... and thanks for sharing my journey of documenting Love! You'll find updates here a few times a week, as I always have exciting things going on. I love to capture moments in their natural ambiance, without forcing or rushing them. I also love making those in front of my lens look and feel like movie stars.
Yoga, foreign films, and Italian red wine rock my world. I sing in the car and love traveling alone. I'm also most probably going to cry at your wedding...
I believe Green is the new Black. My passion and commitment to making the most sustainable choices means using the highest quality eco-friendly albums and prints.
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Katya Nova is a Wedding & Lifestyle Portrait Photographer based in Vancouver, Canada. Available for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons.
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!
What was the first time you realized that happiness is in the little things? Somehow I’ve known that for as long as I can remember.
Kyla and I strolled down the street towards the Winter Farmers Market, chirping away in excitement, squinting a little from the tender sun. Moments later, we found our mouths watering before we even got close to the culprit of this reflex. Buckwheat crepes. How cool is that?! Nutella, herbed squash, cheese, and so many other excruciatingly delicious options - take your pick.And some more beautiful treasures… But the real treasure has been Kyla. I wanted to ask her to be my friend the moment we exchanged an eager handshake at a lounge event some weeks ago. Since then, she has made my heart fuller. Kyla is the brains and soul behind her business In Order to Succeed, a professional organizing company she founded with her business partner Pamela. Her kindness, passion, drive, and love for life would make your head spin! As for all that squash and Farmer’s Market goodies, I’m rushing off to make dinner…
If people had faith in each other and loved life the way Tamara does, this world would undoubtedly be a better place. When I see her, I just wish her ‘mojo’ would somehow rub off on me We finally met for lunch at Sugar Bowl one beautiful afternoon, a few days before I left to conquer the hearts of Vancouver brides.
What a beautiful memory… we even got a great inside joke out of it - the garlickiest hummus we’ve ever ever had… Jeez! I felt like we could both slay dragons and vampires just by yawning! Good thing neither one of us had to kiss any boys that day. And if we did, it would not have been pretty.
Her smile would light up blocks. Her heart is full and giving… overflowing with humanity, passion, and Cuban sassiness. Spilling Inside Out … which, ironically, is the name of her latest album. Wherever you are, Deborah Ledon has a way of making you feel like you’re home.
Deborah and I have been planning a lifestlyle shoot, and she casually invited me to come check out her show. Unbeknownst to her, I was in the mood for a little paparazzi session that night! You can almost hear her, drowning out the noise and amplifying your heartbeat. I feel so blessed to know this magnificent woman…
Congratulations, Deborah Ledon & her talented band will be representing at the Olympics in a few short months!
I’ve always wanted an older brother. Always. Whichever way I huffed and puffed, I knew I probably couldn’t have one, after all, I was the first and only little one for my parents. But if I did, I would’ve wanted him to be like Jamil. Maybe he would’ve been too strict, shooed away boys, and had me smoking the Lebanese arghili pipe with him when I was 10, but it would all be worth it. I’m not complaining - I fell in love with his best friend.
I promised Jamil some ‘GQ-style’ photos that are still laid back, and here is what we came up with. Mick came along too, and we had a blast strolling through the Lewis Estates golf course, hiding from flying golf balls, and running through a sprinkler (a big one!!) I really tried to convince Mick and Jamil to pose for me in ’same-sex couples portraits’ for my portfolio (after all, Mick and I are now living in Vancouver ), but they did a pretty darn good job looking straight as a die!
Jamil is one of the warmest, geniune, witty, and dependable people I’ve known. And his signature subliminal ‘nod’ is masterful - it would convince an Eskimo to buy snow. Wait for it, ladies … Jamil is intermittently available to be swept off his feet!
If you were the world’s best wedding photographer in the eyes of your other half, would you go the whole summer without giving them a single photoshoot?! There, didn’t think so. I’ve officially enveloped myself in a mini guilt trip. Prompted by the launching of Mick’s MAN UP! COACHING campaign, I made up for it a few days ago when we went for a walk on the Lewis Estates golf course.
I usually enjoy more unconventional locations - give me a back alley or grungy street corner and I’m happy - but the golf course was a nice change. I especially loved the tunnel light and the vibrant green of the grass - where else are you going to get such a perfect mowing job?
So there he is, the man of the hour. Mick’s video posts are soon coming to www.micklolekonda.com, where he will be sharing awesome tips on how to ‘man up’ and ‘be the man to give her butterflies’…
… Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for listening. And for being the best second shooter ever…
A few months ago I had the pleasure of documenting the passion and talent of the Schultz sisters, Samantha being the rising star with an incredible voice and drive to share it. Check out our lifestyle shoot HERE.
We even ended up in my parents’ backyard, as it was close to the last location we shot at. Samantha whipped out her guitar and graced us with some tunes, barefoot among my cats and flowers. It was a moment to remember! That’s when I captured this wicked candid that ended up on the front page of Edmonton Journal today…
Congratulations, Samantha!
*** A slap on the wrist for Edmonton Journal for missing the credit! ***
The internal dialogue of my excitement to see my old friends Tara and Stuart (and their 9-month old baby Connor) was only temporarily muffled by hopeless inability to follow directions. So much time has flown by… In the mean time I’ve learnt to use a camera. And they’ve been blessed with the most precious smiling face - Connor.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve met some grumpy babies. Especially moments after their awakening. Now that I think of it, I don’t know too many non-babies who are not at least a little grumpy when they’ve just woken up! Not little Connor. He just hung out with us in the kitchen, as if pleasantly surprised and mildly entertained by the world around him (including me and my camera). I smiled so much my cheeks hurt. Special bow to Stuart and Tara - I’m not entirely sure what they were doing behind my back, but Connor was having a blast!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful sun-drenched Sunday with me… And finally, here is your little one!
Sophie is a force. And a magical source of inspiration for those around her. When I first met Sophie, I mirrored her every move as best I could, mesmerized - she was teaching a flow yoga class at Lions Breath (www.lionsbreath.ca). It’s customary to set an intention for your practice - well, I couldn’t quite concentrate on mine, as all I wanted to do was get her in front of my lens.
We strolled through Legislative grounds, barefoot, looking for light. ‘What about this one,’ Sophie suggested, nodding at the massive tree I can’t name. ‘Sure,’ I said, looking around. Turning my gaze back towards where she stood moments earlier, I realized Sophie had gone. She was now in the tree! Amazed (and a little bit scared) at the poses she was so effortlessly creating, I jumped around, looking for the best angles. Seriously, wow.
And there was water. A whole lot of water. Remind me again why I wore jeans? Without a belt? Super fun. We got soaked. We also got goofy.
Hope you enjoy the images below… I’m so grateful to Sophie for being open and sharing her beautiful spirit with me. I can’t wait to share our next project before her quest to India…
Movement is an artform. Body is a temple. Namaste.
Crys is scandalous and sweet all rolled into one. Her love of life and hot pink are contagious. It seems as if every time she looks around the world around her, she is seeing it for the first time. Beautiful. Every moment is a possibility. And even when she sits still, she’s dancing.
Check out our ’splashing around’ session in this wicked natural light studio of my saltwater pool!!
And here are a few of my absolute favourites of me 
Don’t I look so happy and hopeful?! Looking up to catch the rain drops … looking forward to an amazing 2010!
And some more beautiful treasures… 
But the real treasure has been Kyla. I wanted to ask her to be my friend the moment we exchanged an eager handshake at a lounge event some weeks ago. Since then, she has made my heart fuller. Kyla is the brains and soul behind her business 
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Om Nama Shivaya … I bow to the God Within!!
