Women of influence who choose to influence.

I met J. through a corporate portrait opportunity for the non-profit association: The Upper Canada chapter of Girls Inc.

This assignment was a blessing because I met intelligent, devoted, and accomplished women, including J, who inspire me to continue my life’s work: to show people the inner beauty and strength they possess. The conversations alone were worth their weight in gold. How lucky could I be?

J. is the board chair for this organization, whose mission also speaks to me: inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. As a grade 7 and 8 teacher, I strive to do this daily.

Official corporate headshot

During the first photography session, we focused on corporate portraits. Later, we completed J.’s image portfolio with images that capture her essence, grace, and natural beauty. Within a few hours and with the help of a few outfits, some chocolate, music, and conversation, we created more casual and relaxed portraits.

A classic: the black dress.

Another classic: the white shirt.

Au naturel.

J. is also a business owner. She owns and operates a small community-focused grocery store located in Athens. I hear they have the best cinnamon rolls. I’ll have to find out, won’t I?

https://www.thevillagestore.ca/

Hair and makeup: Madison

Actors’ Headshots Shoot: Part 1

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Oh, to be young again. This young man reached out to me to get professional headshots so he could try something new. It isn’t like his life isn’t full already. He’s a third-year university student in kinesiology and a star basketball player. He works full-time in the summer while running private and small-group basketball clinics for young children and adults.

Drive, ambition, discipline, and grace are qualities that this young future leader and professional demonstrates.

The first challenge was to make him look approachable and natural. It was tough because the shoot could easily turn into a GQ model or a Sports Illustrated magazine cover photo. Toning it down was the name of the game.

The second challenge was to recreate natural sunlight, which is very common for this type of photography session: an actor’s headshot photo shoot. It was dark outside due to the storm, so using “sunlight-in-a-can” setup (Godox V1 and Godox 860 VIII) and a gold reflector, we photographed the various outfits and looks.

I mostly photograph women in business or casual attire and in wedding gowns. I’m experienced with photographing female curves in many different styles and settings. It isn’t that I do not enjoy photographing men; it is simply that men don’t often require professional portrait photography services.

I’m glad to be reminded that the skills required to photograph someone’s personality and soul are the same. As usual, it took us about 15 minutes to provide the directions and explanations for posing and to get more comfortable in front of the camera. After that initial period, we were finally cooking with gas! By the time the last images were shot, I hardly had to direct him at all. Like a pro, E.M. hit that last image out of the park.

Hair: @hairbychlo

Engagement Photo Session: Nothing like Fall to Set the Stage.

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My favourite colour is fushia, my favourite element is water, and my favourite season is winter. Yet, I feel that for environmental portraiture, late fall creates a natural and neutral backdrop for outstanding portraits.

People often want sunny days and colourful foliage for their family portraits. I can understand why. However, when it comes to individual, couple, or family portraits, human subjects should take center stage and be the main focus. Colourful landscapes can compete for attention in a portrait.

I love how the red sweater pops out of the frame and is complementary in colour
to the lush greenery in the background.

This young couple came to me with a vision for their styled engagement portrait session. They created about 4 or 5 different tableaus against which different outfits were to be photographed.

Brockville Ontario engagement portrait session. Photographed by Abelle Photography.

I feel this one has a “Twilight Saga” vibe.

I used off-camera flash to make the subjects stand out from the neutral background. The outfit selection was perfect to offset the grey tones of the bare trees.

This portrait photo session took place at the future groom’s family residence, equipped with photogenic wood sheds, bare pastures, and wooded trails.

Makeup by Brooke: https://www.instagram.com/brookelutzbeauty/
Photo assistance by the lovely Capri.

View more images from the session.

Winter Wedding at Strathmere

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For M & S, this union was significant on so many levels. This wasn’t your typical ceremony but a celebration of love, family, and rich heritage.

For them, the wedding was a way to thank their friends and family for being a part of their lives. They wanted to treat their guests to a fun day, filled with good food, drinks and laughter.

I love that hairpiece. I simply LOVE it!

Grandmother looking proudly at her granddaughter.

Winter themed wedding bouquet by Abelle Photography — Winter-inspired wedding bouquet by Colonial Flowers and Gift Shop.

Three generations of strong, intelligent and, generous women.

These two gracious human beings’ generosity and authenticity permeated every aspect of the wedding.

Laughter filled the air as the couple exchanged vows, their Scottish accents weaving a thread of tradition throughout the ceremony.

February days are short, so I had to take the Godox flash kit out for a spin.

Winter wedding at Strathmere (Ottawa) photographed by Ottawa photographer Abelle Portraits Studio. — Love, barn and snow. Who could ask for anything more?

As a portrait and wedding photographer with a career spanning over 25 years, I am selective with the weddings I take on. Each love story deserves to be documented carefully, and this winter wedding resonated deeply with me. Capturing the joy on the faces of the newlyweds, their children, extended family and close friends filled me with immense gratitude. Witnessing these intimate moments and translating them into lasting memories is a privilege. As long as my stamina, my creativity, and my cameras will allow me to do so and as long as engaged couples will invite me to join them for their big day, I will gladly oblige!

Wedding venue: Strathmere
Hair by Jass
Makeup by Brooke Lutz Beauty
Hair by Jass
Flowers by Colonial Flowers & Gift Shop in Brockville
Photography by Isabelle and Phil of Abelle Portraits

More images of this touching wedding are visible over here.
Love winter weddings. Here’s another one held at the Chanteclerc in the Laurentians years ago.

Portraits digne d’un.e cadre

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Il était temps. Après plus de 20 ans comme cadre au sein d’une compagnie d’état, cette professionnelle n’avait que pour photo de profil ceci:

Je la taquinais amicalement depuis peu. Je lui ai finalement lancé l’invitation. Elle a accepté!

Par un beau samedi de mai, on a décidé de remédier à cette malencontreuse situation.

Les poses étaient simples, le maquillage sobre, les tenues décontractées et l’ambiance amicale. Manue a amené une diversité de hauts de différentes couleurs, de matières et d’encolures avec lesquels on a créé une variété de portraits pouvant servir à différents médias.

Les shootings photos ne sont pas tous pareils. Certains sont plus longs et comptent différents styles vestimentaires pour répondre à un besoin de photos corporatives et des portraits personnels tels des photos de couples ou de famille.

D’autres sessions sont plus orchestrées puisqu’on tente de recréer un look spécifique et on tient compte d’une charte graphique pour complémenter le style et l’image de marque de l’entreprise.

Comme c’est souvent le cas, c’est en fin de session photo que le naturel est ressorti.

Merci à Myriam de Studio Espace Urbain Mtl pour un accueil chaleureux.
Merci aux doigts de fée d’Anik pour le maquillage et mise en pli: Anik Bourgeois

“Ok! It has only taken 6 months, but I’ve gathered the courage to do this!”

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It started with a short email inquiry.

Then, 6 months later there was another email. She was ready to make a plan. To get photographed. To be seen. To be courageous enough to be vulnerable. To do this!

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” – Sophia Loren

That she found me online is incredible. That she chose to be vulnerable in front of my cameras in my cozy studio is humbling.

We covered clothes and accessories during the online consultation session. She aced that part! She brought several outfits and accessories that suited her figure and personality perfectly. I laid them out during the hair and makeup session and decided on the sequence of the various looks we would shoot.

We used natural light for most of the portrait session. We flow-posed from one outfit to the next for about 2 hours. We were both tired and exhilarated. We had created images that were authentic and timeless. This was a great team effort.

Her European elegance and flair were a delight to capture. Capturing the essence of this luminous soul was both a pleasure and an honour for us.

We needed to create headshots that had a more corporate look, but it was rewarding and thrilling to finish the shoot with some sequins.

Credits:
Makeup by Lacey of Laceface Makeup
Hair by Chloe

Family Portraits: A Moment in Time.

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For this family, our story goes way back. Grade 8 homeroom late 1990s. (It doesn’t make me any younger.)

For this couple, family portraits are important. Every year, I receive Christmas wishes from them that include updated portraits of the growing clan. 1 dog. A belly. A dog and a newborn. A second belly. A dog, a toddler, and another newborn. You get the picture. *Pun intended.

This time, the crew I photographed was made up of three young men and a busy couple.

We set out to do Fall portraits that included casual attire of flannel shirts, jeans, and boots. We didn’t expect the temperature to rise to the high 20s and low 30s Celsius. Hot, it was. Busy, it was. Priceless it is.

In getting ready for the photo shoot, Supermom had planned for two sets of clothing: a coordinated outdoor wear theme, and another sportier look.

Miss Fantastic had also planned out cold drinks and snacks. These turned out to be lifesavers considering the travel time between the different locations we visited and the warm temperatures. The boys were remarkably cooperative. We were then able to go to one final location.

Once home, we were able to prolong the photo session just long enough to create a few more images of the three little monkeys in their natural habitat.

Wall of some of their family portraits (work in progress).

New Year + New Headshot = New Job

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When T. reached out to me, she was finishing a degree in Data Analytics and in the process of embarking on a new career path.

She is an experienced and educated woman with a collection of impressive degrees: Biology, Fish & Wildlife Biotechnology, and now Data Analytics. She is a mother of two school-aged kids, who had gone back to school to reorient her professional life. This was a bold, ambitious, and courageous move. When life throws you a curve ball, you either duck or swing at it. And swing she did!

Time-pressed and budget-conscious, we had to get these headshots done. So we did.

We did a video call consultation before the shoot. We went over what message she wanted to convey with her professional headshots. We discussed the various looks we would photograph and talked about items of clothing and accessories to bring. She purchased some and borrowed a few items. Clean and simple was the way to go. We had to showcase her personality: competent, experienced, approachable, and talented.

As the session progressed, the self-confidence built. Can you see how much more relaxed she is becoming over time in the sequence of the portraits?

I’ve mentioned this before and will write it again:
A professional-looking headshot you are proud to show off to the world (online or in print) will boost your confidence. This newfound confidence generates an energy and a vitality that impacts your business directly.

Hair and makeup by the talented Samantha of Raw Beauty Cosmetology.

103 nautical miles and…

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10 days and 9 nights
One 9-hour passage that led to my first bout of seasickness;
One amazingly red sunrise that “presaged” a violent storm followed by one rocky night of sleep;
one moon rising and one sunset;
1.3-meter waves that only experienced surfers could enjoy;
Two mini foldable bike rides with a Strawberry Shortcake fanny pack;
5 bags of chips;
Three open-fire meals;
10 perfect morning coffees with cream;
32 liters of water filtered using a LifeStraw©;
Two ice blocks (very difficult to find) and two bags of ice;
A 20-degree temperature difference within the same day;
A dozen mosquito bites, 5 deer fly ones, one wasp sting, 14 bruises, and 3 cuts;

But only one transformative experience.

“Limitless and immortal, the waters are the beginning and end of all things on earth.”
– Heinrich Zimmer

#pec #princeedwardcounty #wellington #sandbanks #lakeontario #iphonography #abelle #tourismontario #sailing #greatlakes #freshwaterwealth

When you know better…

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I recently shared some beautiful images of Lake Ontario and some of its sandy beaches. I’m blessed to be able to walk and relax on them. I’ve visited this particular beach about a dozen times in the last two years. Every time I go, I hunt down trash and notice a handful of dead birds. On average, I collect the equivalent of one shopping bag full. I find all sorts of treasures: plastic water bottles, beer cans, plastic tampon applicators (ever heard of the Diva Cup or OB tampons?),…

I also find partially disintegrated balloons. At first, I thought they were plastic bags but the decorative ribbons give them away. On every trip, I collect at least 3 or 4 of these. On this last trip, however, I collected 8 within a distance of 100 meters. 8!

These balloons, brought to the beach, courtesy of helium gas, break down, release their gas, and gather on the ground.

Helium icon by Icons8

“Helium is the only element on the planet that is a completely nonrenewable resource.”
Source: npr.org

I see a handful of dead birds on every trip. Within that same stretch of beach, I saw 4 dead birds and a number of bones: 2 seagulls, 1 bird of prey, and a cormorant. Natural causes of death could be at play here. I am not a biologist. However, guess what I saw in two of the bodies’ bellies? Ribbon! These shiny ribbons attract the birds who swallow them.

So I am asking you to ponder the choices we make when it comes to unnecessary purchases. There are alternatives. Collectively, we can do better.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou

#whenyouknowbetter #eachactioncounts #freshwater #canada #greatlakes #pec #princeedwardcounty #iPhonephotography #abelle #nature #doyourpart

Abelle Photographie: Beauty Portraits & Wedding Photographer, Ottawa, Montreal, Brockville

Portraits & Wedding Photographer, Ottawa, Montreal, Brockville – Abelle

Women of influence who choose to influence.

Actors’ Headshots Shoot: Part 1

Engagement Photo Session: Nothing like Fall to Set the Stage.

Winter Wedding at Strathmere

Portraits digne d’un.e cadre

“Ok! It has only taken 6 months, but I’ve gathered the courage to do this!”

Family Portraits: A Moment in Time.

New Year + New Headshot = New Job

103 nautical miles and…

When you know better…