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 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.

Everyone keeps giggling when I tell them I want to be a mermaid but Ariel became a human right? What if the things we think are impossible were possible? And also how do mermaids keep their hair so luscious, because my salty hair is looking a little tangled.

Chasing waves south in the the final days of Sri Lanka

Expand, contract. Expand, contract. This is watching your heart walk around outside your body taking in the world at a rapid rate. This trip has tested her and softened her and helped her harness her own ideas and self. It's what I wanted most for her on this trip.

🌴

I know I've posted this before but it's my favourite forever and ever. To strong women everywhere- may we be them, may we know them, may we raise them (and may we raise men who honour them too)

These old fishing boats, with peeling paint and weathered hulls, and the men who sit in them day after day, with their weathered skin and their leathery hands. I like to watch them every morning. Setting the nets. And then later in the afternoon a group of them haul in the catch. I like to watch them out there, me sitting on my surf board and them watching us.

One of my fave anecdotes is this- "an acorn can only become a tree when it gives up the idea of being an acorn." Things that makes you go hmmmmmmmm... The thing is its sometimes a painful process to let go. It's definitely uncomfortable. Being in a state of possibility (the acorn) is way more enjoyable than the actual growth projection to being a tree. What if we're not good at being a tree? What if everyone laughs at my treeness? What if I do it wrong? What if what if what if... And then what if I don't grow into this possibility? And that's when the letting go process starts. When the idea of staying small is more painful than the idea of the unknown. Be good to yourselves today my friends. Whether you're acorns or trees or somewhere in between.

Making our way back to the surf break via the train in the high mountains.

Look at us, we're so happy. We're on a beach with white sand. We love each other. You would never know that a kid had sharted, (so many bananas) a kid had been screaming about something that did not merit screaming, a bus had tried to kill us on our scooters, our accommodation licked balls until we found somewhere new and I threatened to send everyone back on a plane if they didn't pull it together (no one listened to my threat 😂) The power of a photo is that it speaks 1000 words. But the caveat is that those words are still just a snippet of the story. We DO love each other and we DO have fun, we also get super annoyed of each other at times. And that's life, on the road or otherwise. So don't assume that what you see the whole picture. Social media is tricky like that. We all fall victim to forgetting this a medium of curated storytelling. PS- I literally never ever thought I would post a photo of myself in a bikini on the Internet. So that's a first friends.

I used to think I would wander forever. When I finished high school all I wanted was freedom. Everyone I knew was applying to university and making plans and I just wanted to go. It didn't really matter where I landed I just wanted to see it all. And even when I "settled down" and married super young, I didn't think I would grow short roots. Wandering had seeped into the marrow of my bones and nothing anyone said could change my mind about it. But when elodie was born I was like "lady you have got to get your sh/t together" and so I bunked down for a bit. And you know what? I got lost. Like a bird with clipped wings. I thought I would never feel that wildness in my soul again. And it was my own doing. I tried to be the kind of mom and wife that seems put together and under control. I went to friggin baby circle things where everyone sits in a circle and sings to their babies and I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. So I did both. Trying to be someone I wasn't made me feel like an alien in my own skin. So I stopped. Kind of. 8 years later I am still making this a practice and noticing all the little/big things I do that maybe I don't need to anymore. Like being ok with not having LIFE figured out. Or having a "plan"- seriously you people who make elaborate plans for your life are so inspiring but I have realized I'm not that girl. If there is one thing I know for certain it's this- life is always followed by death which is always followed by life again. (I read that in Women who Run with Wolves- thank you @demarchienergy )and sometimes things have to fall away to make space for new life. What we were yesterday might not fit today and what tomorrow brings might be different than our ideas from today. It's our responsibility to let the things that no longer fit go to make space for the new life tomorrow brings. Be good to yourselves my friends. Let yourselves wander and get lost to help yourself get found.

We are actually pretty lazy tourists. We forgo the sites for the chance to putter around a town for a bit and chat with the locals. Sometimes I feel guilty not going to the "must see spots" but then if I'm totally honest with myself I realize that's not my thing. I like when we settle in somewhere and we find "our fruit stand" "our coffee shop" "our surf shop". I like getting to know the people you see everyday and asking them questions and trying to learn different words in the local dialect. That's my kind of travelling. This was "our fruit guy" in hikkaduwa. He always had a mini banana for the kids and a big smile for us every morning.

Feeling inspired and refuelled by the exploring and adventures so far. To b totally honest I was burned out. It was a busy summer. Weddings, a big move, some sad news, some bad news and general daily motion of parenting and lifing. Taking a timeout had been whispering to me for a while and then suddenly we had an opportunity. Rent our house, get out of dodge. Away. Away from everything to get a clearer on what really matters. I am very aware of how fortunate we are to be doing this with our kids. And hope wherever the adventures lead we can meet it with open hearts.

If they weren't wild before, they're definitely wild now. Which is the only thing I wanted on this trip. And also smith insists this is what a ninja looks like, which was his only goal for this trip.