Toronto Photographer - Zdenka Darula - Toronto Glamour Shots - Fashion Female Boudoir

Engagement Photography – Andrew & Whitney Engagement

zdenkadarula — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:34:44 +0000

Andrew & Whitney Engagement Shoot… I definitely will remember this shoot for a long time. Andrew is talented photographer so you can only imagine that I was a bit nervous to shoot their engagement and wedding. On the other side I was also really thrilled that they picked me and trusted me to capture their most important day in their lives. I was very thrilled and excited when they asked me to shoot something different for them. Instead of beach…. city, subway, urban lifestyle…. We went to Toronto where we spent few hours together. The shoot was a bit longer as we had to reach few locations. None of us was complaining, even though it was really hot outside. We had great time together. Take a look….

Toronto Wedding Photography – Bridgitte & Adam

zdenkadarula — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:59:46 +0000

Bridgitte & Adam Wedding belongs to one of my favorite ones… This very easy going couple, very friendly and very much in love had beautiful ceremony in Deer Creek Golf Club in Ajax, Ontario. This intimate wedding ceremony took place outside and I remember that I was kind of worried about the weather. They were calling for big thunder storm which fortunately arrived much later… Take a look at some of my favorite photos from this wedding.

Toronto Glamour Photographer – New Face: Martina

zdenkadarula — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 19:13:03 +0000

Once upon a time, there was a girl Martina. She happened to be my neighbour, my occasional assistant and even baby sitter for our 2 year old son and also Czech just like me. One day she told me that she would like to try to do a shoot. We didn’t shoot together right away until now. I had a project in mind and thought she would be perfect for it. Two weeks ago, we got together first time just to have some fun with water splashes. Oh man, I made her work really hard….lol… she had to do few jumps here and there so I am sure the next day, she felt the muscles. Here are samples from our first shoot…..

The way I got to know her from our shoot, I got a clear idea what I want to do with her next. I called one of the amazing makeup aritsts I work with Cristina DeSaoJose to come help me to create her makeup and hair. I got some wardrobe together which I thought would just look stunning on her. Martina came up with this really cute green dress which turned out amazing in photos. Anyways…I better stop writing and just show the photos…..:

What is next for Martina? She is going to see some modeling agencies in Toronto because I know she will make it… and we will all see her around…. Martina, best of luck, it was a pleasure working with you… we’ll work together soon again….:)

PWPC – Winter Wedding Contest 2012 – 4th and 10th place….

zdenkadarula — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:05:21 +0000

Professional Wedding Photographers of Canada association which I am part of, recently published their wedding photography contest results. I have never submitted my images to any contest before so I thought I will give it a try this time. It wasn’t an easy task to do. I had no idea what they are looking for and from all the photos I have, it was hard to narrow it down. I wasn’t sure if I am submitting the right photos they will like. Different people… different opinions… likes… and dislikes… and competing against all the other photographers which have years and years of experience…. not easy….. I was really pleased to find out that for the first time I was part of wedding photography contest like that, I did OK….

CATEGORY: Getting Ready |4-th Place | Zdenka Darula | 1809056 Ontario Ltd. | Oshawa, ON – http://www.prowedphoto.ca/index.php?p=results_winter_2012&con=5&cat=1

CATEGORY: The Wedding Dress |10-th Place | Zdenka Darula | 1809056 Ontario Ltd. | Oshawa, ON – http://www.prowedphoto.ca/index.php?p=results_winter_2012&con=5&cat=2

Thank you to all of you which allowed me to shoot your wonderfull weddings last year!!!!!

Toronto Glamour & Boudoir Photographer – Real Men and Women of 2011

zdenkadarula — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:07:51 +0000

I have received many nice emails complimenting my glamour photography skills… and I have received many emails saying “I am not a model, I don’t look like a model, will I look good in photos? Are all the photos in your portfolio professional models?” To answer the first question, yes you will look great. Literraly I don’t know person who wouldn’t look good in photos. It is all about the right makeup, pose, mood, face expression, angle and also proper studio or outdoor lighting. To be very honest most of the people you see in my portfolio are not professional models. For some of them, it was their first photoshoot ever. I take my time and lead them correctly into pose which will look great with their body type…. and that is how the final product looks like.

Here is a mix of photos of “Real Men and Women of 2011″. Here I have to mention that all photoshoots are strictly confidential and not posted anywhere or shown anywhere. I did obtain written permission from these clients of 2011. I call them Real Men and Women as majorty of them never posed in front of the camera….

Toronto Photographer – Published Work….

zdenkadarula — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:20:41 +0000

It has been 7 years since I started working as a photographer. Today, I sat down and took a look at some of my published work. It is just sitting here in the computer and I guess, I should post it up. Few of my friends already asked me how come it is not on the website…. well, I guess I really didn’t have the need to show it off. It is a nice feeling of accomplishment to see your work somewhere on the magazine cover, book cover or billdboard. There are really lots of tear sheets I could post here, but at least I am going to post only few…. my favorites… Thank you all models and makeup artists for great team work!!!

Toronto Baby & Children Photography – portfolio 2012

zdenkadarula — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:50:52 +0000

There is a time, just after a baby is born, where he or she is the most delicate, squishy, sleepy and wonderful. This is why I love to use my baby photography skills to capture newborns in their first few days of life. Even at this young age every baby has a personality, likes and dislikes.Being myself a mother, I know first hand how quickly that new baby grows into a walking and talking… Children grow and change so quickly and if you don’t stop once in awhile and document who they are that very day it’ll be gone in a heartbeat.

I love to use my children photography skills to capture children the way they are. I love variety, which is good because no child is the same as another. And no one family’s needs are the same as the next. Some parents love the clean, classic look of a studio shot and others are looking for the feel a beach shoot at sunset offers. I enjoy finding those things that make your family unique and creating amazing portraits for you.

To see pricing packages for Baby & Children photography go to: http://www.zdenkadarula.com/portfolio-2/babies-children/

To book a session call studio at 905.922.2778 or email: zdenkam@gmail.com

Headshots Portfolio – the perfect portrait shot

zdenkadarula — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:23:34 +0000

Someone once asked me a question: “How do you get the perfect headshot?” Well, my answer would be quite long. There are many aspects which make the perfect headshot, portrait or beauty shot. The person standing in front of the camera or the model must be in a very relax mood. I have to tell you that at least half of my models or clients coming to the studio have hands shaking. They are nervous. They have never been photographed, they are expecting great results and they are scared. I know this feeling very well. When I was starting out as a model I had this feeling all the time. There is nothing wrong with it. This actually means only a good thing. This person will concentrate and will listen to my directions to get the perfect shot. I take time to get to know the person. When they come in, sit down to get their make up done, we talk about anything… After a while we all relax, get to know each other and it starts feeling almost as friends are just having fun. This is my goal. My goal is for everyone to feel like we are having a great fun shoot. Once we start shooting, the first 10 minutes is only a warm up. Then I start directing posing, facial expressions, right angles, moods…. I do look at the person very carefully to see what her or his strong features are. Are they eyes, lips, cheek bones or hair?… I do my little check through camera lense. When it comes to posing, yes I do have many modeling tips to help the person to get the perfect angle. I am very thankfull I have all these modeling years behind me.

Another important part I would like to talk about is makeup. Women and men should get their makeup done for photos. I know men are probably shaking their heads…. but give me a chance to explain. It is not about eye shadows or color of the lips. It is all about the basic makeup which makes your face camera friendly. The makeup artist knows the tricks where to place highlight or shadow. This is very important part which is part of getting the perfect headshot. The eye shadows and lipstick is just to create the colors you like and certain fashion or glamour look. I had few clients coming in requesting just photography without makeup. I have to tell you that I have spent many hours retouching their shots to create nice skin, nice face…. the result was OK but never as great as with proper professional makeup.

So there you go… here is part of my answer. I could go on and on and on… there are many feelings and thoughts I have about perfect headshot.

Take a look at first part of my updated headshot, portrait & beauty portfolio….

Wedding Summer Season 2011 – thank you all….

zdenkadarula — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:37:47 +0000

It is time for me to sit down and look back. How was my summer 2011? One word can describe it all… “busy”. During the week, you could find me in the studio shooting fashion or glamour. On the weekends, I was somewhere on the road capturing special moments of lovely wedding couples. Thank you all for letting me being part of your beautiful weddings. This year’s wedding season for me is a short one. Since baby no. 2 is on its way and due in May 2012, I am taking a little break from weddings. My next wedding season will start June 2013. Until then, I will be busy shooting engagments, fashion, glamour, boudoir, family portraits, stock…. and everything else you can imagine.

Let me share some favorite photos of mine from past summer weddings. It is a mix of photos which I personally like and enjoy taking…. I hope you like them too…..

Baby Ninka – photo session

zdenkadarula — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:28:07 +0000

I trully cannot beleive how much I am starting to like shooting babies. (Ever since I had my own son, things changed.) They are funny, adorable, playfull…. and challenging at times…. I don’t like posed photos. The way I love taking baby images are candids. I let them be themselves, play with them, interact, let them be babies… Just like Janka said, capture memories forever. Today, I would like to introduce you little 6 months old model named Ninka and her Mom Janka. I don’t think I need to say more. Just take a look….