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Kim Kalyn Photography bio picture

Welcome!

My name is Kim Spears - I am a newlywed myself !  I am a natural light portrait and wedding photographer in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.  I am lucky to live in one of the most gorgeous places on earth!

I have an incredible husband, whom I love so deeply.  He is an amazing support and my biggest fan.  Well he might have to fight my mom for that title ;)  But needless to say I am so very fortunate to have such a wonderful family. 

Besides photography I am in love with traveling and seeing as much of the world as I can; chocolate, well anything sweet really ... actually scrap that, I pretty much love all food; and my two kitties Lucy and Dezzy are my little fur babies.

I have big goals for myself and with the help and support of my family and friends, I am well on my way to achieving them. Thanks so much for stopping by !  I'd love to hear what you think - so feel free to leave me a comment, or drop me a line :) 

{Kim}


For Photographers ....

I get a lot of emails asking me who did my blog. I thought I would share here. My blog is done by ProPhoto Blogs. They offer awesome, fully customizable blogs for cheap! I designed my own in half a day and I am by no means a computer programmer.  The customer service is amazing too! The people at Pro
Photo blog have generously given a discount code for all of my readers.
If you purchase a Pro Photo Theme blog and use the code KIMKAL647 to get $10 off your purchase.  Enjoy!


Slipped through the cracks …

This morning I started my day with a cup of hot water and lemon.  It is a new tradition and I love it.  It may sound odd but this beverage makes me feel all cozy inside.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a tea grannie through and through.  Well these two drinks are now battling it out for my affection.  I start my day with hot water and lemon in the morning and have moved to tea in the afternoon.  I have to be fair and can’t pick favourites quite yet ;)

One of my favourite clients, Jenny is a personal trainer (click here for her website that is coming soon).  She saw me post about my new found hot water and lemon addiction on my Facebook Page and with her nutritional knowledge let me in on a little secret.  Ok it might not be a secret, but I wasn’t aware of it.  Drinking hot water and lemon in the morning can actually help you lose weight.  The lemon acts as a mini cleanse and the hot water jump starts your metabolism for the day.  Annnnd I heard it is really good for your liver as well.  Sorry tea, but it looks like hot water and lemon is in the lead for now.

I sipped my lovely drink this morning while browsing through my wedding images of 2009.  I was wanting to freshen up my website a bit with a few new photos on my website .  While searching through my folders I stumbled across this gem from Haley and Jordan’s wedding at the stunning Starling Lane Winery.  I can’t believe I never posted it before!  Isn’t is just adorable ?!  Haley’s expression is just priceless.  Talk about an entrance!  Needless to say this image is now apart of my wedding portfolio on my website.  I just love it.

March 11, 2010 - 1:08 am Alicia - Great shot!! Lemon also naturally whitens your teeth =) I, too, drink it every morning! xo

March 10, 2010 - 12:56 am Jadine - Awesome photo!

March 9, 2010 - 10:03 pm s h e r r y - Wow! What an awesome shot!! :D:D

March 9, 2010 - 7:27 pm Sean - Pure joy & exhilaration. I love it, Kim :) I used to have hot water, lemon and honey a lot - so good.

Dawn is a Doctor !

One of the many blessings of meeting Darren has been getting to know his friends over the years.  Dawn is one of those people.  Darren and Dawn worked together when Darren and I first started dating.  Darren has such respect for Dawn and I remember being so nervous to meet her for the first time and I just hoped she would like me!   She is ridiculously intelligent and has a wicked sense of humour to name just a couple of her fabulous traits.  She is one of those people who always has something so interesting to say and share.  Plus I found out she is just as obsessed with Cath Kidston as I am, so I knew we would get along right then ;)

Dawn has recently graduated with her PhD in Human Development and Applied Psychology and as a form of celebration we took these images to document this incredible achievement.

Like a LOT of people that I photograph, Dawn does not like having her photo taken.  I am so glad that she put her trust in me and let me capture these special images.

Upon viewing her photos, Dawn wrote me the sweetest and most touching email.  I ask her permission to share some of her beautiful words:

“I cried.  They are so beautiful.  Oh Kim – I never dreamed that I could have not one, but many photos where I think I look beautiful. You have given the greatest gift.  I can’t believe you did this. I am really at a loss for words.  I won’t be ever able to thank you enough.  You are truly a brilliant photographer.  You are so gifted.”

This is why I love what I do.

We had to take a few with her ADORABLE pup, Barney.  How cute is he ?!


March 9, 2010 - 1:23 pm lizet - ahh i love these photo's!! and how sweet of her to write you such sweet words, must be a wonderfull person and she looks beautifull! love the ones with the dog too, so cute! :D

March 8, 2010 - 9:05 pm s h e r r y - :) These are gorgeous! Congratulations to Dawn!! Her pup is adorable, true true.

March 8, 2010 - 9:04 pm Sean - It's no wonder she wrote you such words, Kim. The images just speak, they're just so pure. I love that.

Year of the Tiger

I love Victoria’s Chinatown.  The vibrance, colour, hustle and bustle, and history are just a few of the reasons why.  This spot of town became every more special to me this past summer as it was the location Darren and I had our formal wedding portraits taken by the fabulously talented Michelle Loewen and Rebecca Wellman.

Since leaving my other job I have basked in the wonderful luxury of having some ‘free time’.  Before my photography business took off I used to spend hours and hours wandering around parks, beaches, trails, and downtown - more specifically Chinatown, taking photos just for me.  Just for fun.  I didn’t realize how much I had missed that part of my life.  How much I gain from having time just for me to create, explore and play with no rules, limits or judgement.  During Chinese New Year Chinatown comes alive more than ever.  I went there during one of the gorgeous sunny days we’ve been having to snap away.  Just for me.  Just for fun.

March 6, 2010 - 8:06 pm kellie - Kim, love this shoot! my favorite is the star fruit, your photos make me a bit homesick. Your photos are lovely!

March 6, 2010 - 8:05 am lizet - ahh very nice!! looks like a great place to go looking sometime... beautifull!

March 5, 2010 - 5:51 pm Melanie - Love the composition of these! This style really gives you a change to be artistic.

March 5, 2010 - 5:08 pm Sean - Superb, Kim. It's such a nice feeling shooting for yourself from time to time isn't it. The third is my favourite, and I love your perspective on all of these really. It's cool to see more of your... style translated into this type of photography from wedding work!

March 5, 2010 - 1:15 am michelle - kim, i just love the bw one with the man smoking. it is awesome. i just love chinatown and love that we took your images there!

March 4, 2010 - 9:30 pm s h e r r y - I love Chinatowns. They are always super colourful! :) You should definitely visit Asia sometime. I think you'd really enjoy it!

March 4, 2010 - 9:15 pm Rebecca Wellman - Beautiful images Kim! Chinatown is the perfect place to snap away, just for fun. Especially during this LOVELY time of year in Victoria! Hope you're doing well and enjoying that leisure time! :) xo

Steph & Josh {E-Session}

Lucy is sitting on my lap purrrrrrring away as I type this entry.  She has just come in from outside and this is always when I am her favourite.  She jumps up on my lap to tell me about her morning.  Purring and kneading on my blanket and looking up at me with her puss puss eyes.  If you have seen Shrek and you know Puss in Boots, you know what I am talking about.   Just a minute, I have to wipe some drool off the keyboard.  It’s Lucy’s, not mine … just for clarification ;)

Oh what’s that Lucy ??  Lucy says that I should tell you guys how much fun I had with Steph and Josh on the weekend shooting their e-session at Saxe Pointe.  Well she is right !!  So here it goes.

Steph and Josh have been together FOREVER now.  Their one year wedding anniversary will be their eleventh year together.  How cool is that ?!  My first year wedding anniversary with Darren will be our tenth year together, so I may be a bit biased, but I am giving these guys extra cool points just for that fact alone!  I have known both Steph and Josh since high school, so getting to work with them for this special time in their lives is so incredibly meaningful to me.  With their wedding just one month away it was a great time to do their engagement session.  I often think of engagement photos like a rehearsal session for the formal portrait time on the day of the wedding.  So now that Josh and Steph know how I work behind the camera it will be that much easier to “bring it” for me and rock their wedding images in a big way.  Judging by their images below, I think we are off to a great start !!

Here is just a taste of what we came up with on this gloomy grey day.  To my friends on the East Coast, I would like you to note the blossoms and daffodils.  Just sayin ;)

March 6, 2010 - 5:06 am Paul - Love the ones on the rocks Kim very nice, great job.

March 3, 2010 - 3:11 am Johanna - I love her shoes....and the photos. :)

March 2, 2010 - 7:21 pm Sean - How beautiful are these! Such a delightful mix of locations, the first few at the ocean in the rocks take it for me. All around beautiful, Kim, your style is really becoming admirable. For sure.

March 2, 2010 - 5:43 pm lizet - such pretty photo's and what a lovely couple!! you did a great job as allways <3

March 2, 2010 - 4:01 pm Melanie - Love the one with the Cherry Blossoms in the background!

March 1, 2010 - 5:15 pm s h e r r y - They are super adorable, and I looove the rocky cliff area. Super cool.

March 1, 2010 - 5:01 pm Steph - You know it already, but awesome Kimmy I love them!

I believe !!!

March 1, 2010 - 8:41 pm kathyp - me too Kim! me too!

March 1, 2010 - 12:47 pm Mark Ledingham - Way to go, Canucks! (Love the pic, as well)

February 28, 2010 - 4:05 pm scott - Awsome, go canada go

February 28, 2010 - 3:57 pm Sean - CANNOT believe I have to leave for work at the end of the 1st! GO CANADA GO! Whhoooooooooo!

Bruiser is back !

Maybe it’s because I miss the glorious sunshine we were having.  Or maybe it’s because things just don’t get any cuter than clumsy puppies playing in the sand and surf.  But either way I just had to post a few more of Bruiser.  He melts my heart.  One more thing … GO CANADA GO !!!

February 27, 2010 - 11:49 pm mary - tooo adorable! yay for puppy love :)

February 27, 2010 - 10:42 pm Nicole Paulk - Kim, these are such beautiful photos of an absolutely adorable puppy! omg! i love him!! :D Awesome work!

February 27, 2010 - 2:19 pm Sean - The first three are so fun! Haha! I love them! The last feels like pure bliss. Beautiful post, Kim. Excited to see photography coming from you again!

February 27, 2010 - 8:44 am lizet - such beautifull photo's!! i love that dog, he looks so cute!!

Katie & Bruiser … the cutest puppy on the planet

I will post more info on this session soon, but in the meantime I had to get these few images up.  Seriously, does it get any cuter any than this ?!

February 20, 2010 - 8:29 am lizet - ohh that first photo needs to be on a wall, big!! amazing photo's, beautifull light and what an adorable puppy!

February 19, 2010 - 7:06 pm Sean - Pretty darn cute! I love that you're out there in the beautiful sunshine using it for all it's worth! The light is so nice in all these! Love the first & the last especially :)

February 19, 2010 - 6:49 pm melia - OMG Kim, what a sweet puppy, he gives kona bear a run for her money for sure!! I especially love the first picture of him leaning on the log with his front paws. Adorable.

Travel Snaps – UK Style {Part II}

I have been in such a great mood this week.  It could have a wee something to do with the fact that it is my first week officially as a full-time professional photographer.  I have a hunch that it might have a little something to do with that ;)  It could also be influenced by this amazing bright thing in the sky that I haven’t seen for awhile.  Love it !!

I am just feeling so lucky and blessed.  Don’t you just love it when things feel like they are falling into place.  Sort of like there is this calm and peace that things are right where they are supposed to be and everything is in balance.

Well before I get too gushy on you I guess I should get on to the pics.  Speaking of gushy though … am I the only one who cannot watch the Olympics without bawling their eyes out ?!  Seriously, Darren is beginning to think that I have some emotional hypersensitivity disorder these days.  The commercials, medal ceremonies, victories, defeats … everything is making me cry !  In a good way though :)  I feel incredibly proud to be Canadian right now.

Those are all individual tea bags !

February 22, 2010 - 5:43 pm Jo - Oh Kim these again are AMAZING - brilliant! You're so creative and manage to make every shot look sooooo pretty - it all looks so very English darling :) I love the ones of me and dan together - thank-you :) ha you can't tell i had a stinking cold! They're really all lovely, love them. Glad to hear you're enjoying being full-time behind the camera and mac! I have been watching lots of the Olympics - its been fab, been watching live on the laptop when its bedtime here! Saw Ricker get her gold - love watching the boarding. Big lovely hugs to you x x x

February 21, 2010 - 5:49 pm Kim Spears - Ooops, I meant to say "so much" instead of "such".

February 21, 2010 - 5:48 pm Kim Spears - Thank you!! The UK was just amazing. I could have taken photos all day and night. There was such much that was so different from home and it was great to see somewhere new through 'fresh' eyes. The roses are made of wax for everyone who was wondering. Incredible, right ?!

February 19, 2010 - 2:26 pm Paola - CONGRATS KIM!!!!! We've jsut started messaging one another, but already, I feel so darn proud of you and the accomplishments you are making!! I'm hoping for my time to come as a full-timer as well, but until then, I'll be living it through you =) LOL!

February 18, 2010 - 9:35 pm Kim Brown - Hello Lovely Lady, There's a reason for being so happy and also for being a full time professional photographer? YOU ARE AN AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHER!!! These are beautiful, just as all the others on your website are.

February 18, 2010 - 9:30 pm Nicole Paulk - Kim, these are all so amazing! The one of the mannequin in the window w/the reflection and all those roses....sigh. Wonderful post. And I'm SO happy for you!! :D

February 18, 2010 - 2:47 am lizet - oh my, beautifull photos!!! and thank god for the sun the come back finally, or don't you mean the sun by that shiny thing in the sky? haha... I love it that the dark turns into light again... And the weather is getting better, which is good cause there is still snow laying around here (that's long for the netherlands, haha). i hope spring will begin soon :D nice and warm. and sun. and light! Love those photo's beautifull! Makes me want to go on a vacation soon again! :D

February 17, 2010 - 9:00 pm steph - ok.. that woman in the window.. hanging the tea bags.. its you or your british sister? seriously! next thought... are those flowers made of icing or wax? strange and beautiful. i feel the emotions of the games too.. i cried watching the news recap of the opening ceremony! finally... so happy for you! have been thinking of you a lot during your first week. time for talk about it over coffee??? xos

February 17, 2010 - 8:33 pm Sean - You are right on track, Kim. Those are perfect words for such an amazing feeling place. Just keep flowing with it, you're going places fast! I don't understand how each posts always sort of one-ups the previous. These are incredible, especially the latter half of the series! I LOOOVVE the shot of the flower basket in the window and castle reflection! Clever! I'm amazed, and you are awesome. I think these just inspired me!

February 17, 2010 - 8:12 pm Bev - Congrats on your new "official" status! These shots are gorgeous as usual!

Happy Day of Love !!

What better session to post than an engagement session on this special Valentine’s Day ?!

Yesterday I had a blast with Gemma and Steve out at the railyards in Esquimalt.  We wandered around dodging big drops of rain and puddles and chatted about their wedding coming up this August.  You should have seen how excited I was when Gemma said she was having 2 dresses for the wedding !!  Photographing dresses and details are one of my favourite things at a wedding and now I get to photograph not just one stunning dress, but TWO !!  And I know she has a pair of killer wedding shoes to boot :)  Oooohhhhh I can’t wait !!

As Gemma and Steve have not had professional photos taken together before I was honoured to be the lucky photographer to capture these special images.  Steve and Gemma are just adorable and were so easy going that this shoot was a breeze.  There wedding will be extra special for me as their reception is at the Fireside Grill where Darren and I had our reception.  It is such a romantic venue!

Gemma and Steve, it was such a pleasure seeing you two again and spending some fun photo time together.  I hope you like these first few ‘teaser’ images and I can’t wait to show you the rest.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all the other lovebirds out there!

xxoo Kim

February 22, 2010 - 1:35 pm Paul - Very nice Kim lovely couple, lovely images.

February 16, 2010 - 9:39 pm Sean - These photos have such a romantic... air/flare of them, it's adorable! You totally rocked it out with them, I love the colours - the vibrancy... Bam! That's really cute about their reception :)

February 15, 2010 - 5:43 pm Jadine - Beautiful Pictures! You guys look amazing :)

February 15, 2010 - 3:31 pm Nicole - Great wonderful pictures...I love the venue...you guys look so happy

February 15, 2010 - 2:25 pm lizet - what a cool location!! love these photo's... beautifull place, beautifull couple and love the colors! :D

February 15, 2010 - 5:25 am Johanna - I love the light in the forth picture. The colours are beautiful!

February 15, 2010 - 2:26 am Gord Fish - Beautiful images! Well done!

Travel Snaps – UK Style

I had the incredible experience of traveling with Darren to England and Scotland back in October to visit dear friends of ours, Jo and Dan.  They are two of the coolest peeps in the UK, possibly the planet, and Darren and I met them in Thailand of all places.  We spent some amazing time travelling together and totally hit it off.  Travelling with other people ain’t always easy, so you know you have met some true friends when you can travel with total strangers for weeks and not want to run them over with a Tuk Tuk.  (If you don’t know what a Tuk Tuk is, click HERE).   So needless to say we love Jo and Dan and feel so blessed to have met these cool kids.  They are soley responsible for my new found addiction which is using the word ‘brilliant’ at least 240 times a day now, and also responsible for teaching me that it ok to visit more than three pubs in an afternoon.  When in Rome right ?!

I have been meaning to post some random images from our travel time there and figured that these are about 4 months overdue, so here it goes.  Part 2 to come.  Enjoy!

Jo LOVES this home below

And she loves these cute cars … they are flipping adorable, right ?!

Jo and Dan’s home – yellow door on the right!

Jo & Dan !!!

Jo you are beauuuuuuuutiful !!!

February 10, 2010 - 1:20 pm Paul - Nice knocker if you know what I mean. Cant wait to see the rest Kim.

February 9, 2010 - 6:35 pm Sean - Okei. Officially obsessed with seeing the world through your eyes now plzkthx. First of all, can I tell you how much I LOVE the image of your Jo & Dan in front of their door?! AHH! And their entire... 'session' around the city is wonderful! I'm so envious at the opportunity! Love all these travel images though, Kim. Isn't it amazing how the inspiration flows so far from home sometimes! Wonderful!