McKinnon PhotoBlog

Danielle + Justin, part two on the beach

August 26, 2011 // portraits / wedding

Danielle had always dreamed of having wedding photos taken at the beach, yet seeing how their wedding was on Mount Washington it wasn't able to happen... until last week that is!

A few weeks after their wedding we picked an evening to head to the beach. What a fabulous idea!!!

We weren't bound by a timeline, or any of the stresses of a wedding day and it was just an enjoyable evening out photographing.

I have come to really came about these two, so it was my pleasure to spend a bit more time with them.

Danielle and Justin, you are stunning - you know that right?

I love Danielle's expression here, it's something a bit different for her:

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Lauren and Juan Carlos say I do under blue skies

August 26, 2011 // wedding

Yes, they were surrounded by loving friends and family, many who dropped a tear during their ceremony, which was in front of a clear blue ocean view. However, he looked at her and she looked at him, and it was easily as if they were the only ones there. When holding hands, hugging or just standing near each other they seemed to melt into each other.

Lauren is an accountant, but she calls herself an "a-clown-tant" - we see why, her humor and timing is impeccable! She is also down to earth, gutsy and stunning, I see why Juan Carlos couldn't keep his eyes off her all day. She also has conviction, especially when it came to falling in love with her handsome groom Juan Carlos, who has a smile that will make you melt and the sweetest gentle energy.

Lauren and Juan Carlos started with a first-look, and after photographs they said I do at Lauren's mom and step-dad's house alongside the ocean. (An interesting note, is ten years ago when I had just moved here, I photographed Lauren's mom and step-dad's wedding at the same location at approximately the same date, so I felt pretty special to be asked back.)

After champagne and visiting, the wedding was crashed by a Queen Elizabeth Impersonator leading into an evening of good food, friends and celebration.

Catering: Custom Gourmet

Tent Rentals: All in One Party Shop

Entertainment: Caroline Sadowska

Hair and Makeup: Roots the Salon

5 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Lauren:

WOW! They are beautiful! Thank you so much Karen!!!! I have so many favourites. Well... all of them. Ha!

(08.26.11 @ 08:44 PM)

Anonymous:

muy guapas las fotos amigo lo felicito y q dios bendiga y proteja con su manto este nuevo hogar

(08.30.11 @ 03:49 AM)

Anonymous:

felicidades mi amigo

(08.30.11 @ 03:52 AM)

cesar zambrano y adriana moncayo:

de parte de sus amigo cesar y adriana

(08.30.11 @ 03:57 AM)

Andrea Keenan:

you guys look amazing! what a great day! i'm excited that my arm made the cut :) congrats!

(09.10.11 @ 06:05 PM)

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Purpose + Persistance

August 21, 2011 // news

I know many of you are reading this right now -

Thankfully, for some giving up isn't an option - Karen

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Jennifer Dodd:

Love it!

(08.21.11 @ 09:13 AM)

sandy lipovsky:

This book is really good--lots to think about. I loved the author's final comment above, 'nobody told me to stop. I just kept going until somebody said yes.'

(08.21.11 @ 10:50 AM)

Jeannie Stewart:

Loved the book but love this passage the best.

(09.15.11 @ 11:32 PM)

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Lindsey & Tony's Vancouver Wedding

August 19, 2011 // wedding

She wasn't sure when she first met him, he actually bothered her, but just two weeks later, she was telling a friend that Tony was the one she would marry. Tony has some mad charm, but it is more than that, he is honest and funny, and the kind of person you can be yourself around and laugh at yourself with. He fits just right with Lindsey, who is rightfully described by many as the kindest person they know. She is smart, hard-working and has a love of life and people that compliments Tony and his large ,loving, gregarious family.

When I walked into the house and saw Lindsey, I got goosebumps. She is the kind of gal whose smile will light up a room, add a wedding day to that and just seeing her makes you giggle. One by one the bridesmaids and family trickled in, all different, all glowing. Downstairs, when I saw Tony and his groomsman, I took a content sigh, knowing that with a wedding party like these fellas backing up a guy like Tony, today would be perfect.

Outside of Tony's parents house the Bride and Groom beamed at each other as they had a first look, and hugged and celebrated with family, then we headed off for photos. They were excited, but calm, like when you are full of confidence and know that everything is just as it should be.

The ceremony was gorgeous - and had a backdrop of adorable children. Afterwards everyone spilled out on the sidewalk for a traditional Croatian shot and visiting. Then we headed onto the party bus, (thank you Lindsey and Tony for my first party-bus experience, I want one every week now.) and entered a reception filled with tradition, warmth, sentiment, celebration and playfulness - which really encapsulate Tony and Lindsey.

Thank you for the wonderful celebration of all that matters- it truly was am amazing wedding and having the chance to photograph you both and know you both, makes me feel very blessed. Thinking of the fun we have had together puts a grin on my face.

Thank you to my assistant Jennifer Dodd Photography

Hair: www.thebeautylounge.ca

Make-up: Cristy Smith

Dress: Bryan's Bridal

Wedding Day Coordination - Kristen LeMieux

Food: www.orlandoscatering.com

Wedding Cake: 18 Year-Old Mimi-St Pierre]

Desserts, Decor and Flowers the creation of family and friends

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Jennifer Dodd:

The slideshow made me tear up as much as the real day. It was such a fantastic treat to be a part of your wedding, with your amazing families and community celebrating along with you!

(08.19.11 @ 11:17 PM)

Meagan :

Amazing first look at shots! Karen you did a great job capturing what an awesome day this was!!

(08.20.11 @ 04:11 AM)

Ana (sister of groom) (friend of lindseys):

WOW. looking at pictures has never made me cry before! karen you are amazing at what you do. Being blessed with this gift takes skill and luck, but making it a career is a blessing! thank you for truly capturing the moments.

(08.20.11 @ 08:18 AM)

Sandy Lipovsky (mother of the bride):

Thank you, Karen, for this slideshow! You and Jen really captured the spirit of the day and the joy and how happy everyone was. I have watched this so many times already and it makes me feel happy to bursting all over again.

(08.20.11 @ 09:39 AM)

Nikki Cvit:

Wow! I am with Ana, tearing up & reliving a GREAT wedding thanks to the moments you captured!

(08.20.11 @ 01:49 PM)

Lindsey:

Wow - I don't even know what to say. These are amazing!! We were so happy to have you as part of our day...I know that anyone else who has had the honour of having you shooting at their wedding will agree that you are so much more than a photographer - you are a friend, someone who gives advice, and also a partial wedding day coordinator! You are amazing - and so is Jennifer! I'm going to wipe my tears and watch this a few more times. I can't wait to see the rest!
Thank you so, so, so, much.

(08.21.11 @ 09:10 PM)

Karen McKinnon:

thank you so much Lindsey!

(08.26.11 @ 07:58 AM)

Katie Mills:

Lindsey and Tony -- looks like a great wedding, and the two of you look sincerely happy and in love. So sorry that your cousins from down south are such strangers to you. Thanks again for the invitation and we hope to see you both and the rest of the McConnell/Mills/Lipovsky family up north some day. Best wishes!

(08.26.11 @ 04:48 PM)

Megan Mills Kitchen (Bride's Mother's cousin):

How sweetly touching, thank you so much for sharing that. I feel like I know you a little more now. Many happy wishes to you both and I say ditto to my sister's future family gathering idea.

(08.27.11 @ 02:39 PM)

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Adam and Jen say "I do" at a Vancouver Isl. Backyard Wedding

August 15, 2011 // love list / portraits

When I first met Adam and Jen - she sat forward eager, grinning ear to ear, he leaned back on the couch, calm, content and attentive to her - I fell for them right away. She loves how kind he is and accepting of her, he loves her compassion and attitude. They balance each other, and make a beautiful couple.

Their wedding was just right - it was calm, but exciting, it was honest and true, and very joyous. Their families were both so happy - a true indication of how right they are for each other. The wedding party was a dream-- the girls, like Jen, were gregarious with their ear to ear grins and laughter, and the men, happy, content and funny.

I have many memorable moments from this day, but the fave, head and heels above the rest, was during their first look before their ceremony. When Adam turned around, he was speechless, until the word "beautiful" stumbled out of his lips, again and again and again.... It was a moment filled with emotion, sweetness and joy - which set the tone for a stunning day.

Thank you to Gina Harvey for assisting

Hair - Headquarters Hair
Makeup - Karen Wiley
Tents & Tables - Rent a tent
Linens and table accessories - All in One Party Shop
Catering - Fraternal Order of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary
Flowers - Thrifty Foods and Judy Stephens

2 Comments Add a Comment Send To Friend

Christina Craft:

Wow! What a fantastic post. Especially love the shoe shot!

(08.17.11 @ 12:34 AM)

Adam :

WOW! Absolutely stunning Karen. You and Gina did a fantastic job, I can't wait for the rest ;)

(08.19.11 @ 09:10 AM)

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