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Intimate West Vancouver Wedding / Aly & Nick

West Vancouver Photo shoot

 

I knew from the moment we all met at a coffee shop in North Vancouver that capturing Aly and Nick’s wedding was going to be fun.  Both were full of Ideas and had a great sense adventure but were also quite relaxed, so I knew their wedding was going be chill.

The ocean holds a special place in Nick and Aly’s hearts, and it was with that in mind that we decided on taking pre-wedding portraits in Whytecliff Park. This setting was ideal for Aly, Nick and their close family members to enjoy a quiet moment before the festivities got underway. The three of us moved from the park and made our way to Horseshoe Bat, where they had their boat waiting to be launched. The combination of the sun, the mountains in the background and the Howe Sound Inlet was spectacular and brought out a playfulness between the two. They even brought their fishing rods out for the photos (or was it a friendly bride vs groom challenge?!).

A huge cheer went up from the guests gathered on the viewing dock of the West Vancouver Yacht Club as Aly and Nick jetted in on their boat. What an entrance! The yacht club, where the ceremony took place, is nestled in a stunning setting with views out to the ocean and Vancouver Island beyond. And it was here, with Eagle Island as their backdrop, that Nick and Aly met at the end of the aisle to say their vows.

The couple had given the day many heartfelt and personal touches: decorating the tables with flowers, driftwood and shells, each one personalized with the name of a lake that clearly had significant meaning to the two, and handing out handmade candles at the end of the evening. From a blissful start to the day to a rocking dance party at the end, this was such a special celebration to be a part of.

 

 

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Vancouver Wedding Photographer // Dionne & Ryan’s Downtown Wedding

West Vancouver Wedding photography

Vancouver Wedding in Gastown

So I may have taken a while to blog about this Vancouver Wedding…..so a touch too long…..I don’t know why, because it is definitely one of my favourite wedding days to date and Dionne and Ryan were magic to work with.

I first met them in a sweet little cafe in North Van, where we chatted about their upcoming nuptials and their little guy Buzz, shared his chocolate chip cookie with me. (cutest dude ever).  I felt connected to this couple right away and super excited to photograph their big day in downtown Vancouver.  We decided to do their engagement shoot at Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver; a gorgeous, gorgeous place to photograph a couple in love.

Captured in the picture below, having a sweet, intimate moment; standing on top of the little island at the park.

Vancouver Wedding Photographer, couple, love, vancouver engagement, photography, couples photography, married, fiancé

 

Their wedding took place downtown at Steamworks in Gastown, Vancouver.  It was a perfect setting with 20′ floor to ceiling windows behind them as they said their vows.  So beautiful, intimate and unique.  The reception was in the restaurant on a private floor that felt cosy and luxurious.  Every detail was thought of and every guest felt the love and care into the day.  Dinner & speeches had everyone feeling good with the wine & happy tears flowing.

Steamworks is right in Gastown, so we were able to  troop around and grab some gorgeous images in neat settings.  So much fun.  Dionne and Ryan were keen to try out anything for a great shot, and it totally paid in dividends.  From images with perfect light and reflections, to pictures including the spectacular background of the city.   Most importantly, it was easy to capture their connection and their love for each other.  It was a dream to photograph a couple like these two; so sweet and easy with each other, so in love and so aware of the other.

Such an honour to photograph weddings for wonderful couples like these.  Check some of my favourite images from the day.

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Squamish Valley Wedding

Groom and Bride

Squamish Valley Wedding

R & C got married on a gorgeous winter day last December.  The wedding took place in beautiful Squamish, BC.  The bride and groom found a perfect spot along the river for bridal party pictures, with a stunning backdrop of snow capped mountains and a pastel sky.  It was a the perfect day and the weather cooperated wonderfully to create special images of this special day.

The nuptials and reception took place at the Brackendale Art Gallery, a cosy, rustic venue.   This small intimate spot, with a log cabin feel, is perfect to host a small wedding with your closest of family and friends.  R & C transformed it into a magical, romantic space for their day, complete with twinkly lights and soft candlelight. The stage where they said their vows was decorated with rustic pallets behind them, interspersed with glowing bulbs to create a warm, romantic atmosphere. It felt like being in a fairy tale and was amazing to document.  There is a perfect balcony at the Art Gallery to capture a unique view of the event.  Looking down on the stage and dance floor and shooting from there, really highlighted the incredible scene that R & C created.

There were may incredible and heartfelt moments during their wedding, from teary speeches at dinner, to the first dance, to their favourite band, The Paperboys, playing their favourite songs.

Thanks for having me be a part of your big day and capturing your love for each other!

 

Lets chat about your upcoming wedding!  Please check out my portfolio 🙂

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Mothers & Daughters

M O T H E R S 

I had the pleasure to shoot this gorgeous mother-daughter duo at Queen Elizabeth Park. It was the perfect setting and they were dressed to match! I love shooting at this time of day, the warm sunlight filtering through bright green trees on a spring afternoon. Finding the perfect location sets the mood for the shoot, and did we ever have it. The mother daughter bond, the sweet dresses, the quiet location, it all worked together so well! 

T H E   B O N D 

The mother-child connection is something you can’t just expect or ask for, it is a natural phenomenon that we are so blessed to be apart of. That bond is so rare and special, and these two depicted it perfectly! They were so comfortable with each other, and clearly the best of friends. It was such a playful experience to photograph their relationship – the games, the handholding, kisses & cuddles. 

Moms are a child’s FIRST best friend. How lucky are we?!

ALL ABOUT  Y O U 

It’s all too often that the moms get stuck behind the camera, capturing all of the special moments and not be able to partake in the fun. I love sharing this time with moms, to allow them to be the ones on the other side of the camera for once. Not even to just be in the pictures, but to dedicate a time when it is JUST about the mothers and the kids. No expectations, no pressure, no “reason” for a photo, just a kid and their  mom “doing their thing”!

Mothers Day is just around the corner, so please contact me if you want to arrange something special with your little ones! 

X O X O

To all of my past and my future families, THANK YOU.

 

 

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Newborn Photography

newborns, babies, images, posed
Newborn Photography

 

N E W B O R N;

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to capture the precious moments of a newborn life. All too often those first weeks go by too fast. There is a whirlwind of emotions flying around them and families can miss or forget those itty bitty moments that stole their heart in the very beginning. The ability to spend time with a new family, and to continue to watch them grow is such a special part of why I am a photographer. How often does one have the opportunity to witness a life at its most fragile and innocent state, and then watch them grow into little beings!

L I T T L E S;

I love to capture babies at any age, but there is that short short minute under two weeks old. What a sweet time. To capture those teeny fingers and toes, the curious expressions, and the dreams off in lala land are moments that you obsess over. And suddenly those moments are gone as quickly as they come! I find that window of their lives when babies are so little and curly, is so small. To create and capture those memories is a priceless experience. It is something you can keep and carry with you forever.

Safe  S P A C E S;

I love being with families in their element, whether it be in their homes or in the studio. It’s an honour to have families welcome me into their lives. I am let into that special time that only a few people are able to witness. I find the most successful sessions are when the families are comfortable and relaxed. I do my best to enable and encourage this.   I allow lots of time so we can take our time to ensure everyone is happy, we can pause for feedings, and you can snuggle baby when we need to. No pressure. It is important to create a safe and happy space for the family, since a safe space is everything when bringing a newborn into the world!

 I’m booking up fast for 2018, so contact me soon to book your baby in.  Usually a few months prior to birth is a great time to set up a session.  The final date can be finalized once baby arrives.

x o x o

To all of my past and my future families, THANK YOU.