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..

Carson and Kris are a 2021 couple who had to plan and then replan, and replan again (and maybe even again) their big day to accommodate ever-changing provincial Covid mandates and restrictions. Their original plans involved far more family and far more friends for this Kootenay couple-- both born & raised in the Trail area. However, they ultimately were forced to make do with a 50-guest backyard wedding. 

But you know something? It was fine! Perfect, even.

As I chatted with Carson & Kris' guests so, so many of them remarked to me at how perfect the day felt, despite it being a Plan B (or even Plan C/D at that point) and how thrilled they were with the smaller guest list and how intimate it felt. I think that many couples who braved having a wedding in the face of nearly impossible pandemic restrictions found this, as well; That even though their guest list was reduced in size by 3/4, the day with only their very nearest and dearest friends and family felt all the more perfect. 

Carson & Kris incorporated a few of my very favourite anti-traditions in their wedding and I just have to mention them here:

1. They had a First Dance early in the day-- to mark the start of the reception/cocktail hour, to be exact. Dancing early in the day meant that they had their guest's undivided attention, and the light for photos was so so so. much better than if they had done it on a dark dance floor. 

2. They put their dessert table out early. If you spend $$$ on those beautiful desserts why hide them away in a dark corner not to be seen until after dinner?

3. The left their guests for 20 minutes during the reception to sneak away with us for some golden-hour portraits. Carson & Kris indicated that having portraits done with their dog on their wedding day was really important to them, so I made sure to use this time for them to take their sweet pup "for a walk in the field" and snap some beautiful photos while they did.