Baby Masa

As a newborn photographer, it was always the rule to capture newborn photos within the first ten days of the baby’s birth, for reasons such as they’re sleepier, are easy to pose, and adorably tiny!  But in the case of this little munchkin, his moment in the spotlight occurred while he was three weeks old.  Despite my expectations that baby Masa would be awake for the entire session, instead, he surprised me by sleeping the entire two hours, allowing me to capture so many beautiful restful images!  Amazing!  Now I have a whole new perspective on newborn photography, meaning, there really are no rules, just suggestions to follow or bend.  Every baby is different and unique from the last and I never know what to expect when I meet them for the first time!:)

I’m truly in love with this adorable little boy and his wonderful family.  Since our session together, they’ve moved back to Japan; having come to Canada initially for Masa’s grand entrance to the world, and for some much-appreciated help from Grandma during his first few weeks.  Have fun growing up in Japan, Baby Masa and I hope to kiss your chubby cheeks again in the future!:)

sarah mac - November 6, 2012 - 4:43 pm

I’ve had two sessions so far and both have been AMAZING. I can’t begin to express how happy I am with every single photograph. I can’t wait for our next photo session, if I lived in Canada I would book one two to three times a year.

Johanne - November 23, 2012 - 7:35 pm

Lee!!! Wow, this family have the best photographer in the world! Not only you take amazing portraits but you capture candids where you can feel so much emotions and love. How do you master it all? You are just the best.

jeff - April 1, 2013 - 8:48 pm

omg you even have a little crown for your sessions

Robyn + Mark { A Perfect Wedding }

There is probably nothing more romantic in life than two people pledging a lifetime of love and devotion to each other.   And when that couple happens to be two of the people you adore most in this world, well, the circle of love doesn’t get any sweeter than that.  Admittedly, I’ve only known Mark for a few months, but the way he looks at Robyn, with this heart-swelling, puppy dog love in his eyes, it gets me all weak in the knees!  And if you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that Robyn has been one of my biggest supporters in my career path for the past three years.  She’s Thelma to my Louise; lasagna to my Garfield; and I will always love her like she’s my own family.

Watching these two lovebirds say their “I do’s” as the sun dipped behind the trees, I had a hard time snapping away as big fat tears rolled down my face!  I think I cried at least five times that day!  Robyn and Mark have a love like no other and I’m so happy to have been there with them and their friends and family that day.  I love these two with all my heart and I know we’re all gonna grow old and happy together!

Bear hugs and kisses, Lee

ps. I was super happy to have the incredibly talented Jeffrey Chan Tin helping me out that day!  You rock! XO

I LOVED Mark’s expression as Robyn approached for her first look.  He was laughing with excitement!!

Mark must have been in his own little world when he got dressed that morning – he didn’t see the patch with their wedding date embroidered in his suit jacket until Robyn pointed it out to him!

The details at this wedding were “sooo Robyn!” and were some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen!  The wedding was held at the beautiful Ball’s Falls Centre for Conservation – I hope to photograph more weddings there in my future!

Robyn has SIX siblings in her family!  No wonder she’s such a fun-loving monkey!

Earlier this year, Robyn and I photographed the gorgeous vineyard wedding of Camilla and Bob!  Such a sweet couple I hope to see again soon! XO

The gorgeous and thoughtful details of this wedding wouldn’t have been possible without the Herculean efforts of Jenny and Aaron of Stacked Events.  They also happen to be two of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet!

Jessica Blaine Smith - September 18, 2012 - 3:29 pm

Gorgeous images! I love all of the cute details involved in this wedding!

Robyn - September 18, 2012 - 7:29 pm

Lee!!! Thank you so much for all the wonderful memories!!!!! You are truly a talented not to mention beautiful person. Mark and I are so happy you captured our day so perfectly!!! Thank you for the kind words above!!! Love you money boo!!!!!! So many awesome memories!!!! Thank you !!!!

Favourite Uncle John - September 18, 2012 - 8:38 pm

I am SO proud to be part of this family…even though the Chews outnumber the Wilsons by a ratio of 5:??
Kudos to Lee and company, but more so to the 2 people who are so obviously in love.

Margaret - September 18, 2012 - 8:52 pm

Lee…awesome images…you captured the essence of Robyn + Mark.
Robyn and Mark…love ya, you guys rock!

Greg Chew - September 18, 2012 - 11:02 pm

What a beautiful job capturing Mark and Robyns day Lee. Their personalities really come alive…..your blog intro is very sweet. (Oh and for reminding me how much taller I am than all of the Chews and Wilsons and Greens).

Sasa - September 19, 2012 - 3:50 pm

Leanna u rock, I love the emotional and techical part of well captured wedding…

Rosemarie Gizzie - September 19, 2012 - 9:26 pm

Awesome pictures! Robyn and Mark you look beautiful together.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Jennifer + Ryan { Expecting }

Having just moved back to Toronto from Costa Rica, Jennifer’s photo session with me was pretty much the first thing she did since stepping off the plane.  In their temporary rented apartment, I had free reign over what to do with the space.  So we pushed the furniture around till all that was left was a clean, bright canvas for this beautiful girl.  Quiet, shy and sweet, Jennifer was truly lovely during our few hours together.  But as soon as she was able to kick up her heels in a pair of cowboy boots and straw hat in a sunny field, that’s when her sparkly personality really started to shine!   I can’t wait to meet the beautiful child you and Ryan have created.   All the best.  XOXO Lee

ps. Assisting me that day was my super friend Sarain who kept Jennifer’s hair looking perfect and all of us in constant fits of laughter!

Susan Ashe - July 24, 2012 - 3:13 pm

Leanna these are magical! Beautiful imagery and family-to-be :)

Alexis + Jordan { A Wedding }

There are at least a hundred reasons why I adore this wedding so much.   But the one that moves me the most is how utterly generous and kind are Alexis and Jordan.   I think they asked me nearly a dozen times that day about how I was doing and if I needed anything; which says that even in the midst of their whirlwind wedding, they looked beyond their own emotions to the comfort of others.  Such a remarkable couple; so full of love and positive energy that culminated in their ultimate grand entrance to the reception: literally bursting through a homemade “JUST MARRIED!” sign to a roomful of cheering and gloriously happy people!  They are a couple wildly in love and they didn’t hold back in showing it!
Jordan and Alexis had the perfect wedding day and I was the luckiest person in the world to be a part of it.   High fives to their fabulous entourage of gorgeous bridesmaids and feisty groomsmen who kept me laughing and blushing all day long.  And of course, a big thanks goes to my bestie Robyn, who came prepared with crazy antics and sweet and salty snacks and always her amazing camera skills.  But most of all, I thank Jordan and Alexis, for being so incredibly fun to photograph!  Congratulations, Lovebirds!   XOXO  Lee

Officiant: Fr. Vito Marzilliano, St Clare’s Roman Catholic Church;  Dress Designer: Elizabeth Dye;   Groom’s Clothier: Indochino;   Cake Artist: Cake Opera;   Reception Venue: The Royal Ambassador;

Johanne - July 10, 2012 - 11:46 pm

Leanna!!! I absolutely love these photos. You know how you describe this couple, well that is how you are. And you did such an amazing job capturing the love, beauty and fun in this wedding. Oh and I love the grand entrance!!

Christina - August 2, 2012 - 1:37 pm

These pictures turned out great. Were they taken at the Royal Ambassador?

Lee - August 2, 2012 - 1:39 pm

Thanks, Christina! Yes, this wedding took place primarily at the Royal Ambassador. :)

Alex - October 9, 2012 - 10:39 pm

Gorgeous shots Lee – such a cute couple! Adore the entrance shots, man, and her dress!!

Abid + Alia { A Wedding }

As a third-generation Canadian, I’m about as whitebread as you can get.  So whenever I get the chance to experience a culture completely different from my own – I’m there!  It’s one of things that makes being a wedding photographer pretty great – all the unique customs I get to observe when my clients honour the marriage traditions of their heritage.  Particularly with Alia and Abid’s wedding, who’s entire day was a mix of old and new traditions – it’s nice to see couples pay homage to their past while still staying true to their own sense of style.

I won’t lie – I’m a bit envious of this wedding.  Alia in her incredible violet and cream Muslim wedding dress that somehow looked so modern on her.  Abid sporting Tom’s with his traditional sherwani dress.  Their ceremony was held at the Berkeley Church, which in my opinion, is one of the most versatile and interesting places to get married in Toronto.  After saying their vows, having some lunch and changing into their Western-style wedding clothes, Abid and Alia met up with their friends at Airship in the Distillery District where the real party began.  With such a busy day, I managed to squeeze in a few minutes here and there of solo time with Alia and Abid.  They’re shy when it comes to the camera, particularly with posed shots.  They wanted a natural look to their photos, and so mainly I left them alone, while they did whatever came naturally to them.  I can’t tell you how refreshing this was to take a step back and let go and really shoot with a candid eye.  And while they’re not the kind of couple into parading their love to their world; you can tell that they genuinely adore each other.  Alia and Abid: I’m so honoured to have photographed your lovely wedding.  I wish you well and a long and happy life together.

XOXO Lee

Last but definitely not least, my good chum and rockin’ assistant Robyn Chew was an epic help this day.  You rock my world, Sweet Cheeks!  XO

Johanne - July 10, 2012 - 11:50 pm

Just speechless. This is absolutely amazing!