Erin and Allen | Camas Wedding Photographer

Erin and Allen embody everything I love about my job. Finding couples who are so in love and getting the opportunity to capture it makes my heart leap for joy! After getting to know Erin and Allen more during their engagement session, I knew this fun-loving couple was going to be exquisite on their wedding day! Despite the rain, their wedding turned out spectacular. As always, their wedding site, Camas Meadows, really came through to make this day incredible. {This location is a fabulous choice for anyone looking to get married in the off season. They have a gorgeous ballroom, gazebo, and tented reception area}


I just love the moody window light we were able to utilize for Erin and Allen's "first glance". They were even cool enough to do a small interview for my promo video! YES! Keep on the look out for more on my latest promo video by the FABULOUS K. Tobin Video Productions. 


Here is the "highlight reel" from their wedding day! If you'd like to see more, CLICK HERE

Fine Art for Fall | Vancouver Photographer

In the winter months, I tend to photograph more still-life, especially since it changes so quickly during the fall. 

Here are just a few yummy shots I recently captured... Enjoy!

These images can be purchased on my Etsy page as well if you are interested!!

Fall Wedding Inspiration!! | Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Here is some awesome Fall inspiration for all my bridal couples out there!! 

 

these fabulous autumn ideas from My DIY wedding Day

From the FABULOUS stylemepretty

From mix.mingle.glow

from let the celebration begin!

from Blonde + Blue

http://www.kellyoshiroevents.com/blog/2009/10/12/inspiration-board-37-fall-wedding/

http://2sistersblog.com/tag/fall-wedding/

Breast Pumps and Black Friday | Vancouver Photographer

 

These past two weeks or so, I have really enjoyed watching the leaves changing color in my front yard. Years ago, we panted huge 10 ft maple trees and needless to say, I have a front-row view of autumn goodness right outside my door. I just love the autumn! I love pumpkins, gourds, maple leaves, cozy fires, earthy colors, and the vibrancy that only fall can bring us.The crisp morning autumn air is by far my favorite to soak up.

©Bella Lucia Photography

With autumn comes back to school, Thanksgiving, snuggly sweaters, and of course my all time FAVORITE day of the year........

drum roll please.... BLACK FRIDAY! 

So yes, I am obsessed in love with this manically magnificent day full of shopping at 4am, standing in lines with other crazed shoppers all eagerly ready to grab up the best deals they can find. Black Friday Shopping is a tradition in my family. 

Sounds silly right?? WRONG! 

Some of my favorite memories with my mom and sisters are from Black Friday adventures, 

like 2 years ago when I dumped an entire travel mug of coffee at the front of the line in Kohls at precisely 4:45am, with only a mere 300 people in line behind us watching my graceful move. {smooth.... very smooth}

I mean, who doesn't love shopping in sweats & snow boots? 

And, I can't forget the year I was pregnant with Nevaeh and waddled..  

(and yes, this HOT MESS waddled) 

all over each store with such veracity to score the best of the best, despite my robust shape.

November 2006 - pregnant with Nevaeh

Even better, how about 2007, after Nevaeh was born and I was still pumping.... 

Oh Boy, this has to really bring up the giggles.

I'm one of those crazy moms who pumped about 9 times a day for a year. {don't ask} 

I cleverly lugged that beast of breast pump everywhere we went, and in between stores I would plug in that puppy and pump my way to the next store. 

Now, for those who have pumped before, you know how pumping SUCKS is so glamorous, especially when you are trying to swap full bottles of milk, with the pump still attached, wearing a seat-belt, in the pitch dark of 5:00am glory, while holding the perfectly wedged position so the 50 bags of goods don't fall over, while your mother is driving like a bat out of hell in hopes to get to Target in time for me to score the cheapest DVDs. 

 I mean, so yea, there was breast milk on my sweat pants, BFD!!! 

I got DVD's for $3 a piece BABY!

Black Friday always involves TONS of laughter, excited anticipation, and usually freezing in -32 degrees as we rush from store to store in snow boots complete with ice-walkers attached, parkas, hats, and gloves. I'm challenging myself this year to not only shopping on Black Friday, but also documenting the craziness! I attempted last year, but I soon was more focused on gathering goodies than picture taking. SO, be on the look out come November... because there will be some HILARIOUS photo moments being captured.

This time of year also means Thanksgiving, which I have happily taken the responsibility of. From turkey prep that takes 48 hours of brine, roasting, flipping, tenting, and carving, to homemade vinaigrette for salad, and of course, handmade dinner rolls, I'm a crazy turkey day connoisseur.  Thanksgiving is a workout to say the least, with at least 3 days of preparation, and all to be cleaned up, and done before our 3:30am start time for Black Friday shopping.

So people, I'm EXCITED! I can't wait for the holidays to arrive!! And if you want to tag along with my family fun, just let me know! We are always open for guests on our FAVORITE day of the year!

What is your favorite part of this time of year? I'd love to hear some of your fun holiday traditions in the fall!! Leave me a comment with your favorites from the Fall!!

Erin and Allen's Wedding Teaser's | Camas Wedding Photographer

Because I just can't wait to share a few awesome shots from 

Erin and Allen's Wedding, 

here are some teasers for you to OOOO and AAHHHHH over. 

More yumminess to come soon!

Help me pick some post theme ideas!! | Vancouver Wedding Photographer

What a week it has been! As some of you know, I had a little heart scare and spent a few hours in the ER; nothing to crazy, just enough to scare me, and to be diagnosed with high blood pressure. I’ve had borderline high blood pressure for years now, so it is nice to finally get some answers. Unfortunately, adjusting to blood pressure medication has been some getting used to, and today was the first day I’ve felt more like myself.

Being down for almost a week has been a HUGE eye-opener for my need for setting aside more time for myself to decompress. I’m not sure what that means yet, but I am on track to set studio hours and things of that nature, so I can cut back on weeks and weeks of working until 3-4am and getting up at 8am to do it all over again. With wedding season coming to an end in October, it is a good time for me to re-group, re-focus, and, as the FABULOUS J-Star would say “Take care of this Hot Mess”.

Here is where YOU come in!
I need your help! I’d like to have a few days a week set aside for “theme” blog posts.
What would you like to see on the blog?
Here are some suggestions:

• Photo tutorials {how I took the shot, settings, etc.}
• DIY Projects {from fun photo crafts, to wedding DIY}
• Holiday Projects
• Recipe Corner {like my turkey-day run down}
• Photography How To {techniques on shooting your own family and friends}
• Giveaways {scrap-booking stuff to Digital Photography books}
• Bridal Inspiration (always a hit)
• Photography Q and A
• Portrait Corner featuring tips and techniques for at home portraits
• My favorites (sharing my favorite products, not-photo related)

What are your suggestions?
I’d love to hear your thoughts!!
Be sure to leave me a comment sharing your ideas for my blog themes!!

XOXO!

On another fabulous note... check out my new awesome brochures for the 2010-2011 year! I LOVE how they turned out! Thanks so all my fabulous couples for starring in it!! 

 

 

Fun in Downtown Vancouver | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

This year I have been blessed with lots of different types of sessions, from weddings, to parties, to newborns, to families. Lisa came to me looking for "not-so-typical" head-shots. After checking out my portfolio online, she was hooked and immediately emailed me to schedule a session. Lisa works for The Wallace Medical Concern, a volunteer organization providing neighborhood-based health care services and assistance for Portland area residents who face barriers receiving care. Putting a face to the organization is a great way to bring awareness to your business. I couldn't wait to photograph her!


I met Lisa at her FABULOUS hair salon for her shoot, Halo Designs in Downtown Vancouver. After taking for a few minutes and choosing from some fabulous outfits, we were on the hunt for some awesome locations. We strolled around Main Street and within an hour, we had wrapped up a fantastic head-shot session. What I love most about this session is that I was really able to highlight Lisa's personality and make it really stand out in her pictures. Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day!

* For all you photogs out there, this entire session was shot with 50mm lens, 100 ISO,  f/2.8