Vancouver Wedding Photographer || Ophelia Photography

I am not entirely certain what happened over the weekend and perhaps putting it into words is an impossibility.  But whatever it was, I hope that my smile and happiness can be contagious.  My friend Crystal came to visit for the weekend.  It had been just over a year since we had seen one another and so we were like 2 kids in a candy store.   The last time she was here, we ended up running through the fountain at Queen Elizabeth Park and had to call my husband Matt to come and get us as we had walked there.  Soaking wet we climbed into the car laughing hysterically.

I highly recommend to anyone the sport of “fountain running” as not only is it great exercise, but it is one of those things I think most people would love to try, but may be too afraid.  Do it anyways and change your life.  As children, most of us loved splashing in mud puddles, climbing trees and dancing like no one was watching.  Yet as adults we can’t participate in such adventures.   I know I can’t speak for everyone, and maybe fountain dancing is not your thing, but please please please take a risk.  Even if its breaking a routine like changing your hair colour, walking in the rain without an umbrella, or turning up the tunes and dancing with your family.  For me dance is freedom and although you may think I am professionally trained, I have to admit besides a few gymnastics lessons I am an amateur.  I can just here you all gasping at that as you read this!  lol

Just like my photography, I dance outside the lines.  I just move the way I feel the music chooses the interpretation.  I go with the grove.   I make my husband laugh with my dance moves and just keep wanting to come up with more.     I think from the videos below, you will see some old school, new school and complete off the chart crazy dancing.  Crstal and I really busted a move and it just was natural to us.   12 years ago Crystal and I made old school VHS music videos in media and they were fairly advanced creations if you ask me.  I was proud of a video we with Madonna’s Vogue.  Crystal, Danielle (friend and partner in crime) and I accomplished making a video where we were able to sync the music and the videos to our lips.  Essentially we were lip syncing, but you get the point.   One day very soon, I am going to get that VHS tape saved onto DVD and share it with the world.

Finally I want to talk about the jean jumper.  While shopping at one of my favourite vintage stores in Vancouver (True Value Vintage) I came across a magnificent vintage throw back.   Not only was it one piece, but it also has shoulder pads, a cinched waist to flatter the figure and to top it all of…it is acid wash.  Once Crystal tried it on, it was all over.  Complete with dark framed glasses, she was a vision in denim.    In fact I was so inspired, I tried on a sparkly version of the jumper.  Sadly, it was out of my price range, but it is in the works and one day I plan on returning for it.   The jean jumper was resonbly priced at $10 and who could say no to that?

Once we were home, we made the videos and laughed for hours.  Once we had filmed the last video and were posting it to review our spectacular moves, we received news that a friend of ours had passed away.  So here we are having the time of our lives and crushing tragic news was happening around us.  Life is very strange and sometimes hard.   In the last few days I have had a chance to think about our friend Tyler and the one thing that keeps coming into my mind was his smile and his laugh.   He really was one of those people that could make you laugh.  He will be greatly missed.

So in honour of Tyler, it is my hope that Crystal and I can make you smile.  Even its just at our ridiculousness.

Secondly, Tyler was an amazing bass player whom I really appreciated and admired for his dedication to that art.  I hope to be as passionate about my photography as he was to his music.

So if you are having a crappy day and honestly we all have them, please consider dancing, singing and jumping in puddles.  Pick up that guitar and play, grab that camera and take photos, and most importantly tell those around you, that you love them.   Cheers to you Tyler!  XOXO Lisa

Hope you enjoy the rest of this post.  To view the videos you can visit the Ophelia Photography Youtube Channel, or click the screen grabs below.