Erin Wallis Photography Blog

The other day I was trying to write a new bio. Lets face it, everyone writes their own bio. I’m not fooling anyone. Mine has been the same on my website since the beginning of time. It’s time for change. Clean slate.

So, good… decision made, new bio. Ok great. Now what. The cursor blinking rhythmically on the blank screen in front of me.

Who am I? Why am I Erin Wallis. What makes me, me. Oh lord, someone help me. Lets face it, writing your own bio is not fun, cool or awesome. If you love writing your bio, you are clearly crazy. Where do I start? Erin Wallis is a photographer. Erin Wallis is a new mom to a little girl, Maisie. Erin Wallis was pregnant last year, used to work on cruise ships, used to lifeguard, used to teach swimming lessons, at one point did volunteer work in South America. Does that make me Erin Wallis? Maybe what you’ve done can define you. The truth is, I think that where you come from helps define who you are in the present. A past can help define what you love, how you see, how wide or how small your view is. Yes, I believe that… but am I my past?

That last poor excuse for a paragraph is the reason why this process is so painful for me. I over think it. Instead of just spitting it out. What do you need to know about me? Better yet, what do you want to know about me? I have no idea. At the moment, I am sitting in my office in my beautiful studio behind my house, sun streaming in through the window. I have lulu’s on, flip flops with socks (NOT joking but no one was supposed to see me and I certainly wasn’t supposed to announce it to the internet), I am listening to Adele, and drinking a latte. I’m dreaming up ideas about upcoming mini sessions, a new holiday card collection, about to continue editing and tying up loose ends from my last few weddings, all while Bryce is out in the sunshine with our little girl and dog. That is me, right now. So professional.

I’m not sure what might be interesting for a bio. But I do know me. Right now.
A little bit of the present, a little bit of the past wrapped up in a super quirky package. There you have it. Not that you’ve asked, but….

I am a firm believer that love is art, that anything is possible and that you have the ability to design and create your own life.
I have a peaceful heart.
I eat nectarines in the shower, oatmeal cookies in the bath, and love to walk my dog in the rain.
I live in a renovated 100 year old home. I like new houses, I just don’t want to live in one.
I like things with stories, be it an heirloom ring passed down from generations or a special stone found on a beach in your favorite far away land.
I’d rather something be “ugly” with an amazing story, than be “pretty” with no substance.
I love the sea.
I love to think that when I see a dragonfly float in the air around me, it is my old friend Mady paying me a little visit.
As a child, my favorite toy was a wooden Buddha doll. I brushed his teeth and he was my best friend.
I like beach fires, mermaids, sour candy, and veggies straight out of the garden.
When I was pregnant (last year) with my little girl Maisie, I saw rainbows everywhere.
Maisie is my little girl, a little peach and my kindred spirit.
Maisie’s daddy is my favorite man alive.
I have traveled all over the world, seen the Great Pyramids of Egypt, stood inside the Sistine Chapel, ate lunch outside the Eiffel tower, wandered through Monet’s garden and bought wool and wine in Chile. I’ve had coffee in Turkey, sat in massage chairs in Japan, and I once skipped out on visiting the Great Wall of China to buy the Soprano’s box set in a crazy seedy downtown Beijing market.
I like to think that the world is good, that my baby will one day sleep through the night and that my friends are also my soul mates.
I like fresh air, big skies and a room with a view.
I choose to see beauty everywhere.

Now, you try it! (but first, have a peek at my little peach, in a bucket)

Us. Self Timer. Coombs Market.

Just had to share an absolute favorite of my little peach, Maisie. Almost five months and beyond anything we could have ever imagined!

I will resume somewhat regular hours soon..ish.
There are a ton of blogs lined up, but I am enjoying some sunshine, time with my family, friends and am refueling my soul with all things necessary. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to take this time to soak up as many moments as possible.
If you are emailing me or calling me, thank you for your patience!! I’ll be back!

It may not seem like a milestone. In 3 years, it may not even seem important.
Right now, to me… it is.

3 months ago little Miss Maisie took her first breath in this world. Wiggled inside of my belly one last time, and burst forth into this world. When I think about it now, it all seems surreal. Like it was someone else cursing being pregnant, uncomfortable, awkward, bigger than before. Like it was someone else sitting on that ball in our living room, breathing through contractions. Already, it seems like it wasn’t that bad.
Already a bunch of the weight of the pregnancy has melted away (I said a bunch… not all). All of you that gained 25 pounds and wore bikinis a minute after your babies… well… I am not you. But, I am in love with our little girl. Sleep, bah.. who needs it.

3 months ago, Maisie was born. I can’t say that I can pinpoint what changed. I can’t say, “yes, this is what is different”… but everything is different. I am no longer only me. I am me plus Maisie. Granted Bryce is a part of that we as well (and Franko of course) but, its something extraordinary to become more than just you. To give up yourself to be a we. Maisie is part of me. She just is. I’m not sure that will ever change.
3 months ago seems like a second ago, and a hundred years ago.

Soaking up as much as my baby girls rolls, and smiles, and bubbles and chatter as I possibly can. Not to mention shooting like crazy in between. More sessions will follow! I promise, (I am actually about 15 behind on posting, no lie)…but for now, I celebrate our little peach and her 3 months in the world.

I had so much fun dreaming up and creating a room for Maisie! I just thought I should share the finished product with you.

A few years ago, I was blessed to come across the most amazing graphic design artist, who became an instant soul mate. Shannon now works with me and helps present my images in the very best way possible. I’m not joking when I say, everything she touches turns to art. She painted this amazing clothes line on Maisie’s wall, created the most amazing origami crane mobile and saved me from insanity the last few weeks of my pregnancy. You are beyond words! You can check out some of her designs HERE
My mom saved my very first pair of shoes. Just so happens they match the room perfectly and are so cute!!
Canvases make my world a happy place. The canvas seen here is my great grandma Maisie working along friends in a chocolate factory in Victoria B.C. I have loved that photo my entire life, and knew it would the perfect fit for baby Maisie’s room.
My dad on one of his many karate trips to Japan, brought me back this doll. I believe I was 10 years old? I’ve always loved it.

My amazing Auntie Diane made me this beautiful blanket. We are so lucky.
Out of all the dolls in the universe… I believe this one is the most amazing ever. Auntie Heather was so excited to spoil me, and Maisie. This Elfin doll is beyond anything. It is so beautiful, quirky, unique and awesome! Hand made, each patch a different texture. Unreal. Thank you Auntie Heather!!! Maisie is so lucky to have you as an Auntie!

A girls gotta have a few special outfits (or more than a few)
My Auntie Marie gave me a piggy bank when I was a baby, just so happens, it matches perfectly in the room as well!
And what post is complete without a little image of Maisie herself. This was when she was all of 5 days old. She has grown so much since then already! Happy Tuesday to all!