Jenn & Derek's Secret Wedding

After spending an evening with Jenn and Derek to capture their engagement, I was so excited to be a part of their special day...

The day before these two were set to exchange their vows on a beautiful beach in Cabo, they decided to get things sorted out on this side of the border first.  To make it official, Jenn and Derek had a mini ceremony outside of a little chapel in Richmond, while their two best friends gave witness to the magical evening.  Ask dusk set in and a spectacular sunset started to take place,  I was able to capture their love radiating much like the rays of light through the trees.

Here are a few shots that I wanted to share.  Enjoy!!

Blog post song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ_1HMAGb4k

engagement post: http://jennicahookstraphoto.blogspot.ca/2013/10/jenn-dereks-engagement.html

click on any photo to view entire album

Beauty Mark

I recently had a photoshoot with the incredibly charming and suave Mark Ratzlaff.  He is a talented writer, editor, film maker, producer and the owner of Miles Mook Productions. 

We thought of stepping "outside of the box" when we collaborated ideas for this artistic photoshoot.
The two of us put our heads together and came up with some fun ideas, which we then brought to life on camera.  It was a great project to share some creativity and have fun.  I enjoyed working with Mark, exploring a different side of photography and the imagination. 

We ended our shoot at Finn Slough which is a historical location in Richmond, B.C.  This hidden shanty town has amazing character and is an incredible place to take in the sunset.  The view here is just like one out of a fairytale.

If you have never had the pleasure of seeing Finn Slough, then I suggest you put it on your bucket list.  Just be forewarned...those boards that go across the bridge are very old and some aren't even nailed down.  I found this out while just about going ass over tea-kettle trying to snag a shot.  Needless to say, I was much more careful about where I placed my footing after that.

Check out two of the films Mark is a part of and join the Facebook pages below:
http://www.facebook.com/beautymarkthefilm (director/co-writer)
http://www.facebook.com/bloodrelativefilm (cinematographer/editor/co-producer)

This is the song that I chose for this post: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TTPGAy5H_E&feature=relmfu

Here are my favorite shots from our photo-shooting adventure...

click on any photo to view entire album

Colour me married!?

If you're up to date with all of the coolest wedding trends, then perhaps you have heard of "trash the dress" photoshoots.  If not, well then let me acquaint you...

My hilarious and beautiful friends, Mae and Jared recently tied the knot (see post: http://jennicahookstraphoto.blogspot.ca/2012/08/mae-jareds-wedding.html).  Mae and I email back and forth regularly and we had discussed the idea of a post wedding, dress trashing.  After all of the wedding hype had settled, Mae was committed to doing an unforgettable photoshoot together.  Mae, Jared, and I and all of the colours of the rainbow, in liquid form.

I don't think I have ever laughed so hard during a shoot.

We were in complete stitches for the 2.5hr duration of photo snapping, paint flying, madness!!  The weather was absolutely perfect and a surprise little helper, made the shoot magical...

A little girl was standing by watching "Princess Mae" and her handsome "Prince Jared" in complete awe. 

As Mae started to make her way to the water, the little girl approached her and asked "Are you a real princess!?"  Mae not having the heart to break it to her, confirmed her inquiry.  The little girl then shuffled her way behind Mae and scooped up the train of her dress and helped her to the water so it wouldn't "get dirty."  I think that all 3 of our hearts melted at that moment.

After we had finished playing on the beach it was time to get really messy!

I did my best to stay in the "safe zone" but when there's paint a flyin', there's always a chance you might get hit.  I lucked out...

The competitive nature of these two made the experience hilarious!  When one got paint in the face, the other had to retaliate with a one up!  We had to take breaks in between shots because we were all laughing far too hard to focus.

Once the bottles were empty, I suggested that it might be a good idea for them to go for a dip and rinse off.

I can be rather persuasive at times let me tell you... 

I managed to talk these 2 into dropping their drawers and baring it all for a refreshing dip.  Being the great sports that they are, Mae and Jared agreed to it!  So they slipped off their wedding gear and changed into their birthday suits! 

We managed to snap a few photos before we got into too much trouble.

I have to say that this was my favorite shoot ever. 

I have had some really incredible shoots, but this was by far the most hilarious, entertaining and rewarding.

Thank you so much Mae & Jared for all of the laughs, the incredible memories and the unforgettable images that I now have scarred into my mind. 

I love you both!

Here's a song that  I chose to fit perfectly with this shoot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk

Please enjoy my favorite photos from the funniest shoot I have ever had...

click on any photo to view entire album