What a job I have!

Last week I did bridals for a woman in town for her wedding on the luckiest day of the year, 08-08-08. More about their wedding to follow later this week.

Meantime, here are some sneak peeks from Monica's wonderful bridal. Every one of them was taken at the stunning Westin Grand on Robson Street, with the oh-so-helpful Lisa paving the way.

Can you imagine a hotel allowing a bride up on top of their lobby's grand piano? The Westin did, and then some. Plus they kept shuffling the groom and all the guests out of the areas we'd next be in--because Tom, the groom, wasn't to see Monica in "the dress" until Friday. (Thanks so much, Lisa. Your assistance made the shoot a dream.)

There's a terrific shot of Monica lifting weights. In the shot with the Vancouver Public Library behind Monica, our poor bride-to-be up was actually four feet up standing on a cafe table! Ahhh, if only all my brides were so willing. Talk about game!

The lovely flowers--stephanotis and lilies--are by the excellent Library Florist, also on Robson Street.

Meg got married!

Our youngest daughter, Meghann, got married to her long-time love, Greg, Aug 2nd in White Rock. They had one of those wonderful weddings where nothing goes right (forgotten decorations, honeymoon suite cancellation, missing DJ) while, at the same time, absolutely nothing goes wrong because the love between the couple just shone like a beacon. Meg and Greg and their little one, Julianne (Meg's stepdaughter who frequently appears on this blog), glowed all day long.

And we glowed too, as the proud parents. Meghann pretty well pulled the event together single handedly and she did a beautiful job, as these pictures attest. Congratulations, kiddos. We wish you the best happiness of married life.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

This is little Noah Neufeld who was born in February of this year, and lived for 28 days.


The photographers who volunteer for the organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep are always gratified with press coverage. I know it's our dream that no family losing a baby will have to go without professional photographs of their little guy or gal, and media coverage really expands the number of families who know of our services. We always hope that someone may remember seeing something about us that will help at just the right moment.

Two of the families I photographed for this year--and who have suffered impossible losses with dignity and strength--were kind enough to share their stories with Tom MacMillan writing for Victoria's Times Colonist. Please feel free to register at the paper and read the story. Several of my photos appear--even one attributed to one of my colleagues.

http://digital.timescolonist.com/epaper/viewer.aspx The article appears on page 25 of today's paper.

Angela and Damien got hitched!

Angela and Damien had such a very beautiful wedding in late June. The weekend is one that is notoriously stormy in Vancouver, but they had absolutely great weather--they were so lucky.

Angela's gown was absolutely stunning; Damien, her fella, wore new duds from Scotland. Angela even wore a lucky sixpense in her shoe. The much-lauded SFU pipe band, to which they both belong, piped them out of the beautiful Ryerson United Church in Kerrisdale. Angela and Damien then picked up their own pipes (Damien's new set a wedding gift from his new wife) to pipe their guests out. Great merriment was had by all.

They had a pretty nifty limo, too!

Congrats, Angela and Damien. Can't wait for you to see all your wonderful images! Best of luck for a great future together.






piping photo by second shooter, Janet Rerecich:

Who's yer baby?

Everyone, meet little Tristan, who was ready for his close-up at six days of age. What a little cutie patootie. What a little snoogle-y-woogle-y adorable redhead. He took on a bit of 'tude when his papa styled him a faux-hawk.

We wish Tristan and his family all the best in the coming months. Mom and Dad are over the moon with joy, and it's so easy to see why. Dad, a former model, was the most natural baby-wrangler I've ever seen, and I'll be hard pressed not to call him into action for all the babies I photograph.

sweet, sweet mama-to-be

Sam came to Jane Photo as a referral, and we did a June special mini maternity shoot. Sam's about to have her first little munchkin later this summer, and she's just blooming with good health. Being in your last trimester in this heat isn't fun, and we at Jane Photo wish her all the best for the safe delivery of her daughter or son. Can't wait to meet the new little one! We'll get awesome newborn photos.

Remember, everyone! Newborn photos are best taken around day four when your new little gal or guy is still very, very sleepy from the rigours of birth. This is before baby acne starts up, and when the little ones are still wonderfully squishable.

Omg...can these folks shoot, or what?

Some of you may know that Gary Lewis of Phoenix Perennials in Richmond has been cajoling me for some years to teach a macro flower workshop through his nursery. Of course spring is my busiest time--weddings, gardening, portraits--so I've always said a firm no, but somehow he broke down my resolve this year.

I met with my group twice, and wow, did I luck out! They are such talented photographers. The photos here show off a magical capture from each of them. Thanks to each and every one of you for two wonderful workshop evenings...I'm sure I learned as much as I taught, and I sure admired what all of you accomplished.

We still have some people missing, but I'll add images if they come in...

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image by Bob McMorine

image by Caroline Carson

image by Clare Philips

image by Neal Boxrud

Such fab news from California

Everyone knows by now that California legalized same-sex marriage...and it takes effect next week on June 16th at 5 pm. Woo hoo! It is such fantastic news. All the Californian couples wed in Canada will automatically have their Canadian marriages recognized (as do heterosexual couples).

A wonderful couple I photographed last year has been featured on NPR (National Public Radio in the US), and a photograph I took of them at their Vancouver nuptials was included in the coverage.

And for those of you who don't click, above are the blushing brides, Leanne and Moya, at the beach on a truly freezing day in March 2007. I guess they'll be hosting yet another wedding this fall, and here at Jane Photo, we wish them and their adorable daughter, Lucy, all the best for a happy future together (again).

The doc in the 'loop

Joy and I drove up to Kamloops on Friday to attend convocation at Thompson Rivers University where our "son" bill was receiving his honourary Doctor of Letters degree. It was a thrill for us to be there for this momentous occasion in bill's life, and his robes were so cool that I couldn't help but take a long series of snaps.

bill bissett, as many people around the world know, is one of "Canada's national treasures." He's certainly a treasure in our lives--and I think just about anyone who knows this remarkable and accomplished renegade poet/painter would agree that melting hearts is one of his biggest successes in life.


bill bissett with his sister, barb:

bill bissett on the podium during convocation with university chancellor and Olympic medallist Nancy Greene Raine





The photograph below was taken of British Columbia's pine forests along the highway around Kamloops. Beautiful though it is, it shows the devastation caused by the pine beetle.