Kevin and Jocelin - Las Vegas Wedding Teaser

I'm pretty excited about posting this wedding with Kevin and Jocelin.  I'll keep it simple for the blog post though and I'll sum it up in one word "Vegas".  Truly an incredible wedding that had us shooting where Britney got married and ended up with a Timberand and Justin Timberlake party.  Wow, that was awesome.  Enjoy the teasers for now guys and I'll get back to work!

Carey

That's right the same classy joint that Spears was married at. (they didn't actually get married here, but I thought it would be fun to go there)

Gastown, Vancouver Shoot

Tina and Reza are just awesome!  I knew the second I met these two that we were going to have a great time.  Seeing as how I have only been to Vancouver a few times I decided to shoot at a spot I knew and Gastown is such a cool Vancouver area.  I guess it reminds me a lot of Seattle with the great old brick buildings and sits along the water with that fresh ocean breeze. 

Reza and Tina are both studying in Vancouver, Reza in Economics and Tina in International Law.  I was pretty pleased to know that they'd sneak out between classes to do our shoot on an incredibly sunny and warm morning.  I really enjoy when a couple is so into themselves, and there is something really cool about two people that can be so passionate even when I'm only a few feet away from them.  I hope these shots captured that emotion and that passion.  Good luck in school and we'll see you guys soon!

Gas Works Park, Seattle

Most people who know me know my love for the city of Seattle.  I made the mistake of visiting it years ago because I was a Mariners fan and I wanted to see them play live.  I say mistake only because they haven't developed into the team they once were and it appears that the only games they win are the ones I've been to.  To this date they are undefeated in games that I've attended.  I assume they wish I came more that once a year!

This trip was different this year, as I knew that besides a ball game I had some work to keep my mind off my team not making the postseason, again.  My first shoot was with Jamei who was from northern Washington.  

Jamei as you will see from the photos below shines!  She had a poise and grace that truly is captured on film, which hopefully many others will soon see.  Aside from being a graduate she has recently spent a year in Spain and is now pursuing a dream of being on television.  

All of the shots below were taken near Washington University in a famous park called Gas Works.  It was a really cool spot with great old relics of a plant and city scape in the back.  I had never been there and didn't know what to expect but I think we really shot in a cool and very "Seattle" location.  Thanks so much for the great shoot and I'll see you next time I'm in the city.

The Macdonald Family

It was great to see Allan and Glea again this past week.  I was lucky enough to shoot their wedding only a few years ago and this around we had a few more kids in the shoot.  I'm glad the weather worked out for us and I can't wait to see you guys again!

Me and My Shadow

My first trip to Asia in 2001/02 was a very meaningful one.  It not only was the birth of my career as a photographer but a trip that taught me a lot about life and values.  I left Canada with a great friend, Jackie, and a bank account with only $7000 which magically was stretched to over half a year.  

I have a lot of people ask me how we managed to stretch out our dollar and I'm always reminded of a few nights where my hammock was hanging off a hostel doornob and off another friend's single bed.  What's funny is that when I was setting it up I kept thinking  "this is living!".  The truth is that India tends to be fairly hot at times and waking up in a hammock in that kind of humidity is like waking up in a wet taco.  It also taught me that for two dollars I could have had that single bunk.  

I recall those nights and I smile.  They made me value a dollar and that was the only way to see that world, at that time for me.  I would have done it no differently if I could do it again.

The print I have posted below is called, Me and My Shadow.  This is quite possibly my most popular print and  the shot that inspired me to follow the career choice I have.  It reminds me the most of what I loved about India, the colours and warmth.  

This was shot in the city on Banaras (Varanasi) at about 4 pm.  I could not tell you how long I spent in Varanasi the first time but I think it was over a week.  When asked what we did for that time I always go "I don't know, but we were all doing it!".  The mornings were spent along the Ghats watching people wash clothes in the Ganges while enjoying a chai tea.  The afternoons were spent reading a book and having a cup of chai tea, and the evenings were spent with other travelers drinking chai tea.  I drank a lot of chai tea!

What's special about this print is that it really epitomizes me as a photographer.  I have never been one that sets up for a special shot, I tend to carry a camera and when something inspires me I shoot it.  I'm that guy who gets up at 5 am to take a picture of the Eiffel tower at sunrise but is drawn to take a picture of an old guy having a baguette and coffee to the left of it.   This shot was no different.  I was wandering though the narrow alleys when I turned a corner to see this young boy obviously coming from school.  It was a powerful moment when he came towards me and cast that shadow through the heat and mist.  I didn't really even have a chance to fix the settings on my camera, I had just enough time to snap one shot.   That one shot is this one, my India.