Hey:

Starting this month, I’m going to be sending out a bi-monthly newsletter (every two months, not twice monthly, stupid English language…).

It will include some announcements, some special deals available only to subscribers and some photography tips, as well as some of our favourite pictures from the previous couple of months and…? You never know.

If you’re interested, please sign up using the following form.

Well, we’re just about to August, and I’m planning on doing a Portrait a Day again this month. Rather than organize them all on the spur of the moment (like last year), I’m hoping to line up a few people to take pictures of ahead of time.

So, here’s the deal. If you’re interested in having your picture taken as part of PADv2, let me know.  Send an email, facebook me, give me a call.

Of course, chances are more likely that this’ll happen if you’re within, say, a couple hour’s drive (sorry, Jim).

Also, I’m hoping to run a contest in tandem with this year’s PAD. Watch this space for details.

I put some teaser images up from Trevor and Lissa a while back; here is the slideshow with those images and a lot more. They got married in an outdoor ceremony at Moberly Lake and the reception was in a big tent at the grandparent’s place. There was a bit of rain, yes, but also a rainbow.

Note that some people have been having issues viewing these slideshows. I’d blame it fully on Internet Explorer, but someone said they had problems with Firefox, too. I can get it to work here with Firefox, but not with IE.

It’s not the video itself that’s problematic, but the little bit of code that allows me to embed it on the site. If you are having troubles viewing the slideshow, you can watch it here as well.

Jesse and Andrea; passion and romance; strength and beauty; character and spirit. This album is a celebration of all that makes this couple so incredible, a little bit country and a whole lot of class. Click on the cover and enjoy.

If you wish to view an html version click here.

Here we go: more pics from Jesse and Andrea’s cowboy (and cowgirl) related wedding. I loved this wedding, and I hope you two love your photos. Just about done the album (tease, tease), and should be up soon.

The song was written by Jesse and recorded by him and his best man Isaac while Andrea was at work and played it at the wedding for the first time for her; it was just another perfect moment from a perfect day….

Here’s an issue I’m struggling with and I’m looking for your feedback. Yes, you. Reading these words right now. No, don’t pretend you’re not and look away. I know you’re reading this. Don’t try and deny it.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re most likely a potential client. (Or else my mom. Hi Mom!) Or at least, someone with an appreciation for fine photography, and are probably better suited to answer this question than I: do awards matter?

Does it matter to you, potential bride out of Grande Prairie, if your photographer has a stack (or even one) award to his credit? Does that make them into a better photographer in your mind? How about you, soon-to-be Graduate from Fort St. John, looking for a creative way to remember your Grade 12 year? Would having a photographer with a stack of awards make you think any more highly of them? Or do you have other criteria that you use to judge their work (like, say your eyes).

Okay, that last comment probably shows where my feelings on the matter lie. I don’t really care much about contests and awards and looking for acclaim from a panel of judges, which is why I am not an award winning anything (well, not since high school when I got that silver medal in shot put…). But recently, I’ve been wondering if having an award or two to my name might not be such a bad thing.

It is a nice shorthand for “Quality”. “Award Winning Photographer” just has that ring to it. Of course, with so many photo contests out there, many of them the kind that if you send money, they’ll give you an award, the whole process of becoming an award-winning photographer seems to be cheapened. (Of course, I feel compelled to mention at this point that Google thinks I’m the greatest living photographer, and who am I to argue with Google?)

But that’s how I feel. How about you? Leave a comment, or send an email and tell me your thoughts. Thanks.

Yesterday was Zoe’s sixth birthday. We had waffles for supper and then went swimming.

These pictures are from Zoe’s birthday party, which was held ten days earlier, as most all of her friends are away right now.

Here is the story of Coreen & Lindon’s wedding, as a slideshow. Even as we drove back to Coreen’s family farm (located about half an hour east of Dawson Creek across the Alberta boundary) it was sprinkling on and off, but as soon as we got there the sun came out and it was a glorious day. From the limo ride to climbing up the side of a granary, this couple and their attendants took full advantage of the wonderful day and location.

Trevor and Lissa are from Chetwynd, BC, and only booked me about two months ago, which is why I’m posting photographs from their wedding only a few weeks after their engagement session.

They are a lovely couple and Trevor has a killer smile. I even convinced them to go stand in Moberley Lake (water temp, about 2 degrees) for about thirty seconds. The reception was in a tent at the grandparents place; there was a lightning storm up on the ridge a few miles away, and if rolled any closer it would have ended the party right then and there, but it stayed away, and except for about five minutes of rain, it was a beautiful day.

For every couple we create a one of a kind album of the very best pictures from the day, telling their love story. Here is the love story of Coreen and Lindon, a couple from Dawson Creek. Well, the Dawson Creek area, at any rate. We did most of the photographs out at the family farm in Bonanza.

Click on the books cover above to take you to a page that will let you view the book. If you wish to view an html version click here.