Beauty in Bellies

Well here we have one of my favorite families. Ever. I have known Maritte since before I was able to walk. We have gone through many firsts together... first steps, first grade, first peeing of pants due to hysterical laughter, first loves, first BAD breakups, first traveling experiences.... She in fact isn't even a friend... she is family. She has been on more Wallis family roadtrips than anyone aught to, she gets all the really bad inside jokes, we know the same silly songs, I think she even held my baby sister before me (urg)... and according to my brother, she was way more fun to play with than me.

So, to my delight, on her wedding day (where I was not only her Maid of Honor, but also her photographer)... she married another very good friend of mine... (in fact, I introduced them when I told her 'husband to be' Eduardo, that Maritte would be walking down with us for our high school graduation) Eduardo has always been a wonderful friend to me, and in fact, we treat each other more like siblings than friends... Maritte has given up on trying to get us not to fight... we tend to be at each other frequently... But I love him like a brother none the less.

Fast forward to the birth of their first child. I was working away with Princess Cruises, bobbing around the seas, attempting to quiet my restless pirate heart... Maritte was due soon.... I knew that... I was having pain.... cramping... couldn't stop thinking about Maritte.. I looked at a friend on board the ship... 'My friend Marittey is having her baby', and she was... right at that very time. I felt so far away, yet still so purely connected to her and her family.

I couldn't be happier to be able to be here, and capture these maternity memories with them, and really look forward to meeting the newest addition to this love fueled wild bunch. I love you all so very much. ox Eduardo took this photo of Leola and I (which I love) I do not believe you can NOT love this face! and then we headed out for some outdoorsy fun images... I love this image. Just giving mom some snuggles And who can resist the run away shot... look at her little legs!!!

Kim and James could use your help...

Many of you expressed a sincere impact that the photos from Kim and James Wedding had on you. They may have a bit more when you learn of the past 2 weeks events. Kims sister Tara has started a blog to keep us updated on James' condition and progress. This is a bit from Tara's blog...

"On Thursday September 25th at three in the morning, James and his band mates were in a tragic car accident near Brandon, Manitoba. James and his band (The Hotel Lobbyists) were following their dream of touring across Canada, and were only a few days from arriving back home in Vancouver. It was a terrible accident that resulted in the unfathomable loss of their drummer and close friend, Mike Gurr. The accident involved only their van which went off the road and rolled. James was thrown from the vehicle and has been fighting for his life ever since. He is in ICU at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre. Kim, his mother, father, sister, and my mom are all in Winnipeg with him."

You can read more about James' condition here... http://www.kimandjameswood.blogspot.com/

Kim has spent most of her life in and out of hospital with Cystic Fibrosis. She is such a pillar of strength, love and compassion... and takes nothing for granted. To give you an idea about the kind of human being that James is... he organized and created an entire music festival with all proceeds going directly to Cystic Fibrosis. These two are not ordinary people, and most certainly didn't see all of this coming.

It is all incredibly sad, and tragic and even depressing that these things can happen to such wonderful people... but the good news is.... we can help them.

DONATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS to helping these two amazing people pay rent, bills and help them pull through this (when they eventually WILL) can be made with the following information from Tara Black.

"A number of people have asked where they can send money to help - which is so tremendously generous. There has been a trust fund set up through the Royal Bank - you can contribute through any Royal Bank, and have it sent in the courier bag to: James and Kim Wood, Brooks Landing Branch, Nanaimo, Transit #3160, Att Sue Gibson.

Or if you would prefer, you're more than welcome to send a cheque to me (Tara Black), made out to Kim Black that I will get to her. My address is 1003 - 2041 Bellwood Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5B 4V5. "

Thank you to any or all of you who contribute to these two.

Betcha wont be complaining about your thighs, or nasal congestion or jeans being too tight today huh. I know I wont.

Life is so fragile. Lets help Kim and James through this.

One week... NO POSTS!!!

Well.... where have I been? Better question... where have I NOT been... A wedding in Port Hardy, followed by a wedding in Parksville.... followed by family photos, a sea of unanswered emails due to a massive internet outage, a few maternity shoots, a model shoot, relator headshots, and here we are... one week later...

Am I emotionally stable... not really. Am I finished wedding season, no way. Am I able to still get inspired at weddings... ABSOLUTELY.

With all of that, my amazing fella Bryce and my fabulous assistant/partner in crime Shannon decided I needed a bit of a "stress leave" today, and I actually took a few hours to snorkel down the river to witness all of the amazing salmon swimming up the Campbell River to their spawning grounds ... (this was all initially against my will as I find fish to be rather creepy... Shannon and Bryce were insistent and I have come to the conclusion that salmon are still creepy but totally fascinating).

So, I made it through one run, saw tons of fish, had a great time, and froze my little arse off. I waved from the shore when the troops set out for the second run, and I was cozy and warm in the car with coffees for all, when they finished their second run... Deanna also braved the river with us, and I believe twice was enough for her too... Bryce and Shannon however, are from another breed... they could have stayed in the river forever. Exploring every single fish in there...

What I do know for sure is that I was happily reminded that there is life outside of weddings, computers, emails, editing, telephones, taxes, book keeping, invoicing and the internet. I felt a little more alive after exiting the river. And let me just say...it's so very good to be alive.

When High School Ends

Girlfriends.

I'm not talking about the kind that come and go, the kind that you're kinda/sorta friends with... I'm talking about the kind of friends that you'll hold a certain bond with until, forever.

For my lil sisters grad present I couldn't think of anything better than to put Kaylee and her pals in their grad dresses and let them loose in a field! I had a vision of just that a few years ago, and thought it would be a perfect way to commemorate the beauty of their friendship, and to wrap up their high school days together.

However, I didn't realize that I was going to well up with tears while watching them all out there in the field, laughing, twirling, hugging, and being 18. It was for a number or reasons but mainly because I can relate, we all can... when something we love... comes to an end. With everything in life being so impermanent, I find it incredibly beautiful to think that these girls, bursting with youth and joy, and excitement for what their futures hold, will be able to look back on these photos one day... and think about what an incredible time in their lives it was.

What I was witnessing through my camera lens last Sunday night, was that high school had just ended for these girls, who have grown up together, who have shared ice cream and tears together. They have endured memorable teachers, hysterically funny moments, concerts, and even formed an undefeated dodge ball team (well ok not undefeated). These girls have curled each others hair, spent hours obsessing about relationships (with fellas, with parents, with teachers) they've comforted each other during times of loss, and sadness. They've been each others best friends since grade seven... and now, high school is over. Just like they never thought it would be.

So with happy/sad tears in my eyes, I photographed them being friends, none really knowing where their lives will take them, or how near or far away. I saw them being so beautifully pure, and only hope that they are able to bring that same joy and passion for life with them always.

Ladies, may you always carry sunshine right along with you. I wish you nothing but joy.

OH! The Places You'll Go!!!

She Graduated.

I am coming back to earth. Slowly. After a very busy weekend.

The weekend began with my baby sisters graduation.

The same baby sister that I held for the first time two days before my 11th birthday. The same one I used to 'baby dance' in front of the fish tank to get her to stop crying, the same one I used to sing baby beluga to RELENTLESSLY in more efforts to quiet her active vocal chords.

She was born with a perfect diamond of peach fuzz on her forehead. She hated when I french braided her hair (which was often) She did not like car rides, she was my favorite side kick. She cried for a month, and ripped my heart out when I left to work with Princess Cruises. She is the most sensitive human being I know. She has the bluest eyes, the biggest heart and has incredible dance moves. She brings laughter, joy and life to all of those around her (when she has had enough sleep) and is my favorite 18 year old ever.

18. Graduating.

Her grad just made me cherish all of our 18 years of memories together, and look forward to many, many more.

I am incredibly grateful to see that my baby sister has grown into a wise, energized, comical, loving and kind human being (truth be known, she has been all of these things all along).

Congratulations Kaylee Marie! I love you more than anything. My baby Sis and I