Maternity Magic

From the moment we met... there was magic. I first met Lori and her amazing crew at a wedding I was photographing some years ago. Her little one Mikaela and I hit it off even in her baby stages, and I've loved every shoot since! Including NOW! Such a strong, wise and amazing bunch. Love truly oozes out of them, and I'm so grateful to have been a part. Mikaela is honestly something spectacular as well. She is such an old soul, always trying to fly, always so vibrant... and so uniquely wonderful. (and she said I was a 'real cutie') so big time brownie points right there! Wishing them all the best in the next phase of their lives. Meet the incredible Garsons.

Memory Lane

Having been shooting photos happily all day in 2007 at Lindsay and Peter's wedding, I was tired. I walked over to where Bryce was standing, and laid my head on his chest, like I had been doing it every day for years. Except, I hadn't. I snapped out of it... and we just stared at each other and laughed... Peter nudging me, "yup, sparks are flying". I felt like everyone one was on to us, although neither of us seemed to have caught on yet.

Bryce and I have known each other since forever. High school sweethearts if you will. Somewhat like magnets we have always been drawn to each other. We had both been following our own paths, him chasing after an amazing hockey career, myself somewhat of a pirate sailing the globe as a photographer with Princess Cruises. Both being raised in Campbell River, we always wound up in the same circles. So it was no surprise that a few years ago at Lindsay and Peter's Campbell River wedding we were again found at the same place at the same time. This time was different however, neither of us were leaving again. Both single. We had both decided to stay put in our home town, at the same time. Sometimes timing really is everything.

In any case Peter's premonition on his wedding day was right, and here Bryce and I are with a house, a puppy and building a studio/suite in the back yard. Life is wild like that.

As for Lindsay and Peter, having known them both for so long, and watching them become the warm and loving couple that they are, I was honored to not only photograph their wedding and family photos, but also their maternity photos. Here are a few of my favorites from their session. The light was beautiful, their dog Mackenzie HILARIOUS, and watching them through my lens, couldn't help but smile.

Here is one of my favorites from their wedding a few years ago. The happy couple and I, Look at them now!! Love them all wrapped up here Beautiful people in a Beautiful British Columbia Love this one of Lindsay Their dog Mackenzie was truly hysterical, popping in and out of the photos whenever he felt like it! Can't wait to meet the little one, so very soon! Love you guys!

Beautifully Pregnant

O.k. The confession is.... part of me wants to blog more about puppies, and specifically ours prancing around in the snow. But I'm going to contain my puppy news and updates to fit in every now and then, so I don't bore you to tears with puppy fever. In any case, I've the pleasure of introducing you to an amazing maternity session from a few weeks ago.

Not all women look like this at eight months pregnant!! This gorgeous woman, is ALL baby! After a wonderful session, and having a great time chatting... here is what we came up with!

P.S...My studio in Willow Point will be closing its doors, but not without something exciting and new on the horizon, more on that to come.

Bring on the sunshine!!!

Yes, I'm leaving in the morning for Mexico. Woe is me. In skipping town for a while, I'm also saying goodbye to October. Vancouver Island Photography is certainly beautiful in the fall, however I noticed this morning that the stunning fall leaves have officially "fallen" and are actually all over my lawn. With October over, I realize that I have been hording all of my October family sessions... and thought I would leave you all with a massive update from my October shoots.

I'm really looking forward to a bit of r and r, and also a few margaritas. In any case, here is more or less what October looked like.

In the studio..... we are quickly and humbly reminded, that there is great beauty in growing babies...

And that those beautiful bellies, produce the most amazing little packages.

To very grateful parents,

I was swept off my feet by small people...

Makenzie with her amazing smile Taylor with her giant heart and amazing laughter Colbie with her adorable face and her toe eating talents...

Outside, I was witness a lot of family magic, the kind only created with love and More love... and a splash of joy.... What beautiful children!! And last but not least...I was smitten with Nolan.... This will hopefully be along the lines of how I'll be for the next week basking in the sun in Mexico! Have a fabulous weekend, and week, and another weekend! I look forward to sharing images with you, upon my return!

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!!!