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We spill all of our magic beans (aka strategies) for working and living creatively here in, The Gooseberry Review, our monthly letter series.

LATEST WORK

TORONTO BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHER: FINE ART EDITORIAL BRANDING BOSS BABE SHOOT

Here at Gooseberry Studios we believe in breaking the mold, over and over and over again. There’s no point in doing what everyone else is doing in your brand and we work tirelessly with our clients to develop brand identities that standout in the marketplace. So when it came time to shoot this gorgeous powerhouse of a boss babe, we had to cook up something ultra extra, editorial and unique. The answer? Flowers, flowers, everywhere and a contagious energy that bursts through the camera. (more…)

TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: “AS YOU WERE” | NO MAKEUP SHOOT 01 | COURTNEY

Would you ever think that a 13-year-old girl looked terrible because she wasn’t wearing eye-shadow and lipstick to school? Would you ever think of an 82-year-old woman as ugly because she has wrinkles and doesn’t wear foundation? Of course not, because we universally recognize natural beauty in children and seniors.

So ladies, why are we devastatingly critical of ourselves during those in between ages? Aka – the majority of our lives?

This heavy question has been peculating through my thoughts for several months now. Why do women (in general) feel like we need makeup for any sort of public occasion when a man can throw on a nice outfit and be good to go?

We all begin our journey in this world with the same fresh faced approach to life, yet somewhere along the way half of us feel the pressure to cover up (or accentuate) with makeup. What would we look like if we decided to refute that expectation and instead show up as we were?

This is the concept for Gooseberry and Gotham + Grace’s latest partnership, a new on-going photo series called As You Were. The campaign is an effort to show women a stylish, organic and confident way to embrace their face exactly as it is. (more…)

TORONTO COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: TASTE 3 EDITORIAL FASHION SERIES | “BIG HAIR, DONUT CARE”

It’s time for another installment of our editorial fashion series called TASTE! This edition, “Big Hair, Donut Care” is all about capturing that glorious ‘I-don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks’ feeling that so often accompanies the morning after a big night out with even bigger hair. The team and I are back at it again! Here’s the whole editorial series if you’re interested: (more…)

TORONTO BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHER: A FRESH FLORAL INSPIRED REBRAND FOR SPRING

Bright natural colours, a love of nature and an affinity for flowers — this personal branding shoot had all of our favourite elements! It’s amazing how shooting in nature can soothe the soul. Stress evaporates, a calmness settles over the shoot and all you can see is the beauty that Mother Nature has so kindly provided as a backdrop. Here’s more from this shoot if you’re interested. (more…)

TORONTO BRANDING PHOTOGRAPHER: RAVISHING RED BRANDING SHOOT WITH ERICA FOX

Make your brand and your business your own. This is the number one thing I tell EVERY entrepreneur who I work with. There is no point mimicing others in your field. Be brave and add a healthy dollop of imagination to your brand so that it stands out. This is what I love to do and what Gooseberry is all about. If nobody in your field is doing it, that’s your sign to do it! The always lovely Erica Fox ran with this belief 100% in her vibrant, editorial and fashion-forward branding photoshoot centered around the theme of self-love, self-appreciation and self-confidence.

On set, a gorgeous Valentino gown in ravishing red (which I’m now personally completely obsessed with, by the way), an infectious laughter, shadow play and a Vogue-inspired aesthetic. Here are the results if you’re interested…
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TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: TASTE 1 EDITORIAL FASHION SERIES | “BEAUTY AND THE BRUNCH!”

One of Gooseberry’s 2018 goals is to shoot more personal photography projects, which is why we’re delighted to introduce the TASTE Fashion Editorial Series — an on-going Toronto fashion photography project that combines imaginative creative looks with popular Toronto restaurants to celebrate the idea of indulging in life’s little luxuries. What I’ve always adored about fashion photography is the promise of playing make believe. For a brief moment you can completely escape into a story, another world, a deliciously dramatic plot. Our amazing team will be working on a fresh TASTE Fashion Editorial installment every month this year to bring together a collection of creatively challenging pieces designed to inspire and entertain.

The first edition of this series is called “Beauty and the Brunch,” a tongue and cheek narrative about a (fictional) woman who adores brunching on her own terms, complete with faux-fur, bold eyeshadow and sassy glam glam glam. Here’s the full shoot if you’re interested:
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TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: A LITTLE BIT OF MYSTERY NEVER HURT ANYONE

Fashion photography is true escapism, especially when you work with somebody who is eager and open to direction so we can transform just another streetstyle shoot into something memorably editorial. Fashion photography, much like fashion itself, should be compelling. It should be original. It should be different and drenched with attitude.

These are the things Gooseberry accomplished during this spring Toronto fashion photoshoot punctuated by tulle and buttery Italian leather pumps — and it’s going down in studio history as one of our favourites to date! How exactly did we pull it off? Ah, well, a little mystery never hurt anyone. See the full shoot after the jump! (more…)

TORONTO BRAND MANAGER: 12 MUST-DO ITEMS TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS STRONGER THAN EVER IN THE NEW YEAR

Ah, the end of the year – it’s a magical time! Not only do we get swept away by the excitement of the holiday season, but our creative brains also start thinking ahead to all of the wonderful things we hope to accomplish in the new year. (Hi, my name is Laura, and I’m a goal setter – you?)

In order to give your business the best start in the New Year, there are a number of tasks I always recommend tackling either before you sign off for eggnog and sugar cookies or first thing when you get back. This practical to-do list will help you kick off 2018 stress-free so that you can channel your refreshed energies into new exciting projects. (more…)

TORONTO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: COUPLE’S PORTRAITS IN AN ICECREAM SHOP

Why do we only get our photos taken with our significant other when we get engaged or married? What about capturing all of those wonderful everyday moments that make up our actual lives with another person? I always imagine couples looking back on portraits of themselves together in their youth when they’re retired — imagine that magical feeling that you’d get! So when the lovely Jem Castor asked if her fella could tag along on a fashion shoot, I was more than happy to run with the concept! I took them to the most darling cosy icecream parlour in downtown Toronto. They split a milkshake, sipped rich espressos and cuddled up together for a truly dreamy couple’s portrait session. Take a peek here!
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TORONTO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER: GRAFFITI ALLEY ENGAGEMENT SESH

I absolutely adore when young, vibrant couples opt for vibrant engagement photos! In my mind an engagement session (and the whole wedding for that matter) should be an accurate reflection of the couple’s personality and style — not whatever is trendiest at the time. So when this lovely duo said they wanted something really urban with lots of artistic expression and bursts of colour there was really only one place to go — Graffiti Alley in Toronto! Here is a sneak peek from this awesome session! (more…)

TORONTO FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER: INTERVIEW WITH TRACY HOULE ABOUT FOOD, LIFE AND BUSINESS

This summer I had the tremendous pleasure of meeting a warm and bubbly Toronto nutritionist by the name of Tracy Houle. I spent a wonderful full season working closely with her to build her brand and launch her business. It was a really inspiring project filled with lots of laughter, shooting mouth-watering food (even healthy cookies that were to die for — seriously, check out her newsletter) and learning about wellness matters along the way!

While working on the behind-the-scenes brand building items and assisting with the business development, I learned so much from Tracy about food and health related to food. I just had to interview her so you guys could also get to know this amazing human and get acquainted with her fantastic food philosophy that doesn’t sacrifice taste! So without further adieu, here she is! Take it away Tracy! (more…)

TORONTO HOLIDAY MINI SESSIONS: 2017 CHRISTMAS MINI SESSIONS

The holidays are just around the corner, which means it’s time to think about your holiday portraits! I don’t know about you, but I love love love making a cup of hot chocolate (with extra marshmallows, of course), slipping into my most comfortable flannel pjs and curling up with photo albums of holidays past. There is nothing better! Make sure you capture this holiday season in style with a candid, playful and pretty Holiday Mini Session! This year Gooseberry Studios is offering indoor and outdoor options! Find the details below! (more…)

TORONTO ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again — the best engagement sessions ever are the ones that keep it simple. Laughter, a pretty setting and… that’s it! You don’t need fancy anything to create gorgeous artistic portraits that are romantic and real. This wonderful couple and I spent a late afternoon strolling downtown Toronto and the waterfront to capture some lovely sunset moments. Here’s a sneak peek if you’re interested. (more…)

TORONTO MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER: SAYING HELLO TO THE BABY BUMP

I love when families decide to start celebrating their new baby while they are still a darling baby bump. And what better way to celebrate than through a sweet endearing maternity session that co-stars the excited big sister to be! We jumped around in the studio for some modern portraits before zipping out to one of the family’s favourite outdoor spots in the city for squishy hugs, lots of laughter and excited chats about what being a big sister is all about. Here’s a sneak peek from the session if you’re interested.
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TORONTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: A MODERN WEDDING BURSTING WITH VINTAGE STYLE

Last weekend I captured my last wedding of the 2017 season and it was a gorgeous one! Despite the weather forecast threatening torrential downpours all day, we ducked between the rain drops to capture some stunning moments of this wonderful celebration. We traveled between The Thompson Hotel and the Guild Inn to capture honest, organic portraits and lots of laughter and love as well! Here’s a sneak peek from the day, if you’re interested. (more…)