Parvinder + Jay's Engagement

I can't say enough about Parvinder & Jay! For the most part, engagement shoots are quite casual. However, Parvinder & Jay wanted to do something a little dressier first then change into jeans later. We started from their apartment and I noticed a little area in their back alley. Even though they were dressed up, they were willing to trust my 'vision' (in a back alley) and take my lead. I got some AMAZING shots that they were thrilled with too. Urban settings, no matter how 'rough' they may seem, can be transformed into unbelievable images!





From there we went casual down at the beach. I love hats and had a couple of ideas for Parvinder in Jay's car (a 350Z which, by the way, may be mine in the near future...).






But no matter what ideas I had and no matter what I had them do, they both were so willing to jump right in! They were so fun to photograph and I can't WAIT until their traditional Indian wedding in May!

Aruba & Dominica

Aruba... What can I say... I spent very little time scouting around Aruba. I bought a post card for my Mom and that was the extent of my excitement.

But Dominica! I LOVED Dominica! Yet another beautiful, lush, mountainous countryside with friendly residents and a culture rich in history. I was driving along a dirt road beside a river at one point and came across this guy washing his jeep in the river - bucket, cloth, soap and all. Coming back along the same road later that day, there was a family doing their laundry in almost the same spot. I know I see this on TV and I know this happens in the world but to actually witness it gave me a far greater connection. What hit me the most though was their visible joy. The children were laughing and playing, the woman was strong, diligent and also smiling. Earlier, the guy washing his jeep had seemed so proud to have a clean car! Back in North America I think I would be hard-pressed to find someone who would find pleasure in something that "inconvenient". It says a lot about how to find joy and happiness in all our tasks, and how to be grateful for everything we have... even the things we consider 'difficult' or unmanageable. I really believe that we create our own happiness and we can choose to look at things as being vexatious or appreciate our own good fortune - however modest it is.

Bonaire, Netherlands

Bonaire was a very pleasant surprise. It wasn't 'tourist-y' like St. Thomas or Aruba. It had a 'village' atmosphere but with all the modern amenities - casual bar/grills right on the dock over the ocean (don't you just LOVE this?!), some shopping and even a dive centre at the end of the road. It was quiet, relaxing, and soothing. Definitely not a place to go if you want to party all night long. There were a lot of beautiful and affordable vacation rentals right on the water too (I wouldn't mind staying here at all!). It's a place I would definitely consider staying for a longer period of time.

Grenada

I've ALWAYS wanted to go to Grenada! I remember my Dad telling me stories of his travels to Grenada when he was a pilot out of the Bahamas. He said it was his favourite place and that his dream was to one day live there. I'm sure it has changed a lot since 'his day' but I was absolutely fascinated by the landscape and the 'legendary' place my Dad thought so fondly of. Grenada is an agricultural wonder. All the farm land is on the mountainside - they harvest all their crops by climbing up the hills. There is no 'clear cutting' or landscaping. It's a hard life but their countryside is still 'untouched' by modern technology.





I also had the opportunity to photograph Christine & Jerry while they were on vacation. We didn't have a lot of time - they didn't want to miss their cruise line embarkation! They just wanted a few shots of their day. But we had fun nonetheless exploring the island, the buildings and a few local attractions.

St. Thomas

So far my travels have been quite exhausting and rather hurried. Today I was in St. Thomas which reminds me very much of New Orleans! The streets are narrow, the shops are plentiful and wrought iron balconies above are abundant. I kept waiting for the bands to start playing and people dressed in elaborate costumes to burst onto the streets! It's a great place for shopping but I was more interested in the lifestyle and the sights. Unfortunately, I wasn't there for long so I didn't get very many images.

Caribbean Bound

I'm off to the Caribbean for 3 weeks! I'm going to check out Eleuthra, Aruba, Grenada, Netherland Antilles and whichever other island calls my name. I will have limited access to my cell phone so email would be the best way to contact me. If you happen to be on any of these islands and want some images of you and your loved ones on your holiday, I'd be more than happy to meet up with you! I already have a couple of shoots lined up! However, do not expect a response on Sunday, February 3 as I will be glued to the big screen in Florida watching the Superbowl!

Last Day of 2008!

I want to wish all my couples and families a very safe New Year's Eve tonight!

2008 has been a year of heartache and tragedy for me. But I've laughed more and found more joy this year too. Everyone who I've worked with has been an absolute pleasure and for that I'm truly grateful! I've made so many new friends and have more new and wonderful opportunities than I can count. I have been truly blessed through meeting all my couples and clients and want to thank all of you for that! I can't WAIT for 2009!

Cheers!

Viva Las Vegas

I had the surprise of my life the other day! My man was in Las Vegas for a convention and he called me in between meetings to tell me to pack the essentials, get to the airport and to wear something 'nice'. He had bought me a plane ticket and took me out to dinner at our favorite Vegas restaurant, Le Cirque. We had so much fun and I was back home the next day! I LOVE spontaneous excursions like that! Thanks Baby! Love you!

Harrison & Georgia

Here's another of the many children I had the pleasure of photographing this weekend. Harrison is 3 years old and already protecting his little sister Georgia who is only 3 months. I photographed their parents wedding also several years ago and it was so much fun catching up and seeing them again!


Harrison's favourite character right now is Spider Man. He was pretending to be him all morning! Here he is spinning his web:


Here he is dodging his enemy and trapping him in yet another web:



Georgia was VERY tired and desparately wanted her nap. But we were actually able to get a bit of a smile from her!



Finally! Peace at last!

Ava: Future Oscar Winner

This past week has been amazing (and exhausting) playing with and photographing all the kids I've had the pleasure of meeting. Ava is the first daughter of Kay and Alex, whose wedding I photographed 4 years ago in the Dominican Republic in a very intimate ceremony on the beach at the Secret's Excellence Resort.

Ava braved the cold with a smile on her face and we got some beautiful images of her. She's SO adorable and looks exactly like her mom! She's only 3 years old and she already has the bubbly personality of Kate Hudson. Keep an eye out for this cutie - you may see her in a few commercials in the near future...