Secret Session Marathon!

Hey ladies! Looking for a fun Christmas gift for your significant other that he will love even more than golf clubs or hockey tickets? Or maybe you'd just like some beautiful photos of you at your best? Either way, our Secret Session (boudoir) Marathon on November 16, 17, and 18 is for you! We will be holding a total of six sessions throughout the weekend:

Friday - 3:30PM
Saturday - 9:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM
Sunday - 9:30AM

Sessions will be held at the beautiful Vancouver Airport Hilton (Richmond) in one of their deluxe King Bedroom Suites. Sessions take approximately 90 minutes, and are shot by Laura. Three to five outfit changes are recommended. There will also be albums and prints on hand for you to look through, so that you can decide exactly how you'd like to show off your Secret Session images. Sessions are $295, which includes the shoot at the hotel, an online gallery of your images, and a $100 product credit (can be used towards a Secret Album, custom enhanced prints, etc.) A CD with the high-resolution original images will also be delivered with your product order.

There are only six spaces available, so contact us as soon as possible to reserve your spot! For examples of our boudoir work, check out the Intimate Gallery on our website. And if you'd like more information, please give us a call at 604.277.7452, or email at magnoliaphotographic@gmail.com.

Elizabeth and Chui - September 15, 2007

Ah, the emotion - it was plentiful and flowing at Elizabeth and Chui's wedding! Though it was all rooted in joy and happiness, there was laughter and tears throughout the day. Lots of laughter ensued throughout the photo session, which made photographing these two and their bridal party very easy. The tea ceremonies (yes, there were two!) were also fun - I've never seen a bride receive so much jewellery, and Elizabeth was more than happy to show off her new "bling," as she called it! Laughter was also plentiful at the reception at Shiang Garden, but there were some tears as well. Elizabeth's father made a beautiful speech about his lovely daughter, and it's evident how much it touched her in the image below. Elizabeth also has a very special relationship with her grandmother, which she talked about during her emotional speech and ended by giving her bouquet to her grandmother. It was an incredibly touching moment. The reception concluded with some very fun games and then an amazing performance by contortionists - all I can say is "wow!"

Cecilia and Phil - September 8

Cecilia and Phil's big day was all about the personal touches - from the hand-made favours to the bento box lunches for the guests, everything had a little (or a lot!) of Cecilia and Phil in it. Their ceremony took place at the Vancouver Museum (inside the Planetarium building) in the beautiful Joyce Whalley Room overlooking Vanier Park. The bento boxes were ready and waiting for guests after the ceremony, and contained some of Cecilia and Phil's favourite foods - a Chinese pork bun and an orange chocolate truffle lollipop, among other delicious things. It was fun to take advantage of the museum displays (like the 50's diner display in the image below) and then it was onwards to Locarno Beach, followed by a local park with great views and a school with cool architecture. The reception was at the Victoria Chinese Restaurant, and in between courses guests were treated to some amazing entertainment - a Chinese harp player, a saxophone player, and even a Chinese opera - all performed by guests at the wedding (pretty talented group!) The favours were beautiful wooden boxes, each one carved by Phil from a single block of wood. Inside was a macaroon made by Cecilia (who also made the fabulous cake) and a magnet featuring a cute caricature of the couple. It was an amazing day, and we were happy to share it with Cecilia and Phil!

Vicky and Ken - September 2, 2007

After Vicky and Ken's big day, I now feel that we should be known as the "Rain Dodgers!" We were lucky enough to time the photo sessions in Gastown and at Deer Lake Park between (sometimes torrential) showers. But the best part was the outdoor ceremony - somehow, the rain held off just long enough for Vicky and Ken to get married in front of the beautiful lake. Of course it poured during the reception, but that was okay because everyone was safely inside enjoying the reception at Hart House. Speaking of the reception, Vicky and Ken did a great job decorating the tent with their theme colours of pink and chocolate - I especially loved the huge pink paper lanterns hanging from the roof. I know these two were a little tired from all the planning, but it didn't show on their wedding day - they were clearly so happy just to be together and married!

Karla and David - September 1, 2007

After working in New Zealand for some time, Karla and David made the long trip back to their homeland to get married. These two have a really neat connection - when they look at each other, you can just see the sparks - as cheesy as that sounds, it's true! It's clear they adore each other and it's also clear that the camera adores Karla - what a beauty! For the photo session we headed to the amazing stretch of beach right in front of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, where Karla and David would be having their reception that evening. We were lucky enough to catch the perfect lighting - soft, warm, and just right! It was a fabulous day and thanks to Karla and David for having us as their photographers!

Monique and Chris - August 25, 2007

It was another rainy day at beautiful Westwood Plateau where Monique and Chris got hitched! The drizzle didn't dampen their spirits and they were still determined to have their ceremony outside in the garden - and would you believe it? The rain held off just enough for the ceremony to take place - perfect! Monique and Chris are a really fun, playful couple, and it's amazing how their personalities fit so well together. For their photo session we managed to get over to Belcarra Park as well as Newport Village (all in the Port Coquitlam/Port Moody area) which gave two very different looks to their photos. Thanks again to Monique and Chris for having us with you - hope you're having an awesome honeymoon in Hawaii!

Karla and David - Engagement Session

Having never met Karla and David before (they booked us from their home in New Zealand 20 months before their wedding!) I wasn't sure what to expect. Being friends of some of our former clients, I had a feeling they would be a great couple - but I didn't expect how incredible they would be in front of a camera! Photogenic would be an understatement! Besides being two very warm, friendly, lovely people, Karla and David are just plain naturals when it comes to being photographed. I had a great time taking them around Steveston Village and talking with them about their big day. Karla and David got married on September 1, so watch the blog for their wedding images soon!

Shameless Plugs, Comin' Up!

So everyone knows we're photographers, but did you also know that Chris is a published author? He's also the publisher of his own magazine! Yes, he wears many different hats (whereas I just wear one very large, colourful hat)! Chris just had his first book, "The King of Arugula", published this past June. It's a weird and wonderful Tim Burton-esque story for children ages 9-13, and it is the first of five in a series called "The Hole Series." You can buy it anywhere (local bookstores, Chapters, online, etc.) and of course I highly recommend it (not that I'm biased, or anything.....) :>


Chris' passion for the written word continues into the magazine he created and publishes called "Crow Toes Quarterly" (www.crowtoesquarterly.com). We believe this magazine is the first of it's kind in that it is a literature magazine specifically for children ages 8-13. Each issue features short stories, poetry and artwork by talented people from Canada and beyond. We're especially proud of the current issue, available at small bookstores and Chapters everywhere. If you'd like a free copy, let me know and I'll bring one to my next meeting with you!

Carolyn and Chris - August 18, 2007

Not every couple would stand out on a cliff or scale large rocks in wedding attire for photos - but Chris and Carolyn were up to the challenge! They were willing to do just about anything for a great photo, and I think the results were well worth the effort! Their big day took place throughout West Vancouver, so picture big white cliffs and huge views of the ocean, combined with a happy, great-looking couple (Carolyn is a classic beauty) and you have photo magic. In addition to the amazing scenery, there was an incredible feeling of togetherness throughout Chris and Carolyn's day - their family and friends were clearly so happy for them, and it created an atmosphere full of warmth and joy. Thanks again to Chris and Carolyn for having us with you, and for being so enthusiastic for our more "creative" photo ideas!

Rebecca and Kairns - August 11, 2007

What can I say except I loved shooting this wedding! Fabulous couple, fun bridal party, and a fantastic venue! Kairns and Rebecca had their big day at Farmhouse Lifestyle, one of my absolute favourite venues. The place is amazing - think country-chic, with endless photo possibilities around every corner. The couple also incorporated many personal touches, from beautiful parasols for guests to use, to framed photos of them all around the reception room, to writing their own amazing vows. My favourite moment of the day (besides spending time with Rebecca and Kairns of course!) was just before the ceremony began. As always, things were running just a couple minutes late. I saw a Farmhouse Lifestyle employee carrying something fluffy to the ceremony site, which she then plopped down near the altar area. It was the biggest, fluffiest Angora bunny I have ever seen! Needless to say the guests were tickled pink by the adorable fluffball, who soon tired of being on display and hopped away just before the ceremony started. Congrats again to Kairns and Rebecca!

Laura and Lance - August 4, 2007

As we all know, wedding days are almost always late - the ceremony starts late, the reception starts late, everything is late, if only by a few minutes! Well, not on Lance and Laura's big day! In five years I have never photographed a wedding that was so on time! Truly, it was a remarkable thing to witness! But I digress - with fabulous weather that day we were able to shoot at several different outdoor locations around Richmond. The cool thing was that although I have lived in Richmond almost my whole life, photographing weddings here allows me to see the scenery in a different light - it's challenging and inspiring to take the common and make it uncommon, and I love that! I also loved the quiet but strong connection between Lance and Laura, and the way they exchanged subtle, loving looks throughout the day. August 4 was a great day, and thanks to Lance and Laura for having us share it with them!