34/52

Project 52

34/52: snacks at auntie's house

You love olives... especially these ones. And you love to eat them at auntie's house. And you love to sit on the side of the picnic table where the kitty is carved into it. Currently he is hiding under auntie's tablecloth, but you know he is there... hiding just to your right.

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Project 52

33/52: summer in the okanagan

You swam. You slept in a beautiful rustic cabin. You ate peaches.  You played with grandmas kitties. You watched deer. You ran in circles. You ate pizza on the grass in a vineyard. You swam some more. You rode on a scenic boat tour of the lake. You cuddled with grandma. You played with your cousins and your auntie. You celebrated your third birthday. You rode on a steam train. You slept in a tent under grandma's walnut tree. You fed groundhogs. You collected peaches from Thorman. You swam some more. You played baseball in an orchard until the neighbor's enthusiasm made you cry... and then you made me carry you to all the bases.

One week every summer isn't long enough for this gorgeous place. You miss grandma already.

32/52 :: THREE

Project 52

32/52: happy birthday my sweet love.

Your papa and I would never go so far as to ban pink from your wardrobe, but we've had to make an effort to avoid its' potential takeover. Anyone who's ever been shopping for a young girl might know how difficult it is to find gifts or clothing in any other palette. For some reason, just saying the words "it's for a girl" is enough to be bombarded by glitter, princesses and pink, pink and more pink. Yes, it takes a major detour to avoid this shiny sparkly place!

So, when you spot auntie Lyndi's present wrapped in hot pink tissue paper, you go straight for it.... attracted like a moth to a light bulb. Amongst the piles of pink paper you discover a sparkly pink crown marked "Princess" and a matching shiny pink, feathery happy birthday wand. You love them! You immediately put the crown on your head and start circling the wand around yourself.

I cringe for a second, but even i find it difficult to not admit that it's sort of adorable. However, my secret moment of pride comes seconds later when you turn the crown upside down, pull it down over your face like a mask and yell, "This wand shoots FIRE!!!"

That's my girl! :)

You are such a very clever, feisty, independent, charming, creative and entertaining little 3 year old.

You melt my heart. I love you so.

 

More favorites from her peachy-sunny-Okanagan-sort-of-girly third birthday party:

Thank you Auntie Ella for creating this beautiful birthday cake. If you hadn't saved the day by making the top half, I would have used the stale whole wheat flour throughout... and then the whole thing would have tasted like day-old muffins!

Baby Else :: Vancouver Portrait Photographer

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"Being pregnant and giving birth is like walking a narrow bridge. People can accompany you to the bridge. They can greet you on the other side. But you walk that bridge alone." - African Proverb

A friend gave me this proverb in a card a week or so after i had my baby and I cried when i read it. Yes, i am sure i was hormonal, but it was comforting to suddenly realize their were others who understood this journey i was on and that i was not so alone in my feeling so alone.

Welcome to the world of motherhood Kristina. I am so proud to greet you on the other side.  And welcome baby Else. We have all been waiting for you for a very long time. You are a wonderful gift.

Shawna & Alhan's Pemberton Wedding :: Best Overall Wedding Photography Finalist at the Professional BC Wedding Awards 2013

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This gorgeous couple wed in one of the most beautiful spots i've ever had the privilege of photographing! North Arm Farm in Pemberton offered a picturesque backdrop to Shawna and Alhan's ceremony and long table dinner reception. Real Weddings Magazine also took notice and  published their wedding in their current Spring/Summer 2014 issue.

Their "first look" was one of the sweetest moments of the day. Before the tears began, Alhan actually gasped out loud when he first saw Shawna. She literally took his breathe away... awe.

Wedding Planner: Soha Lavin at Countdown Events // Venue: North Arm Farms // Hair & Makeup: Nadia Albano // Jewellery: Elsa Corsi // Decor provided by Upright Decor and Pedersen's Rentals // Flowers: Celsia Florist // Catering: Railtown Catering // Music: Siegel Entertainment // Bride's Dress: Alison Hartford for Manuel Mendoza // Wedding Rings: Custom made

As featured in Real Weddings Magazine:

On a final note... a submission to the 2013 BC Wedding Awards with images from Shawna and Alhan's wedding landed us a finalist position in the Best Overall Wedding Photography category. I am so flattered and humbled to even be recognized in a category i know is oooozing with province wide talent and skill. So, a big shout out is due to my entire team (Kyoko, Danielle, Ronnie) for all of their creative energy and hard work... all of the time. Thanks also to Shawna and Alhan (and all of our wonderful clients) who invite us into their lives and trust us with such an important role.

 
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Mother + Daughter Studio Portrait Session / Vancouver Portrait Photographer

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When Jen contacted me to do a portrait session in studio of her and her mother, I learned that Jen's mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and that Jen was helping her make her way through a bucket list of activities that they had created together. A photo shoot was one item on their list and i was more than honored to help them with this.

Sonia Leal-Serafim at They Rep agency pampered the two with hair+makeup prior to our short and sweet session at Sugar Studios. We all had a lovely time together. We laughed a lot. I hope these photographs make them smile. I hope they can cherish them always.

I take hundreds of photographs of my daughter every week and i love having those. But i do appreciate the images i have of her and i together. There aren't many, but she is young and i will try to manage a photo session with her (by a professional) every year at least! I wish i had more images of my mother and i together when i was young and i hope that Astird will treasure ours. Our last photo session was in April with our talented friend Sherri Koop. It's framed and hanging in our home. I love it and am so thankful for it.

Happy mid-week everyone. Enjoy your family!

Miya & Sal / Engagement Session / Vancouver Portrait Photographer

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Sigh!... I just adore these two. Miya and Sal are sweet, sexy, super stylish, affectionate and so very in love. AND they are high school sweethearts (this makes me melt). Also, they are fearless and trusting and gave me permission to experiment on them so i was able to produce my first E-Session Video! Basically they were a dream to work with.

I'm now hooked on shooting engagement videos and excited by the idea of being able to produce many more little films like this one.

(scroll down for video)

Miya+Sal's Engagement Video:

Sarah & Carson in Wedluxe Magazine / Vancouver Wedding Photographers

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The brand new Summer/Fall 2014 issue of Wedluxe Magazine is now available and i was pretty excited to find Sarah and Carson's wedding featured in there amongst many other eye popping events and editorials. Sarah + Carson's gorgeous summer event took place at one of my favorite local indoor venues... The Vancouver Club. A brilliant team of wedding professionals were involved in bringing the couple's vision together and making it happen beautifully and flawlessly. My favorite moment was Sarah's emotional walk down the aisle with her father towards Carson.

I am happy to finally share a few of their images here...

PHOTOGRAPHERS • LEANNE PEDERSEN and KYOKO FIERRO // PLANNER • COUNTDOWN EVENTS PLANNING AND DESIGN // VENUE AND CATERING • THE VANCOUVER CLUB // STATIONERY • WINTONS SOCIAL STATIONERY // GOWN DESIGNER • VERA WANG FROM BLUSH BRIDAL // ACCESSORIES • ELSA CORSI FROM BLUSH BRIDAL // HAIR AND MAKEUP • SONIA LEAL-SERAFIM AT THEY REPRESENTATION// FORMAL WEAR • TOM FORD // SHOES • CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN // FLORAL • GRANVILLE ISLAND FLORIST // DECOR • UPRIGHT DECOR // RENTALS • PEDERSENS, SALMONS, A&B PARTYTIME, LONSDALE RENTALS // CAKE • GANACHE PATISSERIE // ENTERTAINMENT • SIEGEL ENTERTAINMENT AND GIRL ON WAX // CINEMATOGRAPHY • LOVE STORY MEDIA // TRANSPORTATION • LIMOUSINES BY KJ LIMOS

As seen in Wedluxe Magazine:

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31/52 ⚓

Project 52

31/52: Your first time sailing!

We sailed all day in the gorgeous sun with Yaya and Granny on their boat 'Aurora' and then anchored in Montague Bay off Galiano Island for a lovely dinner and an evening under the endless stars. In the morning, we rowed ashore with Papa to walk the beach where you discovered several little seaside creatures. I have to admit it made me a little nervous to see you so confident on deck. I'd say you are a natural little skipper!

Erin Cebula: BIG LOVE BALL Project / Vancouver Lifestyle Photographer

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How exciting to photograph the beautiful Erin Cebula of Entertainment Tonight Canada for the Big Love Ball Photography Project! We caught up with Erin on the sea wall in Olympic Village for a few portraits of her with her gorgeous blue cruiser (Justice)... and of course a few Love Balls.

The Big Love Ball Photography Project is an invitation to share a moment of art-felt connection through play with the intention of creating a universal family portrait. I have been involved with this project since it's onset when i did a little promo video and fashion shoot for them last year. Wendy Williams-Watt is a Canadian designer and Big Love Ball creator. She is an incredible talent... a gifted soul i have the honor and pleasure of working and collaborating with for several years now. Her mind is constantly filled with brilliant ideas and projects. When she speaks, i'm usually smart to just shut up and listen.

HERE is another Big Love Ball shoot i recently did with Wendy... featuring my most favorite subject:)

And some of our other collaborations can seen HERE and HERE.

Get involved by visiting Big Love Ball. Or, purchase your own Love Ball in a variety of sizes from their shop.

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