PHAT DOG VISUALS photography: Blog

The Ultimate Santa Holiday Photo Experience in Toronto 2018

Sun, 11 Nov 2018 04:24:48 GMT

The Best Christmas, Santa and Holiday Photography Experience rolled into one.

It's that time of the year again, and we bring you the 4th edition of Santa's Loft in the City. It's hard to believe that Santa has been running this photo experience with us for 4 years now. For $175 plus HST, you and your crew get a private 30 minute photo shoot with Santa on 3 different sets in the loft studio. You also leave with 1 deluxe 8x10 print, and all high resolution images from the shoot- sent to you in time to make cool holiday gifts and cards that will be the envy of all your family and friends.

Why bother with the anxiety stress and lineups that come with going to see Santa at a mall. Is it really worth all that time to go to the mall, struggle to find parking, wait in line over and hour with total strangers for what amounts to 3 poses on a mall Christmas set that hasn't changed in 10 years? Lets not even talk about over paying for a crappy digital 5x7 print of your family with Santa? Now we know what you're saying. It's early November and it's hard to get into the Christmas spirit until December- Santa is the last thing on your mind. While this may be true, there's nothing wrong with a little foresight and planning and doing your holiday pictures now. You will need time to pick out the photos you liked from your shoot and have your cards printed in time for Christmas, as well as giving your mother in law that pretty cool family portrait that she has been dogging you for all year. You book your time in advance, stop for a Starbucks or Tim Hortons on the way, park in our huge parking lot, Santa and our team make magic once you get here- you are the hero. Take the family for lunch or Hipster brunch at many of the cool up and coming dining establishments in the Junction close by.

Reserve your spot and treat your loved ones to the Ultimate Holiday and Santa Photography Experience in the City of Toronto. Spaces fill up and dates are limited to November 17,18 and 24. Some limited time slots available November 25th as well. Contact us now. A $75 deposit is all it takes to reserve your spot. You can reach us at (416) 503-3803 or on email at [email protected] or on Instagram at @phatdogvisualsphotography.

We are looking forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Rohan Laylor

Phat Dog Visuals Photo+Film

2018 Santa Experience

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Ford Nation Rumbles Through Oakville

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 07:57:38 GMT

Most times wearing the hat of a Corporate Event Photographer means that you're guaranteed to be bored out of your mind covering some pretty dull events. That's difficult to believe at times seeing that there's always something happening in Toronto. Well this was an event that was going on in Oakville, a suburb of Toronto that's usually a pretty quiet town. On this day Doug Ford and Ford Nation came rumbling through to rally the troupes and galvanize the PC voters in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos- PC Candidate for Oakville North -Burlington. There was standing room only in the modest bakery that hosted the rally. Doug Ford was greeted by cheers of Ford Nation as he reassured the party faithful to stay strong, get out and vote because "change is coming" for the people of Ontario. He shook hands, posed for selfies and left amidst a storm of cheers and enthusiasm. Little did anyone know that this storm was just the calm that was going to produce Blue Tidal Wave that was about to devastate the Liberal Party later that evening.

Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford on BusDoug Ford waves to media and Ford Nation on a campaign rally in Oakville Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos Doug Ford Rally comes to OakvilleDoug Ford leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives brings Ford Nation Rally to Oakville in support of Effie Triantafilopoulos

Introducing Toronto's NEWEST Boudoir Experience

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 04:29:06 GMT

Need a last minute Valentine's Day gift or better yet, just want to treat yourself to something awesome? Welcome to the Glamoir Lounge

This is by far the most versatile boudoir photography concept in Toronto. The Glamoir Lounge inside the Phat Dog Visuals Studio was born out of a need to update the way boudoir photos were taken. So whether you're a Valentine Lover or not we created this introductory offer that you cannot resist. Here's what you get:

90 minute Mini-session

Make up and Hair Services

Up to 2 different looks

All images delivered to you via an online gallery

3 immaculately retouched images

All this for $275

Act NOW. Limited time offer.

ENDS FEBRUARY 28th.

Santa Loft Family Christmas Photo Experience

Sat, 12 Nov 2016 06:01:38 GMT

Back by popular demand, the Santa Loft Christmas Photo Experience. We put this whole thing together last year when a client asked if we would consider doing family Christmas Photos that incorporated a Santa. Doing photo Christmas cards has been the trend over the last 10 years, so it came at no surprise to get this request. There really aren't much places for families to go to get decent Santa Christmas photos in Toronto, unless they go to a mall. Even then, there are huge limitations to the time and quality experience you and the children will get visiting a mall Santa. That's where we come in. The Santa Loft is the ultimate holiday experience that allows you to reserve your personal time slot with Santa. You get a 30 minute photo session with your choice of 3 sets where we can incorporate Santa in the shots, or split the time and do family shots without Santa. Either way you get the benefit of having a Santa shoot that is customized to your individual family needs. Oh, and Santa loves pets, so feel free to bring them as well.

The photo session is $195.00 taxes included and here's what you get:

A professional private photo session with Santa and your choice of 3 different photo sets
Your choice of 10 high resolution print ready images delivered to you via an online gallery in plenty of time for Christmas Cards and Gifts
All photo props provided for fun times and lifetime memories guaranteed

So wrangle your loved ones and bring them to the Santa Loft in the City. We're booking now and spots are limited.

Session times:

Saturday December 3rd- 10am-7pm

Address- 5 Adrian Avenue, Studio 218 Toronto- M6N 5G4 buzzer-2180 * Free parking on premises.

To book your session, please email [email protected] or call (416) 503-3803. A non refundable deposit to $100 is required to hold your spot.

We fill up fast and spots are limited, so book as soon as you can. The last 2 weekends sold out.

Friday the 13th

Sat, 14 Mar 2015 03:28:26 GMT

It has been a long coooooold winter. February 2015 has broken records as the coldest in recent history. By the time March rolls around most of us are feeling the Winter Blue's. In an effort to lift your spirits and bring your minds back to that warm happy place, we will be showcasing our "Memories of Summer series." What better way to start than on Friday the 13th when 1000's of biker enthusiasts converge on the little town of Port Dover Ontario. Don't know how many biker's showed up today with temperatures hovering at a balmy zero degrees celsius, but for those of you who have never witnessed this spectacle or were always curious about going, here's a taste of what you've been missing. IMG_9082-Edit IMG_9119

Ribbon Cutting for Renovated Affordable Housing- 2677 Kipling Avenue

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 18:06:29 GMT

We've had the privilege of covering a few events for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing over the last few months. Usually the events are pretty routine and very formal. On the morning of March 7, 2014 we were at 2677 Kipling avenue in Etobicoke to photograph the Ribbon Cutting ceremony in celebration of the completion of renovations to 2667 and 2677 Kipling Avenue. These are two apartment buildings in North Etobicoke. The funding for the renovations originally came from a former federal fund called Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program, which was rolled into the Investment in Affordable Housing Program. Money went towards new roofs, six new elevators, flooring and bathrooms in common areas, boiler systems and renovations to eight water damaged units. Total investment by the federal government $1.83 million. If you're reading this, you're probably about to fade off now. Pretty routine right? Then we got the call that Mayor Rob Ford was going to attend the event. Now things were about to get interesting. This was the week that Mayor Ford had just finished his trip from Los Angeles during the Oscar's and was the guest on the Jimmy Kimmel show. Needless to say the place was now buzzing in anticipation. Rob Ford's critics accused him of using these events to campaign, if you ask him, he'll tell you that this is business as normal and he's been supporting and attending these events even when he was just a councilor. Campaigning or not, the media scrambled to get to the event to get a few words with the Mayor before he left, and a lot of the residents of 2667 and 2677 Kipling avenue couldn't wait to get their pictures with Mayor Rob Ford. If his popularity in the face of scandal is this strong, October's elections are going to be very interesting. IMG_9610 IMG_9615 IMG_9625 IMG_9641 IMG_9653 IMG_9671 IMG_9677 IMG_9687 IMG_9706 IMG_9721 IMG_9732 IMG_9736 IMG_9739 IMG_9743 IMG_9746 IMG_9757 IMG_9769 IMG_9764 IMG_9776 IMG_9775 IMG_9783

The Courage Polar Bear Dip 2014 for World Vision

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 00:08:13 GMT

It's the dawn of a new year, and with every new year's day brings the Courage Polar Bear Dip at Coronation Park in Oakville. It was the 29th anniversary of the event, and raised $137,000 for World Vision. This money will provide fresh water for Gashora and Rugarama, in Rwanda. This was our third year covering the event and by far the COLDEST. Despite it being a balmy -9C, -16C with the wind chill, a fun time was had by all.

Similar dips run in Toronto and Burlington, but the Oakville dip is the biggest and so far has raised the most money for charity. Here are some stills from all of the debauchery.

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Top 5 Wedding Photography Mistakes

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 04:39:38 GMT

By Lisa Price

Top 5 Wedding Photography Mistakes

The Wedding day is the most important day for many couples. Nothing about weddings comes without emotions and yet at the same time they are a logistical challenge which require a considerable amount of technicalities - most weddings happen after at least a year in the making. The wedding photographer is in a very central role. It is the photographer’s task to capture the moments, the emotions and, naturally, the details in such detail that everyone involved will forever be able to cherish the memory and revisit the most important day of their lives. Wedding photography, however, is not always a simple job even for the most seasoned professionals. But what could go wrong?

Planning

Everything begins with a plan and what is needed for that plan to work in reality? Extensive research of location, the event, the guests, the colors, the lights and, of course, the happy couple. Get the details wrong and a beautiful event may, in pictures, turn into a full blown nightmare.

Details

Professional photographers know exactly how many factors have to be taken into account when a wedding shoot is about to happen. However, do the couple? If the bride and groom, for whatever reason, forget to reveal all possible details of, among other things, the event location, theme, guests, colors and lighting, the photographer could be in for trouble. It may be too late to get up to date at location. Weddings can be ruined for a whole variety of reasons; photography does not have to be one of them. If the couple don’t tell - ask. Get closer to the bride and groom. What are their expectations? What is the most important thing for them to remember? Is there anything they would rather not have photographed? What is the general style or theme the bride and groom would like to see in their photographs?

Style

Weddings are beautiful, weddings are positively emotional and they are unforgettable. They can become unforgettable for all the wrong reasons if the photographer is not consistent with the visuals - style is the foundation of wedding photography. The style should be planned immediately after the basics of the event have been discussed. What most affects the style is of course the theme, the color scale and whatever the groom and bride hope to see in their album. Some professional photographers say style can be an issue even with the right details - there are many pros who stick to the same basics year after year. Some, on the other hand, jump on each and every industry trend, often ignoring what the couple’s own desires are. The style basics should always come from the bride and groom. It is the photographer’s task to make it work.

Professionalism

Weddings are not cheap - one day of non-stop celebration with friends and family more often than not costs a small fortune. It is for this reason the stakes are high - the professionals hired for a wedding are truly expected to perform. However, a wedding can easily be ruined even by experienced professionals - the planner, the florist, the baker or perhaps the hair stylist. Weddings have known to be ruined by photographers who have been running late and missed the crucial moments or, alternatively, being on time but not actually catching the moments. Perhaps worst of all is when a photographer is sticking to the playbook except for shooting the wrong targets or - worst of all - shooting only parts of any targets. A disaster may not always be avoidable so it's always a good idea to take precautions - it may be too late to change things on the day. However, photographers can avoid trouble from their part by simply sticking to the plan and what has been agreed with the bride and groom.

Equipment

Main rule: never show up with one camera. Back-up equipment is the wedding photographer's most important partner throughout the day. Extra lenses, flashes, camera bodies - at least one of anything that is vital part in a professional wedding shoot. This way, if something goes wrong, the disaster may still be avoided. Additionally, it is good to have different options for shooting - as long as the style and visuals stay consistent. It is worth nothing that the extra equipment is only useful when the photographer knows how to use them - preparation is the key: testing lighting, flashes and also the distance up to which point each device is still operational.

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