My friend Cara … who happens to be ridiculously good looking

Today I have spent most of my day editing Lia & Bryan’s destination wedding in Mexico (click HERE for their teaser post), which I CAN’T WAIT to share more of !! I am really proud of their images and I am so happy with how they turned out !

When I am editing images I try to make sure I take breaks away from the client’s images and come back to them as I want to keep the creativity fresh and flowing.  So today, I took a break from Lia & Bryan’s images and re-visited a fun shoot I did with my girlfriend Cara as part of my one-on-one learning session with Amy and Richard from Red Leaf Studios.  I stumbled across this image of Cara, and couldn’t believe that I did not edit it before and put it up on the blog with her other post.  Anyways, better late than never right ??!

I am off to hot yoga with Cara in just a few minutes, so some of you may get to see this before she does !!

lizetFebruary 10, 2010 - 9:28 am

she’s beautifull!! Love this photo, so bright and she looks so happy! 🙂

AlexandraJanuary 14, 2010 - 5:25 pm

This is such a beautiful photo!

SeanJanuary 12, 2010 - 5:56 am

I remember your full post of her, and I can’t believe this image didn’t make it up there! SO BEAUTIFUL! Love the tones of blue from the ocean & the sky. Perfect.

s h e r r yJanuary 11, 2010 - 11:41 pm

Yep, gorgeous! 🙂 Love the even lighting despite the FULL SUN! 🙂 Amazing!

LaurieJanuary 11, 2010 - 10:52 pm

this is simply beautiful Kim!

Mandy JillJanuary 11, 2010 - 7:39 pm

She has a beautiful smile and you captured her wonderfully. Love this shot!

Fun in the sun – Maui style !!

Before I start this post I would just like to say that I have discovered the recipe that allowed me to make my best Yorkshire Puddings yet.  I made these fabulous creations last night for a spicy roast beef dinner, complete with delicious honey roasted root vegetables and parmasean zuchinni.  Not saying that I am culinary wizard in the kitchen or anything, but these were pretty darn tasty !!  I thought I would share this recipe that my mom so kindly googled for me yesterday.  She said is was from a lady by the name of Maggie Tim who runs a B&B in Maple Ridge.  And I got to give credit where credit is due and I was able to dig up her website and click HERE to to see it.  So now for these awesome Yorkshire Puddings:

2 Cups Flour

2 Cups Milk

6 Eggs

1 tsp Salt

Whisk together all ingredients (ok to have a few lumps).  Keep it at room temperature until you’re going to use it (personally I think this part is key – I didn’t do this last time and my Yorkshire Puddings failed miserably).  Put a half teaspoon of oil in each muffin cup.  Then heat the muffin tins @ 400 degrees F until they are very hot.  Remove from oven and fill muffin cups half full and then bake for 25 minutes.  Voila !!  By the way, you can easily halve this recipe, which is what I did.

Ok now in case you think you stumbled across some cooking blog by accident … you didn’t.  Let’s move on to the real reason you stopped by my blog today, to see some pictures!

While Darren and I were shooting Dave and Colleen’s destination wedding in Maui, we were also fortunate enough to meet up with Dana, Scott and Marcus.  These guys are one of my FAVOURITE families to work with.  They are always up for anything and have been using me as their chosen family photographer since I first started.  Colleen actually found me because I had shot Dana and Scott’s wedding last summer and Colleen is Scott’s sister.  Small small world it is. So Scott, Dana and Marcus were in Maui for this wedding as well and we decided that what better place to shoot their annual family images than right there in Maui !! We decided to shoot at the beach across from where were staying and had a beautiful sunset shoot.  There was lots of activity down at the beach which gave us a different feel than what we had shot in the past.  I like the element that added to these images.  There is a lot going on with the light, the textures of the sand and beach accessories, and the fun everyone is having all around them.  I can’t believe what an adorable little man Marcus is becoming.  He is so grown up now!  It is amazing the difference a year makes.  He is no longer playing shy around me.  Instead he wanted to talk, talk, talk and show me all of his cool beach discoveries.  I know that there is also a new addition to the family in Dana’s belly and I just love watching their family grow and feel so honoured to be apart of their journey.  Next year’s session with have one more and I can’t wait to meet them!

Hope you guys love your images.  It was so much fun to work with you as always 🙂

SeanJanuary 11, 2010 - 5:19 am

Ahh, these are beautiful. Just… utterly beautiful. The images are so warm, and summery. I’m pretty sure that last image is screaming to be a huge canvas print 😉 GORGEOUS!

s h e r r yJanuary 11, 2010 - 12:34 am

Cuute! The last one is particularly adorable!!! And I’m pretty jealous of their Maui vacation. Haha, I could use one too.

Mandy JillJanuary 10, 2010 - 9:24 pm

All the shots are great. Some lovely family moments you’ve caputred.

Darren & Michelle {A New Years Eve Wedding}

When I woke up last Thursday the sky was so dark and the clouds looked like the couldn’t contain the rain much longer.  I was right.  I had hoped that the weather forecasts would be wrong and that Michelle and Darren would have nothing but a crisp clear day for their wedding.  But you know what, it poured, and it didn’t matter.  Nothing on that day could have dampened Michelle and Darren’s spirits.

I spent the earlier part of the day with Michelle as she transformed into a winter princess.  Michelle could not have appeared less concerned about the blustery wind and substantial down pour we were having.  And that is just one of the reasons I think I have the best brides!  Michelle drew me back to the true meaning of the day with her words “it’s about the moment.”  She uttered those words as she glanced for a moment outside, with a little smile on her face.  That is when I knew, that Michelle was going to let NOTHING ruin their day.

Having clients with that kind of attitude is the perfect blessing.  Their priorities are in order and they are trusting that everything will work out just fine, as it always does.  Having that attitude helps me in ways I can’t even convey.  Both Darren and Michelle trusted me completely with their photos.  When we first began discussing their wedding plans it became apparent that if they were going to have their ceremony in the evening at the uber romantic Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse, it would be dark and would have no light for their formal portraits.  So we decided that opting for a “first look” was the way to go.  For those of you who do not know what a first look is, one of my most favourite photographers, Jasmine Star, describes it perfectly on her awesome blog, here.  We set up a special moment just for them and after their first look we continued on with their wedding party and formal portraits.

Michelle did not even hesitate to brave the elements in order to achieve the images that we desired.  Yet another reason I have the best brides.  It was not only raining but it was COLD.  Thank goodness Michelle’s mom had made the most beautiful white cloak with a fur lined hood.  Talk about an awesome addition to the photos!  It was gorgeous and another perfect detail that was added to their day.  It is elements and details like these that can make a wedding and the images become one-of-a-kind.  And I love that.

Michelle got ready at one of my favourite hotels, the Sidney Pier.  I love the modern look to all of the rooms, and not to mention the gorgeous floor to ceiling windows looking out towards the ocean which provided us with a lovely source of light and a cozy spot to shoot her getting ready photos.  Michelle’s five bridesmaids helped her get into her fairytale gown that she purchased while in Paris!  How incredible is that ?!  It was fit for a princess and was truly the perfect dress for Michelle.  Swarovski crystals sparkled on Michelle’s gown, necklace and tiara.   Marnie of Marnie the Make-Up Artist did Michelle’s make-up and I have to just say that she did an outstanding job!  Marnie was super personable and fun and I could tell she is incredibly passionate about what she does.  Make-up is such an important element for wedding photos, so it was awesome to see that Michelle was in good hands 🙂

Now on to the photos !!  Hope you love them 🙂

Michelle had some HOT shoes for her wedding day, and this is just one of them!  I love awesome wedding shoes!

Michelle you are just stunning.

The lobby was bustling, so we opted for a more private ‘first look’ outside Michelle’s hotel room.  Can’t you just feel the anticipation in the first photo?!

I heart this one below big time.

Doesn

Doesn't the wedding party look like a bunch of carollers ??! LOL 🙂

We had to duplicate this one from their e-session photos!

lizetFebruary 10, 2010 - 9:39 am

i just LOVE that photo from her and her necklace, gorgeous!!
overall great photo’s, and agin, loving the brightness! 😀

[…] look” which I am a HUGE fan of !! You can read more about ‘first looks’, HERE.  I will post images from their “first look” in Part 2 of this post.  Soooo cute !! […]

PaulJanuary 8, 2010 - 8:43 am

Stunning you have captured some very special moments for Darren & Michelle. (I love the landscape of the the couple after the bunch of Carollers best) nice work Kim

MarnieJanuary 8, 2010 - 1:07 am

Absolutely stunning pictures. Love it and the sweet words also.
What a magical day…

Mandy JillJanuary 8, 2010 - 12:16 am

The shoes! My goodness!! The eyeshadow matches and it all comes together so wonderfully. Well shot! The fire hall shot is just perfect too. LOVE IT!

SeanJanuary 7, 2010 - 11:45 pm

Gorgeous once again, Kim. I love their first look.. so sweet, and content. Lovely getting ready photos of her, the light is marvelous 🙂

michelleJanuary 7, 2010 - 11:35 pm

kim they are very very pretty. i love the first look photos so sweet and you can totally feel the emotion in the photos. amazing job. and her dress is so fairy tale wonderful!

s h e r r yJanuary 7, 2010 - 9:21 pm

These are gorgeous, Kim! I love the recreation at the fire hall 🙂 And I LOVE the dress. It’s very exciting.

MomJanuary 7, 2010 - 6:47 pm

Stunning! Everything – the bride, dress, hair, make-up (Groom too). I got all teared up seeing their first look photos. The cloak Elaine made is just beautiful. Can’t wait to see more.

Dave & Colleen {Married in Maui}

I have been fortunate enough to wrap up 2009 by shooting three fabulous weddings in December.  Two of which were destination weddings in tropical paradise.  As I sit here at my desk with my decaf earl grey vanilla tea, cozy blanket and kitty on my lap and a fresh dry pair of socks *up until a few minutes ago when I got home I had been experiencing one of my biggest pet peeves of having to wear wet socks with not a dry pair in sight* I can’t help but fantasize about powder sand beaches and ocean of the turquoise persuasion.  I may also have to wipe a bit of drool from my lip as I can salivate the instant I think of my new favourite frozen beverage, Tamirind Margaritas, while lounging poolside in Mexico. The pouring rain on my windowpane snaps me back to reality.  Ahhhh yes I am back in this rainforest climate I call home.

Darren and I spent Christmas in Maui shooting Dave and Colleen’s dream wedding.  Their wedding took place on a secret beach, surrounded by some of their closest family and friends, complete with a beautiful guitar serenade and butterfly release.  Tropical leis and palms which were so loving placed by Colleen’s aunt framed the spot where they would say their vows and become husband and wife.  Now not that in itself wasn’t spectacular enough but during their traditional Hawaiian ceremony they had somehow arranged for grey whales to breech in the background !! I am not even freaking kidding !  Un-flipping-believeable.

For their formal photos we spent some time on the beach where they were married and then moved on to an equally breathtaking black sand beach that Darren and I had discovered a couple days prior.  After we had our fill of sand and sea we headed to the Wailea Golf Course where we were wined and dined in a stunning setting.  Of course I had to sneak a few more shots there as well.  I love me some photographic variety 🙂

Before I display their first teaser images below, I would like to take a moment to say thank you to all of those who participated in the “cans for comments” fundraiser I was participating in along with many other photographers.  You helped me more than DOUBLE my contribution from last year and I will be donating 63 cans of food to my local food bank on your behalf.  Thank you THANK YOU thank you for all of your support to this amazing cause.

Andrew BairnsfatherJanuary 11, 2010 - 12:02 am

Congratulations David and Colleen!

JennyJanuary 10, 2010 - 3:13 pm

The butterfly picture is so beautiful. I dont know this couple, but that picture says a thousand words about them 🙂 Beautiful as always.

Mike SmithsonJanuary 10, 2010 - 1:08 am

Hey David–congratulations and what a great place–Cheryl and I celebrated our 25th anniversary on Maui last February! Put it on your calendar to rtn there often–it is magical!

David BratzerJanuary 9, 2010 - 5:37 pm

Hi Kim, I’m not sure if Colleen got back to you about these. We’ve been soaking up the sun & beach since the wedding and haven’t been on the computer much. Anyway, we both absolutely love the photos. Thank you so much for getting a teaser up so quickly. I love the butterfly shot and I know Colleen really liked the bamboo pictures & the pineapple photos.

MelanieJanuary 8, 2010 - 7:55 pm

I love the one in the bamboo with the out of focus frond in the foreground!

shanniJanuary 8, 2010 - 2:26 pm

ummm…. butterfly shot = epic.
being in maui for it = double epic.
you = triple epic.

take. me. to. maui….

ShannonJanuary 6, 2010 - 12:54 am

OMG Kim!! These are amazing! You never cease to amaze us with your truly, beautiful, captivating photographs! What a gorgeous couple.

s h e r r yJanuary 5, 2010 - 9:42 pm

Omg. Fabulous. Faaabulous. Looking at these sandy photos make me wish I could suddenly teleport to Maui. <3 Ah. Gorgeous images too!

JenelleJanuary 5, 2010 - 5:13 pm

Gorgeous wedding images!!! What an ending to the year! I adore the pineapple shot so much, and the first shot of her dress.

Ashley McCormick PhotographyJanuary 5, 2010 - 1:12 pm

Kim, these are AMAZING!! I LOOOVE the first one of her dress. Next time you book a Hawaii wedding, give me a call! 😉

PaulJanuary 5, 2010 - 11:57 am

Stunning location… just like Scotland without the palm trees!!! Nice work! Kim.

Shawn MoretonJanuary 5, 2010 - 8:16 am

Stunning location…and amazing images! I love the ring shots! Bravo…

SeanJanuary 5, 2010 - 4:05 am

OH my goodness, Kim Spears. You ROCKED this, and I LOVE how you let the creativity flow in the detail shots! These have such a relaxed, beautiful feel to them – I’m sure they’ll adore these! Love that shot on the dirt road!

Megan BushJanuary 5, 2010 - 2:07 am

You KNOW I’m in love with all of these pics, Kim, for obvious reasons…but I just had to say…OMG the pineapple!! BEST PHOTO EVER!!! Such a great idea…makes me think of the good old Pineapple Express! I hope you guys had a great Christmas in the most beautiful place on earth!! xo

Lia & Bryan {Married in Mexico}

Darren and I had the honour of flying to Mexico to shoot a fabulous destination wedding for Lia and Bryan.  Where do I even start ?? This wedding was one of the most intimate, fun, exciting, and happy happy happy celebrations I have ever attended.  This couple was surrounded by so much love that you couldn’t help but smile all day week long.

The close family and friends who attended their fabulous wedding treated Darren and I like we were their own family.  They included us in everything they did and were so grateful and appreciative for us being there, which was just the sweetest.  Sometimes I just can’t get over how lucky I am.

On the day of the wedding I would describe Lia and Bryan as so completely content and calm and peaceful about the wonderful day ahead.  They definitely set this wonderful tone and their day unfolded in an amazing relaxed manner and it was such a pleasure to be apart of.  I am only posting a small teaser of some formals and a few from their trash the dress session and I promise there is much more to come.  I have to pack tonight as we fly out tomorrow for Dave and Colleen’s Maui wedding.

Lia and Bryan, I am so grateful that you chose me as your wedding photographer and that you allowed Darren and I to document your incredible wedding in paradise.  I hope these photos bring back some of the special memories of your day.

Lots of love,

Kim

PaolaFebruary 16, 2010 - 5:18 pm

GORGEOUS!! Your images are simply gorgeous!

[…] destination wedding in Mexico!!  I posted some teaser images for them a little while back, HERE.  But because I have fallen insanely in love with their wedding images, I decided to post some […]

[…] I have spent most of my day editing Lia & Bryan’s destination wedding in Mexico (click HERE for their teaser post), which I CAN’T WAIT to share more of !! I am really proud of their […]

LiaDecember 28, 2009 - 6:07 pm

Kim!!!!! WOW! These are absolutely amazing 🙂 We are so lucky to have you as our photographer and of course Darren was excellent too! Thank you so much and I cannot believe you were able to put up some teasers already. I totally agree with what my mom said – these pictures are PERFECT 🙂 Hope you’re having an awesome trip, talk soon!

stephDecember 25, 2009 - 1:31 pm

ahhhhhhh.. i love these! they are gorgeous in the biggest sense of the word. magic work my dear one. i am so proud of and happy for you. blessings on christmas. xos

SeanDecember 23, 2009 - 3:13 am

Kim Spears, you are fabulous! These photographs are like… perfect. They are. You rocked the ocean shots, I LOVE those! Oh my goodness, I envy you.

JennyDecember 22, 2009 - 10:03 pm

wow.. amazing, Kim. No words…

Kim SpearsDecember 22, 2009 - 7:24 pm

Thank you so much for all of the comments! It was such an amazing wedding celebration. Paul – the lens I was using primarily was the 35mm f1.4. Love that lens!

Nicole PaulkDecember 22, 2009 - 5:34 pm

OH KIM!!!! These are just so incredibly gorgeous! Your processing is FABULOUS!! Her dress is killing me too – soooo beautiful! 🙂

JessikaDecember 22, 2009 - 3:00 pm

Wow- LOVE the picture of them lying in the water, it is incredible and belongs in a magazine! Beautiful work as always Kim, and stunning couple 🙂

Jonda SpurbeckDecember 22, 2009 - 1:22 pm

beautiful woman!! love the boat and sandy beach shots…. fabulous my dear 😉

RebeccaDecember 22, 2009 - 1:19 pm

I just LOVE her dress! And that one shot of them on the sand in the water is perfection. Could this get any more gorgeous? 🙂

mirian hanninenDecember 22, 2009 - 10:47 am

well what can i say… awesome couple and of course awesome photographer!! fabulous!!

PaulDecember 22, 2009 - 10:13 am

Wow beautiful couple, great images, what lens are you using Kim!

Mark LedinghamDecember 22, 2009 - 3:53 am

What a great looking couple, Kim! I love the compositions here and the wonderful intimacy of these shots. Just terrific. 😉

MeganDecember 22, 2009 - 2:07 am

So amazing, Kim!! Beautiful colours and you can just tell how relaxed and calm it all was…and I LOVE their outfits, so chic and unique!! Kudos to the bride on “trashing the dress”! Such a great idea!

ShannonDecember 22, 2009 - 2:05 am

Kim, amazing pictures! What a beautiful couple. You continue to amaze me with the shots you capture! YOU’RE THE BEST!!

s h e r r yDecember 22, 2009 - 1:45 am

Omigosh, these are so wonderful!!! Wow. I love the sun, how warm it looks, and just the overall fabulousness!! I LOVE the ones on the beach- and how deserted it looks… Wow…

Cathy EmpeyDecember 22, 2009 - 1:23 am

Kim, those are beautiful. Especially the ones by the boat, and that last image of them in the water. Great job!!