Angha Family: Coquitlam Family Session

I met up with the Angha family in a small park in Coquitlam for their family session.  The weather and light was perfect for photos and the park was a great place for the kids to play!  Unfortunately our session was shortened due to their grandmother falling in the playground.  The paramedics and fire department took great care of her and I've heard she's doing better... please pray for a fast recovery, she hurt her back falling.


Here's some of my favourite shots that we were able to get so far!

Steve: Coquitlam Portrait Session

I photographed a family in Coquitlam the other day...and Steve my husband came along this time!  :)  Really he was there to drive and for directions, since I usually am hopelessly lost when I drive around in Coquitlam "and beyond"!   He also was a great hand carrying my camera bag for me and holding the reflector (A+!).  Afterwards we had a chance to walk around a great little park, so I convinced him to get on the other side of the camera for a few shots.

Hirsch Family: Crescent Park Family Session

Last Sunday was not looking good.  The day started off with lightning and thunder and I was sure I would have to cancel my session with the Hirsch family (extended).  We decided to stick to the session time anyways, and miraculously the sunshine came out and the rain stopped the instant I arrived at Crescent Park!   I'm usually a bit apprehensive of taking large groups or extended families, but didn't regret this one!  They were a blast to work with, we caught some goofy shots along with all the family photos they wanted.

Christi & Emma: Sisters Relive the Dress

Christi and Emma came out to Ladner for a Relive the Dress session in their grad & bridemaid dresses.  Emma even managed to fit into her grandmother's wedding dress so that we could take a few shots in it! (it's gorgeous!), then after, she wore a bridesmaid dress.  Christi wore her long grad dress and both of them were great models!  These 2 ladies came prepared... they brought matching boots, scarves and other accessories.  Thanks Christi & Emma for making your shoot a blast!  

Stephanie: Relive the Dress

Stephanie was married in August and was already willing to wear her wedding dress again for a Relive the Dress (mild Trash the Dress) session!  Our shoot took place in a couple different location in and around Ladner, BC.  We started at the Flaming farm and headed over to Ladner Village, and Wellington Point.  I love that she was willing to jump on the tractor, made for some fun photos!

Stephanie, Emma & Christi: Preview!

Yesterday I had the chance to photography some gorgeous ladies with my friend Bianca.  We had a fabulous Relive the Dress shoot (mild Trash the Dress) that involved wedding, grad & bridesmaid dresses, rubber boots, a farm, and plenty of accessories!  That you Stephanie, Emma & Christi for being wonderful models all afternoon... photos should be up within the week... after my new computer arrives! :)

Trash the Dress: What's it all about?

Trash the Dress.  It’s a fairly new trend in wedding photography where brides pose (post ceremony)  in their wedding dresses in odd & unique surrounds, or with unusual props.

It’s known as “Trash the Dress”, “Rock the Frock”, “Rock the Dress”, and many more.  I like to call it, “Re-Live the Dress” to make it less misleading than “Trash the Dress”.  These kind of shoots do not always result in “trashing” or destroying the dresses!

There are times where I’ve used both Trash and Re-Live for shoots as you may notice in my blog or facebook albums… they’re either “Trash the Dress” (for when the bride is willing to get dirty in the mud or jump in a lake) or “Re-Live the Dress” (for brides who are looking for artistic, unusual shots that you normally wouldn’t take on your wedding day).


The “Trash the Dress” trend was started in 2001 by Las Vegas photographer John Michael Cooper as a combined effort of a bride feeling “anti-wedding” and Cooper’s desire to shoot creative and daring wedding photos.  Since then, the trend has taken off and exploded, with photo shoots featuring brides, grooms, as well as bridesmaids and grads!


It’s a great opportunity for a photographer to try and create incredible images without the constraints of a wedding day timeline.  For the bride, you don’t have to sit in mud or burn your dress.  It’s simply a bridal photo shoot where you don’t have to worry about getting a little dirt on your dress. I find it's a blast for photographers and brides alike!  Passers by will stop and watch.  Cars will pull onto the side of the road to see what's going on and sometimes you get sweet access to areas, buildings and venues you normally wouldn't be allowed into! People are so intrigued with what's going on.

Themes and Settings.  The sky is the limit when it comes to themes and settings for a “Trash the Dress” shoot.


Beaches.  Sand & Ocean! Go swimming!  Parks.  Bring out your inner child on the playground!  City Settings.  Urban settings create some of the most unusual, artistic and creative photos. Train tracks, fire escapes, distinctive buildings and even graffiti.  Country Settings.  Shoot on a farm by an old barn or a field of flowers!


Props.  Props or unusual accessories are a great way to show personality and individuality.

Accessories. Personal details are what makes the photos creative and special.  Get some gum boots, cowboy boots, hats and jewelry and more.  Whatever the details, the most important thing is that Trash the Dress shoots should be FUN!   The dress may get a little dirty, while other brides prefer to destroy the dress entirely!   If  you choose to participate in a shoot, you can end up with a gorgeous collection of artistic, unique photos!  And I won’t make you wreck your dress unless you ask. :)


I encourage you to check back here and facebook after Saturday!  Tomorrow is a SUPER FUN Trash The Dress and Re-Live The Dress shoot!  Participants are 2 photographers (me & Bianca!) and some lovely ladies who will be wearing their grad, bridesmaid and wedding dresses!.  I will try my best to get some sneak peeks up soon after the day...  I have some really exciting ideas...


If you’re ever CONSIDERING a shoot like this, drop me a line!  Let’s just talk about it before you jump in a lake or we set you on fire.

Mark & Stephanie: Mountainview Alliance Church Wedding

I apologize that the last couple of weeks have been SLOW... with blog posts and updates.  My PC has now reached it's retirement, and no amount of upgrades will help.  I make one edit in Photoshop... then I wait.... wait for it.... and wait.... finally the edit is done!  Way too slow.  So be prepared, over the next couple of weeks it will be slow getting up sneak peeks and posts!  My laptop already kicked the bucket in January! lol.

Well, back to the main focus of this blog post!  Mark & Stephanie's wedding!  They were married in Langley at Mountainview Alliance Church.  They followed with a backyard reception in the gorgeous sunshine!

Veer Family: Crescent Park Family Session

We lucked out with amazing light for the Veer Family's photo session.  Crescent Park has a glow and I love how the photos turned out!  I would certainly go back to this location again and again for future sessions!