Ellumin Photography – Blog

About Ellumin Photography

To say that photography has always been an interest of ours would be undermining the significance this art means to us today.

With the creation of Ellumin Photography in 2009, we have come to realize the pleasure that this line of work brings. We capture what will become people's memories: the emotions, details, and relationships. These elements on the most important day of your lives will be shared with family and friends for years to come.

Photography has also allowed us to explore locations that we would not have ventured to otherwise, but no matter how amazing a setting may be, it is the clients who makes each capture unique. You are the thumbprint to each image, the way you hold each other, look at one another, and laugh together, interactions like the above create precious moments we want to freeze in time.

Every session is a learning opportunity and we feel very honoured to be able to experience your culture and joy.

Please take a look around our website and we would love to hear from you and get to know you better!

Derrick & Vicky

May 12 2012

Astra & Daniel | Wedding at Columbus Centre

Posted in All Weddings

He wasn’t sure if he should do it. Something inside of him knew that this new girl he had just met on his volleyball team would be perfect for his best friend Daniel, but should he try and introduce them to each other? After all, him and Daniel had a good thing going on, and the additional of a new girlfriend could mean less ‘guy time’ and a whole lot of other changes. Corey decided he would show Daniel her picture first and see how it goes from there, and that’s when the Facebook stalking began

She wasn’t sure if she should do it. A guy she barely knew from her volleyball team approaches her and says there’s a guy he wants her to meet, essentially a stranger wanting to introduce her to another stranger. Astra blindly trusted Corey and decided to meet Daniel, and that must’ve been the best decision she ever made. Although Corey would like to take full credit for this perfect match, Astra likes to think a little luck and good humour helped along the way

I’d like to coin Astra as our multi-tasking bride. Upon arriving to her bridal suite at the Holiday Inn Yorkdale, I saw her busily writing Thank-You cards for all the vendors, so sweet! Then as she was getting dressed, maid of honour Deb was working on the criss-cross back detail while Astra was helping the groomsmen tie their full windsor knot ties. I find the groom’s room is always a lot calmer, they were even able to sneak in a drink to calm the nerves before the ‘reveal’.

The ceremony and reception was held at the Columbus Center, I love how unique this venue is! It has a manicured courtyard which allowed us to do some quick bridal party shots outdoors despite the chilly winds, and the inside is adorned with lots of art and windows letting in natural light. Astra and Daniel also spent a lot of effort hand crafting beautiful little details such as the paper flowers around each napkin. The theme for the table settings was “bargain hunting” which is one of Astra’s favourite things to do in her spare time away from being a doctor. Congratulations Astra & Daniel, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms, Grandma’s and Great-Grandma’s out there tomorrow

Details:
Hotel: Holiday Inn Yorkdale
Hair and Make-Up: Melissa Burman from MELIS
Flowers: Fran Sackler Floral Designs
DJ: Brad from Skip a Beat Entertainment
Officiant: Jeremy Citron
Wedding Cake: I Do! Wedding Cakes
Macaron Favours: The Sweet Escape Patisserie
Ceremony and Reception: The Columbus Center

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Apr 23 2012

Candy & Fraser | Engagement Session at University of Toronto

Posted in All Engagements

This is one of the quickest turnaround on a blog post ever! Partly because we’ve been itching to get some new content up due to the slower winter season, and also because I sorta slid down a hill and fell on my bum in front of these two so posting photos asap is my way of redemption from that embarrassing stunt!

To say that we were excited for this shoot after 2 months of downtime is an understatement, but we were even more stoked when Candy and Fraser stepped out in their amazing attire. Hair and makeup was done by the highly sought after Satine Yang (I can’t wait to work with you again this season!)

Candy and Fraser knew of each other since highschool but it wasn’t until 3 years ago that their love story began. When I asked Candy “how did Fraser ask you out in the beginning?” she laughed and said “through an e-mail, can you believe it?”. Well I guess that first date on the beach must’ve went well because these two will be tying the knot at Liberty Grand this June. Special thanks to my friend Teresa in Hong Kong (who will be part of Candy’s bridal party) for sending this lovely couple our way. Without further ado, here are Candy and Fraser’s pre-wedding photos…

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admin - May 15, 2012 - 1:15 am

Thanks Candy, hope you guys are enjoying the rest of the photos! Had a little bruise but all is well Looking forward to your wedding in June!

Candy - April 24, 2012 - 7:36 pm

Thanks Derrick & Vicky,
These pictures are gorgeous, totally out of our expectation, now when i look back, is really worth the cold =), thanks so much, can’t wait to work with you guys again =), by the way Vicky are you ok ? did you hurt yourself ?

Candy

Mar 02 2012

Janice & Terry | Winter Wedding at Mezza Notte

Posted in All Weddings

There are two themes we often see in romantic movies that is true for Janice and Terry’s relationship. First, it was love at first sight. Second, they are a couple that was brought together by “pure fate” as described by Terry. We hear of love stories that begin through meeting at the workplace, or being introduced to one another through mutual friends, but Janice and Terry are two complete strangers who fell in love. Terry was doing some shopping downtown and entered into the store that Janice was managing, he knew there was something special about her right away and shortly after they started dating he was already asking himself if this is the girl he will marry someday Their friends describe them as two people who make each other better and happier individuals, who never seeks to change the other person and has a heart of gold.

We really lucked out with a gorgeous warm day with bright blue skies in Winter. The day started at Janice and Terry’s home, which I was told had been completely remodeled on the inside. A little nice perk of being wedding photographers is that we often get invited inside people’s homes, and we’ve seen some novel decor ideas and really unique living spaces. In this case, I loved their kitchen so much that it left me asking Janice for her contractors’ contacts! The talented Maggie Ng was hard at work on Janice’s hair and make-up, and she really did look so stunning that a child we passed by on the street shouted “Daddy, look at the princess!”

Before heading to the ceremony, we stopped by at a unique spot for some quick park photos, and continued the bridal party shots afterwards at the Mel Lastman Square skating rink and Toronto Center of the Arts. The reception at Mezza Notte was intimate and filled with entertainment from some very enthusiastic performers, one of which I noticed will be on Canada’s Got Talent because I spotted her on the show’s preview on TV We will definitely be routing for her because she has an amazing voice!

Congratulations Janice and Terry on your special day, and Thank-You Lauren and Diego for your referral!

Venue: Mezza Notte
Makeup & Hair: Maggie Ng
Ceremony: North York Civic Center

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Feb 03 2012

Lauren & Diego | Winter Wedding at Hazelton Manor

Posted in All Weddings

Riding motorcycles and attending track meets is one of Diego’s favourite hobbies, and Lauren has always been supportive of his sport. However, when a girl volunteers to go with her man to a track meet which required camping out in a tent under the pouring rain, on one of those days that even his buddies would bail, you know it’s True Love. Lauren earned a special spot on Diego’s ride after that outing It’s funny how us girls like to leave little mementos on our other half’s vehicles. For me, it was a fluffy yellow plush bunny dangling near the dashboard of Derrick’s Honda Civic. For Lauren, it was a heart shaped sticker on Diego’s motorcycle. I guess it’s just our way of telling the world “he’s mine”.

Lauren and the ladies got ready at the Homewood Suites by Hilton (Hwy 7 and 400), located fairly close by to Hazleton Manor. When we first arrived I knew we must do some photos in the hotel lobby because it was gorgeous and I loved its dramatic plum tones and large drum shade chandeliers. I wonder if Lauren took into consideration the hotel’s decor when choosing where to stay because she is an interior designer You’d be surprised what little things I get excited over as a wedding photographer, in this case I was stoked because Lauren is officially our first bride with a Birdcage Veil, and I couldn’t have imagined a more fitting look for her! The custom made white cape was also a unique addition that kept her nice and warm outdoors. Speaking of exciting, did I mention that Lauren’s dad looks like Harrison Ford?

The weather was pretty cold that day, but we managed to spend a few minutes at a neighbourhood park for some quick bridal party photos before heading to Hazelton Manor. The hall was beautifully decorated and I would’ve expected no less because a lot of the details were meticulously designed by the couple themselves. Shortly after the entrance and first dance, everyone joined in on the dance floor and lifted Lauren and Diego up on chairs, spinning round and round dancing in circles. We literally got right into the heart of all the dancing to get some shots of them up in the air, it was actually quite fun trying to catch that!

Congratulations Lauren and Diego on your special day, and Thank-You Anitha and Joe for referring your best friend to us, it was great seeing all the familiar faces again

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Jan 15 2012

Genevieve & Phil – Wedding at Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville Hotel

Posted in All Weddings

Genevieve and Phil’s special day started at Marriott Hotel in Yorkville, where the ladies got ready in the biggest bridal suite I’ve seen yet! It was two floors and offered a perfect spot for hosting the traditional tea ceremony later on in the day. Genevieve’s stunning wedding gown and chapel length veil was displayed in the center of the room when we arrived, and she had been anxiously waiting for us before opening her wedding gift from Phil. He knew she always wanted the Gucci watch, and there couldn’t be a better time to give it to her

Genevieve wasn’t kidding when she told me she planned on dressing Ernie up on their wedding day, he was oh so adorable in his tuxedo! Having a wonderful little Pekingese myself for the past 18 years, I know exactly how special a pet can be to our lives, and in many ways we don’t even regard them as “pets” but more like “a member of the family”. I can only imagine how much it meant for Gen to have Ernie as her ring bearer, and he did such an amazing job coming down the aisle.

This was the first time we photographed in Yorkville during Winter, and I loved it! All the window displays at Holt Renfew, festive decorations and Christmas trees along Bloor Street was so colourful and fun, I’m also glad it was warm enough for us to do this session outdoors as planned.

The reception started with a big surprise, the Groom went missing! Where was he you ask? Well, it was all part of their “Hangover themed entrance”, and Phil eventually came running in after the dude in dreadlocks The fun continued into the night with ballroom dancing, a husband performing rap on stage while his wife boogied to the beat, and “Party Phil” (inside joke?) Congratulations to you both, and Thank-You Camilla and Wesley for your referral, it was great seeing familiar faces from your wedding again!