Every year us Torontonians are lucky enough to host one of the biggest Caribbean celebrations in the World, that’s right it’s Caribana time again! Dave and I are super stoked to be lucky enough to be a part of it all as the official Photographers for the brand new Carnival Nationz Website !! Carnival Nationz is one of the many Masquerade Bands of Caribana. What exactly is Caribana you ask? Caribana is Canada’s embracement of its Caribbean community, the world famous festival attracts over 1 million tourists and spectators globally to the Greater Toronto Area each year. It has become one of the largest annual events held in Canada. Caribana is a wonderful experience for all the senses. You’ll see beautiful people dressed in absolutely amazing elaborate costumes. These colourful costumes truly are incredible works of art and can reach heights of 15 feet in the air!! You’ll have a chance to taste some delicious Caribbean cuisine like mouth watering (and my personal fave) Jamaican Jerk Chicken and maybe even cool down with a Carib or Rum Punch. Listening to the rhythms of the Soca-Calypso vibe you’ll feel your body move as the parade rolls by and you can’t help but "Jump up and wine"

Caribana hits Toronto August 2nd, but before the parade begins a lot of work goes into the party, lets take a look behind the scenes of Carnival Nationz! It all starts with a great group of people. Organizers, web designers,costume makers, highly skilled make-up artists and of course the absolutely beautiful models all do their part to make it come together. Before the show starts the model wait for hair, costume and make-up to arrive. Dave grabbed a shot of the girls patiently waiting before the show with the Ring Flash (I love this one)…ahhh the life of a model…hurry up and wait…

We really were so honoured to be a part of it all as the photographers for the Fashion Show check out the pic he took with the models from the White Team backstage Sooo much goes into the Show not to mention the parades. Each model has make-up artists that carefully creates nothing short of an absolutely stunning work of art for each of them. Little tiny beads and jewels are applied to the models faces, glitter glitter glitter galore and my favourite…feather eyelashes!!!

After make-up, it’s time to get into costume. These costumes are so incredible, they’d give any Las Vegas Showgirl a run for her money!! You’d think that the costumes would be really difficult to wear but they are so well designed and aren’t heavy at all. Stay tuned for more blog posts on all of the Caribana fun…

Ya know… it’s not until you’re in the presence of a sweet little new born baby like Lauren that you remember how amazing life really is. Those tiny little fingers and little toes, you really could get lost staring into her sparkling eyes all day. I felt so lucky to be honoured with the opportunity to photograph the cutest little angel on Earth.

Lauren’s Mommy and Daddy, Melissa and Sean are sooo in love with this darling baby girl. You can just feel the care and emotion they have for her. As we were getting set up for the shoot I had so many ideas running through my mind, making the decision was difficult. I had brought so many props and backdrops for Baby Laurens shoot, Dave joked that it looked like I packed my bags for a weekend getaway (I don’t get it???…I’m not known as a chronic over-packer am I??). As my creative thoughts were spinning, I thought I’d take a look in Lauren’s closet.

I can honestly say that I thought Paris Hilton had a lot of clothes until I met this baby fashionista and the closet was just as pink It turns out the couples friends, family and co-workers were just as excited as Melissa and Sean for the arrival of Little Baby Lauren!! Coincidentally enough, Melissa is a Nurse on the Maternity Ward of the Hospital where they welcomed Baby Lauren into the World!!

I got started on the sets. Dave had this great idea that required fresh flowers so as Dave ran out for those Melissa asked me if I wanted to hold Little Lauren. It was so cool holding a little newborn like that again, it’s been a little while. Lauren held on to my finger so tight it was loosing circulation lol, she’s too cute! Melissa and I chatted about anything she might have in mind. She really wanted us to surprise her so we did our best to give her something really special.

I’ve always wanted to photograph a baby in with little white angel wings sitting on a soft cloud of feathers. Something magical and different from the ordinary. After we finished shooting with a few of the different back drops Dave arrived with the fresh flowers. Dave had this great idea "Baby of the Blossoms" Melissa LOVED it! We were all having a fab time, it was a lot of fun playing around with all of our ideas and being creative!

Daddy Sean soon arrived home, he’s in school to become an Orthodontist so it looks like the little family has the health care industry covered! I was excited to get the family all together and capture some beautiful shots of them. I know in a couple of years they will look back and be happy they took the time to photograph Lauren at this age. Babies grow up sooo fast you don’t want to lose a moment, it really makes you see how important it is to capture the memories before they’re gone.

This next shoot was a real treat for me as well. It’s my newest niece, Zara Rose. That’s right folks, this is the worldwide exclusive : The first pictures of Zara : )

Enjoy the show…