Aina + Jason

This beauty and I go back.  Way back.... (dare I say it) to 1989.  We were 5 and we began the first of our 13 years of school together.  BFF's in Grade 5-7, then branching off into new groups of friends in high school, Aina and I have known one another for 25 years...  AND NOW SHE & JASON ARE TYING THE KNOT!  I met Jason a few years ago when Aina hired me to help coordinate his Dirty 30.  Fast forward to 2013, I'd say he's made a pretty darn good life decision putting a ring on this girl!  

Our adventure took place in their hometown, Richmond.  We did a few shots in their cozy house, visited Minoru Park and Steveston and took a mini bikeride around their neighbourhood. 

 I feel so honored to have been able to capture this happy time for someone I have known my entire life.  Life is like a box of chocolates, and this lovely lady is the sweetest of the bunch.

Congrats guys!

xo

And just because I love a good flashback...

June 1995.  You can't see it, but I'm wearing an Aritzia tee and I'm pretty sure that skirt is from Reitman's or Smart Set.

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15 Minutes: The McLeod-Knight Crew

So if you are new to The Pauhaus, you may have missed out on our Fundraiser back in August: Change Your Hair, Change a Life.   I shaved my head!  The closest you could get to pure shiny skin after having a head of hair almost touching my bum.   It was the 10th Anniversary since my Dad passed from cancer and this was my way of remembering him and giving back.  With help from my friends Erin & Kerstyn from Our Little Flower Company and the many businesses that donated goods and services to our raffle, we raised over $3500!  Not too shabby!

I worked hand in hand with Tinykick who have Tokens of Gratitude on their site as a way of enticing and rewarding donators.  The Token for $200 was a 15 minute photo session and my good friends and neighbours Michelle, Jason and Ethan were one of the generous donators that gave $200!

We have a serendipitous story with this family.  Our boys were born about 2 weeks apart in May 2009.  At the time, we were living in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver... so we were they.... 2 doors down the hall from our tiny 500sq ft studio apartment.  Not even down the hall!  We were the two pieces of bread sandwiching a corner apartment suite, so I was literally 2.5 large steps to their door.  And yet, I never saw them!  Not for the 9 months we were pregnant, nor once the boys were born.  I think Kevin and Jason had their occasional run ins in the elevator, but for the first 3 months after our boys were born and before they moved away, nothing.  I heard Ethan crying occasionally when I was out in the hall coming or going but it never occurred to me to knock and connect.  WHY. 

We moved to Tsawwassen 2 months after MJE had left their tiny Vancouver apartment.  In fact, when their place went up for sale, we went to view their place as we also needed out of our tiny studio.  It wasn't until the boys were 10 months that we finally came in contact with another... living in the same condo in Tsawwassen.  YES.  We moved to the same condo complex.  Chubby Moses was stuffing his face with a banana and using a walker when we met Michelle & Ethan in our amenities room for a meeting.  Michelle later told Jason about having met us and Jason pointed out that we were the same family that had lived two doors down from them back in Vancouver.  How he knew this?  Kevin's bright green 1950 Ford Customline in the parkade.  

The boys have grown up together.  We've had tonnes of playdates, communal dinners, and outings over the past 3 years and they are now attending the same pre-school together.  It has been a pleasure to be able to share support with such a kind and fun-loving family throughout these early parenthood years.  If only we had knocked on one another's doors back when these little guys came into the world, we would have had it made!   Those long lonely days with a crying barfing infant, the first out of my friends and family with a baby at 25-26 were a challenge.  This is why the first thing I tell a newly pregnant person is to FIND FRIENDS THAT ARE PREGNANT NOW.  You need that support!  You will need that company!  End Rant.

Oh well.  Clearly the stars knew we were meant to be friends, having given us another opportunity here in Tsawwassen!  Thank you guys for your generous donation to this cause and for being such wonderful friends!  Thank you for everything!   

xo

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Alyson + Jordan

The story of these two lovebirds, both local to Tsawwassen, falls into the category of  smalltown romance.  They passed one another in the hallways of highschool without exchanging half a glance.  Graduation set them down their separate paths until 2007 when Jordan began working for a new company, the same company owned by Alyson's parents.  As fate would have it, they met in the lunch room and exchanged their first words for the first time in years:

 "What are YOU doing here...."
 
It took them 4 years before they started dating but the sparks did finally fly and come February will be tying the knot under the hot Caribbean sun in Cuba!  As a contrast to the sandy beaches and gorgeous weather they will enjoy for their honeymoon, it was decided that a cozy Fall Session would be perfect for their engagement photos.  We headed to Beach Grove Park, Jordan's old stomping grounds, for a romantic walk through the foggy forest trails.

This was such a cool session weather wise.  With all the fog that has settled in over the past week and as the session took place at dusk, the variations of light were all over the place and made for some very cool mood lighting.

A pleasure working with you both xo

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Jericho Beach with Caela & Brian

It's funny how life works.  A long time ago, back in 2008, when shopping was a priority and i could rock tight on super tight tops and jeans, Caela hired me to work at Westbank.  She was 17 at the time and I was applying to usurp her position as receptionist in the swanky office at Shaw Tower.  I was hired in May and 3 months later I was pregnant, just in time for my 3 months probation! 

And so began our friendship.  At first it was a little rocky, but by the end of my pregnancy, we had grown close, and ever since then, Caela has become one of my closest friends, seeing me through both my pregnancies and spoiling both my children for the past 4 years!

She and Brian are highschool sweethearts and have finally decided to tie the knot and if I have things my way, popping out a few kids :)  

We headed to Jericho Beach where the sand was soft and cool, the boats lightly tossed in front of the North Shore mountains and in the distance the downtown lights flickered and brought the city to life.  We arrived just as the sun was going down to catch that beautiful Vancouver summer light.

You guys are a perfect couple.  Thanks for taking me out for late night tacos and driving me home.  I can't wait to help you through with the planning for the next year and to photograph your big day!
 
Love ya babe!