Varia Studio Blog

In September this year I traveled to Europe to shoot John and Arlene’s wedding in Portugal. They decided to get married in Algarve - the southernmost region of Portugal known for glorious year-round sunshine and excellent sandy beaches. Most guests travelled from Canada and stayed together with bride and groom in beautiful Villa Lusitana in Carvoeiro, Lagoa.On Sept. 6 John and Arlene got married in very old church called - Igreja De Santa Maria in Lagos. Prince Henry the Navigator lived in this city (Lagos) and was buried in the same church in 1460.

Right after ceremony we drove along coastline to rugged cliffs called Ponta da Piedade. This place is know as the Golden Coast (Costa d’Oiro), because of its yellowish tone of the cliffs. This was one of the most amazing spots to take pictures.

As for final destination for pictures we stopped at Carvoeiro - a charming town with cliffs on either side, small beaches and private villas. We were looking for some small town scenery and this one was perfect - whitewashed houses with doors and windows framed in yellow and blue and old quaint small houses tucked in between the more modern ones.

Guest were all at the villa enjoying the cocktail hour and waiting for bride and groom. When we arrived just before the dinner John and Arlene had their first dance.

All I can say it was really nice wedding with European chic!

P.S. I want to thank Monika W (my friend who went to photography school with me) to referring me to Arlene and John and giving me this great opportunity to travel to Portugal and shoot their wedding!

Finally I am back from travelling and I can catch up with my posts here.
On June 2nd I flew to Holguin, Cuba to shoot another destination wedding!

Sylvia and Claude contacted me in winter, at that time I was shooting in Cayman Islands. After a few weeks we met in Toronto and I knew right away this was going to be a lot of fun.

There are several reasons for that - first - Sylvia wanted the Trash the Dress photosession, and I am up for that anytime! Second, they had amazing pesonalities and I just knew they were the the type of clients that I like to work with.
Third, it was the new place that I had never been before!

Sylvia and Claude got married on June 7 on a beach of incredibly beautiful resort called Paradisus Río de Oro.

I was amazed by the great spots for photographs.
In the morning on the wedding day me and Oleg split to cover the bride and the groom getting ready in different rooms.
Ceremony was very short and after that we took a little break to refresh a little bit. Guests joined Sylvia and Claude for champagne in their room. Then everyone had a little break and at 4pm we continued to take some pictures on the beach with the family and the wedding party. We had a great dinner and took some good pictures of people dancing and having fun!

The trip was fantastic!