May

6

wedding-signature-vancouver.jpg Yosem and Gabbie underneath the cherry blossoms in Stanley Park on their wedding day. (Photo by Julia Pelish Photography)

Thanks to the many customers who became friends and who helped me fulfill my dreams of providing the level of photography services I’ve always wanted to deliver. You are all the best and thank you for the kind words you’ve recently shared:

“Oh my goodness!! Everything just arrived and I cannot believe how fantastic they are!! I really thought it couldn’t get any better than the website you put up but these are just unbelievable - thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!!” – Diana on her and Ian’s wedding photographs and custom web gallery

“Those pictures are amazing! We really enjoyed the wedding and are so happy to have you as our photographer. The day (and everything since!) couldn’t have been more perfect. The eloquence of your blog really impressed us with its description of the day.” – Yosem and Gabbie

“WOW - Julia they look amazing. Thanks so much. I think we owe you a big hug!” – Brett and Mickey on their wedding photography in Vancouver

“Oh, my goodness, Julia, it’s a work of art! I can’t believe it! Thank you so much!!” – Rosa on her family portrait and baby pictures of Angelina

“Julia, you do such a wonderful job and with such love plus you are so adorable!! I have to get going but I just wanted to say thank you for capturing our wedding day in such a beautiful way.” – Mary on the wedding photos of her and Brent

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Apr

19

vancouver-photographer-engagement-portrait.jpg Chris and Nicole, and their shadows, are all heart. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

You could almost hear the pealing of wedding bells when Chris and Nicole graced Stanley Park recently for their engagement portrait session. The delightful couple were photographed with the cherry blossoms in bloom and the sun shining as we got outstanding shots of them along the seawall and near the rose gardens. The bride and groom-to-be were also treated to an exquisite sunset as they posed overlooking Howe Sound from Ferguson Point before the end of the session.
It reminded me of the reasons we’re so lucky to have Stanley Park. Not only does it ensure that prime property in our city is kept public but it allows for some of the most picturesque scenes of Vancouver.

Chris and Nicole’s ceremony is scheduled for July 26 in another one of our glorious sites, Cecil Green at UBC.

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Chris and Nicole sure do have eyes for each other. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

Wedding photography gallery

Apr

13

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Yosem and Gabbie had perfect weather for their delightful wedding. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

If you were wondering what lucky couple in the Lower Mainland picked Saturday for their ceremony, here’s your answer.
Yosem Reichert-Sweet married Gabrielle Sheung at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens at 11:30 a.m. on the loveliest day of 2008, April 12. The special day featured a high temperature of 19 degrees Celsius and clear views of the coastal mountains.

The festivities started early with a funny and charming rendition of the Chinese Wedding Door Game at the home of the bride’s parents in Richmond. Yosem and his groomsmen bowed to the commands of the bridesmaids and hammed it up to the delight of everyone, including Gabbie, who peeked outside from an upstairs window.

Once he was finally allowed to cross the threshold of the front door, Yosem was greeted by happiness banners and Gabbie’s beaming, resplendent face from above. As he climbed towards her, he voiced all the reasons for his love, a move that had her in tears long before he reached the summit.

The emotions for all welled up at the formal ceremony in downtown Vancouver’s Chinatown. The couple were married by Justice of the Peace Ken Dong and in front of more than three dozen guests and attendants in Sun-Yat Sen’s intimate Scholar’s Garden.

The next stop was Stanley Park, where Yosem and Gabbie were photographed under cherry blossoms similar to those stitched on the bride’s gown. The reception followed along the calm waters of the Fraser River at the picturesque UBC Boathouse.

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Apr

9

wedding-photography-rain-vancouver.jpgBrent and Mary, hiding from the rain. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

Vancouver weather can threaten to dampen even the most special occasion but that doesn’t mean you still won’t love your wedding day or manage to make it an even more memorable experience. With the right planning, your wedding photographer will ensure your pictures will be just as special as if they were taken in glorious sunshine. How can that be?

Well, experience is one factor. Photographers have worked in a multitude of situations, as their portfolios demonstrate. They’re used to challenges and will adjust accordingly. With rain, in particular, there are a few reliable options that can create a romantic portrait of any bride and groom.

The under-the-umbrella photograph is beautiful for many reasons. It evokes intimacy with its beneath-the-covers sentiment and also togetherness in difficult times because it attempts to block out the world. It represents chivalry, of husband protecting wife. And from an aesthetic perspective, it is an elegant object that brings a sense of softness with its rounded shape. Props can add uniqueness and personality to a photograph and the functional umbrella is one of the best at doing so.
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Feb

21

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The UBC Boathouse rises up from along the Fraser River. (Julia Pelish Photography)

As part of my scouting for a client’s wedding I had the opportunity this week to visit one of the newest wedding facilities in Metro Vancouver, the UBC Boathouse. Located on River Road in Richmond, the Boathouse is an eclectic structure that mixes modern architecture with graceful flourishes.

The $6-million building opened in 2006 to house UBC’s rowing club as well as to serve as a training facility for Olympic hopefuls. It’s also a venue for group functions, including weddings. Stretching out into the Fraser River, the Boathouse is a fabulous blend of nature and the high life, literally. You can stand on the concrete walkway and watch planes taking off from YVR while eagles circle above the water’s edge.

I think it’s a truly unique place to celebrate your wedding and I’m looking forward to photographing there for the first time in a few weeks.

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Feb

18

vancouver-wedding-photographsAndrew and Mauritza, photographed in 2007 at Queen Elizabeth Park. (Julia Pelish photo)

Candid or formal?

As Featured On Ezine ArticlesFinding the perfect ratio between the two will be a topic you discuss with your wedding photographer. On one hand, candids are fun and free and capture life as we lived it. Formals, though, are more likely to provide the two or three images that you will want to have printed large and displayed prominently in your home.

So how do you ensure that you have a mix that works on your wedding day? First, you and your photographer need to make sure you’re on the same page about what you want. Most photographers excel in candid, or photojournalistic, photography because it relies almost entirely on their eye. They will have an on-camera flash (and ideally a stand-up strobe to provide cross-lighting at your reception) but the key to candid photography is more about instinct than technical understanding of the craft.

Formals require high-end lighting equipment as well as patience from all involved. That also means adequate time needs to be set aside for a photograph session. If you’re using a wedding planner, she or he will likely allot about 90 minutes between the ceremony and the reception for formals. That may not be enough time, depending on how long it takes to get to each location. If your formal photograph session includes parents, grandparents, other close relatives and a bridal party of four or more couples you can be looking at more than two hours to get all the photographs on the checklist.

What I suggest is keep things simple.
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Feb

8

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Diana and Ian, photographed in Stanley Park for an engagement portrait that was displayed at their reception. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

First comes love then comes engagement then comes photographs before your marriage!

In the coming weeks, I expect to receive many inquiries for wedding photography as girlfriends become fiancées. Did you know more engagement rings are sold in February than in any other month in North America? That’s according to Wedding News Wire and doesn’t surprise me at all. After those rings find fingers on Valentine’s Day each year, people in the wedding business, myself included, get crazy busy.

Even more so these days because engagement portraits are suddenly trendy. While engagement portraits are nothing unusual, how couples use those photographs is evolving. With so many people updating their personal blogs and social-networking web pages, engagement portraits are an increasingly popular keepsake.

Not only that, some romantic men have even gone so far as to hire their own personal paparazzi to capture the moment when they drop down to one knee to pop the question. They don’t want to lose that look when she says, “Yes!”

Save 15% on Heart Jewelry - Online Exclusives at Zales.com -- Shop and Save during the entire month of February 2008!Candid moments and formal engagement portraits often join old baby pictures and school photos in the popular DVDs that are presented during the wedding reception. I also give my clients the choice of displaying their engagement portrait at their receptions in wider mattes and frames, allowing for best wishes and signatures to go around their photo, thus taking the place of the traditional guestbook.

[Read a previous article on Why Engagement Portraits are Worth It]

Jan

27

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Would you trash your wedding dress? (Photo by Julia Pelish)

You’ve probably heard of the trend. It started less than two years ago in Las Vegas and spread quickly to New Orleans and California then across the U.S.

Now, it’s here, in Vancouver. The first time I spoke to a BC bride who wanted to “trash the dress” after the ceremony was last summer. She’s booked for this August and we’ll see if she — or any of my other clients go through with it — or if the trend has already turned passé.

I’m all for out-of-the-box photos, and certainly capturing the image of a bride as she strides into the ocean would make for an amazing moment. But of course that’s not something the photographer is going to push hard for. Trashing the dress has to be an act the bride is completely into and excited about for it to work out. The possibilities are boundless, though.

Imagine the photos if you waded slowly into the waters off of Second Beach or danced in the fountain outside of the Pan Pacific or made snow angels on top of Grouse Mountain. That’s the way to start the rest of your life!

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Jan

21

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Harvey and Janet, on top of the world on Grouse Mountain. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

What’s the best venue for your Vancouver wedding? Here are three of my favorites, all wonderful spots in and around Vancouver where I’ve had the pleasure to photograph ceremonies and receptions.

Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver
What a way to start the rest of your lives!

Imagine a wedding portrait of you two in the spectacular Grouse lodge, overlooking Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. It’s a location that’s hard to beat for photographs. Grouse has several rooms for functions but it may be difficult to accommodate more than 40 people. Still if your invitation list includes only family members and close friends, Grouse may be the venue that works for you.
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Jan

15

Vancouver Wedding Photography by Julia Pelish
Michelle on her wedding day, as photographed with one of my favorite lenses – the Nikon 105DC, which has a defocusing control that blurs out the background. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

A good amount of craftsmanship is involved in any artistic endeavor and just about all the artists I know will say you’re as capable as your understanding of your tools. Photographers are no different in that regard from painters, musicians or woodworkers. We need to know how to consistently take eye-popping photographs – and we must have the equipment to do it.

Photography, as you may know, is an extremely expensive pursuit, especially in the digital age. There’s constant need to upgrade computer software on top of camera equipment, and technology continues to present us with many options to get even sharper pictures than ever before. It’s an exciting time but also a confusing one for consumers.

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Jan

14

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Intimate ceremonies are another option for Vancouver wedding couples. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

Weddings don’t have to be all-out affairs full of extravagance. That may seem obvious to some of us but we’re not the ones who face the pressure that many couples endure these days. Once they do decide to commit to each other for a lifetime, brides, grooms and life partners have to consider how to do it.

A big party with all the friends and family in attendance and every detail considered is a wonderful way to express your love for each other. But you have to be comfortable with that kind of ceremony.

Recently, I’ve found that more Vancouver couples are interested in intimate weddings: Short and Sweet ceremonies, I call them. They can take place in a setting as small as a hotel suite and include a justice of the peace, only the closest friends and family, and someone to document the moment (me, perhaps!).

I just had the pleasure of photographing two such weddings at the beautiful Granville Island Hotel. I assure you, the couples were no less in love than any other and the ceremony was just as important and solemn and momentous as any other. There are options for all of us.

If you’re considering a short, sweet wedding ceremony in the Vancouver area, call or email me (julia@juliapelish.com; 604-836-1412), and I’ll tell you about your wedding photography choices.

Jan

10

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The ring’s the thing for Vancouver brides and grooms. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

You’re a Vancouver bride and you and your fiancé are giddy for the Big Day. You want a fabulous wedding with all your closest friends and family present to share in your joy and love. But at the same time you’re working within a budget. You’re scrutinizing packages and vendors, trying to get the best value possible. As you go through the process, though, it’s important to remember what the wedding is about: you two.

The engagement portrait isn’t an upsell, nor is it a rehearsal. It’s a way for brides and grooms to celebrate their momentous occasion, to get the word out about their nuptials, to preserve early memories of their relationship, and to get the most out of their professional photographer. For those reasons, the wedding packages I most often recommend to brides and grooms include engagement portraits. It allows us to get to know each other. I’ll be able to see what poses and angles are best, allowing me to capture intimate moments even on a busy day.

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Jan

9

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Diana and Ian on their wedding day in 2007. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

One thing is constant about wedding photographers anywhere in Canada and the U.S. – their inboxes and phones start to get more active in January and February. Why?

Well, usually because the guys we love become their most romantic around the holidays and on Valentine’s Day. Following the engagement comes the crazy, fun and emotional ride of planning your wedding.

With professional photographers being among the most personal choices you make, we end up getting contacted pretty early in the process. We’re also tightly scheduled in the summer months. Since most photographers only take one wedding per weekend, the number of days available for bookings dwindles fast between April and September.

I’m currently taking bookings for 2008 – if you’re getting married, congratulations! Send me an email (julia@juliapelish.com) or call me (604-836-1412) and we can work on customizing a wedding photo package for you!

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Brett and Mickey photographed in August 2007. (Photo by Julia Pelish)

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