About Me

Hello and welcome to my photo blog. I am Karen McKinnon, a Vancouver Island based photographer - a gal fortunate to be living my passion. The blog is where you can see recent sessions, keep in touch with what is new around here (and I promise you it is never dull) and get a better sense of who I am, what I love and how I show it. 

Thanks for visiting. Please leave a comment and let me know you were here - it really does make me smile! 

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So, you might or might know that I recently headed to the heat of Hawaii. I probably don't need to tell you the obvious ...... it was heavenly. I was blessed to be there for the wedding of Mikhaila and Greg, two people who I adore. 
When Mikhaila and Greg first decided to get married in Hawaii, they looked around for a photographer there and didn't find anything that excited and suited them, so I was thrilled when they called to see if I could make my way there to capture their "I Do's"

Before I tell you about the wedding, I have to shout a public display of apprection. Greg and Mikhaila, seriously you two? Could a photographer have two people that are better to work with? I am one lucky gal.  You  are laid back, but enthusiastic at the same time. You are assertive, yet super chillled. You are grounded, yet super fun and funny. You are so easy to be around and so beautiful to photograph. Thank you. 
- The Huska and Lamb family as a whole, you treated John and I so kindly. Even though we were there to photograph I felt like you were hosting us. I am so appreciative of the time we had getting to know each other more and am excited to see you all again! Your families are full of grace and kindness. Thank you. 

Mikhaila and Greg met with me before the ceremony to create their photos and we played throughout the town of Lahaina. These two are stunning and easy in front of the camera and despite some serious heat were relaxed the whole time. After photos we headed to the Sheraton Maui for an intimate wedding on the beach that was filled with laughter and Hawaiin style. We followed the ceremony with some more photos, to capture the warm sunset and then it was off to dinner with family. The whole day went smoothly and beautifully! Mikhaila and Greg, you two are a stunning couple! 


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Gina Harvie-Kramp:

These are stunning possibly one of my fav weddings you've done! gorgeous!

(10.25.11 @ 03:09 PM)
Amanda:

wow so very beautiful, lucky them, lucky you!

(10.25.11 @ 04:14 PM)
selah (minkler):

love the photos under the trees!!!!!

(10.25.11 @ 06:24 PM)
Chrystal:

Sooo beautiful!

(10.25.11 @ 06:53 PM)
Judy Wing:

Absolutely beautiful Karen! Your work is magical.

(10.26.11 @ 08:24 AM)
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Rebecca, Jesse and I had been going back and forth about what date to book for their engagement session. They were coming from out of town, and somehow our schedules seemed to be completely opposite - plus we were hitting some bad weather. When we talked about postponing this session, as the weather was not on our side, and they were driving here from out of town, Rebecca said "we just really need to do this now." These two run busy lives, between children, jobs and planning a wedding they needed some "them time" and trust me, I get that. 
What Rebecca go was that the engagement session was a time for them to take a deep breath together, be close, think about them as couple, and the step they will be making when they say "I do" next year.
It's true. Engagement sessions are many things. A wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other better, a chance to practice being in front of the camera, a time to have photos together not in your wedding wear and a way to create some unique photos to make a signature book for your wedding. My favorite thing about them though, is they are romantic and they are couple time, something often oddly lacking leading up to having a wedding. Rebecca and Jesse got that and because of that, the sun, not intending to arrive, came out and joined us. 

Thank you Rebecca and Jesse, for the lovely day of playing together. Thank you for the great laughs and letting me see who you are as a couple. 

jereb.jpg

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I truly appreciate my clients and love the opportunity to remind you of that! For the third year I are offering complimentary BOO sessions! 

Saturday October 29 we invite you to bring your costumed little one down to the studio for a COMPLIMENTARY super mini-shoot. Just a quick pop in at the studio and then we will  provide you with a complimentary copy of the photo. 

This is an offer for PAST CLIENTS ONLY. 

Please call Christine to book your time. THERE ARE LIMITED TIMES AVAILABLE. 

250-890-9222

This is open to adults and children, however, children must be able to sit up unassisted. 
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It is such a small town somedays. Earlier in the day this beauty rolls into my studio all dolled up as a model for my Roots the Salon Commercial shoot. Well, it turns out that her family was also booked in for an evening portrait session. 
So, Courtenay rocked her Roots shoot and then I had the pleasure of seeing her later in the day with her siblings Cassidy and Cayden, who were equally at ease in front of the camera. 

Really, this shoot just went beautifully - we had stunning light, these three stunning subjects and a really chilled mood - I actually was worried that it didn't look like I was working hard. 

Thanks Courtenay, Cassidy and Cayden, I adore your family and loved photographing you three. 

Enjoy this sneak peek - 

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Carolyn:

Karen , my kids absolutely adored you. Thank you for capturing the love and closeness I often see between them. I really enjoyed watching you work...you make everyone feel at easy. Even when Cayden has to break pose and throw the rocks in the water..lol

(10.06.11 @ 12:35 PM)
Carolyn:

Oops mean't to say *ease ...that's what happens when you rush :)

(10.06.11 @ 12:41 PM)
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A true beauty, full of grace  - 

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Sometimes the words pour out of me. Typically I am pretty articulate. But sometimes I am stumped. I have been composing this blog post in my mind since Trish booked her maternity session. Yet, basically I keep coming up blank. I have realized why. You can't sum up Trish in words, because she is a feeling - when you are with her you feel it - there is a special Trish energy - from that radiants peacefulness, beauty and grounding.  That's all I am going to say - if you know her you, most likely you are nodding right now. 

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And with her beautiful boys - 

trish3.jpg

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bevin:

i'm nodding! trish you are so beautiful inside and out. fab photos.

(10.04.11 @ 05:06 PM)
Anonymous:

Trish stunning photos, you are a radiant beauty!

(10.04.11 @ 05:15 PM)
Andrea Keenan:

I couldn't agree with your words more Karen, and I only just met Trish on the shoot!! Fabulous day. Thanks to both for letting me be a part of it.

(10.06.11 @ 10:24 AM)
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