A 'Grotto' Wedding

   Photographing Brian and Leigh's wedding last weekend at The Grotto was SUCH FUN!  Besides being an absolutely stunning couple, Brian and Leigh are classy, gracious, genuine, loving and just so darn happy to be together!

Before I get to the photos of the newlyweds, however, I want to share a few shots of their guests.  You can tell a lot about a wedding from the expressions on guests' faces, and I think these images are a good indication of just how special this Grotto Wedding was.

And now for the beautiful couple...

It was an honour to document your wedding for you, Leigh and Brian, and I wish you a glorious life together!

Zinc Strategies

I know Marci Hotsenpiller not only as the smart, savvy, successful, stunning owner/operator of Zinc Strategies, but also as a dear friend.

These are exciting times for Zinc Strategies: this past February, Zinc moved to The Hub on 4th street, Marci recently welcomed Lindsay to her team, and a new website is in the works.

I've worked with Marci on many projects over the past few years and have the utmost respect for her as a business woman.  I have learned so much at her side.

I wish you continued success with Zinc Strategies, Marci!

Marvellous Michele

Last month I had the privilege of working with the Comox Valley Record to photograph local professionals for their upcoming supplement entitled, Profiles of Excellence.  Michele Courtney, a local realtor, was one of our first clients and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and her family.  These are the two photos Michele selected to use on her website and there is a third photograph, (that highlights a very furry member of her family,) to be published in the upcoming magazine.

Michele's website can be visited here.

Please continue to follow my blog to view more fabulous local professionals!

Gratitude Giveaway

I am so grateful for my family.   I'm also grateful for the photographs I've taken of my daughters over the years and I want to share the gift of photography.

Each year, during the month of their birthdays, I have a special photo session with each of my daughters.  They get dressed in various outfits, (one of which is a rose coloured dress of mine that they wear every year,) and they feel very special as I photograph them.  It is a birthday ritual we have all come to treasure almost as much as we cherish the photographs!

In honour of my second daughter, who turned five this month, I would like to give away 5 consecutive birthday photo sessions.  That's right!  This birthday package includes 5 free, 1/2 hour studio sessions, which can be indoors or outdoors at my Comox studio.  The first year will also include one 8x10 print and accompanying low-resolution digital image, with my watermark, for sharing on the web.

If you're interested in receiving this gift for your child or someone you know, you have to be willing to brag!  Please send me an email telling me about the special young person in your life and I'll select a recipient and contact them via email.  I'm happy to accept emails until April 1st.

Please send your emails to karen@pantusophotography.com and do not submit messages via facebook or this blog.  And if you're nominating someone in a family other than yourself, please include their contact information.

Thank you for taking the time to visit!

With gratitude,
Karen

Nancy and Brian (Part Two)

Nancy and Brian's ceremony was a beautiful mixture of love, laughter and pure joy.

It was evident that everyone present was thrilled to see Brian and Nancy tie the knot!

After receiving hearty congratulations from friends and relatives, Nancy and Brian led their family outdoors for group portraits on the lawn.

Next, I was able to steal Nancy and Brian away for a few portraits of the bride and groom.

Nancy and Brian had this loving, giggly energy throughout the time I spent with them.  I think Carmen, the events coordinator at Dolphins resort put it best when she said, "I love the way he looks at her."

On the stroll back to the dining room to be re-united with their guests, Brian and Nancy were very kind to indulge me and pose for a couple of fun shots:

I was hired to cover two hours of Brian and Nancy's day, but as I escorted them back to the dining room, I felt sad that my job was over!  I ended up lingering with them and visiting with their guests for another hour.

I loved meeting Christine, the matchmaker who not only introduced Nancy and Brian but also gave my name to Nancy.  I loved my chat with Brian's sister who was the first to tell me that her mother had passed away the previous week.  What a bittersweet example of the cycle of life.  I loved seeing Elton and Heather Joseph, the owners of Indigo Lounge who graciously recommended my services to their Aunt Christine.  And I loved meeting Brian and Nancy's kids; Karen, Garry, Adam, Rebecca, Shannon, Ryan and Debbie.  You all exuded such a happy, warm energy that it was a pleasure to be in your company.  Thank you!

And to Nancy and Brian, I wish you every happiness in the world.  It was my honour to be a part of your wedding day.  (I'll have your disc of images waiting for you when you return from England.)

I'll leave you with this last shot of the fabulous group of guys who gave me a 'thumbs up' as they shared an ale on the deck.  I think this photo sums up how everyone felt about Nancy and Brian's wedding.

Nancy and Brian (Part One)

 Brian and Nancy tied the knot this past Saturday at the spectacular Dolphins Resort, a place so beautiful and quaint you'll never want to leave! 

 It is the perfect location for a wedding; especially when there are a lot of out-of-town guests  in need of accommodation.

And Brian and Nancy picked the perfect day as well!  The sun was shining and the temperature was relatively mild for February.

I was excited as I drove to Campbell River, particularly because I had never met Brian and Nancy!  They had traveled from Nanaimo and we had been emailing and talking on the phone for months, but we had never actually met face-to-face.

The plan was for me to call Nancy on her mobile phone when I arrived at the resort.  She had originally thought that she wouldn't want any 'preparation' shots, so I was surprised when she invited me to join her in the beach house as she got ready.  I knew the moment I set eyes on Nancy that I would like her.  She greeted me at the door in her rollers and robe and said, "Come on in, Karen, it's cold out there!  Take off your coat!  Warm up inside!" and she proceeded to introduce me to her mom, Shirley, and her daughter Rebecca before continuing to apply her make-up.

Here's Rebecca:

And Rebecca with her grandmother:

When Nancy asked me to check her eyeliner, I felt like one of the girls.  And that set the tone for the entire day.  I didn't feel like I'd been hired to do a job, I felt like part of the family;  I passed tissues, I moved worms, I held arms, I hugged new friends... and it all began with Nancy.

Soon after I arrived, these two beauties arrived at the door:

 Nancy's daughter and grand-daughter: Shannon and Erin.

Here's the excited and beautiful bride, laughing with her daughter and grand-daughter:

I loved seeing the four generations of women together.  The photo below captures the girls seeing Nancy in her gown for the first time.

And before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony!

I'll keep you all in suspense and post the second instalment of this wonderful wedding tomorrow!!!