[newborn: Hannah.]

I had met Joel and Angie only a few weeks earlier, and am so glad that we had been smart and gotten their maternity shots done early ... because little Hannah was an eager-beaver and showed her pretty face to the world before her due date ... 

I love a girl who's knows how to not be late *grin*.

So, now Joel and Angie were thrown into being a family of five - with Jakob and Rayah quickly adjusting to being the "big" siblings ... and Angie?  She was in love with her newest little angel ... 

Rayah took her job seriously ... but she couldn't help but laugh at the sounds and "stuff" that little Hannah would do.  I don't think anything makes a child smile more than the sound of a diaper being filled *grin*.  

Angie was game for anything ... and I love the bare-shoulder-with-newborn pose.  It's natural, it's intimate ... and that little bum?  Awe, man ... so teensy, so sweet.

Hannah was WIDE awake for the entire shoot ... a five-day-old EARLY baby ... awake!  It was crazy - and Angie couldn't believe it ... Hannah was alert and acting like she'd done all of this before *grin*.  

So, because she wasn't cooperating with poses and props, I simply chose to use her dad's loving hands to show her little-ness.  These are some of my favourite newborn shots ever ... 

... then Jakob and Rayah had to have their special photo taken too *smile*!

And at the very end of the shoot, we tried to get a family pic ... the kids were pretty much "done" ... Hannah was still wide awake ... and you know what?  I love these pics ... it shows exactly what they were like ... the black and white one is my fave ... I love candid family shots.

Joel, Angie, what a pleasure to get to know you during these two shoots ... seeing you grow from four to five - and how quickly you made the adjustment ... so great.  You have a beautiful family, and I pray much blessing and rest on your home ... 

For all enquiries, please contact me by heading to my RedHanded Photography site HERE and click "get.in.touch".  Thanks!

[iheartfaces: Bust A Gut.]

Bustin' a gut ... they really are the best pics.  And after going through almost every single image that I've saved to my "favourites" from 2011, I ended up deciding on this one ... 

Casey & Christa waited 10 years for their little girl to arrive, and the JOY that they had during their first "family shoot" was contagious.  Except little Christianna wasn't happy all of the time ... which made it even funnier *grin*.

For all of you in the "I Heart Faces" community - thanks for leaving the love, I appreciate it!  And for everyone else, come check out other smiley-entries in this week's "I Heart Faces" challenge - click HERE.

[weddings: Garey & Chelsea.]

As a little preface, I just want to say that both Garey and Chelsea are private people.  They have agreed to let me share these images with you (namely those who come here to specifically to view images of people they know and love) - but they have had specific requests on what I was permitted to share online.

Because of this - there are images that I love from this session, that I cannot share.  And that's ok *smile*.  I just wanted to put that out there ... in case you were thinking that something "important" was missing from the images ... 

Ok ... let's get started.

I went to Jr. High with Chelsea ... which is just so incredibly fantastic as this is my 2nd "Jr. High Friend" wedding I've done this fall ... Chelsea, Mat and I all classed together - and when her and Garey decided that they needed a photographer for her special day ... she emailed me.

Yay!

I met Garey and Chelsea at the newly renovated Rosewood Hotel Georgia in the heart of downtown Vancouver.  It really was truly spectacular and I really, really loved seeing that Chelsea kept true to herself on this special day.  I hadn't seen her in years, but she was as stunning and classic as I would have imagined her to have been ... 

The ceremony was a civil service, dotted with personal touches such as a vocal jazz number and a special reading.  It was not stuffy or formal - despite the perfect setting.  Garey had no problem being witty and making his guests feel right at home, while Chelsea looked relaxed and calm.

I loved this.  Both Chelsea and Garey had one of their grandparents sign as witnesses for them.  

 

After the ceremony, Garey & Chelsea mingled with guests, while some chose to have a bite to eat at the fabulous spread laid out for them. 

Garey, Chelsea and I - however - were chauffeured to a nearby alleyway.  It was pouring with rain - and we didn't have much time at all.  This lovely couple really wanted to be with their guests, not parade around the city looking for new and inventive ways to have their photos taken.  They simply wanted a few shots snapped, and then they wanted to head right back to the party ... after all - it was THEIR party *grin*.

So, after about 20 minutes, we headed back to the hotel - where Garey and Chelsea really wanted a city scape image taken with the hotel sign in the background.  With their 40's inspired-style, I loved how they turned out ... 

Then off to their reception ... The location was 5-star in both design and in quality.  The food was exceptional and it was obvious that the guests were thoroughly enjoying the party that the bride and groom were hosting.

The hired music was also brilliant ... and it didn't take long to get the kiddies out on the dance floor.  But first  ... a father/daughter dance.  And a mother/son dance ... 

Chelsea, Garey ... what an honour to be included in such a fabulously planned day.  It was so personal and full of love.  And even despite the rain - it all worked out perfectly.  I'm certain you'll look back on this day, knowing it really was ... perfect. 

Thank you for letting me be a part of it (insert cheering here ...).  *GRIN*.

For all enquiries, please contact me by heading to my RedHanded Photography site HERE and click "get.in.touch." .  Thanks!