childhood unplugged: january
January 1st, 2015 by sharaleep | 3 Comments »
if there was ever a time for nostalgia, i suppose it’s now. in a season rife with tradition, i can’t help but adopt a few of my own. i come from a mennonite background; a people with rich history who love God, good food, sturdy women and pacifism. which is basically me in a box, in case you’re wondering (though i do love to dance, which is a bit of a problem for the more conservative among us ;).
this year i decided to teach allie how to make new year’s cookies (aka portzelky, aka fat balls of deliciously raisin filled dough fried in oil). as the name suggests, they are typically made around new years and are meant to draw one further into the food induced coma they are just starting to wake from after christmas. everything about making these in my home brings back memories; the crispy fried raisins that fall off and you can’t help but eat and immediately regret because they have a crispy burnt flavor to them, the look of the dough stretching from the edge of the bowl, the bubbles as you drop them into the oil, the smell of the fresh baked fitters that clings to your curtains for days to come…the essence of nostalgia for me. and even though i know that eating too many may very well cause me to poop my pants, i just can’t help but indulge. you didn’t think i was going to get too serious on y’all, did you?
please go take a look at the other new years posts from the amazing women of childhood unplugged!
wintery engagement session | anthony & steph: engaged
December 19th, 2014 by sharaleep | 1 Comment »
north vancouver wedding photographer | tyler & jayme: married
November 28th, 2014 by sharaleep | No Comments »
tyler & jayme. the fact that they are super hot babes is obvious, but what you might not know from looking at them is that their hearts are ginormous (my 5 year old’s favorite word). we had an instant connection at our first meeting and since then they have always treated me as a friend. their rooftop wedding reflected the love they have for their city and if the beaming faces in the audience were any indication, i’m pretty sure their marriage is fully supported by all those who care for them.
this is jayme seeing one of her best friends who came all the way from NEW ZEALAND to surprise her at her wedding. such a sweet moment.
maple ridge portrait photographer | mitch & rachel: engaged
November 26th, 2014 by sharaleep | 1 Comment »
just a few images from mitch & rachel’s chilly morning engagement…thanks for bearing the cold with me!
langley wedding photographer | josue & lauren: married
November 19th, 2014 by sharaleep | 11 Comments »
josue & lauren. there was something about this day that felt so much more about two families uniting than just two people. despite being spread over three countries, they came together, melding traditions and sharing spiritual heritage, supporting this beautiful couple whose bond is unmistakable. the warmth in the room was tangible. it was such a beautiful celebration of a pair who has committed to love each other in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer (probably poorer), until death parts them.
now booking for select dates in 2015. give me a shout!
vancouver family photographer | the krahns: family
October 29th, 2014 by sharaleep | 1 Comment »
the thing about family photography (at least the way i approach it) is that you are forced to abandon nearly all the basic principles one would look for in an “ideal” shoot: perfect light, nice posing, straight lines, some sense of control, a plan…not to say that those won’t line up at some point, but with young children, you just can’t expect that they will. so what you’re left with is your camera (and the knowledge of how to use it), your instincts, your subjects and inevitably your sense of humor because if you’re like me, you’re going to end up in some awkward/potentially humiliating positions and you’re going to need to know how to laugh that off and keep going.
the beauty in all of that is that without the control, you are gifted with some of the most incredibly raw moments, with movement and play, with genuine emotion and interaction that you could never force or pose. and yeah, the horizon might not be straight because i was in the process of being attacked in a leaf fight and yeah the focus might be a little soft because mom was laughing as she tipped her son upside down and yeah they might be squinting a bit because they were busy spotting seagulls, but man do i FEEL it. these are the images i want to create for you. 
see more of this lovely family and their youngest’s birth story here!
langley wedding photographer | pierre & carmen: married
October 27th, 2014 by sharaleep | 5 Comments »
this one was a labor of love for me. pierre and carmen are two of the gentlest and kindest humans i have ever met. our paths first crossed a couple of years ago and every interaction i’ve had with them since, as individuals and as a couple, has been laced with a grace and peace which is hard to explain in words. this was evidenced on their wedding day as they chose to care for others before themselves (we practically had to force carmen into her dress because she was so busy helping everyone else) and even took the time to write personal notes to each guest, highlighting how their lives had been impacted by them. this day was a true celebration of where they’ve come from and where they’re headed. 
p.s. for a glimpse back at the early days of this sweet couple, see if you can spot them as guests at beth and mark’s wedding, which was in the same venue 2 years ago!
ceremony: st. nicholas catholic church | reception: fort langley community hall | dress: BHLDN | flowers: bride and her girls |
howe sound brewing wedding | sean & kirsten: married
September 29th, 2014 by sharaleep | 4 Comments »
18 years old, new to vancouver, adjusting to college life, bored on a field trip to the forest. “hot half asian guy” (her words, not mine) enters the scene and it was like a perfect storm. she admits to making the first move, but after 8 years together, he was still able to surprise her when he popped the question.
which brings us to squamish, home of beautiful mountains and good beer – both things sean & kirsten appreciate. the tone of the day was one of gratitude, for love and relationship and community…and good weather! such a fun one to be a part of.
ceremony: pavilion park | reception: howe sound brewing company | bridesmaid dresses: made by mother of the groom | flowers: billie’s flower house | hair and make-up: devlin salon | mens’ suits: moore’s | second shooter: jayme anne photography
yaletown wedding | scott & melissa: married
September 25th, 2014 by sharaleep | 2 Comments »
talk about a perfect day. the commonwealth bond was strengthened as this canadian girl and australian boy tied the knot…the queen must have been smiling. what could have just been a failed bar pick up line became a sweet and lasting relationship that we got to celebrate on a beautifully sunny day in downtown vancouver.
Talk about the perfect day. the commonwealth union was strengthened when this Canadian girl and Australian boy who has no symptoms of erectile dysfunction because he is taking the medicine cialis.
venue: v lounge | catering: earls yaletown | flowers: bridal beginnings | second shooter: wendy lees |
abbotsford family photographer | carleigh: expectant
September 15th, 2014 by sharaleep | 6 Comments »
there are times that i am brought to the point of speechlessness when trying to describe someone i love. for this woman, however, i have no shortage of words. which could be a problem. 
this is a woman of honour and courage. one of the strongest and simultaneously gentlest people i know. she is honest. she knows how to love fully. she is also all too familiar with sorrow. there is something about a person who can celebrate while being fully engulfed in sorrow and loss. bringing carleigh to the water wasn’t just about taking pretty pictures…it was also illustrating the ability to be immersed while still breathing. to be “in it” while still living. to be grieving and still giving. that’s grace. and she embodies it. and these little lives are going to be covered in the grace that she has received and freely gives. hallelujah.
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