It will be five years ago this Fall that Jade met Trent. It was high school and at 16 years old, they spent their time going for walks around the neighbourhood and lingering over coffees at Starbucks together. Over the years, they grew up and their love only grew stronger. It was Christmas Day this past winter when out at the end of a dock over a lake, Trent proposed marriage to Jade. Jade said yes in her happy disbelief or as she describes it, through her laughter.

That laughter carried on throughout our engagement session together and that’s just one of the things to like about these two. Another is their awesome attitude about shooting in the rain! It came down during the first half of the shoot but it couldn’t wipe the smiles from their faces or dampen the love that they share, even in front of the camera. Thank you for that, and more, Trent and Jade. I can’t wait to see you two become husband and wife.

Across the lake and nestled in the mountains lies a tight knit community, with access only by the water. It’s the kind where everyone knows each other. So when Brad moved in, his path was sure to cross with Tammy’s. Her parents had a cabin in the area and on the frequent weekends spent there, along with endless summers, their paths surely did cross, multiple times. They fell in love, sharing a love for the outdoors, and on a snowy hunting trip under a blue sky, Brad got down on one knee and proposed marriage to Tammy. They’re planning their wedding across the lake, nestled in the mountains, and I couldn’t be happier to get to document it.

The setting and the lighting couldn’t have been more perfect…and their pup Lily was perfectly well behaved, too.

A school teacher & a mechanic…an apple & a wrench.

Many thanks, Tammy & Brad!

Welcome to the world, little baby boy Grei Andrew. He’s our newest and sweetest neighbour, born to parents Mike and Kerri (take a peek at their maternity session here if you wish!). I’ve become quite smitten with these newborn at-home sessions, photographing baby and family in their own natural and comfortable environment. Mike and Kerri have put much love and work into creating a home for Grei with such such sweet and creative touches in his nursery, and a gorgeous cradle built by Mike!

Grei was just eleven days old here and he didn’t make a sound for an entire hour of our shoot. Only as we were wrapping things up did he wake to say hello. Thank you so much, Mike and Kerri, for inviting me to document this incredible newfound love that three of you share.

“She is everything. My love, my best friend, my forever companion.”

One year ago we were photographing their engagement in the streets of New York City and this past weekend, we were photographing their I do’s overlooking the ocean in Vancouver. When I think about each of these occasions my heart fills with gratitude. Randy and Sumeuy are the kind of couple who reminds me why it is that I love what I do; they are some of the kindest people you’ll meet. Friends and family were there to witness and celebrate from all over the globe – the US, Australia, France, China – and you got the feeling that everyone shared a similar sentiment.

The day began at the gorgeous Fairmont Hotel Vancouver with tea, pastries, mimosas and all sorts of lovely. Christina and her team from Red Carpet Ready were on hand to make the girls look extra glam, while Randy and Sumeuy’s French Bulldog Stella ran around in her tutu (made by the bride herself!) and headband enjoying the festivities as well. It was here at the hotel where Randy and Sumeuy shared a very sweet first look, and then we had the afternoon for photos around Gastown and Jericho Beach, before arriving at The Brock House the day’s main event.

Randy and Sumeuy, I can’t thank you enough. Wishing you all the best as you celebrate becoming husband and wife on your European honeymoon!

Sumeuy said yes to this stunning dress at Kleinfeld’s while in NYC last Spring

A gift & journal entry from her groom, the same journal he wrote in the night before he proposed

Manolo Blahnik’s and pretty peony blooms….be still my heart

Handmade boutonnieres by one of the bridesmaids…Sumeuy later thanked her girls for helping make all of her “Pinterest dreams come true” ;)

This is why I love first looks…

Just like at their engagement session, these two were just perfect in front of the camera…

Stephanie and Marcus were married last July in a most beautiful wedding at Rowena’s Inn on the River…easily my favourite wedding venue in the valley. And easily one of my favourite weddings to date. Stephanie, The Album Design and I worked together to create the most perfect keepsake from their wedding day, a leather bound album, ordered from Madera. The Album Design is actually offering a really generous giveaway for you fellow photographers out there: if you’d like to try their services (either an album design or post-processing), they will give you your first service FREE!!

Well, I just had to order a duplicate of Stephanie and Marcus’ album to keep for myself as a sample. Today I’m sharing a few images of the album so clients and potential clients alike can get a sense of the product available to them; thick, gorgeous pages showcasing your wedding for a lifetime (and beyond).

Further yet, Stephanie and Marcus’ wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty Canada! (I love their new look!) Pop on over, have a peek at more details from their day, and leave them a little love!

Stephanie & Marcus was our first couple to debut the CheddarBooth…and it was a bigger hit than we could have hoped! My couples receive 20% off, by the way ;)

A casual bike ride with our cruisers turned to 16+ kilometers of dog chases…once with a Doberman at Shane’s ankles and both times with my heart in my throat…a charging bull with one small line of barbed wire separating us from his rage (I guess cows don’t like their photos being taken?)…finding ourselves on a busy country road with no shoulder so we said a prayer, pedalled hard, and ducked in and out of driveways…but also, glittering sunlight on the river…sweeping sunset views over the flats with the mountains etched on the horizon…tunnels of towering golden trees…and the constant thought of how beautiful a place it is that we live in. And that bicycle rides should be made a priority.

A few frames from my iPhone…

Return, O my soul to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Psalm 116:7

We enjoyed an extended weekend out in Chicago and the pretty, little suburban town of Wheaton where my lovely cousin and her husband call home. The time we had with them was all good conversation, laid back sightseeing, and delicious food. We took in a Cubs game (to which you apparently go to for the experience, not for a win) while the sun shone for us, picnicked with Chipotle, sang hymns on Sunday morning, and indulged our sweet tooth at a Viennese coffeehouse.

For me, there are certain cities and places that stoke the desire to travel and Chicago happens to be one of them. The visit was over all too soon and back at the airport to come home, I entertained dreams of jetting off to some other city to explore…while all at once, I craved being back in the comforts of home. And so the battle against the travel bug, that which I thought had been squashed with our Europe travels, continues…so, where to next?! ;)

Thanks for everything, Ashi & Narissa xo!

This morning we’re off to the airport and bound for a city with a special place in my heart; Chicago! My dear cousin Narissa made the move out there for school a few years back, and the thing that most predicted would happen, happened: she met a wonderful man and fell in love. Shane and I were out to celebrate and document their amazing wedding two years ago, and that trip still remains a favourite of mine. Now, we get to spend quality time with just the two of them and I’m so excited for what this weekend holds. See you next week!

They share the kind of love that can be seen and felt simply by observing…two genuine people with infectious smiles and eyes only for each other. It was a New Years Eve party three years ago that ignited the spark between Reuben and Jen and sent them falling in love. A love that had Reuben proposing marriage to Jen while vacationing in Mexico (a last minute trip that she had booked), completely taking her by (the happiest) surprise.

Jen and Reuben braved the bitter winds with me at White Rock the other day and couldn’t stop smiling and laughing together, in spite of the freezing temperature and windswept hair. Jen is my new hero for wearing a dress as her second outfit! Love this girl. And I couldn’t be more thrilled to get to document these two come September as they become husband and wife!

For her husband and for herself, for the now and for down the road. Natural light and natural curves, natural beauty.

It’s such an honour to photograph these sessions with their focus on classy, tastefully sexy images, and to see the nerves melt into gorgeous confidence. A sincere thank you to this special woman for her trust and for letting her natural beauty shine through in every photograph.

See more boudoir photos of mine here and here.