Hurricanes are never nice but I am especially thankful that Irene waited one day before arriving in New Brunswick! Although weather, even extreme, is part and parcel of being a wedding photographer it was a huge relief not to have to deal with it yesterday as I captured the wonderful wedding day of Emma and Bobby Keech. It turned out to be a fabulous event! The venue – the Atlantic Salmon Federation Interpretive Centre – was extraordinary. As were all of the shooting locations chosen by the bride and groom. Even more extraordinary were the bride and groom themselves and their fabulous families. A special thank-you to Emma’s grandmother for keeping me entertained as I shared her table during an excellent salmon dinner, Bobby’s mom for her kind words and mother-to-mother conversation, and to each of their friends and family members who took time to help me feel welcome while doing a job I absolutely love!


Finally, I would like to tell both Emma and Bobby that after spending just a small moment of time out of a lifetime with them it is clear to me that they are one of the most caring couples I have ever met. Thank you for your kindness! I wish you every happiness the world has to offer. Here is a sneak peek of the images of your wedding day…

Dani Diamond is a portrait photographer and owner of Mountain Stream Photography in the Oromocto area. Recently she contacted me and expressed her interest in expanding her business to include wedding photography and asked if she could tag along on a few wedding shoots to gain experience in this specialized field. For one I was flattered she thought enough of my skill to ask. And secondly I welcomed her unique insight in candids and great care in capturing the details. It was a pleasure to work with her! I’m happy to share some of her work from the day, and while I did not take pictures of her as requested, I think posting a picture she took of herself is fair game ;o) Hope we have the opportunity to work together again!

















I have only seen a few of the images captured through Dani’s eyes so far but I am certain that this final shot will be my absolute favorite! There is photography – and then there is art…

Most couples (well… brides) plan a wedding right down to the last detail. There are numerous sources for helping with the plan, timeline, and special touches. Obviously booking your wedding photographer is top on the list but is that job done once the deposit is paid and the contract signed? It can be. However, if your wedding portraits are to reflect the personality and wishes of the couple than there is some extra work to be done.


Kathy did the work! When planning her dream day, marrying her dream guy, she took the time to look at many photography blogs and websites. She then passed those she particularly liked along to me:o) The result was not photos that were identical to another photographer’s work, but a shared idea of backgrounds, style, and mood. I am sure the images captured on the day will be exactly what she wanted! As I look through these carefully planned pictures I realize several things that are not the result of well laid plans:


Candids cannot really be posed…








Joy, love and romance cannot truly be an act…








Photographs are planned – but moments just happen…








Thank you Ryan and Kathy for sharing the most personal side of your day!

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller


This weekend I learned a very valuable lesson courtesy of my friend Heidi. Just over two weeks before her very carefully planned double wedding she suffered a terrible accident that has me cringing just to think of it. Sparing the details it’s enough to say that she is truly lucky to have been able to “walk” down the aisle to marry the man she has been waiting for all her life and to share this very special day with two dear friends. From the moment I heard the news I felt so sorry for her that such a tragedy could spoil what I had hoped would be her perfect day.


Silly me! Although I know she spent the day in pain there was no room for pity here. With courage, determination, and what is the most positive attitude I have ever witnessed, Heidi embraced every moment of her wedding day. I had to hold back tears as I watched her smile throughout the process. I was seriously reminded that life could throw much worse our way and we should be thankful for those blessings that we have. In her eyes marrying David was more important than the wedding, sharing her joy with family and friends more significant than partying with them, and showing her daughter and step-son that love and becoming a family were better than the event itself.


Thank you Heidi for not only sharing your day with me but for sharing your spirit. And for those killer smiles! Who would have known it was possible especially when the something blue is your cast – and your foot. Congrats also to your friends Lacy and Darcy…

Literally and figuratively! I cannot remember a level 2 heat warning. I didn’t even know there was such a thing, especially in a maritime province in Canada. I doubt I’ll ever forget it! But the reason for remembering won’t be as much for the 45 degree day as it will be because of Jill and Dave. Never before have I met a bride so obviously ready for her wedding day. Not ready in the sense that all the details were carefully planned and executed, but ready for marriage to her soul mate. Together they were a “hot” couple… nothing to do with the heat :o)

I love photographing weddings especially when the seriousness of the occasion is infused with laughter! Cindy and Chris were one of the happiest couples I have had the pleasure of photographing. And happy is easy to capture!


I wish them a lifetime of joy and laughter. Those are the qualities that make a successful marriage.

I’m a big fan of Oprah and every now and then I have what she calls “a light bulb moment”. This moment came while researching branding and marketing strategies (again) several weeks ago. An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in increasingly competitive markets. But what exactly does “branding” mean? Simply put, your brand is your promise to your customer. It tells them what they can expect from your products and services, and it differentiates your offering from that of your competitors. Your brand is derived from who you are, who you want to be and who people perceive you to be.


Your “brand” is not necessarily something you know from the start of your business. It takes time to find your niche. I have been struggling to understand the concept as it applies to photography. I have also been struggling to figure out what exactly is the Gallery Arseneau brand. Finding a look, color scheme, logo, and watermark were easily achieved. But how does someone who has always known and been confident in who they are not know “who they are” at the same time?


Well, it seems I have known all along!! Without even knowing it. A simple line of text in a research article brought on the afore mentioned light bulb moment. The Gallery Arseneau (and Corinne Arseneau) brand is EMOTION. A genuine caring about the quality of your experience. A love of photography. The desire to capture images that are meaningful to those who purchase and view them. A striving to be better every time. That branding concept has been there all along, evident in my website posts, taglines – Capture Your Moments! and Capture Your Fairytale! And photography package names like The Yes! Engagement Session, A Ceremony to Remember, A Day to Last a Lifetime, The Fairytale, and Express Yourself! Grad Session. With this realization, the recent addition of beautiful packaging, and a variety of marketing products the process and this long time goal are now complete! Have a look at the variety of business cards, folders, folios, post cards, magnets, and other materials now available. Call to book an appointment for your emotional photography experience!

Congratulations to all who became engaged during the holiday season and to those who will experience the joy of receiving a diamond ring for Valentine’s Day! These two occasions make February and March the busiest for wedding photographers. Choosing a photographer to capture this very special day is a daunting task made even more difficult by the amount of available photographers out there. Deciding who is professional, reliable, responsible, affordable and available is confused by many who offer services that are far from professional. After all, anyone can shoot a friend’s wedding, display a few good prints, offer bargain basement prices, and call themselves a wedding photographer.


Here are some photos of what you can expect in your wedding package when you book with Gallery Arseneau. Prices, payment options, and terms are clearly stated. There are no hidden costs. A contract guarantees you will get what you want for the day of your dreams. Every package come with printed proofs, edited for color, non-watermarked, in a Topflight album and protected by a sturdy box. Digital images will be placed on a flashdrive. And you will receive a referral package with a paid deposit giving you an opportunity to be rewarded for your much appreciated booking! All of this in a pretty black bag.


Planning a wedding? Ask for a beautifully packaged brochure or a full wedding photography presentation.

Weddings are special in their own right. They are made even more so by the special touches that may or may not be noticeable to anyone other than the couple themselves. As a wedding photographer (who absolutely loves to be part of a wedding celebration) I believe it’s my job to photograph these details in a way that tells the story of the day. Sandy and Hoda had many subtle and some not so subtle touches that were my privilege to capture…


…the start of a new life on the start of a new year…





…a bracelet borrowed from a sister…





…wings of an angel thoughtfully given by a daughter to help ease her mother’s sense of loss…





…married in the church where they met and faithfully worship…








…the joining of two joyous families.














Congratulations Hoda and Sandy! It was a beautiful ceremony and a wonderful day.

I must admit, I was taken a little by surprise! I was heading for the area where the cake was displayed awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom. Apparently there was a change in plans and the first dance began ahead of schedule. I was thrown off by the upbeat rhythm which was in direct contrast to the usual first dance choices. My surprise quickly gave way to awe as I watched Sandy and Hoda twirl around the dance floor. It was clear to me that this couple not only share a joy of dancing, but they also share in the joy of each other. Wedding pics to follow…