time for a pilgrimage...

It's that time of year again. Our annual family adventure. Some of us fly, some of us drive. We may stay for 2 weeks or we may stay a month. It can all vary, but one thing that doesn't is our commitment to spending time together... to slowing down our minds from the fast-paced lives we leave behind... to just being present with nature and each other. And of course the surf is amazing as well :)

There is no greater gift than being here with family and friends. Surfing and laughing, catching up on the life we've lived since the last time we were together. I treasure the time together and I treasure the solitude and peace. There is so much space, and whether you are aware of it or not, a shift happens. You stop reaching for your cell phone, you don't even think about facebook or the tv shows you are missing. Spending an hour watching the birds race along the beach feels like 5 minutes. Life is simple again- eat, surf, read, beach walk, surf, eat, sleep. And lots of laughter in between. Within a week, our bodies are bronzed from the relentless sun and strong from all the surfing. Eating only fresh food and spending hours in the ocean initiates a natural detox. Sleep is deep here, under a sky with more stars than one sees in a lifetime.

Although I find this experience incredible, it's not for everyone. However, I encourage you to take the time to find your own 'pilgrimage' to still your mind and clean your body. Be present with yourself and those around you. Connect and be in alignment with your truth. Give yourself this gift...

When this post goes live, I will have been there a few days. I can pretty much guarantee there is a smile on my face :)

Here is a blackberry video from our previous years...

 

wander-lust

The German equivalent, Fernweh, literally means "an ache for distance". Wikipedia's definition is 'a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world.' 

I've got both.

It can be seen as both a blessing a curse. At times I yearn for stability and put some roots down, and others I have no problem leaving the garden I spent so much time tending. I know it stems back to the years of childhood travel, I know it is an integral part of who I am today.

And right now I got it bad. After a year of restricted travel due to an accident, I am ready to take flight. It has been a year of challenges and rewards and so much growth. To accommodate all this, I need expansion... I need to get out of this box I have been living in to process these experiences and formulate a revised plan for my future. I have changed, so my goals must change accordingly as well. 5 months of physiotherapy has realigned my body, now I need to realign my mind...

A couple weeks ago I took a short trip to Death Valley. A perfect place for expansion. At first glance the valley appeared quite barren. Oh how it proved me wrong. From sand dunes to salt flats, from dry lake beds to water-fluted canyons. It was spectacular. Here are a few from the trip.

 

Gratitude...

One of my favorite quotes...

'Live your dream. Dream your life'

I'm not sure where or when I first heard it, but it's been my mantra for years... and not for all of which I had the courage to live by it. But I am getting better. It reminds me that anything and everything is possible. Whatever you can dream up, you can create in your life.

I live a wonderful life. I am so blessed to do what I love every day. Most of those days involve holding a camera and capturing moments... slivers of peoples' lives that I get to be a part of. This exchange fills me with so much gratitude. Never could I have imagined how rewarding it would be...

My clients invite me into their homes, their celebrations, their entire world, all the while trusting me and sharing themselves. This is an incredibly special space to be in. It is such an honor to be a part of it, and something I never take for granted. After every photoshoot, I have learned something, and I am changed because of it. This is such a gift.

Being the end of an incredibly busy and successful summer, I find myself reflecting on the hundreds of truly amazing people I met and worked with. I am also so grateful for my peers and mentors that support me, challenge me and make me a better individual and photographer. I have been embraced by some of the best in the city. Thank you!

My clients, mentors, peers and friends- I have cherished our experiences and I look forward to a future of amazing possibilities with you all!

I am left with so much gratitude... xoxo

Jared & Raj | Stunning Wedding @ Rosewood Hotel Georgia

You would never know it by all the incredible details, but this was a rather last minute wedding. With only 3 months to plan it in order to time it with a visit from Raj's family from London, everything had to fall into place perfectly... which it did. From the stunning new Rosewood Hotel Georgia venue opening its doors just in time, to finding the perfect ring, the ideal dress, and an amazing cake artist... it was meant to be.

I fell in love with Jared and Raj instantly. Raj has such a blinding beauty made even moreso by her easy laugh and loving demeanor. Jared has this amazing quality of making everyone feel welcome, and under his laid back attitude is a man that gets the job done without missing a beat... all with a sparkle in his eye. They are incredible people apart... but it is blatantly obvious, they are so much better together.

Jared and Raj, I can't tell you what an honor it was to share in your day, to help capture memories that marks the beginning of a new life together. And what a wonderful life it will be...  xoxo

Beautiful earrings by one of my favorite designers, Elsa Corsi!

One of the most unique custom designed rings I've seen. Stunning!

Ummmm.... speechless.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia had so many great vignettes to photograph in...

Unfortunately, Raj's father fell sick only the week before, and in turn, her parents couldn't attend the wedding. Instead, her brother and sister walked her down the aisle.

Raj, Jared and Sianne performed a sand ceremony symbolizing the joining of two families into one.

Hands down, one of my favorites...

Now this is a gorgeous couple. Wow.

I love this bathtub series. How could we not, right?

The new Ballroom is beyond gorgeous.

And now to one of my favorite parts of the evening. The dancing! This was an especially terrific dancing group, starting off with the Hora. I could have watched this all night!

 Ceremony & Reception Venue : Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Dress : Sottero Midgley

Tux : Giorgio Armani | Harry Rosen

Ring : Custom Designed

Shoes : Brian Atwood

Jewelry : Elsa Corsi (earrings)  Allan Anderson (bracelet)

Make-up : Jason Hadikin

Hair : Ria Osborne | Blow

Florist : Dolly Randhawa | Surrey Flowers

Cake : Jill Shumka | The Uncommon Cake

Decorator : Polly | Art of the wedding

Photobooth : SmartPix

Photographer : Melissa Gidney Photography

Videographer : RF Productions

Wedding Coordinator of the day : Lara Holte

DJ : DJ Wax

 

death valley snaps

 

I haven't owned a point and shoot camera for at least 10 years. I bought an expensive underwater version a few years ago with visions of taking it surfing with my family... but it was the quality of images above water that I couldn't handle. So I returned it. 2 days later. But I don't always want to haul my professional camera around. Try getting a candid shot at a dinner party with a huge lens in someone's face. It's not going to happen. It's those random moments... like a wall mural that inspires you, or the way your puppy has fallen asleep.

Enter the iphone and all its wonderful apps. Right now I am loving instagram. I can take great photos... spontaneous, fun, IMPERFECT photos... and create a life diary of images that better represent how I live, versus what I do for a living. My professional camera has its place, and I cherish it like no other, but sometimes I just want to have the freedom to take random, carefree shots... and this allows me to do that.

Thank you instagram.

Here is a few from my recent trip to Death Valley...

 

 

road to you

Somewhere... there is a road that will take me to you. To the ends of the Earth and wherever we choose. Across oceans and deserts where lakes once lay, and all of the special fields along the way.