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

“I love you. I can’t wait to marry you,” they whispered and muttered to each other. Over and over again. It was the last sunset before a beautiful beginning. We strolled down the gravel paths of Lily Lake resort and caught the last moments of sunshine. Aline and Mark even got to practice their moves for the dance floor! And I got to climb a tree… Here are some of my favorite moments:

She was just the coolest neighbor - and lived below my family’s first apartment in Canada. Ingrid has always had this strong magnetic presence, an irresistible charm that made you want to be her friend. At least I did. We somehow lost touch and reconnected 10(!) years later, when this femme fatal walked into my spring gallery opening. I couldn’t think of a better way to catch up than strolling through our old neighborhood, barefoot! Her contagious energy and infectious smile made the time fly. And I even got to see her inner child! As we walked back to our cars, I found this amazing light to bathe her in - check it out! Lastly, big thanks to Chelsea Leschowski of Reveal Salon for Ingrid’s fabulous hair and Nina of M.A.C. Kingway for the make-up.

This is not just a Big Rock, but the world’s largest known erratic, carried by glacial ice onto the peaceful foothills of Alberta thousands of years ago.

I’m so glad my good friend Margo (Eyelush.ca) came up with the idea of doing a Lifestyle shoot there! Our lovely model was my precious Katia V, who has a thing for ruffles I was supposed to be a bystander, as for the first time EVER I didn’t have my equipment - thanks Margo for letting me use yours!! Check out a few captured moments…

Faith is the light of their love. As Destiny floated down the aisle, Nathan sang to her … and no one could hold back the joy and tears. It was such a beautiful and moving ceremony - hands and hearts raised up to the sky, barely contained by the church ceiling. 

The sunny lake resort town of Sylvan was the perfect playground for photos before the reception - we found a gorgeous canola field, a burnt down shed, a hip eatery called the Big Moo, and of course the lake shore! Destiny & Nathan also had to make a stop at a nearby 7/11 for slurpees - they got a whole stack of coupons since they set the date of their big day on July 7th! (7/11)

The excitement and momentum of the reception wasn’t lost for these two, as they headed straight to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for their honeymoon - as soon as Destiny got out of her wedding gown. God Bless you guys. Too bad you couldn’t stuff me into your suitcase!

Ah Margo. I was so excited to do a lifestyle session for this girl - especially since her beautiful face gets stuck behind the camera most of the time! She is a talented photographer and such a beautiful person - check out her work at www.eyelush.ca. After a casual sushi lunch and a bottle of Californian syrah, we parked her luscious baby Volkswagen Cabrio convertible and got down & dirty, documenting the love affair with her beloved car.  It rained all day, and finally cleared up to the perfect overcast sky - just as we started shooting. I think my shoes got the worst of it Margo set the mood with Imogen Heap - turns out we both loooove her! Here are some of my favorite moments… 

I don’t think I’ve ever gotten up that early on a Saturday. As I drove up to the farm on the outskirts of Nisku, I felt my stomach sinking and tingling with anticipation and excitement - today I would photograph 9 brides! Well, pretend brides … 9 amazing, gorgeous, and unique models from Hi-Fi boutique modeling agency. The day was so intense and rewarding - the most incredible collaboration I could dream of! 

A big thank you goes out to Fiona McNair of Hi-Fi and her girls - Kristina, Kalen, Iryna, Kristen, Paige, Paige W, Sarah, Hana, and Danee - you were unreal. And so patient! The gorgeous one-of-a-kind gowns were provided by designer Lan Van Rooyen - thank you so much for bearing with our artistic visions and letting us take the dresses where no bride has gone before! The make-up artistry was provided by the talented Nicola Gavins - check out her blog HERE. Thank you Danielle Aitken for doing such an amazing job with the hair despite breathing hairspray all day! Thanks to my wicked assistant Kemi Sonuga - her blog HERE and model Iryna - for being such an inspiration and trooper (she changed into LuluLemon and assisted me most of the day, holding the reflector, climbing walls, trees, and fences - you are awesome). Thank you so much Candice (Popik Photography) for sharing the magical farm of your aunt & uncle and being such warm, fun, and talented ‘partner in crime’!!

I will now tease you with a few of my favorites, two of each girl… More to come in a few days!

They make it look so easy. Making the best of every moment together, that is. They are lovers and friends. Friends who happen to be lovers. Soul mates who happened to have found each other. That easy. Ryan makes Nicole laugh so wholeheartedly, the sun comes out. Their world ticks - she reads books, he plays guitar. But what really makes their world is their precious daughter Emma - I’m sure you’ll see her smiley face on my blog in a few weeks, as she will be dimming the sunshine with her presence on their wedding this coming July!