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Things I love: Mister and Photos

Posted on Aug. 5, 2010 under Personal

I love my Mister, a lot! I love that when we’re watching TV together (which doesn’t happen very often) he’ll pick up my feet put them in his lap and start to massage them for me. I love, that after being away from him, he arrives at the airport to pick me up with a beautiful rose – I’m not a huge flower person but this meant the world to me. I love that every morning he wakes up before me, cleans the rest of the dishes in the sink and makes me my morning latte then quietly comes into the room whispers my name and says “coffee is ready”.

Mister, is the one who calms my fears, creates a place for my ideas and dreams to thrive, and who I love going on walks with no matter the weather. And to celebrate our love together, for being married a whole year, we decided to do a photo shoot of our own!

My mom’s friend told me that every year since she’s been married that she puts on her dress every anniversary, and I thought “I’m going to do that!”. So, year one..complete with photos to prove it! Also, for our guest sign in at our wedding we didn’t do a traditional book, photobook, or even a matte photo – we used something we love, wine. We got 6 bottles, that we will age and then open them at different times throughout our marriage. Year one, complete while enjoying some awesome cheese and photos!

Thank you to my amazing photo BFF, Cathy Empey, for the wonderful photos, we love them!

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Finally looking forward to August!

Posted on Jul. 30, 2010 under Personal

This year August for me has been this dark looming cloud up ahead that I
didn’t want to acknowledge, but yet, I knew eventually I would have to
face my first day with it and I shied away. I was scared of August,
well, because it’s going to be a lonely time for me.
August is usually full of camping trips, some windsurfing, and a wedding
thrown in there to party it up a bit. But this year I knew I wasn’t
getting any of it cause we have no weddings in August and Mister is so
busy that I knew there would be no camping or windsurfing either.

But
thankfully today, I’m looking forward to August! I have 2 friends
coming from out of town coming to visit, one who we get to celebrate her
upcoming nuptials with a shower and a stagette, some time for more
relaxation, hiking and possible kayaking trips, plus lots of coffee meet
ups so I don’t go crazy with no human interaction!

Thank goodness that dark looming cloud is giving way to a beautiful blue
sky and a hot sun, August should be a happy month!!

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A time to recharge

Posted on Jul. 27, 2010 under Personal

After taking a week and bit of vacation, I’m finding it very difficult to get back into the swing of things. I arrived home safely and quickly threw myself into research for shoots and a weekend full of them, but this week…ugh, this week I’m finding it hard to even get out of bed.

I know there is a season for everything and this time of relaxation and recharge will soon end so I’m not quite ready to jump full head into work again. But I know I should.

In the meantime, I will continue to inspire myself with cooking delicious dinner for Mister and I and creating new drinks like my Mint Green Tea Lemonade that I’m sipping on today while enjoying the summer heat!

There is no alcohol in this drink, but I enjoy drinking out of fancy glasses every once in awhile to make it feel a little bit more special.

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Travel Adventures: Montreal

Posted on Jul. 12, 2010 under Personal

I woke up this morning and it finally hit me, tomorrow I leave for Montreal! Oh my goodness I’m so excited! This past weekend was packed full with shoots, assisting at a wedding, dinner with family and friends, and day dreaming about the week ahead!

Once my flight was booked a month ago I started brushing up on my French, but I quickly realized that I needed to start at the beginning, meaning I can pretty much say “un garcon” which won’t help me much, unless I’m wanting to adopt a little French boy. Which I don’t! But I’m so looking forward to being immersed in the Quebec French language and culture – Poutine and bagels heck ya!

Today I’ve mentally listed the clothes I want to pack, which shoes to bring, what songs to import onto my iPod, and which book to throw into my carry-on. But once I thought about my carry-on I started to get a little nervous, cause you see I want to take a few things with me in it, but those things are quite heavy. Like my camera, laptop, particular lenses, plus you know the other things you need to get you through a 5 hour flight! And the carry-on I was going to take, I can hardly lift it into the back of the car, let alone over my head to put in a compartment in an airplane!

Then I thought, I’ll just have Adam help me! But then again, I stopped on that thought too, cause this is the first time I’ll be flying solo…ever! Adam is my travel partner, the one who I wake up to entertain me, who talks me through turbulence, and who gives up his window seat so I can watch the world fly by! Umm, who’s going to give up their window seat for some girl who can’t even deal with her own carry-on! I’m so doomed!

But I just have to remember that on the other end of the flight I’ll be picked up by some awesome friends and we’re going to have a week full of fun and adventure. I just hope they know that I have my little heart set on some Gnocchi Poutine at the Macaroni Bar!

Here are some photos from our trip to Montreal last year which I completely forgot to blog!

Edit: Just checked in for my flight, and I got a window seat!!!

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It’s you, it’s me until….always

Posted on Jun. 21, 2010 under Personal

A year ago, I woke up quietly with my heart tight in my chest and stared at the
ceiling. A year ago, on June 20, 2009, I woke up excited and happy that I was
on my way to marry my mister. My girls and I excitedly giggled and smiled as we
got ready for the day, but to be completely honest, I didn’t really feel like I
was there. I smiled, I got excited, I got my picture taken, but all I was
thinking about was seeing him. I didn’t really care about anything else.

Getting Ready.jpg

Finally the moment came where it was announced that we were going. We jumped in
the elevator and I just wanted it to go faster. The limo driver wasn’t driving
fast enough either. And finally we arrived at our destination. But it wasn’t
quite time yet. So I sat, and waited. I peered out the window hoping to get a
glimpse of him, but our wedding party was very diligent in making sure we were
both well hidden from each other.

Adam and I choose to do a first look, and I highly recommend it, so when the
time came where everyone was ready and I could finally see him, I could barely
walk. Mostly cause I wanted to run to him. I held my breath, and then, with a
sigh of relief there he was, with my favourite smile, eyes filled with love he held onto me like he was never going to let me go and whispered “I love
you”.

Photos by the amazing Jamie Delaine!

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When I love it

Posted on Jun. 17, 2010 under Personal

I truly love it! I obsess over it, I hold it, wear it, talk about it endlessly, tell as many people as possible about how much I love it! And one thing I really love, is shoes – high heeled shoes! I have been made fun of this on many occasions that I own too many shoes or “oh look you have a new pair” but it’s the one thing I really love purchasing. And I’ll tell you why…

I could buy clothes, since I DO love clothes. But clothes quickly change seasons and style, and usually I either gain or loose weight that eventually I can’t fit it. I find it a waste of my money. Books, I do love a good book as well, I could spend hours peacefully wandering around Chapters with a latte in hand finding my next read. But usually I end up lending out my books cause I love them so much that I eventually lose them…(mental note: start a library with sign out cards!). So I have found that shoes work the best mostly cause their styles don’t change that much from year to year and you can wear the same pair from March till October!

But my problem is, when I find a shoe I love, I wear it all the time to the point where it gets scuffed, torn apart, or eventually ruined cause I love it too much.

Hence, my three favourite pairs of shoes, I think are hitting their last season.

What do you love to purchase and eventually wear out cause you use it too much?!

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How wonderful you are

Posted on Jun. 7, 2010 under Personal

I’ve been asked quite a bit recently why I don’t photograph weddings, and at first I didn’t know how to respond, but now with no hesitation I know why. I don’t want to shoot them. I used to feel really awkward saying that, almost like I wasn’t an actual photographer because I chose portraiture over weddings. I love weddings and enjoy talking about them and love love…but I love women and personal self love more!

There is something so gratifying about starting a relationship with a woman who has been beaten down by expectations put on them by the world, themselves, their church, their family, or even their work place. When a woman who originally didn’t feel beautiful according to magazines proportions finally sees what the rest of the world sees and says “Wow, I AM beautiful!”, it always takes my breath away. I was given a gift and a passion for this, and I get excited about every single day that I’m given the chance to build a relationship with a woman and have them feel more self confident, more beautiful, and giving themselves more self love.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not perfect. I don’t wake up every single morning with gallons of self confidence and I hardly ever feel beautiful. But one thing I do have, is self love. No matter how I’m feeling, if I’m feeling like my legs are attracting more cellulite by the day, that my eyes have somehow accumulated a nice set of designer bags underneath them, or that I didn’t make it to the gym the day before like I told myself I would, I give myself some self love. I tell myself today is a new day, and this is who I am. Heck, I’m not going to look like this, nor will my life be like this 10 years from now, so I better embrace it today!

So my challenge to you is, do you know how wonderful you are?! How beautiful and amazing you are to the family and friends that you have? Are you ready to accept who you are and let that shine even more then before?

Lesley Model Test.jpg Last week I had an opportunity to be the one in front of the camera, with modeling lights and everything! It was quite scary! But Jason from Jaylena Photography, captured this amazing image of me. This is how I want to remember myself.

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Vancouver Portrait Photographer: Things I learned this week

Posted on Jun. 3, 2010 under Personal

Sometimes I astound myself, like laugh I can’t believe I just did that, astounding.

1. I learned how to open a bottle of wine, the traditional way! I had a session earlier this week and I brought a bottle of wine for us to enjoy, so while she was getting ready I thought I would open the bottle to keep myself busy. Adam and I have this fancy wine opener at home that you just hug around the neck of the bottle, screw in and pull out. It’s like magic! However, my client didn’t own one of these, she owned a beautiful traditional one. So I sat there trying to figure out the best way to get the cork out. I think it took me about 10 minutes of screwing it in, unscrewing it, flipping a metal piece down, and trying it all over again before I got it out. I kept on laughing at myself, cause really! I should know how to do this! Eventually I figured it out, and can now open a bottle of wine, the traditional way!

2. I learned that I talk to animals thinking they are going to understand what the heck I’m saying. Dog sitting has left me talking to Adam’s family dog, like it’s a human. “Hey Sandy, what are you doing?!” she’s lying there just looking at me. “What do you feel like doing? Going for a walk cause you’re cold?! I’m cold too, we should go for a walk, lets go!” She’s still lying there staring at me like I’m crazy. My best friend Sarah hates it when people do this, so I always picture her laughing at me and calling me a crazy person! So I laugh and just tell Sandy “Walk?! okay, walk”. Oh yea, Sandy is also deaf.

3. I also learned that I cannot walk nor can I not go up or down a flight of stairs with out tripping. This week Adam and I have been ending the day by taking Sandy for walks around the neighbourhood to talk. But every single time we go, I trip over my own feet. Sometimes falling right into either Adam and Sandy. We both laugh, but it can be quite embarrassing. If I’m going up or down stairs and Adam is with me, he’ll hold onto any part of me that he can to make sure he can catch me if I fall. It makes me feel like I’m five, but also a little bit safer, cause I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scratched my face by falling down stairs.

What have you learned about yourself this week?

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If I was…

Posted on May. 24, 2010 under Personal

If I was a season, I’d be spring – full of change, colour, and hope for the future.

If I was a piece of furniture, I’d be a mirror – reflecting the best in everyone.

If I was a country, I’d be Wales.

If I was a food, I‘d be Foie Gras – I would be fat and perfect.

If I was a day, I’d be Sunday.

If I was a color, I’d be red – passionate, memorable, and stubborn.

If I was a letter, I’d be a love letter.

If I was a book, I’d be Pride & Prejudice.

If I was a political leader, I’d be someone who changes the world.

If I was a drink, I’d be a 1921 Dom Perignon – every day is a reason to celebrate in style.

If I was a man, I’d be a gentleman who has style, poise, and chivalry.

If I could know the future, I‘d be bored – I like thinking about my options and stressing over all the paths and excitement I’ll have.

If I was you, what would I be and why?

List from Bianca

Photo taken this past weekend while touring the Okanagan, looking out over Osoyoos Lake.

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Spill my heart

Posted on May. 17, 2010 under Personal

This weekend was quite an exciting one, an emotional roller coaster to say the least! First on Friday afternoon I found out that I made the cut for a list for cream of the crop photographers, Boudoir photographers to be exact, and I almost died when I found out! I didn’t think I would make it, considering I’m such a small fry to everyone else in the world. But out of everyone and 220 people chosen, I was one of them! All I could think of was “WOW, this is simply awesome!”, while jumping up and down in my chair and clapping my hands! Let’s just say I went to bed that night, very happy!

Saturday morning my heart dropped a little bit when I found out that some of my images were stolen and posted on some other person’s user page. Sure, they kept my watermark on the photos as if thinking that would be okay, but it was just disappointing that they would just take them without letting me know. If they had asked, I would have probably said “Yea sure, here you go!”…but the fact that they just took them…just made me really sad. So, if you’re thinking of taking someone’s images for your own use, send them an email first.

Then on Sunday afternoon, I headed out to the airport pick Adam up from his week long business trip to China, and I couldn’t believe how excited I was to see him! Life is just way more enjoyable and fun with him around! Adam is the one who’s hand I hold when we drive down the highway
together, cuddle next to when I watch hockey, and the one who I talk
to when things are going on or I need to make a decision about life and/or business – and considering the previous two days, I couldn’t wait to sit down with
his hand-made cup of coffee and just spill my heart!

Thankfully Monday is here, and I’m so happy that I’ve held his hand, cuddled next to him, and sipped his hand-made coffee while I spilled my heart!

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Fun Dress

Posted on Apr. 28, 2010 under Personal

Who loves to wear dresses? I do! I never used to be this way, I used to only wear jeans and t-shirts (until the bank wouldn’t give me what I wanted cause I looked like a slob I decided to change the way I dressed), but in the past couple of years I’ve really loved embracing my feminine side and am always trying to fill my closet with dresses.

My favorite ladies to watch for their fashion style is Brooke from One Tree Hill, and of course Serena and Blair from Gossip Girl. One of my favorite dresses from last seasons Gossip Girl was Serena’s dress that she wore to her mother’s wedding to Bart Bass. The moment I saw it, I wanted it! Of course, I don’t own it and probably never will…but I did search to see if I could. Even if I did own it I would have no wear to wear it, but you can sure bet I’d wear it around the house!

Dress: Ralph Lauren Ruffled Fillipa
Dress Image: Squidoo

I do think, that if I had an event to go to this year like a graduation or a formal wedding I would find a way to find a dress similar to this one. I simply cannot get over it! Anyone wanna through an event that they’d like to invite me to so that I can wear it?!

Do love to wear dresses? What shows do you watch to get inspired about fashion?

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The bus to Burrard and 5th

Posted on Apr. 23, 2010 under Personal

Today I met up with an amazing and inspiring woman, Morgaine Owens. I have been following her blog for awhile, but we recently connected on Twitter and we met up so that I could show her samples of Wall Blanks prints (if you’re looking for beautiful printing options, check these people out!!). What at first was a quick meet up turned into an amazing morning of exchanging thoughts on fine art, school, photography, business, dreams, and our childhood.

We talked about how when we were younger we would beg our parents to put us into dance or music classes. My parents always said it was too expensive so I never attended, but it’s something I always wished I had the chance to learn. Deep down inside I knew I would have excelled at it…more than anything else. I confessed to Morgaine something that I don’t know if I had told anyone else before.

When I was younger I so desperately wanted to know how to play the piano that whenever I had the chance to sit in front of one I would. I would sit on the bench, put my foot on top of the damper petal, and lay my fingers so softly on top of the keys and….wait! I would sit there waiting to know how to play. Eventually I would play a key and wait some more. So many times I remember sitting in front of all these pianos just praying that God would teach me how to play the piano, and that I would play the beautiful music that flowed through me.

It never happened, of course. But one day my parents blessed me with a little keyboard and for the next 3 months I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning teaching myself how to play and I was so happy. My soul filled with joy and I was excited anytime I could sit in front of a piano and play something. Eventually I taught myself how to play well enough that I was asked to play in my church worship band, and helped lead music for our youth, and sunday services. I don’t think you’ll understand how excited and blessed I felt to have the ability to do that.

I have never learned how to read music, but I can play by ear, and to this day sitting in front of the piano is what fills my heart with joy and I cannot wait for the day I can afford to have a baby grand piano of my own and fill my own house with beautiful music.

We both discussed that you need find something that fills your soul with happiness! Whether it is art, painting, playing music, playing a sport, doing yoga, hiking, or making coffee…do it! It doesn’t have to become your profession (I know I will never be a concert pianist) but I know that my heart yearns to play the piano almost everyday, and when I visit my family who live on the North Shore, you will most likely find me sitting in front of their piano playing something that makes my heart sing!

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