eye poetry - the photo blog of fine art photographer Irene Suchocki

A Walk in the Clouds

2012-01-23T11:05:00.000-05:00

Above the clouds in the White Mountains
Transported to Middle Earth
I hope I don't run into any Orcs

Best of Nature

2012-01-11T11:20:00.000-05:00

I'm so thrilled to have one of my photographs ("The Power of 10" shown below) included in the Best of Nature exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum. If you are in the area, the exhibition runs from January 9 to May 13. Not a bad way to kick off the new year! I hope your 2012 is grand!!

Intimate Fragments

2011-12-19T11:04:00.003-05:00

When one thinks of Versailles, one usually thinks of pomp, decadence and indulgence. Despite its size and grandeur, I was surprised at how intimate it could feel. I thought that, at times, its occupants must have tired of the obligations of state, and perhaps of the grandness of it all. So I sought out the quiet spaces and little details, imagining the hidden moments that have been lost to time and history.

Nice in Nice

2011-11-16T11:08:00.002-05:00

I'm taking a short break from processing wedding photographs and packaging print orders to fondly reminisce over my strolls through Nice, with its palm trees, medieval labyrinths of the old city, Italianate facades, colorful markets, beautiful pastel colors and charming windows. Here is beautiful Nice from sunrise to sunset.

Doug and Heather Getting Married

2011-10-27T10:52:00.002-04:00

Heather and Doug got married in the most gorgeous rustic setting. A drive up a country road lead to a farm spread out over several acres. We started the day with the portrait session; walking among the apple trees, up dirt roads, and meeting a few animals along the way. The ceremony took place on a hilltop overlooking a stunning mountain landscape. Afterwards, we all moved to the garden for the cocktail hour, which ended up being crashed by a good-natured cow who enjoyed some appetizers and our company. The reception was held in the barn and the barn cat made himself at home. I've never seen so many animals at a wedding! It was an absolutely delightful day and I wish Heather and Doug much happiness in their new life together!

2012 Calendar Round Up

2011-10-25T10:04:00.004-04:00

Between my trips this year to New York, Paris, and the South of France, let's just say that I had a lot of new material for this year's calendars. Here are some sample pages from each calendar. The calendars in my Etsy shop are loose-leaf desk calendars, with each page measuring 5x7".

2012 Paris Calendar

2012 Eye Poetry Calendar

2012 New York Calendar

2012 Landscape Calendar

2012 Horse Calendar

For those of you who would prefer a wall calendar, I have created two on Lulu. They are printed on premium white linen paper and measure 13.5" x 19". When you click the links below, you'll be able to preview the calendar pages.

Eye Poetry Wall Calendar

Paris Wall Calendar

I hope you find something you love!

Horsing Around

2011-10-04T11:25:00.003-04:00

In spending a few days with these horses, I had the chance to observe these beautiful creatures in their more playful moments. I thought I would share these in honor of World Animal Day.

Lily and Alex Getting Married

2011-09-21T10:33:00.003-04:00

In August I headed to Quebec City for what turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous wedding. The day was chock-full of activity. As Lily got ready, last-minute DIY details were being prepared by family. Once the bride was ready, Alex arrived to partake in some traditional "door games", which are tasks assigned to him by the bridesmaids to prove his love (he passed with flying colors). Then we were off to downtown Quebec City for a tea ceremony where Lily was presented with her weight in jewelry. Afterwards, we made our way to Ile D'Orleans for the wedding ceremony itself, which was set in a beautiful vineyard that overlooked the St. Lawrence River. The reception was magical, with tables set among the trees of an adjoining orchard, and lit by candles and torches. The wedding was styled by Elyna Kudish of Unity Weddings and she did an outstanding job. Congratulations to Lily and Alex on your beautiful and moving wedding day!

Your Wild Horses

2011-09-14T11:02:00.001-04:00

So after having very pleasant spring weather in Paris and Provence, I headed to the Camargue for the last three days of my trip and it began to rain, rain, and rain some more. It rained pretty much the whole time. Not just little drops. It came pouring down. Three days straight. In the South of France. Some shoots were even cancelled. Especially painful was the sunrise shoot which was spent in a van waiting for a couple of hours for the rain to let up and then going back to the hotel when it didn't. Ah the glamorous life of a photographer. In the end, it turned out to be a blessing. For just enough time, at the right time, the rain would let up and this lovely soft light would surround us. It also meant I was able to achieve my "white on white" vision. This is how I pictured my photographs before I left for France. If we had had beautiful sunny days and intense blue skies, I wouldn't have been able to achieve it. Nature knows best after all.

These moments captured are among some of the most amazing moments of my life. The very first shoot required quite a bit of faith. My heart was racing from the moment it was explained that the 25 horses that would be running toward me would only swerve at the last second, but that rest assured, they would. I took some deep breaths and opened myself up to the experience. And what an experience it was.

The drunken foal

2011-08-22T10:58:00.003-04:00

Camargue horses are born dark brown or black and lighten to white as they mature. There was one foal among the adult horses - this little guy. When he lay down in the grass, he looked like such a happy drunk.

I'm heading off tomorrow for a vacation in New England. I may not get the chance to blog, but I'll most likely be on Facebook and twitter with briefer posts. I'll see you in September!

Genevieve & Iain Getting Married

2011-08-19T20:39:00.004-04:00

On one of the hottest days of the year, Genevieve and Iain got married in the countryside outside of Montreal. I remember her telling me about it last year: the vineyard, the bagpiper, the kilts. I thought to myself, oh yes, please pick me to be your photographer!

In addition to getting married that day, Genevieve became an honorary Scotswoman after drinking elixir from a magical flask (that's what was in all those flasks, right?). I share with you now some of my favorite photographs from that day. Congratulations Genevieve and Iain!

New discoveries

2011-08-17T11:49:00.002-04:00

Twenty minutes outside of Quebec City is the most charming island: Ile D'Orleans. It floats happily in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. With its red-roofed homes, little churches, orchards, vineyards, and gorgeous views of the river and mountains, it's a delightful place. This was my first visit there. I have a feeling it won't be my last.

A Visit to the Old World

2011-08-15T10:31:00.003-04:00

I spent a lovely weekend in Quebec City. The main purpose of my trip was to photograph a wedding on Saturday, but I gave myself a couple of extra days so that I could have a leisurely stay in one of the most charming cities outside of Europe.

The Chateau Frontenac, a luxury hotel, sits on a boardwalk alongside the St. Lawrence River:

The Lower Town is full of charming stone buildings and winding streets:

This square (pictured below) was used as a location in the film Saving Private Ryan:

The Chateau Frontenac as seen from below:

A heart so white

2011-08-11T10:35:00.002-04:00

One of the main reasons I went to the south of France earlier this year, was to photograph the white horses of The Camargue. They are an ancient breed of horse that has lived in this wild, harsh marsh region for centuries if not thousands of years. I had the chance to spend three days among these beautiful creatures. The first day, I had the chance to get close to them and get to know them. They quickly adapted, were quite curious, and when I wasn't looking, would come up to me and start nibbling my shoe or knee. As a result, I have quite a few wide-angle shots of horse noses. Despite the nibbling, I was taken with how gentle they were and I felt no fear being so near to them. I'm so happy to finally be sharing some of these photographs with you.

Midnight in Paris

2011-07-28T08:58:00.004-04:00

Who has seen the new Woody Allen movie? I did a few weeks ago and found it so sweet and charming. It's a beautiful and loving portait of Paris that will make you cherish it all the more. If you've seen it, who were your favorite characters? I thought that Adrian Brody pulled off Dali brilliantly and a confounded Luis Bunuel was hysterical (in an understated way).

The most beautiful city that could ever be

2011-07-26T10:50:00.003-04:00

"The most beautiful city that could ever be". Well, Napoleon Bonaparte had that right.

Lazy hazy days of summer

2011-07-20T10:29:00.002-04:00

The summer heat continues here in Montreal as it does in much of North America. So I've got summer on the brain. Here are some images from Nice on the Cote d'Azur to help you dream of cool ocean breezes and lazy days spent on the beach.

Seeing Red

2011-07-18T10:33:00.003-04:00

Today's post is brought to you by the color red.

I love how pops of color have even greater visual impact against the neutral color palette of Parisian architecture.

Paris Polaroids

2011-07-11T10:58:00.001-04:00

Today kicks off 'Roid Week, so to get in the mood, I'm sharing a few of my Paris polaroids. The subtle tones of 600 film are so perfectly suited to Paris. I used most of my remaining 600 film here, because frankly, where better to use such a precious thing?

City of Light

2011-07-07T10:52:00.000-04:00

Paris is nicknamed the City of Light because it became a center of education and ideas in the Age of Enlightenment and because it was one of the first cities to adopt street lighting. A third reason, of course, is its collection of FABULOUS chandeliers.

Rooftop Soliloquy

2011-07-05T10:25:00.004-04:00

Before my trip, I read the book Rooftops of Paris. It contains utterly beautiful watercolor paintings by Fabrice Moireau depicting this "levitated, almost unreal world". To capture his views, he would slip into apartment buildings, pretending to live there, and painted while perched precariously on high. I wasn't quite as bold as Fabrice, but was determined to capture this landscape of form, pattern, and rhythm. There is nothing like the feeling of stepping out onto a rooftop to suddenly have Paris there in front of you, in all its magic, at an unfamiliar altitude.

Méditerranée

2011-06-23T10:39:00.007-04:00

I know that I'm skipping about here. I have many more photographs of Paris to share, but my computer has been out for repair most of this week, so I'm sharing what I have on my laptop.

While in France, I had a chance to try the newly released Polaroid PX680 Color Shade film, and I must admit that I am smitten by it. Learning how this film behaves under different lighting conditions was all part of the fun of experimentation. The color palette is delightful, sometimes tending toward the soft and pastel, and other times toward the bold and saturated. But when the stars align, the effect is like that of a faded watercolor painting.

These photographs were taken in Nice and Aix-en-Provence and are now available as a set in my Etsy shop.

Remaining Neutral

2011-06-21T11:44:00.004-04:00

I apologize for the long delay in posting photographs from my trip to France. I've been having some serious computer problems (still ongoing). I finally managed to edit enough photographs for a post.

In this series of images, I allowed myself to stay neutral and to try to do justice to the beautiful and subtle color palette of Parisian architecture. The monocromatic color scheme, upon closer inspection, seems to in fact contain hundreds of variations of grey, cream, beige, and white. Perhaps this is where Parisian women, famous for dressing in classic, neutral colors and adding splashes of color through accessories such as scarves, get their inspiration.

YUL -> CDG

2011-05-20T10:50:00.001-04:00

In a few hours I'll be getting on a plane bound for Paris (YUL is the airport code for Montreal and CDG for Charles de Gaulle in Paris). Excitement doesn't even begin to express how I feel about this trip. I'll be spending a week in Paris. I've rented an apartment near the Luxembourg Gardens through New York Habitat. It has a huge window and a fabulous view and I plan on eating baguettes smothered in various cheeses while looking at it. After my week in Paris, I board a train to the south of France, where I'll be staying in Nice and Provence. The last few days of my journey promise to be an incredible and unforgettable experience.
While I'm gone, I probably won't be blogging much. I'll try to do shorter and more frequent updates on Facebook. I don't tweet much, but I hope to do so more during this trip. I'm eyepoetry on Twitter.
I'll be back on June 5. Until then, adieu mes amis!

Icons

2011-05-18T18:58:00.002-04:00

As I wrap up my New York City posts (for now), I'm already packing for my next trip. Where did the time go? I'll be back on Friday to say goodbye before I board my plane.

New York Noir

2011-05-10T09:05:00.004-04:00

Even though I work mostly in color, I still adore black and white photography. It lends itself so well to the drama of New York City, particularly at night.
Some of you have been asking about prints. I'v been adding many of the photographs I've been blogging to my shops. They can be found in my Etsy shop and in my personal shop.

Last of the Bohemians

2011-05-05T08:45:00.006-04:00

Some of the best balconies and fire escapes in the city are found in Greenwich Village.

The arch and its design details in Washington Square Park.

Yes, the cappucino is fabulous here.

I mean really. Just look at that.

The house used as Carrie Bradshaw's apartment building in Sex and the City.

Magnolia Bakery was featured in a Sex and the City episode. It's not hard to see why. Its retro interior is so very charming. And the cupcakes, with pastel-colored icing like mint and lilac, are yummy.

My favorite neighborhood to stroll through is Greenwich Village. It has a unique charm, with its more haphazard street layout revealing its origins as a rural hamlet. How I would have loved to have experienced it in the 1960s, at the height of its bohemian heyday.

Bright lights, big city

2011-05-02T08:52:00.007-04:00

At night the streets become rhythmical perspectives of glowing dotted lines, reflections hung upon them in the streets. The buildings are shimmering verticality, a gossamer veil, a festive scene-prop hanging there against the black sky to dazzle, entertain, amaze.- Frank Lloyd Wright

Fairytale of New York

2011-04-27T08:52:00.006-04:00

Let me tell you about that first night I spent in New York. We arrived late in the afternoon to the most gorgeous fog. I had to hold myself back from just leaving the car on some midtown avenue and running out into the streets with my camera. We arrived at the hotel, parked the car, and gulped down some sandwiches. There were only about 90 minutes left before sunset, so we nearly ran to Central Park, which, thankfully, was close to our hotel. [This is where I have to thank the partners of photographers who have to put with this kind of thing when they kindly agree to come along on these trips.]
New York City, and particularly Central Park, is perfectly enchanting in the fog. And as the evening progressed, it got more and more magical as the sky turned from pale gray to a gorgeous pinky-purple. We stayed in the park until after sunset and then ventured out into the streets for some night photography and a well-deserved glass of wine. I felt so contented that I would have been happy even if I didn't get to take another photograph the remainder of our stay. But, of course, that didn't happen ...
P.S. I'm having trouble deciding on my favorite of the last two shots (the taxi cab lights). If you prefer one over the other, let me know. It'll help me decide which to make available as a print in my shops.

When spring came to town

2011-04-20T12:19:00.003-04:00

I've been to New York a number of times, but never in the spring. You never know what kind of weather you'll get, and we got a bit of everything: fog, a gorgeous summer-like day, cold and rain. Luckily, some trees were already in bloom and the blossoms added such fabulous texture and color. My camera just ate it all up.

NYC Through a Phone Camera

2011-04-18T10:33:00.004-04:00

I'm back from NYC - exhausted and with memory cards full of photographs to work on. In the meantime, here's a random iphone overview of this big, beautiful city.

A wonderful fog-filled first night in NYC.

Best book store name ever.

Slightly more upscale shopping experience.

Tchotchke overload.

Fabulous brunch spot in midtown. The hickory smoked bacon and challah toast are delish.

So much more to come ...

En Noir et Blanc

2011-04-11T11:52:00.002-04:00

Black and white really suits Old Montreal, don't you think?
I think it will also suit NYC, where I'll be for a few days this week. Just a tad excited over here!

Seeing red

2011-04-08T09:31:00.002-04:00

I found pops of red all over Old Montreal yesterday.
If you are in the US, you might want to check out One Kings Lane. Some of my canvas prints are on sale there today.
Have an absolutely fabulous weekend!

Downtown

2011-04-06T09:04:00.002-04:00

Yes, we have our very own Hector Guimard metro entrance.

Some scenes from a downtown stroll. It's good to look up every once in a while.

The terracotta army

2011-03-31T09:33:00.004-04:00

Last week I went to the Chinese Warriors Exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. I managed to take a few photographs, despite a couple of warnings not to. That's the time to bat one's eyelashes and follow up with a sweet "Oh really? I had no idea. But of course". And then stealthily take a few more. If you are in Montreal between now and June 26, I highly recommend this exhibit.

Cinque Terre - The Ligurian Coast

2011-02-22T11:29:00.002-05:00

This is the last installment of my Cinque Terre tour. I thought the incredibly beautiful and rugged coastline deserved a post of its own. I must have spent hours walking along this path, listening to the waves and taking in the light.

Cinque Terre - Monterosso

2011-02-14T10:54:00.002-05:00

The fifth and final village in Cinque Terre is Monterosso, where I learned the valuable lesson "if life gives you lemons, make Limoncino".

Cinque Terre - Vernazza

2011-02-08T16:54:00.002-05:00

The tour continues today with Vernazza, possibly the most picturesque of the five villages.

Cinque Terre - Manarola and Corniglia

2011-02-03T17:24:00.003-05:00

A path that you can hike connects all five villages. The section between Riomaggiore and Manarola is called the "Via dell'Amore". The towns were very isolated until the last century and villagers rarely married someone from outside their own town. This trail opened up in the 1920s, after blasting through the cliffs for a rail line. It became a meeting point for lovers from the two villages.

It has become a tradition for lovers to close a padlock together on the railing or cable.

Here is the first glimpse of Manarola when coming from Riomaggiore.

"Main Street" Manarola.

Gelato-colored houses. Mmmmm. Gelato.

This is probably the most famous view in the Cinque Terre region. It is on the other side of Manarola, as you head towards Corniglia.

Corniglia is the smallest of the towns and sits 100 metres above the sea, surrounded by vineyards and terraces. Oh. And you have to climb 382 steps to get there. Or, you can cheat and take a bus.

Cinque Terre - Riomaggiore

2011-02-01T12:28:00.003-05:00

I've been reliving last year's trip to Italy this week. So, I thought I'd take you on a little tour of Cinque Terre, the rugged and beautiful region of the Italian Riviera. The sight of these charming pastel homes, stacked so closely together as if to buttress each other as they cascade down the cliffs to the sea, is breathtaking and somewhat surreal. Riomaggiore is a lovely fishing village, and being a little less touristy than some of the other towns, I found it to be a great base to explore the area.

Duane & Emily Getting Married | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2011-01-25T18:25:00.004-05:00

A couple of weekends ago I photographed my first winter wedding. Yes, there was trepidation, but the weather gods smiled down upon us. In addition, Duane and Emily come from hearty stock. They were completely up for doing some portraits outside in the -4 degree temperature. We also had access to a most awesome location for the major portion of the portrait shoot: an airplane hangar! Needless to say, this was one unique wedding and such a fun shoot! Congratulations Duane and Emily (and Charlie of course)!

Old Montreal Magic

2011-01-19T10:50:00.003-05:00

I love how Old Montreal gets dressed up over the holiday season.

All was quiet

2011-01-05T15:54:00.004-05:00

The most thick, luscious fog rolled in on New Year's morning. I couldn't have asked for a better start to 2011, especially after being hit with the Great Canadian Stomach Flu of 2010 after Christmas. Ugh. The excitement I felt that morning mirrored my excitement over the new year and all the projects and plans rolling around in my head. I hope your year got off to a grand start too!

Christmas time is here again

2010-12-24T11:25:00.002-05:00

The holiday orders have slowed down and I finally have a moment to pop in and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Now is the time for wrapping presents, baking, and spending time with family. Followed by some much need relaxation. Ahhhhhh. I'll see you all in the New Year!

Tis the season for sales!

2010-11-24T11:00:00.006-05:00

I'm currently running two different sales, so take your pick!
In my isphotography shop, save 25% on all regularly priced prints until December 8. Simply enter the code WINTER25 during checkout.
In my Etsy shop, I'm having a Buy One Get One Free Sale on regularly priced prints (11x14 and smaller) until November 30.
Oh and Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!

Twinkle twinkle

2010-11-16T16:45:00.002-05:00

The leaves are gone and November's chill has set in
It's time to dress the trees in sparkling strands of pearls
To illuminate the long winter nights ahead

Kim + Erik Getting Married | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2010-11-10T10:35:00.003-05:00

Kim was the epitome of the glowing bride on her wedding day. Her beaming smile and upbeat energy were positively infectious. In Erik she has found the perfect match as I have faith that he'll be able to keep up with her! Kim and Erik, it was such a pleasure photographing your wedding day. I wish you heaps of happiness in your life together!

Christine + Pierre Getting Married | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2010-10-26T16:26:00.004-04:00

I loved the casual and rustic setting for Christine and Pierre's late September wedding at the Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud, Quebec. Christine got ready in a log cabin, guests warmed themselves by the fire at night, and jugs of Quebecois maple syrup graced the dining tables. Christine and Pierre have such a great energy that exudes happiness and their unique personalities infused the details of the day. Christine and Pierre, thank you for trusting me with your wedding day. I had such a great time!

Couleurs

2010-10-19T10:10:00.002-04:00

The days are shorter and colder
Green is leaving us for another year
Departing in a fiery glory of color
Making way for the gray of November
And the white of December

How to be lost

2010-10-13T10:19:00.002-04:00

Wander in the woods. Stray from the path. Follow the sun.

Laundry day

2010-10-05T18:11:00.002-04:00

Even laundry seems enchanting in Italy. How can it be? Although you see these clotheslines everywhere in Italy, in Burano the experience is that much more intense because every inhalation is heavy with the intoxicatingly sweet smell of fresh laundry.

Classic car porn

2010-09-28T12:31:00.003-04:00

Today's cars are so boring in comparison to these classic beauties. I just couldn't get over the shapes and colors. Car manufacturers, please bring back these stunning colors. The other night I dreamt that I bought a beautiful blue BelAir, but it was new ... and a hybrid.

A typical morning in the life of Dexter Morgan

2010-09-22T14:26:00.003-04:00

So, who here is a huge Dexter fan like me? I can't wait until Sunday when the new season premieres. As a tribute, I created this treasury on Etsy, largely inspired by the show's opening credits. I can hear that music in my head already ....

Of a feather

2010-09-20T11:00:00.003-04:00

While working on my New York City calendar, I came across these almost-forgotten photographs I took at the Museum of Natural History. I thought they'd made a lovely little set. Photographing stuffed animals always feels like cheating, but they hold their own appeal and fascination for me.

2011 Calendars

2010-09-15T17:32:00.004-04:00

My Etsy shop is full of new 2011 desk calendars. Seven to be exact! Here are some sample pages.

EYE POETRY:

PARIS, JE T'AIME:

ITALY ~ LA DOLCE VITA:

VENICE:

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND:

TRUE CONFECTIONS:

AMONG TREES:

Calendar pages come unbound and measure 5x7". Here are two examples of how you can display them.

Do you realize that we are floating in space?

2010-09-09T16:11:00.002-04:00

"Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face.
Do you realize that we're floating in space.
Do you realize that happiness makes you cry.
Do you realize that everyone you know will someday die."

I just adore this song by the Flaming Lips.

Carnival desires

2010-09-02T12:40:00.004-04:00

Step right up to the sweet spot
And satisfy your carnival desires
This is the place for true confections
The adrenaline rush and the sugar rush
If you are afraid of heights
Make this the summer you dared

End of Summer Sale!

2010-09-01T09:01:00.003-04:00

See details below

Summer is drawing to a close (boooo)
So I'm having a sale (yay!)

I'm running two different sales in my shops. Here's the scoop:

In my isphotography shop: Save 25% on all orders until September 30. Simply enter the code SUMMER25 and your discount will be applied immediately.

In my Etsy shop: From September 1 to 8, buy one print and get one free (of the same or lesser value). This applies only to prints 8x12" and smaller in size and does not apply to print sets. Put only the print(s) you are paying for in your cart and enter the title of the free print(s) in the Message to Seller box upon checkout. (Applying discounts is a headache on Etsy, hence the BOGO sale.)

Animal farm

2010-08-30T19:25:00.001-04:00

CAUTION: The photographs below may cause an acute case of cuteness overload.

I warned you, didn't I?

Cinema Italiano

2010-08-23T09:55:00.004-04:00

"I love the black & white
I love the play of light
...
His angles wide & tight
Each moment feels so right
Defines Italian style by only his decision
I love the speedy little cars the hip coffee bars the sleek women in Positano"
~ Lyrics to "Cinema Italiano" from the movie Nine

Walkabout: Toronto

2010-08-13T09:41:00.003-04:00

Last week I was in Toronto visiting friends and family. I had a chance to walk around some of my favourite neighbourhoods.

Kensington Market: I used to live near here when I was a student at the University of Toronto, and Sunday afternoon strolls to pick up fruit, veggies and cheese were common. I haven't been here in probably 15 years, so it was good to see that many of the classic shops are still there (like Cheese Magic and Courage my Love).

Chinatown - the place to go for happy meat and dumplings:

Centre Island: Whoa. Did I have major flashbacks to my childhood while visiting the island. This place is a 70s time capsule.

Gracia + Peru | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2010-08-11T15:58:00.003-04:00

Gracia and Peru were guests at a wedding that I photographed last summer. They contacted me recently for a one-year anniversary shoot. I was thrilled they chose me as their photographer to mark this special occasion. Here are a few of my favorite photographs from that day.

Quando piove a Venezia (When it rains in Venice)

2010-08-03T09:06:00.001-04:00

It was a much cooler and much rainier May than is usual for Italy. But Venice is imbued with such a wonderful atmosphere when it rains, and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering the wet city streets armed with my umbrella and my camera.

One day, I was caught in a heavy downpour under the awning of a cafe. The owner graciously invited me in for a free espresso to wait out the rain. Thank you Italy for such a lovely time.

Under the Tuscan sky

2010-07-27T15:19:00.003-04:00

Rolling hills as far as the eye can see. Rows of cypress trees. Unbelievably beautiful light. Big puffy clouds. That's how you know you're in Tuscany.

Italy: the polaroids

2010-07-21T11:41:00.004-04:00

I couldn't resist taking a few polaroids while in Italy, now could I? I just love how this film renders those ancient textures and gorgeous colors.

Burano - the pastel city

2010-07-15T11:01:00.003-04:00

Burano is the most charming place. As I walked through the town, I kept thinking, this can't be real. It's just a set, right? It's just too perfectly adorable.

I think the whole town is based on the gelato color system. Actually, the colors are controlled by the government. If a homeowner wishes to paint their house, they must submit a request to the government so that they can determine which colors are permitted for that lot.

Feeling woozy

2010-07-09T13:23:00.003-04:00

I would notice, sometimes, that when standing in my hotel room or on terra firma, that it felt as though the ground were gently swaying and bobbing beneath me. I didn't know if it was a faint sense memory of being on the water earlier in the day, or if I was just drunk on Venice.

"You have to always be drunk. That's all there is to it - it's the only way. So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk. But on what? Wine, poetry, or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk."
~ Charles Baudelaire

Guillaume & Patricia Getting Married | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2010-07-06T20:14:00.003-04:00

As it will become obvious from the photographs that follow, Guillaume and Patricia are an amazing couple. Patricia is a Chilean beauty whose excitement and joy illuminated the day. The love these two feel for each other was evident in every glance and every touch. It was such a great pleasure to photograph their wedding day.

Guillaume sees Patricia for the first time (prior to the ceremony):

Patricia can barely contain her excitement.

That smile says it all!

During the ceremony there was laughter.

And there were tears.

And laughter mixed with tears.

I just love this quiet moment after the ceremony.

Talent show!

And some dancing to finish off the evening.

Impermanence

2010-07-02T11:02:00.003-04:00

I took a couple of packs of the new Polaroid PX 600 Silver Shade film with me to Italy. As many have described, it is a very finicky film to work with. The main issue is that it is VERY light and temperature sensitive. If exposed to sun during the development process, images come out somewhat overexposed to completely blown out. The solution is to cover the film as it comes out of the camera and then allow it to develop in darkness. I simply used the dark slide to cover the film as it came out (unfortunately I didn't have gaffer's tape to tape it to the camera) and then stuck it in my pocket for 3 minutes to develop.

Sometimes the flaws of the film really add to the nostalgic quality of the images. And sometimes they don't. I'd say I had more misses than hits, but I love how the images that worked out look like they were taken in 1910 rather than 2010.

The other problem with the film is that there are many reports of the developed images fading and forming what have been dubbed "killer crystals". Alas, this happened to mine. Luckily I scanned in the best images shortly after I returned from my trip. But those that I didn't scan have faded away into the mists of time. The Impossible Project has posted tips on how to store and care for developed images to avoid this problem. The chemistry of this film still needs work, but in some ways, I like its unpredictable nature. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, "Silver Shade film is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get".

Melinda and Paul Getting Married

2010-06-29T13:57:00.003-04:00

Melinda and Paul are such a beautiful couple and I was thrilled to photograph their wedding a few weekends ago. It rained off and on but a little precipitation couldn't dampen the spirits of this couple or their fabulous family and friends. The ceremony was held in the beautiful Sacre Coeur Chapel in Old Montreal. The atmosphere at the reception was beautiful, with faces lit by the warm glow of candles, photos of the couple and family lining the walls of the room, and a scrumptious dinner.

I loved this idea of lining the walls with books, which guests could peruse and then take home after the reception.

Misterious ways

2010-06-22T12:50:00.002-04:00

While in Tuscany, I experienced one glorious and magical fog-filled early morning. What is it about photographers and fog? A foggy morning makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. I can barely believe my eyes and I get so excited that I'm left nearly breathless.

Interview on YourKloset

2010-06-21T16:27:00.001-04:00

You can read an interview with me on yourkloset.com.

Scott + Stephanie | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2010-06-15T18:39:00.006-04:00

My wedding season kicked off this year on April 24, with the beautiful wedding of Scott and Stephanie. I just loved the energy of this couple. Individually they are each so sweet, and together they are even sweeter. Here are some of my favourite images from the day.

Send in the clouds

2010-06-08T10:07:00.004-04:00

The trip from Venice to Cinque Terre took longer than the one from Montreal to Venice. Due to rain, one of the train tunnels had flooded. We ended up sitting on a train (the last one of a three train journey) for over four hours, with next to no information about what was going on. The Italians on the train looked apologetically at the tourists and lamented how travel was a tragedy in Italy. As the train finally got moving, I asked the woman across from me how long it took to get to Riomaggiore, my final destination. Her eyes got wide and she slapped her forehead. "Riomaggiore!? It's only 10 minutes away!" Ugh. Then, the train failed to stop at Riomaggiore, and instead went to the next town of Manarola. I had to walk 20 minutes carrying all my camera gear on my back and dragging my suitcase behind me.

The next day, impossibly big, fluffy, gorgeous clouds rolled over the Ligurian Sea and all of that was forgotten.

Facebook Giveaway - Back on!

2010-06-07T12:06:00.002-04:00

My problems with the links to my new Facebook fan page have been fixed, so my giveaway is back on. So, as I stated last week:

I'd love for you to join me on my new fan page on Facebook, where you'll receive news about all things photography, and the scoop on new prints as well as discounts, sales, and giveaways oh my! In fact, I'm starting off with a contest. If you join this June, you will automatically be entered into a contest for a free 8x10 or 8x8 print of your choice. The winner will be announced on Facebook July 1st.

Galerie IMPACT

2010-06-03T12:10:00.004-04:00

Some of my photographs are now available at Galerie IMPACT in Old Montreal. If you're in the neighbourhood, drop in. The address is 209 Rue St. Paul Ouest. Isn't it a gorgeous space?! I think my prints look rather fetching against that beautiful brick wall.

PS. Facebook fan page update: I may have figured out the problem with the help of Tracy D. I have changed a setting in FB. If you could do me the favor of trying this link and letting me know if it takes you to IreneSuchockiPhotography on FB (especially those of you outside of Canada), I would greatly appreciate it!

Facebook Giveaway - Update

2010-06-02T11:52:00.005-04:00

I've decided to put the giveaway on hold until I figure out why people are having problems linking to my fan page on Facebook. Some have suggested that maybe it takes a while for a new fan page to be propagated throughout Facebook, so in case that is the problem, I'm going to give this a few days. I've been trying to find information on the web and have found people who have had similar problems, but no definitive answers yet.

If I can't resolve this in the next couple of weeks, I'll have a giveaway on my blog instead.

In the meantime, here is the link to my personal FB page (Lordy, I hope this one works. If it doesn't, let me know):

http://www.facebook.com/IreneSuchocki

If you want to try the link to my fan page in a few days and report back if it's working or not, that would be lovely of you (all of the links are working on my computer, so it's hard for me to know when the problem has been fixed.):

http://www.facebook.com/IreneSuchockiPhotography

Thanks!

Facebook Giveaway

2010-06-01T11:56:00.006-04:00

I'd love for you to join me on my new fan page on Facebook, where you'll receive news about all things photography, and the scoop on new prints as well as discounts, sales, and giveaways oh my! In fact, I'm starting off with a contest. If you join this June, you will automatically be entered into a contest for a free 8x10 or 8x8 print of your choice. The winner will be announced on Facebook July 1st.

P.S. I'd appreciate it if you let me know if any of these links aren't working, as I've gotten a report that they aren't, but of course, to complicate things, they are working perfectly fine from the two computers at home.

P.S.S. I changed the URL of my Facebook fan page as well as the links to it on my blog. Again, I'd appreciate feedback as to whether or not the links are now working. Thanks!

Home

2010-05-26T15:25:00.005-04:00

Although my home isn't as adorable as these homes in Burano, it's good to be back with TB, my cat Six, and all that is comforting and familiar. I had a wonderful trip and I'm thrilled with the photographs I took. They'll be keeping me busy for many months to come.

But in the middle of this heat wave we're having, nostalgia is simmering and my lazy, hazy brain finds itself reminiscing, remembering and missing:

The colors! My God ... the colors! Pinks, yellows, peaches, blues, greens. Villages like Burano and those in Cinque Terre are works of art. The houses are the canvases onto which the most amazing colors have been painted and one feels as though one is walking through a dream.
Taking a vaporetto instead of the bus in Venice
Tagliatelle (pasta) with truffles
Cafe Americano con latte
The amazing croissants I ate every day for breakfast while in Tuscany
Tomatoes bursting with flavor
The gentle rolling hills of Tuscany
The chance to photograph such incredible beauty for hours each day

Postcards from Italy

2010-05-14T06:00:00.002-04:00

The church bells are ringing in Riomaggiore as I send you these few postcards from Italy. There's been a fair amount of rain and not as much sun as is usual for May, but my camera has been enjoying the variety of weather and light. Yesterday evening the light was magical as the sun broke through the stormy grey skies. Luckily, I happened to be standing with a magnificent view before me when it happened. It looks as though it has stopped raining for now, so I'm off for some lunch and a stroll. Tomorrow ... Siena and Tuscany. Ciao!

Arrivederci!

2010-05-06T12:35:00.005-04:00

Later this evening I'll be boarding a plane for Italy. On the itinerary are Venice, Cinque Terre, and Tuscany. I hope to bring back many pretty pictures to share when I return in a couple of weeks. Ciao!

Happy Roid Week!

2010-05-03T12:11:00.002-04:00

Polaroid Week has begun over at flickr. Check out this group and if you have any new polaroids to upload, you could win a pack of film ... worth it's weight in gold these days.

Melinda and Paul | Montreal Wedding Photographer

2010-04-28T20:20:00.004-04:00

Last week I had an engagement session with Melinda and Paul. We spent a couple of hours on a beautiful sunny afternoon walking around some of their favourite streets in the Plateau. This meant good old-fashioned Montreal bagels (the best in the city!), browsing in bookstores and antique shops, and some quality time with Cubi, their sweetie pie of a dog.

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T13:31:00.001-04:00

Let's do our best to take care of her.

Ode to green

2010-04-16T12:50:00.002-04:00

The green! She has come early this spring! I hope she is making her appearance in your part of the world.

Classic Paris

2010-04-08T09:56:00.003-04:00

Although I work mostly in color these days, there's a certain je ne sais quoi about Paris in black and white and sepia. Paris, tu me manques.

The best places

2010-04-01T11:15:00.003-04:00

One of my Hawaii photographs is being used on PopPhoto.com today in article called The Best Places to Photograph Around the World. Take a look and get inspired for your next trip!

This, by the way, was an amazing day. TB and I were visiting our friend who lives in Hawaii and who just happens to have a pilot's license. She took us for a flight over Molokai. It really goes down as one of those days that will not be forgotten. Ever.

Paris revisited

2010-03-30T11:16:00.003-04:00

Last week I processed some more of my 2008 Paris photographs in preparation for a "Paris Night" that my friend hosted this past weekend. A few of us got together to drink wine, listen to French music, and relive our memories of this beautiful city.

Here's the playlist of the CD I burned to conjure up that magical Paris cafe atmosphere:

Keren Ann ~ La Forme et Le Fond & Jardin d'hiver
Paris Combo ~ Attraction
Jacques Dutronc ~ Et moi, et moi, et moi & Les cactus
France Gall - Laisse tomber les filles
Amelie Lefebvre - Je t'attends
Saint Privat ~ Poisson rouge
Francoise Hardy ~ Comment te dire adieu
Zaza Fournier ~ La vie a deux
Jane Birkin & Manu Chao ~ Te souviens-tu?
Amylie - Mes oreilles
Melody Gardot ~ Les etoiles
Julie Delpy ~ Je t'aime tant

Hello spring!

2010-03-19T18:20:00.004-04:00

It's official as of tomorrow and I'm rather blissed out about it. The weather this week has been gorgeous and unusually warm for mid-March in Montreal.

In the spirit of spring and cleaning and such, this week I undertook Phase I of my massively ambitious decluttering project: books! I do love 'em but I have way too many of them. And right now, I value the space that will be created more. It's a huge task, and there are moments when I feel overwhelmed, but it's mostly been energizing. Now if I could only stop sneezing from all the dust that's been freed up.

Of course, before undertaking such a task, I had to read a book about it. And that book was Shed your stuff, change your life by Julie Morgenstern. I realized that my project was about more than just decluttering, but was part of a transition. Although I became a full-time photographer almost two years ago, the transformation has never really felt complete. Perhaps there's been some fear that I wouldn't succeed and that I should hang on to that old me "just in case". But I feel ready to let some of it go and to create the space necessary to nurture this more creative self.

Introducing Le Love Photography

2010-03-17T10:41:00.004-04:00

A while back I decided to create a separate website for my wedding photography. One of the hardest parts was coming up with a new name. I finally decided on Le Love Photography. The "Love" is an obvious reference to weddings and the "Le" is a nod to the fact that I live in Montreal and together they sounded so cute that I couldn't resist.

If you get the chance, you can check it out here.

White winter hymnal

2010-03-05T08:55:00.004-05:00

Scenes like this have been few and far between this winter. I should qualify that by saying in Montreal. I realize it's been a different story for much of North America, but here, we may have gotten a record low snowfall for this winter. The past few days have felt very spring-like and it feels wonderful. Though in Montreal, you can't allow yourself to be fooled by such things. Anything can happen in March, and snow in April is not unusual. As much as I've loved photographing winter the few snowy days we had, I'm ready for the colors, scents, and sounds of spring.

The title of this post is taken from the beautiful song by the Fleet Foxes. Check it out if you haven't heard it!

Chance of wet snow

2010-02-25T00:16:00.004-05:00

We had big, wet gorgeous snowflakes coming down all day. I grabbed my Kodak Duaflex and Canon 5D and headed out for some TTV (Through the Viewfinder) photography. At first I was frustrated by the drops of melted snow that collected on the viewfinder. After a while, I was able to accept and even embrace them. Now I realize that I wouldn't love these photographs as much without those little drops. There's a lesson in there somewhere. I'm sure of it.

A winter's tale

2010-02-11T17:22:00.004-05:00

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I'm a bit jealous of all the snow the east coast is getting. We've had only a few major snowfalls this year. The snow that's left on the ground is hard, dirty, and not at all photogenic. Freshly fallen snow can be so magical, if you can manage to ignore the hours it takes to dig your car out, your frozen toes and fingers, and the traffic jams.

For your Valentine

2010-01-26T16:48:00.003-05:00

I just thought I'd share with you some of the photographs that I'm making available as Valentine cards this year. They are printed on notecards made of lovely fine art paper. They can be found in this section of my Etsy shop.

I apologize for the bad bear pun.

Indie Fixx Auction

2010-01-25T14:24:00.002-05:00

I just thought I'd let y'all know that an 8x10 print of my "Looking for Love" photograph is currently on auction at Indie Fixx. The auction is raising funds for Haiti relief. So pop on over, bid on an item you love, and help the people in Haiti. The auction of my print ends tomorrow.

Helping hands

2010-01-15T14:24:00.004-05:00

1. golden gate, 2. Bound II, 3. Robert, 4. Untitled, 5. Offering., 6. London to Hastings line, July 23rd, 2009, 7. Untitled, 8. Untitled, 9. Sisters

It's hard not to feel helpless when such enormous devastation occurs in our world. All that we can do from the cozy comfort of our homes is to donate money. It doesn't seem like much, but it can make such a huge difference.

Here is a list of reputable organizations to which you can donate money.

The handmade world is also jumping in to do it's part.

Etsy has compiled a Handmade for Haiti list of sellers who are donating a percentage of their sales to the relief effort.

Jen at IndieFixx is organizing an online auction, to which I've donated my print "Looking for Love".

Between now and January 31st, I'll be donating 15% of my sales in my isphotography shop and my Etsy shop to the Red Cross.

Do whatever you can, no matter how small it seems. As Bill Clinton said "the most immediate thing now is for people even to give small amounts of money, but we need large numbers of people giving small amounts of money so we can get food, water, medical supplies and shelter there".

A fresh start ... every day

2010-01-05T16:00:00.006-05:00

"One resolution I have always made, and try always to keep is this - Rise above the little things"

~John Burroughs

For many years, I haven't bothered to make new year's resolutions because I am so terrible at sticking with them. But this year I decided to set some goals and intentions for myself and so I started looking for some information that might be useful in helping me do this better. In the past, I would try to take on too many things, quickly get overwhelmed, and give up. So this year, I'm going to pick only a few things to focus on. I haven't decided on my final list yet, but I found this article from Zen habits to be very helpful in thinking about resolutions differently. Also from Zen habits, is this article on making a fresh start every day. Perhaps my only goal really needs to be to follow these guidelines more days than not:

- Let go
- Decide what matters most today
- Clear away distractions and focus
- Find happiness now
- Reinvent yourself every day

"The secret of happiness you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less." ~Socrates

Back to life

2009-12-02T17:38:00.005-05:00

I'm slowly getting back to normal after being walloped with a nasty, nasty cold. The warm glow of health and creativity that is creeping back feels good.

Brilliant trees

2009-11-23T11:11:00.002-05:00

"And there you stand
Making my life possible
Raise my hands up to heaven
But only you could know

My whole world stands in front of me
By the look in your eyes
By the look in your eyes
My whole life stretches in front of me
Reaching up like a flower
Leading my life back to the soil"

~David Sylvian - Brilliant Trees

Let the wild rumpus start!

2009-11-18T18:38:00.004-05:00

Recipe for a wild rumpus:
A sunny fall afternoon
A kajillion fallen leaves
Two kids
A viking helmet
Princesses and transformers

Mix well and let the wild rumpus start!

If you haven't seen Where the Wild Things Are, what are you waiting for?