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

I felt as if Betty was a girlfriend I haven’t seen in ages from the moment I stepped into her cozy Vancouver condo. We chatted, joked and laughed about what kind of a workout we are both getting on either side of the lens! This boudoir diva looks like she belongs on a Brazilian beach, sipping a cocktail out of a coconut or seducing someone terribly handsome in an Argentinean tango…

It was such a joy to photograph you, Betty. Here are some of my favourites…I kept telling Betty every few minutes I had a new favourite shot of her. This one, still, is at the top of my list. You are so gorgeous!And this one I like this out of focus boudoir silhouette … Betty looks so dreamy.I was mesmerized with Betty’s luxurious hair … view portfolio |   let’s connect on facebook & twitter |   email katya

[b]ecker [b]lew us away. [b]ig time. He has given two full days to the eager wedding photographers of Vancouver and I was lucky to be among them yesterday. Becker broke it down, speaking from the heart. He made us laugh and inspired us to take an honest look at our wedding photography businesses and do what it takes to rock it. We took notes tirelessly, as Becker talked about branding, giving the most killer experience to our clients, workflow, social networking, consistency, supporting each other in the industry, and of course the little things that matter so much. The workshop took place at Miranda & Reilly’s gorgeous Blue Olive studio and was organized by the awesome Tracey and Libby.

Check out Becker in action… [his shirt reads: "Nobody cares about your status updates"]  :)

And some more action:
Lena & Jason of Jaylena Photography kindly volunteered to model for us. They are so sweet!!
Here I am, posing for Becker
There it was, Sherry’s bright red bow in the midst of the gloomy Vancouver gastown alley.
Last but not least, check out this wicked lunch Jonathan Heppner made for us!
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Sometimes the world just needs to slow down. And if it won’t, you have to put your hectic errands on hold and remember why you get up each morning.

We sat on a damp log, enjoying every millisecond of this January Saturday - and everything was peacefully still. Soft chillout beats of my boombox mixing with rhythmic ocean murmurs. Vancouver has been my home for just over two months now, and I’m still in awe from the energy of this city and my ever-growing love for it. Can you tell?
My partner in crime for many things I’m so passionate about … sentimental memories, great friendships, witty humour, adventurous travel, good food & wine … Polina!
This next one puts a smile on my face and makes me think of my mama. Every time we talk that I mention green grass and lush trees in the middle of winter, she turns to my dad on the other line and jokingly asks if they can please move to Vancouver
Love and inspiration are all around. And today I’ve decided on a new resolution … To treat myself to fresh seasonal flowers once a week. Hm, maybe on Mondays? That’s right. Here I go.

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The Vancouver Wedding Fair January 9 & 10, 2010 at the Bayshore Westin was SMASHING, in both it’s literal and metaphorical sense! It was amazing to see so many beautiful brides, their diligent fiancees, and endless helpers - to carry rapidly accumulating amounts of flyers, brochures, business cards, and little gifts from Vancouver Wedding Vendors. Although this was only my 2nd show, it was so great to not only see familiar faces, but even give out a bunch of hugs during bathroom breaks, mostly to fabulous Vancouver Wedding Photographers!

It’s quite entertaining to see myself from the side - now I understand why I felt as if my face was about to fall off from smiling so hard! But I just couldn’t help it

I loved the vase with flowers Evan of Vancouver Boutique Flower-z brought me, what a nice touch!
And a humongous thank-you to Vancouver dating coach Mick Lolekonda for helping me out all weekend - I don’t know what I would do without him!
We put in well over 20 hours over the weekend, not counting the booth set-up and tear-down… It was so great to go upstairs and crash at the Vancouver Bayshore Westin Hotel! I loved the view of Coal Harbor from the 9th floor, even though I didn’t get to enjoy it much. It was about 8 am on the Sunday morning when I snapped this shot before heading out again!
I decided to hold a prize draw for a Pre-Wedding Boudoir session for one lucky bride-to-be:
And followed up with this announcement yesterday…
I won’t make you wait any longer. The winner of a saucy Boudoir Photo Shoot is…

STACEY! (whose fiancee is BRADEN and their wedding date is JUNE 25, 2011). Congratulations, Stacey! I can’t wait to make you look like a movie star!

Thank you so much EVERYONE for your support, for those of you who are disappointed, why don’t we do a Boudoir photoshoot anyway? Please click HERE for details - the Marathon will take place Jan 30, 2010. Private photo sessions are also available.

Wait, there are four more winners! My friend and talented jewelery designer Jolie Mack is graciously giving away these gorgeous earrings. And the winners are …

PRISCILA (Wedding date July 2011)

JILL (Fiancee Omar, Wedding date Nov 12, 2010)

JESSICA (Fiancee Dan, Wedding date June 11, 2011)

MICHELLE (Fiancee Andrew, Wedding date October 10, 2010)

Congratulations, ladies! Phew, that was intense.

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I wore the ugliest pretty sweater I could find at Value Village to this one Christmas ‘ugly sweater’ party my best friend Polina dragged me out to. Glass of wine in hand, the last thing I expected was to connect with a gorgeous bride-to-be, whose wedding was a few weeks away … and she didn’t have a photographer!

Robyn & Graeme have a story. The kind you would believe to be an urban myth if you didn’t know them, the kind that you retell to your grandkids. And their kids. I’m afraid I can’t do the story justice, but I will give you a few quick facts… They became friends in Grade 2. Some years later, Robyn was the first girl Graeme asked out … but it was for his friend! As teens, they told each other everything about the one person they like - but didn’t admit to who it was. Well, all they had to do was … point at each other! But they didn’t. They then lost touch and reconnected only in University … and 7 years later Graeme proposed! The rest is to become history…

Robyn’s best friend and incredibly talented Vancouver designer Malene Grotrian made this stunning one-of-a-kind couture wedding gown… The ladies’ hair was done by Blo hair salon, and the make-up - by the fabulous Jenna Fortin.What’s a wedding gown without a little corset tightening!
“Robyn, do you think he will cry?” … “Hm, one tear. He will cry one tear.” There was something about this first 2010 wedding that I was looking forward to most - the First Look… I was so thrilled when Robyn & Graeme agreed to see each other for the first time before the ceremony! We decided to meet in Gastown, in the character building of  Malene’s cozy studio. While Robyn was getting ready earlier in the morning, Beyonce’s ‘Halo’ came on and she casually mentioned that she loves the song and even considered it for their first dance - needless to say, I had the perfect candidate for the ‘First Look’ song to play for them on my tireless boom box!Ah! But let’s back up for a moment. Graeme slowly walked up the stairs to meet his radiant soulmate on the 9th floor… Standing in the light of his halo…The weather was incredible for January, but it POURED, DRIZZLED, and simply RAINED the whole afternoon! Robyn & Graeme were such troupers, shedding their umbrella for me for some timeless urban bridal portraits. I loved my first Vancouver wedding in the rain. Loved it.I caught Robyn running into this Gastown alley as I tripped over a puddle… It’s out of focus, but I love the ‘runaway-bride’ effect!And a little saucy grunge of a typical Vancouver back alley.Robyn is amazing. She is so kind, genuine, and gorgeous … I loved every moment with her!I was really excited to take Robyn & Graeme to the famous Vancouver Gastown Blood Alley…The perfect overcast sky over Stanley Park was our next location for more bridal portraits. By then I was so soaked, there was no point in hiding under an umbrella My faithful Canon 5D Mark II was being shamelessly tested for its waterproof features, but my favorite 50mm 1.2L lens fogged up… Before I took off the protective filter, here’s a portrait of Robyn I snapped… I actually love this effect!A moment later, the lens cover is off… Robyn, you are my star. And her gorgeous bouquet was made by her mom Patsy. So much love in that arrangement!The ceremony time was approaching and we made our way to the Vancouver Stanley Park Wedding Chapel. Here are some adorable moments with Robyn’s nieces - figure out for yourself which one of the following happened first Robyn is minutes away from saying ‘I do.’Robyn & Graeme had a beautiful reception at the Le Gavroche, an ambient French restaurant in an old Victorian house on Vancouver’s Alberni Street. Both Robyn and Graeme’s parents were such a blast! To the left, Graeme’s dad recalls seeing Robyn for the first time many years ago and thinking to himself, ‘What a babe!’ The little precious boots atop of this heavenly cake made by Graeme’s sister Amber have been in the family for over a 100 years. Robyn & Graeme, you are exceptional people, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful wedding with me! e-mail katya |  view portfolio | connect with katya on facebook and twitter

Jamie Delaine is a dreamer. But not your usual kind. She somehow dreams bigger and brighter than most young women her age - at 19, she’s managed to create her very own magical presence. I’ve wanted to connect with her for a while since bringing my wedding photography to Vancouver, and we’ve finally made it happen this rainy Friday morning over coffee and lunch!

The world of wedding photography can be an exciting roller coaster for anyone with the passion and drive to come along for the ride. What Jamie and I have in common is that we like to take the ‘driver seat.’ Oh, and we are also both Leos born on the same day, August 1st!

I was really excited to talk shop with her and share some experiences as wedding photographers in Vancouver. One of the most inspiring things about Jamie is how organized she is - and I thought I was on the ball with that one … until she shared her workflow with me! I’ll definitely be making some changes in 2010 and making my clients’ experience ever more exciting and memorable!

We sipped green tea and chatted about our awesome Showit websites, working with second-shooters, documenting weddings in Vancouver rain, submitting to wedding publications, outsourcing, networking with Vancouver vendors, and of course, our dreams and goals for our businesses in the future. I also shared my 2011 goal of introducing Katya Nova workshops, and was happy to get some great feedback!

We even got a chance to come out and play in the rain with our twin Canon 5D Mark II’s with 50 f1.2L lenses (yumm). I am blown away with her photos of me! It’s such a treat, especially since I’m behind the lens all the time…

And here are a few of my absolute favourites of me Jamie, you rock!Don’t I look so happy and hopeful?! Looking up to catch the rain drops … looking forward to an amazing 2010!

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‘If Zeina & Zak live as heartily as they dance, they will have an incredible and prosperous life,’ I thought to myself, standing on top of a shaking chair, surrounded by dozens of glowing faces and dancing bodies, ducking and squinting away from the humongous goat skin drum by my ear. My chair wasn’t the only thing shaking, it felt as if the energy and love in the room would raise the roof! This was my first time as a wedding photographer at a Lebanese wedding. So let’s back up a little!

Having arrived to Edmonton during the coldest weekend (ever!) to document Zeina & Zak’s wedding, I was so lucky to have my dad driving me and keeping the car warm while I fluttered between Zeina’s and Zak’s ‘getting ready’ locations. I arrived just in time to witness an old Arabic tradition - Zak’s last shave as a bachelor … take a look:

The women danced and proclaimed joyous blessings ‘Ah Weeeee-ha’ and danced around the groom and his barber, who worked with the precision of a surgeon. Soon after, the men joined in, also managing to realize a sly plan to soil Zak’s face with shaving cream just as the barber finished his impeccable job!

Another Lebanese wedding tradition followed, whereby the groom was to get dressed methodically by the men. His suit jacket, tie, watch, belt, and even shoes!
Although Lebanese food deserves it’s own blog post, here is a peek at the irresistible treats… Mmmmm… And the yoghurt dip - a personal favourite of my dad and I
It was time to rush to the bride, I couldn’t wait to see Zeina! As I walked into the house, I couldn’t help but notice a white creeping cloud of pure -40c accompanying me … Quick, quick, close the door!
Back inside, Zeina’s gorgeous bouquet.
I love this shot of Zeina. She looks like a queen to be, surrounded by her princesses (and one little prince)
Moments away from seeing each other for the first time, Zak is looking out for his bride! Zaffeh is the traditional Arabic celebration, which symbolizes escorting the bride to her husband.
I was so happy to sneak out to the Aviation Museum with Zeina & Zak for literally a few minutes, right after the traditional family portraits. I was hoping for some daylight photos inside, but the tired December sun went down so quickly! We still managed to get a few shots, and here are my favourites. I like the harsh ambient light and mysterious moodiness…
Zeina looked so beautiful. We got a few moments to spend together before the reception at the Westin Hotel.
The traditional first dance… The videographer and I did just as much dancing around them
It was so great to have Randy Lim of Limages second-shoot with me. We had so much fun together - here is one of his shots of the dance floor with a wide angle lens:
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