Katie and Brandon

Bright, wise, and full of life. Was my initial reaction upon meeting Katie and her family on Saturday at their wonderful (built and designed by dads hands) home on Quadra Island. From the moment I stepped onto their property, I understood what made them all so unique. They are inspired, passionate and adventurous. A marvelous combination. From the unique wedding dress, to the art work that covers their house, to the giant happy fun family photos on the walls or the authentically Mexican themed bathroom ... I knew, their Quadra Island wedding would be amazing.

Katie, was radiant. Relaxed. Excited. Brandon, was cool. Collected. Calm. Together, these two make wedding photography the most incredibly rewarding experience. Again, real moments= real magic.

Katie and Brandon...I told you on Saturday, but will let you know again... you both are pure magic.

Below Katie's sisters contemplate her makeup... it got hilarious, when they realized they could quickly turn into the 'evil sister's role... Sorry, but makeup alone, doesn't make you this pretty. I told you, radiant. Relaxed. Excited. Cool. Collected and Calm. Again, I'm not a huge ring shot fan... but Katie's aunties artwork, makes for an incredible setting for their beautifully simply gold bands. Their beautiful ceremony at Luna Vista Bed and Breakfast, overlooking the stunning Rebecca Spit. So happy. So handsome! An excited congratulations from Grandma. Brothers and Sisters and laughter. A wildly beautiful combination. Love this series You can't make images like this, without a lot of love. Impossible. May the world shower nothing but blessings on you both, always.

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.

Melissa and Dave

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

Larissa and Jordan

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!

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.