M&R Wedding Sneak Peek!

This summer is going to be over in seconds.  My pile of TO DO grows exponentially taller everyday and I'm struggling to keep on top of everything! 

The family and I just had the most wonderful mini vacation out in Pemberton this weekend!  Just passed Whistler at The Birken Lakeside Resort, we packed the Jetta, borrowed camping gear and prepared for our first family camping trip to shoot and celebrate the wedding of adorable goofballs, Mike & Ryan!  

I met Mike back in our art school days at Emily Carr.  I met Ryan, I believe when they were in the early stages of their relationship.  Actually, I'm pretty sure the first and last time I met Ryan was when Mike brought him over to a house party for my 23rd Super Hero themed birthday party...  I don't know how I remember that night, but I digress.  Since graduation in 2007, Mike and I have only remained friendly acquaintances over the Facebook; that is until they were seeking out a photographer for their wedding!  After following my blog and watching my photography take on a life of its own, it was agreed that my eye would be the one to capture this very memorable day!  I could not have been more excited and honored.  
 
The wedding took place in one of B.C.'s absolutely breathtaking spectacles of nature.  (Is that sentence even grammatically correct?)  The couple rented out an entire campsite for the guests right by a lake of clear cool water with a stunning glacier-topped mountain as its backdrop.  The second we arrived, I knew it was going to be a painful goodbye.

As it was mentioned by Ross, their amazing MC, not only was it just a day to celebrate Mike & Ryan's marriage, but that it was THIS day, July 8 2003, 10 years ago, that same-sex marriage was legalized in in British Columbia!   I can't believe it's been that long already!  Their wedding fell just two days before the 10th anniversary, making it both very fitting and worth mentioning for these two very sweet boys, so perfectly deserving of one another. 

The freedom to wed the one you love is a great freedom to celebrate.  

More photos to come... 

Reader's Choice Awards

The Delta Optimist, our local rag here in Tsawwassen and Ladner runs an annual Reader's Choice Awards for the best in the area, ranging from best grocer, coffee shops, and book stores to best services for dry cleaning, appliance repair and aesthetics.  My in-laws at Sublime, the local art supply store here in Tsawwassen, have won the last couple of years for best Art Gallery and I decided to take a chance and see if i could round up enough votes to get The Pauhaus out there.

As usual, a good hustle paid off and The Pauhaus won for best Portrait Photography!

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We were treated to a Reception Dinner at Beach Grove Golf Club in Tsawwassen.  Two drinks on the house with a variety of appies and mini desserts, Kevin and I enjoyed a child-free evening in the fresh air and sunshine on the patio.  We chatted with the other lucky winners from Meridian Meats, Delta Hospital Aux Thrift Shop and Marlin Travel before heading in to receive our plaques and possibly win one of the door prizes!

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I got my plaque and Kevin's ticket won him a carpet!  It was a fun night and a great chance to mingle and meet with the other locals in town.   

A huge huge HUGE thank you to all those that took the time to fill out the ballots and help The Pauhaus soar to new heights.  It's been a crazy 8-9 months since I took the leap to start up my photography and I would not be here without all the support from family and friends. 

This is only the beginning!  Looking forward to what the future has in store for us and lots of ideas brewing to bring you more of the best we have to offer! 

 

 

 

Mother's Day Generation Session Prints Ordered!

I had two lovely families book with me for the Mother's Day "Mama & Me/4 Generations" Sessions back in May and just finished editing and placing the order for their favourite images.

It seems I have a very soft spot for grandparents and great-grandparents and there really is nothing like seeing 4 generations of female lineage together in one photo.  You don't get that portrait very often and it's definitely the sort of photo that will be treasured and shared with future generations for... well forever!  Both sides of my family have black and white family portraits taken from back in China & the Philippines and ever since I was young, I would repeatedly scour the musty sticky fading albums piled together when visiting my grandparents' homes.  I was probably the only relative on both sides that loved losing myself in the photographic history of my parents' early life and childhood.  It probably didn't hurt that I have always had a thing for all things vintage...  For example, finding boxes of my aunts' original 70's bellbottoms and 6"  platforms fully intact was like winning the Set for Life lottery.  My desire to capture 4 generations together is no doubt inspired by these vintage family photos that I, myself, have treasured from an early age.

My first session was with fellow local photographer Krista Ewert.  Please check out her work, she has quite the lovely and impressive eye!  Krista brought along her mom, her grandmother, and her sweet little daughter, Ella, filling in the 4 spots for each generation!  

It could not have been a nicer session with such a great group of gals.  Really, there is nothing like seeing your little one with the mother and grandmother that raised you.  I love seeing the similarities trickle from one mother to another, blending and mixing with new genes to create a new and unique individual.  

Karin Ho was my second client and happens to go way back to my elementary school days.  We attended both elementary and highshcool together, not close friends, but friendly acquaintances.  She was one of the handful of elementary classmates that attended my Father's funeral.  She remembered him from our childhood days.  

Sadly, however, it was now my turn to help her through family loss.  Her mother had passed last year and her grandmother is presently ill with both Cancer and Alzheimer's.  She came to me wanting photos with her mom's sister and her mom's grandparents.  Of course, I said yes.  

What an honour to be able to photograph this tender moment in time for such a long time acquaintance.  What an honour to give them this gift.  It's sessions like these two that really drive home our purpose in life.  Bring joy to others.