I love doing headshot portraits outside in natural light. I find the variety in backgrounds is far more interesting than what I have in the studio. All of these images were created within a one block radius but result in lots of different options to choose from.
What an incredible shoot it was with Keira & Tegan. So much love and laughter. The light was beautiful as the sun headed towards the horizon on this hot summer evening. I feel so fortunate when I get to photograph the raw and vibrant love that exists between a parent and child. Thank you, Keira & Tegan, for allowing me into your wondrous world and for the beer on the sun-kissed deck afterwards ;)
A great little moment from Leanne & Taylor’s fun-filled wedding. I have never busted a gut laughing as hard as I did with this wedding party. They say humour is the key to a long marriage and happy marriage. Taylor and Leanne are set ;)
Canada is at a pivotal moment right now in regards to energy sector decisions. It is a hugely polarizing issue and BC has found itself in the middle of the scrum. The tar sands in Alberta are expanding at an alarming rate and a pipeline is proposed to carry the bitumen from the tar sands across BC to the coast where it would be shipped to China. There is also a massive dam being proposed in the Peace River Valley in order to provide power to the expansion of the mining and gas industries in Northern BC. The Sacred Headwaters in the Klappan Valley has been slotted for coalbed methane drilling and the list goes on and on. Because a lot of this is happening in remote areas of BC it has taken some time for awareness and opposition to grow. But grow it has. These are big decisions, with big impacts on BC, and BC residents want in on the debate.
It was so moving being up at the rally in Prince Rupert and seeing community come together with such solidarity against the Enbridge pipeline. Many remote and coastal communities depend directly on the lands and waters for their food, livelihood, and cultural practices. If there was a spill in the area, it would not just be an inconvenience, it would completely desecrate the way of life for thousands of people, not to mention sealife and wildlife. In opposing the pipeline, these communities are fighting for their lives.
One of the reasons I feel so strongly about getting personally involved as a photographer in this issue is the inequality in financial capacities of the opposing sides. On the “for” side we have oil and gas and the majority government. They’ve got a few dollars to throw around. They can pay for primetime ads. They’ve got their voice covered. It is the other side that I worry is being underrepresented. The other side doesn’t have a media budget. They just have a whole lot of passionate people that are willing to fight for what they believe is right. So it will take tenacity, ingenuity, strength, intelligence, communication, sharing, and lots of other good stuff for us to get to a point of open educated debate on these issues (without being overrun by glossy rhetoric). So what I have to offer on this side of the debate is my skills. I don’t have many but I take a decent picture. So that is what I give.
Most major media didn’t go up to Prince Rupert for the rally. Too remote? To expensive to go? Not news worthy? I can only speculate. What I do know is that it was the most powerful display of civil society I have seen in a long while. I personally believe that that needs to be seen, to be shared, and to be considered during the pipeline decision.
If you would like more information on the pipeline and its implications here are some great links :
Humans are incredibly intelligent, innovative creatures. We have options. The pipeline is not the only option that could provide jobs and economic growth.
If you think this side of the debate needs more air time, please share.
I took a video of the drumming and dancing on my iphone (that doesn’t do it justice at all!) that you can check out here.
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Here is a “quick” sneak peek of Theresa and Witek’s wedding on Pender Island. It was so hard to pick just a few as this was such a gorgeous and unique wedding. Not only were the bride and groom stunning but the setting was brilliant as well. Theresa’s family has been on Pender since the late 1800′s (I love that!). Her father used to fly Theresa in his airplane and land on the private airfield seen in some of the photos below. I loved that the backdrop of their wedding had such personal history and meaning to them. Theresa & Witek also happen to be super fun! I was so excited when they were game to jump on the trampoline before dinner ;) Oh, and there was the dancing in the orchard…
Theresa and Witek, thank you so much for having us be a part of your wedding day. I will never forget the magic of it!
A big thanks to Lana Winnichyn for second shooting for me!
I am 100% completely in love with the name Quinn, and here the name couldn’t be attached to a more perfect baby. For the record, Quinn was on my name list for my own child but my husband vetoed it so I’m thrilled that it lives on in another close to me! I love watching young children interact with their new baby siblings. These times are so precious. My heart melted at the photo below where Owen is counting Quinn’s toes. So cute!
The table that Quinn is on in the latter pictures was made by her grandfather. It holds evidence of the time her father went at it with a hammer when he was but a child. Endearing now, probably not so much at the time ;) Her grandfather also made the wheelbarrow that her brother is giving her a lift in. Yay, Grandpa!
I pulled an old Remington from my typewriter collection for this special session. Baby Nathan’s great-grandmother was a published poet and she always did her writing on a typewriter. Nathan’s mom has lots of memories of playing away and learning how to type at her grandmother’s. Sadly, while Nathan was still in his mama’s belly, his great-grandmother passed away. We thought this shoot would make a fitting tribute to her.
Here are a few magical moments from Stephanie & Brian’s wedding day. I cannot express in words the gratitude and warmth that I feel for this couple. Stephanie & Brian first met with me and subsequently hired me while I was still dealing with my inner ear issues and vertigo. Even though their wedding was a few months away I had no idea whether I would be healthy for it (I am still so jubilant and grateful that I am healed!). When they said they wanted to book me I replied that I totally appreciated their support and confidence but that this was their wedding and if they wanted to hire someone else I would completely understand. They told me that nothing is guaranteed in life. They could hire someone else and something could happen to them. They wanted to hire the person that they wanted the most. They wanted to hire me. I cried. Ok I waited until after the meeting and then I cried. I was so touched by their compassion and insistence. And the story gets better. Stephanie is an Athletic Therapist and she practices cranio-sacral techniques ( which can help ease vertigo). Stephanie not only supported and believed in me but she also helped heal me. Yes, she is that awesome. Yes, her husband Brian is that awesome. Yes, this couple is pure greatness. I love you guys. xoxo
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