Sarah and Blake

There is so much to say about Sarah and Blake. I fell in love with her instantly. So caring and sweet and just oozed warmth. When we met, I saw how amazing her and Blake were together. Just so natural together, and so much fun. A few things were clear to me immediately. These families knew the real value of life, and are experiencing some really challenging circumstances, but were determined to make their event special for everyone involved. Knowing the sensitivity of their situation, I don't think I've ever cried harder during a father daughter dance. Completely unprofessional tears, huge ones, rolling down my cheeks. Just knowing how much all of these images mean to this beautiful family makes me so grateful for a profession that allows me to creatively and passionately capture moments that can never be replaced. I am so humbly grateful to have been invited into your beautiful wedding at Crown Isle Resort in Courtenay, BC.

On the morning of their wedding, there was sunshine clear skies and a half an hour before the ceremony it started to rain. Many couples would have freaked out, had fits... been upset. Sarah and Blake may have been a little disappointed to not have the ceremony outside, but you'd never know. I am a west coast girl. Have photographed likely over half of my fabulous wedding couples in the POURING rain (I will do a post eventually with my rainy day favorites just to prove it) Of course it is easier to photograph in the sunshine, or clear skies... but a little rain (or a lot) guarantees you get some unique moments! I'm not afraid to shoot in the rain. Rain is beautiful, reserved for the most intimate and lovely moments. Promise.

Sarah and Blake you guys rocked it. xoxo

Friday Musings: Behind the images.

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?

Laura and Derek

Well, it has been a wild few days (or week).  With a mid week amazing wedding at Tigh-na-mara in Parksville, a few extra awesome maternity sessions, family sessions, headshots, engagement session, another amazing Filberg Wedding in Comox, it's been far from boring.  And all full of fantastic.

My Tigh-na-mara adventure involved the fabulous Laura and Derek, who absolutely rocked from the first moment I met them.  They are just so great together, into each other and so much fun.  I love her hand made dress dress, so elegant and romantic and everything was just so incredibly relaxed. They saw each other before the ceremony, in fact just walked up to the gathering of people started mingling and then said, "Ok, we're ready". Perfect!  My famously awesome sidekick Shannon and I had an amazing time with these two, and I just have to share these images with you NOW!

Special thanks to the folks at Craig Heritage Park Museum for allowing us to use their property for some fun images!

Looking forward to more posts as soon as humanly possible! Are you thinking Old Hollywood movie star? I am. I'm not really a 'ring shot' kind of girl... but I love this one! I've recently heard it said, "show what you want to shoot". This my friends, is how I love to shoot. So clearly into each other.

Summer Light

Amber contacted me a while back to capture some images of her amazing little one Svea, and her niece and nephew as well. Look at these beautiful children! What could possibly be a more incredible life for me? I have no idea. This is bordering pretty good on perfection to me. Creating images of amazing people, adorable children, and fabulous personalities.

Today with this all of this in mind, I have few words, and these images.

Life with passion is a something to be documented and celebrated.

I absolutely love this photo. I can't remember what started the awesome personality show from little Svea here.. but take a look at the amazing performance I got from her! (Her mom informs me this is not uncommon)

Your Love

Warning: This post is not for the 'I hate love' or 'love sucks' among us. Kindly close the tab now, as I may gross you out with love talk here....

Maybe it was the spectacular conversation with an amazing friend that I haven't spoken with in forever. Maybe its that I haven't seen my fella in over a week (when we've never gone more than a day apart in almost 2 years). Maybe its that my soul is watery and weepy and more porous than a sponge. Possibly the country music on repeat, or maybe something about Rebecca and Steve's love for each other rubbed off on me yesterday.

Whatever it is, wherever it came from... these images make me wanna throw my arms around my gorgeous man and squeeze him forever. Yes, I'm throwing my self right out to the wolves today. Rarely do I bare this much of my heart, especially online. But today, for lack of proper self control, here you have it.

What does your love look like? How do you love? If I were to turn my camera on you, how would I see you? From the moment Rebecca and Steve were in front of me... they were just more complete together. Laughed more when they were closer. Loved freely. At times, I felt like I was truly intruding on their intimate moments. What is so beautiful about love, is how thick, how visible it can really be. It would appear, through my lens... that love actually changes the molecules in the air. Changes the vibrations in the atmosphere, in the room. When you are at a wedding, watching someone say those vows, do you not just want to hug your sweetie, and love them more.

How lucky it is to have someone who you feel so completely loved with. How incredible it is to share this journey with someone. Regardless of what that journey may be, or how many times along the way you want to stomp your feet, throw in the towel and storm off. It sure feels nice, in the middle of the tantrum to turn around and see that someone is still, despite all of your weaknesses, still standing there not giving up on you.

If the bitter among you, are scrunching your noses and gagging... I was you not very long ago, and very well may be you again one day. But that doesn't mean that I'm not going to strip all my baggage away off of my heart and try to love completely today. I'd rather live fully. Love more. Which will always give you more to loose, but I really do believe, it's worth it.

Meet Rebecca, Steve and their love.

This absolutely makes me want to hold onto my own fella