Good morning from a city that is loud, bright, busy, crowded, colourful…and where wedding and portrait photographers from all over have amassed for connecting, learning and pretty much, to have some fun. I’m ticking off another item from my 101 in 1001 list by attending WPPI. I’m excited to learn from some talented, successful photographers, including yesterday’s platform speaker, Becker, and meet up with other photographers. And if I’m being honest, I’m also excited to relax and take advantage of some of what Vegas has to offer (note the emphasis on some!) So far, that has included miles of walking, good food, and lots of window shopping…now off to hunt down some breakfast and most importantly, some coffee…
Read More101 in 1001 Days
*Reposted from former blog. Originally published on August 8, 2010. This list has been formulating in my mind for quite some time now. 101 goals that have to be completed in 1001 days. One thing about me is that I’m great at making lists, I even make lists of things I need to make lists of. Crazy! And I’m always finding pieces of scrap paper – lists – floating around. But the 101 in 1001 lists keep popping up and I love the idea behind it so here’s mine. It’s not full of “you only live once” type of things (that’s for another list…), but it also includes business goals, things I’ve been procrastinating, and stuff thrown in for fun. Disclaimer: this list is not complete. For one thing, I wanted to get it down before I started checking things off it! And another, a lot can happen in nearly 3 years and I want to be open to how God moves in my life and allow for new goals to be added. Start date: Sunday, August 8, 2010 End date: Sunday, May 5, 2013 Take dance classes – ballroom or salsa Travel back to Africa Start and finish a novel all in one month – completed November, 2010 (Stuff Christians Like by Jonathan Acuff) Make sushi Finally buy a Shootsac – completed March 9, 2011 Rent and ride bicycles around Stanley Park Watch the sun rise and the sun set in the same day – completed November 13, 2010 Tour vineyards in the Okanagan or Napa Valley Sort through/print photos of mine and frame them for my walls Aim to create branded and signature images during photo shoots – completed October 30, 2010 (and on going!) Watch all seasons of The Office, in order – completed summer of 2011 Go on a 3+ day road trip Learn how to surf (or at least attempt to) Hike Mt. Cheam Organize my iTunes, deleting stuff I don’t listen to Grow my own herb garden Make salsa with my mom and aunt again Become a member at my church Connect with local wedding vendors – completed October 30, 2010 (and on going!) Get involved with a local photog community – March 16, 2011 and ongoing Write a monthly letter to my sponsor child, Kambua, in Kenya Assuming I complete #2 and it takes me to Kenya – visit Kambua Photograph a destination wedding – completed April 7, 2011 Launch…
Read MoreSwan-E-Set Wedding: Ryan + Aimee
They all predicted he would. As Aimee’s natural beauty was transformed into that of a white wedding vision, the girls gathered around and predicted Ryan would cry when he saw her. His bride. The girl he had known for years, the girl he had fallen in love with, the girl he would spend forever with. And as the church doors were drawn open, Aimee standing there silhouetted by the sunlight behind her, I turned to look at Ryan. The emotion that swept over his face confirmed the predictions and caused the word ‘breathtaking’ to take on a new definition. Celebrating the marriage of Ryan and Aimee were friends and family who were evidently overcome with love and support and joy for these two. They were people who had seen the evolution and growth of their relationship, and could attest to God’s sovereignty in their coming back together after so many years. They were a testament to the kind of people Ryan and Aimee are. Genuine, caring and insightful individuals who invest in the relationships in their lives, above all, following Christ’s lead. Oh Aimee and Ryan, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your day as both a friend and your photographer. It really was an honor. I’m so excited to see how God continues to lead you, now as husband and wife. Hope you’re having a fabulous, well deserved honeymoon in Bali and I can’t wait to see you all tanned and rested when you come home! Love, Mikaela. While I hung out with the girls, my two awesome assistants were with the guys. I love this shot Shane got of Ryan… …and this shot that Bryan got of the guys. I was so excited to hear that Kari of Confetti Floral was designing the flower arrangements! Wonderful girl, fabulous work. Such gorgeousness! Shane caught this moment just before the ceremony and looking at this image gives me goosebumps. Ryan’s reaction to seeing Aimee for the first time. Husband and wife! The three of us snuck away for a quick few photos and found gorgeous light, a warm air vent to keep off the chill, and some of my favorites images…
Read MoreHappy Valentine’s: A Sneak Peek
Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to celebrate a day of love than by posting a sneak peek of another day of love? Yesterday I had the honor of welcoming wedding season by photographing my lovely friend’s wedding. And as I began sorting through the images this morning, I couldn’t help but discover tears in my eyes. Such a beautiful friend and woman, who married the man of her dreams. More to come this week!
Read MoreWhite Rock Engagement: Amy + Brent
I’ve known Amy for a couple years. We both went to the same church. But when Amy became a nurse, God moved her from her home in Abbotsford, and placed her at BC Children’s Hospital. On the exact floor as Brent. Brent had spent ten years in the US, going to school and then working/traveling around the country. After that long all over the map, God placed him on that very floor at the hospital, where Amy would catch his eye. Fast forward several months and come Christmas Morning, Amy was surprised with a ring and a proposal and now they’re starting a new life with one another. I just love how God works things together! The three of us spent a gorgeous, yet chilly, winter afternoon at the beach at White Rock. The wind was strong and fast but I loved the way it played with Amy’s hair, and I loved seeing Amy so happy and in love with someone who clearly feels the same about her. Thank you, Amy and Brent, for such a fun afternoon. Looking forward to your summer wedding!
Read MorePretty Things
I just got home from such a fun engagement session. As I drove the scenic drive back home, I thought to myself…this is why I do what I do. And this is why I’m so lucky to do it. It took place on a beach, the sun was shining and the wind danced a fast number along the water. But seeing as we’re in the middle of winter, it took a little effort to thaw out. My steaming mug of vanilla rooibos tea did the trick. It was a thoughtful gift from a friend, and I swear it tastes better because I’m enjoying it in another thoughtful gift from another friend. And I just so happened to stumble upon this mug in some wedding photos and so I wanted to share it with you: Isn’t that a lovely way to start your wedding day? I think it makes for a cute photo. You can see the rest of the photos here on Grey Likes Weddings, and purchase yourself a mug here from Anthropologie. Speaking of Anthropologie…if you’re a bride-to-be or just a girl who loves pretty things, visit this site below. You’ll be glad you did. That’s all for today :) I’m going to finish my tea off with a cupcake now….oh and watch for the engagement photos to be posted in the next couple days!
Read MoreFirst Week
Hello Internet, I missed you. Here I sit at Starbucks, happy to be online again…at home, we’ve gone almost 24 hours without Internet (I think have the wind to thank?) and boy do things come to a halt in its absence. It’s been a lovely first week on my own, doing my own thing, with my own business. It’s been a crazy week. I’m feeling the effects as I sit here and strain my eyes in order to stay open. It’s early afternoon. This is a week that I won’t experience again. The thrill of breaking out from a desk job to self-employment, the launch of my first + very own website, as well as a fresh new blog, and it all happens to fall over my birthday. I’ve had quality catch up time with friends, good food (my sister spoiled me with homemade tiramisu AND cupcakes!), time with loved ones and lots of Starbucks. It’s been nice because looking ahead, the next few weeks are full of shoots, a wedding, and then WPPI in Vegas! Things are about to kick into high gear! Celebration and gratitude are two words that sum up the entirety of this week. While I have many people to thank in my life, the number one THANK YOU goes to God, because without a thing called grace, I’m sure this week (and the weeks to come) wouldn’t have looked the same. He has blessed me in more ways than I thought possible.
Read MoreIntroducing
Today is a day I have been waiting for, for a looooong time. I couldn’t sleep last night! And no, it’s not because it just so happens to be my birthday as well (had to throw that in there, you know…in case you wanted to get me a cupcake…okay, I kid…)! As you can see, things have been majorly spruced up! Let me introduce you to my NEW BLOG! And guess what?! Along with my spiffy new blog, comes my WEBSITE TOO! What. A. Project. It has been. I have lost track of how many heart felt thank you’s I owe to my wonderful, creatively-gifted cousin and graphic designer, Kelsey. My website was built using Showit, a new program for us both. Time is a valuable thing and I don’t think I even want to know how many hours she put into this project of ours. I just know that I couldn’t have done it without her! Her and her patience and positive attitude when we hit walls, her fresh ideas and how she took my ideas and made them better! And come to life. Kelsey and her husband Chad…I took these last November went I visited them in Winnipeg! Thanks also to Chad, for sharing your wife with me :) I’m so excited to have a place that is unique to my brand and business that showcases my work. Make that, two places. A website to be the foundation and a blog to be my voice. There may be little changes here and there on the blog as I get comfortable in this new home, but we have waited long enough for this launch, so here it is! A pretty cool birthday gift, if you ask me :)
Read MoreKISS Albums
One thing I have yet to tackle on my list is creating a sample album. And for this, I’m so excited for because I absolutely love the album company I’ll be working with – Kiss Wedding Books. I designed an album for Shane for Christmas and I was totally impressed with the quality…the feel of the smooth, heavy pages, the look of the sharp, color-rich photos. Even the cloth dust-cover was pretty to look at! This book pictured below is a linen album, perfect for guestbooks or portrait sessions. For a wedding album, the leather album would be ideal with its thicker, hard pages. So here is a sampling of what I’m proud to now offer clients – a gorgeous, tangible way to show off your photos.
Read MoreSay hello, wave goodbye
I’m doing it. I get to check one more item off my 101 list. An item I wasn’t sure I’d accomplish when I set out with my list to complete in 1001 days. Today was my last day at my day job, my Monday-Friday type job, all because my dream has grown bigger than I thought it could, my dream to be a photographer. Full-time. Over the last three years I have been working as an admin assistant at Sevenoaks Alliance Church. This job has given me so much – experience in graphic design, my own office (haha yes, this was very exciting when I started!), growth in creativity, a work environment focussed on serving God, and genuine friendships. And oh these friendships have been – and will continue to be – invaluable. It’s a scary thing, letting go of something so dependable, in order to pursue a risk. The thing is, the risk has the possibility of something so much greater. And I reached a point where a decision had to be made…my photography business could no longer grow on my ‘leftover’ time. It needs my all if I want it to keep growing…so that’s what I’m going to give it. So. Here we go! I’m bursting with excitement and what I think are butterflies! There are so many ideas and further dreams that need exploring and doing and I can’t wait to share it all here. Including some new stuff in the next week or so! But for now, I’m off to do something fun and celebratory :)
Read More