A Perfect Day

I recently managed to get my old external harddrive up and working again. I've carried it all across Canada with me and it's been sitting in my cupboard for the last five years, so browsing through all the files makes me pretty nostalgic. It's crazy to think how much my life has changed since when those pictures were taken -- and how much it's stayed the same.

In June 2007 my cousin Melissa and I made the journey to Queen Charlotte City from Masset for the day. We ate at Queen B's, saw some fishermen catch halibut, listened to live music and hung out for a good couple of hours in a field of buttercups at the edge of the ocean. It's one of my favourite memories and finding those pictures really underlined why photography is so important. You don't always need to hire a professional photographer or use a fancy camera -- taking photos of everyday events and all the little things is an amazing and important way to memorize your past for your future.

Looking through all the years of pictures stored on the harddrive makes me feel so nostalgic and just a touch wistful. I'm lucky to live close to my parents and my brother, but most of my close family is far away. I high five the Internet for existing on a daily basis so I can keep up to date with everyone -- this Christmas I got to see my best friend Dallettes' little girl react to all her presents under the tree via video and one of these days I'm finally going to attempt Skype. At the start of a new year, it's lovely to not just look back on 2011, but to look back on the past years as well. I'm so lucky to have so many fantastic things to look forward to in 2012 -- not only my wedding, but visits from my nearest and dearest, too.

Haida Gwaii is one of my very favourite places on earth. Winding along the highway in the greatest 4x4 truck ever ("Pearl"), sunshine, ocean air and wildflowers -- here's one of my best days ever.

Little Red Riding Hood

I am about to head over to my mom's to help Ikea-size her living room (we braved the busy roads out to Port Coquitlam and collected as many half price frames as we could fit into our cart and we're going to make a family photo wall!) but first I wanted to post these Little Red Riding Hood pictures. They are a couple of years old now, but I recently re-tweaked the colour and pop of them. Originally shot in October, these pictures were taken on a damp and chilly day. Clothing and fashion designed and created by the amazing Macey Faulkner, assisted by my right hand woman Crystal McHargue, and aided by Jennifer Reichelt. The model is MacKenzie, who did a fantastic job, especially considering how cold she was!

Head Shots of Elizabeth

I did a small post a little while ago with the head shots I took of Elizabeth this year, but since it's the end of the year and I'm updating everything, here's a larger set. Elizabeth Toney did her own hair and makeup for the shoot -- if you're looking for someone to do amazing hair and makeup, I couldn't give her a better recommendation. She's amazing! In fact, she's doing the makeup for my wedding this August.

Country Summer

For sunshine days out in Conmee and apple orchards as far as the eye can see. <3.