Erin Wallis Photography Blog

Maybe a pretty person makes a pretty photo. Maybe the outfit or the hair or the colors makes the photo appealing. At first.

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?

So, I’m totally overwhelmed with both weddings I had the immense pleasure to photograph this weekend.
Totally overwhelmed.

Melissa and Dave were married in Campbell River on Saturday. They were a blog favorite according to all of you, and your wonderful comments on their amazing engagement session found HERE.

They are just, so…. timeless. They look like they stepped out of a movie, minus the acting. This is all real. They are real, their images are just so… pure, romantic and sweet.

For sure, weddings are more meaningful, when all of the details… are infused with meaning. When an old car used for the wedding, isn’t just any old car. But an inheritance from a cherished loved one, passed on.

Perfect. The day, was just perfect.
Melissa and Dave, you truly have something special between you two. I am humbled, honored and deeply moved to have been such an important part of your wedding.

Melissa’s grandfather was a pharmacist and her parents home is covered with the amazing containers. Stories. Everything has a story.


This next image is another fabulous shot by Shannon, my fabulous second set of eyes.

This image makes me think of Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Souls of her shoes”

I just love the movement in this image, and the sky.

A few of these images, but this one in particular makes me think of the Joni Mitchell song, A Case of You.
“Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
And you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet
I could drink a case of you darling
Still I’d be on my feet,
I would still be on my feet.”

I believe Melissa has one of the most beautiful faces I’ve ever photographed. Truly stunning.
Who knew Campbellton could be so beautiful

They truly are effortless together, a beautiful thing.

I’ll leave you with this image of the newlyweds driving away… and really, it may be top ten in my favorite book. This image, just screams COOL!

Thank you all for joining me along my journeys. ox