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North Vancouver Photographer | Adam Woodall

Adam Woodall Video

click above to see video!

So I am a photographer here on the North Shore….not a videographer…not even close, but the other night I decided to try the video function on my camera.  I had come from an event that I think was meant to be inspiring and motivating and I was feeling anything but….not sure if I had a poor attitude or what, but suddenly at the bar in North Vancouver,  sitting with good friends, listening to great music (thanks Adam Woodall) and drinking a few ciders, I suddenly wanted to pick up my camera and shoot.  Now I guess I could have taken stills, but it was pretty dark in the bar and I wanted it to be fun…not fussing with a flash…..I had to put my ISO to 5000 and shoot at 1.4 but I still wanted to try.  There are definitely a few focus issues but I kinda like it for my first try.  Adam being the amazing musician that he is, certainly makes up for my amateurness, so if the video starts to make you feel sea sick, just close your eyes and listen to his beautiful voice.  It was pretty cool trying something new with my camera and challenging too.  It did make me feel renewed and inspired thinking how I can incorporate a little video into my clients sessions….stay tuned for that as I need to practice a lot more. haha!  Thanks for taking the time to read this and check out my video.  Let me know what you think!  Sarah

North Vancouver Photographer
Adam Woodall singing in North Vancouver
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Lyons | West Vancouver Family Photographer

photocrati galleryI am so lucky to be these guys’ family photographer!

The first time I photographed the Lyons twins they were about 6moths old and I fell in love with them then.  I think I was meant to be their photographer anyways, because first, we all are from West and North Vancouver and the boys and I share a birthday!  So cool 🙂  I have done a session with them every year around their birthday and it is so amazing to see them growing up into these cool little dudes.  The last few times they brought their golf clubs and both their swings are amazing…..these dudes are natural athletes for sure.  We did this photo session in West Vancouver at a park called John Lawson.  It is a pretty good spot for pictures, it has grass, beach and a wicked playground to play on and the boys had fun.  We even ventured out on the pier for a few shots.  It was a beautiful sunny morning and so was super nice to just hang out and catch the boys having fun being themselves.  I love that Kim and Jason, are super stylish and everyone always looks great; not in an obvious way, but in the way that looks effortlessly chic.  Everyone is coordinated and looking cool which translates well in the photographs.  I cannot wait to photograph this family next year and see how much the boys have grown and changed!  Thanks for picking me as your photographer 🙂  So grateful!!

 

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West Vancouver Photographer | Cypress Mountain

A photograph of Hollyburn Lodge in West Vancouver

Last night I had a special shoot.  The District of West Vancouver asked me to go and capture the last night and the last party up at Hollyburn Lodge on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver.  See, the lodge was built back in 1926 and has been home to many celebrations, music nights, parties and dinners, close to a centuries worth.  What a compliment to be asked to shoot this special evening, where some of the original visitors of this special place were there to celebrate the history and stories that they helped create.  We all hiked up to the lodge on Cypress Mountain as it snowed softly around us (bizarre for April 24th)  and I’m sure everyone felt the magic of the occasion.  The youngest visitor there was about 5 years old, and the oldest, 93; both were busting up the, albeit uneven, dance floor.  The early stages of demolition have begun and part of what I was to photograph in West Van that night was the graffity, 20’s style in the wood.  Simple carvings of peoples names and dates, the earliest dating back to New Year’s Eve 1928.  1928?!  That means they boated across the water from downtown to West Vancouver and then hiked all the way up Cypress Mountain to Hollyburn Lodge to bring in the New Year.  Amazing!  I shot all the etchings I could find and then focused on capturing the final party.  There was great music, food, drinks and dancing and I am sure the night was reminiscent of parties of the past.  Mother nature seemed nostalgic too and she brought a fierce snow storm upon the night.  The most snow fell last night then any night all season….seems unreal for late April, but it added the magic of the night.  Before I left the lodge for the final time, I was sure to take a picture of one of the first visitors to the lodge and the one of the biggest supporters of its revival, Iola.  Iola has grand plans for the lodge and last night as we said goodbye, we also said hello to the new plan.  A new lodge, built by the people, built with love and care so it is sure to have to same spirit as the original Hollyburn Lodge.  Thanks again for having me capture this special evening, I am feel so lucky to have this as my job.  See below, a picture of Iola, my new hero.  How I wish I had a photograph of her at the lodge 70 years ago to compare.

west Vancouver commercial photographer
Iola, one of the first visitors to the Hollyburn Lodge in West Vancouver.

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Vancouver Photographer | Rock The Shot Challenge

I always forget to check out the Rock the Shot photo challenge, which is really too bad because I really quite enjoy looking at the images posted and also challenging myself to post a picture for the months challenge.  Posting a picture can be quite intimidating, there are so many talented photographers posting and also looking at yours!  Ack!  It is funny because I love clients seeing their images and know that they will love them, but other photographers?  Scary 😉  Here in Vancouver, well North Vancouver, I have a solid group of girlfriends who are also photographers.  In fact they are basically my direct competition…but it doesn’t feel that way.  They encourage, support, share and teach me and each other.  We have each others’ backs…for real. My point is, that even with these girls, my photographer friends, it is scary to share my work.  I know they’re behind me and not judging but, still scary……I guess part of it is the vulnerability of showing your work. It is personal right?  There is a bit of you in each photograph that you make, and probably a lot of you.  Putting that up for comment?!  Yikes!  But here it is, my Spring submission for Rock the Shot.  Be nice 😉  And thanks for  stopping by!

Vancouver family photographer
Vancouver Child Photographer

 

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Langley Horse Photographer

I got to be a horse photographer!

Okay, to say I was excited for today’s shoot would be an understatement.  I grew up riding horses and loving horses and obsessing about horses….seriously….and today I got to be a horse photographer!  What?!  Yes, I got to combine my two passions…horses and photography.  So amazing.  When Kristen from Gallop Training called and asked me to do some marketing imagesl for her barn I jumped at the chance…..(I probably would’ve done it for free, but don’t tell her that :)).  We met out in Langley, BC at her barn and I immediately forgot why I was there and grabbed the nearest horse…..Ok, I didn’t really forget…..maybe.  We walked around the barn and checked out the different horses that would star in the photographs and got to work.  Kristen is a natural with the horses and they all love and listen to her so it was fun to play with different set ups and see what we could do in the amazing light out there.  I could’ve shot all day and every horse out there; it was so pretty.  The way the sun filtered through the barn and the trees outside made shooting in the afternoon a breeze.  Usually I like to be a fussy photographer(I never get away with this) and shoot in the golden hour, but so happy that we got a gorgeous sunny day, beautiful scenery and pretty light.  I always love my job, but days like today are just magical.  I am so grateful to be able to have this job and meet so many amazing people through it.  Feeling lucky tonight!

 

I got to be a HORSE photographer today!!
I got to be a HORSE photographer today!!