Shannon said to me today, “there is patience in creativity”. Patience up to a point. It was 11.11.11. It doesn’t happen often, in fact, only once every one hundred years. Today was that day. The weather way grey. There was a scheduled shoot that needed to have the time changed, there was our window. Of course, Shannon was up to it and off we went, armed with canvases and driftwood easels and a laundry basket full of clothes and cameras. It was pouring. We sat in the truck for an hour. Both somewhat resigned to the idea that the shoot wasn’t going to happen. I was discouraged, but it was ok.

She got out of the truck to take her dog out for a minute and the next thing I knew, my door was flung open and she was yelling at me “this is our window! Louise! Get out of the truck.” She was pulling canvases out of the truck and within minutes we were on the beach in the first dry 10 minutes out of hours of rain. These images were created in 15 minutes, and then… it started to pour again, and us… as always dragging sandy canvases and gear off the beach laughing trying to keep everything dry. I will treasure them always, for the memories and for the painfully inspired manor in which it always comes together.

A few days ago I was feeling disheartened. Uninspired. Just a tiny bit.. blahhh about photography. I shot two amazing sessions yesterday and two again today. My advice to anyone who feels this way, is to keep working. Keep creating. Push through the uninspired and reach through and be inspired again. Don’t sit around and wait for it. Just listen to your muse, and carry on. Keep shooting. Keep creating. Keep going. I choose painfully inspired any day.
Thank you Thelma for always being ready for anything.
Friends, I promise…. Anything is possible.

I’ve always favored the sea. Loved the smell, the depth, the movement. Have lived close to, or lived on it. It only seemed right, that Maisie should touch the sea before she touched the earth.

When you become someone’s mom, you instantly understand why she worried so much. Why she cared so much. Why she cried when you hurt yourself, or worse.. when you hurt someone else. Why she missed you when you flew away on airplanes to chase dreams on cruise ships. Why she was proud. Why she laughed at your lame jokes, why she bragged about your ‘sports award’ in grade 4, and why she was so upset when you died your hair, got tattoos, crashed cars, drank too much, acted wildly. You immediately understand why it hurt so much when you told her “I hate you, I wish you weren’t my mom” when you were little (or not so little).

Everything makes sense. You wish you maybe had realized what being a mom to someone really meant a whole lot sooner, and maybe could have been a bit easier on your own mom along the way. You may have hugged her more and been more patient. You might think about the years of her life she gave up, so you could be a healthy, loving, kind human being. You may think about how her body would never be the same, all because she wanted to give you life. You may even think about her sleepless nights feeding you, loving you, singing and rocking you back to sleep. You might think about what she sacrificed, now that you’ve made some of the same sacrifices. You may understand that she really doesn’t want anything in the world more, than for you to have the most magic life you could ever imagine. You may feel like mothers day is not just another day. It may be a reminder for you to take a moment and do some thinking, and remembering and honoring.

I’m not sure if its the same for everyone. But for me, this little being has rocked the very core of my being into remembering that I didn’t just magically appear here on earth.

My mom brought me here. Aches, pains, labor, delivery, growth charts, doctors visits, sleepless nights. She made me. Raised me. Taught me to see beauty, everywhere. Infused my soul with a deep appreciation for life, for love and instilled the most important trait of all in me… compassion. I didn’t just magically arrive here. In fact, I’m pretty sure without her… I would have never even existed. All of this means a whole lot more now that I look over and see my own little girl sleeping soundly, sweetly. In fact, everything means more now.

Mom, I love you. I understand what you went through to create me, I am forever grateful.

In the initial glance at an image, what do you see.
Perhaps there are fun props, quirky poses, something beautiful. Maybe you don’t know why you like the photo. You just do. I’m not really one for fuss. I don’t really like using a lot of props or things in photographs. I like spirit. I thrive on emotion. I love seeing behind the image, what is really in that photo. Because really, there isn’t much chance in any single moment of seeing nothing in life. If you are seeing nothing… it is my humble opinion that you are missing a whole lot.

There is substance in everything. There is a story everywhere, in everything. In every molecule, every moment, there was something before it. Or some path that lead it to right now. You have a story, and many of them. I may not know what it is when I first set out to photograph you, but I’ll see it somewhere along the process. Or I’d like to think that its possible to catch a glimpse of your story in your eyes, in your silence, in your movements on your own and then how you move with your man/lady/child/mother/sister. We are all full of tightly woven sinews, all connecting us together inside ourselves as well as those stories fusing every single one of us all in a closely knit and intricate labyrinth.

I am somehow connected to you. Right now, you reading my watery words… me typing them from my laptop, feet up, reclined… baby wiggling away inside my belly. Listening to nothing but the wind howl through our fireplace, I contemplate what’s behind an image. You, wherever you are, which ever screen you are perched at in whatever part of the world. Reading these words. Maybe there are ten of you. Maybe only one. But somehow, something has brought us together. Be it only in the vast world of cyberspace, for this moment. Our stories have met.

When I look back at a few of these photos from the past, I see what I saw in that moment. In whatever fleeting moment was occuring, I am right back there. What I find most interesting, is to wonder.. what you see? Is it different from what stories I see, or feel or wish to feel. Do you see behind the image? Or is it just a nice photo. Is there anything compelling about it to you? What is it? I’ll likely never know. But I will leave you with a few of the images that I truly love. Mainly because of what lies behind the photo. Maybe you see it too?

The header image and the ones here, was a vision I have had for ages. I wanted something that was different from a usual headshot of myself. I wanted to portray who I am, what I do, and how very precious my images are to me. To capture my photos, my canvases, my art, my soul, in amongst the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.

I conveyed my vision to the ever amazing Shannon Andrews, (my incredibly talented sidekick/graphic designer/artist). Unsure how to prop up all of the photos, I didn’t want real easels (however that was my original thought) So, Shannon proclaimed, ‘we can make driftwood easels’. Surely my crafting abilities would not create something like this? But of course, Shannon can do basically anything, and in one night with the help from her ‘crazy with a drill’ helper Ryan… they created me the most beautiful, rustic display easels made with driftwood from right here in Campbell River.

We were ready for action. These images were created near Oyster River in Campbell River. With my wild vision, and Shannon behind the camera. Here is what we created for my updated website and blog. Thank you Ryan and Shannon for all of your help!

All of the old post images will have to stay the same size, unfortunately I just can’t justify the millions of hours it would take to resize each and every one of the thousands of images that are already on here. But, all posts from here on in, will have these gloriously larger images. Fabulous.

Of course, as usual, none of this would be possible without Jeremy Latham Thank you for everything.

There are many beautiful gifts in this world. They come in the most amazing packages, and at times, exactly when you need it.

What I find amazingly rewarding, is to witness, and be apart of one of the most beautiful gifts of all, laughter. Where there is laughter there is joy, freedom, and most importantly there is hope.

In my travels, and right here at home…I have learned that not all childhood is bright, sunny and full of happiness. Sadly, so many children are not smiling, or laughing. So, when I can witness children exploding with joy… well that my friends is pure happiness.

This session originates from the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s need for images. I’ve partnered with them to create a bit of a stock library for their fundraising materials, brochures documents, etc… I’ve had a long and profound connection with the foundation because of my Uncle Michael’s early loss of life because of CF. Also the long and beautiful relationship with the Black Family.

In any case, I’m always thrilled to do whatever I can, and I love this cause!!! The Campbell Rivers annual Rod Brind’Amour Golf Classic is also coming up, and if you have anything you would like to donate, to the silent or live auction, or wish to help out in any way, please do not hesitate to contact them.. HERE!

Now! The sun is shining… that is my cue… Have an amazing weekend everyone!
Thanks always, for all of your love and support, your comments make my day ALWAYS!

And go on, have a laugh, you’ll feel better!

I LOVE shooting weddings in the not so busy season.
Talk about being excited to shoot a wedding. I was vibrating, ready to create art! Ready to see magic, and to let it seep through my cameras, and through my bones. I was ready, delighted by the chilly March air, the beautiful bursts of sunlight, and the giant fluffy clouds. I was compelled by the sweet, and lovely bride, and moved by the handsome and gentle groom.

I am so lucky to have such fabulous people in my world.
I truly couldn’t imagine doing anything different with my time, my life, or my energy.
Amazing.

Thank you both so much for inviting me into your world and trusting me with your wedding photographs. What beautiful people you are, and what beautiful people surround you as well.
Here is what I saw.


I love this image, the long winding road, the tone, the way they are walking…