singer songwriter, asha diaz

I have always said that one day, I will see this girl up on stage somewhere, accepting a major award... but for now she's just enjoying being a teenager.  a very talented teenager, mind you.  one who not only sings and plays piano, but writes her own music as well. I have had the pleasure of knowing Asha since she was a little girl, dancing around in her tutu with my daughter, Maddi... and it has been a blast watching her grow up into the fabulously talented girl she is today.  she has been performing and writing her own original music since she was eight years old, she even held court performing in Robson Square during the 2010 Olympics this February.  she followed up that success this summer by releasing her first CD, Jumpin' Off.

Asha's most recent endeavour is competing in CBC Radio's contest "Best High School Singer/Songwriter".  her vibe and her music reminds me of a young Sarah McLachlan and I know you would love her music... so, take a minute, have a listen and VOTE (between October 14 - 17th) at this link to help make Asha's dreams come true!

GO ASHA!!

xoxo

Lori

Vancouver Swan-e-set Wedding

I love the diversity of ethnic weddings in Vancouver, and this Indian wedding from September was the perfect example.  Alka was a stunning Indian bride, and her groom, Estaban was from Colombia.  together, they make a gorgeous couple and their wedding ceremony and reception at Swan-e-set was a celebration to remember...

congratulations, Alka and Esteban!  thank you for choosing us to capture your wedding day... it was an honour and a pleasure.

wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness,

Lori

summertime...

this summer has literally flown by... with gorgeous weddings and portrait shoots and even some precious vacation time snuck in there, I can't believe it is already August.  I just returned from a glorious week of fun with the family at a house in Pender Harbour.  not just any house, but a huge house, set on a cliff on the ocean with stunning views and spectacular sunsets.  we rented it with a few other families and together we all enjoyed long days of coffee on the deck, day trips to the beach, kayaking in the afternoon, huge feasts for dinner and then evenings spent leisurely watching the amazing meteor showers in the night sky.  it was a week to remember, for sure.  I wish I could share all of the beautiful photos from our week, but this one in particular caught my eye when I was uploading last night. we were coming back from the beach on our way to the rope swing, which was about 5 mins. from the house.  I'm having a blast driving my friend's convertible (I know, poor me!) and my daughter Maddi and her friend Asha are in the back seat complaining because they are in their bathing suits and the wind is too cold.  we quickly pull over and thrown them a few towels and a sweater from the trunk to put an end to the whining.  the rest of the drive, I keep looking at Maddi in the rear view mirror to make sure she's okay.  she has this old brown sweater pulled up tight and her hair is blowing like a banshee all over the place and I can't help but notice how unbelievably beautiful she is.  first thing I did when we stopped at the rope swing was take her photo to capture the moment.

and then it was gone.

I hope you're enjoying your summer as much as I am.

sarah & mike - vancouver engagement photos

when I first met Sarah & Mike, I had an immediate connection with both of them... you know when you meet someone and you are so comfortable, you feel as if you've known them forever?  it was just like that and I knew it was going to be an absolute pleasure to work with them.  I'm happy to say, I was right!  they live in Alberta and we scheduled their engagement shoot well in advance for a weekend they were home in Vancouver.  we had so much fun shooting that day, starting off at Jericho in the gorgeous shade of the park and then down to the beach... and then we headed off to UBC where Sarah & Mike are both long-time alumni.  it was such a good day, I didn't even mind the fact I was working on Mother's Day... mainly because they are so much fun to hang out with!  but also because, as a Mother's Day gift, my fabulous daughter came along with me to assist.  I love having her with me when I'm working because it feels so much less like work... and she even got a few awesome shots off as well!  like the one in the upper right of this series... it was such a nice compliment to my up-close images.  she actually got quite a few great shots that day... what can I say, my kid rocks.  and apparently takes good photos, too!

Sarah and Mike, thank you for sharing yourselves so naturally that day!  I am soooo looking forward to your wedding in  few weeks...

xoxo

Lori

Sweet Pea Photography - WedLuxe Magazine - Cecil Green Park Wedding

I found it very appropriate that Shauna & Thomas' August wedding at Cecil Green Park is featured in the current "Daydream" issue of WedLuxe magazine... one, because she and Thomas were a dream to work with... from the moment I photographed their engagement shoot, they made my job very easy and were absolutely adorable together.  and, two, because Shauna has impeccable taste and put together a dream team of vendors for her fairy tale wedding!  check it out...

there were just too many gorgeous images from this wedding not to share a few of my favourites as well...

I had such a wonderful time working with Shauna and her amazing wedding planner, Geneve of DreamGroup Productions!  Geneve and her team worked very closely with Shauna to make sure every element of the day was flawless, from start to finish.  I couldn't resist adding a few photos of both of us with Shauna, one of our favourites brides!

here's a list of a few others who made the day come together so well:

Gown and veil:  Lee-Ann Belter from Blush Bridal

Bridesmaids dresses:  Jenny Yoo from Frocks

Make-up:  Hayley Miller

Flowers and decor:  Wedding Design Studio

Wedding Cake:  Jill of  The Uncommon Cake

congratulations, Shauna & Thomas on a dream of a wedding!  we wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness.

xoxo

Lori

WedLuxe Magazine - Sweet Pea Photography

one of the many gorgeous celebrations I had the pleasure of photographing last year was the October wedding of Ashley and Tim.  when I met Ashley and her family, I knew immediately they had something very special planned... little did I know just how unique and beautiful the day would be!  I was honoured they chose me to document the day and equally thrilled when their wedding was chosen to be featured in the current issue of WedLuxe Magazine!  be sure to pick up a copy of this beautiful publication which will be available on newstands this week.  in the meantime, here is a peek at their featured wedding... followed by just a few of my own personal favourites...

Bridal Gown:  Lazaro from Bisou Bridal

Bridal Shoes:  Jimmy Choo

Bridesmaid Dresses:  Lazaro from Bisou Bridal

Florals:  Giverny Flowers

Rings:  Stittgen Fine Jewelery

Stationary:  Paper Queen

Church:   St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church

Reception:  Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver

Decor:  Colin Upright of Upright Decor

Cake:  Ganache Patisserie

Band:  The Famous Players Band

with a wedding so full of stunning details, I can't resist sharing a few favourites of my own from the day...

congratulations, Ashley and Tim on an absolutely perfect, fairy tale wedding!  I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness.

stay tuned for even MORE exciting news... this issue of WedLuxe magazine is a very special one for me as they chose to feature not just one, but TWO weddings I photographed in 2009!  next week, Shauna & Thomas' stunning Cecil Green wedding...

xoxo

Lori