Author Archives: Bini

All Work But Lots of Play | Chilliwack | Family Photography

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Its been a long anticipated camping trip – our first of the year – and an annual tradition.

Normally though – we are camping in the snow & the kids are decked out in rain gear all weekend! And yes – taking photos is now a Full-Time job – but being on my schedule, on my terms, with my subjects – its all play!

This year, our good friend S.R. invited us out to PegLeg in Chilliwack. What the heck? Well – Its a sand / gravel bar that is accessible at certain times during the year for a limited period for 4×4 vehicles. People regularily go out & dirt-bike, atv, fish, camp and otherwise have some fun.

We wander through sleepy streets & arrive at the access point – a steep incline to the Fraser River – cross the Fraser – and then huge banks of sand & gravel, some wispy trees and deadheads.

PegLeg Family Camping Easter Weekend

Easter Camping in Chilliwack

It was a terrific weekend of sun, sand, water, food, fires and general camping fun. The kids have been waiting for ages to destroy their car-seats (car seats cant be reused after so many years) – and although we werent planning on burning them – a forgotten chunk of charcoal had us parents rolling our eyes and saying oh well!

We met a beaver couple – one quite bold even with Fenrir leaping like the coming of the end of days – another quite shy and would jump off his log at the first sign of the flashlight or Fenrir’s barks. But their knawing sounds kept us entertained as we played our evening card games.

PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Camping 4x4

Easter Egg Hunting in the Sand & Sun

We ran into a local, Mr O.F, and he wowed us with stories from the present, the past, and maybe even a few from the future. He kindly shared some of his agate stones he found (he makes beautiful pendants from them), took us to tour a local horse farm, and setup his silhouettes for some target practice. The kids (and me!) were surprisingly good since we havent practiced in ages and in fact the kids have never used a shotgun & these ones had quite the kick! Chris – well – Chris is awesome at everything – even when he isnt ;)

It was an awesome trip – the kids are anxious to return but even I was feeling a bit socialized out with all the rubberneckers checking out our truck and worse – the lack of privacy for our privy!

Cant wait for our next trip – hope it has as few bugs, as many friends, and even more fun family time together.

 

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An inebriated man, a 100 ft tow cable, and a frigid Fraser River | Chilliwack | Photo Journalism

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When we left Peg Leg in Chilliwack BC, an inebriated man was being tied to a 100ft tow cable and sent out to walk across the Fraser River with waters rising up past his chest level to rescue a pickup truck stuck for the 3rd day.

Friday

We arrived on Friday, March 29th 2013 at PegLeg with the waters low, and the fields of sand & river rock quite uninhabited considering the predicted warm weather for a long weekend! We noted a few trucks were crossing over a portion of the Fraser to the island in the middle without difficulty but still – the waters were rising above most of their tires. Nevertheless life was calm & uneventful all day.

Saturday Day 1

By Saturday afternoon around 4pm we noticed a pickup truck stuck in what appeared to be the deepest point in the crossing with its nose pointing towards the rushing waters and its rear sticking out like a duck’s tail. From our angle, it appeared to be an older pickup with a modified flat-bed or box. It did appear to be a work truck and we can only hope it was the owner taking it out for the weekend and not an errant employee!

None of the other trucks on shore appeared capable of towing this driver out. Eventually a tractor approached across the river.

Day 1 PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Truck Rescue

Day 1 PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Truck Rescue

We realize that the truck isnt just a pickup when the tractor attaches the tow-rope to the front of the truck & it spins around revealing the massive trailer! We can also see that the truck apepars quite new and rather expensive! Multi-attempts to haul the truck & trailer out of the water are unsuccessful – more than one tow-rope shears under the strain.

At this point a tow-truck arrives. But without the help of the tractor, he seems unwilling to cross. But even the tow-truck has issue with the cable and the wire snaps across the river & with repairs required – the rescue is delayed. The sun is getting lower on the horizon -  a chill is floating across the water – and many of the people involved have been in the frigid waters for hours now.

With the tractor attached to the tow-truck attached to the pickup – some headway is finally made. The pickup is parked on the far beach but cannot continue. As the sun goes down, only the trailer is successfully rescued that night before dark.

Day 1 PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Truck Rescue

Day 1 PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Truck Rescue

 

Sunday – Day 2

Another glorious day and a few trucks become stuck in the river but are successfully rescued. Alone on the far shore sits the pickup truck with the hood open and exposed. The tow-truck makes another attempt to resuce but falls victim to the river as well – driving on the wrong side of the magical safe-line. A second tow-truck approaches to rescue the first. Another long walk in the frigid river to connect the two trucks together. We continue to watch the drama but our desire to help is swayed by the continued failure on the part of others and the risks to our truck financially and personally if we attempted a rescue.

 

Monday – Day 3

Its clear now that the water levels are rising and its not a pattern of the tides. What was once all a gravel bed is not streaked by veins of the Fraser River criss-crossing across the beach. Now – there is no question – we cant attempt a rescue. Our heavy truck easily sinks into the loose gravel and sand. If we had a long cable to cross the river with – it would be easy to tow the truck out – but who tows us out? Where is the tractor? Where are the other tow-trucks?

There are 3hrs before dark. Onlookers stand on the beach staring at the abandoned truck. Most of the campers have left as the only access to PegLeg is getting deeper under water. The tow-truck driver now has a very long cable – estimating around 100 feet – and some fellow drinks his last gulp from his beer can, tosses it on the ground, wraps the huge tow cable around his slim body, and steps out into the river. Its not long before the water catches the tow cable; battling the frigid waters, the weight & drag of the tow-cable, the strength of the current, and the failing light, our hero starts out.

 

Day 2 PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Truck Rescue

Day 2 PegLeg Chilliwack Fraser River Truck Rescue

This is the last view we have of the truck before we head home. We dont hold alot of hope for our hero or the truck. By tonight – the entire bank this truck is clinging to will be submerged. But – from the tales we’ve heard this weekend – this is just one of many rescues that occur in this area every year!

 

PS – for the sake of the business – I have removed obvious signage from his truck.

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Wedding Season is much like Vancouver Weather

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There are lots of days where I wish I was somewhere hot & sunny, a dry breeze with sand beneath my feet, some exotic flora hanging above me in a canopy of cacophony – but Im here in Vancouver (ok the New Vancouver – Surrey!) and laughing about how horrendously vicious the rain is today. Rivers are coursing across the landscape of roads and fields like veins on my Great-Aunt’s hands. And just the other day it was sunny and warm (hey i mean for February in Vancouver (the new Vancouver – Surrey!)) and I was out in the yard ripping through the overbrush before the spring new growth kicks in.

Our weather is all over the place and Im finding weddings are too!

Winter Wedding Romance Fairytale Photography

Winter Wedding Romance Fairytale

I think the only month I havent had a wedding was February! But with the new family day – who knows!

 

Pender Island Destination Wedding

Pender Island Dreamy Fall Wedding

Weddings in the fall are spectacular with an intensity to the colours that are startling. Winter weddings bring their own sense of calm & inner peace – maybe because you are more willing to resign yourself to a rainy day – but there is something quiet and reassuring about a winter wedding. Spring is just a tease with weather so unpredicatable you cant even be sure on the same day how things will fair by noon let alone 3pm! And summer – well – last summer was more like spring! The sun was blistering hot some weeks and then pouring rain the next!

 

Summer Love Summer Wedding Photographer

Summer Love Summer Wedding

I dont know what this year’s weather will be like – our January & February have surprised me. Im looking forward to whatever comes our way.

Spring Wedding Como Lake Photographer

Sunny Spring Wedding Days

In the meantime – a common event at this time of year is Wedding Shows! If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend – come check out the Willowbrook Wedding Show in Langley – at the Mall! I will be there Saturday March 2nd and Ive got some great door prizes. Hmm – I’d better pick up some candy/treats – if nothing else but something to help soothe our tongues from all the chit-chatting about your wedding plans!

I still have some dates open for this summer, fall and winter – but I will also be booking for next spring! :)

 

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Knocked up & Lovin’ It | Burnaby, BC | Maternity

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Claire & Martin were wed in 2011 and I had the pleasure of being their wedding photographer on that glorious day. When I heard that they were expecting, my first thought was to giggle at the idea of them dancing with their new baby! Claire & Martin are awesome, passionate dancers – and im not talking professional – im just saying – they love to dance! Im sure they approach life with the same passion and Im excited to see their family grow!

We had been watching the weather for weeks hoping for at least a clear day – that day eventually arrived with some last minute juggling and we scooted out to Burnaby Village Museum (Heritage Park) for photos to blend rustic elements and the Christmas Spirit!

Their photos reflect their love, humour, and good nature – their baby will be blessed with two dedicated, caring parents. Its tempting to go all stylized over maternity photos – but my style lends itself to clarity and candid – natural poses in natural environments!

I want couples to remember how much they smiled at each other – those long sleepness nights are, afterall, ahead of them. I want them to remember what it felt like to have the swell of life between them, soon to be replaced by a small mini-them. And I want them to remember how they got where they did – knocked up & lovin it!

 

Burnaby Village Museum Maternity Photography

Celebrating love and a new life

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5 Things to Ask yourself Before you Meet your Photographer

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Did you use a wedding planning calculator to plan your wedding budget? If so – you may be overspending thousands of dollars and losing out on the things you value the most!

How can that be? Wedding calculators are exactly that – a calculator that has a formula inside! Which means you better have a formula wedding!

Who decided that you should spend nearly half your budget – yes 50% – on the reception venue & the food? Who said that you should spend the same percentage on flowers no matter how big or small your budget is? Where does this calculator take into account your guests who love to drink & dance but would be happy with appetizers and not a full service dinner?

If you want to make sure you are spending the money on the things YOU want, you have to prioritize the key elements of your wedding day. If you dont – your calculator will tell you to spend the same amount of money on your wedding day music as your wedding day flowers. Which one do you think is more important?

Rank these key wedding expenses!

  • Venue
  • Food
  • Photography
  • Entertainment (Music, PhotoBooth, Gifts, Other)
  • Decor
  • Videography
  • Cake
  • Open Bar
  • Flowers
  • Stationary (Before & After)
  • Dress / Suits / Rings
  • Makeup & Hair
  • Wedding Planner
  • Officiant
  • # of Guests
  • Honeymoon

Once you have decided what is important – you can start to assign dollar values. After all – if food is quite low on the list, you know you dont need to get the most expensive catering option being offered – saving thousands of dollars in wasted food! The wedding calculator doesnt even take into consideration the day of week or time of year of your wedding – cakes may be cakes but some flowers will cost alot more or not even be available.

But how do you decide how important your wedding photographer is? If you use the calculator – it will generate a number based on your total wedding budget. That number has no information about number of hours of coverage, number of photographers, albums, prints, images – nothing! – its only a number and suddenly you are shopping for a wedding photographer that costs X because your calculator told you photography was only worth 10% of your budget.

5 things you need to ask yourself before you meet any photographers or even start searching for them on google.

Vancouver & Lower Mainland Wedding Photographer

Spend as much or as little on your Wedding Photos – Only you know how important they are.

1) Do I want to have my wedding photos on my iphone or tablet & show them off to friends for the next couple months? Or. Do I want to be able to print a canvas to hang over the fireplace, a couple nice 8×10′s for the grandparents, and an album of my entire wedding day?

2) Do I have a few family members coming & most friends – none of which really want a group photo – what would they do with it anyways? Or. Is my wedding the family reunion where Im going to reconnect with all my cousins and Aunts and I know that its important to have family photos with everyone.  In fact it may be the last time my grandparents will be able to travel and I want to create a portrait of them and I?

3) Do I expect about 50 or 75 guests at my wedding and its going to be a short ceremony and then a nice dinner – I probably dont need a photographer all day? Or. Are there going to be at least 100 guests, lots of dancing, a firebreathing magic show, some games, tons of opportunities for candid photos & an incredible setting for photos?

4) Do I need to have lots of photos of myself getting ready -  after all im doing my own makeup & hair, and my dress is a simple gown? Or. Do I want to remember how much fun my bridesmaids & I had getting our hair & makeup done, putting on the dresses, sipping champagne, and gabbing about the guys – plus getting photos of the shoes with the red soles, my veil, my dress, my earrings, and even my garter? Do I want photos of my fiance getting ready and opening that card I made for him?

5) Am I happy with just a couple photos of my fiance & I standing in front of the reception hall where we got married – maybe by the trees or the flowers? Or. Do I want to have me & my fiance looking out across the lake with the sun in our hair & the bridal party leaping off the pier? Do I want to have photos of the two of us where we first met, how he proposed to me, and how my girlfriends all reacted when they saw the ring? Would it be awesome if I had a photo of the guys pushing me on the playground swing or going on a helicopter ride to the top of the mountains.

By answering these questions – youve already decided on your budget for photography – regardless of how much you have allocated for your entire wedding. Thats because youve assigned a value to photography – just like you assign a value to having the lasagna entree vs the Alaska King Crab. There isnt a right or wrong answer – its all based on your wedding – what events you are including, how many people are coming, and how you want to remember the day, your love, and your relationships.

So when you start researching your photographer – you can now be clear about your needs and the photographer can offer you a package not based on Price but on Service!

  • number of hours coverage
  • what events are being covered
  • number of photographers
  • number of locations for the photos
  • how you plan on using the photos afterwards: prints, enlargements, albums, websites, emails
  • style of photos: photojournalistic, candid, group poses, details, romance, traditional

Remember – the wedding calculator is just a formula and your wedding is unique. How much or how little you spend on each vendor should be a result of you deciding whats important for you – not what everyone wants you to spend.

And here are some prices to help you understand how you may value photography….  These images were all captured for the bride & groom who wanted to celebrate their love for each other allowing for approx 2 hours of photography in multiple locations.

If these images are the style you are looking for – you will want to allow for at least $1950 in your wedding day budget! Now that was easy! Do you have more questions – need more feedback on photos to understand style and options – lets meet for drinks & talk about your wedding. Its that easy!

 

Vancouver & Lower Mainland Wedding Photographer

Spend as much or as little on your Wedding Photos – Only you know how important they are.

 

 

 

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