Blue skies and a wild bride. A great combination. Leah and Mikes engagement session lead Leah to climb out on fallen trees 20 feet in the air, so it was no surprise that she was completely thrilled to kick off her shoes and jump into the sea on her wedding day. Congratulations Leah and Mike!!
I believe this one was pure elation at how great the cold ocean felt on her feet!
I knew there would be a time, when it all came together for me. This post will likely be misinterpreted, but, really…. oh well.
Thoughts about weddings that should never be written, by a photographer. Especially by a wedding photographer. Thoughts that I’ve had, and felt and known all along.
It’s no secret that I am lucky enough to be able to make my living on photography, and on wedding photography. The secret is maybe that I really don’t ultimately care a whole lot about details. I mean, I love flowers. I love the little things, I do love details… I just don’t love them, when they don’t really mean anything. Is that wrong? Maybe not, should I admit it… probably not. But, I would be a fraud if I only said what I thought people wanted to hear. Truth be told, that’s just not how I roll. What I know for sure now, more than ever. Is that the whole reason, I truly love my profession. My craft. Has very little to do with expensive shoes, and fancy rings and wildly decorated venues. (Although granted they can make the shoot fun and interesting to photograph)
The reason I stay up late, get up early, work all day and at times neglect my own personal life…has everything to do with love. Real love, and the inspiration in finding that love within my couples, my families and everything around me. Not to mention the intense gratification I feel when my images mean something to someone. Not to mention being surrounded with what I find beautiful all the time.
Expensive things, although they may be crafted beautifully and contain luxury and exude richness, are nothing more than expensive things.
You can set the scene perfectly, have all of the best things around you, the most expensive venue, the best food, the most exquisite music. However, if the love is missing. The whole thing is dangerously, just wrong. The kind of thing that should be the most important about a wedding should be the love. Hands down. Without question.
Every single one of these images are unscripted. There is nothing fake about these two. It took them a long time to find each other in this life, but when they did… magic. To me, although there is intense beauty in struggle and the courage to overcome barriers. There is also, something to be said about effortless beauty, and love.
I am so honored to have photographed another wedding from one of my favorite families on the planet. The Black Family oozes love and meaning like no other. From the necklace handed down from generations with the little card from Grandma Win stating “May love and happiness go with whomsoever wears this pendant”, to having photographs on the exact spot Tara’s parents were married 37 years prior, to driving the car that her parents drove on that day, to the heirloom pinned on the inside of the dress…
Real stories, create real moments. Real moments, create the most inspiration, and to me… the most amazing photographs.
Tara and Glenn, inspiring.
Obviously having a miserable time.
The following image, during Tara’s Vows…
“I will be by your side, looking with you towards our future; the future that we create together.”
Melts me.
A proud father of the bride, warmly welcomes his second son in law to the family.
After the ceremony, while everyone else was scurrying around for family photos… Tara and Glenn, oblivious to it all. Perfect.
Of course I snuck in with the fabulous Black sisters
I am only able to post this because it is equally hilarious and unflattering of all four of us!
Taras parents were married @ The Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver, so naturally we ventured there for photos.
Reception held at Grouse Mountain. What a view.
Tara looking so peaceful on the gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain.
We snuck off for some more images on top of the world.
Heartfelt emotional and hysterical speeches.
May we all be so lucky.
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
Before I get sidetracked with another 2 weddings this weekend, I must share a bit of Larissa and Jordan with you. Their wedding was held at The Filberg grounds, and reception followed at Crown Isle, in Comox BC.
My words right now are few… but the images hopefully will tell the story for me.
A stunning an instant favorite capture by my fabulous assistant/design genius Shannon. What would I do without you???
Fabulous Vintage Bikes
And converse sneakers
And what may be my favorite wedding party shot ever.
What a beautiful day!
I have so much to share. I have no idea how to get it all on here!
A really awesome post containing images and story (history really) of a long line of photographers in my family. Of which I was unaware!!
Then we have a gorgeous family, a wonderful couple, a recent grad, and a new baby…. 2 weddings…
So… lets start with Saturday’s wedding.
Katie and Kyle.
The girls getting ready consisted of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. The guys getting ready? KFC and Lucky. Hilarious and very entertaining!
Katie looked at me, and said when I arrived “You can fix this right” (the pouring rain) My response, “Absolutely I love it. It doesn’t even phase me”.
In fact, these days rain + wedding= inspiration overload. If you can deal with a bit of dirt on the dress, a bit of water… well, I’m in. I’m your gal.
It was sprinkling with rain, then it was pouring, then it was really pouring. Then it was silver light and dramatic clouds and a bit of blue sky. None of it could have been more perfect. In my mind, if I can feel the rain, it means I am alive. If I am alive, I have the opportunity to create. If I can create, anything is possible.
And besides, if there is no rain, there is no dramatic clouds or light. If there is no dramatic clouds or light… life is no fun. Here are a few of my favorite images from Saturday.
Katie has a radiant smile. Truly.
Kyle
and Katie.
