This was one session I was so excited about. Leslie is an amazing woman, smart, compassionate, fun and  pretty funky (I was once behind her in a Zumba Class, and boy can she move, as for me, well that was my first and last Zumba.)  

She is stunning, a classic beauty who has worked hard to be fit and to celebrate herself- something most of us women can relate to. It was an honor to create these photos for her, to be part of her seeing her beauty - of which there is so much! xoxox! 

Hair by: Michael at Roots the Salon

Make-up: Crystal-Lee at Roots the Salon 

Josie and Mike came out from Alberta with their family and close friends to say "I Do" in the beautiful West Coast. Although it really was more of the Wet Coast, it didn't damper the mood  and the rain became part of their story. Crown Isle Resort did a spectacular job of setting them up in the restaurant under the glass dome and the mood was intimate and warm. 

Afterwards we braved the elements for photos and then enjoyed some of the nooks and crannies of the resort for some more photos.

Thank you Josie, Mike and along with attendants Taylor and Tyler for being so fabulous and for sharing your day with me. 

Hair: Jason at Roots the Salon

Makeup: Crystal Lee at Roots the Salon

Flowers: Created by the bride

Location: Crown Isle Resort

My fabulous assitant: Jennifer Dodd from Jennifer Dodd Photograph

This week I have been meeting with many of my 2012 bride and groom's to talk through the plan and feeling for the day. Of course, with the wind and rain that we are experiencing right now the weather is on the top of most couples mind. Here are few tips and thoughts to consider, from someone who has been to 200+ weddings.

1. As much as I am passionate about photography, I feel strongly  that the day is about a wedding, not wedding photography. You will walk down the aisle, you will get goosebumps, you will kiss, and toast. You will be husband or wife - rain or shine! This is what truly matters. 

2. A professional photographer will have a plan for poor weather. They will be a master of indoor lighting and zealous about finding crafty outside spots that keep you protected from the elements. They will rise to the challenge of leaving you excited about your images, despite the weather. Fabulous photos will be just as important to them as they are to you.

3. Your facility will also help you determine a plan B to move inside if necessary. If you are getting married outdoors in a park, beach or yard on the West Coast there are a few things to consider. Can you move your ceremony to your reception location if necessary? That is assuming your reception is indoors. If you are planning to have both the ceremony and reception outside in an area without a facility consider renting a tent. The crew at All in One Party Shop are fabulous at going over the options with you. If you are committed to a ceremony outside, without a tent then ask guests to bring an umbrella. Keep in mind though that you don't want your guests to be too uncomftorable, and you want to be as relaxed as possible throughout your vows so that you can take it all in. The wind can also be an inconvenience, uncomfortable and make it hard to hear your vows. If you are committed to both ceremony and reception outside, these are aspects you have to anticipate.

4. For your portraits decide how willing you are to head into the elements. it is my suggestion to, if the weather is really poor, keep family inside and save heading outside for just the creative bride and groom imagery. My clients have all ranges of comfort level with heading outside in rain, from absolute no to let's go for it. 

5. If heading outside for portraits there are a few things that can help. The primary being practical shoes. Your photographer can shoot so that the feet don't show, and you can be wearing whatever you like - maybe even rubber boots and making that part of the image. We also like to carry a bed sheet - it makes a perfect wrap for the bride that can be whipped off in just a few seconds.

6. Rain can push your photos into a unique and creative place. Your photographer and you can search out alternative locations, and your photos will be unlike any others. 

7. Have some cute umbrellas ready. From vintage to colourful, to customized with your names there are tons of options.

8. Rain and all that it signifies, is seen in many cultures as good luck. Rain and water signify blessings. It brings growth to crops, cleansing and fertility. Rain can also create a cozy, warm,intimate and romantic mood.

Finally, remember if it rains, it is just part of the story, your story. Everyone of the couples who I have photographed who have had rainy days, ends up laughing about it and saying they wouldn't change a thing - honestly. 

Check out her new website and branding created by the fabulous crew at Better Mousetrap Marketing.

I was in my glory. 

Then I hit elementary school and my dreams of being the next Olivia Newton John were shattered. My grade four teacher told me to mouth the words, as I couldn't hold a tune and had a voice too deep for a nine year old girl. (Note: my self-esteem has recovered, and my voice is something I actually really like, as for a career following in Olivia's steps, I realize now there are other options.)

However,music has always been one of my great vices and passions. I actually started my road as a professional photographer photographing music. Photographing musicians, and creative folk in general is always something I am keen for. I love the feeling of collaboration it brings and always feel like I am basking in a bit of greatness. The fact that someone has the ability to just sit down and write a song baffles me. I get to create, but I have the energy of what is in front of my camera to feed off of. 

So went Trent Freeman called me to create some photos for his new CD I was thrilled. If you haven't heard of Trent before you will. Originally from Courtenay, and now based in Toronto, he is an extremely sought after session musician and is gaining a strong name for himself as an original artist. Despite all his accolades, of which there are many, my favorite thing about him other than his super cute warm smile, is that he oozes artistry and dedication.

 We have tried to work together before and our schedules never collided. This time it was perfect. Everything about it was just right. Great weather, great moods and a really good time. 

I am so looking forward to hearing his new album when it comes out this spring. 

These were easy to capture with these two, they are so at ease with each other. They laugh easily, the melt into each other, and buckets of shared experience gives them a strong sense of togetherness. 

I am not sure if they noticed, but they finished of each others sentences, and looked at one another while the other spoke to me. Well unless they were looking at their fur babies that is. 

I was so thrilled that after days of wet, the sun blessed us with it's presence. 

Drum role please.....

The logo is going to be integrated slowly. Originally I was going to launch it everywhere, the blog, my website, business cards, studio signage all at once. Then I realized how challenging and all consuming that would be, and I am SO OVER being stressed out, that was sooo Karen circa 2008.  

A huge thank you to the crew over at Better Mousetrap Marketing who designed the logo for me. They really did an amazing job of capturing what I envisioned, which was something playful, fresh, unique and professional. The process was seamless and quite fun. 

Matt and Monique, you have give your kids a beautiful home to grow in, and obviously it is filled with love, joy and creativity - what a pleasure it was to document your beginning under this new roof. 

The Clarks opted for what I call a "lifestyle" session, one that isn't about looking "just so" but has a more casual feel. I love the chance to document a family relating, and we did just that, the family together, the girls together, the gals individually and even some of just mom and dad. 

It really was the type of session that the kids will look back at years from now and be able to get a sense of how much in love with them their parents are. Thank you Clarks for sharing with me. 

Here are a few of my fave of all four of you. 

There is buckets of love  -

She came in and charmed me with her fine pretty features and beautiful skin, then she happily played along throughout the session. I think she is the first babe in a long time to not even have an "accident" in the studio. 

Her baby sweetness definitely gave me goosebumps and made me all mushy ....

This morning. Kids running outside of the school. 

- I will continue to take risks and embrace failure as a sign that I tried. Further to that, I will be bolder in making big decisions. 

- I will learn something new (oohhh.. I am excited about this one, as the wheels,okay two sets of wheels, are already in motion.)  

- I will find a new way to make a difference. 

I don't know if it counts as cheating if the third point as already been started. As part of my Ten Years of Celebration I called for nominations for a charity that would benefit from professional photography. For five years I have been very active in helping Y.A.N.A. share the stories behind their efforts and I feel that I have room to do the same for another charity. 

I thank everyone who nominated a charity. One however jumped out. Not only was it nominated three times, however, it is something that strikes a chord for me and my family. 

I am excited to announce that I have chosen Dawn to Dawn, Action on Homeless Society. 

For many years I lived on the outskirts of the Downtown Vancouver Eastside. Many of my friends chose to work in the assistat living facilities in the area. They were working with a wide spectrum of needs, dealing with drug addiction, to abuse, to helping those fighting the final stages of AIDS live with dignity. They were helping those that could  transition to a better life, and providing support to those that wouldn't. No matter the direction, I was moved by what a difference their kindness could make. From what I know of the those involved in Dawn to Dawn, their heart is right there - not making assumptions, not discriminating, just helping. 

I have always lived by the philosophy, never say never, and always do unto others as you wish them to do unto you. I see someone on the street and I know they have a story, people they love and those whose lives they have left their footprints on. They could be me. I could be them. 

My family was strongly behind the choice of Dawn to Dawn. My daughters have recently become more aware of the homeless and some of their school peers whose parents struggle to provide a lunch for them every day. Two of our daughters has even recently begun campaigning to spend a few days on the street and see what it feels like. Another daughter has been strongly asserting a desire to help at the Food Bank. I look forward to further breaking down the barriers between them, and those whose lives have taken a different path.

I don't know what my work with Dawn to Dawn will result in or  what direction it will take. However I am so honored to find out. 

Of the three nominations for this charity I thought I would share this one. 

 

Respect, dignity, warmth, shelter, health... these aren't the items that you would find on a typical Christmas wish list.  These words shouldn't express wishes at all... these words describe basic human need.  There are people in our own community who find these basic human needs out of reach.  Homelessness lives right here in our community.  Dawn to Dawn was created to address the needs of the homeless population in the Comox Valley.  Dawn to Dawn offers two services; a residential program that provides accommodation in market housing and a mobile medical clinic that that offers care to those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the Comox Valley.  A total of 33 volunteers: 13 nurses, 5 doctors, 3 dentists, 2 pharmacists and 1 optometrist donate their professional skills side by side with a group of dedicated volunteer outreach drivers.

After discussion with Helen Boyd from Dawn to Dawn I respectfully submit Dawn to Dawn as a nominee for the Christmas Charity promotion through McKinnon Photography.  I think that there is immense value in giving a face to homelessness in our community.  I would like to see Karen work together with this compassionate group of volunteers to help bring an element of realism to the issue of homelessness in the Comox Valley.  Homelessness isn't a glamorous issue...but it is a very real issue.  It is a very worthy issue... because there is worth in every life.  It is an issue that touches the lives of a very vulnerable population.  I believe that all people have a story, a history, a past and I believe that it is important to embrace the opportunity to offer a hand up towards a future to those who need it most.  I believe that Dawn to Dawn has identified a need and they are a charity in action.  Dawn to Dawn is 'doing' in our community.  If selected, Dawn to Dawn would like to work with Karen to respectfully share the story of homelessness in the Comox Valley while preserving the anonymity of the population they serve.

"These people are our sisters and our brothers. The right thing to do is to help them reclaim their lives and their autonomy. There is so much left to be done in regards to the issue of homelessness in our community. Photography is a strong medium that bares witness in a very privileged manner to our universal need to be seen and heard." (Helen Boyd - Coordinator CARE-A-VAN Program Dawn to Dawn: Action on Homelessness Society)

Submitted by: A.B.