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North Van Family Session – Deep Cove

With it’s dramatically soaring mountains and calm ocean inlet as a backdrop, Deep Cove was the ideal setting to capture this North Vancouver family of four (plus their two gorgeous Rhodeisan Ridgeback dogs!).  I love when moody, low-lying clouds dominate…they give a cosy feel to photos, plus great lighting.

There are few things better than getting children outside to have a run around or just enjoy the fresh air (in wee six-month old Thomas’ case!). With a beach location to see and explore, Sam and Thomas were in their element.  Add in the dogs and, well, it was always going to be about the laughter and giggles that escaped from both boys.  With Thomas snuggled up in mom and dad’s arms and Sam leading the way, we roamed the docks, piers, and beach, and captured some beautiful moments.

Of course, home is where the heart is.  Weren’t we lucky to get some photos there as well?! Children are always happiest in their own environment, where they can play with their favourite toys and belongings. What luck, then, that Grandma was visiting from the East Coast.  Happiness and love were evident as the boys played and bonded with her. Thomas was captivated by Sam’s antics and baby giggles dominated as I interacted with this delightful family.  It was the perfect way to capturing what is so important to this family.

When our time together had come to an end, everyone was happy.  This family with two young children, and their loyal canine companions, were a joy to work with.

 

 

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Pender Island Intimate Wedding // Katie & Jeff

If Pender Island is made for weddings, then Poet’s Cove is where you will find the most intimate of them all. For Katie and Jeff there was nowhere else.

This is where her family built their weekend home 19 years ago, and of course this is where she got ready for their big day.

When I met these guys, I knew their wedding was going to be fun. Katie is gregarious and funny, above all else her friendliness shines through.  Jeff’s dry wit and humour are always evident, as is his innate kindness.  Knowing Jeff is a photographer  – no pressure, then, to make sure the images were perfect!

Surrounded by her friends and family, there were tears and laughter as Katie got ready to start the next chapter of her life with Jeff. Make up artist Amy, with Artisty by Alexa was on hand to apply, and reapply, Katie’s make up as everyone made her laugh and cry in equal parts. Vahn swept Katie’s hair up beautifully. Getting ready for a wedding is always a highlight, and we all had a great time. Especially when she slipped on her Theia Couture Dress.  In a word, stunning.

If you are going to a host an island wedding, then of course it has to be a weekend affair.  Friends and family gathered for the drinks reception on Friday evening and celebrated right through the weekend. From personal vows at the ceremony, to the departure in a Triumph T4 restored by Katie’s dad, it was one to remember.  Especially for Jeff: this was the first time he was allowed to drive the T4!

It was the personal touches that made the weekend so special. Bill, a good friend of the couple, was the officiant.  Who else would make reference to the Hot Breakfast Memorial Fan Club?  Katie and Jeff wrote their own vows, which were equal parts heartfelt and moving and funny. “Accomplice in mischief,” was a particularly memorable quote from Jeff.

The reception kicked off in style as friends and family made emotional toasts and speeches.  There were tears, but it was the cheers that you could hear for miles.  This couple is clearly well loved! It was the song, though, that Jeff had written for Katie and sung by both Bill and Jeff and accompanied by a group of friends, that brought the house down. It was incredible. Only to be followed & surpassed by Katie joining the band for the “rock star” moment that Jeff had promised her. Long live CCR, especially when you are taught by your husband-to-be. As Katie quipped, “Find someone who makes you a band band of ten of your best friends, teaches you a CCR song and cheers the loudest when you crush a life goal in front of 100 of your best people.”

The attention to detail was amazing.  A photobooth was in high demand as everyone had their photos taken.  It was run by the Hemingway Project, a charity that Katie co-founded. The flowers by Platinum Flower Designs were exquisite. Pink, peach, red and white tones decorated the room, and of course the white tiered cake, created by Rain Bake Shop. And the dancing!  It was one of the best bits of the night, seeing everyone getting out on the dance floor, letting loose.

It is the cheers and tears that left me knowing that these two were off to the best start.  Love was definitely in the air.