These photos were from just a week ago but it seems like a month.
I had quite the weekend, 13 amazing women came into the studio friday night for a Bella Party, Saturday Christine and I rolled our tired selves to the Bellies, Birth and Baby Fair - despite a serious lack of sleep we picked right up when we got there and truly enjoyed ourselves. We met tons of new people and were thrilled with all our clients who came by to say hello (especially the ones that shared news of a new pregnancy, twins and a big shout out to Karina who actually was in pre-labour.) We were very impressed with the whole event, the Comox Valley Doulas, who put it all together could definitely start a side endeavour organizing trade shows - well done and thank you.
So, last week, when the sun shone hard I was out enjoying every bit of it and joining me was Sophie, Olivia and Frank.
If you know this family, you know what I mean when I say they make me happy. The smiles you see in the photo are real, this is a crew that oozes goodness and a love of life. It was a joy to photograph them - and I am loving getting to know them.
And the parents..... they feel like the blessed ones.
Sarah is going to lead an interesting life, that is something I think she can bank into. Her parents are intelligent, interested, creative, athletic people - yes, and they are incredibly nice and yes, they are the whole package. And as someone put in the comments of a previous post, they will "rock the parenting universe."
Karen, Stefan, thank you for making me part of your parenting journey. You are both so fun and easy to connect with. Huge congratulations.
Are you on our facebook page - you can read the blog and comments there as well.
Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for the awesome experience the other day and for creating such beautiful images that will last a lifetime. Reading your blog brought us to tears and re-enforced how much joy our little bundle has brought already and how fortunate we are.
Talk to you soon,
Karen and Stefan
(05.28.10 @ 07:30 PM)Once again the photos are stunning Karen!!! Congrats to Karen and Stefan on beautiful little Sarah! Wow look at all that hair!!! Love it!!!
(05.29.10 @ 10:01 AM)Ah! This is a picture perfect little girl. We are falling in love with her already. God Bless!
(05.30.10 @ 07:13 AM)Dear Karen and Stephan,
Congratulations! How wonderful for both of you (and all of us) to be blessed with such a healthy, truly beautiful child. As has been stated in other messages, your daughter is also blessed in having two such outstanding people for parents. Although we are a few days late, please wish Sarah Sophia a Happy Birthday/Mnohaya Lita from Vuyko John and me. Teta Orysia
Oh my goodness, she is beautiful! These pictures a just priceless!
They brought tears to my eyes....Congratulations to my beautiful sister, her amazing husband and WELCOME BABY SARAH SOPHIA! You are loved more than you will ever know....
Dear Karen & Stefan,
Vitayemo- beautiflul little Sarah Sophia! Congratulations from the Michalchyshyns in Winnipeg.
Can't wait to meet her.
Marta & Iyvan
Wow....what beautiful photos of an amazingly beautiful baby girl!!! I cannot wait to meet her!!! I especially love the one where Staff and Karen are holding her, such a wonderful memory for her to have!! Just love them!! xoxoxo
(05.30.10 @ 09:58 PM)I wish more couples would take the time to have some photos created of just the two of them, whether they have children or not, together they are the foundation of their family. Together they will change and grow. What a wonderful way to celebrate all they have accomplished as two people living thier life together.
Nate and Jaimie are a gorgeous, stylish, relaxed couple and made my work pretty darn easy...
Karen, you did such an amazing job! Thank you for putting us at ease and making the session that much more enjoyable! We love these shots.
(05.24.10 @ 01:20 PM)Wow!! Beautiful pictures! Brought a tear to my eyes!
(05.24.10 @ 01:37 PM)She shows up in yellow, the sunshine pouring out of her is just as infections as the yellow glow from the sky. She looks at him, and they laugh... and so it went on and on for our engagement session. They beamed, the cuddled, they giggled. Yes, giggled, it's true Mike, when she is in your arms, you kind of giggle.
On top of all the sweetness and joy, Kelsey pulled out an outfit that matched each location we stopped at - can't beat that!
I can't wait to shoot your wedding, thinking about it makes me feel like the luckiest photographer out there!
Karen the photos are fantastic!!! We feel so fortunate to have found such a truly gifted photographer. Your locations were great and we had so much fun with you. Great job on hiding the cast in these ones, I cant wait to see the rest!
(05.23.10 @ 11:39 AM)These look great :-)
(05.24.10 @ 08:46 AM)Amazing photos! You really caught the moment. It will be hard to pick a favourite
(05.25.10 @ 09:59 AM)These are great! Kelsey and Mike you have made a wonderful choice with Karen. Karen you caught some great moments - looking forward to meeting you in July. Janice
(05.26.10 @ 08:30 PM)Karen - what stunning photos of Mike & Kels. You have certainly captured the love they share!! Can't wait for the big day!
(05.27.10 @ 10:58 PM)Over the last three years, I have seen her in her element as she taught dance to my children at Pantuso Dance. I have learned that I am just a wee speck in the crowd that adores this woman. She is a dedicated teacher, a true talent and a wonderful friend to many.
Liv's dance company True Colors is putting on their annual show this Saturday, if you don't have plans it is sooooo worth going to - we have always been wowed by the talent and choreography. You can find more info here.
So, you can imagine my intrigue when I found out I was going to meet her other half - Ryan - what would he be like?
He is kind, graceful, warm and funny and he adores both Liv and their new addition Ella.
With their first child:
Meet the stunning Ella, she is absolutely gorgeous, considering the genes she was given, it comes as no surprise.
Holy smokes Karen, I am completely speechless! Not only are the photos AMAZING but your words are so kind. I am so unbelievably grateful for the moments you captured in these photos! I am soo excited for the viewing of the rest. Thank you, Thank you , Thank you!!!
(05.20.10 @ 05:47 PM)Congrats Livea & Ryan on your little Miss Ella, she is beautiful!! such an exciting time enjoy your first summer with her. and well done again Karen, pics are stunning as per usual ;-) love the bikini pic, soo sweet~ and Cheers, Sean McDowell & Sarah Leakey
(05.20.10 @ 08:40 PM)Wow! These are beautiful, Karen! Congrats Livea! What a gorgeous family!
(05.20.10 @ 10:30 PM)Excellent shots. Real keepers. Jen & I really enjoyed the meet and greet. Ella is so beautiful. the future is bright.
(05.21.10 @ 07:22 AM)Oh my goodness! These photos are absolutely stunning! Karen always succeeds in catching the moment as well as the love and passion that lives within it! Beautiful.....
(05.21.10 @ 08:45 AM)Thanks forsharing with me with these wonderful pictures-you have every right to be a proud grandma!!!
(05.21.10 @ 11:31 AM)I'm in tears, karen captured such loving in these shots and spoke so beautifully on behalf of herself towards liv, ry and ella- i couldn't share her feelings more. love you guys. xox
(05.21.10 @ 02:06 PM)Thanks Liv and everyone else! I am just looking at the photo on the bottom right and it makes me happy.
(05.23.10 @ 09:52 AM)
Karen - these pictures look fabulous! We had lots of fun hanging out at the beach with you - definitely warmer than our first attempt! The girls kept talking about how much fun the shoot was - your fun and relaxed nature brought out the best in us! Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!
(PS - thanks for help with the birthday surprise... full service photography, taxi, and more!!)
(05.31.10 @ 12:53 PM)Beautiful...wonderful photos, Karen Juli
(05.31.10 @ 05:33 PM)These photos bring a tear to my eye. Not only are they a lovely family but Frank and my son, Lee, have been friends since their school days. Seeing these photos reminds one that they really are grown men now!
(08.20.10 @ 08:31 AM)These photos bring a tear to my eye. Not only are they a lovely family but Frank and my son, Lee, have been friends since their school days. Seeing these photos reminds one that they really are grown men now!
(08.20.10 @ 08:36 AM)Thanks Carol for your comment
(08.20.10 @ 04:12 PM)