New Blog!

   I have my new blog up and running! I will still be keeping this one up with all my previous posts/work on here. Please come visit me at my new one :) 

Get to know your photographer.

  Since I am a photographer I tend to 'stalk' other photographers and their continuing work. I enjoy looking at the styles from different photographers, how they can come up with different ideas but it still have the same flow of style. Lately I have had clients say they wanted to hire me for 'my style'. I didn't really know if I had one. I know what I do in each shoot, I know what I like, and I know what I want it to look like in the end. However I look over my work for HOURS so I get used to it and so its hard for me to sit back and judge what 'style' I have. 


  So I write this post in hopes that a future client knows what to expect with me or with other photographers. When we were looking for a photographer for our engagement session, we chose someone who I had been 'stalking' for quite some time. I knew her work, I saw consistency and a wonderful style. I know what we are to expect. This is where I stress my point..


  If you are looking for a photographer for your engagement, wedding, maternity or whatever it may be please research. Follow the work of the photographer for awhile before throwing yourself into it. 


   I am up for many ideas my clients may throw at me, however I am more of a photojournalist type of gal. Don't get me wrong I will do some traditional, but not the 'stand here and say cheese'. I like bright, fresh, urbany (new word?) pictures. I enjoy looking at the 'newer' way to photograph so that is what I enjoy shooting. I like getting creative and look forward to the time to photograph the bride and groom/couple. I love details and originality. 


  Another thing to research is if the photographer is even in your budget price wise. Good chemistry is a must too.. especially on your wedding day (you will be spending most of the day with them!). 


  You can always bring ideas to your photographer and I know I try to embrace any that come my way, but at the end of the day the photographer has their own style and as long as you are inspired by their work.. you should be happy with the result. 


That's my two sense today :) 

Window Shopping.

  Yesterday was a great day. I found my wedding dress. 


   My Mom and I started out in the morning and had booked appointments at two different places. We arrived in New West a little early so we decided to do some window shopping (in the rain) why not!?  We spotted a store that had the style I was looking for, without even checking if they were open we walked right in and quickly picked out a couple for me to try on before my other appointment. I really thought the first one I tried on had me. Then I tried on another that drew my attention when I walked by but didn't think it would look right on me. When I walked out and saw my Mom's face I knew that this was the one, then of course looked in the mirror and felt a wave of emotion. I had to quickly change back into my clothes and head to my appointment that I really tried to put the effort in to give other dresses a chance. I ended up feeling frustrated and bored because both Mom and I knew it was a big waste of time. I found the dress. My dress. 


  When we went back I put both dresses on again just to make sure the second was the choice. The day had been rainy and grey but as soon as I put the second one back on, the sun came out.. it was a sign ;) I really wanted something a bit original and am so pleased I found it. I tried on a sample dress and will be getting one made just for me! I wish I could share the designer, however I want to keep everything on the down low right now. I must say the whole experience was wonderful. I think Mom was pleased of how easy it went, for someone who is obsessed with "say yes to the dress" had some anxiety of how stressful it can be. 


  I ended up canceling my second appointment, I didn't want to go though trying on more dresses when I had already fallen in love with one. 


  I was pleased that I was able to take a couple pictures with my phone since most of my wedding party are in different provinces, I was able to share my excitement with them at the same time. 


 Thank you Mom for sharing such a wonderful day with me! Now I have to wait until MAY to wear it!? Ugh!
  

Samantha + Trevor Abbotsford Engagement sneak peek

    I got to meet Samantha & Trevor yesterday for their e-session. The rain held off in the morning yay!
   I edited just a few last night, here are a few!

Brittany + Derek Engaged

    Brittany and Derek are an awesome couple. They have been together since grade 9 or 10 and are finally going to tie the knot next month! I have met up with Brittany here and there over the last couple of years. They both went to high school with Curt so I am SO excited they asked me to photograph their wedding! It will be a lot of fun knowing most of the wedding party too. 
   Prier to the e-session Brittany asked for any suggestions on the location. I chose a location that had a lot of character and seemed to be pretty quiet. I checked up on it a couple of times a few weeks before and there was only a few people there each time, so I thought awesome! However the day of the shoot I could not find ONE parking place! It was PACKED! I am not going to lie, I had a 2 second panic because I had already thought the session out in my head. After a quick phone call to change the location we had a plan B. As I was leaving that area I drove past a location where Curt goes fishing sometimes, and its perfect! Plan C.. I pulled off and literally flagged them down too. We were the only ones there, it was perfect and actually worked out better!
   Derek was great, every time he smiled he let out a laugh which is perfect for catching the natural smiles. 

   

Eli's Cake Smash!

  I met up with Eli and his family for his first birthday! We decided to go with a cake smash! They are returning clients (for the 3rd time) which I LOVE. I really enjoy getting to photograph the stages the little ones go through. He is SO cute and walking!
  He did really good, but wasn't so sure what to think in the end when his hands were sticky..

Picture with his cousins! 

Dominic getting in on it! 

I think this was my favorite moment out of the entire shoot, there is nothing like milk and chocolate cake!

Children's Fall Special!!

J & K Boudoir Session

    I am so lucky to have some very beautiful ladies for my Boudoir Collection. When I started out doing photography I knew I wanted to do portrait sessions and weddings. I tossed the idea of doing boudoir for quite some time, I didn't want to offend certain clients by having the odd 'risky' photo on my blog or website here and there. However I decided to start doing them this year because woman are art to me. They are all beautiful, I get a creative high when doing boudoir. So far I have photographed people who claimed to be self conscious and those who were very confident. During the session all concerns disappear and the confidence comes out. It's a time to appreciate your body and do something for yourself. 




Thank you J & K for beautiful photos and lots of laughs!

Hair & Makeup: Olivia Grosso 
oliviagilgrosso@gmail.com

Brittany + Derek Pitt Meadows Engagement .sneak peek.

   I don't know where to begin with these two.. I will save the complete details for the full blog post but they are without a doubt soul mates. 


  Here are a few from their engagement session on Sunday..

Riley's 1st Birthday!

  It feels like yesterday that I met baby Riley and his Mom when he was just a couple months old for some baby pictures. He recently turned ONE!  I couldn't believe how big he got and of course still adorable as ever!

   Here are just a few.. 

Party Favors done by Fun Wrappers!

C & O Boudoir

   I recently met up with Miss O and Miss C for a boudoir session. Since they are friends I booked both for the same session. They are both beautiful girls, so it made my job pretty easy. 


  Here are some of my favorites from the shoot! 

Makeup: Olivia Grosso
Email:oliviagilgrosso@gmail.com