You may recall my original Boys and Dogs post a while back, of my brother and his dog Digsy. These images of Bryce and our little buddy Frank reminded me of that post, and I couldn't help but share this short series of images of my amazing fellas.
Puppy update: The little one is absolutely heart melting, until he is hanging off my pant leg, chewing my feet, and leaping over every barrier we've made for him.
The sun is shining outside, and I believe its time to get out in it!
For all mothers....
O.K. First of all. Puppy training has quickly become my morning noon and night.
Bryce has named the little fella Frank or Frankie, and what a character. He certainly loves to please! He'll walk right up to you and sit. Just sit down and tilt his little head and look at you. What a little charmer!
In the 3 days he's been with us, one thing has become clear. I have no idea how mothers of real people do it. No clue. I have never had to take care of anything other than myself (although I do run a business and often hang out with friends children). So this will be a giant learning curve, or series of.
I wish to take this opportunity to just let all of you mothers out there know, that you truly are amazing. The amount of courage, patience, love, creativity, energy and pure strength it must take, to wake up daily and know that you are raising a human being... someone you hope to be a positive influence in the world. Someone who will hopefully be kind, caring and loving. Someone who not intentionally hurt people, donate money to charity, and think beyond themselves. Every single day must have an underlying current that the good values, morals and lessons you've taught your children stick and translate into wonderful people.
You mothers out there, amaze me. Heather, with your 3 children, Great Dane, 2 cats and fish... honestly... HOW DO YOU MANAGE?! Maritte with your 2 year old, newborn and dog!! Suzanne, with your 2 kids... Sarah with TWINS! What kind of humans are you? Super humans. It's decided.
In any case, I get it... in some small way, I officially get it. (I'm sure one day, I'll get it even more) But for now, Bryce and I are trying to raise a good, happy, healthy pup. Wish me luck...
Thanks for stopping by... more people photos soon I promise.
Christina and Darcy Mayan Magic....
It is a beautifully stormy day today... and while listening to the wind howl through my windows, and rain exploding out of the sky, I've decided that it is time to share Christina and Darcy's wedding photos. We were in the Mexican Riviera, engulfed with lovely humid air and sticky sweaty heat. It was a beautiful sunny day, everything was perfect.
I often question what I do as a photographer. Do I just take pictures, or is it art? Do I capture moments, tell stories, do I make photographs, or take them... or is the camera just an extension of me, a vehicle for me to express the beauty I see in nearly every single moment. I believe the answer lies somewhere amongst all of the above. I just see beauty. Everywhere, and at times its so overwhelming, I just want to stop it, freeze it, package it all up and keep it forever... and before I know it, I'm releasing the shutter of my camera, trying to do just that.
I want you to see it too, feel it, and the closest way I've found to connecting with people I barely know, is to show them how beautiful, honest, brave, soulful, joyous, loving, creative, magical and amazing I see them as being, through my images. I'm so grateful that you take the time to swing by for a look at how I view the world. I've heard it said, that a photographer puts themselves in every image they take, each photo a reflection of how they see the world. I feel there may be some truth to that.
This is how I saw Christina and Darcy's wedding last weekend. A few images that I feel reflect the beautiful simplicity of their day. What an honor it was to be flown to Mexico, forced to drink margaritas, spend a week with, and photograph Christina and Darcy's wedding.
May you see beauty everywhere.
What happens in Mexico.....
A week of sunshine, beautiful beaches, free drinks.... I believe I turned many Canadians onto a popular mexican beverage... the CHELADA (basically salt, lime and beer... MMM) In any case, for the most part... I was sprawled out on my beach lounger, book in hand, with a gorgeous man by my side (who was suspiciously always handing me a few chelada's). All in all, a very relaxing, and necessary week.
But really, who was I kidding... ONE WEEK... I needed five. Five weeks would have done it. Now one, and I'm back to the gloomy fog, rain and damp chilling air of our own little Vancouver Island Paradise.
The sunshine and the R&R were a welcome and wonderful break from it all... and much to my delight, I was there to photograph Darcy and Christina's beautiful Mayan Riviera wedding. Those photos will follow... but for now a few of the small pleasures life can bring us in the form of tropical weather, constant blue skies and good company.
What I love about palm trees the most, is their shadows...
I love me some flat out doing nothing time..
In fact NOT behind the camera for a moment.
And finally my fella and I with a little help from the ol' self timer setting...
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!