A Stanley Park affair

When Ana contacted me last year regarding her wedding in Stanley Park for 2010, I was drawn in by her warm engaging energy. I instantly knew, we were a perfect match. A lot happens in the course of a year. On my end, I was busy planning baby rooms. In Vancouver, Ana was busy planning her dream wedding.

I arrived at L'Hermitage Hotel, along with my little family, with a distinct small town girl in a big city feeling. Would I be able to shoot here? Would the city swallow me up whole. I don't shoot a whole lot off the island, besides destination weddings. It is even more challenging now with a 3 and a half month old baby girl. However, I knew I had to be a part of Ana and Aarons wedding. I just knew.

Bryce and Maisie were all set up in our room, I was busy getting ready... Maisie having a small meltdown, me having never shot in the hotel or Stanley Park, or downtown Vancouver before, admittedly nervous. Would my images stand up. Would they be enough. Would I be able to remain composed in a new venue, new locations. Would I be inspired.

I entered Ana's room. Everything began to melt away. I was immediately submerged into a sea of exquisite details, beautiful energy, and was truly in awe of Ana's beauty. It's true that I see beauty everywhere. Even when it doesn't appear pretty right away. I was attacked by pretty on Saturday.

Ana and Aaron, thank you for having faith in my photography. For inviting me into your worlds, into the most intimate details of an extraordinary day. Your wedding was straight out of a magazine. Infused with all sorts of amazing. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of it. Ana... seriously? SERIOUSLY? STUNNING.

On a side note, it could have been easier, shooting here in Campbell River last weekend. But, challenging myself to step outside of my comfort zone this weekend... reminds me of something that I learned while traveling all over the world. I am a small town girl and photographer, but I can be anywhere in the world, and eventually feel right at home. I love this image of Ana touching up her moms makeup. I know this next spot in the rose garden is likely hugely overshot for weddings, but... I still like it.

Tara and Glenn.

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.