The last of the summer weddings

I am trying to get this little blog updated. I have a bit of a backlog, but it will be good to slowly catch up and reminisce about the summer. I can't believe it is finally fall. A chill is in the air, especially in the mornings which is wonderful as it reminds me of the change of season.

I finally handed off the wedding album to the last of my summer weddings. The wedding occurred on one of the final very warm days of summer. I was shooting at Century Gardens and Minoru Park again. It is nice to return to a familiar spot with completely different energy. The bride was stunning and again it is so nice to peek into the lives of others if only for a few hours.
Thank you Lenora and Dave for a great last hoorah before the season turned.

Why Not a Happy Parent Birthday?

One thing no one told me in all the advice given with my first pregnancy is how intense the loss of self can be. I traded one identity, that I had grown quite used to let me tell you, for a very new and different one. I was over the moon to become a mother, but I wish I had taken a little more time to acknowledge and honour my former self.

It is the most intense feeling to be 'on' all the time. I am only now coming out the other side and of course I will never be the person I once was, nor do I wish to be. For the last five years I have given my heart and soul to my children. They are at an age now when my baby needs me less and my oldest wishes for me to remain on the fringes, but still cuddle her to sleep every night.

I have mixed feelings about their new independence from me. On one side I am sentimental that the baby years are behind us, but at the same time I am excited to reclaim a little of my old self.

As the busy wedding and event season winds down and school has started I may just have a bit more time on my hands. I look forward to spending one on one time with my youngest, but also that when she naps ( I hope she continues for a little longer) that will be my time. I will try not to fill it with work, but just sit and have a coffee and perhaps even read...woohoo!!

I am writing this coming from a recent maternity shoot where I try to capture the essence of my clients, and mainly the mother-to-be, so that there in colour or black and white is the person/persons on the cusp of being a newly hatched parent.

We should celebrate the birth of the parent, mourn the loss of self and then completely give ourselves over to the child. Happy Parent Day to you!

Jill and Lisa Get Married

At some weddings I feel blessed enough to be one of the gang. Lisa and Jill and their whole support team made me feel that way last weekend. I will also say that this wedding was a candid photographer's dream. The antics were non-stop and silliness was everywhere.

Yet underneath all that silliness that Jill and Lisa are known for was a very deep passion that made everyone smile. These two ladies absolutely adore one another.

Lisa looking super hot and sexy with those shades on.

Jill danced her way into the room. Long before that fun wedding entrance video went viral on you tube, Jill had her routine planned out. It was the beginning of the antics. Once the ceremony started though, Jill became so serene and was so present for Lisa.

We took pictures in Century Gardens and if I could include them all I would. After every (remotely) serious photo they would all screw up their faces as if they were all in on some kind of inside joke. I just had the camera ready and snapped away.

The 'groomsmens' fantastic footwear.

They took a moment to themselves while the bridal party played.

The end of a fantastic night!

Vancouver is a pretty cool and open-minded city!

On Monday I received a phone call asking for my services for a very intimate wedding the next day. Karen and Lisa had flown in from Australia the day before, saw how open and amazing Vancouver is for sex-same weddings and decided then to organize a ceremony for the next day. They managed to pick up a licence, find a marriage commissioner, find moi aka the photographer, pick out rings, make hair appts, and have bouquets made.
They left the next day to head down to San Fransisco where initially they had wanted to tie the knot, but of course were thwarted. A quick side trip to Vancouver to suss out the situation here was very rewarding.
I would just like to say for the record that these two beautiful women were a joy to photograph. I often felt as if they didn't even know I was there. I believe these nuptials were a long time coming for the two of them. They were so obviously in love and felt very comfortable in Vancouver. I asked them about their experience and commented that is not always a gay-friendly city. For them everyone went out of their way to help them set the details and thus my faith is restored.
I seem to have had a few faith restoring episodes in the last little while from all angles. I was very pleased that they found me and I wish them the best for the future.

Love is in the Air.

I had the opportunity to photograph Ashley Marie and the love of her life, Sean. The two simply oozed love. Ashley is a musical drama student and had declared her love for Sean through music the night before at a performance. Why not follow this up with a portrait session on a beautiful spring day.