Earth Day

I came across the Jane Goodall quote “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” I feel like it is a beautiful summary of the days we are experiencing with our current global pandemic as well as our human effects on the planet. All so connected. Everything is connected.

As I started looking through my photographs from the past I was moved by how so many of them rely on the magic of mother earth. Without her kiss of sunlight dancing in my children’s hair, the deep blues of ocean, the god rays reaching through her fluffy clouds, the vivid pinks of her showing off sunsets and the take that awe inspiring fireworks of her west coast skies. What would my images be without her gust of wind filling up a dress, or a dark storm brewing in the background. Without the blanket of fog weaving through the trees and the plump cherry blossoms dangling from the branches. They would loose so much. This place, this one precious and miraculous earth. Don’t we owe her this long pause, can’t we give her this break. When the walls are lifted, when the chains and rules are opened up… will we charge back into the same destruction or will our pause be long enough for real change and creativity into a more sustainable future for us all.

Dear Earth, thank you for your sacrifices and gifts. Power and grace. Magic and lessons. I hope we can repay you.

We are not gifted the earth from our ancestors, we are borrowing it from our children.

Be gentle with each other, tread lightly on the earth.

My story. A film.

I've been behind cameras since forever. I've loved creating images since forever. I'd been wanting to create a video about my business for a long time. But, what do I say, who am I really, how do I share that, will I show that I wear socks with flip flops, what would people think. Obsessing about it.... for months, in fact a year. Finally, I took a deep breath and just went for it. I needed the right person to create it for me... I met with Paul Christopher Films and had a great meeting about what I wanted my video to be like, I got excited. Then I gave him the deposit, and he left and I thought.... OMG. Now I HAVE TO BE ON A VIDEO. What have I done! Then I had a series of small heart attacks. After planning and co-ordinating, and filming and creating... it was over, and I waited for the editing. (Being a "client" is not something I'm very good at I'm afraid.) It's done. It's here. I'm so excited, but also completely terrified. So... with nerves of steel pudding, I bring a little bit of me... to you. I really hope you like it.... or... me. xoxo

Thank you to Paul for all of your creativity and direction and for allowing me to be me. Thank you to Linsey, Chase, Graysen and Sofia for graciously allowing me to show off your beautiful family in this video. You are amazing. THANK YOU. Thank you to my family and friends who all screened it like protective parents, making sure it really was "me" and... for all of your beautiful feedback. I'm just better because of you all. Love you guys. (Above is the video created. The song is Amy Seeley's Surprisingly So, courtesy of With Etiquette a great resource for using music in your work) (Below are the images created during this video with Linsey and family.)

The Wright Family.

Family. Get together. Be together. Celebrate.

I really didn't understand why my dad would get a weird dreamy satisfied look on his face when we would all be sitting around the dinner table together. He would end up taking a deep breath and saying how nice it is to have all his kids together again. We would all kinda roll our eyes, and "ok dad" him. I really understand now. Things just don't feel right until Maisie, Frank, Bryce and I are all together in the same house. It feels best to have all your love in one spot. I always come back to this, but her words just echo in me all the time "I am sure you will catch that in the eyes of all the parents you photograph. We all wish for a little more time."

Put aside weirdness, clear your schedule and hold onto your loved ones. It's a beautiful thing to celebrate life.

Love this family, love their love, and I love that I was able to spend a bit of time with them, when they were all finally able to be all together. Family. Get together.

Horseshoes and moments of sunshine

I'm not sure how to say this without jinxing myself, but... rain drops that turn into a perfect hour long photo shoot... are my favorites. Always. Thank you Laura for sharing your beautiful family with me! So in love with the image of the girls together. I imagine them 40 years from now, looking at that photo of themselves, laughing... carefree... children. And smiling. It's images like these that give me a deep sense of satisfaction, love and fuel me to create more, always.

Bring on the sunshine!!!

Yes, I'm leaving in the morning for Mexico. Woe is me. In skipping town for a while, I'm also saying goodbye to October. Vancouver Island Photography is certainly beautiful in the fall, however I noticed this morning that the stunning fall leaves have officially "fallen" and are actually all over my lawn. With October over, I realize that I have been hording all of my October family sessions... and thought I would leave you all with a massive update from my October shoots.

I'm really looking forward to a bit of r and r, and also a few margaritas. In any case, here is more or less what October looked like.

In the studio..... we are quickly and humbly reminded, that there is great beauty in growing babies...

And that those beautiful bellies, produce the most amazing little packages.

To very grateful parents,

I was swept off my feet by small people...

Makenzie with her amazing smile Taylor with her giant heart and amazing laughter Colbie with her adorable face and her toe eating talents...

Outside, I was witness a lot of family magic, the kind only created with love and More love... and a splash of joy.... What beautiful children!! And last but not least...I was smitten with Nolan.... This will hopefully be along the lines of how I'll be for the next week basking in the sun in Mexico! Have a fabulous weekend, and week, and another weekend! I look forward to sharing images with you, upon my return!