We are already a month into 2017 and I still haven’t had a chance to gather my thoughts about 2016. Anyone else also feel like the older they get, the faster time seems to fly by? For all the negativity about 2016 and excitement for the beginning of a new year, I’ve have to say that looking back 2016 was one of my best years yet. It had its lows but overall I can only look back on it with a heart full of gratitude for all of the experiences I had, the places I saw, and most importantly, the people that filled my days. This past year has only made me more acutely aware and thankful for the community that surrounds me. For the friendships that I have found in my clients, for the bonds strengthened with my family (both here in Canada and back in Poland), and for more sweet memories with my ever-supportive, loving, fun friends. I pray that I never take for granted the love that I have found with here with these people, my people.

2015 was the first I really travelled in my life (I went back to Poland for the first time in 15 years and while in Europe I explored bits of Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, England, and France. I went to Hawaii for the first time, saw more of Canada, and went to Oregon a couple of times). 2016 held more adventures and travels. I kicked of the year in a little cabin on the Oregon coast with a few great friends, went back to Hawaii for a few days with my friend Kylie in search of some sunshine after a few classic, rainy Vancouver winter months, I flew out to Manitoba to stand beside my friend Alison on her wedding day, I climbed mountains I hadn’t explored yet here in BC, I sat in the sand with my family on the beaches of Penticton for 17th summer in a row (I loooove traditions),  took a few trips to Calgary to visit that same family as we celebrated significant birthdays, and ended of the year back in Poland where I spent a month with different extended family members and my polish squad.

Business wise this was my first full year of really doing this full time. I got to photograph some amazing weddings and as always hold true to the sentiment that I have the best couples haha! I am oh so thankful to the 15 couples that trusted me to capture their important day and to the families that invited me to photograph their memories this year. Paired with some of the freelance work that I do, this was a full year and I am proud of all that was accomplished. What a dream come true.

2017 is shaping up to be another amazing year. My travel calendar is looking a little less full but I’m sure there will be a few spontaneous trips that pop up in the coming months. My summer weekends are quickly booking up with more incredible couples, and there are some big, exciting changes coming later in 2017 that I will share more about later (unless things change and things don’t happen because sometimes that happens too haha). Without too much more talking, here are some of my favourite photos from 2016, weddings, engagements, travel + local adventures, and families in that order!

Weddings

My 2016 wedding season started in January with Ryan + Katelynn’s super fun wedding day. It was so fun to come alongside so many other people and celebrate these two and their union!

Daniel + Cara

These sweet people kicked off my summer season and their relaxed, sweet, country wedding was so inspiring and wonderful.

Lydia + Brennan had an intimate ceremony in historic Fort Langley before dancing the night away in the prettiest barn wedding!

It is always an honour to be hired by another photographer and I loved being able to witness Zach + Julie’s love as they tied the knot on a rainy but perfect June day.

In June I also flew out to Manitoba to be a bridesmaid for my friend Alison. Meghan Bustard did an amazing job capturing their wedding day but it was so fun to be able to go back to the camp where Skylar + Alison met, fell in love, and got engaged the day after the wedding for some more portraits.

AJ + Michelle are some of the coolest people ever and I loved how their wedding totally reflected their deep community. It was such a stunning day and so true to them and their people.

I had the honour of standing next to another dear friend on her wedding day when my boo Sydney married Phil on a hot august day. I doubled as wedding photographer thanks to some multi-tasking, tripods, and second shooter Isaac. It was a day full of laughter and love and everything sappy and happy and wonderful. So many fond memories from this extra special day!

One of my favourite weddings from this summer was Catherine + Daniel’s. You can read more about it in their blog post but it was something special and I just adore these two. I can’t say enough good things about them or how much I appreciated there wedding day.

Megan + Anthony’s adorable Clayburn Village was so, so sweet. These two are such gentle spirits and have such a special love. Loved how the details throughout the day reflected them and their style.

Joni + Harris got married towards the end of the summer wedding season but ended up with a day that was the perfect day of sunshine and changing leaves. And for those of you who live on the west coast, you know how rare sunny days like this can be in the fall. Their day was so well planned with the most stunning details – all the gold and deep colours made my heart sing!

Victoria + Kyle got married at the beautiful UBC Boathouse. These two share the sweetest love and the way that they looked at each other was so beautiful. You could tell that they were just so happy to be married.

Flash forward to November, I had the honour of photographing Holly + Nico’s wedding. They were so intentional about who they chose to spend their day with and their evening ceremony and relaxed reception were wonderful. It is also always extra special to photograph the wedding of an old high school friend (and my current fave hiking buddy haha).

My final wedding of the 2016 year hasn’t been blogged yet because Europe happened not too long after but that doesn’t mean this wedding was any less special. Rachel + Kevin were amazing and I loved getting to know them throughout this process. I like to think of Rachel as my bestie bride because she is just so down to earth and fun and she was SO excited to get married. I’ll be sharing more about their big day soon but for now here are a few photos!

Engagements

 

Travels + Local Adventures

Families + Portraits

Thank you to all of my wonderful clients for trusting me with your memories. It is such an honour. Can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store!