The Gratitude wall.

I'd been trying for weeks to come up with a new idea for my thank you cards. We've tried out ideas... nothing was lighting my hair on fire. Until... this morning.

I would write my thank yous all over chalkboards. I'll say thank you, I thought... in my own writing. I wanted a big wall. I drove around. Looking like a creep in back alleys. Scoping out the best spot.

I found the perfect spot. Venturing into the local awesome business, I just straight out asked the owner if I could make a giant chalkboard on the back of his building. His response? "I don't care what you do back there. Go for it." LOVE IT!

So, armed with my creative partner Shannon. We set out at 3:45pm to transform the alley. At 7:45 covered in paint and chalk dust. We realized, we were done. We had painted. Waited for it to dry. Applied second coats... waited some more. Then started scribbling with our chalk. It started as a way for me to say thank you. We ended up wondering if we weren't the only ones that wanted to say thank you, so my gratitude wall turned into THE GRATITUDE WALL. We suddenly realized that this wall would be alone, without supervision. Someone could walk by tonight and spray paint all over it and ruin it. OR... someone could walk by, see it... get inspired and pick up the chalk that we've left there... and draw something of their own. Write their own story. Anything is possible. Make your own art. You might ask why? Our answer is, why not.

I love this concept. Take a back alley. A somewhat unloved space. Ask the walls owner for blessings. Buy chalkboard paint $22 Buy chalk $2 Buy paint trays, paint brushes, rollers etc $6 (from dollar store) Leave art behind (and some chalk). Priceless and full of infinite possibilities. Make the world more beautiful. More colorful. More awesome. Maybe you know somewhere that needs a little love?

Be open to inspiration. My cousin Gord says, "The universe provides". xo

Sarah and Keith

The best part about Sarah and Keiths wedding on Hornby Island wasn't their stunning location/venue. It wasn't her amazing dress, beautiful flowers or her perfectly adorable shoes. Nor was it Keiths handsome tux, uniform or his immaculate and inspection passing shoes... it was them. Sarah and Keith. Although you could see the gratitude for everyone around them. It was just the two of them.

There are so many images I love, for so many reasons... but the main reason, in all of them, is that it was all real. I didn't ask for Sarah to throw her arms in the air {photo above} and shout into the wind "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE". She just did it all on her own. I didn't ask them to be so totally in love, so happy, and therefore have that ooze all over their images... they did that.

Sarah and Keith were married at the gorgeous Sea Breeze Lodge on Hornby Island. Have you been to Hornby lately? If your answer is no... why not?

Your love is inspiring and contagious. Thank you for inviting me into your world, for sharing your moments... for allowing me, to capture a little bit of you. I loved every minute of it.

On Luck and Lotteries

Recently a local Campbell River family won $35.7 million dollars on a Lotto Max ticket.

They live a few blocks away from us. Campbell River is a small town and that is a lot of money. Everyone is talking about it. At the grocery store, on the sea walk, walking dogs. Everywhere, and most everyone.

I've heard people say crazy things. It seems everyone knows how this family should spend their money, and are even dividing it up for them. I can't even imagine what that kind of money does. I mean, let's be honest here. If I knew my brother had won 35 million dollars, I'd be hoping our mortgage would be paid off. But isn't that weird? It's not my money, I have no claim on it. But, I bet you'd be bitter if your sibling or friend won that kind of money, and didn't share. Isn't that weird!?! I heard someone say "I hope they spread it around", "I hope they remember the community center, the food bank.". I thought that was interesting or crazy. We all presume to think we know what to do, or what not to do, or what we'd do. But we don't.

In fact, I'm pretty sure I'd be the worst person to win the lotto. For real.

I realize that financial freedom comes with great rewards. Immense rewards. We all think, that would be the best gift. But would it? You may just find that, that amount of money would cause incredible grief and sleepless nights as well. You may want to pay off everyone's mortgages family, friends... but which friends. How many friends. Which family members? All of them? Some of them? Your favorites? I'd be willing to bet that a whole lot of trouble would come with a great big pile of money. Of course you could pay off all debts, buy some fancy things, charter planes, buy stuff, be rich, give to charity but... who knows what that really costs.

Would I pass up millions of dollars? Likely not. But, sitting here in my own little life I already know that my fortune is our health. Our baby. Our life. I've said it before, and I truly believe it. I've got no doubt that this lucky family will enjoy and LOVE their lucky little ticket. But, if you are envious, or jealous... I'd bet you could count your blessings RIGHT NOW and know that you already have your own fortune. Right where you are. Right now. Without lotteries.

I found this via Pinterest yesterday, and knew I had to share. "If you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of the world." {Full Post HERE}

Just something to think about. Here is my fortune. Smelling flowers and laughing at the wind.

Chantelle and Ryan

Often times in my life, a word, phrase, saying or theme will be swimming around in my head. Sometimes for a few days, other times for weeks. This one has been dancing with me for a few weeks now. Authenticity. Or being Authentic.

As a photographer it is my job to be professionally prepared. The gear checked, contracts signed, insurance in place, the planning the timing all organized, and then... on the day, being open enough to let the inspiration and magic of a wedding day seep into the images.

Chantelle and Ryan's wedding was at the Maritime Heritage Center in Campbell River and we didn't have a lot of time for images. As it usually happens during a wedding, things were running a bit behind, and I wasn't sure if we'd have enough time for Elk Falls, like we'd talked about. The amazing pale yellow Buick Skylark that they had to drive them around, stopped running. We were staying put. I was secretly excited as I had found an amazing tree on the property just before the wedding. We ventured down to the pier, and then the beach. To my delight, an unplanned and perfect low tide had left us the most stunning tidal pool with an amazing reflection. Unplanned, and awesome.

While I was shooting Chantelle and Ryan, I said "I can't believe we almost left here. This is amazing. I have the most perfect reflection of you guys in the pool. Perfect!" I was freaking out and jumping around and getting all caught up in everything and Chantelle said "That is so weird. My parents have a photo of them with their reflection in a puddle from their wedding day." Unplanned perfection equalling truly authentic images. We proceeded to let the magic of their wedding day, and our planned but unplanned perfection sweep us away.

I have photographed many weddings at the Maritime Heritage Center. I will hopefully photograph many more, but the most amazing part to me, is that still... the photos can be different. Unique. Theirs. As with any location, I'll likely not be the first photographer to find it. Or to create images there... but those images, those settings in those moments. Were ours. I didn't find the location anywhere, but from my own inspired moments. I promise, images are always best this way.

Their energy, their love. Their family, friends, locations. All an amazing opportunity to create art, that is authentic. I am so blessed. Thank you both for sharing your moments with me, and allowing me to create images that I truly love.

Renate and Scott plus two.

Over a fabulous lunch date, with a marvelous friend Karen this afternoon we got to talking about originality, photography and the variables of a photo session (among many other things including sausages, hedgehogs and drool).

I believe that each session has a life of it's own. Each couple/family/person, brings their own energy, their own story. I believe that yes, I create the images, but there are also many other variables that make the final images what they are. The outfits, their personalities {my personality}, the moods, the weather, the location... everything. I believe in being prepared, professional, and having everyone as informed and ready as possible for their session. However, I like to let each session breathe life into itself.

I absolutely loved watching my session with Renate and Scott and their beautiful children form in front of me.

I am not a fan of snakes. I find them unpredictable and creepy. However, I also find bunnies and cats kind of creepy, and all of them I can find beautiful if I really take a moment to look at them. The moment when Renate scooped up this snake and showed her little girl one of natures masterpieces I was instantly aware of how amazing life is. It was as though time, just slowed right down... and stood still.

I watched her gently show the snake to her little girl and knew I was in the presence of the magic of island living. The bottom line is, I couldn't have scripted this session. It just happened. So, I suppose if you are preparing for your session... daydream about up your outfits, the colors, what you'd like to see in your images, but when the time comes, maybe just take a deep breath and let it all happen. Your images will thank you. I photographed Renate and Scott's wedding in 2007 and was thrilled to share more moments with them and look forward to more as the years move on. Thank you, for choosing me {again}. I was compelled to look back through Renate and Scotts wedding images from 4 years ago, and I just can't help but share a few. I think it's a great sign, that I still love them.