I don’t think the sun rose that day. Rain came down without ceasing outside my office window. Dark and miserable was the winter weather and then it slowly became my mood as well. Something along those lines was said in a text and so he offered to come by for a visit over coffee break. Yes…that would give me a reason to smile, I said. But when he walked through the door, he also brought with him the prettiest bouquet of flowers and two drinks from Starbucks – a green tea lemonade for him, and a passion tea lemonade for me. The flowers looked and smelled like spring and the drinks were the exact same two we had ordered exactly five months ago to the day, the day we had our first date. Crazy what can happen in a few, mere months.
Read MoreWhen you don’t feel like writing
Write when you don’t feel like writing. Step out when you feel scared. Speak up even if the words feel stuck in your throat. Take a risk in spite of the unknown. Sometimes I don’t want to try. Sometimes I want to pretend like the world doesn’t exist. That is, the world outside the comforting confines of a soft bed and warm blankets. I get an ache in my chest that says that’s too hard, you might mess up or make a fool of yourself. Stay indoors where it’s safe. But that is not what got me to where I am, or where I want to go. It’s okay to be scared or feel an ache in your chest. And as appealing as comfy and easy may sound, I don’t want simply these. I want to welcome risks and challenges and mistakes. When you put yourself out there and expose yourself to these, there often comes the biggest reward. Only then can you grow, and see where you’ve come from and what you’ve learned along the way. From it hopefully comes courage, or maybe even mistakes, but growth. Stronger. Closer. So I write to remind myself.
Read MoreNot just a pretty picture
A smooth, lavender latte, Belgian waffles with mixed berries and a stimulating conversation with a lovely, new photographer friend have left me with a heart stirring and mind running with thoughts and ideas. Ways in which to grow as a creative. There was talk of dreams and what makes a photograph art, talk of the importance of a connection with a photo. To not just take a picture for the sake of a pretty picture. It has to be more personal than that. I so love being able to connect with others in this industry…those who are like-minded but have their own way of seeing things. Getting into conversations can lead to all sorts of things and places. And as I walked down the city street back to my car, and the faintest of snowflakes fell from the silver sky, I felt a sense of new motivation, refreshed. A sneak peek of another post to come…
Read MoreEngagement: Narissa + Ashi
Oh what love can do. Love can answer your prayers, your dreams, can take your expectations and make them explode in a thousand unbelievable ways. The last time I saw Narissa, Christmas 2009, she was a single girl who had just been set up on a coffee date by one of her professors back in Chicago. One year later, Christmas 2010, Narissa, my cousin and dear friend, is ENGAGED! I met her fiance, Ashi, just moments before our engagement session. And the entire time, as I observed them through my camera lens, I saw something different in Narissa. I saw for myself what this love had done, evident on her face, and in her voice. I grew to like Ashi very much, very quickly because of this. And more. Like the way they are together… What’s a shoot in the snow without a little snow fight? :) Great way to wrap up the session! Narissa, I’ve never seen you happier…and Ashi, thank you for giving her that smile. We’ll let you keep her ;) See you in Chicago for the wedding! Much love.
Read MoreVancouver Engagement: Aimee + Ryan
I’m not even sure where to begin with writing this post. How incredibly cute these two are together? How much fun? How I can’t wait to document them as they become husband and wife this February? How so excited I am to see my dear friend Aimee find and marry her love? Aimee and I have been friends for several years, beginning back when she was one of my managers at American Eagle! We have seen each other through some highs and lows and have talked each other through different relationships. But this one is different. This one is for keeps! Aimee and Ryan have a history that won’t let them go, and now that they have found each other again, they have found their future in each other as well. We started their engagement session on Granville Island in Vancouver… Isn’t she going to be a stunning bride?! And then a trip to the Pan Pacific and an outfit change later… Hot from beginning to end… Ending with a couple of my favorites… Aimee and Ryan, thank you for such a great time together! I now eagerly await your upcoming Swan-E-Set wedding :) xo
Read MoreWhirlwind to Wonderland
I’m slowly getting back into work mode here. I’ve been puttering away at an engagement session (to be posted tomorrow!) and pieces for my website (to be launched next month!) throughout the afternoon and evening. But before I fully jump back into it on the blog here, I wanted to recap a little Christmas…Christmas itself was a whirlwind of festive gatherings with friends and family, while the last few days were spent in a blissful state of fun and peace and quiet in Whistler, an impromptu winter wonderland escape. Christmas Eve at Grandma + Grandpa’s… Christmas morning at home… Shane surprised and spoiled me with a gorrrrgeous, new Electra Cruiser! I first opened this picture frame – it in itself was a meaningful gift; it held a photo of us each as kids and a photo that contained the clue as to where I could find my gift…my parents topped it off with a detachable wicker basket (for when I go to the market for groceries ;) and a bottle of Red Bicyclette wine. And come Boxing Day, we found our White Christmas in Whistler :)
Read MoreMerry Christmas.
I kinda failed this year in the Christmas card department. So, I want to take this opportunity to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all! Merry Christmas and thank you. To those who read, look, comment, encourage and get in front of my camera! You mean more to me than you know. It’s because of you that I get to do what I love, and discover that I love it more and more. I hope this Christmas brings you joy and laughter and time spent with the ones you love…and time to soak in and reflect on the heart of the season.
Read More2010: A Good Year
I find myself at another December, thinking over the year that has passed, trying to wrap my mind around all that has happened. This happens every year, but this year…seriously. Seriously?! It has been a year of opportunity, of growth, of doors that have closed and opened, of learning, of travel, of relationships. Excitement, disappointment, joy. Things that, had you told me 6 months ago would happen, probably would have caused me to laugh in your face! It has been perhaps the busiest and most all-over-the-place kind of year for me…so here’s to hoping this Christmas will bring a little quiet, a little peace, a little sloooow down time, in order to appreciate just how full my heart is right now. Full at the thought of all these things, at the thought of how God has made his love and grace known in my life. What better way to do this than to look back over pictures…some personal, some not, some that best represent my brand…I’m sure I missed a few, but here’s a further look into what 2010 was about. We caught Olympic fever when the games came to town! Such a great day! I had random encounter and lunch with wedding photographer Jasmine Star at Image Quest in Richmond in March. Check out the full post here! After meeting Jasmine, I knew I HAD to try and go to one of her workshops in OC, California… It was an incredible, motivating experience. You can read about it and check out more photos here. I was so happy Whitney came along with me to Newport Beach for a little fun in the sun before and after the workshop :) More photos here and here. Fresh from the workshop and dying for some wedding experience, I had the opportunity to shoot this wedding with a friend! Not long after, I organized this styled, ‘day after’ shoot. And had the absolute pleasure of shooting this gorgeous couple…some of my favourite photos can be found here and here. Yay for our annual camping trip to Whidbey Island, Washington. My parents – 25 years married :) Another day after shoot – so fun! I love, love shooting couples in love. Shane. The biggest reason why my heart is so full right now. A few more of my favourite photos… A special family..most members have made more than one appearance on my blog. Here is one. My lovely, dear,…
Read MoreChristmas Sweater Photobooth!
All was merry and bright last night at our first annual Christmas Sweater Party! A Christmas dinner party for four featuring a fun and festive photobooth! First, I have to give props to Dave who asked whether or not I’d be blogging our party (of course)…and what I might say about, oh I don’t know…his famous, home-made Thai and BBQ chicken pizzas?! Simply put, they were the best tasting home-made pizzas ever. Alanna and I decked out their office for our photo session. I had come across this great idea on the blog of Promise Tangeman, a design extraordinaire. All it took were some streamers, tinsel, tape, a few Christmas decorations, and a camera. And flash (next year we’ll have a fancier setup…what can I say, I’m a natural light photographer :)…and perhaps a tripod). Enjoy. Things began somewhat classy and then progressively got a little silly… Til next year!
Read MoreChristmas Lights
I need a little dose of Christmas spirit this morning. Coldplay + Christmas music = something wonderful. Plus, the word magical I think best sums up the video. The first time I heard Coldplay’s new song, Christmas Lights, I listened to it another three times. And then a few more later that day. Thanks to wedding videographer Alec Cattarin for posting this on Facebook! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1rYmzQ8C9Q]
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