Mary Angelou once said, "People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel."
Your journey is unique. Immeasurable by clocks but immortalized by moments. These moments deserve to be captured in the grandeur of their beauty, true to your love story.
This is my forte. I earned the honour of being hailed as the best photographer in the city by a happy groom because my hospitality is unmatched. I am a genuine, albeit closet, hopeless romantic and true love stories invigorate the exceptional experience I provide.
My name is Mara and I am a body-positivity, women-empowering and eco-consciousness advocating adventurist and architecture lover. Photographically, my style leans towards Fine Art. In a world filled with 'natural light' photographers, I beg to differ. I strive to shoot exclusive pieces of Art, carefully curated and styled to perfection. I enjoy spending hours designing a shoot and exploring unique locations.
When I am not shooting or travelling, I enjoy volunteering for Meals on Wheels and visiting friends who have dogs. *joy* I am a humble nerd and a big fan of Queen and anything classic rock.
My most guilty pleasure is the World. I am a self-proclaimed travel aficionado.
Here are some of my most favourite, picturesque places thus far:
– Canada Tobermory, Scarborough Bluffs, Urban Toronto, Notre Dame Church, Willistead Manor, Old Mill Toronto, Parliament Hill, Blue Mountain
– Philippines Caramoan Islands, Boracay Island, Intramuros, Fort Bonifacio
– USA Empire State, Boston Harbour, Venice Beach, Central Park, French Quarters, Mulholland Drive, Downtown Detroit
© 2018 Villa Bel Mara Photo Boutique | Toronto Windsor New York Fine Art Wedding and Portrait Photographer
Let's connect on Instagram already! @villabelmara
New Year, New You Giveaway
I simply adore the Holidays, because I love, love, love giving gifts! So for New Years, I've rounded up a few other ladies and we are über excited to offer a lucky lady a nice treat this coming year!
1.5 to 2-hour Bespoke Portrait session with Yours Truly!
Full face of makeup done by our very own Monika of @MMBeauty_Windsor / MM Beauty Windsor (Lashes included)
Hair by the absolutely amazing @HairbySLindsey
Styling by the incredible talent at @BellaBridalWindsor / Bella Bridal Windsor
Winner will be announced on New Years Day!!! Good luck everyone and have a Safe and Happy, New Year’s Eve
#newyearsgiveaway #newyearnewyou #photoshoot #windsoressex #yqg
In the Philippines, it is customary to attract more good luck by treating others with food or gifts. This year, we have been blessed and bountiful with success and triumph, and it is all thanks to you, our loyal clients, friends and family!
As our token of appreciation, we are holding a Holiday Giveaway! We are proactively building our online presence and in need of reviews, so we figured it'd be fun to make it a Contest!
Write us a quick review on either:
The Knot (3 points),
Google (2 points) or
Wedding Wire (1 point).*
Take a Screen Shot of your Review
Post the Screen Shot on our Facebook Page to qualify,
or
Post the Screen Shot on your Instagram and tag us @villabelmara to qualify!
If you write us a review on all three sites, you get an additional 3 points! If you post your Screen Shot on both Instagram and Facebook, you get an additional 3 points!
We love, love, love your moms and your families, too! So your significant other and/or parents are welcome to write a review as well, and will count as their own additional points!
* If you have already written a review in the past, no worries! Take a Screen Shot anyway and post it... It will still qualify!
New York is one of the cities I escape to when I desire to re-calibrate my ambition compass. Nothing invigorates an artist's soul quite like the Big Apple does, and once you take a bite, the poison kills all your self-doubt and you come back with fierce passion for who you are and what you are meant to be.
During this trip, I photographed some styled fashion and bridal sets, and it validated my love for weddings! It was a very pivotal time in my professional life, as I was still in the fashion photography scene at the time, but finding that I was slowly but surely losing my patience for that industry. You see, I am a feminist in my own brand, and body positivity is a very big deal to me. Unfortunately, although I adored anything fashion, I abhorred the fact that size zero was still the unspoken ideal. So I was exploring a new love... And I started finding that love in weddings!
So back to New York City...
Apart from food and architecture, I also enjoy visiting pop culture locations from movies when I travel! Can you spot some from these series?
My favourite dress shop, now closed! :( (Above) One of my personal favourite spots in the Big Apple! Jekyll and Hyde Club! Me and my fascination of masks knows no bounds! And skulls.
(Above) My ultimate first date, le Met Gala's venue!
(Above) If you know her, or are her, can you please tag her/yourself?
(Above) Someone very influential was assassinated right up this walkway here.
(Above) Breakfast, anyone?
I swear... I did not intend this mischievous image!
I fucking love New York!
Whether you are the Couple-To-Be or the photographer, you will find that Time is Queen! Over the years, I have finessed the average time that I allocate for every part of any full-day wedding that I shoot, from classic white weddings, to cultural Indian weddings. Each and every wedding have their own unique flair... your Timeline should be unique too!
Before even starting on your Wedding Day Timeline, make sure you have finalized your own unique decisions on the following details:
You should start working on your Wedding Day Photography Timeline about a month to no less than two weeks before your big day! Once you have finalized your unique details, here are some time allocations you may find useful:
Photos of Wedding Attire, Shoes, Jewellery, Stationery, Bouquet, and other wedding details
Note: It is a good idea to have one of the couples to keep both rings. Try to keep the area tidy for photography, especially near the windows/source of light. Hang dresses/suits in nice hangers.
Photos of Bride(s)/Groom(s) and Bridesmaids and/or Groomsmen getting into dresses and/or suits, group photos, photos with mom/dad/aunt/uncle/grandparents
Individual Portrait of Bride(s)/Groom(s)
Note: Remember to account for travel time if there is a second location for preparations.
Family Formals with Bride(s)/Groom(s) after Ceremony
Note: Assign a family member, preferably someone loud or commanding, from each side that can help usher family members for photos (since Photographer will not be familiar with family members). Type out family photo lists for reference.
Wedding Party Photos with Bride(s)/Groom(s)
Note: Remember to account for travel time.
Bride(s)/Groom(s) Couple Portraits
Photos of Reception Details: Building, Entrance Decorations, Seating Chart, Guest Book, Center Pieces, Head Table, Menu, Table Setting, Bar, Dessert Table, Chandelier, etc.
Bride(s)/Groom(s) Sunset and/or Night-Time Couple Portraits
The above time allocation guide is the minimum average, but the more time you can spare, the better!
The following sample is logistically a very easy wedding - only one travel in between. Usually, a more complex timeline involves two different locations for preparations, and the ceremony/ reception are in two different locations. I like to minimize any room for error or any acts-of-God that can happen in between and therefore typically recommend for the bride and groom to get ready close to their ceremony/reception locations.
For this wedding, their decorations were put up the day before - another bonus. Usually, decorations are scheduled for when we return from Wedding Party photos at around 5.45pm, before the guests arrive at the Reception (if cocktail hour takes place elsewhere). However, since I am able to do them at 12 noon, I am able to maximize the time for Wedding Party and Bride and Groom photos.
Time |
Photo List |
Notes |
12:00 | Photos of Decorations, Invitations, Wedding Dress, Shoes, Rings, Box, Garter, Veil, Bouquet, etc. (Location: Masonic Temple) | |
12:45 | Photos of Groom's Suit, Bowtie, Fedoras, Shoes, etc. | |
1:00 | Groom and mom, uncles | |
1:15 | Photos of Bride and Bridesmaids getting into dresses, Bride's First Look with Dad | |
2:15 | Bride and Bridesmaids photos, Bride and mom, dad, birth mother, grandmother and kids | |
3:00 | Ceremony (Location: Masonic Temple) | |
3:45 | End of Ceremony, Family Formals | |
4:15 | Wedding Party photos with Bride and Groom (Location: Jackson Park, University of Windsor), Bride and Groom portraits | 15 min Travel |
5:45 | Return to Masonic Temple, photos of guests and atmosphere | 15 min Travel |
6:00 | Introductions and Dinner thereafter | |
7:00 | Speeches | |
8:00 | Photos of Bride and Groom's First Dance | |
9:00 | Photos of Dancing and Party | |
11:00 | End of Photography |
in this next example, there is a lot of time in between each individual event, hence we were able to capture a lot more images (even with a single photographer). Clients often ask if a second shooter is necessary, and I often advise that with proper planning, one photographer can be more than enough.
This bride allocated plenty of rest time throughout the day - a very, very wise decision. It also leaves plenty of room for potential delays, and it take the pressure off everyone involved - especially herself, her groom, her wedding party, and inadvertently, her wedding vendors. The extra two or three hours makes a very big difference.
Time |
Photo List |
Notes |
9:00 | Photos of Vest, Shoes, Cufflinks, Letter from Ashley, Groom and Groomsmen Photos (Location: Address in Amherstburg) | |
10:00 | Photographer leaves | 30 min Travel |
10:30 | Photos of Wedding Gown, Shoes, Garter, Rings, Invitation, Bouquet (coming at 10.30) Letter from Anthony, Bride and bridesmaids with cowboy shoes (Location: Sprucewood) | |
11:40 | Bridal Portraits | |
12:00 | Ceremony, Photos of Groom and Daughter with special lock toss into pond | |
1:00 | Family Formals | |
3:00 | Wedding Party and Photographer leaves | 45 min Travel |
3:45 | Wedding Party Photos (Location: Gemus Farms) | |
4.15 | Bride and Groom Portraits | |
5:00 | Wedding Party and Photographer leaves | 30 min Travel |
5:30 | Photos of Reception Decor - Entrance, Head Table, Centerpieces, Menu, Tableware, Wedding Cake, Desserts Table, etc (Location: Fogolar) | |
6:15 | Photos of Wedding Introductions/Entrances and First Dance | |
6:30 | Photos of Guests, Candids, Speeches during dinner (4 speeches altogether) | |
9:00 | Photos of Party and Dancing | |
9:30 | Photos of Photo Booth fun | |
10:30 | End of Photography |
The easiest way to finesse the Wedding Day Photography Timeline is to sit down or video-call with your photographer. This way, you can brainstorm and share each other's perspective to ensure everything is covered. Send each other the Timeline via E-mail, or your preferred method of communication to ensure you are on the same page on the day of the wedding!
Dear Freddie,
Ready, Freddie?
I knew most of your songs before I knew you! The amusement park I frequented as a child were huge fans of yours, it seemed. It wasn't until my late teens that I realized that all those songs they played were all from the same band!
Queen's music has touched my soul in many painful and joyful ways in perfect, harmonious parallel. Your story, more so.
You see, Freddie, I am a misfit as well. I enjoy anything peculiar and am often viewed celebrated as weird. Over the years, I have embraced my oddities and it is because of people like you, or Lady Gaga, or Tom Hardy. Fortunately, I now also live in a time that is far more progressive, open-minded and modern.
I love you because of your unfailing belief that you were meant for greatness. Your devotion towards Mary Austin was beyond all manners of traditional love and sexuality, one that I often envy and wish I could find. I love you because of you fierce generosity and your deep, honest humanity.
I love you because of you willpower for perseverance.
I watched Bohemian Rhapsody last night. The first scene already had me in tears, I knew I had no chance, even though your story is one I'd known many times over. I am still quite saddened that I can only see you through speakers, screens or prints. But perhaps in a different dimension, some day.
Frankly, I will say that as a Queen fan, the movie is quite a nice tribute to you, but not the band as a whole. As a movie critic, I am too emotional to comment. Perhaps if 'Whiplash' director Damien Chazelle were involved, maybe the highs and lows could have been more emphasized. Although now that I think of the movie as a whole, it does resemble the song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' quite well.
Also, Rami Malek's acting was quite exceptional.
I love you, Freddie.
Sigh,
Mara
PS. Brought out the Louboutins for the premiere last night.
Gina and Sat came into my life through Daksha, who has kept in touch with me over the course of my career. Within a year, the Rana family has blessed my photography journey with the opportunity to shoot the wedding of two of their children - Sat and Kreeshna - even though I explicitly told them I had zero to minimal experience in the field.
Needless to say, they entrusted me with their family's memories. Gina and Sat were very kind and initially had not planned on hiring a professional photographer. Before their wedding, I attended The Complete Wedding Photography Experience, an online class delivered by Jasmine Star to ensure I performed at industry standards.
Therefore, at Gina and Sat's wedding, I was nervous but quite confident. Their earth tones, greens and burlap was a romantic and calming.
The weather could not have been any more perfect, even the wind was also quite lovely. Everything about that day was laid back, just like the bride!
The groom's favourite shot:
Ah yes, Daksha and Gina! This is actually how we met. I was introducing the photo booth to the Windsor market! She asked if I did photography and at the time, I told her I do fashion photography. "Would you shoot my son's wedding?" she asked. "I'll think on it," I said. The rest is history!
My photography journey started when I was 12. My mother's digital camera took the honour of documenting my "emo" lifestyle - a black heart drawn on my hand placed on sand, with a circle drawn around it, my Chuck Taylors with everything else in black and white except for the red details, and self-portraits of me with Photoshopped lyrics from bands that I considered my heart and soul. Ah yes, those were the days of 30 Seconds To Mars. :)
Saying I have a flair for the dramatics is an understatement. It has become quite necessary for my artistry and it has taken over a decade to finesse my style. The wedding industry is filled with brightness and white, a very strong contrast to my obvious love for darkness. Thusly you will find the vast change my photographic style goes through between 2014 to the present. However, it is not that I cannot shoot in natural light or well-lit situations, it is simply that I thrive in very poorly lit ones.
Here, I share with you the first wedding-related set that I have ever shot. This was when I was in doubt about my love for fashion photography. (More about that one day.) You will find that they are more on the commercial/editorial style, because of my then experience with magazine work.
By all means please comment! Yes, my editing used to be more yellow-ish then. Pun intended for those who know my humour. :)
Models: Nevada (@nevadacaitlynxox) & Yusuf (@shayba.deen)
13th April, 2016
It is Bridal Show Season again! Almost every bride-to-be attends a bridal show of sorts before her big day. Last year, I had the pleasure of exhibiting for Toronto’s Bridal Show as a freelancer for Entourage Events Studios. This past weekend, I was at The Wedding Odyssey event in Windsor. I attended both as a vendor, and as a future bride-to-be. (Yes, yes, I need to get engaged first. :)) My aim was to source out the cost of my dream destination wedding.
Boy, these shows are OVERWHELMING. I’m glad I came with a lot of energy! Here, I have compiled a list of tips on how to survive a bridal show. Read on Below
Are you old-fashioned or modern? Natural or edgy? Simple or intense? Geeky or girly or both? There will be a handful of vendors that offer similar services under the exact same category, but trust me when I say that THERE IS ONLY ONE VENDOR THAT WILL BE PERFECT FOR YOU. Leave some room for FLEXIBILITY, though. It is rare that a vendor meet your expectations in terms of quality or scope of services and cost 100%.
Definitely the best thing to do for yourself, before even buying a ticket! KNOW THE AVERAGE COST OF THE SERVICES YOU WANT. This way you you will know a good deal when you see one! More often than not, vendors offer exclusive Bridal Show only offers, so be ready for them!
I will write an article about ADDITIONAL CHARGES that you should be aware of, and clarify with vendors before booking!
STEP 3: NOTEBOOK FOR GOALS
Create a list for yourself. This will keep your thoughts organized and help you make important decisions better.
STEP 4: LISTEN TO THE VENDOR’S SALES PITCH
Is the vendor talking mostly about what they can offer, or are they talking about what YOU can expect from them? Do they listen to YOU? Do they remember when your wedding is, after you’ve told them 3 times? It is important for vendors to have confidence in the value of what they are offering, but if they fail to include your needs in their Sales pitch, then run for the hills! Remember, Vendors should cater to you, and not to their own ego. Pay attention to their body language also. Read on for Step 5
STEP 5: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!
Connection with a Vendor is one of the most important factor in your decision-making process. We as women are gifted intuition, so TRUST YOUR GUT FEELING. The vendor may have beautiful decor that appeal to your style and boast of multiple awards, but if you are unsure, think on it first. If they are offering a “Today Only” special, tell them you are very interested but look to see if they are willing to accommodate you for at least one more day, while you make your decision. I personally find that if they rush me and limit my ability to think before I act, chances are, they won’t be accommodating to me when situations change in the future.
STEP 6: VISIT THE VENDOR TWO TIMES
Under Wedding Photography, there are usually about 10 up to 20 Photographers exhibiting. In the 2016 Toronto Bridal Show, Ever After Photographers, Love Forever and Westend Studio were my top choices. Ever After seemed to have an aquatic, breezy feel. Love Forever was very minimalistic modern, yet charming. Westend Studio was very fashion forward and edgy. All three companies appealed to my style, personality and vision for my wedding – simple destination wedding with a small guest list wearing fashionable attire. However, I found my real connection with Love Forever Studio. It was their honesty and their humble demeanour that really enticed me, as well as the aura they exuded. Their prices are very reasonable, even though I thought they could be worth much more. I went home that night, browsed through their brochure and found out that the two men I was chatting with are actually twins. I came back the following day and revisited their booth, looked through their books thoroughly and decided then and there that they will shoot my wedding one day. (But like I said, I must get engaged first. Haha!)
In the 2017 The Wedding Odyssey Show in Windsor, albeit less Photographers to choose from, Blush Photography was my top choice, hands down. But of course, if I can shoot my own wedding myself, with my own style, I would! I connected with Emma quickly and her images were absolutely beautiful. On top of that, her prices are very reasonable as well.
I will write about “Finding The Perfect Wedding Photographer for You”. It will touch on subject like photographic style, in-person connection and the bigger picture.
STEP 7: SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION!
There will be many times when your vendor will be busy, depending on the size of the show. For those times, if you feel they are the right vendor for you, schedule a meeting after the show and make sure to go through all the little details for your contract. I will write a helpful guide for this with a link to follow!
***
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Photos from my booth at The Wedding Odyssey Show
Me, taken by Chad Barry Photography with my trusty Samsung Note 4 (so please excuse the quality)
There you have it! Personally, I feel that Visiting the Vendor Two Times is the most important step for me. It was a great way to re-affirm my connection with the vendors!
xoxo,
Mara
Dearest Mrs-To-Be,
Congratulations on your Engagement! We are delighted to announce our Maiden Bridal Boudoir event, taking place at The Grove Hotel in Kingsville, Ontario and on January 22nd and The Retro Suites Hotel on January 29th in Chatham, Ontario.
Bridal Boudoir photography is a sexy new trend that has become popular as a wedding eve gift from a bride to her love. It is much like any other photographic session, with the addition of lace, skin and Parisian flair, and the subtraction of fabrics. 'Boudoir' is the French word for a woman's private quarters, and as such, takes place with a bedroom background.
If you're feeling a little anxious and thinking, "Could I really, truly do that?" Let me share what Britt has said about her experience late last year!
"This woman is incredible, she took me, a self conscious anxiety riddled woman and turned me into a GODDESS. I was extremely nervous being a plus sized woman and thinking that I wouldn't look good or be sexy enough. Was I wrong, the way she looked at me gave me the confidence to be sexy for these pictures. I have no words to describe the absolute joy I felt when I looked at these pictures. She made me into the beautiful woman I always knew I was deep down inside. I am eternally grateful!!! Mara is a gift" - Britt | Read Review Here |
Your Collection Choices
Opulence Boudoir |
Classic Boudoir |
Kiss Boudoir |
*Make-up and Print Options available a la carte
Bridal Boudoir makes a wonderful gift, not only for the love of your life, but more importantly for yourself! Connect with us and we'll prove it to you! We will send you a Bridal Boudoir Welcome Packet to outline more details of the experience, Contact Us now!
Besos,
Mara
My boudoir work are sensitive in nature and as such, I am selective about sharing these images online.
Book your appointment and I will definitely have much more to share!