Erin Wallis Photography Blog

Favorite images.
What makes them a favorite. Why do they stand out {to me} {to you}. Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly why an image speaks a little stronger than the others. For the most part, I have images that I love from the moment they appear in my camera, then later on in my computer screen. I instantly connect with something about them.

In any favorite photograph it might be a quiet about it, a sweetness, maybe the light, the colors, the feeling. The people always draw me in as well, their stories, their connections and passions. Or it could be the wind, the movement, the joy, swollen anticipation or emotions… but it’s always about some breathtakingly beautiful… stolen moment. Frozen in time.
I have favorites from 2011.
Here are some.

Why not get married on Vancouver Island!?! Vancouver Island is amazing place with countless wedding venues. I’ve been a part of many weddings all over Vancouver Island and have fallen in love with a few locations for various different reasons. I think it’s about time I shared. Here are my favorite Vancouver Island Wedding Venues. (Click on the resort/venue name to take you directly to their website)

Of Course, Dolphins Resort in Campbell River (images below). I’ve posted about it countless times, but it is truly warm, rustic and charming. Cozy little cabins, breathtaking views and delicious food… not to mention a staff that are excited to make your wedding dreams come true.
Shelter Point Whiskey Distillery has recently started catering to weddings and it is an amazing and unique venue for a Vancouver Island wedding.

How about a backyard of a historic Heritage house along the Campbell River? Haig Brown House might be more your style.

You may like another heritage site in the beautiful Comox Valley, The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park where deer roam freely, and the quiet beauty of the park will immediately make you feel at home.

You may be looking for something more raw. More wild. More remote. Another favorite is The Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet. It’s beautiful setting overlooking the wild west coast waters makes this venue somewhere I always look forward to visiting and shooting. It’s cliff side hiking trails, beach access and beautiful rooms make me happy!

Maybe you want to go to Hornby Island? The Seabreeze Lodge might just steal your heart. Private and picturesque bring all of your favorite people here and celebrate all weekend long. Maybe you want your wedding photos at one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been?? Helliwell Park.

Another gem is Strathcona Park Lodge, just outside of Campbell River. I love the rustic setting, the countless outdoor adventures the beautiful light and the incredibly sweet old Barn that can be seen here set up for a reception.

Love the mountains? Get married at Mt.Washington. Getting married on what a mountain top has never been better.

I had never been here until this year, but then had the great fortune of photographing two weddings here. Hatley Castle is simply divine. Get married in a castle??? on in Victoria, Vancouver Island??? OK.

I just need to say something… My 2011 WEDDINGS ROCK!!!

I loved her from the first email. Sweet, charismatic and outgoing. Awesome.
Jacquie and Pat are warm, fun, engaging and they just make you want to be around them, not to mention both totally gorgeous.
You two make my job so easy!
Being together twelve years has created an amazingly effortless connection between the two of them. You take one look at them and instantly think….of course they are together. They should be together. They are so natural, so comfortable. A beautiful thing.
Now you love them too, don’t you. I can’t wait to photograph their Pacific Shores wedding this summer. Admit it, you can’t wait either.

(Images Above… Kate and Sean. Gracefully easing me back into shooting a wedding not even three months after giving birth to Maisie Lu. No one’s wedding would have been a more perfect beginning to 2010)

This. Was. NOT. Easy.
Instead of doing a “Best of 2010″. I decided to do a “Favorites of 2010″ instead. This truly was not an easy task for me. I’ve chosen a selection from each of my 2010 wedding couples.

They are MY favorites. For a variety of reasons. My favorite characters, moments, smiles, tears, hugs, emotions and light. Going back through each and every wedding, I am quickly reminded of what I saw, who I connected with… what my 2010 was all about.

I’ve sat here speechless for the past few days looking through all of my 2010 wedding images. I remember what I was thinking when I drove up to each and every one. I remember where Maisie was. (Hotel rooms, with Bryce at the wedding, with Bryce at home, at grandparents etc) I remember it all.

Yes. There is something beautiful about being in the moment and looking to the future, but at times equally as profound can be reflecting on where you’ve come from.

Who’s touched your life, and who’s life you may have touched. What moments I’ve recorded. Witnessed. Shared.
The decision was solidified.

I give you my favorite wedding moments of 2010.

Heidi and Danen.
We laughed, and laughed, and at one point, I even told Danen that I should be paying him for his “artistic direction”. Heidi saw my new mommy face and being the seasoned professional of two babies herself, she said… “call. Go ahead, call all you like, I don’t mind. Just call and make sure she’s ok” I didn’t call… but I did text. Heidi, you are wonderful! I miss you guys!!!

Jeremy and Bridget.
Ultimate confession time!!! Their wedding wasn’t blogged. Yes, I know… amazing friends, beautiful wedding… no blog??? Urg! I HAD A NEWBORN BABY!!! Please, go easy on me! I wasn’t sleeping!!! There are so many images from their incredible day that I am so in love with. Being the amazing friends that they are, I was hoping they’d understand my trying to balance a baby and a wedding season. They did. I love them for it. But, I am thrilled to now, share a few of my favorites from their day.

Alicia and Mark.
Cape Mudge on Quadra Island was a perfect venue for these truly sweet souls. I loved being a part of your moments, and feeling all of the emotions right along with you all. Such an exquisite day.

Ana and Aaron
A wedding out of my Vancouver Island element, in Stanley Park, Vancouver… proved to be one of the most beautiful steps out of my comfort zone. Thank you both, for trusting and believing in me.

Leah and Mike
A wild crew, a fast tide, and a whole lot of fun. The highlight for me was Leah, without question leading her bridesmaids into the sea for me.

Natalie and Mike
A gorgeous Cortes Island wedding full of favorite images. But, Natalie and Mike’s twins were truly the highlight for me. Their spirits light, sweet and brilliant. I am always honored to watch children witness their parents be married.

Jeanine and Bryce
I also didn’t get a chance to blog this beautiful wedding at Dolphins Resort in Campbell River this year. The venue stunning, the wedding party perfect and the babies adorable! I loved watching Jeanine’s mom and dad (who I’ve known forever) gaze lovingly and proudly at their baby girl getting married.

Shevaun and Rod
I would never pass up an opportunity to re-visit the Bird residence on Quadra Island. A perfect setting for another love infused day. My favorite part of their day was seeing the connection between them, and seeing them smile all day long.

Crystal and Evan
A rainy Quadra morning was the perfect day for Crystal and Evan to get married. Crystals grandpa might just be the best guy you’ve ever run across. He and I engaged in a ceremony ‘shoot off’ was definitely a favorite moment of mine. Full of meaning and thought, and inspiration, this wedding… was a highlight of my entire summer.

Michelle and Jeff
Seeing a new mom and dad with their little baby… heaven. I loved watching the love spiral between this gorgeous bunch.

Cathy and David.
It was just them. It was another highlight for me. Quiet. Serene and oozing with magic, I was honored to be a witness.

Mel and Larry.
So much can be said. I LOVE YOU MEL. As if you aren’t the most wild, caring, thoughtful, WILD, awesome gal ever. I showed up to photograph her wedding and she had a gift for my baby… “um… HI.. I’m about to spoil you rotten with wedding photos”. Now that’s a way to make your photographer step it up a notch! All joking aside, she has contagious enthusiasm and just makes you want to give her anything, and more!

Meg and Troy
My baby cousin and her wonderful fella. The light was perfect, the couple blindingly in love, and everyone there was GORGEOUS. An amazing Victoria wedding. Love you guys.

Heather and Andy
Their Mayan Riviera wedding couldn’t have been an ounce more perfect, or more them. It was exactly as they wanted it to be, and I am always honored to share such intimate moments with such important people in my life.

Cherie and Jamie
I always love weddings at The Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, but this one was incredible. I instantly fell in love with Cherie, and her boundless spirit and ability to light up an entire room with her smile and laugh. It was full of awesome (and my sidekick Thelma, and our dogs came for a mini getaway to the resort, always a bonus).

Stacey and Eddie
The perfect ending to an amazing 2010 wedding season. For me, it wasn’t just a wedding season though. It was all intertwined with my memories of being a first time momma. All of it was challenging, but all of you, my cherished wedding couples and clients and friends, made it all extraordinary. A perfect end to it all, of course is in Maui, with Stacey my pregnancy buddy, and Eddie.

I can only hope that 2011 will be as amazing.
Thank you all for joining me on the ride.

Of course, there is no way I could choose only twelve images from my 2009 wedding season. So, here are twenty of my very favorites. But the problem is, there are so many more. Maybe another post another time full of more.. but, for now.. Here are twenty of my favorites.

It was an amazing year, full of truly beautiful people. Not only typically beautiful, but people with the most beautiful hearts, amazing personalities, oozing with creativity, love and soul. Thank you all for such an incredible year.

On a cans for comments note….
So the wonderful Tara Lewis steps up to match my donations, and then… I receive this comment from a big heart named Simone.
“I was so inspired by Tara’s generosity as well, that my family and I will also be matching your final contribution to the food bank. It is such an important lesson to share with our children. The true giving spirit. Thank you Erin and Tara for the inspiration. As always Erin, your work is impeccable.”

Now you tell me that people aren’t wonderful! Be sure to do something awesome this year, something extraordinarily kind or giving. If you already do, may the world shower your generous heart with love. If you don’t normally get into giving… Be wild! Be awesome! Share the love! Do something kind! Give money, if you can, if you can’t, donate your time your energy and your spirit. It will make you better. Happy Monday everyone!

****Remember until December 10th 2009, your comments= cans of food being donated to our local food bank… so be sure to leave a comment! Its an awesome way to give a little blog love and in return, I’ll give a little food bank love. A wonderful thing!****