Welcome Jax!

Stephanie Chan October 26, 2017

Oh, this family. The Oldhams are just one of the absolute nicest families I've met out this way. They are one of the families that have grown with me, helping to create some of my most favourite images over the years with their boys Hunter and Ryder. (Plus, it didn't hurt to have that roaring good time last summer jumping/rolling around on their backyard trampoline at an inappropriate time of night... ) There is something in the water out here, but there are a lot of families joining the 3 Kids Club (human and/or dog form) and The Oldhams are the latest to welcome their newest addition: LITTLE JAX!

A few sneaks from last week's in-home session

Always always a pleasure to photograph you guys xo

Alex + Sarita

Stephanie Chan October 14, 2017

I had so much fun shooting this adorable pair of human beings!!! The internet has gifted me with some of the coolest friendships, including this beautiful goofball of sunshine, Miss Sarita. These friendships are exciting and mysterious, falling in love with people you have never met in person but feel like you know so well after months of connection and laughter. It's cool to physically meet them and feel the presence of that same spirit you have connected with just through photos and words. I gotta say, I was really stoked when Sarita asked me to photograph her with her long-distance beau, Alex, who was visiting Vancity for their one year anniversary. Up until this point, these intimate sessions have been exclusively family, young parents, or occasionally newlyweds. This was my first time shooting a couple still fresh in their relationship, full of all that honeymoon goodness, and it was so deliciously fun! We met in my old stompy grounds of Mount Pleasant, the area of my young and stupid days, drinking more than sleeping days, barely considering consequences days of yore... It is always a bittersweet visit but I was distractedly excited for this session as we would be meeting specifically at the new Andy Dixon mural that went up this summer for the mural festival. If you don't know Andy Dixon, do yourself a favour and check out his work and join the rest of us in being obsessed HA! We got in trouble trying to climb a building to get some shots and I laughed as Sarita pulled a ME and sweetly begged the guy to let us just have a couple shots.

Ok, too much talking. Photos.

The Reid Family

Stephanie Chan October 12, 2017

I love this session.

In a world where it feels like darkness is infiltrating and spreading it's way through our safe spaces, we must look for the helpers, for it is they who shine a guiding light on the path towards hope. They need not be heroes on the news, they are often people in our community that spread love and light on a daily basis through random acts of kindness. I am always so thankful for all the clients-turned-friends that support me in the variety of creative services I provide, but I gotta say, Megan has been a recent stand-out not just as a truly supportive client but also as someone who goes the extra mile with gratitude and kindness. Arriving at my home to pick up her daughters' forgotten jean jackets from the session, I was gifted a bouquet, wine and a thoughtfully written thank you. I do my best to spread kindness in my own way, but the lasting impact of this recent act of giving has me inspired to try to give just a little more.

Enjoy a few select favourites from their Fall Mini Session!

Indigo Workshop with School House Farm

Stephanie Chan September 29, 2017

My heart is singing. This is the beginning of many more workshops to come! Emily and I joined forces to offer an Indigo Dyeing Workshop to take place at School House Farm that included a phenomenal spread of appetizers, dessert and a Fall Inspired Cocktail for all our guests! In typical Emily fashion, she decked out the area with bouquets of sunflowers and dahlias and a few of her first pumpkins of the season! The majority of the food was produce she had sown, grown, and harvested this year: pickled garlic scapes, beans, and cucumbers, a kale and yellow zucchini quiche, roasted garlic paired with select cheeses and freshly baked baguettes were just a few of the appetizers. Vodka was infused with farm pears over the week leading up to the event and then mixed with a homemade rosemary syrup and soda. Dessert included an apple galette, homemade whipping cream, chocolate zucchini loaf, and fresh strawberries. I know. Amazing.

We gathered in a circle where I went through the indigo process and ladies got straight to work creating their designs with elastics, clothespins, string, and tongue depressers. Patiently, we worked in two groups taking turns to dip and expose their pieces until it was time for the final reveal. Just like snowflakes, no two are ever the same, each one so unique and magical in its creation. The scarves were hung to dry across a makeshift clothesline that Kevin helped set up using twine and the easels he had designed for Paint Night.

I couldn't have been happier with the attendees for this first Adult Workshop! So many familiar faces who have been so kind in supporting my passion to make creativity an accessible priority in life over the last 2 years. I can not tell you how much it means to have this support and to know that I am able to provide a service to others. Thank you to everyone who participated, I am still reeling with joy from this first successful experience! Thank you!!!

Harvest Fest 2017

Stephanie Chan September 18, 2017

Oh, Harvest Fest, how I looked forward to you every year! The fire fighters serving canapes, the strung lights, the generosity of the raffles prizes, the abundance of delicious food, and of course the mechanical bull. It is such an incredibly fun event, but beyond the fun is the Delta Firefighter's heartfelt cause to support the Delta R.E.A.C.H. Childhood and Youth Program that has been in place since 1959. This year's cause:

Our primary beneficiary for this year is Delta Reach Child and Youth Development Society. Harvest Festival will raise money to help them finalize their Capital Campaign to raise money to complete a Child Development Centre in the heart of Delta.

Since 1959 Reach Society has been making a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. Building a child development centre in the heart of the community will give more children at all stages of childhood better access to the critical services they need, and link families to other community services more efficiently and effectively.

The new Reach Centre replaces Ladner Kinsmen House at 47th avenue and neighbours the Ladner Pioneer Library, Memorial park, Delta Secondary School, Ladner Community Centre and other community services, creating a network of community supports working together to benefit children of all ages and their families..

I love being part of this small community where everyone knows each other and is always willing to provide support where it is needed. This event is just once terrific example of how much we can do as a community when we all pitch in.