Michele Dyson Photography » Blog

So, it took awhile to get things in order, but I pulled together my favourite images of 2009 to share with all of my wonderful clients, friends and blog followers ( that still seems hilarious to me – strangers coming to my lil ol blog to check things out…seriously?  SO appreciated)!!!  Anyways, here are the fab couples. They really, truly were. I’m pretty sure I laughed my a** off , and made a fool of myself with every single one of you. So much fun…..thank you thank you a million times over for choosing me to document such an important day in your lives. I am so thrilled to be doing this, and can’t wait for what 2010 brings. I’d also like to say a very special “thank you” to Brooke for being my partner in crime….it seriously is double the fun having you to work with – I don’t know if anyone else could deal with my bossiness/quirkiness/flightiness as well as you do ! Stay tuned to us both as we put some amazing plans into action in the coming year……

Happy 2010!

Here they are…..finally!  The second batch of images from Cara & Mike’s After session. I think my readers have established that you guys are in the running for fave couple…each of your sessions have been so much fun, you’ve been full of creative ideas and open to suggestions from us as well. I think we made a good match:)  If anyone missed out on their engagement session make sure to click here as it’s definitely one I’m proud of…it was even featured on “Vintage Glam Weddings”…one of the most inspirational sites out there!  You can also click here for their wedding and here for the first batch of  ”After’s”. I’m still waiting on a video clip from them of the best first dance EVER ( choreographed hip-hop complete with RAD 80’s get-ups….ohhhh yeah)!  

Cara and Mike – really – could you BE any more fun..or any more patient ?!  I’m so glad I was the “chosen one” and cannot wait for the next session we do together! 

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful readers, and don’t forget to KEEP THE COMMENTS coming – 1 comment = 1 can of food donated!! Make me proud people!!!!

Mike has something against lipstick – I missed the smooch shot, but these next two were the aftermath:We realized after taking a bunch in this spot that there was a crowd in the building across the alley peering down from an overhead window….I think they might have had a bit TOO good of a view:) Shoes…..ohhhhh yah! Cara’s were  purchased in Penticton at Vintage & Vogue ; LOVE!Yummy colour!
I am completely smitten by this last image. Cara didn’t wear a veil for her wedding, but this one belonged to her Mum and she wanted a photo in it to give to her.   I think she pulled it off perfectly:) 

So, after such a fabulous wedding day I was a little anxious as to how our session would go. I didn’t feel as though the bride and groom were truly on board with the idea of getting all done up again, in the heat with what was sure to be many onlookers! Well, they showed up , the weather somewhat agreed; although there wasn’t a cloud in site we were able to work it out….and most importantly we had SO much fun! We had quite a few lookie-lou’s, people taking pics and even a restaurant worker who jumped in with his “eat my burrito” apron; it seemed harmless enough until he lifted it up…..WHOA! Good thing it wasn’t real is all I have to say;  I’ll leave those pics for J& J to view at home as they’re not completely appropriate for a family blog:)  One of the shots I wanted to get was something with a lot of color and an obvious Mexican feel; the first ceramic ones are a few of my faves. Jay and Janine’s request?!  A volkswagon. Hmmm….. considering there weren’t vehicles allowed where we were shooting I didn’t think it was going to happen. But luck was on our side, and instead of flagging a cab on the way back from the hotel I asked if they could flag us a VW. It worked! It was getting quite dark out, the ISO was cranked, but we got it….and bonus…..it’s GREEN!  VW’s were one of the many things that brought these two together so I’m thrilled we were able to incorporate one into the shoot. Guys, thanks for dragging yourselves away from the beach and taking the time to come out again….I’m pretty sure  you’ll agree it was worth it. 

Enjoy!!!

My fave..

Love.

Jay, you are one lucky man!Are they not the poster faces for Destination Weddings?  I think so:)So stylin, and I just lovvve the movement in this one; fave #2.Believe it or not, this great find was outside the Hagen Daz ice-cream shop; yum!Ummmm…..yeah, you two are seriously HOT!   
High ISO, blurry, grainy….and I don’t care! Love them:) Edited to add *** One forgotten image – I had to!

Thank you so much, both of you and each and every person who played a part in me getting to be included in your big day!

Yup, they’re for real…..super hot, super stylish and superDUPER fun in front of the camera. My fave thing?! They were amazing listeners…..I have a tendency to get a bit bossy; well, let’s face it – I am Queen Bossypants, can’t help it. But hey, it worked, they laughed, and we squeezed in a lot in some fast fading light. Janine and Jay, thank you thank you thank you for bringing me to Playa with you, for trusting me without ever having met me ( little did you know what you were in for)! and most of all for letting your real selves shine through in your photos. It was an amazing week, and I feel so very fortunate to have played a role in your day. Hope you enjoy the peek…..more to follow once I finish some blog catch-ups! 

As a photographer, I love it when I’m not the only one who has a vision. When the couple “brings it“, the images are able to go to a whole new level. The location, the styling and the interaction between each other are all equally important. Well, Cara + Mike have proven at each of our 3 sessions that they most definitely have what it takes.  Cara isn’t embarrased to admit she studies America’s Next Top Model…..wouldn’t you agree that is shows? I mean, come on – she has mastered “the smize”!    For the first part of this session we started out at one of the firehalls here in Penticton where Mike is now an official firefighter. I was obviously excited when they informed me that there was a vintage truck….and Graham, thank you for the offer of lighting one of the buildings on fire for us; if we’d had more time it would have happened!. Spring session, perhaps?!  Thank you Mike and Cara for being so creative and open minded, and for inspiring me. It is shoots like this that keep me moving forward. 

Stay tuned for more from their After session…..

An obvious fave……Mike, you are my most stylin’ groom to-date. 

Yup, the sky was that crazy, and the sun was pouring down on them like honey. Love. This one make me smile; laughing pictures are most definitely my faves:)

This session was special for me as it was my very first morning session. I am not what you would call a morning person. At all. Note the 2 a.m. blog posts and you’ll understand why. I of course have to get up with the kids, but I am definitely not ready to face the world until closer to lunchtime! We started the session at 8 a.m. and the sun wasn’t yet over the mountains….we got to shoot in open shade and then had 15 minutes or so with some more dramatic lighting while chillin’ at the creek ( I’m pretty sure Christine was frozen – what a trooper)!  These two were seriously fabulous….so very comfortable as you can see even from this shot below – this was the first frame of the day and is one of my faves. Thank you guys for taking Cara  + Mike’s word and trusting me to get some “after” photos for the images you missed out on for your own day, and thank you also for opening my eyes to such killer locations. They were just stunning and I will be trekking out there again I’m sure….maybe just not so early!  Really though, it was so worth it and I had a wonderful time. Hope you enjoy the images!

AYKM?????  For real, Christine has this incredibly natural beauty that is so easy to photograph. Simply stunning. Chris, you are one lucky man!!
I loved how this moment when the sun broke over looked as though they were in a spotlight – I’m sure they did as well as it was their only moment of warmth the whole time we were out!My definate fave of the day – Oooooh, I am just crazy over birch trees….now to find somewhere I can sneak a few branches for some Christmas decor!!!!

Edited to add  ** I almost missed this image but am glad I came across it. This was one of the last shots of the day and you can just see the sun coming up over the trees; what a difference it made in the lighting…yum!

My first “mixed” post…..I don’t really enjoy doing this, but I guess when you take on too much that’s what happens:)  Hopefully my clients can all forgive me for making them share their sneak!  There will be full posts in the next few days of each of these sessions…. and more:)  Below are imgaes of 5 day old baby Evan, sisters Brittany and Alicia as well as Brit’s fiance Kyle, a fabulous After session with Chris + Christine…..who happen to be great friends of Mike + Cara, who also did an After session with me this past weekend.  Thanks all for being understanding, and I promise to keep working away on your images…..you were all truly amazing in front of the camera and make me love what I do that much more.

Thank you:)

Introducing sweet baby Evan. It took a bit, but once we got him down he slept like a dream. Thank you so much for letting me do his very first session:)

I had such a great time with Alicia and Brittany….it was raining, we were losing light and were absolutely surrounded by monstrous cow patties; I even stepped in a fresh one. Disgusting. But worth it – thanks for having such a good time with it girls!I’m crossing my fingers to be able to shoot Brit + Kyle’s wedding next year…..mid-fall, a great theme and perhaps a little choreography ?!  Let’s hope they like these!!!  This was my very first morning session; and for those of you who know me, sunrise + Michele = a bad situation. I actually have a 30 minute “don’t talk to me” rule when I wake up:)  Well, Chris + Christine just may have changed my mind….I was loving the early light, in the second image it actually poured down like spotlights on them. Yum-my!

And last, but definitely not least, Mike + Cara. You may remember them from their wedding just a few weeks back. Creative minds, great style and Cara just happens to be an avid watcher of “America’s Next Top Model.” I think she may take it seriously as her presence in front of the camera is stellar. Mike recently started his new job as a firefighter, so of course we needed to work that into the shots; LOVE them…..stay tuned for many, many more great images. Thanks so much guys!