Love at first sight

Have you ever fallen in love at first sight? I did when I met Lee. The minute I saw his sweet little face I wanted to photograph him. Thankfully, his parents wanted me to as well.

lovely linnea

Perhaps the funnest part of my boudoir session with Linnea was the moment we both decided that the bed HAD to go!!
Thank you Linnea for a playful afternoon creating beautiful images of all the lovely angles of your personality.

My summer with Marlis

I haven't had a new job in about 9 years and this spring I started TWO!!

Marlis Funk is a local wedding photographer who graciously hired this fresh out of school, late bloomer photographer as her assistant. I had such a blast this summer working with Marlis. I was what is known in the industry as a V.A.L. (a voice activated light stand). I also carried gear, occasionally took a photograph and most importantly, made sure Marlis did not fall off one of the high vantage points she likes to climb to get that perfect shot.

One of my favorite weddings this summer was Katherine & Benoit's beautiful wedding at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Their sweet 15 month old daughter Marlo was part of the ceremony and she added a playful element to the day.

Below are a few of my favorite images I took from Katherine & Benoit's wedding day. 

Thank you to Marlis Funk of 'imaging by marlis' for a wonderful summer as her assistant.

Just another day at the office....

This is the first installment of a new blog series I'm beginning to showcase my place of work. I work at the Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanARTS) in downtown Vancouver as the Assistant to the Digital Photography Program Manager. I see the strangest and most wonderful things on a daily basis at my job.

Let's start off with the Nude Photography class held a few months ago on location at Ironworks Studios. The instructor of the course is Vancouver fine art figure and nude photographer Aura McKay. Now this is a G Rated blog so I'll just leave you with a few of the less risque images from behind the scenes.

And yes, the lovely lady in red is indeed, Vancouver Burlesque performer Melody Mangler.

Visit VanARTS Instructor Aura McKay's website for beautiful fine art nude photography.

http://www.auramckay.com/

http://www.vanarts.com/

Robin Toma's got pipes! And she can sing too.

Robin is a photographer's dream. A talented performer with an engaging personality who is spontaneous and fun! When such a person asks you to create their promo images it is seriously a dream come true.

Our photo adventure began in a rustic building in East Van and ended in a downtown Vancouver alleyway. I hope you enjoy these images Robin and I created together and I've included a little treat for you as well. A wonderful and humerous video of Robin performing at the annual 'Angels off Broadway' fundraiser for the Living Through Loss Counseling Society.

The Adventures of Kerri & Rohan

Kerri & Rohan have had many adventures during their 13+ year relationship. What a blast it was to hang out with them for a day in East Van and capture the close bond they share.

The Real Crystal Precious

I took the big studio lights out on location and photographed Crystal Precious, Vancouver's Queen of Sass. Part riot grrl, part raver, part burlesque dancer and part rapper.

Crystal graciously agreed to be photographed in the old Dayton Boot Factory on Hastings Street. The good folks at Dayton were very accommodating and lent Crystal five pairs of shiny new boots to wear.

Having the opportunity to collaborate with the bodacious Crystal Precious, while enveloped in the smell of leather in a dark sexy setting, what more could a Photographer Girl want?!!!

goodbye nelson

"That nothing is static and fixed, that all is fleeting and impermanent, is the first mark of existance. It is the ordinary state of affairs. Everything is in process. Everything - every tree, every blade of grass, all the animals, insects, human beings, buildings, the animate and the inanimate - is always changing, moment to moment." ~ Pema Chodron, Buddhist Nun

I cling to the words of the Dharma for solace. The words hold no meaning for me. They do not comfort me. They do not encourage me. They do not help me see the truth. The only truth I see is loss. The only truth I feel is grief.

I walk the alleyways of Nelson attempting to capture in my memory and my camera the love I feel for this place. I love the alleys. I walk them regularly and in summer, constantly, when Baker Street is saturated with tourists. I love the rustic old telephone poles and the characters I meet between the buildings. Soon the poles will be gone. Removed because they are deemed dangerous and old fashioned. When I return the alleyways where I once walked will be different. Nelson will be different. I will be different.

The loss and grief that is permeating me is crippling. It sucks the joy out of my remaining days here. Replacing joy with sorrow at the sacrifices I must make to fulfill my dream. I wish for time to speed up. To propel me instantly into a new space, a new phase so I can be excited, anxious and overwhelmed. So that I will have no time or energy to dwell on what and who I am leaving behind. I wish to be reunited with my loves in Vancouver so that I may soften this horrible ache in my chest. So I may take a deep breath again without physical pain and emotional sorrow. So my mind and heart are occupied with newness and adventure.

The Buddha teaches that our emotions are controlled by our thoughts and my thoughts are toxic. I crave equanimity and it is fleeting. I crave acceptance and it is illusive. I crave peace and it is rare. My thoughts rob me of what could be a joyous moment. I wish I could leave today.