Katelynn has always had a very special place in my heart.
Born 6 years apart my little cousin and I were always together, at 6 I thought that a new little girl in our family was sheer awesome. I remember spending summer days at their house and giving her cuddles and her learning to give awkward baby kisses back; and as the years went by we went camping with our families and had sleepovers at our grandma’s house. Never were we without fun and amusement, including our many meals with grandma’s homemade bread, peanut butter, and canned goods. We had an amazing childhood and that will never be argued!
Time passed as it often does and I had the opportunity to rent with a few different amazing people, but early on in my ‘independent’ life I lived with her family for a year when my parents moved to the Philippines, we made memories with her mom and dad that I’ll treasure forever.
A couple years passed and the moment that evolved our relationship from cousins to close sisters was when Katelynn lost her dad to cancer and I moved into their home again for a couple years. Ken had been a sudo father in my life and was exemplary in showing both Katelynn and I how we should be treated by our future husbands. That we should be treasured, loved unconditionally, and have some true deep laughter along the way.
Now that you have a glimpse into how Katelynn means so much to me, you can understand why I was beyond honoured to be asked to photograph her wedding. Her father helped support my jump into professional photography gear and never asked for anything in return, he cheered me on and I am forever changed by his love. My ability to show Katelynn my love through photographing her wedding is a reflection of her fathers love invested into me. There was rarely a moment that a thought of her father wasn’t close in my mind as I captured each moment of the day. He would have loved their quiet intimate family wedding, he would’ve been proud of his wife for planning such an amazing event, and praised his little girl and her new husband as they promised each other forever.
Enough about all my sentimental attachment to my favourite little cousin Katelynn, here is but a taste of the love that Mike and Katelynn’s love story…
Mike and Katelynn were quite simply destined for each other. In high school they met through mutual friends, and for a boy who lived in the Kootneys and a girl who lived in the Fraser Valley it may have seemed like a dream to fall in love with such distance between them at such a young age, but Katelynn has told me that she knew then that he would be her forever, and his love for her was echoed in his teenage poem recited by their maid of honour at the reception.
It wouldn’t be till years later after her dad had passed away that Mike would come into her life full force and it was clear as soon as he was here, that it was the right season to pursue this relationship. Mike’s deep love for Katelynn and respect of their shared faith often sparked long conversations with Katelynn’s mother Linda on their porch on warm summer nights. There was something unique about them as a couple from the start, and to watch my ‘little sister’ fall in love with her future husband melted my heart.
I wish you only the best, a marriage full of love, and a friendship full of laughter for the rest of your life and there after!
Mikes father was his best man, and when he asked to have a photograph with his new daughter in law I nearly fell apart when he placed a kiss on her head, such a fatherly gesture on a day like this meant more than anyone could possibly know.
It was a beautiful touch on Katelynn’s bouquet had a opened faced locket with a picture of her father, he was there in memory for every moment, including walking her down the aisle.
The cake stand was an amazing labour of love, hand crafted by Mike’s father and sister, with gourmet cupcakes on rugged tiers and a lovely birch inspired wedding cake at the top it was a conversation piece of the night.
I am so incredibly in love with this session with Kirsten, the little Disney princess inside me is gleaming from ear to ear humming “When you wish upon a star” as I pressed the shutter.
Show your little girls images like these, ones that inspire them to believe anything is possible!
Thank you Kirsten for being a spectacular subject to photograph!
Yes this was the moment, the expression that made the princess within her to come alive! I loved adding a fairy element to the scene.
The sun was high in the city of the midnight sun. Yellowknife was a buzz as the weekend was fast approaching the Folk on the Rocks music festival, but the Thursday evening rendered some spectacular light and an equally amazing family.
Mellisa and her troop of boys came to the session in matching blues and matching smiles. I remembered the trail well and we talked and laughed from each spot we stopped to photograph at. I adored this session for the amazing connection between a mother and her sons.
Thank you Mellisa for inviting me to photograph your family photos!
The Morris family is a family full of laughter and joy and their family session yesterday was so much fun to photograph. Stuart had contacted me before mothers day and wanted to book a session to honor his amazing wife, well she did hint it quite heavily to him! I am so delighted to share their family session as it is full of vibrancy that shines through each family member’s individual personalities.
Diane you are truly a wife and mother of character and I think the world of you as a role model, how fun it is to spend an evening in the warm summer rain surrounded by the jewels that are your children.
Please like, share, or comment on how amazing you think this family is, lets show them the love!!!
How stunning is Diane, what a beautiful soul and exceptional beauty.
Michael and Arielle have been close friends of my husband from long before I even met Ian. While Michael and Ian have followed very similar career paths, their differences are what make for such a strong friendship.
Today we decided (since both of our husbands are in town, Ian and Mike are usually on opposite camp rotations) that today would be the perfect time to do their photo session. On this golden afternoon we wanted to thank Mike and Arielle for all their hard work in our wedding this january, with Mike being Ian’s best man, and Arielle being responsible for our yummy reception cupcakes.
Thank You Mike and Arielle!
If you like my photos, please feel free to share, leave a comment, or contact me about booking your own session. Don’t forget to like my page if you want to see more photos like this!
Zoey is a breathtaking dog, she is a Blue Heeler/Border Collie Cross. The perfect mixture of good behaviour, steadfast adoration of her owners, and a very smart canine overall.
“They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
This verse has been a favourite of mine for countless years and a source of inspiration for my photo-shoot with Gwich’in model, Nigit’Stil. I had bought the feathers many months ago in hopes to bring my dream to life; when Nigit’Stil echoed my idea in creative conversation I knew she had to be my face for the series.
The night before our session I planned out lighting, make-up, and composition. I have a deep passion for photography, but not many people know my love for makeup artistry which I do like to stretch my muscles in these creative situations. I really love how it translated so fluidly with my vision to include feathers in lieu of her eyebrows. It is truly a blessing to have a fellow artist like Nigit’Stil have full faith in my creative direction.
I hope you enjoy the creative vision for my series of images entitled “The weight of my wings”.
After our indoor portraits Nigit Stil and I ventured out into the brush of Yellowknife. I specifically wanted to have two very different styles within this photo-shoot. The first being a cascading entanglement of feathers and hair, and the second to be a magnificent nest of brown curls and feathers. I was very happy with the conversion that took no less than 5 minutes to pin up.
Is Nigit Stil not the most elegant example of Northern Beauty you seen? Her warm compassionate soul echoes through into each portrait I captured.
There is nothing greater than the last image of a session taking your breath away completely. This last portrait below was taken as I was disassembling my studio lighting, I saw this pose and took what is one of my most favourite creative portraits to date!
The flight to Chilliwack felt different this time for me; for the first time since moving to Yellowknife in January of this year, I had a sense of misplacement. I had three previous wedding photography engagements in BC that needed to be fulfilled between January and August, and each time I travelled back I’d say: “I’m coming home”.
This time however, something had shifted. As I sat in the terminal waiting for my flight out of the smoke-filled city of Yellowknife, I felt I was leaving home. I had finally settled into my new life in the North and was excited about the new season that is about to start for Stephanie Lauren Photography. Change of home aside, I was as excited as ever to make the trip to my true original home town to spend time with family and photograph my last summer wedding.
Cody and Paige’s wedding was a very special day for me. Seven months earlier Cody’s mother Sheila of Sheila Armstrong Photography and sister Stephanie of Lemon & Lavender Photography had photographed our wedding, and the results were amazing.
Back in January when Sheila and I spoke before my wedding we talked about her son’s upcoming marriage to his high school sweetheart, and in the end we were honoured to photograph unforgettable moments in each other’s lives.
Now, a little about the Bride and Groom:
Cody and Paige met in the seventh grade. Cody was smitten immediately, and eventually their friendship would blossom into a great love story that would produce the greatest addition to their life, baby Hunter.
Not even three months prior to the wedding Cody and Paige welcomed their beautiful baby boy into the world. Paige said to Cody during her vows, “you have already gave me the greatest gift of my life”. The sincerity of their love is humbling and the immense joy they share is infectious to those that surround them.
Thank you for sharing your story with me Cody and Paige!
The girls all gathered at Paige’s grandparents home, a beautiful and rustic loft-style home. I couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop to photograph the bridal preparations.
Cody and his groomsmen got ready at his parents’ new farm property, where the ceremony was to take place in the open field out back. Their shared moments of laughter and morning golf had them mischievous and playful for pictures.
You know these men are a group of confident athletes by their request to have a GQ shirtless group shot.
Cody’s mom Sheila was busy finishing all the last details of the decorations and food, but took some quality time to help her son get ready. If ever you could see the overwhelming love of a mother, it is surely in the embrace of her son on his wedding day.
Paige stood gazing at her dress, the moment was finally here, her forever was about to start.
Once they saw each other for the first time…
After their first look, Cody surprised Paige with a beautiful eternity bracelet; she held back happy tears and was beyond elated with his gift.
After Cody and Paige’s first look and bridal portraits, we headed back inside to cool down. Hunter was happily cradled in his grandma’s arms and everyone was excited for the group pictures.
The Ceremony and Reception were held at Cody’s parents’ farm, a beautiful property looking out on Mt. Cheam. Rustic hay bale seating made for a true country wedding in the warm community of Rosedale.
I had the immense pleasure of photographing the faces of our fine city at yesterday’s festivities. From the parade to the farmers market and live music I met new people, joined in the laughter, and introduced myself to my community.
On behalf of my business I’d like to introduce myself. My names is Stephanie Lauren Wills and I am the owner and photographer of Stephanie Lauren Photography. Originally from Chilliwack BC, I have 6+ years photography experience. I hope that in the future you remember my name and face when you plan your next family portrait, wedding, graduation pictures, or any other need you may have. Feel free to drop me a line via the CONTACT US page.
I love people, and I definitely fell further in love with you yesterday! Thank you for visiting my site, and if you would like to view the images I have for purchase simply click the image below and it will take you to the gallery of images for purchase.
I absolutely love when photographers get together and create. This evening, and I say evening when it was really 9pm (Yes at 9pm it is still sunny and stunning out) a group of photographers and myself went out on a photo walk. Thanks to our Zumba Model Joan, we were all graced with a vivacious personality that shone through each image. Thank you to Samantha Stuart Photography who set it all up, there is nothing I love more than a group of people who share the same passion getting together.
“Sourire”, Marie would say in soft spoken French to her beautiful little girl Camille, “Smile for Stephanie”.
I had met Marie-Eve on a photo walk a few weeks prior and instantly fell in love with her soft and inviting personality. The wife and mother to a precious little family.
I found so much joy in photographing them in this beautiful summer bloom that Yellowknife is in. Thank you for the opportunity to showcase your family.
When the formal photos were over Camille was beaming about the cupcake Mommy and Daddy had promised her. “Gateau?” she politely asked in French.