I love May.  Fresh greens and blossoms galore:

Loving Amy’s print dress!  Pink magnolias: such fleeting beauty.

I’m always so pleased to see feathers make an appearance

One of my favourite shots in a while.  Tempted By Twilight

So excited for your wedding day guys- thank you for being so fun to spend time with!  xo c&c

Sarah and Riley have been through so much together and they are absolutely meant to be a couple.  A super relaxed session in and around the house was exactly what the doctor ordered:

When Sarah’s Irish eyes are smiling- you can’t feel bad about a darn thing (yes- she’s Irish and we shot this on St. Patrick’s Day).   (hair & makeup to enhance Sarah’s natural beauty by the wonderful Melanie of MINK)

Riley is a complete gentleman.

Nice back yard.  Less work than grass, yes?

A beautiful, emotional moment between these two:

Their signature embrace: we expect to see this lots on their wedding day!

“R” for Riley:

Riley ran across Canada to raise funds for the Vancouver Prostate Cancer Centre, raising $560,000.00 + as of January 2012.  These are the shoes that he wore through:

We are so excited to see these two marry!!  Geneve from DreamGroup is planning the big event(s) so we know it will be a smooth and spectacular day!  We’ve already had the chance to meet Sarah and Riley’s sisters (Hi, Ladies!!) so we’re really looking forward to meeting the rest of the family and the folks lucky to call S&R friends.

We’re currently in the midst of studio renovations to accommodate more portrait clients and some very unique photographic offerings.  I’m confident that there will be no where else in Vancouver to achieve the particular light & style-infused looks we’re working so hard on… it’s been over a decade in the making, friends!  For now, the loft is a mess and it’s been challenging to meet with clients.  I’m thankful that people have been very understanding.  The washroom has been taken down to the studs, too.  We keep saying “just breathe, baby!”.

Here is Part Two (of numerous parts, it’s true).  Here we go!  Can I just say, I love these people… xo c

We’ve been traveling every month since I can remember, and quite frankly, I’m feeling a little home sick.  I find traveling to be incredibly inspiring in so many ways, so I wouldn’t be able to live with out it for long, but now I wish to be home.  With the hounds and my husband.  Entertaining friends and turning the inspiring ideas I’ve collected for album designs, new product lines and home decor into reality… from the comfort of the home office or the studio. On our travels, I make lots of time to journal and sketch and dream.  And I think about mistakes a lot.  When I make a mistake or fail at a task, I try to think it through extensively- then do my best to learn from it and LET IT GO. Key word: “try”

These photos are on New Years in Quebec City- what a great city.  First time there, we’ll be back for sure: freezing cold or not.

ps thanks for your overwhelming interest in our belly/family photography services.  We’re still unable to accept new clients for now, but we’re working on getting some options together in time for summer.  Thanks for your patience, friends! xo c

Tanya taking one for team fashion:

so Tanya and Jure, so sweet:

beautiful Sadie bear with a soul as kind and warm as both of her parents:

Disco Bennett Five.  Yes, five.  And little Piper is already over half a year old!

cute brother play:

Here she is!  Over six months old: Little Miss Astrid.  Pure Joy for Leanne and James and all who get to know her.

Lori, Dave and Mr. Oscar.  He really, genuinely stole my heart.

phew.  So much more to come.  To all of the above families- Chadwick and I just love you so much.  Thank you for letting us capture these really cool years of growth for you.

Sending you so much love.

JONETSU STUDIOS is now closed for the holidays.  We will be spending much needed and anticipated time with family and friends until January 5th, when we’ll be ‘back at ‘er”.

Merry Christmas. xo c&c

Very in love, and best friends all the way:

Here comes the coat envy.  Hudson’s Bay Company blanket coat designed by Smythe:I’m a big fan of hoods you can fit three people into.Vancouver’s new crown.Michelle MADE this red dress.  She made her sister’s wedding gown, and the bridesmaid gowns and she is MAKING her wedding gown.  It is going to be beyond incredible and personal- I have never been more excited to see a bride on her wedding morning.

The wedding took place at Victoria’s Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa, where Echo and Joel welcomed family and friends from China.  The intimate, West Coast vibe of the area was exactly what they were looking for.  Cristina Samper Pearl from Forever True moved mountains to plan their wedding in only three months from the engagement!

Echo, you are a stunning and kind woman.  Want to get styled like this?  To get your own Monique Lhullier or Oscar or Marchesa…. go see the sweet and ulitimately helpful ladies at Bisou Bridalthis bouquet design by the freakishly talented FLOWERZ is one of my favourites of all time.  Delicate to look at and bomb-proof at the same time.  They really brought pure artistry and extreme quality to all of the florals.

feathers?  yes, please Mr. de la Renta:the food at Brentwood Bay was lovely:ok, with wine and champagne passing- it’s time to get smiling, people!  This was a group of friends and family who really know how to have a good time.  We’ve kept many guest images under wraps for privacy reasons.  There may have been some excitement with singing and orchids flying, designer gowns poolside- but I’m not sure. Cinema Company:
Cloud Nine Creative

Planning Company:
Cristina Samper Pearl, Forever True Wedding Planning and Design

Gown Boutique:
Bisou Bridal

Gown Designer:
First Dress: Monique L’huillier
Second Dress:  Oscar de la Renta
Party Dress: Marchesa

Veil:
Bisou Bridal

Fine Jewelry:
Hermes, Tiffany & Co. and
Links of London

Shoes:
First Pair: Christian Louboutin
Second Pair: Miu Miu
Third Pair: Valentino
Forth Pair: Jimmy Choo

Groom Formal Wear:
Dior

Stationery Company:
Michelle Mark, Envelopments

Floral:
Evan Orion, Flowerz

Decorating Company:
Pedersen’s Rentals and
Tie the Knot Events

Cake:
Debbie Turner, Cakes Galore

“Enter the lobby – home to some of The Club’s most celebrated ceremonies – and you’ll be enchanted by a fragrant living gallery, created by the city’s principal florists. In the romantic Georgian Room, prepare to be pampered with the latest in bridal fashion, make-up and accessories.

Dream of luxurious receptions in our exquisite Ballroom. Meet with the experts, share your vision, and hand-select everything you need to make your day unforgettable. Indulge in The Club’s modern twist on traditional, locally-sourced cuisine.

Join us for this special event and discover the perfect marriage between classic and contemporary.”  Vancouver Club

I love genuine relationships that come out of simply a great working vibe and mutual respect.  The entire team at Vancouver Club- and Jenny in particular- they’re always on the ball.   Our couples are thrilled with their experiences at the Club.  We’ve shot so many different types of events in their many rooms and public spaces and every time it’s GOOD.  Professional service, crazy good food and bar service.  It’s not this way at every venue.  As photographers, we love shooting at the Vancouver Club because there are so many incredible angles and diverse looks in one building.  As you know, it’s hard to find real charm in much of Vancouver’s architecture- and the Vancouver Club building has it in spades.

At 12pm, just before the Fashion Show, we’ll be on stage giving a little interactive chat about how to make the most of your wedding photography commission, through great choices in decor, lighting, floral and makeup.  We’ll talk timelines, personal style and have an open Q&A about wedding photography in Vancouver.  Ask us anything.

ENGAGE IS ON SUNDAY JANUARY 15TH AT 11AM

915 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C.

BOOK TICKETS ($25 IN ADVANCE OR $35 AT THE DOOR) BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK or CALL FOR TICKETS 604-331-7019

Here are some shots I grabbed from our vault to give you an idea of what a great space the Club offers (with amazing teams providing decor, floral and planning (specifically from Dreamgroup and Milestone Events) .  Can you believe this is all in one building?  And I haven’t even included images from several other stunner rooms…

Meet these incredible people at the Engage Showcase:

Debut Event Design

Countdown Events

JONETSU

Flowerz

Anna Elizabeth Cakes

Hilary Miles

The Flower Factory

DJ Mary Mac

Upright Decor

Musical Occasions

Sara Laurence

Hayley Miller

Jayna Marie

Elsa Corsi

Chair Decor

Wintons Social Stationary

Blush Occasions

Lonsdale Event Rentals

Bouquets Floral

Revolucion

Roa Floral and Event Design

Granville Island Florist

JD’s Barbershop

So, somewhere between our travels in Indonesia and China and a server switch and a blog hack, our Facebook post “likes” on this blog were all returned to zero likes.  Boooo.  We really do appreciate that hundreds of you who took time to share our posts on your personal pages.   I haven’t checked if those links are live anymore or not, but I just wanted to say thanks and that we’ll remember your kindness and sharing, even though the “ticker” didn’t.

I guess, like diamonds and cockroaches, “Comments” are truly forever.

Continuing our tradition of seasonal mini self-portrait sessions whilst walking the hounds, here we are going for a stroll one cold, foggy morning by the Fraser River in Mission.  We never regret bringing a camera, though we don’t do it enough on personal adventures.  I’ve been threatening to get an iPhone for years, and the time may be coming very soon- it has me wondering if having such an easy, convenient photo device will increse personal photo-taking endeavors or hinder them by our refusal to pack the “real gear”.

What happened to your photo-taking life when you got an iPhone?