Remembering this Past Winter

It is the first day of May and it is finally starting to look and feel like Spring! This winter season has been unseasonably long and cold this year in Vancouver; we even experienced a couple of days of snow which is quite unusual. With that, I thought I would share some photos that I captured this past winter in October. 

I went to visit Arles' family and they live about an hour north of Edmonton in a town called Westlock. I usually start my drive later in the day, but I was able to leave a bit earlier this time. Luckily, I happened to see hoarfrost on the trees. Hoarfrost doesn't have the most pleasant name, but it is a beautiful sight. It occurs when ice crystals form which is due to condensation in below freezing temperatures. Usually the sun causes the frost to melt by the mid afternoon so it was perfect timing. 

I safely parked my car along the side of the highway and photographed the rural landscape of Northern Alberta. The open fields are calming and sometimes I still feel homesick when seeing those big, blue, open skies. 

Check out more of my work on Instagram here @vanessamariephoto

Taken right on the side of Highway 44

The hoarfrost really stands out on those bare tree branches

Barbed-wire fences, bails of hay and blue skies! 

An Engagement and A Wedding

The better part of 2016 has gone by in a flash! My hopes of keeping this blog updated was put on hold with some wonderful, life changing news. This past October, my sister, Elyse, became engaged! I was so excited to get the late night call and the title of Maid of Honor. They didn't want a long engagement set a date right away for October 1st, 2016. We had a tough task ahead of us; plan a wedding in less that a year from two different provinces. 

But I was up for the task! Elyse had four bridesmaids to help, one being my very sweet future sister-in-law. She also had some close friends help and they all knew each other from high school and still kept in touch, so I knew we could do it. And after all, I had photographed enough weddings to call myself an expert...right? Maybe at attending weddings, but I did not realize how much detail and forethought is required! (I am suddenly recalling a frantic shop at Michael's and a late night DIYing an envelope box for the reception)

The one part I knew I could handle without a hitch was the engagement session. For a couple that loves the outdoors and the summertime, we planned the session for mid-July during my visit for the bridal shower. The timing worked out perfectly as we had a gorgeous, sunny day. 

Elyse had also just gotten a new puppy, named Raven, a few weeks before and we were able to get a cute family photo. It was a bit hot for the dogs, so we opted to only photograph them in the first location and then make a quick stop to the house. It ended up being 30+ so we also had a few beers to keep us cool at the second location; both were photographed in Leduc, just south of Edmonton. It was a such fun session, I am so glad I could capture it for them. 

There are more of my favs from the shoot @vanessamariephoto

These two are just so photogenic and natural in front of the camera.

I asked him to say something funny to get Elyse to laugh, and it worked!

This is one of my favourite shots from the day.

I wanted to try some lens artistic lens flare for the final pose.

Dragon Age: Inquisition

So, I'll start this from the very beginning...when my sister, Elyse, was sixteen, she got a sewing machine for Christmas. Since then, over a decade and probably a thousand bobbins later, she has continued to make amazing costumes. 

Some of them are Halloween costumes, some of them are Cosplays of video game characters; but all are hand made and thought out to the smallest detail. You can check some of her creations here.

During my last visit home to Edmonton, I also had the chance to photograph Elyse's newest creation at the beautiful Kurimoto Japanse Garden inside the Devonian Botanic Garden. The character, named Trevelyan, is a human that leads the Inquisition to stop the Darkspawn Magister. This costume was photographed in two settings; first in the winter town of Haven and second in the fortress of Skyhold. 

We photographed the first part back in April before my big move to Vancouver. Is it odd that it makes me a little homesick looking at the snow? There are more of my favs from the shoot @vanessamariephoto and also at @iam_shewolf

This is the first part of the costume; we were lucky to have a gusty wind that morning in the River Valley and to still have some snow! (yes, it is unusual to have snow in April in Alberta....)

This is the second part, photographed in the Botanic Gardens on the waterfall overpass. I had to crouch dangerously by some rocks to get this shot.

My favorite shot of the day! I was on the other side of the lake using hand signals to direct...but I usually ended up shouting!

Finally, the sun stuck around for the rest of the shoot and I was able to get some amazing rim light. 

Dance, Like Everyone is Watching

I went back home to Edmonton to visit family for Canada Day. During that first week of July, I was very fortunate to cross paths with my cousin, Katherine. With her already busy schedule in Edmonton, she will be attending her third year at The School of Toronto Dance Theatre this September to complete her diploma in Contemporary Dance. 

I had some ambitious ideas that were inspired by Omar Z. Robles' dance photography set in New York settings, and Katherine was completely game. Normally when you say, "I want to put you in the middle of a downtown street" anyone would be unsure, but not her! 

She is a consummate professional in front of the camera and was throughout the entire shoot. There were a lof of car honks and passing bikes, but she nailed every shot. I hope to connect with her again and I know that she will go far! I am so proud of her!

There are more of my favourites from the shoot on Instagram, follow me @vanessamariephoto 

This was our first location, taken on the 104 Street Promenade right before rush hour was about to start!

We then moved to the clock tower at Grant MacEwan University. I must have said "one more shot" about 10 times!

Our last location was the iconic High Level Bridge just as rush hour was in full swing. 

This is my favourite shot from the entire day!

And this is my favorite candid, the wind picked up right at the perfect time. 

Making it Look Easy

Here's an update on the ongoing project with Heather for "The Wealthy Artist" ebook series. The first installment was photographed at her lovely condo in the heart of Vancouver. 

She is such a natural in front of the camera! This comes from a highly esteemed dance career and preforming lead vocals in a heavy metal band called The Fury.

Since Heather has an unique and distinctive career as an entrepreneur, we wanted to go outside the box for her head shot. I think that creative ideas come easily when you're not afraid to try something different or bounce ideas off one another. There will be more to this series and I am excited to continue on this project!

I posted an early sneak peak to this shoot on Instagram, follow me @vanessamariephoto for more photos from this session.

I love the way the lipstick really 'pops' in this shot!

This is my favourite pose from the whole session, its the right balance of confidence and poise.

The last pose of the day, Heather was such a trooper as I moved furniture around her place...it was worth it!

Hanging out with Pugs

I've been slacking in my blog posts! I hope to keep adding more and more often. I have an exciting project in the works. I get the opportunity do some creative head shots for social media and ebook use. I went over to Heather's apartment to talk about locations and her place has some wonderful natural, window light. I took advance of the sunny weather and got some candids of her two energetic pugs. 

Their names are Winston (5 years) and Tibo (3 years) and they are just like the Odd Couple!

Winston is energetic and sassy!

Tibo is visiting and is more laid-back and mello

Cherry Blossoms in Oakridge

After moving away from my hometown of Edmonton, AB, I've made my new home in Vancouver, BC with my boyfriend, Arles. We decided to go for an afternoon walk around the neighbourhood. I was lucky enough to catch the tail end of cherry blossoms blooming down the street and some in Yaletown too (which is my favourite area so far!)

The first two photos were taken right by Oakridge Mall

I just thought this plant looked interesting...I'm not sure what it is

Cherry blossoms at night in Yaletown