A long time ago, we realized that if we wanted to be the type of company that will last a long time, and be creatively relevant, that we needed to offer a service and product line that is as unique as our couples are. So over the years we have tried out lots of different product…
In early 2011 if you told me if I would be standing on the soil of the birthplace of my grandfather, 8,000 kilometeres from my home I would probably rolled my eyes and brushed you off like you were yesterdays news. The point of my journey was never to end up in Ukraine, actually going…
Absolutely beautiful pictures! Your pics and comments brought tears to my eyes. I just returned from a trip to Ukraine in May 2013. I stayed in Ivano Frankivsk and visited family in several villages in western Ukraine. It made me smile as the sights you photographed we’re very similar to my photo’s. And our journey and feelings much the same.
What a beautiful journey back to the homeland. Your story and journey is truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi Marcin,
Thank you for your comment. Although my family is from Hostiv I do not live there so I cannot tell you if there are any connections to your family there. But you can Contact Kiev Archives and ask for Serghiy or look up Ivano-Frankivsk city hall offices and inquire with them. Ivano-Frankivsk is the closest city to Hostiv. If you would like to email me personally I can send you their direct contact information. Here is my email: erika.hanchar@gmail.com
Good Luck with your family search, I promise you it will be worth every penny and moment spent on it.
Erika
Hello lads. Very nice photos. I`m trying to find any informations about my family in Hostow. The only thing i know my grandfather was living there till 1941 or 1942, served in fire brigade, then he escaped to Romania and spent the rest of the war there.
I`m not sure but his father and grandfather names was Emil and Piotr Maksylewicz. I`ve also found on the listy of slaughtered two of family members:
- Maksylewicz Antoni – - 35 – 01.44 – Hostów – Tarnowica Polna – Tłumacz
- Maksylewicz Michał – - 31 – 01.09.44 – Hostów – Tarnowica Polna – Tłumacz
but i don`t have a clue who were they.
If anyone knows the story of my family, please let me know as it` would be nice to know about my ancestry before it`ll be too late.
Greetings from Ireland 
Marcin Maksylewicz
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. The pics are terrific and it is so interesting to see the home of my granfather who came to Canada in 1905.
Steven, thank you so much for your comment! It made my day to see that you made the same trip as we did. It was the most amazing trip of my life.
Great pictures – brought back many memories for me when I was visiting Hostiv in 2010. I also stayed at the George Hotel in Lviv.
Great to see someone else was as excited as I was in visiting this village – the birth village of my father
Cheers
Great pictures and a lovely story!
Good for you and it’s anamazing thing to give to generations both before and after you!
Rebecka Mayne you’re so lucky! I am pretty much trying to write the history books for my family myself.
It is really exciting, even for me to read about it. I’m lucky in that my family is Mennonite and one of their strengths is family history. I have many books tracing our family history and it is always kept up to date, it’s not until we get a little older that we realize how important these things are.
aww thanks Rebecka. Its so fun to research family history, I am still searching for missing pieces in the story. Its so exciting.
What an awesome post Erika! It gives me goosebumps to hear your journey. I’m speechless actually
This is so amazing Erika. Love the story… love the effort you put into finding your family… and absolutely love the photos.
Thanks mom! I love you.
thanks for reading Laryssa!
thank you for always reading them Diane!
I had tears in my eyes reading your story so beautiful with love. The photos are just amazing, the history of your family is something that you will tresure for ever. Your new family and friends that you have met. Erika and Ryan thank you for sharing, I love reading your stories. xo
Thanks mom!
Truely amazing, how wonderful it must have been to see and be with this side of your family. I would have loved to have seen this in person, Thanks to you & Ryan you have made it possible for me to have this great experience through the fantastic photos and information. I am so proud of you both and the talents you have! Love Always Mom!
What an amazing journey and such fantastic photos!
Thanks so much for sharing. It looks like a beautiful country to visit.
The story of your grandfather brought a tear to my eye. It is so touching. What an incredible journey you have gone through to find your roots, it is really inspiring. And the photos of your trip are absolutely fantastic! It is a place most wouldn’t think to visit, but in my opinion, it really is a special country with many beautiful cities. Thanks for sharing.
What a meaningful journey that you had! Amazing images and story!
A few weeks ago we set off on a little road trip up north to historic French River, ON for Tracy and Ryan’s cottage engagement session. It was our first time hanging out in French River, and I have to say it is stunning. Ryan and Tracy took us to their favorite spot on the…
[...] at Sherwood Inn in Port Carling, Muskoka Ryan and Tracy were married. You probably remember their engagement session we photographed on French River from earlier this year. We loved Ryan and Tracy’s wedding, it [...]
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF TWO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!!!!
incredible! haha, i love the canoe shot and then bam, the one on the boat! awesome series!
Absolutely adorable! Love, love, love them
Its their cottage!
Looks like you had the perfect day for a photo shoot, brian did u pack along you pole and bait to complete the perfect day? (i guess I understand if you didnt!!)
Cheers
These are great pictures French River is just how I remember it being when I was young. Your friends picked a great place to have there pictures done John and Angie
They are all very nice! I really like the last one and Sean loves the canoe one
Such beautiful pics! Love the backdrop and the landscape. Very you! Congrats.
These are stunning Tracy and Ryan! So natural and fun. I agree….I really like the last 3 (and especially the one of you laughing). I’m sure the wedding is going to be beautiful too….can’t wait to see the pictures!
beautiful!
Amazing photos!
Wow, those turned out great! My favorite is you two sitting on the rock looking out over the water. Amazing!
Amazing Photos… Last 3 are my favourite! But I have to say it’s hard to choose the best one.
Beautiful Pictures Tracy, That’s true love, congrats.
The ones by the fireplace are pretty cool!
Great pictures, the last one is my favourite:)
Amazing photos of a wonderful couple!
Beautiful location! Beautiful shots!
Lovely location! The Beaver Canoe shirt reminds me so much of my teen years!
Excellent photos!!! Love the ones with good ol bulwinkle J moose in them!
I love France! It’s simple, each time I am there I feel like I am stepping into a fairy tale. This is Chateau Chambord in the Loire Valley of France. The place where they make the famous Chambord liquors. If you want a gorgeous castle as the backdrop to your wedding photos or honeymoon photos or vacation…
I love these! Gorgeous castle and lucky you for getting to take your wedding pictures there, looks like a dream!
Congratulations! We love your photos. From Mat and Jovian.
WOW – Beautiful! Love this! And you guys amaze me – all these pictures in Europe with no people in them! Not sure how you guys manage to time it like this but its never happened to me! LOL
Love everything, they are amazing. You two are so cute, so looking forward to see more .
Amazing! What beautiful shots!
Beautiful but the last picture is my favourite.
You both wear France well – great pictures!
Congrats you two!
Looks like you guys an an amazing time… Congratulations once again : ).
That would make sense. Great shots – we’ll definitely put this castle on our list next time we’re in France!
It was winter last time I was there and they didn’t have the gardens open after hours. I guess its only in spring and summer.
Really? We stayed for hours in the gardens after closing time at Versaille. Thankfully… since we got there 30 minutes before it closed!
Wow nice! And all with a tripod? I would totally just wear my wedding clothes and bring the tripod for the entire trip! hahahaha
You guys are so cute! Love all the photos especially the ones of you both!
Hey Everyone, We have a HUGE announcement. After 8 years of Ryan and I photographing and editing weddings and family portraits together we have decided to expand our team. So please welcome LUCA to the Rowell Photography team. Yeahhhhhhh, wooo wooo ohhhh yeahhhh!!!!!!! Luca has trained under us and both Ryan and I are so…
Sure you will make an awesome Team,welcome Luca!!!
Amazing job Luca, it was a pleasure working with you and I look forward to working together again in the future!
Yay for us!
That’s fantastic! Congrats on all your current and future endeavors guys!
Congrats Luca! Congrats on expanding your team as well!
Congrats Luca!! And congrats on having to expand the team!!
Congrats Luca!! And congrats on having to expand the team!!
Horseshoe Resort Wedding - Heather & Laura - Rowell Photography - [...] you for choosing us to photograph your engagement, wedding and day after photo [...]
Gail MacGillivray - You are so happy together and the pictures with the scenery are amazing.
Cheryl Wilson - Stunning photos! You both look so beautiful and happy. I can’t wait to celebrate the big day with you both!
Sarah Eeles Victor - Lovely! You both are stunning! I am so excited to see you in your dresses Friday! Xo
Brian MacGillivray - Beautiful pictures. You both look very happy!
Lauren Oudshoorn - You two look so happy, congratulations!
Jenn White - Oh wow! These photos are absolutely stunning! Can’t wait to see wedding photos too! xox
Donna Moulton Bazinet - Beautiful girls!
Becca - Amazing pics! Looking forward to next Friday!
Heather Nixon - Thanks for all the best wishes! Soon to be a Mrs! I can’t wait for the wedding photos since we liked these so much.
Arden Richardson - You two are so beautiful! The pictures are amazing, you look so in love! I can’t wait to celebrate with you. This time next week and you’ll be a married couple.
Jillian Lefebvre - I LOVE THEM! You both look AMAZING xoxoxo.
Stacy Crown - Beautiful Heather!
Sandra Stewart - Absolutely gorgeous!
Tracey Toner - Beautiful, congratulations Laura & Heather =). All the best on your wedding day!
April Eden - Such Beautiful Pictures Ladies!
michele fenton - beautiful pictures
Jaynee McCann - Your pictures are amazing!! What a great way to remember this exciting time in your lives. Thank-you for sharing!!
Kim robinson - Beautiful:)
Laura MacGillivray - 1 week today! Thanks everyone! We had such a great time having our photos taken and are pleased with the results. We are excited to see the engagement book.
Vicki Seymour - Nice Pics……happy times.
Laura Malloy Deboer - You guys look SO good. Love the pics of you two in dresses. So cute. Wow, it’s happening eh??? We will be celebrating 5 years of marital bliss on the day you guys say “I do”!
Michelle Beddoes - Stunning!
Katie Robinson - Two beautiful ladies! Wishing you all the happiness on your wedding day next week! Looking forward to seeing pictures!
Rachael ʚϊɞ McCartney - Absolutely stunning ladies!
Sophie Whearty - Absolutely beautiful ladies!
Kevin - You two are so cute together!!
Tanya Mathieu - Love them all! Two very beautiful ladies! Congratulations on the big day!!!!
Frank Nixon - Good looking Photo’s the Wedding will be Great
Dawn Kelly - Great pictures you two – but look what they had to work with – they could be nothing less than beautiful!
Jamie Girouard - Beautiful.
Michelle Javaid - You both look incredible! You’re going to make such beautiful brides. Can’t wait for the big day! xo
Tristyn Milligan - Just beautiful. Great photos. Congrats Ladies!
Lisa Martin - Beautiful pictures Laura and Heather.
Kathy Malloy - Andrea, so happy for your sister Heather and Laura. Sending my love to all – <3
Catherine Elizabeth Reece - Congrats to your sis!
Andrea Nixon - You too are gorgeous and the photos look great too!
Zac Clute - Well done, ladies.
Lisa Harris - Amazing pics of you two – I love the feet in the water and on the dock!! Love them!! Congratulations you two – All the best! xo
Gail MacGillivray - You both look so happy together and the scenery is great in the background.
Andrea Nixon - You two are gorgeous and the photos look great too!
Michelle Dunn - Beautiful pictures…you both look so happy!! Enjoy your life together
Michelle Soares - Beautiful! Every pictures captures the love you both have for each other….thank you for sharing.
bridget griffiths - Absolutely beautiful pictures !!! Captured a lot of different moments