Emily and Matt are Engaged!

What many would argue is the couple of the century are ENGAGED. Woohoo! I could not be more happy for them. I've known Emily and Matt for a long time, so when I heard the news that they were finally engaged I was super excited.

 

I knew immediately that I wanted to take photos for them, but admittedly, I was nervous to ask. I was worried: What if they want someone with more experience? What if I ask to take photos for them and they don't turn out? What if I'm awkward? (Mind you, I worry about this one every day, so for that to come up was expected) etc. It didn't take me long to realize that these were thoughts everyone gets but with the progress I made in the past few months, I had no reason in the world not to try. Baby steps toward some big future goals that I myself have not even fully developed.

When I got the courage up to write Emily a message offering to do so, I wrote it and then let it sit. Even though they're friends of mine, I was still providing them a service. I wanted to make sure it was just right. I wanted them to be happy and confident choosing me. As it turned out, in the end, I didn't even have to worry. I got a message from Emily asking me to take their engagement photos on the exact same day. She beat me to it. I was so excited I did a little hop and yelled "wooo!" out loud... okay okay, I don't exactly remember doing this, but I would imagine it was something to this effect.

Here are my favourite shots from the day. Maybe we will have another shoot in the future... WITH a rowboat this time. :)

That pesky branch was in the way, but I still love this one!

Just some casual serenading.

Em's a beaut, even out of focus.

I cannot put into words how lucky I feel that I know these two. If there is anything in my life telling me that things are timed out and happen the way they do for a reason, this was it. I hope that everyone can see just how much love these two have for each other, and if you don't believe it from my photos you'll only have to wait 3ish more months until you see it for real! Congratulations Em and Matt! ....and THANK YOU!

FIN.

Nature and Paint

I have this desire to take more photos of people. I often see a lot of the photos in the beautiful outdoors that I take and see how easily (I shouldn't say easily, it's not that simple) I could plop a person in and make it that much more beautiful. I am trying to gear up for my first engagement shoot. EVER. in about a week's time, and it's really helping me to look at some photography blogs that use the outdoors SO well and in ways you might not expect. That's what I'm striving for, and I'm hoping one day my ability to do that will help me stand out and define me in what I capture. After all, it's the little things that count, right? You'd be surprised what sunlight streaming through a couple trees or blades of grass can do to make you love a photo that much more.

That's only slightly unrelated to the photos I have to share today.

Last week I did (and by I did I mean I was present for, and just crept around and took photos of) some attempted paint brush turned-to-finger painting. Fun!

My front yard tree started making it's transition to it's state for the summer! Shedding these beauties and creating a perfect outline for whoever's car was parked there...

Fin.

What I've been up to the last 2ish weeks...

Life is good. Here are some reasons why...

1. Birthday presents in the form of bubbles.

I was a split-second too late with the shutter on this one. She was catching a bubble

Oh, you cayuuute.

FAV. so pretty.

 

2. summer barbeque weather. 

These are black bean burgers and zucchini and mushrooms. all done on the barbeque. THE BEST. 

casually waiting for our meal

3. The fact that hammocks exist. Utmost relaxation. There's nothing like a good life chat in a hammock with a really good friend.

Figuring out straps....

 My view from Jodi's hammock....

4. Converse season!

5. Slacklines and new friends.

I have this new addiction/hobby of slacklining. Not only do I love it to WORK MY CORE (haha), and improve my balance (which if you know me, you know I have none of), but it has this funny way of bringing people together. People who walk by and you would probably never think to talk to or say hello to otherwise (middle-aged house renovators, for example). People who like to hang out in parks by trees. My kind of people. Here's one of them.

6. Puppies. 

Actually. Dogs of all kinds. This is Bernie. Need I say more? I don't think so.

7. Parks, and walks with friends.

As a subcategory of this: NATURE!

Just a girl and her dog :)

8. Kids. So young and wild and freeeeeee!

Fun fact: the silly boy above pushed the button for this beautiful photo of Jodi!

 

FIN.