SUNSHINE AND ICE CREAM

This past weekend was Omar's last visit to the island (while I live here) so we finished it off with ice cream on the pier.  As we walked along the wooden boards - one hand cold from our treats, the other hand warm clasped within each others - we talked about our future as the sun shone brightly on our backs.  

We had had a little fight  disagreement earlier in the morning over something so small.  I realized as we walked that although we may not agree one hundred percent all the time, there's no one in this world that makes me happier than he does.  

And truth be told, I think I fell in love with him that much more that day.

SEALAND SCENIC FLIGHTS

Before I start this post, I just want to thank each and every one of you for your encouragement, love and support from my last post.  I've had an amazing four and a half years on Vancouver Island and am going to miss the little family of friends I've made while here as well as my two sisters and their families.  There has been too many wonderful memories to count, so many new experiences and opportunities - it just makes me even that more excited for this new chapter of my life.  I just wanted to say thank you and give you all a big, warm fuzzy hug!  Now that I've got that off my chest, onto the real post...

A couple days ago my sister asked if we could hang out since I'll be leaving the island in a couple of weeks.  The only obligation - she gets to choose what we do.  Fine by me!  In the midst of packing and getting ready to second shoot a wedding on Saturday, I wouldn't have had the time to plan something out!  So I sat and waited until she told me to come over.  What she had planned exceeded my expectations and was a wonderful way to say goodbye to the place I once called home.  The photos are a mix of my camera as well as iPhone photos :)

My sister works at SeaLand Aviation as well as SeaLand Flight across the street which hosts the flight school and the scenic flights (which is what we did).  If you'd like to book a flight for yourself (or enroll in their flight school - who wouldn't want to be a pilot?!) email my sister Angie at info@sealandflight.com or call 24/7 at 250-895-9089 for more information.  They also rent out planes for those who already have their pilot's license. How cool is that?!

I made asked my niece take this photo of me ;)

The crew with our pilot Ian!

Me and my back seat companion.

I know it's June, but...WE FOUND SNOW!

This is what Mt.Washington looks like from an airplane in case y'all are wondering ;)

All done!  And I only screamed once!

Happy Friday!

NEW CHAPTERS

These past couple of months have been crazy.  Amidst planning/executing/editing my long awaited styled shoot, photoshoots with clients, weddings, trips to and from the ferry to see my bae (I so went there ;) and working full time at my day job - I have also been packing for a big move.  

As of next month I will no longer be an island girl.  The tolls of a long (ish) distance relationship has done it's number on the both of us.  There's only so much FaceTiming a girl can do before it's just not enough.  I decided to move back home until we can find an apartment to move into together.  We will still be long distance, but without the hassle of BC Ferries we will be able to see each other more often and without the rushing of goodbyes as to not miss the designated sailing.

So any of you brides in the Shuswap/Okanagan/Lower Mainland I am coming your way and am now booking for the 2017 wedding season!  And to all you lovlies still on the island, don't fret.  Even though I am leaving, both my sisters as well as my nieces and nephew will not be.  I will still be making multiple trips to the island throughout the year and I would be beyond excited to capture your wedding day on the island.

Although a tad bit nervous - and the thought of packing is a kin to a root canal - I am incredibly excited for this new chapter in my life.  In our lives. Cheers to a new beginning.

WHEN LIFE GETS IN THE WAY

I had planned on blogging something else today.  But today, other things are on my mind...

I wish...

- I could've slept in longer today.

- These grey clouds would beat it so the sun can show its bright, shiny face.

- My boyfriend lived closer.

- I could read all the books on my shelf by simply touching the pages.

- I could shoot weddings every weekend for as long as I can.

- I could learn to live in the present instead of being sorrow of the past and anxious for the future.

- Harry Potter was a real person.

- The bookkeeping could do itself.

- I was on a white sandy beach, fruity drink in hand and a great book by my side.

BLACK ROCK RESORT WEDDING : LAURA + CHRIS

It was the last wedding of 2015 and I couldn't have spent it with a cooler person.  I second shot Laura and Chris's wedding day along side Adina from Wren and Rook Photography so I already knew it would be the most fun day!

I met both Laura and Chris for the first time on their wedding day and once I walked in the room and noticed Laura was wearing kitty print pjs, I knew we would get along just fiiiine.  It was a small wedding and the amount of love felt in such a small room was incredible.  Laura and Chris, thank you so much for welcoming me into your most special day.  Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I wish the both of you nothing but happiness as you both start this crazy, love-filled journey together...Much love and appreciation, JJ.

Happy Monday!

LIFETHREADS ALBUMS

One thing I've been meaning to tackle off my list this year is creating a sample album.  Earlier this month at CPC, I was talking with a fellow photographer friend from Saskatoon - hollla Maki! - about albums and she pointed me in the direction of LifeThreads Albums.  I immediately went to their website and ordered a sample, and I must tell you, I'm in love.  From the feel of the smooth, heavy pages to the sharp colour rich photos, these albums are the perfect start to your first family heirloom - your wedding album.  So here is a sampling of what I am now proud to offer clients - a gorgeous, tangible way to show off your wedding and engagement photos.

Would you just look at those deliciously thick pages -swoon-

Happy Friday!

START EACH DAY WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

We should go, I said as we sat on a log watching the sun set on the beach...I don't want to miss the ferry.  Okay he said reluctantly; he took my hand and we made our way back to the car.  As I made my way through a short cut, I felt Omar tug on my hand as he kept me on the trail, I want to buy you ice cream he said.  Knowing we were running late, I agreed - I can't help it, those puppy eyes got me hooked!  THIRTY MINUTES LATER we were back in the car.  We're not going to make it to the ferry I said - holding back the tears.  I had a wedding the next day and suddenly that peanut butter ice cream didn't seem worth it.

After driving at unforgiving speeds, we made it to the ferry terminal 4 minutes after the cut-off and that was it.  I burst into tears in the middle of the parking lot.  I'm so sorry, he said as he held me in his arms...I'll get us a hotel for the night and you can leave first thing in the morning.  I immediately felt bad about making it into such a big deal.  He wiped away my tears and I could feel a smile forming on my lips.  I may have unexpectedly missed the ferry, but I got to spend another night with my favourite person - who could complain about that?!

I boarded the ferry the next morning, coffee in hand, as I waved goodbye to my loving boyfriend and another great week at the Canada Photo Convention.  Once docking in Nanaimo, I drove straight to a wedding to second shoot with Adina, which we later realized was the one year anniversary of shooting weddings together #cheers.

Life might get in the way sometimes and make us lose track  of what's really important.  The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.  Train your mind to see the good in every situation and start each day with a grateful heart.