Chilliwack Family Photographer | Unruh Family | Backyard Portrait Session

Chilliwack Family Photographer

The Unruh’s

I photographed this amazing family in their home in early November in Chilliwack, BC.

Stacy and Mike have trusted me to capture their family for the past few years now and I absolutely adore spending time with them and their girls.  During their recent Day in the Life Session we took 20 minutes to update their family pictures for Stacy’s galley wall in her dining room.  I adore that we didn’t leave the comforts of their home and all these pictures were captured in their own backyard.  Family pictures don’t have to be uncomfortable or stressful, they just have to be you.  

Wanting to book a no stress family photo session? Let’s Chat!  

Surrey Wedding Photographer | Cloverdale CR Church and Redwood Forest| David + Julianna

David and Julianna's wedding day started with threats of an epic rain storm  but instead we were greeted with sunshine and the most epic storm clouds.   After photographing Julianna getting ready with her closest friends and family we arrived at the Cloverdale Reformed Church for a first look with David and their beautiful and heartfelt  wedding ceremony.  

Afterwards we loaded up the RV and headed to Redwod Park in Surrey, BC to capture David and Julianna’s love for each other and some crazy shenanigans with their wedding party! I haven’t laughed that hard during wedding party photos in a long time, especially when the bridesmaids dropped the groom!

… and when your heart knows… it knows. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness.

Chilliwack Wedding Photographer| Robbie & Kristy Wedding Sneak Peak | Secret Garden at Woodbridge Pond

Here in the Canadian Pacific Northwest rain is just a part of our lives and Robbie and Kristy’s wedding at the Secret Garden in Chilliwack, BC was no exception. However, this did not phase these two, or their guests. Robbie and Kristy have been together for years and the emotion that was seen on their wedding day, not only between them but all their friends and family had me in tears through out the day. This my friends is what marrying your best friend looks like.

Here is a sneak peak of their day… Click on the play head on the wedding bouquet!

Chilliwack Engagement Photographer | Brandon + Rebecka | Chilliwack Lake, BC

Rainy, Snow and Sleet… just another day in the Fraser Valley’s Pacific North West.

A few months back I met with Brandon and Rebecka to chat about their upcoming wedding at Whonnock Lake. I remember admiring their attention to details- the ones most important to them- the assurance that everyone at their wedding be honoured and respected for who they were. I assured them, that I would never have it any other way, and after playing some hot wheels with their little guy and finishing up our donuts from the Harvest Cafe we were well on our way to planning the most epic engagement session!

Fast forward to the days leading up to their engagement session, it rained… and rained and got colder and colder. We talked about postponing but looking at the forecast it didn’t look like it would be getting better anytime soon, and as life in the PNW goes… the show must go on!

“I find more love in a storm with you than a thousand sunny days without”

— Atticus

Chilliwack Engagment Photographer | A Surprise Proposal | Jim + Val

An Engagement Session at Cultus Lake, BC after a surprise proposal.

It’s hard to put into words all the emotions I’ve gone through holding onto the news that one of my oldest and dearest friends was going to propose to his girl. He’s always been my biggest supporter and has always had my back- like 32 yrs of having someone’s back is a LONG time.

We often talk about the good ol’ days of being rowdy teenagers but honestly what I cherish most is the loyalty, the positivity, the strength his words give and the love of a solid friendship. Secret meetings and phone calls and parking lot dodges as we worked towards keeping this marriage proposal a surprise will forever make me laugh. I was beyond honoured to be asked to witness one of my besties profess his love and commitment to his forever this afternoon.

Jimmy & Val I wish you both a lifetime of happiness, laughter and SLAYER. Always SLAYER.

So after some bush whacking and some quick engagement pictures we headed to the pub together for a drink. The old locals must have been laughing at us as we tried over and over to get an in focus picture of the three of us in the dimly lit pub. It's not perfect but its the epitomy of joy to me.

Abbotsford Prom Photographer | Bateman Park | Jack + Alyssia

Abbotsford Prom and Graduation Photographer

Capturing the moments that matter in Abbotsford, BC.

Joanie Loves Chachi Band | Chilliwack, BC | Mainstreet Night Club

Last year I had the pleasure of capturing Joanie Loves Chachi at Party in the Park. They promised there was big things to come and sure enough this summer they hit the recording studio and are working on an album! The new music coming out of this close knit trio is amazing and I am so excited for the upcoming release of a full album.

Last night they opened up for The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets and DOA (those pictures are still to follow) at Mainstreet Night Club in Chilliwack, BC. Here are a few pictures from their set.

Vancouver Documentary Photographer| Day in the Life Session| Katherine, Shane & Tig

Chilliwack Day In the Life

Documentary Photographer

When Katherine approached me about photographing her family on one of their last Saturday’s in their home before relocating out of Vancouver, BC my heart just about burst. THIS is the type of session that makes my heart soar. Day In The Life Sessions tell the story of you and your everyday life by capturing your day in pictures.

It’s the little things that make a house a home and Katherine gets it. She described wanting the first home they had with their daughter captured, the day to day things they do- preserved- and the memory of their time here saved for her daughter to look back on when she is older.  I arrived at their East Vancouver home mid morning just in time to capture a quick play date that had been arranged with some dear friends prior to a routine walk in their neighborhood and brunch at one of their favourite local eateries, The Red Wagon. The day was filled with exploration, play time, a quick nap and pasta making and then after Shane left for work Katherine and Tig closed out the evening with a sweet ceremony honouring their home and their time in it.

So much love and little moments that allowed time to be frozen, if just for a minute, before everything changes. Life in East Vancouver filled with cool shops, amazing eateries and a steady stream of close friends dropping by has been left behind for new adventures in the mountains for this family, and I cannot wait to go and visit them again, once they are all settled in their new digs.

Want to book a Day in the Life session in your home?  This is the perfect type of session especially if you have older kids!  Let's chat!  Contact me here.

If you would like to preserve this time in your family's life with a Day in the Life Photography Session, please contact me for more information. I would love to document your family's story. Let’s chat.

Fraser Valley Wedding Photographer | Campbell Valley Park Portraits and Romantic Backyard Wedding

A Romantic Backyard Wedding in Aldergrove, BC

When I first met Katelyn and Robert for coffee, almost a year ago now, to discuss their wedding photography vision, I was a ball of nerves but honestly I had zero reason to be! These two are the kindest most laid back couple ever and their main goal was for the guests to feel comfortable and have fun! We had such an amazing time at their engagement session earlier this Spring in the gorgeous Cherry Blossoms at Queen Elizabeth Park, just like Robert’s parents did many years ago, that I knew their wedding day would be nothing short of perfect and exactly as they had described.

Truly there is really no place like home. From your own childhood backyard, to your grandparents to your Great Uncle Joe, planning a backyard wedding is an amazing idea!

Top 5 Benefits to having a Backyard Wedding:

1. Your Fur Babies can Attend- no hassle, no deposits, no travel and no babysitter needed!

2. Dates are Flexible- complete and utter freedom when booking and no venue deposit is needed.

3. Guest List- you can have as few of your closest friends and family, or invite your entire graduating class- just remember though, unless your parent’s backyard is the size of a couple football fields, space may be an issue!

4. Finances- while saving on venue costs don’t forget to have a back up rain plan and rent a large tent to host all your guests, you don’t want to have to delegate out who is going to hold hold the umbrella over grandma while she eats her dinner.

5. All the Feels- Simply getting ready and saying I do’s to the person of your dreams in the same back yard you played in as a child just can’t be beat. Everyone always seems to have so much fun at backyard weddings- and there truly is no place like home.

When I met up with Katelyn the morning of her wedding she was so relaxed and confident- there was zero nerves- just confidence about marrying the love of her life. We quickly whisked off to Campbell Valley Park for her and Robert’s first look and it took everything in my power to not start crying at Robert’s reaction to seeing Katelyn for the first time on their wedding day. These two are so in love.

Robert’s parents home was both the ceremony and reception location and the amount of work they put into their property to make it absolutely perfect for this love filled day, did not go unnoticed. Can you believe that their parents did all the decor themselves?! Robert’s mom grew all the flowers in their backyard and Katelyn’s mom put together all the Bouquets for the day! Robert and Katelyn had Growlers designed as wedding favours and brewed all the beer for the day. The whole day was filled with love and laughter surrounded by family and friends- exactly as Robert and Katelyn wanted.

Congratulations Robert and Katelyn!

Click on the Play Head to watch the slide show of this gorgeous backyard wedding ceremony and reception.

Vancouver Event Photographer| Punk in Drublic Craft Beer & Music Festival | PNE AMPHITHEATER| Vancouver, BC |

Much like my life that has always been split in a million different ways, so is my photography. Everyone always talks about branding and sticking to one genre- the mantra of you haven’t made it till you find your one genre and stick to it, but I just can’t be boxed in like that. My love for concert photography is just as great as my love for capturing the love and connection of a couple committing their lives to each other, as is, the raw and real moments of a family welcoming their first baby or capturing their day to day lives and the important moments that matter. I guess my work, all of it, encompasses one thing, my passion for authenticity.

I have always loved to photograph live music. I grew up with all my close friends playing in bands and it wasn’t a house party unless the living room furniture was pushed up against the wall to make room for the drums or like at my house right outside into the driveway, much to my older brother’s dismay upon returning from University a day early while my parents were out of town!

A couple of years ago I was introduced into the world of ‘real’ concert photography- shows that weren’t just my old high school friends playing at venues- as cool as the age old saying ‘I’m with the Band' is- there is a rush that comes with photographing for a publication that promotes your images from the show and to see a band share your images, with credit of course, to their fan base.

I have photographed a lot of concerts in the past two years but have never shared my work on my website as it doesn’t seem to fit with what I do regularly but alas that whole being boxed in again. So here I am sharing this other side to me- one that I do share all over my Instagram for those of you that follow me it is a common occurrence for me to post images of newborns, weddings, kids at the beach and a concert image all in one day! That’s me. That is who I am. Sharing moments that matter from my eyes. My full review of the show and all my images from the day can be found here:

http://www.behindthescenepress.com/live/2019/7/23/punk-in-drublic-at-pne-amphitheater-in-vancouver

Here are some of my favourites of the day.

THE LAST GANG

This amazing female-led Punk band out of Los Angeles has a ton of catchy songs that many in the crowd were singing along to. My favourites and ones to definitely check out if you haven’t heard this band before are ‘Identity,’ ‘Secret Sounds’ and ‘Believe in the Poet.’ Despite having only discovered this band a few weeks back when looking to see who the opening acts were for Punk in Drublic, The Last Gang has solidified a place in my punk rock heart.

CHIXDIGGIT

I did end up missing the beginning Chixdiggit’s performance due to beer chaos but managed to capture the last part of their set. I had never heard of this Calgary based band, and I was pleasantly surprised. They seem to have a large local following as the crowds doubled from what they were for the opening act.

ANTI-FLAG

Anti-Flag shows are always high energy and full speed from start to finish. The mosh pit is not always the safest place to be, especially loaded with camera gear, but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do to get the shot- especially when Chris #2 closes out the show by singing from within the middle of the Mosh Pit!

THE REAL MCKENZIES

The Real McKenzies are a Vancouver based Celtic punk band that belts out traditional Scottish songs with a punk-influenced sound. The crowd was intense, the circle pit even more intense, yet everyone always had a smile on their face.

BAD RELIGION

As the sun began to set, the gorgeous mountain backdrop lit up behind the stage as Bad Religion prepared to get the beer-fueled crowd into a frenzy. Forty years and this band is still a powerhouse on stage with front-man Greg’s vocals not missing a single beat.

NOFX

It’s been 16 years since I’ve seen NOFX live and nothing has changed. Ongoing pranks, witty alcohol-fueled banter and some confusion as the night progressed as to what song they were actually playing, none of it mattered, it’s a NOFX show and precisely what all their fans have come to love and expect from their shows.

This was a Craft Beer Festival but I do not believe the organizers expected the turn out they got. I stood in line for 40 minutes before giving up, and I ended up not using any of my tickets to sample some of the amazing Craft Beer’s our area has to offer.

As the sun continued to beat down on the crowds, I noticed a few things, one being the vibe. It’s not often Vancouver sees a festival dedicated to Punk and everyone there was so happy to be there with their ‘tribes.’ Large friend groups could be seen throughout the day enjoying music, beer, and friendships- new and old. Conversations were had in the long beer lines with total strangers, and the sense of comradery amongst everyone was seen all day long. It was hot. There were no water fountains, and the lines to get drinks were ridiculous the whole day, but no one seemed frustrated or really seemed to care. It was a day filled with strangers throwing out compliments, high fives, and hugs when needed. It was an all-hands-on-deck day with no one going down if a Punk Rocker could help it. The mantra of Punk never dies was loud and true.