There's some families around town that will always be a little extra special.  When I first moved to the valley these families where my cheerleaders. They were excited about what I was doing, they inspired, they encouraged, they told their friends. I connected easily with them and care deeply about them.

The Patrick Family is part of this crew.

About seven and half years ago I was shooting a bride getting ready and in the corner sat a stunning and very large bridesmaid, eating a subway sandwich, like it was the first time she had ever had white bread goodness. We looked at each other and smiled, then compared our very pregnant bellies. Right then, I knew I adored her.

We next saw each other in the elevator around the maternity ward, then again when they brought their lovely son Braydon in for photos. She later joined me on a Chicks who Click class.

It was around this time that I started my crusade for her to become my neighbour. Of course, there are logistical problems, like their jobs in Campbell River, and loving their house. So, I have moved on to another way to snag them permanently.

Arranged marriage. I figure with all the gals in this house Brayden is sure to steal one of their hearts. It won't be hard. He has already overcome numerous obstacles that will give him a rare strength, at seven years old Braiden is working on getting close to walking without aid, and this is just the tip of what he has had to overcome.
However, the magic is, that none of it seems to phase him. He told me the kids at school call him the King.  He is confident, he is charismatic, whip smart and adorable.

Now Jenna has told me that Braiden already has plans to use E-Harmony to find a wife, but I am pretty sure we can work around that, there is lots of time.

Kevin, Jenna, Brayden - you are awesome.

and kind of fierce....

At the 2010 YANA auction I got lucky. Something really awesome happened.  A bunch of my friends chipped in and bid on me for a Bella Party.

Bella Sessions are our own spin on what is typically known as boudoir. Our sessions can go in any direction depending on what you want - they can be pretty, flirty, outside, inside, sexy, sophisticated.
Bella Parties are when you get a group of girlfriends together and you head to the studio where you each receive professional makeup, courtesy of our favourite gal Crystal from Roots the Salon. You are treated to catering, you relax and have a glass of wine and then the fun begins.  Each person has their time in front of the camera.
Yes, the obvious objective is for everyone to have stunning photos of themselves - because really everyone woman should! However, the Bella Party is about much more than that. It is about the experience, of being with your gals, and having a fabulous unique and memorable night, that leaves you celebrating your fabulousness. It's something really special for yourself.

Honestly, these parties have even more wow factor than we could have expected when we launched them.
Generally we recommend that the parties include 6 to 8 people. However, on the YANA auction evening, (after a few glasses of wine,) we agreed to 13. And I am so glad. A memorable evening it was.

I got a little emotional at the beginning of the Bella Party. In my studio stood 13 funny, beautiful woman, and I was getting the chance to photograph them and document how pretty and sexy they all are.

Near the end I was having trouble shooting as I was laughing so hard.

Thank you 

Here are three of the 13 Bellapalooza gals.

Jenn, who I get goosebumps when I photograph because she has survived so much, yet just seems to get funnier and softer. 


 

Arran, who I patiently waited years to get to know, and the wait was sooo worth it

 

Andi,  a true beauty, whose eyes are always smiling




If you are interested in information on Bella Parties or Sessions, please contact Christine or I at the office.

The day started out with so much promise, I had five sessions I was going to blog or at least prep to blog - I was going to be fuelled by my grounding morning yoga class and a healthy lunch.

I grounded at yoga, followed by a Starbucks meeting, (does the caffeeing cancel out the yoga?). Both me and the meeter, were thrilled with how the meet went. All good.

I made a healthy lunch, but didn't eat it. For the record, steamed spinach with feta cheese doesn't smell good some days.

Then I hit the desk.

Then, I don't know what happened.

I feel good, I am happy, calm, but don't have much to show for the afternoon.

So, I am wrapping it up, throwing on some flip flops and jumping in the car to Victoria for a wedding tomorrow.

We booked our hotel through hotwire - (thanks Monica for reminding me about it,) and highly recommend it.

Play hard this weekend, there is sunshine people!

It has been too longs since I shared a love list. I think about writing one, but get overwhelmed, there is lots to love.

I want to share a few local blogs that I adore, perhaps this will become a regular blog feature.
So, let's start just with two.

First, there is the blogs of all blogs. I imagine many of my blog readers are already tapped into Our Big Earth, but just in case a few of you aren't on the bandwagon yet, I wanted to take care of you.



Robin and her team at Our Big Earth are a resource for local events, personalities and issues. They are the go-to place for crafting ideas, home-schooling thoughts, foodie goodness, gardening, ageing issues and buckets more. Yes, it is a lot but they manage to put it together in a pretty package.
I know when the site started it was seen just as a place for young families, but it is so much more.
They are also the folks behind the 30 day eating local food challenge, so you want to get on the Our Big Earth bandwagon now, as the challenge is kicking off any day now and is filled with demo's and more.

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"I knew her when"

That's what you are going to be saying about Helen Austin. This local singer/songwriter's music is everywhere right now, movies, tv shows, producers are calling her non-stop.

I have been working with Helen, creating her photos, for her last few albums and her creativity intimidates me, really, who can write songs like that?  She is a down-to earth, funny and incredibly giving. Really, Helen, how many fund raisers can you perform at ?



Check these folks out, support them, follow them, love them......

I am back from six days of Tofino time with family. It is a trip we have been making annually as a group for eight years, and sporadically since I was eight.
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My time there is always grounding, rejuvenating and relaxing beyond words. It is filled with so many of my favorite things.

It was a first beach trip for Utah, who managed to keep pace with my sisters large dog. Yup, our little dog, is only little in size.