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?

Remember Jessica and Roger?
Amazing couple, visibly wrapped up in each other. Neither nervous. Both ready.
Their wedding, August 8 2009. A beautiful day.
Here is how I saw it.
Getting Jessica into her dress…

Love this photo of Jess trying so hard NOT to cry.

There just so happened to be some amazing old cars outside…

Where was Roger during all of this?

Then on to the ceremony site.

Love this image of Jess pulling up to the ceremony site.

Jessica and her mom, walking towards the isle.

Love how sweet this image is. Look how thrilled the little guy is!

Magic oozes when you get these two on their own!

I’ll leave you with one of my favorites to end the post off with.

(I’m going for a post a day this week… we’ll see how that goes)

I was always snoopy… loved digging through my grandmas treasure trunks downstairs, to find old photos and ancient family relics… I love nothing more than seeing beautiful images of my grandmother in her youth, her beautiful brown hair, dark eyes, and chic clothing. I can’t help but think about Krystle’s (possible) grandchildren one day coming across these images of their grandmother! AMAZING!!!!

These shoots usually start off being about creating saucy images of yourself to give to a well deserving partner… but ladies, I’ve got to tell you… these sessions are always LIBERATING, often ending up being more about you having images of your self to look back at and feel good about, later on in life.

Everyone generally starts off shy, timid, self-conscious and by the end of it, anything is possible. Clothes flying and sauciness lingering around. It always ends up being a fun, wild, and at times hilarious session that I cherish being a part of.

I tend to believe that it is my duty as a photographer to ensure that you are captured in the most beautiful way, the light, the angles, and the non existence of a double chin. It is certainly a passion of mine, to help you look your best in your images, to bring out the beauty that I see in you. I love nothing more, than someone saying “HOLY!!! Is that me?!” Anything that can boost ones self image, and create a bit of love and laughter without hurting anyone in the process, is a good day for me.

Happy Monday everyone, may it involve a bit of coffee and a lot of sunshine.

Forever ago I met an incredible little girl.
That little girl turned into an astoundingly beautiful, warm, determined, unique, radiant, compassionate and AMAZING woman. She got married on August 23, and I was honored to be a part of it all.
Kim and her entire family are some of my favorite people on the planet. They all ooze wonderful things. Happiness, joy, deep strong bonds, and connections, they are honest, kind and so totally giving and loving.

I grew up beside them in Campbell River, and was so deeply moved when Kim based her entire wedding day around my availability!!! There were so many moments when I could barely see through the lens, as tears welled up in my eyes… The most moving? Maybe when Kim held up her heirloom necklace worn by generations of women in her family on each of their wedding day, maybe when Kims mom burst into tears, while telling Kim of a charm she was about to sew into her dress, that was given by Kims grandfather to her late grandmother Win on their 50th wedding anniversary (not a dry eye in the house).

Perhaps my favorite was when Kims dad took a deep breath and walked his daughter down the isle, you could almost see him become incredibly present, as he looked over at her, and put his hand on top of hers…. maybe the vows, the song, the fixed up family volvo that Kims parents drove on their wedding day, the weather that was 90 percent chance of RAIN… with nothing more than a few drops as the ceremony ended. Maybe James face when he saw Kim walking down the isle… maybe it was James’ simple and moving vows. It could have been the amazing bagpipes courtesy of Cameron Stewart…Or possibly how when Kim spoke during the reception, she thanked people… not like it was a list to get through… but with every ounce of her heart. What a gorgeous day.

I spent many of my childhood days laughing with all of the fabulous Black family and was just so deeply honored to have been a part of Kim and James’ wedding day. Just look at how radiant Kim is in every single photo. Look how calm James appears, and then check out what the magic created when we were left alone for their intimate images after the ceremony. Goosebumps, romance, laughter, tears, and a whole vast array of emotions made this day something incredibly special.

I wish you both many many years of love and continued joy.
May you two continue to make music together. Always.

My wonderful assistant Shannon caught this moment during the ceremony!!!

An overwhelmed flower girl…

Our local celebrity and amazing hockey legend Rod Brind’Amour gives Kim a hug after the ceremony.

Love this image of Kim delivering her soulful speech.

I used to work as a lifeguard/swimming instructor.

I would end up at the pool, irritated to be getting into my bathing suit, dreading the cold unfriendly water. Pick up my clipboard, scramble together a lesson plan and head down the deck begrudgingly. In every instance, no matter how bad my day had been, regardless of what kind of foul mood I was in at the time… as soon as those little people saw me, and started chirping in “hi teacher” with their ears poking out of their swim caps, goggles too big and crooked… it would have been inhuman not to brighten up. It was impossible to be cranky with 5 year olds eager to learn, eyes wide with excitement and anticipation. I would crack, smile and even laugh.

They got me. Every time.

My swim instructing days are long since over, and I often missed the innocence and pure beauty that kids bring to the world. How fitting then, that I photograph children now on a regular basis.

Yesterday I was having a bad day, one of those days. I was trying to pull myself around, pull my boots up… when along came Meigan and it all melted away. What a gorgeous little creation. What a joy to photograph. I hope you enjoy a few of my favorite images of a spirited, wonderful child, who in a blink of the eye, melted away any negativity and made me forget all about myself.
What a fabulous job I have, and no, I don’t miss the pool.