Katya Nova Photography » Vancouver Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer | Lifestyle Portraits { Intimate Narrative Documenting Your Love }

Their love is kind. Gentle. Yet strong enough to shatter any cynicism or doubt. To say love is in the air when you’re around these two is to say nothing at all. One more thing in the air during our magical engagement session - dandelions!! We were at once covered and stained yellow - but it was so worth it!
Destiny is her name. Destiny is his…
Here are some of my faves from our shoot!

Dandelions!!

And now, the slideshow..

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They met as teenagers. Nikolina was determined not to meet a nice Serbian boy like Bojan - she knew that would most likely mean a wonderful cliche of falling in love with her soulmate. Eight years later, their faces light up when they look at each other, with or without the flares of the soft May sunset. They laugh heartily as they retell the stories of sneaking around, just like proper kids in love, kids of traditional European parents. They make each other laugh and give each other the warmest hugs. I can’t wait to document their Wedding!!  

Thanks for running on the grass in heels, Nina! You rock!

And now, click PLAY below for the SLIDESHOW

So Who’s got your back? On my recent trip to New York City I had the pleasure of attending a book tour lecture of an amazing man and author, Keith Ferrazzi. 

A warm still evening, my new friend Sana Ahmed and I are eagerly walking towards the Manhattan 92st Y, where Keith is speaking about his second book, “Who’s Got Your Back.” I find myself lingering over what flowers to get him, having stopped at a corner store on the way. I’m so glad I do, because as we approach the main doorway, Keith himself steps down towards us, welcome smile on his face. I let out his name as if he is supposed to recognize us, it’s great moment.

The room quickly fills with kind faces, and we modestly settle in the first row, a notepad and the faithful Canon 5D on my lap. Keith talks about the importance of ‘lifeline’ relationships in each one of our lives, encouraging to look for those who ‘get it’ and those who ‘care.’ He stresses that we all need more candor and accountability in our lives, and must thus find people who will hold us accountable - in our goals, promises, and actions. Keith also shares the irony of his own demons in his past inability to share his worries, doubts, and fears even with his closest friends. That’s right, the guy who wrote “Never Eat Alone,” the guy who inspires and empowers hundreds of people across the globe, was worried he was not the leader he wanted to be. Wondered if all this was enough. It took putting trust into his mentors and friends, to feel as if a ‘lifeline’ was thrown his way. The talk was incredible, and felt more like a conversation, as Keith encouraged us to share and gave feedback heartily. 

The treat in store for Greenlight members alike is an invitation to Keith’s presidential suite at W hotel for pizza and vino after the talk, the real treat being Keith’s presence and the incredible people to connect with!

At some point I maneuver my way to the couch to grab another business card from my bag, concentrated and a little flustered. As I lean over, I feel a warm momentary presence of Keith’s hand on my back - he was talking to someone, yet I felt him say “I’m glad you are here.” That Keith’s magic. Well, a sliver of it. And let me tell you, it made my night.

Rachael and Jared… They walked towards me and I instantly picked them out of the hip SoHo crowd. Rachael loves raspberry tarts, Jared smokes Camels. And they are crazy about each each other. I had a blast talking to them about their starting careers - Rachael is in Fashion Merchandising, while Jared is a talented fashion photographer who only shoots film! Yumm. I felt like I should have had an assistant just for taking notes, as Jared shared some insights about his photography equipment wish list and shoots he has worked on. 

Here are a few of my favorites from the sunny afternoon in SoHo…

In front of Magnolia Bakery. The same one featured in Sex and the City!

Glorious SOHO...

These guys belong in a black & white 1930's film!

A man passing us told us that Robert De Niro grew up on this block!

How classic...

So I hear New York chews you up and spits you out. Perhaps. On some days.

Stepping out onto the streets, it’s easy to feel like a New Yorker. You just have to make sure to adopt a slightly annoyed look, seem in somewhat of a hurry, and cross the street without waiting for the ‘walk’ sign. 

The city is full of perfect strangers. Their heads and fists are full of intentions. 

No one minds being watched, it seems. I feel grateful to gobble up the stories. Maybe they will settle in my conscience somewhere, fragmented, to get recycled in dreams days later.

I’m sitting on a bench in Central Park. It’s just as I imagined it would be, except much colder. Damn those Fahrenheit to Celsius conversions! My fingers are stiff, writing a bit sloppy, my nose certainly red. Carrot-ginger soup and tuna roll from Whole Foods in my belly slowly warming me from inside out.

A grandmother with short silver hair and stylish glass frames is leisurely pushing a stroller with her grandson past me, her face radiant. She stops right-smack in the middle of the walkway, an umbrella’s reach from where I sit. I watch her, openly, smiling, as she leans in to kiss the child’s forehead, closes her eyes. He is closing his, drifting in and out of consciousness. That’s what grandmothers do. That’s what grandchildren should do. 

Couples holding hands. At my eye level, conveniently. I’m attentive to how their hands are interlocked, then gaze up to their faces. Mostly comfortable silences. That’s nice. Some don’t hold hands when they should. 

Photographers in Central Park. You know ‘the look’ when they recognize the red stripe around your lens. My lens. The couples they are shooting are sweet and proper. They are cold and happy. The photographers - serious and perplexed. Central Park is serious business. I start to wonder how I would fit in, laughing, playing, crawling around, softly squealing whenever I get a good shot. That’s serious business.

Fifth Avenue WASP couple? Bring it on. Whoever said cliches are bad. Around here, striving to be different is a cliche. Of course I followed them around, wouldn’t you?! I found photo assistants are the most amusing. One in particular, a tender asian girl, was not only dragging around a pink equipment case, but also the couple’s dog, dressed in what looked like a suit and bow tie. Classy. Once in a while, the photographer would hand her his camera, with an unmistakable sense of urgency, looking away on cue once his hand was extended. All to walk around the circumference of an imaginary circle and take the camera back. It must have induced his creative juices. 

As I write this, I look up and smile, looked up too late - someone had just taken a picture of me. Just maybe I look like a troubled local.

Ahhh, Amanda Valdes. I was lucky enough to shoot this stunning woman on a gorgeous Friday afternoon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. One of the many things I love about this neighborhood is that despite the extravagant presence Amanda had, amplified by the obnoxiously fabulous gown and veil, no one seemed to pay us much attention. Here, anything goes! 

Amanda is a talented actress and dancer in New York City, with an aura about her that will sweep anyone off their feet. And their reflectors.

Here are a few of my favorite moments…

Also, click below for a saucy slideshow below…

So they say. New York chews you up and spits you out. Some days. Are better than others. Yet somehow the moment you step out onto the City’s streets, you’re allowed to feel like a New Yorker. All you have to do is start by keeping your head level, adopt a slightly neurotic, slightly annoyed look on your face, keep your travel guide hidden, and cross the streets without waiting for the “walk” sign.

On the way to Pier 17, my attention was drawn to the leopard print tights… I quickly traced my glance up to his face. Wow… The Alpha Male.

Why not…

It was a picture perfect sunny Sunday afternoon. Ana and Ogie are unforgettable. So much laughter. I still don’t know what ’sweet nothings’ Ogie kept whispering into Ana’s ear, but it worked like a charm! Thank you for reminding me why I love to do what I do!

Wow. And here’s some more magic in the slideshow below!