I just received this note in my in-box this morning.
Hi Karen, Crystal & Christine,
Zeke and I had a wonderful wedding, it was better then we expected!
We want to thank you for being so wonderful during our day and helping capture every moment of the wedding. From the moment we contacted you about shooting our wedding to all the planning and engagement session, it was truly a wonderful experience. Believe it or not, Zeke and I can be quite reserved and shy, but because you made us feel so comfortable, we were able to be ourselves around you.
We cannot wait to see the pictures!
Love,
Ange and Zeke
PS The guestbook was a huge hit! It brought tears of laughter and heart felt comments. Those memories will forever linger with us.
And this is what I have to say back.
Dear Angela and Zeke,
I love my work, I love creating pictures but most of all I love the people I get to work with. Connections are what inspire me. Connecting with people like you. From the moment we first talked on the phone, when you were armed with questions about photography, I knew I liked you, and was excited by your interest in hiring the right photographer for who you are. Then when we met and managed to complete an engagement session before the snow came down, and then chatted over coffee for longer than expected, I knew your wedding would be fabulous.
Then the wedding day itself. Could it have been any better? The rain stayed away and the setting at Alders Beach set the tone for the warm, relaxed day you envisioned. Your day was a long one, with three outfit changes and two ceremonies, but you two glided through it so gracefully. Meanwhile, laughing and enjoying loving each other. I am so excited for you to become Comox Valley residents so that I can cross paths and and share a laugh with you more often!
Here is a little slide show of your day. To see it larger and with music click HERE
It seems you must be:
extremely approachable
quick witted, with a bit of fast thinking sarcasm as the icing on top
naturally stylish
good at communicating
ridiculously talented
and really darn nice
I personally, was just thrilled to be able to photograph them.
a few fave's:

and this one, because Claire was just telling me how much she adores her husband, and well, look at the way she is looking at him:

And this one, because the Patterson's, lead by Dean, have their own special pose, the single armed, arms crossed pose.
Bevin had a family photograph schedule awhile back, but had to re-schedule. For a darn fine reason though. Her family was about to grow.
This was the way the session was suppose to be.
Bevin, although I know you aren't feeling like it right now, you are glowing. We are all so excited to welcome your little one into our community and to celebrate with you Reza, and Aryo.
Thank you to our generous friend Melanie, for allowing us to play on her property.
Karen, these are amazing. You are amazing. Thank you for such a great experience. We love you. Can't wait to see the rest.
A big thank you to the Perkins crew for their generosity and friendship.
(06.27.10 @ 03:22 PM)Beautiful!!! I wished that I could have zoomed in to get a closer look, my nose was right up to the screen :) What a gorgeous growing family! And Karenyou are fabulous. Can't wait for our session.
(06.27.10 @ 09:50 PM)Thanks Rhonda, we will have great fun I am sure!
(06.28.10 @ 10:12 AM)BEAUTIFUL family!!!! I love the feelings captured. Can't wait to meet the little Mrs. Chances of her being UBER cute?..... 10 out of 10.
(06.28.10 @ 10:23 PM)I created a day in the life documentation, which I have to keep under wraps for now.
Gabe is fighting Leukemia, and he is strong, playful and as healthy as one could be in this situation.
It was an inspiring, emotional and interesting day.
I don't think I have to explain why it was emotional. Life isn't fair, we all know that, but sometimes it just smaks you in the face as you try to make some sense of why this little beauty has to fight for his life.
Inspiring, which for me, also goes with emotional. We live in a big world, with many injustaces, but goodness is everywhere. On this day, it came in the package of a mother, Genie, and the staff and technology that Children's offers. I look at Gabe, and I see a boy, who yes, has been given the challenge of fighting leukemia, but, he has also been blessed with a mom who loves him so much and knows how to care for him. He has been blessed, with living in a first world country that is going to do everything to stack the odds in his favor and a community that is assisting him and his family. Goosebumps.
Interesting. In 2006 my step-daughter Maggie was diagnosed with Leukemia, she walked the same road as Gabe. So, although I have photographed at Children's many times since then, this day stood out because it was 100% the same as one that Maggie would have had. . This experience brought some interesting and challenging deep emotions and thoughts to the forefront for me. Ones that will most definitely take awhile to process.
Hug your kids.
Love one-another
Beautiful words, Karen. I am all teary eyed now, grateful and in awe of the human spirit :)
(06.25.10 @ 10:04 AM)Beautiful words, Karen. I am all teary eyed now, grateful and in awe of the human spirit :)
(06.25.10 @ 10:05 AM)Phebe - any one who knows Phebe knows unique would be one of the top words to describe her. She is a true original, she is intriguing and full of layers. She simply is just a beautiful person, who knows who she is.
Marieke is brave, she is a city girl who has found her way in the small town. I don't think she does anything half way, from exercising, to her work to being an amazing mama. She is brave and inspiring.

Leon just said "When are they having a Bella for Men?"
GREAT pics.
Tell Leon it's called a dude-oudoir session and we would be happy to set him up with his own special experience ;)
(06.22.10 @ 09:14 PM)lovely ladies. lovely photos.
(06.22.10 @ 10:41 PM)wow, gorgeous women
(06.23.10 @ 08:45 AM)Gorgeous, ladies! I knew these photos would reflect the incredible qualities you all possess. This was an absolutely amazing night, thank you all again!
(06.23.10 @ 09:12 AM)Phebe!!! You look gorgeous!!!!! Not that you don't look gorgeous everyday but that is stunning!!!!!
(06.23.10 @ 02:47 PM)




Well, I certainly don't have a way with words as Karen does, but I am certainly touched that you would include me in your thank you. I also found you two to be incredibly down-to-earth, kind, and especially caring to each other! I wish you many many years of happiness, and was absolutely thrilled to be a part of creating your engagement album. I'm sure it drew a few tears, you two are a lovely couple! Big hugs, Christine:)
(06.28.10 @ 12:30 PM)