Fall-ing Away

Goodbye Summer, hello Winter...

With foggy-breath blowing mornings becoming a reality, we can officially say goodbye to our beautiful Summer.  
I am all for the heat and sun but there is something so special about Fall that you can't help but love.  The bright colours of the leaves as they float towards the ground, the way a bed of mist looms overtop of the school fields in the mornings, how it almost hurts when you breathe deeply from the sharp of the air.  It seems short lived as the mundane of the dark mornings and darker evenings inch toward us...
But for now, I'm taking it in!

I headed to a park where I spent a good part of the evening with my dog Kai and my camera.  
We go to this park quite regularly and I drive past it every day on my way home from work.   For the past few week coming home, I had I see the way the light  would hit all of the dandelions in the field and illuminate them with gold.  I had taken so many photos of this in my mind, but none in reality. 

So I dragged the dog out of the house (or he dragged me) and we went to play in the park.
I can't think of anything I love more than seeing my dog so happy.  It truly makes me smile ear to ear with a side of the "warm and fuzzies".

I wasn't planning on posting any of these photos but I thought,  these are really pretty and they make me smile, so maybe somebody else that reads this will smile and think so too! 

Enjoy!


This is a an artist that I came across while surfing for some fresh meat to add to my play list and I am now obsessed with:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rzoOVhXnbI&feature=related

click on any photo to view entire album

Jen, Josiah & Topper

I had a great time doing a photoshoot with Jen, Josiah and their recently adopted German Shepard, Topper.  It was Topper's first time at an off leash dog park and he was more than excited!  Not only was it his first time at the park, but it was also his first photoshoot experience!

Jen & Josiah had spent a lot of their free time volunteering at LAPS (Langley Animal Protection Society) as dog walkers.  When Topper came the facility, the two of them fell instantly in love with the big bear.  They had to have him!

It was quite upsetting to hear about Topper's life before Jen & Josiah adopted him.  He had spent the majority of his adolescent life tied up to a fence on a farm.  For the past 3 months the family of 3 have been working together with a dog trainer at the adoption center, continuing Toppers rehabilitation into a loving, social environment.
Having not had a lot of socializing with other dogs, Topper was a bit on the excited/nervous side...  He soon settled after we walked him around for a bit.

I am a HUGE dog/animal lover. 
I really enjoy working with animals and testing my patience when it comes to photographing them.  Topper was no exception.  He was a lot of dog to work with...  All 100+lbs of him.  However, he was a really good boy.  He listened quite well for the most part.  He sat, stayed and posed perfectly for the camera.  Something that many of my human subjects have a difficult time with. He he he...

Jen & Josiah were absolutely lovely.  They were such warm hearted people, we got along so well.  In fact, we are already planning a doggy play date to bring together Topper and my dog Kai. 
I had a great time capturing their happy little family.


Here is a song that I thought suited our shoot together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORhWtXuOT4

Please find my favorite photos from our photo-date...

click on any photo to view entire album

Christina and Allan's Wedding

For a September wedding, I don't think Christina and Allan could have had better weather.  It was hot, beautiful and there wasn’t a cloud in sight!

We started off the day a little "unconventionally" by shooting some fun bridal party photos at Westminster Pier Park.  This was the first time the bride and groom saw each other in all of their stunning glory.  
They both looked incredible.

This group of guys and gals were full of energy and they were so much fun to work with.  We were able to capture some stunning shots and had a ton of laughs while in the process.  After having some fun in the sun, we decided to escape the heat by cooling off at a local lounge, drink.  Here, we had a chance freshen up and the group shared some cocktails and nachos.

As much fun as we were having at the lounge, it was time to make our way to Glenbrook Park & Amenities for the ceremony and reception.  This beautiful "Vintage" style wedding had so many cute and personal touches of both Christina and Allan.
The ceremony was filled with both tears and laugher.  Both the Bride and Groom recited their own vows which were witty, funny and heartfelt.  After an exchange of rings and a kiss, Christina & Allan now shared the same last name!
 
Following the ceremony was the reception.  
There were some absolutely hilarious speeches that had the crowd in an uproar.  A perfect belly warm-up before dinner was served.  
This was my kind of wedding... a southern style BBQ complete with pulled pork, Cajun chicken, cornbread, corn on the cob, coleslaw and much more.  Absolutely delicious!  Once dinner finished, we had a chance to digest over a few more speeches and then the "Pie Table" was set.  This was something I had never seen before and I thought it was a fantastic idea!  A variety of beautifully crafted, locally made pies, covered the table.  Accompanied with real vanilla and strawberry ice cream of course!
 
With full bellies and smiling faces it was time for some music.  Christina's sister Lisa, got the night started by preforming a beautiful rendition of "a thousand years" (by Christina Perri).  A hard act to follow but the dj's pumped up the tunes as the couple had their first dance.  They were then joined by the majority of the room and continued to dance the night away.
 
I had an incredible time laughing and capturing the Muir wedding.  
I wish both Christina and Allan a happy and beautiful life together.
 
Here is to "a thousand years" together: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtOvBOTyX00
 
Below are my favorite photos from the Muir's beautiful wedding...

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

Chris & Gemma's Wedding

Firstly let me start off by saying, wow!

I had an incredible time in Ladysmith, Vancouver Island.  It was absolutely blissful.  If I ever get married, this is the kind of wedding that I would want...

I was thrilled when Gemma asked me to be the photographer for her get-away wedding.

Overlooking a kiwi orchard and incredible landscape, Kiwi Cove Lodge is a perfect place to wander around with a glass of wine in hand and take it all in.  The acres of lush green land are filled with apple trees, kiwi orchards and even a community garden.  It was easy to fall in love with this place. 

I arrived on a sunny Saturday morning at the lodge.  I was able to have a bit of down time after being up bright and early to catch the ferry over.  While taking in the overwhelming beauty of the scenery, I scouted a few choice locations that would be perfect for some wedding photos. 

After a short while, I realized that it was time to start getting ready for the ceremony.

The ceremony was flawless. 

Gemma looked stunning in her simple, yet sexy wedding dress, while Chris mirrored Prince Charming in is jacket-less suit.  Sun beams poured through the orchard creating a misty hue.  After the "I do's"  we rushed into the lush to create some wedding party, photo magic.

That evening at the reception, there was an uproar of laughs from incredible speeches, amazing dance moves (some of which were my own) and conversations around the campfire. 

I loved how small and intimate this wedding was.  It gave everyone the opportunity to meet one another and even make some new friends.

I had an incredible time at the Evan's wedding.  I met some wonderful people, made some new friends, all while taking in an incredible setting. 

I wish both Gemma & Chris a very happy and healthy life together!

Here is a song that I hand picked to accompany this picturesque shoot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvD7a2fRV7A&feature=relmfu

Please enjoy my favorite photos from our shoot...

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

Fireworks with Friends

Man am I spoiled...

Not only have we been having incredible summer weather here in Vancouver, but I have had the privilege of experiencing it under the best conditions!

Another flawless blue bird day and another day out on the water.  Amazing.

One thing that you should know about me... I LOVE the water and I LOVE boating!  Put me in a dingy on a nice day and you will have one happy camper!  Uh, I mean... sailor!

A group of us headed out in the afternoon from Coal Harbour, into some rather choppy waters.  We cruised up the Burrard Inlet, routed towards English Bay to anchor a prime spot for observing the fire in the sky show... The Celebration of Lights. 

If you're from Vancouver, chances are you have probably pushed your way through the crowded streets of Denman and Beach.  Or, you've tiptoed over people's blankets on the sands of English Bay, hoping to snag a seat to catch this colourful display of explosions.

I have to say that being on a boat away from the chaos, is for sure my favorite way to enjoy.

Though having experienced both, being amongst the crowd does allow for some  very "interesting" entertainment.  So whether you're hoofing it or paddling along, the Celebration of Lights is something you don't want to miss during Vancouver's summer.

I loves this song and I thought that it would acompany these photos perfectly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdP2q88rw3U

Here are some photos from our boating adventure and the winning light display of team Italy...

click on any photo to view entire album