Location Feature - Peterson Creek

Peterson Creek was probably my most requested shoot location of 2019! Kyle and I used to hike it all the time but I honestly never really considered it a good spot for photos. Why? I haven’t the slightest clue. Chances are I will still get you lost, my goal for this year is to do the hike to the waterfalls a few times to really get it under my belt - I got a couple lost last time I tried but luckily we made it work (and hiked to the top instead!!)

Directions: https://hikekamloops.ca/peterson-creek-park/ (I use the downtown entrance!)

This shoot my sister in law Elishia and I hiked when I was 6 or 7 months pregnant with Leo! (So if I can make it, so can you!!) She was the mastermind behind this shoot and did the hair, makeup and styling for the model. We had almost no light and shooting in blue hour was a challenge but I loved it and we got to create something so special and unique.

I am always so nervous when other photographers book me! But also very grateful. This is Leida of True Colours Photography BC and her family! They were a blast. They just moved here recently and I was loving the colours at Peterson Creek so that’s why I suggested it for a fun and warm family shoot.

It was so difficult choosing some favourite from this shoot. This is the couple that I got lost in the trails (and they still talk to me, so I count myself lucky!) The look out is the Fallsview Loop - that one I barely made it. It is definitely a more challenging hike but the view is spectacular. The other spots were in and around the park on our way to get lost.

This was a fall mini session! It was a very dark and overcast day, the sunset early I swear it. By the end of these 5 sessions it was pitch black. Luckily, we all made it work! And I say we because photoshoots are a team effort, you get what you put in.

Spring Mom and Me Session along the Xget’tem’ Trail - I loved the Boho feel of this. Mama made the floral crown herself with earrings by Rachael’s Creations. I love this spot for families, it’s safe, accessible and very close to the parking lot for when you’re ready to make your getaway.

See what I mean about it being super dark by the end of those fall minis? But honestly, I love it. We used the streetlights, the car headlights, flash, you name it. These are just a couple fun & creative elements you can use to enhance your images. One of my favourite family shoots of the year!

Would you just look at this family, how perfect?! Same spot as the other fall minis, but you can see how the changing light affects the look of the photos. This little cutie was also a great assistant for me! She took some stunning shots of mom and dad with my back up camera.

This shoot was in partnership with Kamloops Cinderella Effect. After this shoot was shared, this location became a hot spot! And you can definitely see why. This was in the summer around 1 pm, very green, very bright, but with a lot of shade coverage for a variety of looks.

I love the look of these, this was a last minute booking for my fall mini sessions. They are a health and wellness mother daughter duo, so we wanted to create a very natural look in an outdoor setting. I knew Peterson Creek would be perfect for getting just the right images to reflect their brand.

And most recently, a winter session with one of my fave boudoir babes! This was her idea folks!! Quick changes, quick shooting and armed with blankets and sweaters we pulled this one off.

Location Feature - Tranquille Creek

I haven’t used this location very much, though it is a very popular spot in town!

What I look for in a location is variety, safety and accessibility. There are a few cacti to avoid if you want to go down in the “bowl” BUT if you follow the trail there are a ton of possibilities. I was first brought out here by a photographer friend and she took a few photos of me when I was pregnant with Leo!

Directions: https://hikekamloops.ca/tranquille-river/

Hike Kamloops is an incredible resource for our city! All directions will be a link from them, trust me it’s better that way. If you know me, you know I get lost on my way to the grocery store. So trust these and you’ll find the spot easily.

Taken in early September at Golden Hour! We explored a little further on the trail and got to visit the river. Easy to get to and lots of spots along the way to stop for a photo. We made our way back at the end of golden hour and hung out among the cacti. Poor Tanisha got one in her foot, but worth it for those shots.

Taken in the beginning of October - midday and overcast. The fall colours really pop here!! We stayed on the trail so that A could run and be free and safe. Not many others were out that day so it was almost like having the entire trail to ourselves! In and out with photos taken in 25 minutes, easy peasy.

Taken in the beginning of June around noon! Downside - not a ton of tree coverage so if you’re looking at June be mindful of that. And it was HOT! The trail with coverage didn’t quite have the look I was going for but I loved how fresh and springy everything looked in high sun in the bowl. This fallen tree was one of my new favourite spots, I love it, kids love it so we’re set! Make Up for this shoot was done by Ginger Turley Artistry.

Night Life Styled Shoot in Downtown Kamloops

Collaborators: Emily-May Photography, Ginger Turley Artistry, The Blondes Brunette

What happens when you gather a top makeup artist, a fab hair stylist & model and a photographer that likes to create a little outside the box? This.

If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know that I love a challenge! And shooting at night is one of the biggest challenges photographers face. Shooting with a flash has allowed me to create with no bounds or limits and further serve my clients that want something a little different. And let’s be honest, not every wedding ends at sunset - so learning this can help throughout many aspects of my job. I am no expert, I’m always learning. Nobody can know everything, photography is both art & science with ever changing conditions, technology and possibilities.

If you’re not sure where to start pop on over to Pixpa and read their Beginner’s Guide to Nighttime Photos ! So many great tips and tricks in a 12 minute read.

This shoot started off when I saw that Amy changed her hair. I wanted to do something a little bit Cruella inspired. When I take inspiration from somewhere I want it to be just that, an inspiration and not a copy. Ginger was the obvious choice for makeup, she is an expert at glam without overdoing it and loves to experiment with colour. She is also Amy’s go to makeup artist! (And mine!!)

The wardrobe was ALL Amy - all I said was black, high fashion, street style. When she showed up with 4 bags I was like YAAAAS this is what I love. I approach everything collaboratively. And I say this constantly. I leave hair and makeup to the experts and give very little direction, maybe a sentence or two for where I’d like to go. And it isn’t because I don’t care or I’m not interested, I want the artists to have the ability to work freely and create something that is organically true to them. Plus, they know best.

Inspo Pinterest Board

Sometimes when I’m editing I like to create a special edit that’s a little over the top. What else is a mama to do at 2 am?

At this point it was raining and snowing. We had turned to head back to Ginger’s studio but I saw this little spot and new I needed just a few more minutes to make some magic. Worth it!!

Back in Ginger’s studio we had a few minutes to play with a MAGNIFICENT robe one of my lovely clients lent (and has since gifted!) the client closet. So if you’d like to shoot with it too just let me know.

Which is your fave look?

Thanks for reading!

Kamloops Proposal at Black Box Container Home

It has always been a dream of mine to photograph a proposal. But getting to help plan one and shoot it for two of my very close friends? What more could I have asked for!

Danielle booked a session with me during my I-lost-a-lens-please-help sale and I was so excited to shoot with them as it would be their first shoot together after dating for 4 years. Our original date was when that blizzard came through and none of us wanted to suffer through that so we rescheduled. And it was fate! Dave messaged me that week saying he’d like to propose. I was SO HAPPY!! But also had no idea how we’d be able to keep this from Dani. Secrets aren’t a strong suit for Dave or I.. and I talk to Dani almost every day. So I was stressin’

I knew I wanted this to be special, so I thought about the most special place in Kamloops and BOOM! it popped into my head. Black Box Container Home. PLUS it had the added bonus of being a place that I frequented often enough that it wasn’t out of the ordinary for them to meet me there. I messaged Cathi at Black Box Container Home and she was on board instantly. It was all coming together. When they arrived I went out to meet them with my decoy camera bag and asked Dave for help with something heavy, and Cathi went to take Dani on a tour of the other side of the container home.

And then Dani walked in.

Discover & share this Proposal GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.

It could not have gone any better, truly. I am so happy for these two! And to be their photographer for their wedding too! I’m a lucky duck.