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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!


Favourite Things Friday

This post is for my brides out there looking for something a little unique for their getting ready images.  I LOVE shooting detail images.  Shoes, jewelry, rings, purse, veil, make-up and the dress.  That gorgeous dress that you will be walking down the aisle in to greet your future husband.  One issue I often run into while shooting the dress is that a lot of the hangars are (how do I put this delicately?), ugly!  They are plastic or standard wire hangar and just really don’t compliment that stunning gown hanging off it.

I found this fabulous vendor on Etsy, Lila Frances, and she changes everything!  Her hangars are sooo creative and add a great personal touch for the detail shots.

They range in price from $12-$25 and 10% of all profits are donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in honor of her lovely mother.

lila frances

Lila Frances

Check out the link to her Etsy store HERE.  Images are courtesy of her site.  First image by Megan W.  Check out her awesome blog HERE.

July 31, 2010 - 2:53 pm sean - i love the hangars! what a great creative idea :)

July 31, 2010 - 12:52 am s h e r r y - Haha. I kinda want one for me.... :/ It'll say "Sherry Rocks" ;D

July 30, 2010 - 10:24 pm JULIANNA - Definately a great detail!

July 30, 2010 - 4:00 pm Jadine - Oh I love it!

July 30, 2010 - 2:39 pm Heaether - Oh I wish I had scene these before my wedding!! I was running around looking for a wood hanger or something for the pictures and never did find one. Ugly plastic hanger for me :( It was something I didn't even think of before hand but this would have been such a lovely detail. Awesome find Kim!

July 30, 2010 - 2:19 pm Cat - What a fun and original idea Kim! I am going to pass this along to my brides. :)

July 30, 2010 - 2:18 pm Rose Dykstra - I love this!! I am so sick of those grodie clear plastic hangers! Good find, Kim...

Travel Snaps Tuesday – Athens Continued

Ahhhhh Athens.  I just loved it there.  The character.  The history.  The ruins.  The culture.  The fabulousness.

Here are just a few more of my faves.  Then it’s on to Santorini !!

Athens Parthenon

Athens Parthenon

Plants in Pick-Up Truck

Gyros

Athens store

Kalamata Olive Tin

*Sigh* I heart Pronovias

Pronovias in Athens

Athens

Fruit Stand Athens

Riot Police !  It’s time to go.

Riot Police Athens

Riot Police Athens

A little bit of “bling” at a museum in Athens

Gold Wreath Crown

Skeleton

Street in Athens

I called my Mom and Don at this phone booth.  Guy on the scooter waved for the photo :)

Athens Phone Booth

Darren taking out money.  We did that a LOT in Greece!

Bank Machine Athens

H&M Athens

Old Building in Athens

My mom and Don saw this man too when they were in Athens.

Man Pushing Cart

Parthenon in the Distance

Neat old movie theatre entrance

Movie Theatre Athens

Alley in Athens

Beautiful Buildings Athens

July 28, 2010 - 9:24 pm Dawn - WOW Kimmie!!! LOVE the photos! Greece must be a photographers dream.. sooo many beautiful things to photograph! I love how you capture the feeling of the moment. You can almost hear the busy streets and smell the beautiful flowers.. *sigh* You are INCREDIBLE at what you do!!! P.S. I heart Pronovias too!!!

July 28, 2010 - 11:22 am Melanie - Lovin' the travel photos!!!

July 28, 2010 - 2:10 am Mommy McNeill - Love the photos-- they bring back such wonderful memories for me. It's amazing that you have a picture of the same old fellow that Don and I took a picture of in April 2004! We saw him in the Monastiraki area - he's a little greyer now but it's him. I'm enjoying your Tuesday and Friday entries and look forward to reading them. xxoo

Favourite Things Friday

Gratitude is a powerful thing.  Every night before bed I lay there and think of 10 things I am grateful for.  This may range from  my health, the health of my family and friends, my amazing husband, our incredible home, being fortunate to live somewhere so beautiful, clean air and water to watching a movie that made me laugh so hard I cried (The Hangover!) or my iPhone.  Not everything has to be ‘deep’.  I am darn grateful for my iPhone ;)

One thing I am always so grateful for is the amazing clients that come into my life and the friendships I have developed along the way.  I like to think that for some reason or another I always end up with the clients I am meant to have.  I believe everything happens for a reason and I also believe that the energy you put out there is what you get back.

Not to toot my own horn, but I think people would generally describe me as a happy and positive person and so I am not surprised when my clients fit this similar description.  I love it when I meet with a bride for the first time and we end up talking and chatting like long-time friends about our love for Etsy, cute summer dresses and Dairy Queen Skor Blizzards.  The relationship ends up becoming so much more than photographer and client, and I love that.  Because really I am working with people, not wedding #13.  It is my goal to always run my business with a focus on who my clients really are and supporting their needs in the best way I can.

Ok, I think I got a bit off topic there so I am going to try to tie this all together now.

When you really get to know your clients beyond what time you start and what time you finish, I believe you open up yourself to capture their day from a perspective that compliments the things that matter most, because you have put the time and energy to really get to know them.  I think this is a huge advantage to creating images that not only are pretty pictures, but have an emotional component that not just anyone could create.  It is something to set you apart.

Just last night I had a spontaneous visit with one of my bride’s Gemma.  We chatted about our love for Vegas, HOT and colourful wedding shoes and fabulous red wine.  We talked about family, and surviving stagette parties.  And we got to know each other that much more.  When I worked with Dawn, I almost died when I saw her home for the first time.  It looked like it was straight out of a Cath Kidston catalouge and I freaked out!  I had first discovered Cath Kidston when Darren and I travelled to the UK to visit our friends Jo and Dan.  Jo had told me that she had to take me to see a Cath Kidston store as she knew I would fall in love.  She was right !!  So when I asked Dawn if by chance she knew who Cath Kidston was, she flipped because she is also such a fan.

So I want to leave you with a few images of some of the incredibly sweet gifts I have received recently from some special people.  I am one spoiled photographer!  Thank you THANK YOU guys for these lovely gifts.

After shooting Dawn’s session a package from the UK arrived on my door.  I recognized the packaging and squeeled with excitement when I saw what was inside ….

Cath Kidston

Sarah gave me the BEST raspberry jam and I have been looking forward to it every morning on my toast !

And Karen gave me an incredible necklace!  I get SO many compliments on it :)

I am so grateful for these beautiful gifts and the joy that I receive from doing what I love and meeting amazing people!

July 27, 2010 - 1:33 am Vanessa Watters - I love Cath Kidtson! My sister introduced me to it. I thought of you yesterday when we were setting up at Starling Lane and that beautiful wedding you shot there last year.

July 26, 2010 - 2:25 pm Mikaela - Why must we live an ocean apart?? Well ok, it's not quite that dramatic, but still! In the bit I've gotten to know you, your delightful personality totally radiates. That, and you've got great taste in all things!

July 26, 2010 - 4:30 am sean - you attract wonderful clients, kim. LOVE that about you, and i love that you make lists of things to be thankful for. i do too every morning :)

July 23, 2010 - 8:05 pm Sarah M - I'm glad that you are enjoying the jam!! I will have to get a jar of Tayberry to you next time - it's really yummy too! Hope to see you again soon!

July 23, 2010 - 7:35 pm Karen McNeil - Oh I love that you ove your necklace so much! Makes me smile....

Lia & Sean {Married}

I attended Sean and Lia’s gorgeous outdoor wedding at the Victoria University Club last Saturday.  As the sunshine filtered through the trees and as the pond quietly flowed in the background Lia and Sean said their vows to become husband and wife.

There were happy tears and lots of laughter and memories were made.  It was amazing to be apart of it.

Thank you both for choosing me to document your love!

Just Married !!

Just Married

Kiss

Love

Groom and Bouquet

July 27, 2010 - 3:48 am Hannalee Photography - Cute couple. Love the back lighting in the last image. Thanks for sharing, Kim.

July 23, 2010 - 1:25 pm Mommy McNeill - Wow, I was trying to pick a favourite but can't. I love the red.

Travel Snaps Tuesday – Food Focused

It is no secret that I LOVE food.  I LOVE IT.  So when Darren and I were planning on where to go for our honeymoon, I was paying particular attention to the local cuisine I wanted to sample.  Greek food has always been a huge favourite of ours and so it was no surprise that we quickly settled on Greece.  Besides the food you can’t go wrong with that turquoise Mediterranean Sea, perfect cobblestone alleys, and picturesque views from every angle.  But really for me it was about the food in a big way.  I have to say that Darren and I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot.  And Greece wins HANDS DOWN for having the best food out of anywhere we have been so far.  I could have survived on the olives alone.  Or maybe just the baklava.  Ok, or the Moussaka.  No maybe just the Spanakopita.  You get the picture.  So I have decided to dedicate this post strictly to the food.  Here is just a few shots to give you an idea of some of what Greece and Turkey had to offer.

greek food, baklava

Greek Gyro

croissants and coffee

pasta

Yes that is a GIANT slab of Feta

Greek salad

crepe

Tomato bisque

Dolmades

Our favourite drink there the Freddocino

freddocino

freddocino

Greek market

Hummous

Turkish Delight YUM !

Turkish Delight

Dried Apple

Turkish Market

Turkish Delight

Rose Tea

Turkish Viagra

Turkish Spices

July 28, 2010 - 9:32 pm Dawn - Once again you capture each moment! I can seriously smell and taste the cuisine! Have I mentioned how absolutely incredible your work is?? I'd like to say I'm your BIGGEST fan but I'm sure I'd get arguments as I know there are many who would say the same. One word.. WOW!

July 23, 2010 - 5:56 pm JULIANNA - Oh my goodness these are mouthwatering!

July 22, 2010 - 9:34 pm sean - oh my GOD, kim! I'M SO JEALOUS! and hungry. how do you photograph food so beautifully?! lessons plzkthx.

July 22, 2010 - 10:17 am Jenelle - oh my, the food would be delicious, your photos make it look so good.....must go one day!!!

July 21, 2010 - 10:46 pm Kim Spears - Thank you for all of the comments !! Thank gosh we walked a ton while we were there too or I would have come back 400lbs heavier ;)

July 21, 2010 - 5:14 pm Jonda Spurbeck - i'm so jealous!! i loooovvvveeee food and you just killed me with you pictures... serious drool issues now!

July 21, 2010 - 5:08 pm Mommy McNeill - Oh the pictures bring back so many great memories for me and I'm with you 100 percent abut the olives!

July 21, 2010 - 12:26 pm Sarah M - Yum!! Beautiful pics of yummy food!

July 21, 2010 - 2:09 am s h e r r y - Oh man. Should NOT have read this post at 11pm, when I'm craving a snack!!! :) Haha. <3

July 21, 2010 - 12:46 am michelle - ohhh my goodness. all of it. alllll of it! i want to go so bad, but for now, just keep on posting on tuesdays!

July 21, 2010 - 12:17 am Jadine - Oh that looks so good! I would like to have one of everything please! Great photos :)

July 20, 2010 - 11:41 pm laurie - very delicious looking food and great photos Kim!! Fun to see photos from your trip!!

July 20, 2010 - 11:34 pm Nicole Paulk - oh, kim, i love this post! i am also a food lover and i totally agree, greek food is to die for! (greece is my #1 place i want to visit!!! and the food part IS a factor! haha) love the photos of you & hubs! and yay for giant feta!!! :D awesome photos as always! xoxo

July 20, 2010 - 11:31 pm Karen McNeil - YUM! I could eat all of that right now. Looks amazing!

Mr. Linden is on the move !!

Things I loved about this family: they smile and laugh constantly, their happiness is contagious, they were up for anything, they trusted my vision for their photos completely, they had so many great ideas, and they were completely easy-going. Attitudes like that make my job a breeze!  This session could not have seemed less like ‘work’ if I tried.  We spent the session just trying to keep up with little Mr. Linden who is on the move now.  Between fits of giggles and running away from mom and dad we captured this family just simply being themselves.  I love these images.  They just feel so good to me.  Mel and Dave I hope you love them too!

Thank you for being so incredibly fun to work with !  I hope we get to do it again sometime :)

July 20, 2010 - 1:24 pm Emmylc@shaw.ca - Oh he is a super cutie! Great looking session Kim!

July 20, 2010 - 5:27 am Paul - Cute little man. Nice work Kim

July 20, 2010 - 2:08 am Johanna - I don't know how you do it, but the colours and the contrasts are amazing. I love how warm and sunny the pictures are.

July 19, 2010 - 11:16 pm Jadine - What an awesome family session :) You have such an eye for interesting locations!

July 19, 2010 - 10:29 pm Kira - Linden is so sweet Mel & Dave! I love love love the b&w one where you two are swinging him in the air by the hands :) Good stuff Kim!!

July 19, 2010 - 9:47 pm Lara Eichhorn - Fun session! That kid is too cute, and I love Red Barn. I really love the one of the kid on dad's shoulders. Super cute.

A few more for Jadine

Jadine is so excited about her photos it’s adorable !!  I had to post just a few more for her :)

Lollipop

bubbles

July 19, 2010 - 3:35 pm Jadine - AHH!!! Thank you :D They are super cute! Love them!

Favourite Things Friday

I was sitting on my back deck soaking in the sun (wearing sunscreen of course!) enjoying a blue freezie and trying to decide what I should post for this weeks Favourite Things.  There was the cute new dress I have my eye on at Ruche, or the soft serve ice cream at the Beacon Drive Inn, or my iPhone apps I couldn’t live without.  Even though I could write a post on any of those, I had the strong urge to give into my brownie craving and post my favourite brownie recipe in the world.

Those of you who have not heard of the Smitten Kitchen food blog MUST check it out.  However, I must warn you that you may end up spending hours crusing Deb’s blog and drooling over her amazing creations.  This blog inspires me to cook and create in the kitchen.  I may even go so far to say that I may have a slight obsession with this site.  I am a food blog addict.  Admission is the first step, right ?!

So if you love cooking or baking I guarantee you will love her site.  I first made these brownies about six months ago.  I made them 3 times in that first week.  I promise I didn’t eat them all myself.  But I could have!  They are so delish.  They are the perfect combination of moist and chewy and will satisfy that chocolate craving in a heartbeat.  I have brought them to parties and baked them as thank you gifts and they are always a huge hit.  So if you want to make THE BEST brownies please click this link to chocolate heaven.

You will not be disappointed !!

And because every post is better with a picture.  Her is a quick teaser for Mel and Dave of their super cute little man, Linden.  Seriously, how cute is this ?!

July 30, 2010 - 9:12 pm shanni - EPIC!!! This needs to be on a huge canvas in their house!!!

July 19, 2010 - 4:00 pm Melanie - Love it, love it! Such an incredible shot!

July 16, 2010 - 7:43 pm Karen McNeil - great shot Kim!

Balloons, bubbles and blue skies

I was so happy when Jadine contacted me for another family photo session.  I have had the pleasure of watching her adorable kiddies grow, and documenting another year of their amazing family was such a treat.  I can’t believe how much they have changed.  Even their personalities are so different now!  Jarret talking away and taking the lead.  Teyha showing us her sassy attitude and strutting her stuff.  I couldn’t believe it.  Wow, the changes in one year are really incredible.

Jadine went all out planning for their session and it really paid off.  She was so organized!  The outfits were SO super cute (just look at Teyha’s pearls, diva sunglasses and flower headband!) and she brought plenty of fun props to keep her little ones playing and having fun.

Thank you guys for asking me to capture these special images for you.  I am always honoured.

July 23, 2010 - 5:58 pm JULIANNA - Awesome!

July 22, 2010 - 10:33 am Christina Moodie - She is the cutest little girl with that flower in her hair! Great pics!

July 22, 2010 - 10:22 am Jenelle - Awesome photos Kim, each one is so fun.....totally a gorgeous, happy family!

July 16, 2010 - 2:45 am Hannalee Photography - Stunning photos of a super cool family. This really inspires me to do more family shoots in between weddings. Thank you for sharing Kim!

July 15, 2010 - 4:36 am sean - LOVE the blue and the balloons! you're rockin' the family sessions now too! it never stops with you! (SUCH a good thing!)

July 14, 2010 - 11:10 pm Shannon - Wow - you never fail to blow me away with your amazing talent and remarkably stunning photos Kim! What a beautiful family.

July 14, 2010 - 10:52 pm s h e r r y - SO adorable! :) I love her headband...

July 14, 2010 - 8:36 pm Karen McNeil - Adorable series Kim! Love the location.

July 14, 2010 - 7:38 pm Chris - Fantastic!

July 14, 2010 - 7:14 pm Jadine - OMG!!!!! I LOVE THEM KIM!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Mwah!

Travel Snaps Tuesday

So here it is.  My first instalment of “Travel Snaps Tuesday”.  These shots are from our honeymoon.  Darren and I ventured to Greece and Turkey this past May for our incredible honeymoon.  I will be starting these snaps from the beginning.  I like order ;)  So it begins in Greece.  Athens to be exact.

Greece is a magical place and it was everything I hoped for.  We spent our days exploring ruins.  Sipping lattes or white wine while nibbling on Baklava and enjoying the hustle and bustle of the Plaka and Montastraki districts, while in the shadow of the Parthenon.  Amazing.

Getting there was a dream come true.  I know I will go back.

In the airport in Brussels.  YUM!

Staying at our friend Katya’s place right in the most beautiful suburb in Athens.

Our first glimpse of the Parthenon.  Can you see it ??

July 22, 2010 - 10:27 am Jenelle - After seeing these I really can't wait to travel here someday, your photos are amazing, love them all and that you shared so many.....can't wait for Tuesdays ;) looks like an incredible travel adventure!

July 15, 2010 - 12:48 pm Emmy - These are so great Kim! LOVE your street shots!!

July 15, 2010 - 11:58 am Melanie - I have never enjoyed looking at travel pics so much!

July 14, 2010 - 7:20 pm Rose Dykstra - Wow! These are so lovely! I love Europe!

July 14, 2010 - 2:40 pm Kim Spears - Thank you EVERYONE for your super sweet comments !! I am glad the travel pics are a hit. I will keep them coming ;)

July 14, 2010 - 1:59 pm Mikaela - Oh girl! I've been to Athens but don't even remember it being this beautiful. Can't wait for next Tuesday! xo

July 14, 2010 - 4:43 am Paul - Wow! lucky you, gorgeous images Kim.

July 14, 2010 - 3:06 am sean - magic! how awesome is it you were able to stay with friends there. i love how you see things while you travel, it just feels... different. these images are so bright & beautiful. you could probably photograph anywhere and i would feel a desire to go see it myself.

July 14, 2010 - 1:15 am Kathryn - Those are gorgeous Kim! You created beautiful images!! Makes me want to go there too!

July 13, 2010 - 11:30 pm s h e r r y - THIS LOOKS AMAZING! Ahhhh. I neeed NEEEED to go to Europe.

July 13, 2010 - 11:05 pm Wendy - Some would say you're an amazing photographer - I think your magnificant! Would love to learn from you!! We just bought a new professional camera and loving the pictures it takes! xo

July 13, 2010 - 10:55 pm Shawn Moreton - gorgeous scenery...you've really captured it in your unique & wonderful way...

July 13, 2010 - 10:34 pm Rosie - beautiful! i dream of going to Greece :)

July 13, 2010 - 10:26 pm Kim Spears - Thanks ladies !! Shelley these were all edited with Red Leaf Studios actions. You can check them out here: http://www.redleafboutique.com/ Kyla - I am dying to shoot a wedding in Greece - just sayin ;) A wedding in Santorini would be STUNNING !! Wait till I post those photos ;)

July 13, 2010 - 9:27 pm Kyla Shorten - Kim!! These pictures are unbelievable. When Sam and I get married we want to go to Greece as well! It's so beautiful. Your talent just captures it perfectly!

July 13, 2010 - 8:11 pm Jadine - Beautiful! Wow!

July 13, 2010 - 7:44 pm Shelley Kulle - Wow! Amazing pictures :) Can I ask what actions/textures you used on them?