Marc & Anna were referred to me by one of my favorite 2019 couples. Because they live in Vancouver & were planning their wedding in Kelowna, and I live in the Kootenays, we didn't exactly have the opportunity to meet & do an engagement session before the big day. This is never ideal, and the feeling of walking into a wedding day without having met my couple in person always makes me feel anxious. But all of those nerves melted away the moment my second shooter and I met Marc. 

Meg & I had pulled up to this cottage and he immediately came out onto the deck with the biggest smile and wide open arms. He promptly invited us up to meet his groomsmen and family-- all of whom promised to obey our every command and do exactly what we say. Excellent-- the way to my heart!

From there the day only got better & better. Marc and Anna got ready in separate cottages at La Casa Cottages on Kelowna's West Side. Afterwards we all jumped in our vehicles and headed back over the bridge to Kuiper's Family Fruit Farm for the couple's First Look and formal portraits. Marc and Anna were so sweet stealing a tender first-touch before Marc turned around to see his gorgeous bride for the very first time. 

The wedding ceremony and wedding reception were hosted at Kelowna's historic and absolutely gorgeous Laurel Packinghouse. It's been a long time since I've worked at an indoor-venue this beautiful and I found myself picking my jaw up off the floor repeatedly all night. The space was expertly set up by Michelle Goodwin Weddings and let me tell you, no detail was overlooked. Michelle was a joy to work with from start to finish. 

When the intimate ceremony wrapped up, guests were invited to mosey on over (just around the corner) to BNA Brewing to enjoy a pint and hang out while the Laurel Packinghouse turned the space over from Ceremony to Reception.

My second shooter and I took the opportunity to pull the couple aside for 30 minutes and get some fun, moody shots inside BNA's incredible historic mezzanine level. The brick and leather and gorgeous natural light had us all swooning. I don't often get to photograph clients indoors and this felt like such a treat!

Then it was back on over to the Packinghouse for dinner, drinks, and party time! And let me tell you-- this crew was ready for that dance floor! The most memorable moment of all was when Anna burst onto the dance floor (to Abba's iconic song, 'Dancing Queen'!!) in an unexpected, surprise outfit change-- a full body, white, sequinned body suit. The look on Marc's face can best be described as utter surprise and complete joy. Anna was an absolute goddess. 

After 10 hours of shooting, I was absolutely exhausted, but it was hard to pull myself off the dance floor and call it a night. This crew was just so much fun and such a joy to photograph. I wish I could back and relive that wedding over and over again. 

Huge thanks to all of the amazing vendors who worked their magic this day.. Most especially my second shooter Meg Froehler who was a total rockstar in every possible way. 

Ever had a family session where the family realizes that they locked their keys (and cellphones!) in their vehicle 1 minute into the session, and there's an entire 20 seconds there where you aren't sure if the vibe can be salvaged? I hadn't until this beautiful session. 

But guess what, Photographer Tamara had her cellphone on her. So a quick call to BCAA at the start of the session meant that the tow-truck would be there right about the time that we were wrapping up. Crisis averted! Fortunately this session was able to be salvaged and moods were restored. And I'm so thankful for that because with that little blip aside, this session ended up being one of my favorite ever.

The fall weather was just absolutely perfect, and the family arrived styled to perfection. Their oldest son had such wonderful, playful energy and just the warmest smile-- I could photograph him for days! And those cheeks on that baby?! GIMME! 

Megan and Jesse's engagement session got off on a pretty crazy foot. 

You see, the neighbourhood I live in is accessed by just one road. And that road is crossed by a railroad track. Generally this is no problem at all. However, on the day of their session the road into my neighbourhood was scheduled to be closed by CP rail for maintenance-- leaving all the residents of my neighbourhood (myself included) stuck at home. I was not initially concerned about this though because the closure was scheduled to end a full hour before I needed to leave for the session.

No problem, right?

WRONG.

Of coooourse the railway project took longer than expected, and OF COURSE 30 minutes before I was supposed to meet these lovely folks, I was stuck-- stranded, really-- at my own home with no way to get out. Folks were being permitted to WALK across the tracks, but no vehicle access meant that my only options was to have a friend pick me up and drive me the to my session, or maybe catch a cab? But if you know the rural community I live in, you know that cabs are not exactly a normal thing.

Just as I was placing my 3rd frantic phone call to my sister in law in a 5 min time span, I got a DM from Megan. Her Fiancé, Jesse, works very near my neighbourhood and had heard through the grape-vine that this particular road had been shut down all day. And Megan, being the creepy-stalker that she is, happened to know that I (a photographer who she had never actually met before, but just sufficiently stalked on social media)  lived in the affected community. 

​Perhaps I should start requiring that all my clients shuttle me to/from locations? I'd certainly save on gas money..