Susan and Dave

With a venue like April Point Resort on a day like August 1 2008... there are not many words that can describe the outcome of Susan and Dave's wedding day. Nothing makes me happier than big black skies with the sunshine making heroic efforts to burst through the heavy clouds... My favorite moments, were jumping into a boat with the newly weds, and venturing off into unchartered waters to find the perfect rock, poking out of the sea... I'm pretty sure there has never been a bride and groom standing on that very spot before, and quite honestly... that is magic. I'm not going to say anything more... I believe their images will do that for me.

So what else is new?

I recently had someone say to me... 'well you must have so much time off during the week, really you only work weddings on the weekends'... If only that were true.On that note, I thought I'd share with you all what my weeks look like...

I shoot weddings Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday is my day off (which I always spend editing and answering emails), Tuesday/Wednesday I shoot family sessions, Thursday I edit, answer emails, send out contracts and answer phone messages, which takes me back to Friday... hey.... right back at weddings.

I love every moment of it... but I am a bit busy.

In saying that, I am fully booked until end of September. I am currently taking bookings for October. But a pre-warning I am taking most of November and all of December off. (by time off, I mean not shooting, I'll still be organizing my life, updating brochures, wedding albums, websites, etc) I feel it is entirely necessary, so that I can continue to produce quality work. I need some time to recharge my batteries, and gather up all of my creative energy, and quite honestly just relax (oooh and shoot a wedding in the Mexican Riviera!!!!) I realize that many of you may be interested in Christmas Presents and gifts of the photographic nature... so I am urging you to book now, or forever hold your peace (until after the holidays).

As for the rest of the summer, I will summon up all of the creative muses of the west coast, and keep working away.

I love all of you reading my blog, and am so excited to have such a warm response from so many of you about my shoots/weddings and daily happenings. You are all truly wonderful! I am so incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to meet/connect and photograph so many inspiring families, and so many amazing milestones in peoples lives. I truly wouldn't have it any other way. What happend in July??? Beautiful people, perfect moments I'd like to share a few of my favorites!

Beginning with Marlo and company... Shelly's renewal of vows.... Paulas clan... Travis, Michelle and girls. Ryan, Lisa and Rhianna. Darcy and crew. Kims backyard babes And who can resist Preslee. Don't be afraid to leave comments!!! Let me know what you think!!!

Alana and Justin

Alana and Justin... what can I say? Their day was perfect. The weather was fabulous. The bride, calm and stunning. The groom handsome and collected. The parents, proud. The guests had come from as far as Taiwan and that tells you a lot about the kind of people Alana and Justin are. A beautiful ceremony, gorgeous couple... It truly was a pleasure to photograph this wedding! Alana and Justin... you two were absolutely wonderful to work with, you are both such warm, caring, incredible people, and I couldn't imagine a better outcome to the day! Congrats! Most of Justin's life has revolved around ball parks, so, where more suited to take some photos than Nunn's Creek Park here in Campbell River.

Melinda and Trevor

Melinda and Trevor were married on Friday, quietly... discreetly... Friday afternoon we met up for some images to 'surprise' their friends and family with! Thats right, they didn't mention it to anyone! I love it!It was an intimate, romantic session, and I was thrilled to be a part of their wedding day! Especially as no one else was!!! May your lives always be full of love!

(P.S... stay tuned for a sneak peek from Alana and Justins Saturday wedding... coming VERY soon!!)

Tara and Mike

I knew from the first meeting with Tara and Mike that amazing images/experiences were in store. I met up with everyone at The English Inn in Esquimalt, (which is not only beautiful, but incredibly charming as well!) The building is old, and creaky, yet beautifully modern as well... We put Tara in her dress immediately and everything flowed so perfectly from there.

It's not uncommon for me to get emotional during ceremonies or speeches, I'm just that kind of gal... but this was ridiculous... maybe it was the way each bridesmaid had nothing but absolute love for Tara, maybe it was the groom AND groomsmen with tears in their eyes... maybe it was the music, perhaps the way Tara's dad took her hand when they were about to walk down, whatever it was, I had tears rolling down my cheeks (more than once) With each moment in life so fleeting, I just feel so incredibly honored to be given the chance to capture split seconds of love, joy, and all things beautiful... There are moments when I am overwhelmed with beauty and emotion and this was one of them.

Tara and Mike wanted a variety of images, and gave me so much time to create them! I was in creative heaven, with images @ Beacon Hill Park, Ogden Point and along the way from Esquimalt I also tucked away the possibility of using the old train station for some images too (should the bride and groom comply) and much to my utter delight... they not only agreed but were beyond my wildest imagination with "we'll do anything"... They were both dirty after climbing onto teeny tiny ledges against dirty garage doors (which created some hilarious out-takes as well)

While at Beacon Hill Park another interesting thing happened, I noticed that I wasn't choosing locations that I later saw other photographers shooting weddings at... I was far off the beaten track and was down in behind washrooms and all sorts of weird places? Why do I do that? I truly can not explain it... Inspiration is a strange thing, and at the time I just go with it. I love the idea that 20 different wedding photographers can be at work in the same town, and we all come out with different images, locations and end results. I used to love that about working on cruise ships with 15 other photographers on any given ship... we could all be in the same country, same tour even and every one of us would see something different, create images completely diverse in feeling/lighting/composition... I came across this quote a few months ago,

"You have no competition because there is only ONE of you on this earth. Embrace that fact and let it carry you in your art, your business, and your confidence!" -- Mike Colon, Photographer.

After my time was up with Tara and Mike it was on to the reception at the Fireside Grill in West Saanich. Another stunning location! Where the guests were all smiling, and the decor nothing short of amazing. When I was finished up for the evening, saying goodnight to Tara was ... EMOTIONAL! We both, like silly schoolgirls, had tears in our eyes. Everything was just so perfect, and I was so honored to have been such a special part of their magical day.

Congratulations Tara and Mike, and may all of your days be as magical as Saturday was! (p.s... there are A LOT of images that follow... I COULD NOT CHOOSE)

At Ogden Point, Boys will..... At Beacon Hill Park And then... the Abandoned Train Station The aftermath of our time scaling walls... And what shoot would be complete without a train track walk...