With work slowing down ever so slightly, now is the time to catch up on some personal journaling on the blog. I’m excited because this time, Christmas time, is my favourite time. We welcomed December by combining a little shopping with a little fun in one of my favourite cities: Seattle. The streets were decked with boughs of evergreen and twinkling lights, the air was crisp, there was shopping to be done and Starbucks to be had, and plenty of good company to make the spirits bright. And to top it off, an exciting Seahawks win! Confession…see the photo on the right? See the couple in the background? They’re in the middle of an actual photo shoot. We realized AFTER taking our pictures that we had walked right into the middle of it. I mean, it was a public place and all, but still, I had the urge to make a quick escape in shame for stepping into another photographer’s territory…but at least we got a picture out of it :) I love Pike Place but I love it even more all dressed up for Christmas… Thinking back, I don’t recall seeing any mistletoe…but does it really matter? THE first Starbucks to grace the planet with its caffeinated goodness. And our first time being there. Major deal! To top off the weekend, it was me and the guys at the game. Being big NFL fans, (and Seahawks fans of course) it was pretty exciting to watch them come back after a disappointing first half, to score touchdown after touchdown to win the game! Aaaaand that was our weekend in Seattle. New tradition? I think so :)
Read MoreEngagement: Brian + Stephanie
Laughter is a sign of a good match. When a couple brings that energy to a shoot, or when I can get a couple to laugh (whether it’s at me or with me!) I know the images will be THAT much better. That much more genuine, that much more authentic. It brings down walls and allows other emotions to emerge and speak in a photograph. This couldn’t have been truer with Steph and Brian. The first time I met with Steph at Starbucks, she brought that enthusiasm and there was an easy connection. I guess it was no surprise, then, that it was there again at their engagement session. An enthusiasm between Stephanie and Brian – for each other – that spoke of their love, their sweet, sweet love. Brian works for the Abbotsford Fire Department and so we stopped in for the second half of our shoot…and I am ssooo glad we did! A huge and heartfelt thank you to you two! Cannot wait for your March wedding!!! xo M.
Read Moredo not be anxious.
I heard these words at church this morning, and while I wasn’t anxious or worried in that moment, I still felt this peace wash over me… And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:22-31. I think I, who loves to plan and know what’s going on and be in control, need to be reminded of this daily.
Read MoreThings I Love Thursday: Kelly Moore Bag
I love…my new Kelly Moore camera bag!! And all of its yummy, leather gorgeousness. At long last, I have in my possession this stylish yet functional bag that keeps my camera and lenses snug and within reach while shooting. I can happily leave behind my boring canvas type thing and better represent my brand by wearing a bag that’s more me. D’you know what else…how many times have I debated, when traveling or going out for the day, about whether to bring my camera bag or my purse? Trivial maybe, but one of them always succumbs to the other. Only now, I can have the look of a purse with the protection of a camera bag. Brilliant! Happy Thursday! Sidenote: Thanks go to Shane, my wonderful, “let me know what I can do to lighten your workload” boyfriend, who drove down to the US border and sat in a long line to pick this up from the post office while I was at work! Because he knew I couldn’t wait. How do I repay him for things like this? I work some more. I fall asleep while watching a movie I picked out. It’s a wonder he keeps me around…Maybe it’s the Starbucks I’m promising him…
Read MoreChad + Kelsey: A snowy love shoot
Oh how blessed I was to visit family in Manitoba recently. Like my cousin Kelsey and her husband Chad. This last year or so has brought about many things, one of them being the chance to get to know Kelsey better as we’ve worked together on design projects for my business. A dear friendship has continued to grow..I admire her talent like crazy and her genuine heart. The fact that we live two (albeit short) plane rides apart is a sad one, but one that makes spending time together all the sweeter. I had put on my 101 in 1001 list “photograph a session with Kelsey” and at the time, hadn’t expected to check it off so soon! Not only that, but we were so excited to get to shoot in the snow! There’s nothing like shooting in a fresh, new location and throw in one of my favorite things – snow – and I knew we were in for a good time. A COLD time. I think the mercury dropped to -14 C. And when my finger froze so that it wouldn’t take anymore pictures, and we couldn’t feel our toes, we jumped in the truck to warm up. But it was so worth it…evident in a few of my favourite images… Kelsey, you’re so beautiful… I love that we stumbled upon this old sled… Maybe my very favorite… Okay, so that was more than a few! But I couldn’t help it. I love these guys. Chad, Kelsey, thank you for everything! For the airport runs, homemade soup, conversation, Starbucks, etc, etc…can’t wait to do it again ;)
Read MoreFEATURED! Grey Likes Weddings.
A bit of news… VERY! Incredibly! Exciting news! Our styled bridal shoot has been featured on my all-time favourite wedding blog, GREY LIKES WEDDINGS! I’m honoured this shoot has been chosen for such a site as Grey Likes Weddings, and not only that, but it checks off another item from my 101 list: #67, get a photo session of mine published, online. :) Happy Monday, everyone!
Read Morea note of thanks
Often when I go to bed, two lists start running through my head. A list of what I got done that day, and a list of all that I’m thankful for. I think I must have fallen asleep sometime during that list, because when I woke up today, before my alarm went off, that list kept going. My soft, warm bed. Fresh coffee brewing. A loving family. A supportive and thoughtful boyfriend. Friends who come to your rescue in a pinch. A growing business. The travel opportunities I’ve had lately. Christmas. A cousin who is pouring her heart and creativity into projects for me and my business. Being a part of a family who celebrates both Canadian and American Thanksgiving. And a God full of grace who knows better than I.
Read MoreWebsite in the Works
Here I sit in this cozy winter wonderland, my last day, working side by side with my dear cousin and awesome designer, Kelsey Loewen. I’ve been out in Rosenort, Manitoba this weekend to see family and work away on my website! And of course, get in a couple photo shoots. I’m so excited to share ALL of it with you! But that will wait for a least a little while…until then, there’s a sneak peek of my snowy shoot with Kelsey and her husband Chad on Facebook. As well, there is a little website preview on the right sidebar. The plan is have the website ready for launch in time for the New Year! So focussed. This was us, pretty much all weekend long…we decided we get much more work done when working together… From having just returned from Hawaii, the drastic change in climate was…drastic. But lucky me, I got to experience both summer and winter at their finest, all in a matter of a couple weeks. And now I’m good to go and feeling festive for the Christmas season! Plusssss! Stay tuned for a super exciting announcement this week!
Read MoreAutumn Styled Bridal Shoot
It’s been a goal of mine to connect with other local wedding vendors, and also gain further wedding photo experience. I first blogged about it here. Last month everything came together to reach and work toward these goals. And in the process, have a fabulous time doing so, working with A LOT of talent, found in some amazing women! It started with an idea and one by one, the pieces that made our shoot successful materialized. First of all, I was SO thrilled to have Colleen Sawatsky of Vintage Home come on board with her designer touches and eye for fabulousness. She was able to pull my ideas that were dancing around in my head and make them come to life. A styled wedding shoot wouldn’t be complete without some sweet treats…Whitney Barkman, my sister and student at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, whipped up these pretty concoctions. On the menu? Macaroons with raspberry ganache, and chocolate cupcakes and chocolate layer cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. Whitney has also started making specialty cakes and desserts for parties and events so shoot her an email if you want to advantage ;) whitney_barkman@hotmail.com Our bride and groom. Bethany and Derrick Swallow. I love them. Know why? Not only are they stunning and so in love you can feel it, they faced the morning’s bitter cold winds with grace and style. They were a dream to photograph… I was also lucky enough to get to work with Kari of Confetti Floral. Ohhh does she ever put together the most stunningly unique flower arrangements! It was so fun planning with Kari and Colleen, but honestly, I pretty much just sat there and took in their back and forth on colours, flower names and designer terms that were foreign to me. But it all sounded really good and sure enough, what they provided was nothing short of eye candy delightfulness. Kari puts so much heart and passion into her work. I’ve already told her that she’ll be doing my flowers one day! You can also find her here on Facebook. Ashley King of Wedded Bliss came out with her magic touch to add polished prettiness to our beautiful bride. Her on site services include a fabulous hair and makeup team. Check out her website for the details and more of her work, and find her on Facebook here. More of Colleen’s wonderful pieces that you can rent for your special occasion… Of course, a major task was to find…
Read More101 List: #7 Watch the sun rise and sun set in the same day
The alarm went off at an inappropriate hour for a vacation. It was dark as night as we drove through Honolulu to the famed Diamond Head volcano for our sunrise hike. We joined a long line of others for the steep climb and countless steps and when we got to the lookout where we watched the sky become brighter and brighter, I was happy to be half way to crossing off one more item from my 101 in 1001 list. And to have such willing and enjoyable company to share it with :) Not a bad way to start a day…a workout with a killer view followed by our routine breakfast of Jamba Juice and Starbucks, and walk to the beach :) To wrap it up and officially check off #7 from the list, we caught the sunset as well…we waved hello to the Waikiki beach web cam to family who knew we’d be there, and then they watched as we watched the sun go down… More 101 posts to come!
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