20 years:  7300 days ago today, my bro and sis-in-law tied the knot.  I was very delighted – and honoured - to be asked to take their family pictures last month: to capture them, their 5 kids, and their love. 

I instantly had the entire shoot laid out in my head: (ok, I admit, I had it all worked out before Linda even asked!) I envisioned their family on a dock, at their Kawkawa Lake house; and then in their boat, hair whipping in the wind…capturing the essence of summer.  So…I’m not gonna lie, when a session works out exactly like I’d planned, hoped and dreamed, I get kinda excited.  Like as in thrilled. 

These were shot 2 days into fall…but with the brilliant sunshine and warm water, it sure felt like mid-summer!  We started at 9:00 am.  I put on my bathing suit and plunged in, waist deep to get these captures on the dock.  Thanks for trusting my artistic vision guys! :)   ”you want the couch out here? sure, no problem!”

This picture above needs to be blown up BIG.  Couldn’t you just dive right in?!?

Before heading off in the boat, we took a stroll down the road in front of their house…

The Camerawoman Who Dared.  Yup, that’s me. ;)   To get this shot below, I had to stand straight up on the dash (if that’s what you call it on a boat?!) by the windshield, and not holding onto anything, snap away while cruising along at a rather rapid speed!  I’d have to say the results were worth the danger – it’s another one that I’d blow up big, if I were them! :)  That one, and the one of Jake and Linda laying in the front of the boat, with blue sparkling water all around.  Love. 

I could have shared about twice as many, but then you’d be here all day waiting for the pics to load on your computer…and I’m trying to practise some self-restraint. ;)

Thanks for being so fabulous you guys!  I look forward to seeing these on your walls! :)  Jake and Linda, I wish you much happiness, health, and many more years together. xo

Blog loving and well-wishes appreciated. ;)

This is one photogenic chick!  She’s so relaxed in front of the camera, so chill.  Despite the fact that it was 35 degrees out and we were both feeling rather hot and sweaty, and anything but chill, really. 

I’ve gotta admit, I love senior shoots, and was delighted when Julissa booked hers mid-summer.  It was initially going to be a grad-gown shoot, but that fell through last minute…and I think I can confidently say that it all worked out, despite that fact! :) 

Love her relaxed and sassy attitude.  Work it girl! :)

Thanks Julissa – I had great fun, and hope you did too. 

Feel free to let the girl know how fine she’s looking. ;)

…and then I was off to Carey-Jane and Ben’s engagement session immediately after this one….those pics are up next!

This session was fun to shoot and edit since it’s a little different for me: no kids, no countryside.  Just teenagers, in this fabulous urban setting found by their parents.  Great location scouting Robert and Sandra, I may have to hire you! ;)

The photo session was a Christmas gift from the kids to their parents.  Good thinking guys…anyone reading this take note – I even have gift certificates if need be! :)

Loving these vivid, bright colours and textures!

PS  This family signed up for my free birthday give-away in February (11×14 print).  If you too signed up, and already had a session, I apologize.  While I do have a list, I have been forgetting to check it!  Please email me with your choice and I’ll order the pic asap.  If you have a session coming up, and signed up, please remind me when you book.  Thanks.

Picking the perfect grad dress is usually one of the most exciting aspects of graduation for most girls.   Ciska, on the other hand, has had hers picked out for 4 years already. 

Ciska happened to see the most perfect dress in a school’s yearbook….in it, my cousin Cathrine was wearing the most perfect yellow dress that Ciska could have ever envisioned, and she said to her mom “when I graduate, I want to wear that dress!!!” 

Flash forward 3.5 years and Ciska’s mom gave a phone call to enquire about the whereabouts of the perfect yellow dress, and requested to borrow it.  Apparently Cathrine’s little sister had been using it for dress-up for the past few years, but Ciska was more then welcome to see if it was salvageable.  Well, after getting it dry-cleaned and steamed the dress turned out like brand new….and it fit Cisk  like it was made for her! :) 

I’m sure you’ll agree that she looked gorgeous in it:

Ciska happens to be one of my kids’ babysitters…and we’d like to congratulate her on her graduation, and wish her all the best in her university ed!

I had the honour of photographing Mount Cheam’s grad portraits 2 weeks ago…before their ceremony and banquet.  It was so fun taking pictures of these super excited kids, in one of the most thrilling times of their lives.  Congrats you guys! :)

Curently working of finishing a session of a beautiful/handsome mommy & daddy-to-be, as well as scouting out locations for the next 6+ sessions that’ll hopefully be shot in the next 2 weeks! 

Thanks for stopping by! :)

I’m so proud and excited to introduce my first Tiny Light family to you! 

Thanks guys, for being so patient as we tried (and tried) to set a date for this photoshoot.  I hope you’ll agree that it was all worth the wait! :)  The weather was phenomenal…and so were you all.  I loved meeting you and shooting you.

Meet Maddison.  Maddi is a fun-loving, active 10 year old, who loves to dance and sing.  Sadly, she’s also been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, which is a chronic illness with no cure, and it prevents her from attending school in the morning due to the pain.  She is currently involved in a study at Children’s Hospital…and is hoping that one day a cure will be found for her illness.  As you can see, Maddi doesn’t let the disease define her or her personality: it shines and she simply radiates beauty. 

Consider yourself warned: this is a very long post as (once again) I simply couldn’t narrow down my favorites! :)

We started our session at the Cultural Centre and Prospera Centre…

…before we headed off to a field for an early supper picnic.

See what I mean?  Isn’t she gorgeous?  ….the rest of the family isn’t so bad either! ;)  Thanks again guys – hope you love the pics!

That’s how excited I was when I was going through these pictures: I was like a kid in a candy shop, unable to decide which ones to edit first. 

Vanessa came down from Calgary for the weekend, and her mom had surprised her with a photoshoot.  Yay for  me - and her…fun times all around! :)  Man, what a model she is – she sure made my job easy! 

We met downtown and took some shots out back of Wellington so she could relax and get used to the camera before we headed to the candy shop.  Well, clearly she didn’t need to be “eased” into anything at all – that picture on the top right is the very first shot I took!!  Vanessa, Seventeen magazine may be calling you up soon! ;)

Sorry there’s so many, I really couldn’t narrow it down.  Hello gorgeous:

I’m rather excited (like I mentioned last week) that I was told about this great candy store a few weeks ago.  Sticky’s Candy is the largest candy store in the lower mainland.  Such a bright and fun place, and great staff too – thanks for the use of your shop! :)  You’ll find them on Wellington in Chilliwack beside The Bookman:

Thanks for looking – and waiting for all these pics to load!   Give Vanessa a little blog love why don’t ya?  We’d appreciate it! :)

This afternoon was wonderful.  Two fabulously fun sessions which I’m thrilled with, and just HAD to share a few of. 

Remember that amazing location I told you about on my FB page?  Well, I can’t wait to show you more pictures of the beautiful Vanessa, taken inside of Sticky’s next week…(I’m so thankful my sis-in-law told me about this place!) 

The second session was my first Tiny Light!  Loved everything about this session too – you guys were great!! 

More of each session coming soon! :)

Have a good weekend.  Cheers!

I’m so happy to be able to share with you the first sunny, warm, spring evening session of 2011!   It was so wonderful to be shooting out there in that sensational, golden light – I’m sure looking forward to many more evenings like this, in the next few months! :) 

I’m now offering kk-mini “me” sessions.  1/2 hour session in the Rosedale area, capturing the fun and fabulous you!  Great price, great pictures…[contact] me for more details.   Looking forward to seeing you some time on the other side of my lens! :)

Thanks Judina for a fun session – even if you were so adamant that you weren’t good company because you had no voice!  As you can see, my camera adored you! ;)

This, my dear clients and blog-stalkers, is my last session of the pre-Christmas season.  (Well, as it stands right now anyway…there is one more session that we’re still trying to squeak in between the rain, snow, and this crazy hectic thing called life, but without success so far.)  Don’t fear, however, as I will continue to post throughout these winter months! :) 

There’s nothing like going out with a bang – I’m rather fond of this session, if I may say so myself: the color (I LOVE tons of color), the clients (I LOVE shooting family), the location! :) 

A rather handsome bunch, no?!

Yeah, I thought so too.

Cheers!