Tanya & Barry’s Vancouver Yacht Cruise Wedding

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On May 1st my very very dear friend Tanya tied the knot with Barry. Seriously, I’m tearing up just *writing* that!

There’s so much to write about and so much to say… where do I start?

First – I was one of the two Maids of Honour. Being on the other side of the camera for the day was weird (but not quite as weird as *editing* a wedding with me in it), and also made me see things in a much different way. In no particular order, here’s my experience of the day:

  • I cry at weddings – heck, I cry when looking at the photos of weddings I’m editing that I didn’t even shoot – but for this one I think tears escaped on at least 5 occasions. I can’t even describe how happy I am for Tanya, and more especially how happy I am that *she’s so very happy*. Looking at her looking at him brought – and still brings – tears to my eyes. I’m such a sap. Being a wedding photographer makes me more of one every day – I never used to cry at weddings, not even my own. Now I can’t help it 😉
  • I’ve attended countless weddings, and by far, this one went by the quickest. I was so surprised how fast time went by. Even with a small group of 65 people, there were so many people I never even got to talk to. I’m happy that photos of those people exist so I can see what was happening where I was not.
  • I always tell couples how we are very unobtrusive and that the day should always be about them and never about the photography or doing anything for the camera, but even with that I was surprised how very little I noticed or cared about the photography throughout the day. Well, I mean, other than the times that I had to grab a camera because I couldn’t shoot nothing 😉 But – most importantly – as a member of the wedding party the photography was the last thing on my mind, and that’s a good thing. The day should never be about the photos.
  • Did I mention the happy, and the tears? Yeah. That about sums it up.

Tanya – you have been a dear friend since we moved to Vancouver almost 5 years ago now. You are family. I love you, I am excited for you, and I can’t wait to hear about all of the adventures ahead. I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that when you return from that cruise honeymoon of yours that you’ll be going to your new home in another city… but I’m looking forward to visiting, too!

xoxo!

So many thanks for vendors on this one… to Shari & Reka for being awesome Olives for the day (along with Reilly who shot the photo session and ceremony but got to have fun, too. And – he’s been able to answer the question he’s wanted to know for a while – no, he *cannot* shoot as well after a few (too many) drinks ;). Massive shout out to the ever lovely Tanya at Milestone Events for decor rentals and saving us from the silver silk roses of doom, and Lonsdale event rentals too for last minute linen requirements after another (totally unknown to me) vendor bailed. Yet another confirmation to always, always hire the right folks! And finally, thanks to Accent Cruises for a great time on board.

Cheers!

Katrina & Dan’s Beach Engagement Session

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Katrina & Dan are getting married at the end of the month and we were excited to take their engagement portraits at Kits beach recently! The sailboat had washed up on shore following a large wind storm a week or so before our session and I was ecstatic it was still there – not something we see every day, and a fun background piece for this one.

Looking forward to sharing the wedding in a few weeks!

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Got Craft?!

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Yes folks – it is that time again! On May 2nd Got Craft? – Vancouver’s largest (and most crazy awesome) indie craft fair is happening! With just two opportunities each year (May and December) to visit this show, it’s not to be missed. (Sunday, May 2nd, 10am – 5pm at the Royal Canadian Legion 2205 Commercial Drive)

Once again I will be exhibiting – yes, me! – with crafty things made mostly out of buttons and typewriter keys. I’m sharing my table with my very dear friend Kimli and her *smuttons* (have buttom maker, will be inappropriate), so it’s worth the trip for her smuttons alone.

For those of you who have never been to a craft fair – this one or otherwise – ignore everything that you might think of when you think craft show and picture an entire room full of delicious Etsy-esque finds. It’s that rad! It’s also a great place to find gifts for bridesmaids or crafters who will make you 100 chocolate mustaches on sticks for wedding reception favours.

* This photo is of a clutch and necklace set I made on Tuesday this week. I do not actually sell clutches or necklaces like this, so you won’t find them at my table, but you will find other amazing vendors who *are* making cute stuff just like this.

See, Reilly and I were excited to get one of the coveted invites to the Grace Ormonde book launch at the Vancouver Club this week. It was of course gorgeous and oh so much fun to visit with many of Vancouver & Seattle’s wedding industry elite. It was also a fabulous opportunity to dress up and be fancy – the clothing options are so much more diverse when you aren’t photographing the event!

Of course, late on Tuesday night I had a panic. I was otherwise wearing all black and I NEEDED TO HAVE AN ORANGE CLUTCH. Like, NOW. Sure, I could go out in search of something the next day, but what fun is that? So, like any crafty girl, I made one along with a matching necklace. I keep being asked for photos so here they are. It’s not too bad for the first clutch I’ve ever made and I’m happy with my design, but would probably make a few modifications if I made it again. Regardless, it did the trick!

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Wedding Program

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I love when couples choose to highlight a charity as part of their wedding, and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation got in touch with us recently asking if we’d help promote their wedding programs. Of course we would! They have a few suggestions on ways to incorporate your support for the cause, and they’ll even make pink ribbons available or provide place card templates to inform guests about the contribution made in their name. Cheers! http://www.cbcf.org/bcyukon/

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Victoria & Vancouver Speaking Dates!

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OK – I have to admit, speaking at Image Quest (the annual convention for the Professional Photographers of BC) a couple of weeks ago was A BLAST. Reilly and I had so much fun, and the feedback has been overwhelming. There’s nothing I love hearing more than that some little tidbit of info or thing that we said has helped someone with their own business!

Those who know me well know that I am crazy passionate about small business especially bringing people together and sharing info, and we’re hoping to start doing even more of both, starting this week.

First up, we’re part of this coming weekend’s (April 17 & 18) Mentor Me program with the PPABC. We’ll be talking again about social media and with more time and a small group we’ll be able to get much more hands on with lots of time for one on one questions and attention. I’ve already been talking about this one online but wanted to get it up here as well. The registration deadline is just a couple of days away – April 15th – so jump on board if this sounds up your alley! The PDF flyer can be downloaded directly here and there’s a facebook event as well.

Next, on July 19th we’ll be in Victoria (changed from the May date) chatting with a group of photographers about what we do. Let your island photographer friends know, and if you’re in the area yourself don’t miss it! We’re looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones for an evening of info and open-book Q&A. We’re looking forward to sharing whatever those in the room want to know about what we do and how we do it. There’s also a facebook event, of course.

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The beginning of May signals the start of wedding season for us (and all the craziness that comes along with it!) but we always love to travel – especially throughout Canada – so get in touch if any of you are interested – or know someone who might be – in having us out to your area for a chat.

As well, we’ll have a proper announcement in the weeks ahead when we launch our new website (!!), but we’re officially offering a select number of one on one consulting sessions each month starting in May. Topics include everything from branding and brand analysis through to social media and of course, all things photography. Sessions will be tailored for each individual and take place via phone/video chat (we can walk you through that, too) or in our studio, although local clients will be limited. Want on the list for full details? Give us a shout.

I can’t even tell you how excited we are about all of this and oh so much more. It’s going to be one heck of a year! Cheers all!

Cleopatra & Julius’ Stanley Park Wedding

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C&J planned their wedding from afar, bringing family and friends together in Vancouver for their winter wedding.

Not to be at all swayed by the cold, however, C, J and their entourage rocked their photo session like a sunny summer day! The Chapel at Stanley Park held the ceremony followed by a reception at the Teahouse with stops at Granville Island, the beach, and a few other locations for photos.

We’ve been having fun putting the finishing touches on this album – I always love seeing everything in print and book form – so that’s exciting and  we look forward to having that in our hands soon. Shouts out as well to Tracey who joined Reilly for the Blue Olive side of things, and a nod as well to Paula at Aeyra for the cake (her cakes are always gorgeous and delicious, truly a winning combination ;).

Cheers!stanley-park-wedding

Vegas, Baby!

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I was in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago for the annual WPPI photography convention with 15 000  or so of my favorite photographer friends!

Since moving into our new studio just before Christmas we’ve been stuck trying to figure out just what should go up on the walls, but I found a few amazing new products that will be debuting in our studio over the next couple of months thanks to the convention. If you think you’re in love with what we have now, you just wait 😉

Tracey, Jeanie, Ian and I also rented a car to get off of the strip with our cameras. Tracey hadn’t been to Vegas before so we did what any good photographers do – we headed to the Welcome to Vegas sign.

As we pulled up the CUTEST couple in wedding dress and suit were there. Hot pink accents, feathers in the hair, all cute and just married – being photographed by the limo driver.

No, no no, noooooooooooo. That just wouldn’t do.

I don’t even know if we were parked yet when I jumped out of the car and got over there to introduce myself. Clearly, this couple needed some photographer love, and Tracey, Jeanie, and I were excited to jump in.

We ended up shooting a quick session at the sign as they were in the middle of their private city tour, otherwise we probably would have pulled them into our car and driven around with them for a while, too 😉 They had just gotten married at a little chapel by the sounds of it, and had had the teary phone call home with the news! As fate would have it they were also fellow Canadians who’d eloped from their home in Ontario.

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CONGRATS CONGRATS Ericka & Justin! Thanks for letting us take over a little bit of your wedding day, and for not running away when I insisted that you really, really wanted us to shoot you 😉

Cheers!

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Marshall & Laura’s Seasons in the Park Wedding

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Sometimes we photograph big weddings and sometimes we shoot small weddings, and this is one of those.

In the dark of winter we joined Marshall & Laura for just a few hours during their wedding celebration. The wedding itself was only about a month after Marshall proposed – but with family visiting from overseas it wasn’t a question that they needed to be there, so the wedding was timed to match. And, while some are excited to spend months planning and fine-tuning every detail, it was the perfect plan for the two of them.

Seasons in the park is always a treat with such a warm atmosphere and delicious food to match. The sparkling city lights visible through the many windows in the skyline room along with the reflections of all the lights within add the right amount of sparkle, making the perfect backdrop for the dinner party inside.

Congrats again to you both!

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