Katya Nova Photography

Save the Turtles. San Pancho.

Katya Nova — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:00:13 +0000

Less than 0.01% of the eggs hatch… and even fewer survive and reach adulthood. There are so many dangers for these little ones - the eggs are considered an aphrodisiac in Mexico, and if they are not by people or dogs looking for a snack, the hatched little ones often don’t make it to the water and suffocate beneath the sand. There are many turtle preservation camps around the world, one of which is right here in San Pancho, Mexico. Volunteers fly in from around the world, taking turns patrolling the beach at night to mark the locations of the nests. These are then taken to an incubator in the village until the little turtles are ready to face the ocean.

Witnessing this was nothing short of amazing. I hung out at the beach and waited for the sunset when I saw a man with a bunch of buckets starting to make markings on the sand - take a look!It’s remarkable to witness the beginning of a journey, so fragile and hopeful. Check out the San Pancho turtle preservation camp for more info… In 16 years, the local turtle population has increased from 72 to 661 nesting females.
Here they are, swimming in the sand…
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Almost a Gringa Local.

Katya Nova — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:45:57 +0000

On my way to the market, I passed an indiscernible gate, where two sets of pre-war uniforms hung on these very bare walls. This may just be my favourite picture. Ever.

I felt uber cool driving Desiree’s jeep through the market streets, with my elbow out the window. Life is good. After a beautiful day surfing, Oswaldo settles in on the balcony with his guitar, while Desiree makes coffee for us.If I could choose one type of food to have for the rest of my natural life, it would surely be seafood. Just look at these gorgeous camarones!
And my other weakness … papaya.And here’s the little tienda, where the papaya came from:
More of beautiful San Pancho…
Here are Desiree and Oswaldo in an embrace…A picturesque cemetery in Sayulita…
Cemeteries in Mexico feel as if life is celebrated as opposed to mourned. The sign on this grave says something like “It’s not sad here, I’m happy.”
Back on the beach, a little coconut action.I always end up back on the beach. San Pancho beach is fierce and powerful…
That’s where I’m running right now! Thank you for letting me share the journey…

Sayulita & Punta de Mita Adventures.

Katya Nova — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:30:39 +0000

This soulful Mexico adventure has taken me to San Pancho, Nayarit. I’ve been really enjoying taking everything in slowly, taking my time to read good books, start learning to surf, eating lots of papaya, and starting my mornings with sun salutations.

Morning’s peaceful ponderings ended with a trip to Sayulita Beach to visit my friend Desiree, she’s a surfing instructor there. Her novio Oswaldo and I drove over from Punta de Mita to take her for lunch. Minutes after we got there, a mini-hurricane roughed up Sayulita beach, tearing out most of the umbrellas on the beach!
Soaked to the bone, Desiree and Oswaldo put surfing boards away…
The fruit tent on the beach was dismantled in a blink of an eye. Packing up the goodies in the rain…
It’s easy to feel small in the eye of the storm.

Barcelo Maya Palace. Mayan Riviera Wedding. Jessica & Ryan.

Katya Nova — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:39:23 +0000

I vividly remember reading Jessica’s destination wedding inquiry on my blackberry this past summer… At the time I didn’t think of it as an ‘inquiry’ - it was simply the highlight of my whole week. I jumped up and down giddily in my kitchen, thinking of how amazing it would be to document their love in such paradise. And we’ve brought it to life this past week.

Jessica & Ryan complete each other. It’s been such an inspiration watching them exchange their vows. In every silent look, in every touch.

Back at the Barcelo Maya Palace hotel room, Jessica put the finishing touches on the girls’ make-up herself. Here’s a moment with her mom, who made all the beautiful bridesmaids’ and flower girls’ dresses! In the mean time, I quietly snuck away to photograph Jessica’s gown, much to the amusement of the beach bodies outside.Here’s Jessica, moments before leaving for the ceremony…The ceremony was so touching… Perfect strangers lingered, hugging their beach towels in awe.The violin played as we celebrated in the intimate circle of family and friends…As the sun softened into the horizon, we went for a walk on the beach nearby…The wedding reception dinner was the perfect intimate gathering at the Barcelo Maya Palace dining roomview portfolio | email katya | let’s connect on facebook & twitter

Trash the Dress Creative. Mayan Riviera Barcelo.

Katya Nova — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:57:24 +0000

We had even more fun than it looks.

I’m sitting here, in snowy Edmonton, anxious to share my ‘trash the dress’ beach session photos with you… I’ve decided to do things a little differently this time - and post the actual wedding & ceremony images last. Jessica & Ryan are amazing together… I just stood back and let them glow! The day after the wedding, we met at the stunning Barcelo Maya Palace beach for the ‘trash the dress’ beach photo session.I love this next one…We met on the beach at around 4 pm, expecting sundown just after 6 pm. Little did we know, it would start raining! Of course, the first thing you pack with you when going to a Mayan Riviera wedding vacation is an umbrella. Not! In the next few photos, the warm drops are not quite a nuisance, and the light is so soft and delicious. Check out this beach stroll - I love it when both bride and groom venture out to ‘trash the dress.’
I held my breath, as Jessica & Ryan gently stepped into deeper waters. The beach at Barcelo Maya is amazing, but a bit rocky in some spots. I held my breath tighter - now with a death grip on my camera, as I followed the couple into the waves.They make it look so easy, don’t they? Here’s the memory of laughter, salt on our lips, and the sound of crashing waves…
Can you tell it’s still pouring rain? Here are Jessica & Ryan falling back into the water! I wish I could show you a picture of what I looked like here - none of us had a plastic bag to protect my Canon 5D Mark II (although it’s apparently pretty water-resistant), so I emptied my big black shoulder bag, put the contents under a lawn chair on the beach, and held it right over my head, just so that I could barely see what I was shooting! It worked, and probably got a giggle or two out of Jessica :) How cool are my brides exactly? Cart wheel cool. That’s right, Jessica is upside down. In her wedding gown. In the rain. Top that!
The sun peeked out for a few moments, as if rewarding us for our persistence. We celebrated love.
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Sun, Sand, Sizzling. Taste of First Impressions.

Katya Nova — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:37:38 +0000

To say I was anxious would be an understatement. I had been to the Yucatan peninsula, and in particular, to Mayan Riviera and Playa del Carmen many times, but there’s nothing like photographing a wedding and documenting love of a beautiful couple in a place like this. A place like what?! Like this.
And like this.
Here is a maze walkway of the gorgeous Barcelo Maya Palace Beach Resort, bathing in early morning light.
And my uber awesome parents, who spontaneously came down from Edmonton for their very first Mexico vacation!The iguanas here deserve their own post… They are truly epicurean creaturesportfolio | email katya | katya on facebook & twitter

Can’t wait to share my Mayan Riviera wedding images with you shortly!

Mayan Riviera Wedding. Jessica & Ryan. [teaser]

Katya Nova — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:35:47 +0000

So I’ve just run into my room of the gorgeous Barcelo Maya Palace resort, still in my wet bathing suit - cervesa in one hand, internet cable in the other. Amen, I get to quickly blog and share a few teasers with you…

Jessica & Ryan had a beautiful wedding yesterday… and after the ceremony, we snuck away for some portraits, check it out…

Stay tuned for more, and I’m off to the beach to soak up some more sun

Boudoir. Betty.

Katya Nova — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:43:37 +0000

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] workshop. vancouver.

Katya Nova — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:14:13 +0000

[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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Grass is Greener in Vancouver.

Katya Nova — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:47:24 +0000

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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