Sole and Dan

She stepped out of the limo and literally took my breath away. Surrounded by her warm and loving bridesmaids, she just glowed. Her beautiful mom walking towards us, with tears of love gleaming in her eyes. Sole still seemingly unsure of herself and insisting she wasn't photogenic. Me... beyond thrilled to be a part of the magic.

When you've known a family for as long as I've known this one... you completely "get" it. You know to not pay too much attention to little Juvio at first, because he gets overwhelmed and a bit shy. You know that all it takes for Sole to loosen up and be more comfortable in front of the camera is to tell her to shake those little Chilean hips. You know that it will be incredibly important to the amazing Auntie (Tia) Sole to have images with her beautiful nieces and nephews. You know that it will be your main job to ensure that her father doesn't hijack the photo session. It was all incredible. I had many silent tears drip down my cheeks seeing Sole so happy, seeing Dan full of anticipation. Seeing them both in love, so young, so vibrant, so full of life... getting married, in front of Hatley Castle. It's the sort of thing, dreams are made of.

May your lives be full of joy, adventure and endless blessings. So much love to you both. ox

Meg and Troy

My baby cousin got married!!!

My auntie Marie was always the one I wrote letters to as a child. She was also the one, who wrote letters back to me. It was always her house we all gathered at. It was the most fun at her house. You just wanted to put on your jammies and hang out there forever. She is my dads little sister, and of course a favorite Auntie! (don't worry all my other Aunties, you are all my favorites too!!!)

Auntie Marie and Uncle Mark have three daughters. Michelle, Melanie and Megan. Not only are they all "M" names, but they are all silly gorgeous. I couldn't imagine not being a part of our little cousin Megan's wedding day at Olympic View Golf Course in Victoria. I knew she would be beautiful, but I had no idea she would be smoking hot too! It was a gorgeous wedding full of amazing people and glorious light. Meg and Troy, sometimes you just know that two people are supposed to be together... we all just know, that you two are forever.

Thank you so much for including me in your wonderful wedding! Sisters (or in our family, better known as 'seesters' watching their baby sister get all dolled up. Loving looks from the mothers of the groom and bride. I love love love the way these girls love their dad! Look at the pure love here. My beautiful cousins Auntie Marie looking lovingly at her little girl. It struck me here, that her little baby girl, was once... just as small as my baby girl. Unreal! I absolutely love this moment. No one around, but them. There is all sorts of unspoken in this image. I love this one. and this one. I love everything about this image. I love this peekaboo moment between father and daughter.

Tara and Mike

I knew from the first meeting with Tara and Mike that amazing images/experiences were in store. I met up with everyone at The English Inn in Esquimalt, (which is not only beautiful, but incredibly charming as well!) The building is old, and creaky, yet beautifully modern as well... We put Tara in her dress immediately and everything flowed so perfectly from there.

It's not uncommon for me to get emotional during ceremonies or speeches, I'm just that kind of gal... but this was ridiculous... maybe it was the way each bridesmaid had nothing but absolute love for Tara, maybe it was the groom AND groomsmen with tears in their eyes... maybe it was the music, perhaps the way Tara's dad took her hand when they were about to walk down, whatever it was, I had tears rolling down my cheeks (more than once) With each moment in life so fleeting, I just feel so incredibly honored to be given the chance to capture split seconds of love, joy, and all things beautiful... There are moments when I am overwhelmed with beauty and emotion and this was one of them.

Tara and Mike wanted a variety of images, and gave me so much time to create them! I was in creative heaven, with images @ Beacon Hill Park, Ogden Point and along the way from Esquimalt I also tucked away the possibility of using the old train station for some images too (should the bride and groom comply) and much to my utter delight... they not only agreed but were beyond my wildest imagination with "we'll do anything"... They were both dirty after climbing onto teeny tiny ledges against dirty garage doors (which created some hilarious out-takes as well)

While at Beacon Hill Park another interesting thing happened, I noticed that I wasn't choosing locations that I later saw other photographers shooting weddings at... I was far off the beaten track and was down in behind washrooms and all sorts of weird places? Why do I do that? I truly can not explain it... Inspiration is a strange thing, and at the time I just go with it. I love the idea that 20 different wedding photographers can be at work in the same town, and we all come out with different images, locations and end results. I used to love that about working on cruise ships with 15 other photographers on any given ship... we could all be in the same country, same tour even and every one of us would see something different, create images completely diverse in feeling/lighting/composition... I came across this quote a few months ago,

"You have no competition because there is only ONE of you on this earth. Embrace that fact and let it carry you in your art, your business, and your confidence!" -- Mike Colon, Photographer.

After my time was up with Tara and Mike it was on to the reception at the Fireside Grill in West Saanich. Another stunning location! Where the guests were all smiling, and the decor nothing short of amazing. When I was finished up for the evening, saying goodnight to Tara was ... EMOTIONAL! We both, like silly schoolgirls, had tears in our eyes. Everything was just so perfect, and I was so honored to have been such a special part of their magical day.

Congratulations Tara and Mike, and may all of your days be as magical as Saturday was! (p.s... there are A LOT of images that follow... I COULD NOT CHOOSE)

At Ogden Point, Boys will..... At Beacon Hill Park And then... the Abandoned Train Station The aftermath of our time scaling walls... And what shoot would be complete without a train track walk...