Vanessa & Teddy- opposites attract

September 20, 2016

These two live by the opposites attract theory. It's what she told me within the first few minutes of meeting. She's energetic, he's laid-back. She's outspoken, he's quieter. She's quick to respond with a witty comeback, he's a little more subtle in his humour. He loudly sobbed during his vows, she laughed when he did it. You get the picture. Basically, my kind of people.

There was alot of laughing, teasing, dry humour, one big sob and then more teasing. A general lightheartedness that could soften even the hardest of hearts to crack a smile. These two know how to throw a party, choosing Bo.ttega as their okanagan wedding destination. They gathered the very best crew of kelowna wedding vendors to help make their day as unique and personable as possible.Thank you so much for including up in your epic day. xoxo

The bride's parents own the AMAZING Spierhead Winery, which we used as the first look and portrait site.

Vendor List:

Wedding Planner: Jenny McAlpine

Hair: Clarissa Chen

Makeup: Shimmer and Gloss

Girls' getting ready venue: Air BnB waterscape

Venue: Bo.ttega

Florals: Lavender and Lace

Catering: Okanagan Street Food

DJ: Alex Bird

Laura & Pat- their hearts landed

August 30, 2016

There's always a moment during every wedding where I feel a catch in my throat and my emotions well up. It's usually a glance, a father daughter dance, a walk down the aisle, a soft kiss... you get the picture. But Laura and Pat's wedding was different. Because instead of it being one moment, there were multiple moments throughout the day where I caught my breath. Watching Pat and Laura was like seeing their hearts land on home when they were together. Laura told me she cries at the whiff of anything emotional, and seeing her tearing up felt so honest and real. Watching the way Pat made her laugh held her hand (and butt) made it seem like they were in a world of their own. They were all about taking it all in on their wedding day. Because why wouldn't you feel all the feels? Why wouldn't you throw open your arms and drink every ounce of goodness from your wedding day, loving and laughing and crying with all the friends and family that surround you. Pat and Laura wear their hearts on their sleeves. They are vibrant and loving and full of adventure. They laughed and cried and felt every moment of their day, which was incredible to witness and capture. Thank you for having us you two- and we're still waiting for you to pack us into your suitcases ;)

Pat and Laura decided to read their vows to each other during a private moment after their first look and before their ceremony. Such a beautiful and intimate way to share your vows.

Love this moment Tiffany caught

While we were shooting family photos, a cop pulled up right behind me and got out and called Pat over to him. He asked if he wanted to get a shot of Pat handcuffing Laura hahahaha

Vendors List:

Wedding Planner: Jenny McAlpine Weddings

Hair and Makeup: Jenna Jones

Florals: Creations by Mom and Me

Getting ready location: Manteo resort

Ceremony & reception venue: Hotel Eldorado

Commissioner: Marjolein Lloyd

Decor rentals: Avalon

Rachel & Bronson- a palpable kind of love

August 16, 2016

Oh these two and their dreamy dreaminess. I could go on and on about how they make everyone in the room feel special. How their laughter and sideways looks at each other gave me goosebumps. I could rattle off a list of why I'm so so happy our paths crossed and they invited me into their circle of friends and family to capture this epic day. Their love is the kind that bubbles over and enfolds the people around them. Their friends and family glowed from their love, celebrated it with big hugs and beautiful toasts, with belly laughter and the kindest gestures. Scanning the room, there wasn't a single person who wasn't ready to celebrate.

Their love is kind that makes you sigh and excited to see what lies ahead on their path together. And oh how I can't wait to see what they do in this world together. Thank you both so much for having us. Cheers and hugs to you xoxo

When you're this happy!!!

LOVE this image I asked Tiffany Walde to grab during the group photo!

Vendors List:

Venue: Harvest Golf Club

Decor setup: Impressions Weddings & Events

Cake: sweet on you cakes

Flower Design: Petal and Vow

Makeup: Lisa Kulcheski

Hair: bride's Auntie

Marriage Commissioner: Marjolein Lloyd

DJ Service: Dwayne Mollin

Madeline and Matthew's backyard wedding

July 18, 2016

Dreamy. All kinds of dreaminess would explain this gorgeous backyard wedding hidden in the hills of Lake Country. When Madeline explained what they wanted for their day she said things like "casual, fun, light..." and I would say they pulled it off. These two were relaxed, and completely in love. Thank you so much for having us.

Love this one of Madeline on her way to the first look, from my second shoot Tiffany Walde.

It's Ukrainian tradition to do a shot of vodka to toast the newly married couple.

Vendor List:

Dress: Hayley Paige

Groom's suit: Hugo Boss

Hair: Tamara Gunther - Blue Dahlia Salon

Makeup: Jordi It's likely makeup

Venue: Private residence

Decor: Bride's

Catering: Creative Cuisine Catering

Kristen & Jonah Intimate Quail's Gate Winery Wedding

June 23, 2016

There's a point during a wedding day, where I fall hopelessly, un-romantically (because that would be weird) in love with my couples. It's hard not to. In the beginning, my clients are just everyday people. Then something happens at their wedding. It's like uncovering a treasured item in a vintage store. At first you see the big picture. There is love and kindness and some thread that connects you. Then slowly, between little moments, funny stories and beautiful anecdotes, the spool that makes just a person The person, unravels. Suddenly you see the way all the people who love them see them and I can't help but love them too. I pick up on all the love vibes and just kind of go with it.

I fell hard for these two. Surrounded by family and friends, these two wined and dined their guests at the beautiful Quail's Gate Winery. There was a perfect mix of hilarious moments (see the dudes getting ready photos below) and touching moments (the speeches, the vows!!) all mashed together to make up a beautiful, personal celebration of these two incredible humans. In between all the stolen glances, and sweet kisses, they managed to look up and out at all the people surrounding them and be present in the sweetness. And given the simplicity of such a task, we all knows it takes special people to be able to savour the moment to the fullest. Thank you for asking us to capture your day. We heart you guys.

Jonah's parents decorated their get away car!!

Love this grainy Black and White from my second shooter- Tiffany

Vendor List:

Hair: Clarissa Chen

Makeup: Melissa Craven

Venue: Quail's Gate and Lake House

Flowers: Petal and Vow

Decor Rentals: Gathered Table Supply Co.

Day of Coordination: English Rose Weddings

image by Rebecca Siewert Photography

WELCOME! I am Katie, a photographer, momma and wife based in Kelowna BC. My love of photography stems from a desire to tell my clients’ stories in a real, honest way. My blog space stems from a love of many things, the good, the bad, the beautiful. I believe life is an adventure and hope you’ll enjoy my thoughts along the way.

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I'm still cataloging photos you guys. And getting totally nostalgic about all the little moments that have slipped by. I remember taking this. It was the day after smith had come home when we were all finally home in our space as 4. Elodie had spent the day before with my parents waiting patiently for us to return from picking up her little brother. There is a vagueness in the adoption process for an older sibling. There's no obvious signs of things changing like a belly growing or sonograms or chatter of whether baby would be a boy or girl. It's just this idea of maybe someday. And then it just happens. One Friday afternoon we got the call and spent that weekend getting organized while impatiently waiting for everyone to get back to work on Monday so we could meet our baby. I sobbed that we had to drive 6 hours and Elodie couldn't be there to meet him when we did. I worried that she would feel left out or forgotten. But when we finally got back late at night, she bounded down my parents stairs saying "here I am. The big sister. And there's my little brother" she insisted on holding him right then and told us she was a "really good big sister" and then he farted on her and she laughed so hard I started crying, realizing it was the first time in almost 2 years of waiting for this moment that I could finally breathe. Most definitely my top 3 memories of all time. And this one picture is a constant reminder of all those feels.

Time out.

I know you're just as excited as she is in this image to find out I'll be down in the lower mainland November 4th-5th. Let's make photo Magic friends.

Winter. It's coming. Get ready. That is all.

You guys... Remember the parachute game? Remember the feeling of being able to run under that thin sheet of nylon while it felt like it hovered in the air waiting for you to cross under? Like the time you took to cross was simultaneously infinitesimal but you managed with superhero like strength to do it anyways? Man being a kid is fun. And also there's bedtimes and baths and not so fun things so I don't dunno what I'm getting at.

The Rockies will always have my heart. And some of my liver from that time I lived here when I was 18.

I guess this will work. Not a bad spot to wrap up wedding season.

I put free fallin on almost every mixed tape I ever made. I sometimes thought wildflowers was like my theme song. Mary Jane's last dance was a sort of rebel cry. Yesterday was a sad day across the board in music. How is it that something as simple as a song can make you feel understood? Connected? And why is it now, that we have to think about whether or not we'll be in danger at a concert? If a song or an artist can inspire an entire generation than what are we each contributing to make the world a happier place? What are your go to acts of service or actions you do to contribute positively? Please share. Because while I like to read everyone's heartfelt messages about Las Vegas and the loss of Mr Tom Petty, I LOVE hearing people's actions to fight back against all the heartache and loss out there. I'll go first: - tell people when they have shit in their teeth even if they're strangers - pick up litter when I see it. - compliment strangers. - talk about injustices with my kids even when it's complicated. -try to stay soft even when the world seems hard. So what about you?

I might just post pictures of the sky from now on

Me: So smith what do you think you want to do for work when you get older? Smith~ thinks long and hard "a pirate. With an eye patch. And a sword." I dig your dreams kid. May we all be so bold to say what we really want.

Oh heeeeeyyyyyy.

#hygge we ready. Bring on winter.

Never gets old.

Remember that feeling

Ok so a friend of mine tagged me to do one of those things on IG I usually avoid but I'm trying to be more open to things that make me feel weird. So here's top 15 things about moi: 1- I have a love hate relationship with social media 2- I thought I would always be a single gypsy living life on the road. 3- then I met my husband and we got engaged after 3 months of dating. 6 weeks of those we were on different continents. I was 21 4- We've been married 12 years & have 2 kids we adopted because we couldn't have babes the old fashion way 5- I'm left handed 6- I travelled through Australia for a year when I was 19 in a van named Ruby Tuesday with a friend and I sometimes get so nostalgic for that time I forget it happened 15 years ago. 7- I used to be afraid I'd never find my way in life 8- I think being vulnerable is so much harder than being fearless 9- I am fascinated by people (especially quirky ones) which is one of the main themes in my photography work 10- I'm really introverted but grew up in a house where everyone talked a lot loudly so I figured out how to speak up. 11- I had two concussions in high school and now have a terrible short term memory 12- I cried when Trump won the presidency even though I'm Canadian and sometimes feel deeply saddened the world isn't a better place 13- I'm optimistic about the future 14- I've been on every continent except Antarctica and will travel until I die. 15- I'm a natural red head (photo credit to my 6 year old- my selfie game is not on point) @petalandvow @topknotsara @stacefizzy @karalynd please do this so I don't feel so weird.

You guys... It's sweater season 🎉🎉🎉

Working on archiving files, contemplating why kids have to get older and why the speed of life is increasing exponentially. One of my faves of two of my fave people. #film

My kind of morning.

Farmers' market haul.