Erin Wallis Photography Blog

She was composed, calm and serene. “Ready and excited to marry Chris” she said.
He was ready and nervous, being harassed by his groomsmen who were all wishing they had printed their speeches earlier (when they had a printer around).
“I’m going to cry” he said.

I was inspired before I even got to them, and was so excited to create images with them. “We get to make art today” I told Sara. It’s a beautiful thing.
He watched her walk down the isle with tears in his eyes and they exchanged heartfelt, emotional vows in front of all of the people who love them the most.
Vertical blinds leaking light, a rose garden, beautiful home, amazing old cars and big full dark rain clouds that waited to release the rain until my last portrait was taken (last one in series here).

In one word. Magic.
It was the perfect day for Sara and Chris to be married.
It just was..
May you two be surrounded by blessings, always.

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!****

A Vancouver Island wedding photographer, nears the end of a busy wedding season. Armed with her favorite cameras, lenses and a kick a$%$ assistant, she boards a ferry to Quadra Island, then another to Cortes Island.

She tries not to complain, but is somewhat worn down. Pregnant. Emotional. Not feeling entirely herself. (Yes, I said pregnant) Tired. Suffering from a bad tummy and feeling nauseous. Trying desperately to shake it all off, and get down to brewing up magic images that will be different from the last wedding, from any wedding. She couldn’t shake it. Until meeting Lauren. Something happens, you can see everything lift off, evaporate into thin air… not thinking, not nauseous not even feeling odd. But better, vibrant and more alive. She is just better as the camera lifts to her face, and moments stand still within each frame. She can’t explain it. She doesn’t try. Just chooses to believe in the magic.

Lauren and Ben are from San Francisco, Ben spent every summer of his life on Cortes Island. His grand father built the church there. His intense connection to the place, the surroundings and the venue, made it completely meaningful, absolutely wonderful and inspirational. It is not easy co-ordinating a wedding on an island that takes two ferries to get to from Vancouver Island, especially when the majority of your guests are from San Francisco and everywhere but Vancouver Island. But, if you can pull it off… it is worth it.

Lauren oozed sweetness, warmth and has energy about her, that makes you want to be her friend instantly.
Ben has a calm, gentle, lightness to him, that you would also equally like to be around. The two of them together, effortless.
I believe there is something to be said about weddings with a lot of not only thought, but heart to them.

Lauren and Ben’s beautiful wedding, was exactly what I needed to fuel me up, and inspire me to finish off this wedding season with a bang. There are not a lot of weddings left for me this year. In fact, there are only five. But I believe now, after Lauren and Ben… I am ready to conquer the rest of them, with the same gusto, passion and spirit as if I were at the first one.

Here are a few of my favorites.
p.s… British Columbia… You are beautiful.

Ben and Lauren chose to have their portraits together before the ceremony, which I love. Here is Ben’s first look at Lauren

Don’t you just love them???

We prepare to go to the ceremony.

Waiting in the church that Ben’s grandfather built for the ceremony to begin, one of my all time favorite images was created.

The ceremony was so beautiful, intimate and full of emotion. Yes, I was crying… a lot.

Apparently Lauren and I weren’t the only ones with tears, love this image of Lauren’s wonderful mom caught up in the moment.

How radiant is Lauren?

I’ll leave you with a favorite of the newlyweds after the ceremony.

Hope your weekend is full of love.

I believe I’ve said this before, but look how beautiful British Columbia is! This is an image from Lauren and Ben’s most amazing wedding on Cortes Island this weekend. So many things about this wedding were so ‘right’ and I was truly honored to be a part of it! Here is one of my favorites from Friday on Cortes Island. More to come!

Okay, Auntie Marie, Karyn, Tara and mom… here is a new blog post!

Hopefully I will satisfy your photographic hunger with Rob and Veronica… and try and get a few more up here this week as well!

Its been an interesting few weeks. To be honest, I’ve wanted to be curled up in bed most of the time. (more on that later) I believe I’ve shot 20 weddings so far this season. Which means, I’m trying my hardest to stay rested and away from cameras as much as possible, until the next wedding… so I can stay fresh and full of creativity. So Sunday/Monday amounted to Bryce and I being the laziest I think we’ve ever even been. It was awesome. However, back to work today.

Meet Rob and Veronica. They booked me over a year and a half ago for their August 1st wedding. I was thrilled to be a part of it. They were all so much fun, had an amazing time laughing and making fun of each other and their happiness is infectious. What a great day!

Love this one of Veronica waiting to get into her dress.


A float down stairs

At Painters Lodge in Campbell River, Rob waits patiently.

Kisses for Veronica’s niece Sienna (who you may recall from this post)
A brief and intimate ceremony results in a happy bride and groom. Love this ‘just married’ image.

We snuck off for some wedding party shots, the guys… hilarious.

The ladies? Stunning.

Then we stow away with the newlyweds for some more intimate images of the two of them, on their wedding day.

And then, onwards to the reception held at Sequoia Springs Golf Course.
For some more wonderful moments.

A father/daughter dance that had me in tears (and Veronica too).

And I’ll leave you with this image of a beautiful bride on her wedding day.