Patrick Chondon Photography

Kim & Glynn Wedding at the Conservatory

2012-02-07T11:25:00.000-05:00

Not too many people have winter weddings, especially in Thunder Bay, but this one was different. Kim and Glynn approached me to shoot their short and intimate wedding at the Thunder Bay Conservatory, which is a fantastic setting for a wedding.

Once I arrived I quickly unloaded my cameras and took some nice candid shots. Once the ceremony started everyone made their way to the small bridge. With the greenery and waterfall in the background, you couldn't ask for a more peaceful and romantic backdrop.

They only had the location booked for an hour so everything went by very quickly. With that being said, we got a lot done. After the ceremony, we just walked around and captured some spontaneous and natural portraits. As always, thanks to Kim & Glynn for allowing me to take part in their celebration!

On a side note, it has come to my attention that the city is looking to close the Thunder Bay Conservatory due to funding issues. If anyone would like to contribute or find out more information there is a Facebook group dedicated to this very cause.

It is called Save the Thunder Bay Conservatory: Don't Pave Paradise

Desiree & Terry at the Marina

2012-02-04T12:25:00.000-05:00

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting and eventually photographing Desiree and Terry. They contacted me to see if I could take their engagement photos for their upcoming wedding. I jumped at the chance, especially since it was at the completely revamped marina.

I decided to do the photos later in the day just as the sun was getting a bit lower. This allowed for some fantastic lighting. The weather was a bit cold but once we got walking it warmed up. We started at one end of the marina and worked our way to the other, taking some photos along the way.

The hour went by extremely fast and it was a great time. They were definitely a fun couple to photograph as they were willing to do anything. Plus, they were throwing out their own suggestions as well which I always encourage. Thanks again to both Desiree and Terry!

Jason & Family

2011-12-26T12:57:00.000-05:00

When I got contacted by Jason to photograph his family at his home during the Christmas break, I jumped at the chance. It gave me an opportunity to get out of the studio and on location. After welcoming me into their beautiful home I quickly got setup in the basement for some photos in front of the fireplace. It was then off to the stairwell for various shots with all of the family. The last location had us finishing off in the living room.

Time flew by as I was only there for an hour. With that being said, we got a lot done in that time frame especially with over 10 family members. Thanks again to the Jason and the rest of his family for making it a very fun shoot!

Holiday Portrait Special Now On!

2011-12-14T10:44:00.000-05:00

Tyra, Hayden & Jayme

2011-12-12T21:55:00.001-05:00

The second photo session of the weekend was a bit more relaxed but just as fun. Jayme, who is just over 6 months old was the perfect little model. After throwing up within the first 10 minutes, we wiped him clean and continued on with the shoot!

He had a few different costumes which all were equally cute. My favourite was definitely the Santa costume though. He didn't cry once and even sat up on his own on multiple occasions. Of course he also fell over more then once but it didn't phase him one bit. He seemed to be having the most fun when he was in his diapers. His favourite pose was when he was on his tummy doing his best superman impersonation.

Thank you to Tyra, Hayden and Jayme for a great photo session!

Brittney, Adam & Chase

2011-12-12T21:42:00.001-05:00

It was definitely a busy weekend filled with some Christmas portrait sessions. The first one was with my niece Brittney, her boyfriend Adam and their lively 2 year old son Chase.

Right from the moment they came through the door, Chase was full of energy. He did not stop for more then a few seconds during the full hour and a half! When he did slow down he was a master of many faces. The stuffed animals did not stand a chance and my backdrop was almost pulled down more then a few times.

It was all worth it though as we all had a great time and came up with some truly unique and memorable photos.

Alisha & Derek Engagement

2011-11-14T15:08:00.011-05:00

Winter should have been here already but I'm glad it has held for this long. Because of this great weather I was able to do a beautiful engagement shoot with Alisha & Derek. It seems like only yesterday that they contacted me to photograph their wedding in 2012. Here we are a few weeks later already doing engagement photos. I can't wait until their wedding next year which will be taking place at Chippewa Park (amusement rides and all!).

We covered a lot of ground and took some amazing photos in 1 hour. From the leave covered trail to the 10 minute hike up to the bluffs, there was no shortage of fun and spontaneaty. Both Alisha and Derek were a lot of fun to photograph, so thank you to both of them!

Anne at Boulevard Lake

2011-09-25T20:42:00.001-04:00

Just a simple fun shoot with Anne at Boulevard. Just me, her and my 50mm lens using natural light. She was a great sport, even though she just getting over a cold.

Erica & Stephen Wedding

2011-09-14T14:09:00.000-04:00

The last wedding of the summer was my second one in a row at Crystal Beach, a small waterfront cottage community just outside of Thunder Bay. Friends of the family let Erica and Stephen use their house and and enormous backyard for the ceremony. After a short but sweet ceremony guests and family mingled and enjoyed the great weather and appetizers.

Once Erica and Stephen visited with everyone for a bit we started taking some group and family photos in the backyard. We then made our way down to the park for some wedding party portraits. After that it was off to the beach for some amazing photos against the backdrop of the lake. On the way we back we quickly stopped at the bridge from some creative and fun portraits.

The ceremony itself was at the Italian Hall. As always there were a lot of great speeches and the food was amazing. The cake was one of my favourite decorations, as it was custom created by a local woman. Erica, Stephen and both of their families were extremely friendly and I was so happy I was able to photography their special day.

Mariam & Hassanali Portraits

2011-09-05T20:38:00.000-04:00

Mariam & Hassanali approached me to get some portraits done and I jumped at the opportunity. This shoot went by super fast, mainly because it was so much fun. The location this time around was the marina. It took place first thing in the morning on a very overcast and almost foggy day. This meant great lighting but not so great backdrops. I made due with what nature gave me that morning and ended up capturing some really good shots. Both Mariam and Hassanali looked great, and the complimented each other perfectly with their attire!

Jessica & Billy Wedding

2011-08-26T20:42:00.000-04:00

It's been a very busy summer for weddings, but I was anxious as ever to photograph a small wedding at Crystal Beach. It was another amazing venue. The ceremony took place right on the rocks by the lake. After a 10 minute walk down the dirt road, everyone eventually found a place on the rocks. It was then Jessica's turn to make her entrance with her father. Holding hands, they slowly made their way to the crowd and to her future husband, Billy.

Once the ceremony was done everyone gathered around for some big group shots. The backdrop of the lake made for some wonderful photos. It was then Jessica and Billy's turn for some couple portraits. As usual, I let them do their own thing as I sat back and captured some natural photos.

The reception was held in a tent in the backyard. This time around, in order for a kiss, someone had to tell a personal experience they had with either Billy or Jessica. Once a few people got up, pretty much everyone in the crowd told a story. It made for a lot of laughs and also plenty of tears.

It was a pleasure photographing such a small yet big spirited and fun wedding. Thank you to Jessica and Billy for choosing me as their photographer. Congratulations!

Brett & Stef Wedding

2011-08-16T13:08:00.001-04:00

Eganville was the setting for one of my latest weddings. It's a small town just outside of Ottawa, Ontario. The day started at Brett and Stef's house where I spent some time with the boys taking photos of them getting ready. I was then off to Stef's mom's place where we got some portraits of Stef and the family.

The ceremony was in a small church which was packed full of family and friends. Afterwards the entire wedding party went back to the house and we took some more portraits in the yard and by the lake. Lastly, we then went to the farm across the street from Brett and Stef's place to take some more portraits. From the open field to the horse and carriage, there were plenty of opportunities for some great moments. We were also able to get a few quick photos of Brett and Stef with their horses, which after some encouragement, posed for a couple shots.

The reception was amazing. The food was great and the decorations were fun and inventive. In order to get the bride and groom to kiss, you had to rope an empty saddle. It made for some good laughs. Once the speeches were done, the live band started playing and everyone danced into the early hours. As always, thanks to Brett, Stef and both of their families for allowing me to be part of their special day. And also, making sure I was properly fed and hydrated on what must have been one of the most humid days I can remember.

Lindsay & Dustin Wedding

2011-08-15T13:50:00.000-04:00

Lindsay and Dustin celebrated their wedding on July 30th, 2011. The day started off at the groom's and then off to the bride's. Watching Dustin and Lindsay get ready on their wedding day was exciting. It allowed me to capture some really good natural moments. The nervousness and the anticipation simply can't be hidden during that time. After that, it was time for some pre-portraits before the ceremony itself. We gathered the whole group and headed down to Victoria street to take some quick shots in front of some old buildings.

The ceremony itself was at the MNR which ended up being a beautiful location for the wedding and some portraits afterwards. Aside from a missing ring after the ceremony, everything went very smooth. Everyone then made their way to the Nor Wester where it was time to get on with the celebration. There were some truly moving speeches and plenty of tears shed and laughs too. In the end, the entire day was a joy for me to photograph. Thanks again to Lindsay and Dustin for including me in their special day.

Deanna & Family

2011-07-26T14:51:00.000-04:00

It was another beautiful day which meant superb timing for a family photo shoot. Deanna and her family met me at Vickers Park. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting. Under the shade of the big trees we took a variety of family portraits. After those were done we move our way around the park and let little Kolja wander around while I snapped photos. He only cried for a bit but once he had his cookie he was raring to go again. The shoot ended on the swing set where plenty of fun was had, he didn't want to stop. All in all it was great shoot and thanks again to Deanna and her wonderful family for letting me be a part of it!

Festival of India 2011

2011-07-20T21:20:00.000-04:00

Just this past Tuesday, the annual Festival of India took place down at the Thunder Bay Marina. It was another great turnout with lots of great food and performances. It seems like each year it keeps getting better and better. I was only able to go for a short while but during that time I was able to capture some great photos of some of the dancers that took to the stage.

Heidi & Family

2011-07-19T16:14:00.000-04:00

Below is a recent shoot I did at Boulevard Lake. This time around it was Heidi and her family. This was by far the most tiring (but fun) shoot I have had to date. I was running around the entire time trying to get some 'still' shots. Who knew two year olds had so much energy! Thanks again to Heidi and her family for coming out and making it an evening to remember.

Baby Sydney

2011-07-06T20:47:00.000-04:00

Centennial Park was the venue for my latest portrait session. This time around Baby Sydney was the model. It took a while to get her out of her shell as she was a bit grumpy but with the use of some bubbles and some snacks we were able to get some really natural and fun photos. Of course it helped that she was very photogenic and cute to begin with so it was just a matter of getting her to smile! Thanks again to Heather and Keith for letting me take photos of little Sydney.

A Nolalu Wedding to Remember

2011-07-05T19:46:00.000-04:00

Nolalu was the setting for my first wedding of the 2011 season. The forecast called for rain but luckily the weather held up and it ended up being the perfect day for a wedding. The ceremony took place at Silver Falls which was a nice 10 minute walk along a beautiful path. After everyone made their way there, Tara made started her walk towards the alter. As you can tell from the photos below she looked beautiful, which made my job that much easier.

Once the ceremony was over we walked around a little and used some of the wonderful backdrops for the portraits. We then made our way back to the house and used the old barn for some more portraits

Next up was the ceremony which was at a camp down the road right on the lake. Later on during the reception we took advantage of the dock on the lake for some more creative photos. Thank you very much to Tara and Jake for being such a fun and spontaneous couple to photograph.

Erica & Stephen Engagement Session

2011-06-03T00:55:00.000-04:00

It's been a long winter but wedding season seems to be almost here, finally! My first shoot of the year was an engagement session with Erica and Stephen. Once we found a day that agreed with us it was off to centennial park.

The entire shoot was a lot of fun and I think we ended up with some fantastic natural and genuine photos. As much as I can I try to get the couples to simply interact and pretend I'm not there. Then I just stay out of their way and take photos from a distance.

Thanks again to Erica and Stephen. I'm looking forward to a busy wedding season so be sure to stay tuned for many more posts.

Victoria & Family

2010-11-21T19:28:00.000-05:00

This past weekend I had a very fun christmas family photo session with Victoria and her family. We started with some family shots and then it was time to let the little ones strike their best poses. There was some bribing needed but they were the perfect little models.

Thanks again to Victoria and her family for a great time!

Howlapalooza - Butchers Ball 3

2010-10-31T16:51:00.001-04:00

Howlapalooza - Butchers Ball 3, is by far some of the most fun I've had taking photos this year. As with previous years, it was held at the Prosvita. One of the local legions in Thunder Bay, Ontario. I arrived at the event an hour prior to set up all my gear. With the backdrop already in place I set up my area around it. It included all my own lighting, a photo printer, laptop and an extra monitor so all participants and passer-byers could see the photos right then and there.

The process was simple. Get your photo taken, check it out on screen instantly, and if you like it you could purchase a print in a variety of sizes right there. The whole system worked wonderfully with only a few delays here and there when it got busy. Otherwise, it seemed like everyone who participated was having a blast. Even if people didn't intend on purchasing a print, they were encouraged to get a couple photos taken regardless.

Overall the night was a huge success for Jerry of Big Bang Productions. From what I saw, there were a TON of people, all dressed up. Be sure to check out his website for upcoming costume parties. They are always a guaranteed fun time.

To view all the photos visit my website. Below are a few of my favourites from the night.

Jackie & Marcy

2010-10-17T18:54:00.002-04:00

It was a brisk fall afternoon with plenty of sun, the perfect day for a wedding! The day started at 2:00pm sharp at the Thunder Bay Conservatory. This was my first wedding there and it was by far my favourite setting to date. The backdrops for all the photos were a photographer's dream.

The ceremony took place on the small bridge which had a serene stream running underneath it. Both Jackie and Marcy looked beautiful which only made my job that much easier for the all the photos I took that day.

After the ceremony we got photos of all the groups and a few of just Jackie and Marcy. With the light streaming down from the glass roof, it made for some truly great photo.

Next up were the outdoor portrait shoots. This is where the real fun began. First up was one of the more popular spots in Thunder Bay, Hillcrest Park. We did a few photos by the canon, down by the trees and of course with the sleeping giant as a backdrop. As always I was able to snap a few candids as well.

From there we went to Boulevard Park. After taking some quick shots on the bridge we ventured down on to the rocks. Both Jackie and Marcy showed no fear jumping over large puddles and doing their best not to slip and fall.

Another spot we had on our list was Centennial Park. We could have spent all day there but instead we picked a few locations and just rolled with it. Again both Jackie and Marcy were up for anything. Whether it was getting in the bulldozer or climbing up on the horse carriage, nothing was off limits.

Before we called it a day we did one final pose at the top of the bluffs. The day went by super fast and we got a lot done in 3 hours, including the ceremony! I couldn't have asked for a more fun couple to photograph. They were both extremely easy going and willing to do anything I said!

To view all the photos from that day just click here.

Joyce Seppala Fashion Show @ Ruby Moon

2010-10-16T12:26:00.001-04:00

This past Thursday Ruby Moon hosted a fashion show by Joyce Seppala. It was a full house and by the time the show started there wasn't an empty seat in the house. While enjoying the fantastic food and drinks everyone watched as a variety of models showcased the unique and creative designs by local Thunder Bay designer Joyce Seppala.

The music for the night was done by LU Radio DJ 'Miss Temperance' who did a fabulous job at keeping people's feet tapping while the models did their thing. It set the mood perfectly.

Ruby Moon is definitely one of the premiere spots in town to see local artists and designers. Be sure to visit their website or drop by the restaurant to see upcoming show listings and what's new on the menu.

Noah

2010-10-14T10:01:00.000-04:00

This is just a quick studio shoot. With the school photos happening the next day we figured it would be fun to do a little dress rehearsal. He ended up going with the plaid outfit. And of course he couldn't resist trying out his Halloween costume to see if he was going to be intimidating enough!

Heather & Family

2010-10-03T18:29:00.000-04:00

With the fall colours in full form, I travelled out to Cloud Lake Road for a fun filled family shoot. This time it was Heather and her family. It was a perfect location for some fall photos. They had a beautiful trail covered with leaves in their backyard and this is where we took most of the photos.

At first there was a bit of shyness from the kids but once they got going there was no stopping them. As always I had to do my best just to keep up with them. There were a few falls and tumbles but nothing would stop them from continuing to pose for the camera.

Thanks again to Heather and her wonderful family hiring me to take the photos. I had a great time and I'm extremely please how they turned out.

Connie & Joey

2010-09-28T15:36:00.000-04:00

It was another beautiful fall Saturday afternoon at the Nor Wester. A perfect day for a wedding. This, my second wedding at this location, was for Connie and Joey. It was a small ceremony, which made it that much more intimate. Everything seemed to come together perfectly. Both Joey & Connie looked fantastic as well as the rest of the wedding party. The ceremony was accented nicely by live music played by a local harpist. It was a pleasure to photograph this wedding and I hope my future clients are as friendly and fun as Connie and Joey were!

Anne

2010-09-06T16:59:00.001-04:00

Annie was kind of enough to let me photograph her around Boulevard Park. It was a bright sunny day but I managed to get some nice photos.

Rachel at Centennial Park

2010-08-23T21:37:00.002-04:00

Today I photographed Rachel, who just turned two this past Friday. As soon as I got to Centennial Park she was already running up and down the huge grass hill there. The rest of the shoot was me basically chasing her around and hoping she would sit still for more then 2 seconds. Melissa and I worked together to try and get her to actually look at us once in a while. The photos below were rare occasions where she actually did.

All in all Rachel was a great model. She even posed a couple times! I still can't believe how much she has grown and how much energy she has! Colour photos are first then some of my favourites in black and white follow.

Stephanie & Thomas

2010-08-23T00:20:00.001-04:00

Yet another wedding. My third one in 3 weeks. This time however, I was a guest. It didn't stop me from bringing my equipment with me to take some photos from the sidelines.

Because I wasn't the hired photographer for this wedding I was able to wander around a bit more freely and get some nice candid shots. Of course I still made sure to get some of the 'money' shots as well.

Since I was only at the ceremony and the reception, the photos below are mainly from the ceremony. I did put two in at the end from the reception. It was a fun night all around with plenty of highlights. Especially from the karaoke performances…

Janice & Roy

2010-08-17T21:34:00.001-04:00

As mentioned in my previous post, my second wedding was in Nipigon, that was on a Saturday. I had no time to let it sink in as I had another one the very next day! Luckily it was an afternoon wedding so I did have time to actually recharge all the batteries.

This time it was at the Norwester. I popular choice for weddings in the Thunder Bay area and one that provides some great opportunities for outdoor photos.

Once everything got underway I got into position and clicked away as the the wedding party walked down the isle. One of my favourite photos of the day was of the flower girls which can be viewed below.

The ceremony itself was very sweet and you could tell Janice and Roy were both a bit nervous but very much in love. They both looked amazing, especially Janice, which always makes my job as a photographer that much easier.

For the portrait photos we headed over to the small dock by the pond. They only wanted a few really nice ones so we spent about 15 minutes shooting some unique poses.

It was a small reception but a very beautiful one. A Dash of Love Events did a fabulous job of decorating and organizing the whole event. The highlight of the night, aside from the first dance, would definitely have to be the two contemporary dancers from Toronto Janice hired. They came all the way down from the big city to perform 3 wonderfully moving dances.

Thanks again to Janice and Roy for allowing me to document their wedding day.

Mary & Jay

2010-08-17T00:44:00.002-04:00

This wedding was my second one and boy was it much much bigger then the first. If you read my first post, Bill and Barb's entire event lasted about 20 minutes. This one, was from 12:00 to 9:00, so you could say it would be a bit more challenging.

After driving for an hour I made it to Mary's parent's house. I was immediately greeted by her Mom and Dad, who could't have been nicer. I eventually met the rest of her family who were all equally kind. So, just how focused was I on the task at hand? I turned down free food, which simply doesn't happen with me.

First I took some nice photos of the wedding dress on it's own and then I spent the next hour or so wandering around, taking photos of everyone getting ready.

It was then off to the church. The church was the perfect place to have the ceremony and lent itself to some truly great photos. I had the opportunity to talk with the minister beforehand who was very understanding.

Once the ceremony was over we headed over to the marina. With a backdrop of the lake and hills it was the perfect spot to take the group photos. After getting the standard ones done we started having a bit more fun and creative as we headed over to the dock, and eventually, the jungle gym. The biggest challenge during those photos was getting the wedding party to stop playing on the jungle gym! Once they settled down I was able to capture some very unique and fun photos.

The reception was the last stop for the evening. All the speeches were great and every time someone wanted the couple to kiss they had to use their names in a song. This provided some great moments.

Overall the whole day went very smoothly. It helped that everyone was extremely patient and open to doing anything, and also offering ideas on their end. Thanks again to both Mary and Jay and their families and friends for making my second ever wedding one to remember!

Bill & Barb

2010-08-16T23:06:00.004-04:00

This, my first wedding, was the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet. I was of course anxious and a little nervous before hand but that quickly subsided once I got going.

Bill and Barb were kind enough to hire me and I'm thankful they did as it was a fantastic experience and it also helped get the ball rolling for what I'm hoping are many more weddings.

With the ceremony being in their backyard it was a nice, private and intimate wedding. I had to really be on my toes though as it started with very little warning. Before I knew it, there were walking down the aisle so I ran in front of them and began taking pictures. The rest of the ceremony went by just as quick, but I was able to come away with some shots that really showed just how much they loved each other.

After the ceremony they simply wanted one nice photo of them in their gazebo and that was it. It was over. All that was left to do was sit under the tent and have some drinks and food. It was fantastic to spend some time afterwards with the couple and their wedding party, as I learned more about them and got a chance to see just how nice they really are.

And here you have it, my first blog post, about my first official wedding. Enjoy!