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.

Categories

Parenting- it's a push pull kind of love. You push them out of their comfort a little, they pull on your heart strings a lot. You pull them places they aren't sure they want to go, they push you into the softest spaces you forgot you knew. They pull you in a million directions, you push yourself to dig for more patience and grace then you ever knew was possible. Also applies to lovers 😉

Some of my most favourite trips have happened here with some of my most favourite people. And I can't believe I'm never shared this one before.

I think she looks like a dark little angel and I like it. Do you think there are other dimensions out there? Other realms? Do you think 👽👽 exist? Just a regular Friday or here pondering the universe.

I used to like to shoot film with a little Diana toy camera that developed crude and usually under exposed photos. I used it so much it eventually broke into tiny pieces the way plastic toys do. By then I wasn't experimenting as much because I was working way more. I was shooting more weddings and families and commercial work. It was also exciting and fun and I loved telling all the sacred stories my clients trusted me with. But with a lot of work comes less time to create for the sake of creating and then GUESS WHAT HAPPENS?? Burn out baby. In that space I felt a little lost- like I didn't really know where I belonged anymore. So I started digging around a little. Following the kernels that sparked something, anything that felt creative. I read my old journals and blog posts (!!!!) we travelled, I just kind of gave myself permission to not know. And then, slowly, the spark came back. The why came back. I started to see what I really loved and what wasn't working anymore. I figured out that I miss the grittiness, but I still loved the story telling. I still loved the freedom I try for, the nostalgia I try for, the openness. So I'm trying to figure out how to start to entwine it all. Because there's something beautiful in that grittiness and in the freedom and stories unfolding. So if you're like whoa this image is a departure from the usual- I get it. But it's more like a return to self. An integration of self. And I'm sharing because I think it's important to show the whole process. If you're feeling a little lost in the creative process (which is basically the life process 😉) be kind to yourself. Give yourself space to explore. If you're lost start to hack at the brush to find your path back to yourself.

Sometimes I don't think mothers see how beautiful they are in all that everyday chaos. Ps- yes I still do family photos. And yes I still have space this summer. And yes I want to work with you if you want to create images that remind you of this time in all its chaos and magic. And yes I know I've been a little MIA but only because I can't quite decide how I feel about the Instagram space and what I want to do with this corner of mine.

The start of summer feels like... Freedom.

I have always loved boys. I've loved their wildness and the way they take up space in the world. I always wanted access to the boys' club but somehow I never knew the password in. Boys remained a mystery to me for much of my life, despite continuously trying to crack the code. And then 5 years ago this little boy slid into our world and I started to get a glimpse at the inner world of the life of a boy. This one has a soft and squishy heart, a love for all things dinosaur and motorized and the kind of belly laugh you recognize right away. Thank you for opening the secret door for me, my love. I didn't even know I needed you until you were here Smith Willy.

Moving into Monday like... Is it the weekend yet?

Ok my friends there is an hour left to vote. I'm not a huge fan of promoting and pushing on social media. Sometimes it feels yucky. But the plight of the creative is that you need a community to offer up feedback and reflect back to you the work you're doing. So that's what we're asking you to do. If you're interested in delving into our community's food culture we would love your support. All the votes and sharing are adding up and we are humbled and appreciative of all your support. Much love

We are in the infancy of our food culture in Kelowna, when compared to other established cultures around the world. That means our habits and practices are currently shaping the way our food culture will be shaped for years to come. So how are we as a community contributing? That's what we want to discuss in our documentary Raising a Food Culture. We would love your support. Please vote by following the link in my profile. 💕

Sound on my loves. Want to know what I've been working on lately? @not_julio_ and I have been working together on and off over the years to create content around our love of food. So it was inevitable that we would dive into a bigger project and the day has finally come!! But we need your help to vote for our project to help fund this deep dive into our local food culture. Follow the link in my profile to vote for our project. Voting starts today at NOON until May 31 and is open to EVERYONE globally. Big thanks to my good friend @fd_productions for cutting this pitch. He's also on board to shoot and edit. It's an A+ team friends. So 🙏🙏🙏 support this sweet project.

Oh hey what's this fun design my amazingly talented sistah @erin_sinclair designed for me? Stay tuned for the big reveal in like an hour.

I feel like this is the year I'll remember as the time she grew out of her littleness and hadn't quite found her new skin in a bigger world. Her body is all gangly legs and arms, her mind is finding her STRONG opinions and her heart is finding her voice. I remember grade 3. I remember how unkind we could all be to each other. I remember those first pangs of loneliness that come from realizing your own humanness. I also remember holding on to the magic of the world and still finding joy in riding bikes all day and tasting freedom when I was swinging in a tree. She is making her way through it all. I see her taking in the world and formulating her own ideas. It's equal parts awe inspiring and terrifying. She's like trying to contain a wild creature but knowing she's not mine to keep.

The essence of childhood in one image 😂 working with kids always and forever brings me back to living in the moment and the magic of letting life unfold as it does. I think the images of childhood that are less structured and more quirky will always be cherished in the future. The hardest part of my job is not wrangling kids or convincing them to laugh at my jokes, the hardest part is to convince the PARENTS to let go and join their kids in the moment. Kids know what's up. They know how to find real joy and wonder. We just have to relearn how to get on their wavelength. PS- Calgary I'm coming to you the weekend of July 25th! Email or message me for more details.

They don't really tell you that creativity isn't a one size fits all kind of deal. It's a personal journey of discovery. It's getting down in the mess and being willing to make mistakes. It's showing up anyway and letting it unfold. It's a process and there's no end game. So inspiring to watch @larissastavrou flow with her creativity.

Lead me into the wild and I will follow. Down every path, no matter how winding. You lead the way and I'll carry all the sticks. I'm with you kid.

Here is what I know for sure- we don't change if we aren't willing to change. I often feel overwhelmed at the state of affairs in the world. The idea of a plastic island floating out in the ocean makes me want to launch into outer space and find a star to live on. But change is possible. I genuinely believe that. I genuinely believe there is more good than not in this world. And if there is one thing I know for sure, it's that change only comes about when we are willing to do the work. We owe our kids a future that is bright. So we decided to jump on board with the #PlasticSwearJar initiative by @changingtidesfoundation Happy earth day friends. Sending love out across the oceans to everyone of you. 💕🌍

I wish we could all give ourselves a little more permission to be in the in-between space of maybe not knowing what the next step is. That's where I'm at friends. We're so conditioned to have it figured out that we've lost touch with that delicious and juicy space of not really knowing. It's scary and exhilarating and a little discombobulating. But that's what makes life exciting.

The gift of jet lag is that in between area where you aren't really here and you aren't really there. Which is maybe how I feel in the water and is maybe why I miss her.

You know that feeling when the end of summer is close? The end of the chapter you love from your favourite book is coming to end? That's how I feel. I know the end is near but you keep soaking in every last drop. This little place did something to me. Cracked me open a little more. Brought a wildness back I didn't realize was lost. So grateful for adventures that scrub the soul and make it shine.