkle lights, votives) - Make Merry Events

Hair - Jessica Fletcher of True Beauty Salon

Make up - Sasha Taylor Makeup Artistry

Liz's Dress - Sarah Seven 

DJ / Uplighting - True North DJs

Stationary - Duly Noted Stationary 

Double Decker - Ambassatours

Band - Chris Gostling & the Tempo 

Pie bar & wedding cake - Jennifer Turner (family friend) 

7 Photos, 7 Stories

Often times there is so much more behind a photograph that we don't see. The backstory can be so important and a photograph only captures this for a split moment. A story can make a photograph, and a photograph can make a story. I've captured thousands of these over the years and don't get enough chances to share them, that's why I've chosen to highlight 7 photos and the stories behind them. Thank you to those who shared their stories with me. 

Enjoy. 

The Tear

I admit, I've been chasing this photo for a long time. Countless times I have stepped behind the bride and her father as they come down the aisle, framing the groom and hoping he will show real emotion in his face. I never like to do things twice, but it's so rare that everything comes together perfectly so I had challenged myself and was determined to capture this shot eventually. On a Summer day in July 2016, I did what I had done many times before and framed this shot of Michael watching Laura and her father walk down the isle. To my selfish delight and excitement, there it was - the full emotion, tears, and woah, wait a minute.....the icing on top, a KLEENEX! YES! Michael was incredibly excited to see his beautiful bride and this photo really preserves that moment. Laura later told me the moment she walked down the isle was her favorite of the day, so being able to capture it like this was really special. This photo became one of my favorites shots from 2016. 

The Dance

Back in 2013 I photographed Carlye & Jon, a wedding day that will always have a special place in my heart. One of the reasons was this particular photo. About a year before their wedding, Carlye's good friend Jacob suffered a traumatic brain injury that confined him to a wheelchair. During his long recovery, he promised Carlye he would stand up and be strong enough to dance with her on her wedding night. After many hard months of rehab and a strong determination, Jacob did what he promised, stood up out of his wheelchair that night, held on to Carlye and slow danced to an entire song. Besides the beautiful music by Ten Strings & A Goat Skin, you could hear a pin drop in the barn that night as all eyes were on this amazing moment. Today, four years later Jacob now doesn't even use a wheelchair and has gone on to be married himself. An amazing turnaround from a person they weren't sure would even survive the air lift to Halifax the night of the injury. 

The Proposal

In the Fall of 2015 Sam booked a session for her, her boyfriend Dylan, and the couple's two dogs. That was all good and I was looking forward to meeting them at Orwell Corner one Sunday afternoon. A couple weeks later I was excited to receive an email from Dylan letting me know he actually planned to propose at their session! We worked out a plan together and waited for the day to come. When that Sunday arrived, it unfortunately was pouring rain but knowing what was about to happen and not wanting to wait for a new day, we both had to convince Sam that yes, it was a great idea to still go ahead - pouring rain and all! In Sam's mind I'm sure there wasn't any logical reason why the session should still happen outdoors, but I brought umbrellas and they showed up as planned. After taking a few photos and trying to stay dry, I set Dylan & Sam up in a perfect location and let the proposal happen. Everything worked out in the end, the rain stopped, and of course, she said YES. Afterwards we all laughed as Sam pieced the whole puzzle together! Such a fun moment to be a part of for two very sweet people.

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The Rocks

16 years ago, Len & Brent travelled from Vancouver for their first trip to PEI together. Len is originally from the Island and wanted Brent to experience his home province and meet family, so they packed their bags. After checking into their cottage the evening they arrived, the first place they headed was to the rocks at Cavendish Beach, one the the most picturesque places on the North shore. Years later, in the Summer of 2015 they returned to that very spot to exchange their marriage vows. It was a heart felt and emotional ceremony that really was a beautiful thing to be a part of. As a special touch at the end, Len & Brent walked to the water's edge and tossed in two small glass hearts made by a favorite Vancouver artist. This was a little tribute to the place that is so special to them. Many times they have strolled the beach looking for sea glass and they know some day someone will find those hearts and hopefully experience the same excitement and joy. 

The visit 

For the past 3 years Mary has worked as an RCW worker at the Dr. John Gillis Memorial Lodge in Belfast, PE. Throughout these years she has built strong friendships with the senior residents, laughing with them, caring for them, and helping with daily activities. According to Mary, the residents talk to you about life, they give advice, and they get over the moon excited for you when you share any exciting news - especially an engagement and planning a wedding! Since the residents and staff are like family, they became just as excited about the upcoming wedding as the rest of Mary & Leo's family and friends. Since they were unable to attend, Mary & her husband Leo made it a priority to stop by the lodge on their way to the reception that evening, visiting every guest and every room for a quick Hello, hug, or chat. This particular resident Kenneth has grown fond of Mary over the years, always making her laugh and making sure to share one dance for her every Saturday during the hoedown. He was just one of the residents so excited to see their Mary, who they love so much. Being there to capture everyone's joy and excitement was so much fun to experience. 

The Goat

This past Summer I photographed the fun and energetic wedding of Kelly & Ian, a good time from start to finish. After the speeches were finished that evening I was pulled to the side by the MC and told they had one more surprise gift for the bride and groom. Outside the tent he said was a live GOAT about to be walked in! Ian grew up on a farm while Kelly is a self proclaimed city girl and not who you would call an animal lover at all. Their friends knew how much of a laugh this would bring so they adorned the goat in a "the gift of love" ribbon and walked it into the tent to everyone's shock and surprise - especially Kelly. After the looks of confusion, surprise, and even horror from the bride, everyone had a great laugh. Today, Milly the Goat as she's been called, happily lives on Ian's family farm, frolicking with the families two dogs and enjoying the open space. They now love their new part time goat and Kelly is just happy it wasn't a full time puppy like Ian wanted! 

The Ladybug

Natasha and her Mother were very close when she was growing up. Their 'thing' was always ladybugs and any time either of them would go away without the other, they always brought home a small gift that was ladybug related. This continued for years and the ladybug forever became a special symbol and reminder of Natasha's Mother after she passed away. During visits to the gravestone, or after a rough day, a ladybug would somehow always appear for Natasha when least expected. Even on a January day in -40 weather, Natasha and her husband moved into their new apartment in Alberta and when they arrived for the first time there was a ladybug inside, welcoming them home. After their wedding ceremony in 2014, the sun was shining and guests were mingling in the receiving line. I heard my name called and when I walked over, sure enough a ladybug had landed on her great Aunt's hand - just after they had talked about how much her Mother would have loved the ceremony. It sat there long enough for me to capture this, then gracefully flew away <3 

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WPPI Las Vegas Recap

I place a lot of value on always learning in my photography business and believe in the importance of continuing to invest in education every year. This year, I attended the WPPI Conference & Expo in Las Vegas from Feb 5th-9th! WPPI is one of the largest and most well known conferences in the industry and attracts over 12,000 photographers a year from all over the world. Through a mix of keynote presentations, workshops, networking, and the expo, there is an overwhelming amount of educational opportunities. I always wanted to attend so I was excited that I was able to make it work this year! 

I attended presentations and live shoots from photographers such as Sue Bryce, Susan Stripling, Tyler Wirken, Peter Hurley, Dan O'Day, Jen Rozenbaum, The Youngrens, and Jerry Ghionis. Covering an array of topics, each speaker brought something different to the table and it was awesome to hear new perspectives and methods. I also took part in a fantastic, 6 hour wedding photojournalism workshop with Kansas City's Wirken Photography. That day we dove deep into the real reasons we photograph weddings, the importance of our roles, and about how capturing a couple's real love and connection should be more important than their wedding day details and decor. Through candid talks our group of 25 left the workshop with a new outlook and an excitement for our future work. 

This was also my first time to Vegas and I was fascinated by how over the top, grand, and flashy everything was. Although most of my time was spent at the convention centre, I did get a chance to explore the strip, do some photography for fun, and take in Cirque Du Soleil's Mystere - which was totally unbelievable. 

If you're a photographer planning to attend WPPI someday I would recommend it for the experience, and for the opportunity to stop, step back and take a look at your business to see what is going right, and what needs to be improved. I would recommend staying close to the convention centre (I was only 10 min away and still getting 18,000 steps a day!), bringing lots of water and snacks, and making a game plan of who you want to see before you go.  

The Las Vegas Convention Centre was the new home of WPPI this year after being held at MGM Grand for years. 

Canon had an awesome booth at the trade show where I was able to test any camera or lens I wanted and ask questions to their super friendly, and helpful staff. Thanks to Canon for the great service!

Miller's is the great company who takes care of my wedding albums. It was so helpful to see first hand their new product offerings, get advice from their staff, and work with them to make a plan for a new product I'll soon be offering my clients. I'm really excited about this and look forward to sharing more on that soon!  

I was also able to visit several other companies I work with including my print lab, WHCC. There were so many new products on display at the show that I could have spent a whole day wandering the floor. It was a photography nerd's dream land. 

A couple quick shots of our workshop with Tyler Wirken. 

One of my biggest influences and teachers over the years has been Susan Stripling - she is an incredible NYC photographer and I got to see her speak live, twice! 

Stay tuned later this winter as I'll be doing more travel photography and hopefully sharing those trips on my blog as well! Thanks for reading!

Katelyn & Patrick - September wedding in Brudenell

Wedding date - September 10th, 2016

Katelyn & Patrick originally met at Montague High and quickly became friends. They attended classes together, were each other's date to Christmas Dance, held hands at the movies, and danced to James Blunt through their awkward teenage years. After high school they kept in touch as they went their separate ways, and later crossed paths again one Summer night, dancing the night away. They kept running into one another again and again that Summer so they decided to give things a go. 

Over the years they lived in different provinces, travelled, graduated university, bought a home as well as a dog and a cat. Wedding talk was never a matter of if, but only a matter of when. They were engaged in December 2015 while walking their pup William on the snowy beach by their future home. This home later became the setting for their wedding ceremony on a gorgeous blue sky day this past September overlooking the Brudenell river. 

I'm lucky to say Kate & Patrick are friends of mine and they are the type of people everyone loves to have around. They have many friends and there were a lot of fun personalities in attendance which made for a great day, and a great night. It was an honor to document their wedding day! Congratulations to The Drakes!

guests - 162

Hair - Natlaie McCarthy & Julie Vandenbroek

Makeup - Megan Wilson at Lambretta's

Wedding dress - watters wtoo from chester & felicity's

Groom's suit - tip top tailors

Florals - house of flowers

band - The wannabeez

cake - candi's cakes

caterer - montague lion's club

reception venue - montague curling club

stationary - minted

hair piece - oh dina!

photography - brady mccloskey photography

What's in my camera bag?

Those who love photography know that gear is something we all enjoy discussing, debating, and of course, drooling over. Whatever you may use whether it may be Canon, Nikon, Sony....they all have the ability to take a beautiful photo. Many people will argue that one brand is better than the other but in my opinion it is all about preference, and I choose to photograph with Canon. After my first two Kodak point and shoot cameras broke, I bought a couple more Canon point and shoots. When I decided to buy my first DSLR, Canon was the natural choice. 

I often get asked at weddings or events what type of camera I use, what lenses I have, and what I use each one for. So, here I'm sharing 'what's in my camera bag' and the uses I have for each piece of equipment! Under some lenses you'll see an example of photos taken with that particular lens. You'll see just how much it takes to perfectly photograph a wedding, family, or commercial job. 

Let's nerd out together.

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I couldn't begin talking about what's in my camera bag without actually talking about my camera bag itself. I upgraded to this ThinkTank Airport Navigator because I always struggled with fitting everything at once. I stubbornly gave up the idea of always carrying my bag on my body and switched to a rolling style. Game changer. I love how this packs everything in, is airplane friendly, swiftly rolls around, and can still trek to any beach, or field. My back thanks me for it. 

For shorter shoots with only a couple lenses, I’ll usually use my Peak Design Everyday Sling. I love it.
 

I like to use as little gear as possible to keep things simple and efficient. On a wedding day I am using only 3-4 lenses, and less for other jobs. 

Many photographers had been waiting for Canon to announce a new upgrade to the 5D Mark III for a while now, including me. In the Fall of 2016 when the Canon 5D Mark IV was announced I immediately pre ordered it to replace my aging camera body. Pieces were literally falling off my 5D Mark III it was so well used, so the update came at a great time. 

Once you get past the sticker shock, the 5D Mark IV is a beautiful machine. Overall, I haven't noticed any massive improvements over the Mark III, but the focusing is quicker and easier, highlights are less blown out, colors are better, and the touchscreen is surprisingly useful. I also have come to love the wifi feature to send photos to my phone. I've quickly fallen in love with this camera.  

I would be lost without my 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II lens. Chances are about 75% of the photos on my website and blog were taken with this lens. It is by far my favorite because of the way it matches my photography style with it's versatility, compressed blurry backgrounds, and sharpness. If I have a chance to use this lens over another, I'll pick this 9 times out of 10. 

*In the Summer of 2019, I upgraded to the new version of this lens and have seen a big difference in sharpness and focus.

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS

The Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 is a fairly new addition to my equipment and now I've wondered how I went without it in the past. This is the only lens I have that isn't a Canon, but when comparing the Canon version to this, the Tamron was a clear winner for me because of the similar reviews, and the substantial cost savings. I now use this lens for mostly all of my wide angle shots, group portraits in tight places, and on the dance floor to show the whole crowd. It's versatile and a great new addition. 

Tamron 24-70 f/2.8

Tamron 24-70 f/2.8

Tamron 24-70 f/2.8

Tamron 24-70 f/2.8

When it comes to photos of rings, jewelry, cards, or anything else close up - this is my go to. The Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS  is a great lens that improved my ring shots for one, and is also a nice lens for portraits. Unfortunately this lens stopped functioning properly. The auto focus no longer works right so I am stuck focusing manually until I can get it fixed. 

Canon 100mm f/2.8

Canon 100mm f/2.8

Canon 100mm f/2.8

Canon 100mm f/2.8

Here is a beautiful lens! The Canon 50mm f/1.2L is my 2nd favorite to photograph with. The 1.2 number means the background can go very, very blurry if needed which can make for some really great shots. I use this lens for single shots of 1 person or 1 item, during bridal/groom prep, and during cocktail hours or events when I am mingling amongst the crowd. All equipment photos in this post (besides this photo) were taken with this lens. I find the focal length perfect in many situations.

Canon 50mm f/1.2

Canon 50mm f/1.2

Canon 50mm f/1.2

Canon 50mm f/1.2

The Canon 17-40 f/4L lens is a great lens for landscape photography in particular. I purchased this lens during the days when I lived in Banff, Alberta and photographed a lot of scenic photos. After that, I used it for a lot of wide angle shots during weddings and commercial jobs. I found it had too much distortion on the edges so it's now taken a back seat to my Tamron 24-70.

Canon 17-40 f/4L

Canon 17-40 f/4L

My newest lens is the Canon TS-E 24mm tilt shift. This is a crazy lens used primarily for architecture photography to keep all the lines straight and the perspective natural. I've only used this a handful of times so far since it is very specific, but the results I've seen have been awesome. Really happy to have this as part of my kit now. 

Canon TS-E 24mm

Canon TS-E 24mm

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Canon TS-E 24mm

Canon TS-E 24mm

The Canon 35mm f/2 was purchased for situations where I wanted to be using my 50mm, but didn't have enough space. This mainly comes in handy in tight spaces where I don't have a lot of room to work but still want a low aperture and prime lens. 

Canon 35mm f/2

Canon 35mm f/2

Canon 35mm f/2

Canon 35mm f/2

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I use three Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites for my flash setup. If I'm photographing with one on my camera, the other two are usually being triggered for an off camera flash. I don't use Pocket Wizards or any other triggers because the 600EX-RTs have a built in transmitter which allows me to use flash #1 to control flash #2 and #3, even from across the room. I've gone through multiple flashes in the past few years but have been really happy with these. Plus, the battery life is great.

Photo taken with Canon50mm F1.2 and Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT

Photo taken with Canon50mm F1.2 and Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT

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Photo taken with Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT

Photo taken with Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS and Canon Speedlite 600 EX-RT

In addition to my Canon flashes, I also use the relatively new Profoto A1 external flash. This is my go to for one light setups where I’m not triggering other flashes and only need one on camera. I typically use this for most of my dance floor photos, or really dark areas where I need flash for a quick photo. I also use this as a trigger for my big strobe, the Profoto B1x. The best thing about the A1 is it never misfires, it will go off 100% of the time. The light is also even and really nice. The downsides though are the steep price tag, and the low battery life.

Profoto A1 external flash

Profoto A1 external flash

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Backup Gear

Those are the 5 lenses I carry with me in my main bag to mostly every photo shoot. In the unfortunate event my entire bag ever gets stolen, lost, or dropped in the ocean, I always have a backup in the trunk of the car. My backup bag has a second camera and some essential lenses in the event of an emergency.

A Lowepro Nova 4 is a great little bag I picked up used a few years ago and with all the lugging and traveling it has done, there's not a single sign of wear. It's a quality product. 

My backup camera is a Canon 5D Mark III. Although now retired to the backup bag, this thing has been through rainstorms, being dropped multiple times, and has been banged around a lot, but it's tough. Some of my favorite features include the high amount of focus points, high ISO capabilities, and the in camera HDR mode for commercial photography. 

The Canon 40mm f/2.8 "pancake lens" is a fun lens that is incredibly small and compact. It's really easy to carry around and fits in a small bag perfectly. Although this is in my backup gear now, I used to use it for cocktail hour/event photos where I would be in tight spaces. This is actually the only lens I usually pack when I travel! It's super portable and fits well in a backpack. All of the shots on my Oregon & Australia/New Zealand trips were taken with this, believe it or not. 

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 (right side) is a lens I often recommend to someone who owns a lens that came with their camera, but is looking to purchase a new one. It's relatively inexpensive, light, and can take some nice photos with blurry backgrounds. 

The Canon 50mm Compact Macro let's you take close up shots of rings, jewelry, and other small details. 

Questions?

Give me a shout in the comments if you have any questions about what gear I use or why. Wondering what type of lens you should use in a specific situation? Advice on a particular lens? Ask me anything!

Thanks for reading! 


-Brady 

Josie & Nick - November wedding at PEI Brewing Company

Wedding date - November 26th, 2016

Josie & Nick have already been together a whole 12 years, since they were little high school kids in grade 10 and 11! After high school they both completed their university degrees and began 4 years of long distance, which ultimately made their relationship stronger. Being a doctor and a nurse, their careers have taken them from Charlottetown, to Halifax and now to their new home in Kelowna, BC. However, when it came to planning their wedding they returned to PEI for the big day. We started their photos at Josie's parent's home and then headed to the Prince Edward Island Brewery for their wedding ceremony and reception. 

I often get asked if I enjoy photographing my friends, and the answer is always YES! There were so many members of the wedding party, family, and guests that I knew and it made the experience even better. Starting with one of the most real and emotional first looks I've ever captured, Josie & Nick's entire event was a joy to be a part of. Their love is so strong and evident to everyone around them, it really was a beautiful thing to see. Plus, don't they look so great together?!

Congratulations to The Mooneys! 

Makeup - AMP Hair and Makeup Artistry

Hair - Divine Hair Design

Bride's dress - Karma Bridal, Zachary Alexander

Groom's suit - Tip Top Tailors

Florals - Branches & Blooms

Officiant - Brenda Bulger

Band - Vintage

Venue - PEI Brewing Company 

Lindsey & Derek - Married in their own backyard

wedding date - September 27th, 2016

In the winter of 2013, Lindsey & Derek connected in Canmore, Alberta and went skiing for their first date. What was supposed to be a couple hour long date turned into the entire day as they laughed and chatted the whole time, feeling as though they had met each other ages ago. Since then they have been back and forth between Derek's home on PEI, and Lindsey's home in Alberta. When it was time to plan the wedding day, their cottage in Rollo Bay, PEI became the perfect setting. It was a rainy ceremony but with their positive and fun attitudes, it was hardly noticed.

Lindsey & Derek are incredibly laid back and easy to be around. Their wedding day reflected this from the start and the main priority was for guests to be as relaxed as possible. As Lindsey put it - "We broke every rule we could...no assigned seating, ditched the cake and formalities, sat on hay bails and just had a ton of laughs and love." 

One of their favorite moments of the day was when Derek surprising Lindsey with professional highland dancers and bagpipers at the reception! Lindsey used to teach highland dance and it has been a tradition in the family to dance at each other's weddings. They had the entire barn moving so Lindsey and her sister even joined in on the fun. 

I hope you will enjoy all the laughs and moments from this day as much as I did. Thank you another amazing couple, and congratulations to The Hennesseys!

Ceremony venue - private home

Reception venue - Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival

Officiant - brenda bulger

Hair - Kerri Dawn

makeup - amp hair and makeup artistry

flowers - stephanie compton

Band - Larque

Stationary - vistaprint

Transportation - COach atlantic 

Entertainment - The College of Piping

photography - brady mccloskey

Laurence & Peter - Outdoor Wedding at Shaw's Hotel

wedding date - September 4th, 2016

Laurence & Peter wanted the focus of their wedding day to be about celebrating with friends and family in a relaxed and casual atmosphere on beautiful Prince Edward Island. Although Laurence is from Montreal and Peter from Halifax, many of Peter's family is from the Island and it is where they spend a lot of their vacation time during the year. When it came time to plan their wedding, PEI seemed like the natural fit! Many guests travelled from away so the Island became the home base for a week of activities to thank everyone for coming from afar. 

The picturesque Shaw's Hotel provided the wedding venue on a sunny and warm September afternoon. After the backyard ceremony, we escaped to the beach for photos while guests enjoyed lots of time to mingle, drink, and eat some Island seafood chowder. We all gathered again on the back patio for some stories and laughs before heading inside for their incredible meal and more speeches. Laurence & Peter's friends even surprised them after dinner with a hilarious puppet show depicting how they met and fell in love! Then, it was on to the 'Lobster Trap' barn to dance the night away. 

Thank you Laurence & Peter for choosing Prince Edward Island for your beautiful wedding day! 

Venessa & Fabian - Waterfront Wedding in Shediac, NB

Wedding date - September 17th, 2016

Venessa & Fabian met 6 years ago through mutual friends at a NYE party in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After only dating for a short time, they spontaneously booked a trip to the Caribbean which turns out would be the start of many more travel adventures together. The pair were engaged a few years later when Fabian popped the question right before their big European vacation. They spent those next three weeks basking in their engagement bliss!

Their September wedding day was a relaxed and casual affair with the ceremony taking place in Venessa's parent's backyard in the community of Grande-Digue, outside Shediac, New Brunswick. The blue sky, warm breeze, and water views made for an incredible set up. Two friendly and welcoming families came together that day, making for a wonderful time. Fabian and I are first cousins, so their day was even more special for me! Ven & Fabian are just the type of people you want to be around. Their caring and genuine personalities made every guest proud to be a part of their wedding day, one we will always remember. 

Congratulations Venessa & Fabian! 

Reception venue - Notre Centre

Makeup - Irresistible Hair Fashion

Dress - Vera Wang, David's Bridal

Groom's suit - Moore's

Florals - Costco

Decor - Imagination Decor

DJ - DJ Funk

Dessert - Cow's Ice Cream

Photography - brady mccloskey photography

 

2016 Favorites

There are so many Thank Yous to be given at the end of each year. To everyone including all the amazing brides and grooms, the family members who helped organize their family photo sessions, the wedding guests who let me sit with them at their table, the people who showed up nervous to their shoot and left relaxed, the fellow wedding vendors who created beauty, the fiances who helped pick out their partner's outfit, the kids that made us laugh, the limo drivers who took us around, the people that didn't grumble when I asked to take their photo, and to absolutely everyone else who was behind my lens this year......I thank you.

2016 took me near and far, seeing so much and meeting so many. To think of all the amazing experiences and moments I've had the pleasure of being a part of can be overwhelming, but looking back through every folder makes me smile, laugh, and say 'awww' too many times. Thank you to each and every client who trusted me to capture a part of their lives this year. Here's a look back at some of my personal favorites photos from another year of the coolest job ever. 

Enjoy.

Megan & Mitch - St. Dunstan's Basilica Wedding in Charlottetown

Wedding date - September 2nd, 2016

11 years ago back in 2005, Megan borrowed a friend's spare school ID to sneak into Colonel Gray's high school dance. It was here that she first met Mitch. After sharing a few dances, they kept in touch and have been together ever since! Real life high school sweethearts. Wedding planning began 10 years later in 2015 when they got engaged during a Summer trip to Cape Breton. Mitch later surprised Megan by engraving her wedding ring with "it all started with a dance". 

Megan & Mitch wanted their wedding day to be about how everything felt, not how everything looked. This is certainly evident by their expressions, laughter, and happy tears all throughout the day. The amount of emotion was so special to see, and really brought their wedding photos to life. They have the biggest hearts and are loved by so many. Their advice to other couples getting married is to keep things focused on the marriage and not the wedding, as guests are there to celebrate you and your marriage and the rest of the material things will fall into place after that. Very true words.

Congratulations Megan & Mitch!

Number of guests - 170

Ceremony - St Dunstan's Basilica

Hair - mary coloris

makeup - Larissa Faith

Dress - Allure Romance, The Wedding Place

Groom's suit - Dow's

Florals - Island Meadow Farms

Decor - Jenn Maxwell

DJ - Aaron Doucette

Reception venue - Delta Prince Edward