Danielle & Ryan, November 1, 2008

Between planning a wedding from Alberta and travelling back and forth for planning sessions and engagement photos, it's amazing that these two were so composed on their big day. But on a crisp November afternoon the sun shone on them and we had a great day!

Rob & Kate, October 18, 2008

Kate and Rob's wedding was the first one I travelled back to Ontario for and it was worth the trip. Kate...you outshone the fall colours and Rob, your guys weren't that bad ;)
I can't think of a better way to spend a sunny Saturday October afternoon than having leaf fights in the park!

Home of the Big Sky

The view out my new back door.

now you all know what I meant when I said "I miss the big sky of the prairies".

Well Friends,

After 8 amazing years, dozens of of great weddings and time spent with hundreds of wonderful friends, colleagues and clients, it is time for me to say good bye to Ontario and journey West, closer to my home roots. My family and I are moving to Saskatoon where I will continue to run Heather Fritz Photography on a more national platform, travelling back and forth to Ontario, out to the West Coast, into Alberta and throughout Saskatoon. (also in development with some of our nation's best new talent: a series of workshops destined to send your enthusiasm for portraiture sky-high!!)

While I have been capturing portraits all my life, it was in Ontario that I began my full time career in the wedding industry. I will be forever grateful for the experiences afforded to me out here. I could rattle on for hours about the amazing memories I have but to keep you interested, I'll share just a few moments that have defined the type of photographer and business person that I am today.

-the day that I met Emma Smallbone, renowned wedding photographer and owner of "Barebone Photo" who lives by the creedo that she taught me... "do your own thing" and the rest will fall into place. Thank you Emma for your guidance and friendship

-the wedding of Dave and Daniella Kuhner. Thank you for taking a chance on me so long ago and continuing to use my services and refer me to your friends after all these years.

-the autumn day that Sarah and I lamented on the way to a wedding that we were soooo tired of the same style of wedding that year...that day our bride walked down the aisle to ACDC's "She's got Balls" in a dress ruched up with a Star Trek pin.

-the week I got to spend in New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity, recording the wreckage of Hurricane Katrina, only 100 days after the initial devastation

-my first "Smiling Eyes" photoshoot where I watched the bravery of a woman my age unfold as she smiled for her family the day before she underwent her second round of debilitating chemotherapy

-the day I met Megan Follows, renowned Canadian actor and gabbed cameras and photography with her until I realized I was actually at work and should have been shooting instead of talking shop

-the day I watched Michael and Dustin's family celebrate their vows at the Royal Botanical gardens. One of the most elegant weddings I have ever attended.

-my last Ontario "Smiling Eyes" photoshoot. Benjamin, I will forever cherish our conversations together.

-Jenn Jenn and Sarah....thank you for being you. The days I met each of you not only helped enhance my career in someway but added freindship in ways I could never imagine.

So with new babies, old men, first marriages, 50 year anniversaries, destination weddings and disasters, I learned grew and became the photogrpaher and person I am today.

Thank you Ontario for it all.

Heather

photographer and dreamer

-

Chris & Erin, September 27, 2008

Chris and Erin's love story gets told again and again because they've know each other for so long and met because of the friendship between Erin's brother and Chris. But I think the joke is really on the rest of us because when you look at Chris looking at Erin or listen to Erin talk about Chris, you know that their love story runs pretty deep and has nothing to do with the rest of the world.

I was so honoured to be in the presence of such gracious and kind people on such a magical day.

Alan & Caroline, September 26, 2008

I met Caroline months and months ago when we collaborated to create an amazing restored photo composite gift for her brand new fiance, Alan. I couldn't have been more excited to get involved in their actual wedding day. The bride and groom we so easy-going and genuine that it just made the day fun! I caught Alan give Caroline a little wink in the middle of the ceremony and it reminded me that it's just the simple connection between two people that leads you up to the "I do" moment...

Thanks guys, we were so glad to be a part of your "I do" moment!

Steven & Allison, September 14, 2008

In late July my good friend (and crack lawyer) Jennifer Roggemann popped by my studio to introduce me to her sister, Allison and her sister's fiance, Steven. Little did I know that we would spend the next 20 minutes planning their wedding. After dating for years Allison and Steven decided that they wanted a short engagement, an elegant affair and they wanted in in KW despite the fact that they both live in Vancouver. Jennifer and Allison spent the next 6 weeks burning up the email and phone lines planning the most elegant luncheon wedding at Langdon Hall.

From the details of this perfect wedding you would have thoughts that it took 18 months to plan.






Funny thing too, was that their time was so tight that we actually did their engagement shoot that day after their wedding! A truly modern couple ;)

Great job guys!

Our Very Own Cover Girl!!!

I'm so proud to announce that one of my bride's will be gracing the cover of the new 2008/2009 edition of "Your Wedding Portfolio". Lisa Klimstra's (nee Smith) portrait was selected from hundreds of entries. Below is an image of this beautiful kind-hearted woman but to see the image that won, you'll have to wait until the publication is released in October.
"Your Wedding Portfolio" is available for the first time at the "Wedding Dreams" bridal show at Bingeman's and is available at shows and bookstores throughout the Tri-City area after that. Local brides will want to get a hold of this year's issue as I hear it is full of great new features!



Congratulations Lisa (and Eric)!

Ultimate Affairs

Nelia and Teresa really do make it an affair to remember.

I was doing a final edit on Sandra and Rick's wedding tonight before I sent their files to print when I came across this image once again. Sandra's train is being help up by Nelia of Ultimate Affairs Wedding and Event Planners. I think the look on Sandra's face really represents the piece of mind that Nellie and Teresa (co-owners of UA) bring to any wedding.

I have come across Nellie and Teresa at more weddings this year than ever before and I suspect that in years to come Ultimate Affairs will become a staple to any great wedding in the area. Great season ladies, you are inspiration to aspiring business women everywhere!

p.s. this was an totally unsolicited blurb for the girls....I just love 'em!

Wreck the Dress 2008

YOU, YOUR AWESOME DRESS, 2 COOL LOCATIONS, 3 AWESOME SHOOTERS!!!!

Ladies...since our schedule is so crammed packed this fall, I have decided to hold a full "Wreck the Dress" day on November 7. We will be taking you to 2 different locations...one of which has a water option. I will shoot along side at least two of my most accomplished associates. (local rising star, Sarah Derschner Sousa has confirmed as one of our guest shooters).

We will hit each location as a group but will shoot you individually. You will receive a disk of high resolution files from all the shooters there that day. SO COOL...you will be the star of your own paparazzi-style photo shoot!

$225, includes photo shoot and high res CD (you are responsible for your own hair and make-up...the bolder the better!)

Gerrit & Tereza, September 6, 2008

So if you thought your own wedding was cool, ask yourself this, "Did I have an elephant???"

Well Tereza and Gerrit can answer YES! to that along with many other African safari themed surprises that they planned for their guests at their African Lion Safari reception.
Their theme well reflected their lifestyle (they are avid travellers and Tereza is a veterinarian) but it was really the special things they included in their day that reflected their true generous natures. After the Safari through the park, guests were treated to an amazing 6 course authentic African meal while being entertained by a troupe of African musicians and dancers.

Congratulations Gerrit and Tereza, may all your travels be as fabulous as your wedding day!