Erin Wallis Photography Blog

Girlfriends.

I’m not talking about the kind that come and go, the kind that you’re kinda/sorta friends with… I’m talking about the kind of friends that you’ll hold a certain bond with until, forever.

For my lil sisters grad present I couldn’t think of anything better than to put Kaylee and her pals in their grad dresses and let them loose in a field! I had a vision of just that a few years ago, and thought it would be a perfect way to commemorate the beauty of their friendship, and to wrap up their high school days together.

However, I didn’t realize that I was going to well up with tears while watching them all out there in the field, laughing, twirling, hugging, and being 18. It was for a number or reasons but mainly because I can relate, we all can… when something we love… comes to an end. With everything in life being so impermanent, I find it incredibly beautiful to think that these girls, bursting with youth and joy, and excitement for what their futures hold, will be able to look back on these photos one day… and think about what an incredible time in their lives it was.

What I was witnessing through my camera lens last Sunday night, was that high school had just ended for these girls, who have grown up together, who have shared ice cream and tears together. They have endured memorable teachers, hysterically funny moments, concerts, and even formed an undefeated dodge ball team (well ok not undefeated). These girls have curled each others hair, spent hours obsessing about relationships (with fellas, with parents, with teachers) they’ve comforted each other during times of loss, and sadness. They’ve been each others best friends since grade seven… and now, high school is over. Just like they never thought it would be.

So with happy/sad tears in my eyes, I photographed them being friends, none really knowing where their lives will take them, or how near or far away. I saw them being so beautifully pure, and only hope that they are able to bring that same joy and passion for life with them always.

Ladies, may you always carry sunshine right along with you. I wish you nothing but joy.

OH! The Places You’ll Go!!!

I am coming back to earth.
Slowly. After a very busy weekend.

The weekend began with my baby sisters graduation.

The same baby sister that I held for the first time two days before my 11th birthday.
The same one I used to ‘baby dance’ in front of the fish tank to get her to stop crying, the same one I used to sing baby beluga to RELENTLESSLY in more efforts to quiet her active vocal chords.

She was born with a perfect diamond of peach fuzz on her forehead. She hated when I french braided her hair (which was often) She did not like car rides, she was my favorite side kick. She cried for a month, and ripped my heart out when I left to work with Princess Cruises. She is the most sensitive human being I know. She has the bluest eyes, the biggest heart and has incredible dance moves. She brings laughter, joy and life to all of those around her (when she has had enough sleep) and is my favorite 18 year old ever.

18.
Graduating.

Her grad just made me cherish all of our 18 years of memories together, and look forward to many, many more.

I am incredibly grateful to see that my baby sister has grown into a wise, energized, comical, loving and kind human being (truth be known, she has been all of these things all along).

Congratulations Kaylee Marie! I love you more than anything.

My baby Sis and I

My idea of a vacation is this… The West Coast of Vancouver Island. I’m telling you, if you’ve never been here… you just should. There are beautiful places in the world. Seriously breathtaking places. But nothing is more humbling than being surrounded by the rough, rugged beauty of the west coast. It’s just something about the mountains, the waves, the tides, the sea otters, the bears, the islands, the streams, the waterfalls, the crisp morning air…. nothing makes me speechless like this place. Its either in your blood or it’s not. It’s in mine… Within moments of stepping onto the tin boat, and motoring out away from the dock… I could actually feel… stillness. Quiet. I was decompressing. I was not thinking. I was existing. I was alive. What a wonderful 3 days.

It doesn’t hurt that my good friends family has a float camp in Nootka Sound, one of the most magical places around. (which I feel incredibly lucky to be able to go to!) It is also equally wonderful that this good friend, has now become my fabulous graphic designer/assistant/savior/second me. We had been working hard, burning discs, tying up loose ends, organizing life… so a mini road trip (in fact annual now) was just what was needed to re-charge our batteries for a busy wedding season.

Here is my hopefully helpful list of…

“Seven things to consider when road tripping…”

#1. Carefully select co-pilot/tequila and old country tapes for cabin
#2. Bring a dog
#3. Ensure you can get to one of the most magical places on Vancouver Island
#4. Purchase $1 red hats at the first store you see, and wear them around joyfully
#5. Make fabulous meals. Eat them in incredible places (like uninhabited islands)
#6. Be prepared to laugh out loud, singing old country favorites like “don’t ask her on a straight tequila night”
#7. Recognize that you are NOT going to want to leave

He’s loved dogs since… forever.
Loved our dog Brandy that accidentally bit a little girl, and wound up on a ‘farm’… has begged for more family dogs ever after… no one would get him a dog.

He moved back to the Vancouver Island from far away baseball playing shores… and that’s when it started. The obsessive dog talk. Suddenly, he had the entire family convinced that we needed to buy a dog for our mom. I was apprehensive, as my mom had clearly stated that she did NOT want a dog. He was most certain, that she was delusional and really did want one.

He called me daily with dog finds, he texted me with every new breed, new location, new idea… he finally succeeded in convincing mom she wanted a dog. “ok” she said more confused than anything. He found the perfect dog…. he was going to get it for her… the phone calls stopped… no more texts… where did he go? Everyone thought he must have given up. I knew, however, that it was never about getting mom a dog. But more about filling a childhood dream, of a boy and his dog.

A week later, I got the call. He had driven to Gold River from Nanaimo (directly past our family home in Campbell River, Vancouver Island) picked out “Digsy” and knew instantly that he would NOT be dropping him off in Campbell River, but keeping him forever.

That’s the thing about boys and dogs, sometimes, it just makes sense for them to be together.

Often we get caught up. I get caught up in the whirlwind of life.
Thing move so fast, messages coming in, voicemails, call backs, drawbacks, driving here, running there…. Life isn’t prone to slow motion. Life doesn’t slow down, unless you do. Unless I do.

Sitting here at my computer desk, coffee already cold, sun streaming in through the trees… I meet up with my old friend Nostalgia. Periodically, unexpectedly, and often uninvited, we find ourselves face to face. Today it began with an email I got from a good friend and amazing artist Jennifer Jayden, which began with, “it’s been a while and although we haven’t chatted in ages you cross my mind lots”.

While looking back, I am brought to amazing memories of my days at sea. My time spent bobbing around the globe, bumping into so many incredible human beings, spending split seconds with people that seemed like an eternity. I’ve been revisiting photographs taken at the time, over the span of nearly six years of my life… one thing is brilliantly clear, I didn’t miss a thing. My dad once wisely wrote to me during my travels “soak it all up, Once gone. Gone.” And soak it up I did, as well as document it. All of it.

These images are not just travel images to me. They are a reflection of not only remembering the places traveled to… but more for the people who traveled there alongside me. Each image, brings back such a flood of memories, smells, tastes… brings back sailing into Venice for the first time with Sharon Stanley… “girl, you are going to freak out”. (and I did) Wandering around Santorini with Lucille, our hearts so full, I thought for sure there was no substance in the world that was strong enough to contain it. Running around at the Great Pyramids of Egypt with Paul, touring Barcelona with Irene. Halifax with Caro, Cassie, and Abri… Anguilla with Kim and Kim. The Caribbean with the Kim Miller… Papeete with Jen. Vietnam, China and Japan with Dave.

People have asked me where my favorite place has been, or which country was the best… and I do have my favorites, but most of the time its the memories that go along with the place, the people, the experience as a whole, and not just ‘the place’ that makes it so special.

In a place where life is just moving so fast, I often find it helpful to reflect on not only where I’ve been, but the intricate connections that have sustained and fueled me along the way. Here are a few of my most precious memories.

How did I end up with a website?
How did I end up with business cards?
How did I wind up with a blog?
The answer, is incredibly simple. Jeremy Latham.

I worked as a photographer on cruise ships for a number of years, not exactly as glamorous as I had invisioned, but completely worth every moment. Each contract would be between 6-8 months, and I would come home to Vancouver Island in the summers, photograph a few weddings, and head back out to sea for the winter months. Often when I would return home, I was unsatisfied with cruising, somewhat tired of the endless parties, the warm weather, exotic countries, and late night beverages on the outter decks of the ships (crazy I know).

Jeremy and I had already been friends for a decade. He knows me. He gets me. So one sunny summer afternoon in between contracts, I gave him a call. I noted that I wanted to do something different. Something else, something more. I was over ships. I was ready for change. I wanted him to design me business cards. He said no.
I begged him. He said no.
I didn’t understand his resistance.

Thankfully, he knew a whole lot more than I did about starting a business, with a background in marketing and all kinds of experience. He knew that what I needed was a website and then business cards could follow. In the beginning, my website consisted of 10 photos. It was simple… but it was exactly what I needed to get going, to start my business.

When I have a technical question, I call Jeremy.
When I have a business question, I call Jeremy.
When I go through a breakup, I call Jeremy.
When I need my website overhauled and updated, a new blog, more business cards, or new computers… yup, I call Jeremy.
I am lucky that his girlfriend is wonderful, and doesn’t mind my constant harassing. I also value that we’ve gotten to be closer over the years as well. So how fitting, that while staying with Bridget and Jeremy in Vancouver, while updating my website and creating a blog, I also photographed them as well!
Jeremy, you are such a valuable part of my life!

The last few weeks, my baby sister (who at 18 is no longer a baby) has been a part of an incredible musical theatre performance “Seussical” The musical is based on a series of Dr.Seuss stories, and is charged with quirky characters, vibrant colors and lots of fun!

Who knew that a handful of high school students, and a few choice teachers could create such magic.
Auditions started in September 2007, with approximately 50 students trying out for only 19 spots. The chosen 19 practiced 3 times a week for the following 6 months, twice weekly for choreography, once weekly for vocals. All of their dedication, certainly paid off!

Thursday night, I took my two nieces to the performance. At ages 8 and 5, I was really hoping they would be able to make it through without getting bored, or falling asleep! Near the end of the performance, the youngest looked up at me with a look of dread… “is it almost over” I thought “oh no, they didn’t like it” then she said… “I don’t want it to end!!!” ahhh, it was a success.
You know you’ve done something special when a 5 year old can sit on the edge of her seat, singing along to songs she’s never heard. You know you’ve got a hit when an 8 yr old comes out saying… “Auntie Erin, I think they are right… when they sang that song that said… think how lucky you are.. we are really lucky, aren’t we.” We most certainly are!

I can promise you, that my high school grad class could have never pulled something like this off.

The shows were sold out for their 6 performances, with 176 seats each night! I believe they could have sold out for another few weeks. You could feel and see the amount of hard work, dedication, passion and heart everyone had for the project. What an amazing, talented and creative group of kids. What a wonderful performance. I cant stop thinking that in a world of instant messages, and instant gratification… how blessed we are that there are still incredibly talented human beings out there, willing to work hard and share their gifts with us all.
How lucky we are.

Thank you to everyone involved and for Timberline for putting on such a wonderful performance, and for letting me see my baby sisters theatrical talents soar!

It’s been a good few years…

With an updated website, a new blog, rejuvenated creative energy and a sunny disposition, I am ready for another exciting wedding season!

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, a lot of breathing, and not to mention a lot of living, and I’ve come up with one thing that I know for sure.

I am grateful, for everything, always.

I feel so lucky to love what I do and have others reciprocate the feeling. I am overwhelmed and in disbelief at the emotional response people have been displaying for my photographs, but it makes me believe, that I’m doing something right…that I’m on the right track. Looking through past client emails, I was shocked by one underlying, and humbling fact…I’M MAKING PEOPLE CRY!

“I feel like crying!”
“Almost got a little teary eyed…ok i lied, there were tears!!”
“I just wanted to cry!”
“You brought tears to my eyes (of course, good tears)”
“they almost made me cry just looking at them.”
“and you actually made me cry!!!”

I’m making people cry?!

Now granted, normally that’s not a good thing to do. Nobody wants to be the person to make others cry, we learned that early in life! But good tears, happy tears, I think are much different. Happy tears are ok. I am grateful. Always.

So to open up my shiny new blog (courtesy of the incredible Jeremy Latham, without whom, I’d be unsuccessful - without a website, blog, or even business cards). I’d like to thank you all for visiting, for joining me on my photographic journey, for supporting me, for believing in me and share some of my favourite wedding images from 2007. I look forward to sharing many more from 2008.