I thought I would share a few images from our recent trip to the island...! We spent a few days at our family property on Gabriola Island last week, and it was so nice to be by the ocean again enjoying some time just relaxing together. After supper one night we went down to sit on the beach and I decided to bring my camera along to grab a few shots in the lovely golden light! 
It is fun to get to watch Lierra take everything in at this place that holds so many childhood memories for me. She loved watching the waves and throwing rocks in the water, and making Harley (my parent's dog) go jump and dive for them...! One morning when the tide was low my dad and I took her out to go flip over the big rocks and look at all the different sea creatures to be found. Crabs, starfish, eels, sea worms, chitons, anemones, sea cucumbers, etc. She was so adventurous and wanted to touch and hold everything! It's special for me to see her being able to experience these things and enjoy being at "the cabin" just like I did each year growing up.  

Thanks to my hubby for grabbing the shots of me and Lili! It is nice to try and get myself in some photos every once in a while. 
 Lierra is at the stage where she is wanting to try and "smile" when she gets her picture taken, but it's a work-in-progress and sometimes the results are pretty hilarious. (I included a few outtakes, you'll see what I mean) ;)
 

Back in the spring I had the pleasure of shooting this fun engagement session with Annabelle and Zachary . . . ! 

I met Anna a few years ago through my cousin who spent time working at Camp Qwanoes in the summer with her. Anna ended up coming to visit a few times over the years at our family property on Gabriola Island where we got to know this lively, smiling "kiwi" with the cute accent! 

I had a great time meeting up with her and Zach at Fort Langley for our session, it was so fun to watch the two of them in love, laughing and smiling together . . . you can see in the following images that there were many, big, genuine smiles for me to capture!  

The day started off quite drizzly, so we tried our best to stay undercover and dry, but about half-way through our shoot the skies cleared and we were able to venture out and find some fun spots! We ended off our time down at the old ferry docks, this is where the two of them had really wanted to get pictures done because it is very close to the spot that they got engaged . . . ! Zach had convinced Anna to come on a canoe trip with him one day, despite that she wasn't feeling so well, but she agreed and off they went. The journey along the Fraser took a little longer than expected, and Zach began to worry that his special 'area' he had got ready ahead of time might be underwater shortly with the tide if they didn't get there soon! Thankfully, as they came paddling around the corner, the little tent on the beach with all the candles and everything were just safe from the waterline. Zach is a man of many talents and had sewn the tent himself by hand! Anna loved all the thoughtful details and the surprise of the special, romantic little set-up waiting for them at the end of their canoe adventure. (In some of the shots near the end, you can see the beach in the background!) She was thrilled to say "Yes" when he popped the question, and they are both so excited to tie the knot at the end of next month! 

Praying for a wonderful, blessing-filled future marriage for these two wonderful people!