Wedding Photographer Vancouver - The Wink Photography Blog

Two blog posts in one day? Who is this girl?! As I’m waiting for batteries to charge and for my bags to pack themselves before leaving for a beautiful backyard Whistler wedding….I decided I could squeeze in another blog post.

Last week I was asked to shoot a downtown corporate headshot session, and it was way more fun than it sounds. Let’s instead call it….a….Lifestyle Business Portrait. Cameron was awesome to work with….a good sense of humour is key in my books. Plus, he was interested in changing things up a little. The first sign, was that he wasn’t looking to sit in a studio with a black backdrop and rest his chin on his fist. I think we managed to keep things within the realm of what his editors will be looking for, while keeping his personality in there as well.

See? No tie. Take that, corporate world!!

Cameron’s lovely fiancee showed up, to “make sure I don’t pull a Sears catalog and throw my jacket over my shoulder”. She was quickly appointed wardrobe consultant. Love it.

And to top it off, Cameron’s fiancee has gotten him hooked on Top Model, so he’s already been practicing ‘finding his light’ and ’smiling with the eyes’.

Thanks, Cameron! You were a treat to work with!

Following this session, we decided to head over to West Vancouver to hit a great event in the park. Fresh Air Cinema puts on movies in the park all summer and this one was kicked off with a performance by the fantastic ROSCO. You may remember them from such weddings as Laura & Mike in Whistler this winter.

I toured around on the beach for a bit. I’m thinking this park would be a great location for an E session in the near future.

Oh, how I love digital sometimes. I never would’ve been able to pull off a shot handheld at night with my old film cameras.

As I was lying on the blanket, watching a very strange movie (for families?), The City of Lost Children, I was distracted by the lightness of the night sky at 11pm. This is exactly how it looked straight out of camera. The reflection of the lights of downtown Vancouver on the cloudy sky is amazing sometimes.

Anyway, that’s a day in my life.

Michelle & Sven were married July 17th in Langley. Instead of getting ready at home, the girls spent the morning at the salon where Michelle used to work. The salon girls insisted she get her dress on there as well, so they could see the whole look before she left. It was so fun to see the faces of her old friends when she walked out of the back room all dolled up.

Back at home and waiting for the limo, we calmed the nerves with some simple portraits in the yard.

Ceremony time, in a little shade under the big tree.

These two are a couple of few words, but sometimes a look says it all.

Michelle is very close with her aunt, and was worried she may not be able to make it to the wedding. There is clearly a very strong bond between these two that was an honour to capture.

My favourite series of brother/sister formals yet! Some things never change.

The fabulous bridal party was ready for fun. Caught them practicing some group poses.

Spontaneity wins over posed any day.

Speaking of which I believe the groomspeople were looking for me to shoot their boy band style album cover here.

Then for some bride & groom alone time.

When I saw Michelle’s new tattoo I was floored. Some girls get tattoos covered up for their wedding, this girl went out and got one. Awesome!

I love chartreuse green, and I love jewelry. Put these things together and I could shoot all day!

Michelle’s dad gave this ring to her mom during their wedding ceremony…clearly a bit of a prankster. It’s now a very special heirloom for Michelle, that she was able to wear during her own wedding ceremony.

Reception time!

Couples are always looking for an alternative to the glass clinking these days. At this wedding, you’d have to hula-hoop to get the couple to kiss, and the kiss would last as long as the hoop stayed up. However, I think they underestimated how good their friends and family would be at this activity.

Time for revenge!

Let the party begin!

Before I left the party, we snuck out for one last quick shot.

Amanda & Kevin were married on a rare chilly summer day at Minnekhada Lodge in Coquitlam, but the love in the room overpowered it all. It was a small, intimate wedding, shared only with the closest of family and friends…and I felt truly lucky to have been “invited”.

Makeup by: Shalea Narayan

I love wedding shoes!

I love being there to catch little moments like these. Amanda nervously puts the final touches on her speech, while Melissa puts the final touches on the dress.

Meanwhile, my lovely and talented assistant Andrea “papparazzi” Sunderland was kickin’ back with the boys.

I love that I somehow manage to keep finding fantastic clients with a definite quirky side.

My angle of the bride entering the ceremony. There’s something I love about the movement, and knowing that at this point everyone can see her, even though to me she looks alone.

Note to bridemaids: Way to look gorgeous and beaming!

I mentioned the “quirky” part, right? Love it.

During this shoot, the girls couldn’t have been more awesome. It rained most of the day, then when we finally got into the trees for some protected shots, the mosquitoes had emerged in full force. We ended up working out a “Count to 3″ plan, where the girls could brush mosquitoes out of their dresses til the count of 3, then rock it out.

I highly recommend touches like adding an family heirloom to a dress. This brooch added that touch of personality and history to the dress that is hers alone.

So glad to have a camera covering my face during these moments. Their speeches were so loving and sweet… and I’m such a wuss.

Getting the bride and groom into the middle of a dance circle is always a hit!

Thanks so much, guys. It was such a special day to have been able to witness.

P.S. Amanda & her sister are also launched a wedding planning business this year, so if you’re looking for two fabulous women to help you out on your big day, let me know and I’ll get you in touch.