Valentine's Day Throwback

Stephanie Chan February 13, 2014

Happy Throwback Thursday my friends! I've decided to post my Valentine's Session with Chloe today and my session with Moses for tomorrow. Kim Anderson's images are just too iconic and nostalgic to not honour him for a Throwback. I don't recall the exact moment that his images entered my thoughts (or why), but the moment the image of The Girl with the Rose came to mind, I immediately knew I needed to recreate this image with Chloe. I opened Google to track down the image and after almost 20 years, there it was, the ultimate Throwback to my childhood.

Amazingly, I managed to put together a strikingly similar ensemble from the original from our own closets.

Sweater - Wilfred Free. Scarf - Nicole Bridger. Beret - Handknit from a high school friend. Grey tights - Mayoral. Patent Leather Boots - Benetton.

This is my absolute favourite of the bunch

I totally remember hanging out at Carlton's Cards and Hallmarks, secretly trying to spend my pocket money on the mini cards to give to my current crush at school but never being able to decide which one to get. And 20 odd years later, it is my inspiration for photographing my daughter for Valentine's Day. I just loved this idea. I loved knowing that it was not just a part of my personal childhood, but that so many others who fell in love with these images as kids would be able to connect with my updated version. It was exciting to be able to draw inspiration from this very nostalgic part of my childhood, and at the same time I was very nervous over the execution: How I would be able to translate it and reconfigure it to be my own?

I'm over the moon with these images. I love how they turned out and I love this feeling of having achieved my project goal. It reminds me of my art school days, being able to successfully bring multiple elements together to create a cohesive piece. The images pay homage to the original artist and yet they have been altered in enough ways (lighting, mood, colour, richness, backdrop vs natural environment, etc…) that allow them to stand on their own for those that may not know the origins of their inspiration.

My prints are arriving this afternoon, I can't wait to get my favourite shot up on the wall!

Book of Love: Caela + Brian

Stephanie Chan February 12, 2014

As any photographer will attest, seeing your art in a physical and tangible form provides a rush like no other. The closest feeling that compares is opening presents on Christmas morning as a child or maybe kind of like Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate factory, nervous and excited and shaking, carefully tearing the wrapper from the chocolate bar hoping to find that Golden Ticket. It elevates your work to a new level.

I shot Caela + Brian's engagement session last summer, and just in the nick of time. I was elated when Caela mentioned Real Weddings wanted to include a photo from the session in their Fall 2013 Engagement section!

Prints, Save the Dates, postcards and canvasses are always a fun surprise when they arrive. Going over to clients homes and seeing how proud they are to display their photos is the best reminder of why I do what I do. However, it is less often that I get to see my work in book form, and in this case, in a larger format! Caela needed a little convincing on the larger 11.5" x 15" size. After assuring her she would not be disappointed with the extra WOW factor that a couple more inches would provide (… that's what she said..), I can now assure you she and Brian have zero regrets. In fact I'm pretty sure they are thankful for my Asian persuasion. Ha!

When investing in your memories, we have to remember it is not just for immediate gratification. Of course, it is thrilling to have a big book to share with your spouse-to-be, your families and your current group of friends. These memories will not end here. They will have life breathed into them with each new member of your family and ever-growing circle of friends, including your own children down the road! Oh and let's not forget the new mom friends you will acquire who will no doubt share in your misery as you look back on your days of absolute freedom and radiant beauty. Was I ever actually THAT stunning?!!!

Time is not on our side. The sun and moon rise and fall without notice of our aging souls. These moments need to be captured and remembered. When we hit rough patches in life, sometimes photos can help remind us of the love that started it all and give us the strength we need to push through.

Without a doubt, one of my favourite things to do at my grandparents' homes is to sit with a pile of old photo albums and look through my history and see photos of my parents when they were young, before they became parents.

C'est l'amour

Valentine's Day Countdown

Stephanie Chan February 11, 2014

Valentine's Day has snuck up on me once again! Amazingly I managed to get my two shoots with Moses & Chloe done over the weekend in time to edit and send my print order out for my Mom! She saw a bunch of the ones I did with Chloe on Friday, but the ones of Moses will definitely be a fun surprise for her. I had so much fun with both these shoots, going to start composing my blog post tonight!

I Love a Girl in Uniform

Stephanie Chan February 7, 2014

My mom came over today. She came just as I was setting up to do a Valentine's Day shoot with Little C. It turned out better than I could have imagined and I am losing my mind knowing that I won't be able to post it for another week. I have had this idea/inspiration planted in my brain for a number of weeks and was very nervous about how my version would translate. It is perfect. My mom snuck Chloe into the kids' room to change into a new outfit she had found. Chloe came out in a tiny little tunic that had me squealing like a pig!

Having been enrolled in Catholic Private Schools, I spent my entire elementary and high school years in a uniform. I have to say, I am really loving my mom for dressing Chloe in things that I used to wear. She saved my ballerina leotard and mouse tutu and ears from when I took ballet at age 4. Chloe is in love with the tutu and ears and it just melts my heart seeing her so happy.

We started off this little shoot with a little red beret knitted by high school friend, Sally. Sally lives in Toronto and I only see her every couple of years, but on her last visit she had made this beret with a matching scarf for Chloe and a tin full of cookies for all to share. Perfect match.

Switched to a Hello Kitty headband to match her Hello Kitty book ...

…aaaaand, well no uniform is complete without a little Blair Waldorf (for you Caela!).

This was fun. Really digging the lighting in these photos but really all I can think about is how excited I am for these Valentine's Day ones for next week.

Have a great weekend!

XOXO Gossip Girl ;)