Erin Wallis Photography Blog

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.

Its been a busy winter. Full of change, inspiration and all kinds of magic.
Its been my pleasure and honor to be photographing beautiful bellies and the incredible miracles that they produce. Here are a few of my recent maternity/newborn shoots.

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.