Missing something....

September 9, 2008 Erin

I feel like I am missing something if I don't post recent shoots. I have been so busy, flat out really, that I just haven't had time... and I feel guilty!!!

I am so honored that you chose to spend a piece of your morning/afternoon/evening visiting my blog, and joining me in some of or all of the photographic moments in my world. I feel responsible to give you current images each time you check in... In saying that, my life now (maybe sadly) feels like it is missing something, if I haven't blogged... haven't shared what beautiful moments I have been privileged to witness, to create or to be a part of. It's strange but I need to share the photos just as much as I need to take them. It makes me happy.

To be honest, my images mean so much more to me than being just a 'photo'. They are moments in my life, just as much as they are the people who I am photographing. I am choosing to spend what precious moments my life has to offer, with people... photographing people... with you. I am choosing to share these images with you. If you are reading this, we are connecting in some small or big way, hopefully in a positive way... hopefully you enjoy the images.

So with that said, I bring you to the most recent of my last 5 weddings... Cinda and Landon. I will catch up with the other ones asap! I just had to post these ones as they are fresh out of photoshop tonight.... Meet Cinda and Landon, their wonderful families and friends, atop the beautiful Mt.Washington, at Raven Lodge, British Columbia. May today bring you something fabulous. After the ceremony Landon changed into his suit, for some different images... I was talked into taking the chair lift to the top of the mountain.... And wasn't I glad we did!!! Then back down the chair lift to finish off with some magic light, beautiful surroundings, and of course a dash of newly wed love. And polishing off the newly wed shoot with a little red stair/blue sky action....

One week... NO POSTS!!!

September 5, 2008 Erin

Well.... where have I been? Better question... where have I NOT been... A wedding in Port Hardy, followed by a wedding in Parksville.... followed by family photos, a sea of unanswered emails due to a massive internet outage, a few maternity shoots, a model shoot, relator headshots, and here we are... one week later...

Am I emotionally stable... not really. Am I finished wedding season, no way. Am I able to still get inspired at weddings... ABSOLUTELY.

With all of that, my amazing fella Bryce and my fabulous assistant/partner in crime Shannon decided I needed a bit of a "stress leave" today, and I actually took a few hours to snorkel down the river to witness all of the amazing salmon swimming up the Campbell River to their spawning grounds ... (this was all initially against my will as I find fish to be rather creepy... Shannon and Bryce were insistent and I have come to the conclusion that salmon are still creepy but totally fascinating).

So, I made it through one run, saw tons of fish, had a great time, and froze my little arse off. I waved from the shore when the troops set out for the second run, and I was cozy and warm in the car with coffees for all, when they finished their second run... Deanna also braved the river with us, and I believe twice was enough for her too... Bryce and Shannon however, are from another breed... they could have stayed in the river forever. Exploring every single fish in there...

What I do know for sure is that I was happily reminded that there is life outside of weddings, computers, emails, editing, telephones, taxes, book keeping, invoicing and the internet. I felt a little more alive after exiting the river. And let me just say...it's so very good to be alive.

A very special day...

August 25, 2008 Erin

In the light Forever ago I met an incredible little girl.That little girl turned into an astoundingly beautiful, warm, determined, unique, radiant, compassionate and AMAZING woman. She got married on August 23, and I was honored to be a part of it all. Kim and her entire family are some of my favorite people on the planet. They all ooze wonderful things. Happiness, joy, deep strong bonds, and connections, they are honest, kind and so totally giving and loving.

I grew up beside them in Campbell River, and was so deeply moved when Kim based her entire wedding day around my availability!!! There were so many moments when I could barely see through the lens, as tears welled up in my eyes... The most moving? Maybe when Kim held up her heirloom necklace worn by generations of women in her family on each of their wedding day, maybe when Kims mom burst into tears, while telling Kim of a charm she was about to sew into her dress, that was given by Kims grandfather to her late grandmother Win on their 50th wedding anniversary (not a dry eye in the house).

Perhaps my favorite was when Kims dad took a deep breath and walked his daughter down the isle, you could almost see him become incredibly present, as he looked over at her, and put his hand on top of hers.... maybe the vows, the song, the fixed up family volvo that Kims parents drove on their wedding day, the weather that was 90 percent chance of RAIN... with nothing more than a few drops as the ceremony ended. Maybe James face when he saw Kim walking down the isle... maybe it was James' simple and moving vows. It could have been the amazing bagpipes courtesy of Cameron Stewart...Or possibly how when Kim spoke during the reception, she thanked people... not like it was a list to get through... but with every ounce of her heart. What a gorgeous day.

I spent many of my childhood days laughing with all of the fabulous Black family and was just so deeply honored to have been a part of Kim and James' wedding day. Just look at how radiant Kim is in every single photo. Look how calm James appears, and then check out what the magic created when we were left alone for their intimate images after the ceremony. Goosebumps, romance, laughter, tears, and a whole vast array of emotions made this day something incredibly special.

I wish you both many many years of love and continued joy. May you two continue to make music together. Always.

My wonderful assistant Shannon caught this moment during the ceremony!!!

An overwhelmed flower girl...

Our local celebrity and amazing hockey legend Rod Brind'Amour gives Kim a hug after the ceremony.

$Kim and Rod Brind\'Amour$

Love this image of Kim delivering her soulful speech.

Kevin and Ciji

August 21, 2008 Erin

I get all the most amazing couples. Its true. I do. Just look at Ciji! Are you kidding me!?! What an amazing bride!! What a beautiful day.

It was so ridiculously hot, but so insanely beautiful all at the same time! All of you amazing people out there, just make my job so much easier, and way more fun!!! The vows were beautiful, I believe Kevin to be a bit of a poet, and Ciji to be an incredible creature as well! Their reception was held at the Oyster Bay Resorts and was decorated beautifully.

I truly love what I do!!! I hope you two are enjoying your honeymoon, I can't wait to share the rest of your images with you!!!!

I'll leave you with an image of their beautiful sleeping daughter Ella.

Quite the Entrance...

August 18, 2008 Erin

Heather chose a rather dramatic entrance to her 08-08-08 wedding!!! The crowd cheered as they figured out that the bride was coming out of the noisy helicopter that had hovered overhead... such a blast! I couldn't have hoped for a more wonderful couple to share such a magic day with. In fact, it was the same magic day that my fella and I got an accepted offer on an amazing new home...(more to come when/if deal is solidified....)

Heather is just.... soooo....... lovely. She is a beautifully scripted open book... her heart waving around on her sleeve.... her face, hides nothing. You can see her, standing calm... and then its as if you can actually see her thoughts, as her face changes into a fabulously massive smile explosion... her eyes light up, her arms start shaking, and she is making happy little squeeks. Heather is someone you want to be around. I hadn't met Dan before, and loved that when I arrived over at April Point, for their soulful ceremony Dan stood smiling, waving me over when he caught sight of the over sized cameras. Dan is full of joy.

Everything was wonderful. After the ceremony we snuck off to create some images at Rebecca Spit, on the back side of Quadra Island. Check out the beautiful details of Heathers "Ophelia" dress. What a fabulous couple. What an incredible day.... I'm honored to have been chosen to be there with you two! May you always have all things magic.