Disability Alliance of BC || Vancouver Headshot Photographer

When the Disability Alliance of BC contacted me to do their Annual Report photos I had bronchitis, by shoot day I had no voice. Inflammation in my throat from continual coughing for two weeks resulted in acute laryngitis.
During the shoot my assistant had to verbally communicate for me while I wrote notes and did interpretative dances to communicate pose instructions.
Maneuvering in the world being non verbal is a challenge. Most people assume you can speak. Not all people can.
It was interesting watching the reactions when I passed my notebook to someone. On a few occasions people spoke to me as if I was a child. It was a deep practice in patience for me while I was out in the world trying to communicate.
It also heightened my awareness that people I meet might have a hidden disability and to never make assumptions.

Cicely-Belle Blain || Vancouver Headshot Photographer

Cicely-Belle Blain is co-founder of the Vancouver Black Lives Matter and we created these portraits together for their Xtra Vancouver column.
Cicely-Belle was featured on the Coolest People in Vancouver list published by Huffington Post and created a diversity and inclusion consulting firm to help companies become more diverse and inclusive. (website).

Danny Ramadan || Vancouver Headshot Photographer

When I googled Danny Ramadan, pages and pages of links for Syrian Refugee, Author, Journalist, Public Speaker, Activist and LGBTQ Refugee Advocate came up.
Danny has only lived in Canada for 3 years and has become a vital citizen sharing his passion and compassion to assist LGBTQ refugees from 80 countries where being a LGBTQ person is a punishable offense.
His TEDX talk video below brought tears to my eyes. His words are poetry.

2016 Pride Grand Marshall - photo by belle

Theo's Family || Vancouver Family Photographer

Baby Theo's sweet family invited me into their beautiful home for his 3 week birthday.

Awesome Assistants || Behind the Scenes

I can't run after toddlers or make sure you look your best for that business portrait without the help of some talented folks. Shout out to my Awesome Assistants!!

Ray - Keeper of the Bags and baker of delicious cookies.

Deb - attention to detail. She moved back to England.   :(

Greg - such a handsome model for the lighting text.

Bridgett - grey card realness.

Trout Lake Snow Day || Vancouver Family Photographer

I spent family Day at Trout Lake with this East Van family and their wee new addition.
Vancouver's had a wacky winter and there was still snow on the ground. We should have made a Snowman!

Lifting Stars Pet Homecare || Vancouver Headshots

Meet Squeak. Rescued as a kitten at Scottsdale Veterinary Hospital in Surrey, BC, he is the feline love of veterinarian Jeffrey Berkshire's life.
Two years ago our elder kitty was suffering and we had to make that difficult decision that no one wants to make.
We were so grateful to have a vet come to our home and assist Mr. Nigel's peaceful passing.
Lifting Stars Pet Homecare is a mobile veterinary service for end-of-life care and at-home compassionate euthanasia for dogs, cats and small mammals in the Greater Vancouver area.
Jeffrey is a gentle and caring person as these testimonials on his website attest.

Business Branding 2016

This past year I worked with some awesome businesses who were launching in 2016, or they were established businesses and wanted to modernize their branding with new imagery.
Kashoo Simple Online Accounting
Klinik Health Collective
Lifting Stars Pet Homecare
Maison d'etre Design Build Inc.
Strength & Soul Wellness
Transfocus Consulting