Travis+Shayna Engaged!

Our first engagement session for our 2009 couple is with Shayna and Travis who will get married at Harrison Hot Springs in June. While Shayna was a little unsure about the shoot in the beginning, it was still evident how sincere and real these two are. Shayna mentioned that she doesn't see herself as the typical bride and I can't wait to bear witness to the uniqueness of the wedding as she revealed some of her plans for the day.

Here are a few from the gorgeous afternoon with them.

In Love, Right Now

You don't need to plan a wedding to get contemporary engagement images...
You don't have to be a bride to feel glamorous!
It doesn't have to be your wedding day for a chance to create romantic images with your loved one.

All you need is to be In Love, Right Now! Contact us for details on our lifestyle couples portraits.

Off to the Pumpkin Patch

A visit to the pumpkin patch is a new experience for all of us. To be honest, we never really thought about it until Mikka's daycare planned a visit a couple of Fridays ago. Unfortunately, the weather turned for the worse that Friday so Rico and I decided to bring Mikka last Sunday. While the ground was still wet and surely muddy, it was great to enjoy ourselves and spend some quality time with our little girl.

Mikka is used to us pointing the camera to her and we love how she does NOT pose for us but she does NOT stay still at all! We love to capture her spirit as a year and a half toddler but it was still quite a challenge! Here are some for you to enjoy...

The morning of...

On the way to... she just loves "eye-gasss-es"

Taking a rest... we went a week after the patch opened... not many left to choose from.

Found one that she liked but it proved too heavy for her!

She LOVES her boots... and I love mine...

We spent most of our time playing with the straws...

Maddan Sneak Peek

Welcome Maddan! A few days after we shot Mandy's Yummy Mummy portraits, Maddan was born. Here's a peek at the newborn session! Watch out for more soon!

A Different Perspective

While we're settling into the paces of wedding photography and slowly uncovering what we hope we can eventually call our own style, we do not deny that we are always inspired by great work by other wedding photographers around the globe. We've already had the chance to learn from one of the "rock stars" who are based closer to home, I am fortunate that within the same year, I am able to spend 2 days with another one of Canada's illustrious photographers, Richard McDowell and Amy Sayers of Red Leaf Studios.

Richard and Amy's photography is breathtaking with pure and honest display of emotion. Even though we did not plan on doing another workshop until next year, when I found out they were coming to BC, I couldn't pass the opportunity to meet them and learn from them. And that I did, that I did.

The Whiterock Perspective Workshop was well worth it and it was just the right learning experience that I needed after such a busy summer. Richard and Amy were like an open book. I was never afraid to ask anything and I really felt a genuine desire from them to see each and every gifted photographer who attended to succeed.

Here are a few of the shots I took while learning from the workshop.

I had such an enriching experience from such incredibly talented mentors. More importantly, I felt that I have gained true friends in Richard and Amy. I truly miss them. I didn't think I'd ever think of visiting Regina but I am seriously considering it just to get a chance to shoot with them again!

Kevin + Gigi in Wedded Bliss

It's about time we breathe some life into this blog. We are nearing the end of our 2008 season and we still have 7 sessions to blog about, not including this one, so you'll be hearing from us regularly (if a post a week is regular enough) to last the end of 2008.

Anyway, this post is from a session from days when the sun enjoyed it's time in Vancouver skies for more than 12 hours. This was after a wedding double-header in the end of August and before exhaustion and broken-down immune systems claimed us for a couple of weeks.

You might remember Kevin and Gigi, our urban couple from Toronto. After their Vancouver celebration, they took some time off to enjoy the West Coast in Tofino. While Gigi fantasized about getting to know the Pacific waters better by taking up surfing, the coastal weather had something else in mind. It gave them a peek of Vancouver's fall weather for most of their days spent at the Wickaninnish Inn. I say it's a fortunate change in plans that let them take a much needed time to relax and enjoy each other in wedded bliss!

Back in Vancouver, we spent a few hours traipsing around Steveston, getting to know each other better and I got myself a new healthy dose of Gigi's dazzling smiles and Kevin's brooding good looks. Here's a glimpse from the session...

I believe Kevin was coaching Gigi on how to pose more naturally... I say she's already a natural!

I love the simplicity of their wedding rings...

We also had Gigi's mum join us at the session. It was Mrs. Lau's birthday and Gigi wanted to spend as much time with her mum and get a couple of shots with her before they head back to Toronto.

We found this cool world map plastered on a wall near one of the docks on the dike. When we asked if we can get shots against the wall, the men (I don't really know what they were doing there, maybe Kevin can refresh my memory) wasn't quite sure why. When they realized that we were doing a couples session, they wondered, "What? No lovey-dovey poses?"... Ummm, nah...

More of Gigi and her mum!

Gigi and mum...

How can anyone resist Gigi's megawatt smile? I think I have a girl crush! Haha!

And I love these last 2 images... This is how married life should look like.

This one especially gives me goosebumps... and no posing tips or directions from me! This is pure, raw emotion...

Kevin and Gigi, I'm glad I had this chance to get to know you so much more in 2 hours. A shout out to Mrs. Lau for being so patient with us. We cannot wait to see you guys again next year!!!

Chris + Laura-Jane *Just Married*

Celebration Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Park
The Fraser Room, River Rock Casino Resort
September 13, 2008

This day started lightheartedly as the girls prepared at the River Rock Casino Resort. One thing was unmistakeable, our bride, Laura-Jane was definitely glowing. And who wouldn't be glowing with the thought that in a few hours, a new journey begins. In a few hours, a promise will be given. In a few hours, she'll be home in Chris's arms.

Even though this is the second wedding in Laura-Jane's family in the same year, her family from Scotland still came through to celebrate their love and bring Chris into the fold. Laura-Jane's closest friends from the cute days of kindergarten, the crazy days of highschool and the trials and tribulations of medical school, walked down the aisle to usher in the glowing bride. The ceremony held at the Celebration Pavilion at Queen Elizabeth Park was beautiful and the celebration at The Fraser Room was a rollercoaster of emotions for everybody.

Here are the highlights for the day... are you ready for a huge post?

Details on the dress, shoes and rings...

The celebration started early in the bride's prep room at the hotel...

This is the first time I've seen Fireball as one of the "items" on a bride's emergency kit.

Chris getting ready...

Didn't I tell you she's glowing?

Portrait with dad!

As a salute to Laura-Jane's heritage...

I love how our grooms look soooo in love!

The kiss!

Portrait time!

At the reception, everybody was laughing one minute...

... wiping tears the next.

Stepped out of The Fraser Room for a few minutes in the middle of dinner to catch the last rays of the glorious sun!

Back to our celebration and speeches (one of Rico and my favorite moments at receptions)...

Father and daughter dance.

The groom trying his hand at bar tending...

Last shot for the night...

Chris and Laura-Jane, thank you SO much for being patient in waiting out to see this blog post... We're totally so behind! Anyway, hope Vegas was great! We'll see you soon!