Last week I had the pleasure of hanging out with a really cool family. I went to the beach with Grant, Shannon and their sweet son, Nathan. Wow, is that 2 year old ever on the move! Shannon and Grant have such a calming presence, mixed in with his adventurous and independent spirit
Nathan had a beautiful, serene way about him. Expecting another little one any day, Shannon was so radiant, just glowing!
Such a beautiful family! Thank you! Can't wait to meet the new addition... much love.
Elysia and Davison met in Mexico, her mom prompting Elysia to visit, all the while hinting to Davison of the arrival of her beautiful daughter. Davison, known as the eternal bachelor, finally met his match. His friends and family were quite shocked when announcing their engagement, but seeing them together... well, it all makes sense.
I've known Elysia since grade 2. For 6 months I lived on the small Northern Gulf Island, Read, and went to a small school where most of the students were boated in each morning. It was an amazing community to be exposed to. Neighbors became your family, everyone helped each other out. I became close friends with Avril and Elysia, writing each other for years after I left, and eventually visiting each other when we were older. To this day, they are two of the most caring, genuine, and FUN women I know.
More than 20 years later, I find myself returning to Read Island to attend Elyisa's wedding. Being the West Coast, it wasn't such a surprise that it rained all weekend, and even less of a surprise that everyone took it in stride. Family and friends cut down trees to make a huge tent, neighbors helped prepare the orchard, baked cakes and prepared food. Everyone pitched in to help create the perfect day... even though most of it was in the rain. The rain did ease in the evening, however, allowing everyone to dance the night away in the apple orchard, gumboots and all.
Elysia and Davison, it was so wonderful to share this day with you! Two beautiful souls... I love you! xoxo
I’ve known Cristi since first year at SFU. She sat across from me in a biology tutorial, and I couldn’t help but stare at her. Her beauty was soft, yet exotic… she was stunning. I soon found out that she was not only beautiful, but one of the most intelligent, caring, loyal and giving people I’ve yet to meet. We went through the Science program together, helping each other with calculus exams and chemistry labs, heartache and heart break, laughter and tears, exhaustion and fears. She was with me then and she is with me now. Always.
Tomorrow she is to be married to a great man. No longer the girl sitting across from me in university, she is now a radiant women ready to marry.
Thank you, my lovely, for the years of such a truly special friendship! I love you both… xoxo
Before every photo shoot, I get butterflies... of excitement and anticipation about what is going to be created in coming together with the intent of capturing someone else's lives. It is a special exchange that takes place. They open their doors, welcoming me into their home, sharing themselves with me, and in return, I share what I see in them, the moments and details that make them and their love unique. Yesterday was no different as I drove down Highway 99 and turned onto a small farm road. Rustic barns, fields of green and rows of sunflowers lined the narrow road, and I began to get really excited to meet this couple for the first time. We had exchanged a couple of emails, but it was all arranged quite quickly because Karlene was due to have twins literally any day! We had to wait until after the weekend, at which point I received an email, "yup, I am still pregnant, so this is a good sign." I liked her already!
Andrew and Karlene, it was such a fun morning together. I cannot wait for part II of this session, when 2 becomes 4! Good luck and much love...
This past week I was in Victoria and had the pleasure of hanging out with some friends I knew from back home. Over the years they have done some amazing things, one of the most recent being launching a produce market, called the Rootcellar, that is doing better than they imagined, with over 55 employees after only a year. In my opinion, though, their greatest accomplishments go by the names Tai, Raine and Diem. What beautiful boys. Tai has eyes and a smile that you know are going to break millions of hearts in his lifetime. Raine has the funniest personality and is an entertainer in the making. And Diem, the cutest little man, already fiercely independent, just wanting to be one of the boys...
The lighting was so spectacular and the boys so much fun, I could have played and photographed them for hours! Hopefully I will get another chance soon. Adam and Daisy, you are a gorgeous family! Much love...
A few more...
Adi and Mandana came from Dubai to have their ceremony in our beautiful city. It was a truly joyous celebration with lots of music, laughter, food and love. Both the ceremony and reception were held at the Four Seasons, which was a spectacular venue.
It was my first Persian wedding, and I found it so interesting to learn about the wedding customs and traditions. At the ceremony, the bride and groom sat at a long table, each with their parents at their side. The "sofreh", or spread, layed out before them, is taken very seriously because what it contains is believed and hoped to be in the couple’s life and marriage. Amongst lavish flower bouquets were platters of sweets and pastries, a large mirror that is placed in front of the bride and groom to bring light and happiness into the future, a pomegranate for a joyous future and an egg for fertilty, in addition to many other symbolic items. Judging by this sofreh, Adi and Mandana are going to have an amazing future together!
Stay tuned for Part 2...