carolyn egerszegi photography

imagewrap hardcover books | products

2012-05-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

I love it when clients recognize the value of putting their wedding photos into a beautiful keepsake book. Hayley and Paul ordered this impressive book to display their amazing wedding day and were even smart enough to get a smaller version of the same book for their parents.

If you have wedding photos trapped on a computer and don't know how to show them off, contact me today so I can design a lovely keepsake book for you.

nina + jeff | married

2012-04-05T09:25:00.005-07:00

Last fall I had the great fortune of working with my friend Vicki Gannon as a second photographer for Nina and Jeff's beautiful wedding at Aberthau Mansion.

While going through the photos trying to decide what to post here, I thought, rather than posting tons of photos detailing every aspect of the wedding, I would highlight two things in particular and talk about them in this post.

1. Vendors

The first thing I want to mention is vendor selection. Choosing the right vendors can be a daunting task, which is why getting good recommendations can really save couples a lot of stress in the wedding planning process.

When couples hire me as their photographer, they're not just getting an experienced professional to document their wedding day, they are also hiring someone who loves weddings and enjoys helping couples with other planning details. As a photographer, I see many wedding days from beginning to end and know when couples get great service or products from a vendor, so I strive to be a valuable resource for couples as they plan their wedding by providing my advice and guidance about vendors.

In the case of Nina and Jeff, they also sought the assistance of their photographer Vicki, when choosing their florist. Jane at Budget Blooms did a magnificent job of bringing Nina's vision for her wedding day to life as you will see from all the photos here!

2. Speeches

If you are planning your wedding and trying to find ways to streamline your wedding day timeline, please do not cut out speeches at the reception!

While some couples may think that speeches at the reception are outdated, boring or silly, I believe speeches provide some of the funniest or the most emotional moments at any wedding. There is a not a single wedding I have been to where there wasn't at least one speech that had me laughing through tears.

As you'll see from the photos below, there were more than a few speeches at Nina and Jeff's wedding that had everybody in stictches. So, whatever you do, be sure to include speeches in your wedding reception plans. You will not regret it!

Enjoy the photos below. Lots of gorgeous flowers, some great laughs and a few other beautiful moments from the day for good measure...

I love the anticipation in this next photo...

Here comes the bride!

Flowers, flowers, gorgeous flowers everywhere!

I love Jeff's simple, elegant orchid boutonniere. Check out the lovely pearl detailing on the stem. Nice!

And now for some great laughs!

Congratulations to Nina and Jeff. I wish you all the best in your life together!

imagewrap hardcover book | products

2012-04-04T14:14:00.005-07:00

I read a post today on Facebook which said something along the lines of "don't let your kids grow up to be JPEGs".

In it, the writer talked about a generation of photos woefully stuck on computers and discs instead of being printed and displayed lovingly in our homes. They encouraged everybody to get their photos out of the digital realm and into the real world.

I feel exactly the same way and that's why I love producing beautiful keepsake books for my clients. I believe our memories should surround us in our homes and therefore deserve to be displayed and enjoyed every day in books and in prints.

This lovely imagewrap hardcover book is from Hayley and Paul's engagement session. I designed it for them ages ago, but never got around to posting in on my blog, but today's Facebook post prompted me to get it done.

If you have photos hidden away on your computer, now is the time to get them printed and displayed in your home or crafted into a lovely keepsake book. If you don't know how, email me and I'll give you some tips for getting it done yourself, or, ask about my reasonable rates for designing a gorgeous book for you.

Whatever you choose, stop staring at JPGs and start enjoying your memories!

vancity bride | featured

2012-03-02T13:59:00.002-08:00

I am proud and excited to announce the feature of Carolyn Egerszegi Photography as a Vancity Vendor on Jeannine's wonderful bridal planning blog Vancity Bride. The site is an excellent resource for Vancouver wedding planning information and tips, so it's an honour to be included among the wonderful list of vendors on the site. Thanks for the feature Jeannine!

new year. better photos. | photography mentoring with carolyn

2012-01-17T13:43:00.000-08:00

pei pei + chad | married

2011-09-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

Pei Pei and Chad's wedding day was everything I would wish for a couple as they start their new life together. A celebration filled with beauty, happiness, fun, excitement and affection. Everywhere I turned that day I saw the twinkling eyes of supportive friends and family filled with admiration for Pei Pei and Chad and their celebration of a love meant to be.

A few highlights from the day:

1. The bride. Who was definitely the highlight of this wedding for me (as she should be)! Pei Pei was absolutely stunning in her vintage 1920's inspired wedding dress and styling. It was plain to see that Chad shared my deep admiration for his bride's beauty too. He could not stop staring at Pei Pei all day and certainly knows what a lucky man he is to have captured the heart of a woman as smart and gorgeous as her. Which leads me to...

2. The groom. Who was as doting and in love with his bride as any groom I have ever seen (as it should be)! Chad is one of those down-to-earth, honest, sincere people who is considerate of everybody. Chad not only took care of Pei Pei all day, but the two of them were extremely kind and thoughtful towards me as well. I love attending weddings where I am made to feel like one of the family, as Chad and Pei Pei did that day for me.

3. The University Women's Club of Vancouver and Hycroft Manor. Which was one of the most beautiful venues for a wedding I have ever photographed. My work feels much more like play when I'm at a venue without a single bad angle and gorgeous light everywhere. I cannot wait to photograph another wedding there soon. In fact, if you're getting married at Hycroft Manor, send me an email today. I'll help out your budget and give you a discount on wedding day photography coverage just so I can work there again!

4. Vicki Gannon Photography. Who I was fortunate enough to have as my second photographer again. Vicki has an amazing eye and always delivers gorgeous photos on a wedding day. As I was going through her photos after the wedding, I had more than a few gasps (of wow) and major image envy because I wish I'd taken so many of her photos. Thanks Vicki!

5. Margaret Lai. Who was Pei Pei's makeup and hair stylist for the day. The bride requested her look be 1920's inspired and Margaret delivered the styling in magnificent fashion. I loved photographing Pei Pei with her hot red lips, perfect pin curl hair and birdcage veil. It was an amazing look, expertly executed by Margaret. Well done!

6. The bride's dresses. Which equaled four in total and Pei Pei looked amazing in each one. Let's play a wedding version of Where's Waldo. Can you spot all four dresses in the photos below?

7. The bride's dad. Who had the biggest smile plastered across his face all day. Other than the gorgeous bride and the handsome groom, the bride's dad is my strongest visual memory of the day. Every time I looked at him he was smiling from ear to ear. There's a shot of him near the end of this set of photos at the reception. He's laughing and smiling at something the bride's brother had just said, but trust me... that was the same look he had on his face all day. It was wonderful to see such a happy and proud dad.

8. The groom's mom. Who said one of the nicest things that has ever been said to me at a wedding. She commented to me near the end of the night that I must really love my job because every time she looked at me all day, I was smiling. It makes me feel blessed to have a job that never feels like work, but for that enjoyment to be recognized by others really makes my heart burst. I wasn't aware that I smile all the time while I am working, but I was truly grateful to find out that I do. (Or perhaps I was just looking at the bride's dad all day - his smiles were contagious!)

9. The DIY projects. Which made Pei Pei & Chad's wedding day beautiful, colourful and fun. Be sure to check "the details" section at the end of this blog post for all of the information about the borrowed, vintage, handmade and environmentally friendly DIY projects.

10. The food. Which was endless and delicious. I have never been to a Chinese wedding banquet dinner before, so it was all new to me. Course after course after course (12 in all, I think) arrived in front of me to the delight of my mouth and my stomach! The staff at Kirin Restaurant in downtown Vancouver magically kept the food coming and I happily kept eating. A big thank you to Margaret Lai and my other table mates who guided me through the whole meal.

That last highlight made me hungry, so I'm going to go eat lunch while I leave you with the photos. Enjoy!

I almost forgot to mention, Pei Pei and Chad are both competitive and accomplished fencers (which is how they met) so it was very fitting to use one of Chad's épée's for a ring shot:

The gorgeous bride!

One last peek before heading down the stairs:

There is something about this next shot by Vicki Gannon that I just love:

These next four shots by Vicki Gannon make me green with envy (I wish I'd taken them!):

Pei Pei giving me her best Top Model look... gorgeous (and you look pretty great too, Chad!):

The art deco design of the Marine Building in Vancouver was the perfect backdrop for Pei Pei's vintage 1920's styling, don't you think?

I love this next shot by Vicki Gannon:

The bride's happy dad on the right:

"Come on, eat this piece of candy Lady and the Tramp style!":

Did you find all four dresses?

Congratulations to Pei Pei and Chad. I wish you love and happiness together forever!

The details:

Bride's Dresses - (1) Vera Wang bridal sample found on the Weddingbee bulletin board, (2) a traditional chinese qipao that Pei Pei had made while visiting China over a decade ago, (3) a modern qipao from Fine Chinese Clothing, and (4) Pei Pei's mother's wedding qipao from the 60's
Bride's Shoes - Fifi by Filippa Scott bought from myglassslipper.com, vintage shoes from the 40s, and a pair of Nine West
Bride's Jewellery - Various vintage items from Pei Pei's mom and aunt, as well as newer gifts over the years from family
Bride's Birdcage Veil - DIY project - Half a meter of French veiling from Fabricana tea-dyed to ivory and pinned up with...
Bride's Headpiece/Jewellery - ... a sparkly hair comb her sister-in-law found in Taiwan
Bridesmaid's Dresses - Fine Chinese Clothing
Bride's Hair & Makeup - Margaret Lai
Bride's - Engagement ring - Chad's conceptual design with the jeweler at Po Kwong Jewellers
Bride & Groom's Wedding bands - Ravens' Refuge on etsy.com - by jeweler, Dan Palmer
Groom/Groomsmen Attire - Benetton
Stationery/Invitations - DIY project - Traditional Chinese paper cuts found on eBay and glued on to cards designed and printed at En Masse Media, an environmentally friendly & green printing service
Bouquets/Boutonnieres - DIY project - the Bride's stepmom hand wired and tied the floral parts and everything was put together with the help of other crafty house guests the night before the wedding
Wedding Cake - Yan Bakery
Ceremony Venue - The University Women's Club of Vancouver and Hycroft Manor
Reception Venue - Kirin Restaurant Downtown

charity: water | happy birthday to me

2011-09-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

In honour of my birthday on September 26th, my wish this year is to raise $390 for Charity: Water's 5th Anniversary September Campaign. Instead of sending me a card in the mail (as some of you do), I would love it if you would donate the cost of the card & the postage to Charity: Water instead.

Visit my donation page HERE.

Every drop counts. Thanks! xoxoxox c

sarah + volker | anniversary

2011-09-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Sarah & Volker!

jennifer + judd | anniversary

2011-09-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Jennifer & Judd!

meghan + scott | anniversary

2011-09-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Meghan & Scott!

teresa + geordie | married

2011-08-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

I can't say enough nice things about Teresa and Geordie! When I first met them, Teresa was extremely excited about her wedding and had a very bubbly personality. She couldn't wait to tell me all about her wonderful wedding plans. Geordie, like any other groom-to-be, was just happy to see his fiance so excited. I knew right away that we would be a good fit because I love weddings too!

Before I get to their wedding day, a quick story...

A few days before Teresa & Geordie's wedding, we did a pre-wedding walk through of gorgeous Grouse Mountain together. However, there was one small problem. On that day, Grouse Mountain was completely socked in with fog. We could barely see the hands in front of our faces, let alone visualize locations and settings for photos. It was a little disconcerting and Teresa was visibly nervous about their wedding day turning out the same.

Geordie is from Australia and they told me that one of the things he loves most about his new home of Vancouver is the beautiful city view from Grouse Mountain. In fact, it was the reason they picked Grouse for their wedding! Without the view, there would definitely be a damper on the day.

But... this story has a happy ending...

Of course, it was perfect weather on Teresa & Geordie's wedding day. When I stepped out my door in the morning and looked up at Grouse I saw no fog and immediately knew it was going to be a wonderful celebration!

A few highlights from the day:

1. The bride. Who looked gorgeous and happy all day. Teresa wanted her makeup to be fresh, light and radiant. I think she achieved all three. Don't you think Teresa looks like Zooey Deschanel? So gorgeous!

2. The groom. Who stared at his bride with loving admiration all day. Isn't that a groom's job on his wedding day? It didn't hurt that Geordie looked handsome too.

3. The weather. Hooray for sunshine! I'm so glad it was beautiful for Teresa & Geordie's wedding. Although the fog might have been cool for photography, the sunshine was what they were hoping for, so I'm thrilled that Teresa & Geordie got their wish.

4. The cake topper. Teresa ordered her cake topper from Lollipop Workshop on Etsy. Isn't it the cutest cake topper you've ever seen? I love the small details that make it uniquely Teresa & Geordie. Even the colour of their eyes is exactly right. A big shout out to Etsy for being the perfect place for brides to find unique and personalized handmade items for their wedding. Go Etsy!

5. The make up. I really cannot stress enough how important professional makeup is for a wedding day. A bride with professional makeup will look radiant and feel gorgeous, which really helps her shine on her wedding day. Teresa was no exception. Her professional makeup really matched the vision she had for her wedding day and she looked stunning. Well done to Colleen Kramm for your amazing artistry!

6. My brother. Since having his first child last November, my brother Gord has not been available to photograph weddings with me. I've been thrilled to shoot with Vicki Gannon instead, but when she wasn't available on Teresa & Geordie's wedding day, I begged my brother to come out of retirement to help me out. I love shooting with a second photographer like Gord because he is 100% reliable, 100% consistent and 100% skilled as a photographer. I was very lucky to have him at my side for Teresa & Geordie's wedding. Thanks Gord!

7. Grouse Mountain. Which is a terrific venue for a wedding in Vancouver. The view was amazing and the deck where Teresa & Geordie had their ceremony was a spectacular setting for a couple to start their married life together. I can't wait to shoot another wedding there one day!

8. The bride's corset. I never thought I would write about an undergarment as a highlight of the day, but isn't Teresa's corset gorgeous? She could have worn it as her wedding dress it was so pretty. (She bought it at Lace Embrace.) And speaking of undergarments, Teresa's underwear (not shown, sorry, the undies are for Geordie's eyes only) were really cute too. They said "forever yours" across the backside. Awwwww.

Okay... enough writing... time for the photos.

Thanks again to my brother Gord for a bunch of photos in this set below, including the getting ready shots of the groom, the tram, the bride's entrance at the ceremony, the first kiss and the reception details.... oh, and the adorable ring shot with the cake topper in this first shot below. I'm jealous I didn't take it, but Gord beat me to it! Nice work bro.

Isn't this little man gorgeous? I think he could easily be mistaken for one of the Pitt-Jolie kids!

Congratulations Teresa & Geordie!

The details:

Bride's Dress - David's Bridal
Bride's Shoes - The Bridal Gallery
Bride's Jewellery - the bride's something old
Bride's Veil - David's Bridal
Bride's Tiara/Headband - the bride's something borrowed
Bride's Corset - Lace Embrace
Bridesmaid's Dresses - David's Bridal
Bride's Hair - Ian at Colourbox
Bride's Makeup - Colleen Kramm
Bride & Groom's Rings - Diamond Deals
Groom/Groomsmen Attire - Moores
Stationery/Invitations - Wintons Social Stationery
Flowers/Bouquets/Boutonnieres/Centrepieces - V&J Plant Shop Ltd.
The Cutest Cake Topper Ever - Lollipop Workshop, Etsy
Reception Decor & Wedding Day Coordinator - Sweet Beginnings
Ceremony & Reception Venue - Grouse Mountain

love & free stuff | contest

2011-07-25T21:37:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Love & Free Stuff Contest

Who doesn't like LOVE? And who doesn't like FREE STUFF?

Nobody! That's who!

We all love LOVE and we all love FREE STUFF.

That's why Vancouver based wedding professionals Carolyn Egerszegi Photography, Nate Makes Films and Bailey's Brides have teamed up to create an awesome love-filled free stuff giveaway.

You can win all of this:

1) A photo engagement session with high-resolution images on DVD from Carolyn Egerszegi Photography.

2) A video engagement session with a 5-minute film on DVD from Nate Makes Films.

3) Day of Co-ordinating Wedding services from Bailey's Brides.

Total Value in excess of $1,200!

How can you win?

It's easy!

[THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS,MELODY AND JONATHAN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CAPTURING SOME AMAZING MEMORIES WITH YOU!]

Simply click HERE to visit our contest entry page. Tell us about your plans for your wedding day so we can get to know you better. Then, tell us your idea for a memorable engagement session. Perhaps it's a re-creation of your first date, or a re-enactment of your proposal, or a romantic picnic in a beautiful location. Whatever it is, make it creative, make it romantic or make it beautiful. In other words, make it something we want to capture with our cameras.

The best idea wins!

Visit the contest site for complete contest rules & details.

Good luck and congratulations on your engagement!

[THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED - CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS,MELODY AND JONATHAN. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CAPTURING SOME AMAZING MEMORIES WITH YOU!]

hayley + paul | married

2011-07-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had the honour of capturing Hayley and Paul's wedding day. They are a vibrant couple who were absolutely meant to be together. I have never seen either of them without huge smiles on their faces or a twinkle of love in their eyes for each other.

A few highlights from the day:

1. The bride. Who was radiant and happy from start to finish. When I showed Hayley and Paul their photos a few days ago, even the bride herself commented on what a great time it looked like she was having! I love being able to create photographs that remind couples not only of the details of their wedding day, but also of the excitement and emotions of their special celebration.

2. The groom. Who smiled every second of the entire day. Usually Paul's smiles involved staring at his beautiful bride Hayley, but I also love how Paul had a constant smile for all of his wonderful friends and family too. One of the groomsmen mentioned in his speech that he could not remember a time when Paul did not have a smile on his face. He is just that type of guy and it is one of the many reasons Hayley and Paul were made for each other.

3. The weather. Which finally turned nice (if only for one day) so that Hayley and Paul could have a gorgeous wedding celebration. I am not going to jinx my good luck, but [cough cough] if you look through my wedding portfolio, you will see a lot of sunny days. Just sayin'.

4. The beauty experts. When a bride looks and feels stunning, the wedding day (and my photos) usually turn out amazingly well. Therefore, a big shout-out is in order for two award winning ladies: Alina Friesen at Space Salon who styled Hayley's gorgeous hair and Felicia Bromba who made up Hayley's gorgeous face. Both of these ladies perfectly captured the essence of Hayley's personality and style with their work, allowing the bride to feel radiant on her wedding day. Their expertise and experience also meant that Hayley looked as perfect at the end of the day as she did at the beginning. A shout-out should also go to Felicia's assistant, who made up all of the beautiful bridesmaids too. Nice work ladies!

5. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. RVYC is a beautiful venue for a wedding in Vancouver. Set right on English Bay, with beautiful views of the water and the North Shore mountains, it offers a perfect setting for a romantic event. This is the second wedding I've photographed at RVYC and I hope to do it again soon. Oh, and it didn't hurt that the food was delicious and the dessert buffet was amazing!

6. My second photographer Vicki Gannon. I have been wanting to work with Vicki ever since I met her at a workshop last year. When we first met we were very surprised to learn that we only lived a few houses away from each other, so it only made sense that we would work together eventually. Hayley and Paul's wedding was finally that chance and I could not be more thrilled with Vicki's work. Normally I do not feature so many photos by a second shooter on my blog (after all, the idea is to feature my work and not somebody else's) but you will see many of Vicki's photos below because she did such an amazing job. Thanks Vicki. I cannot wait to work with you again!

7. The wedding party. Who kept Hayley and Paul taken care of and having fun all day. A special shout-out goes to two of the groomsmen in particular: one, who performed backflips on demand all day and another, who not-so-secretly hid a radio headphone in his ear to keep us all informed about game two of the Stanley Cup finals, which, if you have forgotten - we won, which explains the photo of Hayley leaping out of her chair during the reception.

Wow. I could write so many more highlights, but you probably came here to see the photos. Enjoy!

The next series of shots of the groom with his guys were all created by Vicki Gannon. I just love every image that Vicki made for Hayley and Paul on their wedding day. These photos are also an excellent arguement for why having a second photographer at your wedding is so important and why I include a second photographer in all of my wedding commissions. I cannot be in two places at the same time, so unless the bride and groom are getting ready at the same location, without a second photographer, the groomsmen will likely not make an appearance in the story of a wedding day until the ceremony.

Can you imagine a wedding album without these photos!?

Thanks again, Vicki! And now, more from me...

Some more excellent images by Vicki...

And back to me with the gorgeous, stunning, radiant, exquisite, beautiful bride...

An assortment of photos from both Vicki and I...

Portraits time... rawr!

I love this catch by Vicki... I was photographing the bride and groom when the Canucks scored a goal and Vicki caught this reaction from one of the groomsmen:

Hilarious!

Another goal by the Canucks... this time I caught it:

And finally, the bride's reaction to Vancouver's overtime win in game two of the Stanley Cup finals:

Cute story about the wedding pies, instead of cake: apparently neither the bride nor the groom like cake, so growing up they each had pies every year on their birthday instead of cake. It was only fitting then that they would have pie for their wedding day too, right? Now can you see what I meant when I said Hayley and Paul were absolutely meant to be together?!

How is this for a grand exit? Paul and Hayley sailed away together on a boat at the end of the night:

Congratulations Hayley & Paul. I'm thrilled for you both!

The details:

Bride's Dress - Dere Kiang from Action Liquidators (for an amazing price!)
Bride's Shoes - The Bridal Gallery, New Westminster
Bride's Jewellery - The Bay
Bridesmaids' Dresses - Le Château (who the bride tells me were awesome and found another dress in Newfoundland more than 6 months later, shipped it out for free and gave the bride an exchange and everything. Well done Le Château!)
Bridesmaids' Earrings - Le Château
Bride's Hair - Alina Friesen at Space Salon
Bride's Hair Veil Accessory - Action Liquidators
Bridesmaids' Hair Feathers - Emma Fl(H)air on Etsy.com
Bride's Bolero Top - Angelika Liv in Tel Aviv, Israel on Etsy.com
Bride's Makeup - Felicia Bromba
Groom's Attire - Cavalli from Harry Rosen
Bride & Groom's Rings - Spence Diamonds
Bride's Bouquet and Flowers - Annie Ly at Fleurtations Flowers
Ceremony & Reception Venue - Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Invitations - designed by the groom
Wedding Pies - the Mother of the Bride made the candied pansies and both the Mother of the Bride and the Mother of the Groom made the pies together. Nice teamwork moms!

bailey + andrew | anniversary

2011-07-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Bailey & Andrew!

brooke + hunter | anniversary

2011-07-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Brooke & Hunter!

terra + brandon | anniversary

2011-07-18T17:19:00.001-07:00

Congratulations on your first wedding anniversary Terra & Brandon!

katherine + joe | anniversary

2011-07-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

Happy First Anniversary Katherine & Joe!

introducing | www.carolynegerszegi.com

2011-06-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting day for me! After a lot of hard work, time and energy, I am thrilled to introduce my new website to you at www.carolynegerszegi.com.

I have been building this website for a very long time and feel quite proud of what I have accomplished! I did all of the design and site building myself, with little help from Showit software. Not bad, eh?

Please click www.carolynegerszegi.com to visit my new site.

And now that I have added another layer to my online presence, perhaps it would be handy to know all of the places where you can find me on the internet:

Spilled Milk Photography blog - postings and photos from my portrait sessions with families, children, newborns and expectant moms.

Carolyn Egerszegi Photography blog - postings and photos about weddings and engagement sessions.

Carolyn Egerszegi Photography website - portrait, engagement and wedding galleries, rate information, an interview with me, contact and personal information - including childhood and recent photos of me - and perhaps even a few golden eggs... if you're keen enough to find them!

Facebook - updates and galleries from my most recent work. It's also a great place to engage in casual conversation with me. Be sure to click "Like" to stay up-to-date on what I am doing with my business.

Pinterest - the visual contents of my brain. Other than my website, Pinterest is probably the best place to look if you want to know more about the things I am interested in and the images that I love.

Twitter @cegerszegi - the verbal contents of my brain. Which, is surprisingly empty. I tweet maybe once a day (at best) because on Twitter I am really more interested in listening than being heard. Of course, if you want to know some of my most random thoughts throughout the day, please feel free to follow me!

Don't forget to update all of your bookmarks... and thanks for visiting!

weddings in bc | featured

2011-06-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Bailey and Andrew's wedding has been featured again. Wow!

The number of times this wedding has been featured really speaks to Bailey's strengths as an event planner. All of her lovingly selected details and styling choices have really caught the eye of blogs and websites dedicated to featuring beautiful weddings.

Visit Part 1 and Part 2 of Bailey and Andrew's wedding feature in the Inspiration Room on WeddingsInBC.com today!

laurie + chris | anniversary

2011-05-27T09:45:00.000-07:00

Happy First Anniversary Laurie & Chris!

farah + mike | anniversary

2011-05-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

Happy First Anniversary Farah and Mike!

hayley + paul | engaged

2011-05-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hayley and Paul have no shortage of energy, playfulness or love for each other; three things which made their engagement session incredibly fun and easy for me.

When I said snuggle, they snuggled. When I said give me your best fake laugh (which always leads to the real one), they laughed like crazy. When I said look hot, they delivered with flying colours. When I said please blow this confetti everywhere because I'm obsessed with glitter and sparkles right now, they were more than eager to play along.

All-in-all, Hayley and Paul were a dream to have in front of my camera, which makes me insanely excited about photographing their wedding! I have a sneaking suspicion I will end the night boogying on the dance floor with these two.

Oh, and did I mention that Hayley has a love for Fluevogs and wore not one, but two pairs of hot Fluevog boots for this session? Too bad Hayley and I don't share the same size feet or I might have had to knock her down and steal her boots when we were finished.

With their wedding just a few weeks away, I will be sharing Hayley and Paul's wedding photos soon. In the meantime, enjoy their fun personalities in these engagement photos...

Hot Fluevogs alert #1...

Hot Fluevogs alert #2...

Have a great day!

professional series hardcover book | products

2011-05-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

In my last post I talked about how important it is to free your photographic memories from your computer and get images printed for display in your home.

One of my favourite ways to display photos is in a beautiful hardcover coffee table book like this one Brooke & Hunter commissioned me to create of their wedding day photos. I love how it turned out.

This one is a Professional Series book. The quality is amazing, with thick photo lustre archival paper and embossed names on a sexy Japanese silk cover.

I know Brooke & Hunter will get many years of enjoyment from this gorgeous documentation of their wedding day.

If you need help printing or creating books of your treasured photographs, send me an email. I'd be happy to give you advice or assistance!

imagewrap hardcover book | products

2011-05-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the flexibility and freedom that digital cameras provide. With the advent of Facebook, Flickr, emails and blogs, memories and images captured with digital photography can be shared quickly and easily with friends and family around the world. The downside to digital photography, however, is the risk of beautiful photographs and treasured memories becoming trapped on computers where the are not shared and enjoyed on a regular basis.

It is for this reason that I love it when clients ask me to design hardcover books for them. A beautiful hardcover book, when displayed on a coffee table in your home, can be an art piece, a conversation starter and a reminder of the relationships, special events or quiet daily routines of your life.

I highly encourage anybody with digital photographs stacked up on your computer desktop to take the time to have some of your favourite images printed, either as a book or for display in your home, so you can be reminded of the beauty in your life without having to sit at a computer to do it.

Surround yourself with the images you love and your life will automatically be more beautiful.

If you're not sure how to print images, or make books, please email me and I'd be happy to give you some advice or assistance.

Below are some images of a book I designed last year as Brooke & Hunter's guest book for their wedding. I left lots of white space around their photos so friends and family could sign the pages. And as you'll see from the detail shots, the quality is excellent.

Have a look and then consider putting a book together for yourself today!

mother's day gift idea | photography basics with carolyn

2011-05-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Do you have a mom in your life who loves photography and wants to improve her skills? Well, just in time for Mother's Day, this blog post is for you.

I'm bringing my blog out of hibernation to announce the perfect Mother's Day gift: a photography class... with me!

Over the years various clients have asked me for photography tips and tricks, so I thought it might make sense to finally offer an actual class for all those inspired beginners. If you own a DSLR camera, but really aren't sure how to best take advantage of all its capabilities or features, then my class is for you. Check out all the details below and then send me an email to sign up. My first class is less than 10 days away, so don't delay!

Happy Mother's Day!