This post will be in stark contrast to what you normally see here on our blog.   My career has me documenting extravagant affairs – gorgeous people, beautiful details, and festive celebration.  I love what I do, and I so enjoy being part of each couple’s celebration of love with their families.  My time in Africa opened my eyes and had me documenting love in a completely different way. This blog post has been a long time coming, and marks the two year anniversary of the day I left Africa, not for the last time, I am certain.

Africa has always captivated me.  I left Canada full of excitement and wonder at what my trip would hold for me, and nervous to leave behind Wyatt, my 2 year old son, to embark on a journey that had been one of my lifetime dreams.  I had in my mind’s eye the photographs that I hoped to come back with.  I envisioned landscape and wild life photographs good enough to be printed in coffee table books and hung in art shows and galleries, photographs that were inspired by Andy Bigg’s work – not photographs that would merely find the end of their road on the walls of Wyatt’s nursery (and if I’m being honest – they haven’t even found their way there yet).  I have to say, my expectations got the better of me, and I was disappointed with my seeming inability to document animals in their natural habitat. It was a learning curve, to be sure.  In the end, I joked that my “gallery” would consist only of animal butts and lone tree shots.  At least the lone trees co-operated!  My good friend Sabrina, whom I met on safari, summed up her experience with the challenge of expectation much better than I ever would, which you can read here.

I came back from Africa having learned many lessons, the least of which was the fact that I have a lot to learn about landscape and wild life photography (so if you want your pets photographed – Melanie is your gal!).  I learned that there is a reason I photograph people for a living – I was so drawn to the people of Africa.  Africa is not only a place of geographical beauty, but also a place of resilient, joyful people where a sense of community, optimism and hope resonates.  As we trekked through villages, city slums, orphanages and schools, the same messages prevailed.  We, as North Americans, could learn a thing or two from these beautiful, stoic, hopeful people where family (in whatever form it comes in) is the center of life.  In an email back to my own friends and family after I spent the day visiting Kibera (one of the largest slums in Africa – think 800 000+ people living in an area less of than 1 square mile), I wrote “…despite all of the struggle here, there is an underlying sense of community, and a joyous spirit that emanates from the people.  The people were happy to welcome us to their community, the children were exuberant, and the overall feeling was one of hope, not despair.  Amazing.  I left there feeling humbled. Materially I have everything, they have nothing, and it was they that brought a smile to my face.”

Two years later, I still smile when I think of my time in Africa.  I can’t wait to go back.

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And now for the photographs of the animals…..I have to say, I found it extremely difficult to work within the boundaries of shooting on safari.  Being in a vehicle, you aren’t able to choose your position – you can’t find the angle with the best light, or the best composition.  You are at the mercy of the driver, who is simply trying his best to get you a good view of the wild life.  The animals aren’t exactly co-operative either – just when you think you have the angle you want, you sit waiting, hoping that they will look directly in your lens… inevitably they end up turning way – leaving you with a camera full of images of animal as*es .  If I had it my way, I would have been out of the truck, lying in the grass, tiptoeing around them, finding my angles.  But then I would have ended up as lunch.  And that wouldn’t have been good either.I want to make special mention of a few people who made this trip amazing for me:

My family – Christopher, who encouraged me to go on this trip, despite the fact that our lives were in major upheaval at the time.  I often forget that if it weren’t for him, I would still be slugging it out downtown in the world of finance, dreaming about making photography a career.  He is the number one reason that I am able to be doing what I love on a day to day basis.  Also, Susan, my amazingly generous mother-in-law, who drives up from Chicago whenever I ask her to help look after Wyatt while I take flight.  And, my monkey, Wyatt, whose enthusiastic welcome-home hugs and kisses make want to keep walking out the door and walking back in again, just to draw them out a little longer.  He doesn’t understand the world of travel yet, but I am hopeful that through example, he will take an interest in the world around him, and become a compassionate little soul, with a heart full of gratitude for the life he is able to live here in Canada.

Ryan Snider, owner of Socially Responsible Safaris, and our trip guide was absolutely incredible, from the beginning stages of planning to the very end.  I chose his organization, because I knew that I wanted to do a safari, but I also wanted to see the “real” Africa – not just luxury tented resorts.  Yes, I wanted to see the animals, but I was more interested in the people, and the culture, and wanted to travel with someone who had roots there, who knew Africa.  Ryan does.  Without getting into all of the details of his background (you can look him up on his website), I went on this trip with high expectations, and he managed to meet every one, and then some.  He truly cares about his work in Africa, and supports many charity projects through his organization, Give International.  Ryan is an amazing human being, and I would recommend his safaris over and over and over again.  Also, 100% of the money donated to his charity goes directly to the projects, whether they be employment projects, schools or orphanages.  If you are interested in volunteering in school or orphanage there, he can also set that up for you.

Photographer and author, David DuChemin, was the mentor photographer on our trip.  He has a history as a humanitarian photographer, but now spends most of his time writing, partnering his own photography travel workshops and also owns Craft and Vision – an ebook publishing company.  His advice was instrumental in helping me get out of my photographic funk so that I could refocus on what was important, and come back to Canada with a couple of images that I am proud of.  If you are a photographer or want to be one, his books are worth a mention too – check it all out at www.davidduchemin.com.

And last but not least, my gals – Maureen, Sabrina, and Beate – you made the trip of my life so LIVELY.  Thank you for sharing this incredible experience with me.  I went on this trip for the photographs, but realized along the way that if I left without a single photograph, but came back with your friendship and our shared experience, I would be 100% happy.  Can’t wait to do it again one day – what’s next?

Okay – lastly for real – one more image that pretty much sums up my skills as a wild life photographer:I bet this image would have been AWEsome from the other side.

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Though I didn’t post any images from the market (I had to draw the line somewhere!), I couldn’t resist posting these.  Wendy thought it would be great to get a photograph of her and Shane with the cute little spider monkey… until it devoured the flowers on one side of her head and spit out his half-eaten grape on her shoulder.  Then the monkey wasn’t so cute.

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Enjoy!

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Yes…I finally got married!  After nearly 10 years with my partner, Karen, and 6 years of engagement with mutually no desire to plan a wedding, we decided that a beach elopement was so “us”!  Having fallen in love with Tofino on vacation a few years back, we knew that it was the perfect setting for us to say “I do”.  Already in British Columbia for my sister’s wedding in Whistler, we prolonged our stay and married just 6 days after her nuptials.  We rented an amazing beach house on Chesterman’s Beach in Tofino, which backed directly onto the sand with the ocean at our feet…the perfect location for a quaint ceremony.  Instead of a traditional white dress, I chose a flowy, beachy turquoise green dress that I absolutely loved from BCBG Max Azria. My hair and makeup was done by Jessica of “Salty Dolls” and the beautiful bouquet and accent flowers were created by the talented Heather of “Heathers The Flowershop” in Gastown, Vancouver, assisted by my sister, Ashleigh, who works and apprentices at the shop.  Our ceremony was short, sweet and perfect.  I walked out to meet Karen on the beach while our friends Elaine and Marife serenaded our small group of eleven with their ukuleles, which added to the ambiance and intimacy.  Following the ceremony, Karen and I hit the beach with Krista to take advantage of the breathless scenery surrounding us.  The sun peaked out just in time for our photos while the rest of the group relaxed and started preparations for our dinner. Here are some of the amazing highlights from our special day.  It was a day I will never forget.

An amazing BBQ dinner was cooked up by the guys while our photos were being taken on the beach.  The menu included grilled fresh salmon with mango chutney, filet mignon,  baked potatoes, and caesar salad.  The ladies pitched in to help create the beautiful beach inspired table setting with some DIY details I put together before the wedding. My sister Ashleigh surprised us with a little wedding cake, which she and her boyfriend Hayden sourced out from the Wickaninnish Inn down the road (they were kind enough to give her the top of a cake they had prepared for another wedding, happening the next day, knowing they had time to replace it.  Thank you Wickaninnish Inn!).  Extra flowers were used to adorn the chocolate mousse cake which helped tie it in with our other details.  Everything came together so beautifully and so perfectly, we couldn’t have planned it any better if we did it months ahead of time.  Then, just prior to dinner, Karen and I had a HUGE announcement to make…a secret we had been holding for three and a half months…

After dinner, we all changed into more comfortable clothes for a group outing on the beach.  We walked, we laughed, and we wrote messages in the sand.  Collectively we watched the sun set over the ocean as the tide rolled in on this most amazing wedding day.  To our wonderful family and friends who unfortunately were not present with us, we thank you for your continued love and support and we wish we could have shared this day with you all.

Another special thanks to all those who helped make this day so special.

Firstly, Krista, my Verve Photo Co. business partner and friend, for her amazing photography,  and for helping to make my vision a photographic reality!  Heather of Heather’s The Flower Shop for her beautiful artistic floral design, and for going above and beyond all expectation!  Jessica of Salty Dolls for making me feel beautiful with her hair and makeup services.  Our Wedding Officiant Gael Duchene for performing our beautiful beach wedding ceremony.Snippet and Ink: Daily Wedding Inspiration for featuring my wedding on their fabulous blog.  And lastly the Wickaninnish Inn for the most delicious wedding cake I have ever tasted!

What an amazing week we had at the Riu Palace in the Dominican Republic!  The first few days were spent scouting, and wondering if the rain was ever going to let up long enough to get in some photographs on the beach.  As is usually the case with the weddings we shoot (knock on wood), the sun came out at just the right moment, casting beautiful soft evening light on the beach.  SO much better than shooting in the rain.  Ashley and John looked stunning, the small intimate group of friends and family that came down to celebrate were an absolute blast to be around.  I don’t think the day could have gone any better… well, okay, we could have done without the stress of worrying about the rain.  BUT – all’s well that ends well, and considering the day ended with Ashley jumping in the hotel fountain in her dress, I would say it ended on a high note.  Thank you Ashley and John for including us in your celebration.  We had an amazing time, and hope you enjoy your photos as much as we enjoyed our time with you!

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