Ophelia Photography » Blog

Choosing my most favorite images of 2011 proved to be a daunting task.   In Ever After Drew Barrymore was asked to choose one book from an endless library and she replies, “I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens.”  I often feel that way about the images I capture.   The ones selected bring forth an element of emotion, challenge and capture something that transcends the visual photograph.   They mean something to me and I know to many of my wonderful clients.  I am so overwhelmed by this year….it’s been a busy one….a wonderful one….did I mention busy.   24 amazing weddings, travels to Whistler, Paris and Mexico, and so many memories.   I would love to explain what each and every image means to me…..but I think that would take weeks.  So I have selected a few images to let you know the story behind it.   Happy New Year My Friends……xoxo  Lisa

For some reason this image reminds me of a Sarah Mclachlan album cover.   Ir was shot at the top of Whistler Mountain in February in -15 with a wind chill.  Snowflakes fell like crystals and stung the skin….but just look at the light.

From one of the coldest climates to one of the warmest….Emily and her girls in Mexico.   Just as the final touches were being made, baby Sophie looked up at my camera and stole the show.

My stunning sister-n-law and her fiance Richie….I adore the authenticity of her laughter here.  You can almost hear her.   Richie is one funny guy!  Love you guys.

The light, the light, the light…..peering through the sky on a cold winter day in one of my favorite fields in Port Alberni…..with the incredibly lovely and down to earth couple….Courtney and Austin.

Perfectly still water makes a cloudy day reflect perfectly in the water below.  Vanessa and Ryan jumped on the wobbling wharf at Sun Lotus on Vancouver Island and this was captured.

Poplar Forrest in Port Alberni…..a find made my dad 3 years ago.  At a time when the same locations were being used as wedding and portrait backdrops.  I sought something new and spent countless hours discovering new areas to shoot when I am in Port Alberni…..or anywhere for that matter.

This image was photographed in the middle of a blizzard.  Kelly and Catalin braved freezing rain for 20 mins to capture their formal imagery.  My clients are truly fearless.  I could not feel my fingers after this shoot….but it didn’t matter.

How could you not love that face…..but he may be out shining Reanin’s wedding shoes?

I have known Gillian since 2001 and when I photographed her and fiance Brendan last month I took a moment to take an individual photograph.  She walked ahead of me and I asked her to turn and look and “voila”.  Inviting, authentic and simply beautiful.

Camping engagement session with Alixe and Mike…so romantic.

Anyone who has shot with me knows, that I am not afraid of many things.  This photo was literally shot in a septic field….and not just any septic field….the most fowl and disgusting smelling one EVER.   Jamie and Jeff I love you!

I adore the delight on Kate’s face….these two are so very in love.

Marissa at the Louvre….she became my supermodel in this moment.

Stylized shoot with Kailey Michelle….what an amazing experience!

Deanna and Christopher….when I captured this photo I think I screamed with delight.  It was just so them….and I was in awe.  When people show me who they are and I get to document that I sometimes feel well….high.

Typically I avoid direct sunlight images, but Marissa has this face that can obvoiusly handle the light.  This photo however was slighly accidental.

Playing underneath Crystals wedding dress these girls were having so much fun.

My girl Carly doing make-up on Julia and the smallest hotel room in Paris.

The light in a barn…..how could you not fall in love there?

I have a love affair with long veils and wearing over your face, walking down the aisle is just so incredibly romantic to me.

A kiss at the end of the aisle…..un-planned but captured.  These are the moments I love to document.

Shooting on F 1.4 this image is something that highlights the rose and still honors the amazing plains of Corries face.

So I am a little quirky…and sometimes my clients are as well.  This idea came from a dream I had and then I met Darren…..he was my batman!   Crystal and I laughed like school girls and Darren transformed.  Although he could not breath very well This shoot became slightly controversial and was featured on Rock N Roll Bride with some mixed reviews.  In the end….I would Do it Again in a Heartbeat.

I adore everything about this photo….the way the light hits Rita’s face to the honest embrace.

I love reflections and light.  If you look closely you can see my hand in this image of the stunning Lisa leaving for her ceremony.

I saw this light coming from the upstairs and delighted in joy when I hung Reanin’s wedding dress.  Stepping back to take it all in.

Arriving at the Louvre at 6 am was to say the least incredible.  Not many words were spoken between me and my crew of favorite people…my mom, Carly, Corrie and Marissa.   The girls moved with the Grace of Audrey and breathed in the view.  Talk about living in the moment. In the courtyard of such a magnificent historical  building.

In March of 2011 we collaborated with  Jen Sealey of Tangerine Salon, BC Award Winning Florist Karen from A Sea of Bloom , Jewellery by Wild Abandon and Hair Accessories by Sarah Williams of Adorn Atelier.  We honoured Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jane Austen in this stylized shoot.  I just adore this image of Miss Carly….almost dream like.

During this heartfelt romantic seaside ceremony an eagle landed and perched above the small gathering of family and friends.  It was said by the commissionaire to be a good omen.  I don’t think their was a dry eye in the crowd….including myself.

Probably my favorite photo from Paris…..although that is a difficult choice.  I just told Corrie to walk so I could test the light….and Voila.  One of the first photos I took upon arrival at the Louvre.

Reanin had an amazingly close bond to her grandfather and he loved her dearly.  Just a few short months after the wedding he sadly passed away…..but this and many photos exist to document their undying bond.

I rarely if EVER crop my images.  I always shoot with prime lens and on a full frame sensor so no need.  However, this image became a work of art.  Marissa’s perfect face divided in half.

Simplicity and alternative points of view….this simple image comes from the talented hands of my husband Matt.

When Gillian dreamed of the ultimate engagement photo it included a modern sculpture of the word LOVE.  A permanent fixture in New York but sadly temporary in Vancouver.  That talented girl contacted Vancouver Biennale and not only found the sculpture but got permission to shoot in their warehouse.   Pretty amazing hey!

The sky is truley what makes this image become amazing…..not to mention Rita and Sean, who are just two wonderful, cat loving, music playing and fun souls.

Quadra Island…..the place I want to retire and teach photography…..one day.

Shot free hand natural light slow shutter speed…..I just love this moment.  Christine and Dennis’s wedding at Brock House.

Julia and Brad’s 10 Year anniversary Photoshoot in Paris….the invitation that sparked a dream.

Good dancing photos can be difficult to capture…..but when you land one….that is authentic and the people still look fabulous…..celebrate~

There is this tree in Stanley Park that without fail always provides me with the most amazing light.  Sometimes summer sun is harsh and light is unflattering….so I seek the solace of an umbrella tree.  I love this photograph of Jannah and Rob.

Nothing can make you laugh harder than girlfriends…..

Natural light, slow shutter speed and a tripod…..of and some seriously patient clients.  Hycroft Mansion…..j’adore.

Panoramic photograph of Kate and Blair’s nuptials at Church and State Winery in Victoria BC.

I adore the way Ami and Jeff look at each-other…..

Miss Julia and her stunning features……inspiring to photograph and a friend forever.

My brother Michael captured this stunning image of Tara.  The girl made running pretty.

Miss Fallon who turned out to be my cousin!  I brought butterflies to the shoot and it turned out that not only were they her favorite but part of the wedding decor.

Engagement Photos at Playland…..are simply awesome.

Ruins in Paris….Julia and Brad stepped into carved rock.  We can only imagine the history?

Another amazing image by my brother Michael…..I just love that Kate’s mom and so in the moment, soaking up each word.

Behind the scenes in Paris……my mom and Carly bask in the moment.

The look in Christine’s eyes is what makes me take a moment with this romantic image through the glass at Dr Sun Yet Sun Gardens in Vancouver.

Shannon and Kris at Whonnock Lake with the haunting forest behind them….I just adore this nighttime image.

Alixe on the blue chair…..this blue chair was at her mom and dad’s home and as soon as I saw it I knew what needed to be done.  A photograph of her drapped on the chair in the middle of the forest.  However, the photograph proved to be much more difficult than anticipated.  Light in the forest is sparce…..so I shot this photo at an extremely low shutter speed free hand.   Many of the other forest photos I shot on a tripod.  I loathe flash….so I avoid it at all cost.  Even if it means my subjects have to be extra still for a moment.

Jamie flicked her eyes up a me and I captured this moment.  Everyone else in unaware, but she was simply glowing.

My hometown of Steveston with the amazing Leo and Sonya!

Last wedding this year….and what a time we hadEmily and Joel are just a breath of fresh air and so was Mexico.

Batman on the downlow…and once again the appearance of my hand.  I just love the soft light and romance between Darren and Crystal.

Shannon and crew were responsible for setting up the poker game in the forest.   I just had to capture it…..One of my all time favorite images of Groomsmen.

Abandoned shipping yard….yup! My husband Matt turned his nose up at such a location only later to be schooled in the images we captured….not to mention the fun Colin and Monica had running in between the colourful towers.

Vanessa and Ryan just knew how to move….so natural it was as if I was a fly on the wall.  We would find a gorgeous spot, stop and then this would happen…..I was in awe of them.

Sam and Lauren in Whistler February 2011.  Heading to Whistler Mountain in the Gondola.  The sunlight was glowing and streaming through the glass every so often….I love how it embraces them.

Amy on the rock…an image so loved by me I used it in Wedluxe Magazine as an advertisement.  She is my gorgeous sister-in-law!

Climbing up the look out seemed more like a mountain hike then a small up hill walk.  However, basking the sunlight and breathtaking view that overlooks the Alberni Valley and having the amazing Taryn and Tyler willing  to scale the mountain side in the name of a great image…..makes the sore muscles all worth it.

Girls in a fountain at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver…..what could be more fun and more daring than this?  Especially in your wedding dress!

A light shone down from the clouds, making Corrie look like an angel.  Maybe I was over tired or so in the moment I could not see anything else.  But at this moment, I knew we had done something special.  Girls from small town Port Alberni travelled half way around the world to create.  Create images, memories and lifetime bonds.  As a photographer this light is a precious gift and on this particular day I had never seen anything more beautiful in my life……so far that is.  I cried behind the lens….I was so happy.   I am so grateful for what I get to do for a living…..I look forward to 2012.  Happy New Year Everyone.