Posts filed under 'Fun Stuff'
While Spring has just begun, the weather of late hasn’t really been that appealing. But as the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers!
One of my many interests is floral design so I decided to blog about it since it represents art in a different form and is a departure from photographing people! And with all the rain we’ve been getting its nice to remind you that studies have shown that flowers actually improve your mood! So read on to be educated!
Floral design is an art form we often take for granted. It takes a keen eye for design as well as intimate knowledge of all the types of floral species, in addition to understanding colour theory, texture and how to blend the two to create an arrangement for the numerous occasions that they are given!
Orchids and roses are good mood enhancers. Orchids are my favorite and are not only calming to look at but are a popular wedding choice for their simplicity. Not only do they have a scent that is pleasant and calming but their double blossoms, velvety to the touch have a feeling of formality.
Calla Lilies meaning ‘magnificent beauty’ are popular in all seasons, the mini forms in brightly coloured pink yellow and lavender are popular in the spring and summer months while the large white (seen here), and darker calla lilies (orange, purple, deep black/purple) are more popular in the Fall and Winter
Calla lilies are great arranged on their own for a minimalistic look, or singley as bouttonieres at a wedding. So guys, if you want to tell your wife that she is an exceptional woman and you think she’s gorgeous, this is the flower to give her.
Tulips signify fame and perfect love. Yellow signify’s ‘joy’, so let’s say you meet that perfect someone on the reality tv show, “the Batchelor” then with your newfound fame you can shout with joy from the rooftop your undying love for him and how you’ll be the perfect mates for life! Also pictured here are bright green button mums which will show him your appreciation of his friendship and your happiness!
Sunflowers have a way of bringing the sunshine in hence the ’sun’ part. They are also a great gift for a friend who is down since they stand for loyalty and longevity. So, give these flowers to a friend to declare your faithfulness since they will demonstrate your willingness to stand up for one another - and that’s just what friends do! I love the idea of just placing one lonely sunflower in a dish as seen here and pairing it with something ‘industrial’ looking to add interest.
Cymbidium Orchids are my favorite for display in the studio. They are beautiful in a shallow dish with rockery or in a tall cylindrical vase. Signifying luxury and strength, they are a common choice for event work such as weddings, parties and upscale occasions.
Hyacinths (the blue flowers here) are a spring favorite in our gardens and pots by the front door.
They have a spring fresh fragrance that reminds me of the smell of sheets drying on the line. I usually plant Hyacinth bulbs in late October and pair them with several varieties of tulips. They make for beautiful spring bouquets in the studio and you can cut them from your yard, or pick some up from my favorite Florist: Blooming Buds Florist in Coquitlam!
May 7th, 2010
So on Tuesday I was fortunate to attend the Women’s Snowboard Cross competition at Cypres.
Jeff’s parent’s won the tickets through Rona’s Spin & Win Contest. I begged them to give them to me since they weren’t keen to do the 2km walk and the 215 stairs to climb to the grandstands. I took my dear friend Aura with me since she’s the kind of gal that will scream and holler with excited patriotism just like myself! And boy did we have fun!
Those of you who have facebook would have seen the “drowned rats” we were waiting for the rain and fog to subside. It wasn’t pretty. We looked like red and blue marshmallows just waiting to be cooked over a nice crackling fire. That would have actaully been a good thing. Did I mention how cold and wet the day was to start?
The beautiful venue. VANOC did an amazing job of the graphics and the colour selection for the branding etc. It looked perfect against the mountains.
French Pair Skaters Vanessa James and Yannick Bonheur are the first black couple to ever compete in Figure Skating at the Olympic games. Vanessa was actually born in Canada and grew up in England. They were kind enough to spare a few minutes with spectators at the Snowboard Cross competition. It’s so much fun to rub shoulders with such incredible athletes.
Another Rona fan that accompanied our group!
Lots of Canadian flags. Never have I ever felt more proud to be a Canadian than at this event. Canadian’s show such sportsmanship - cheering on all of the athletes not just our own (although we certainly cheered ALOT louder).
Don’t recall who these two athletes were… would have to go back and check…
Maelle Ricker making her last jump to the finish line! ITS A GOLD MEDAL!!!!!
The first Woman to win a Gold Medal on Canadian soil.
Maelle Ricker’s parents Nancy and Carl were sitting right behind me - very proud!
Nancy is a retired Biology Professor and Carl is a retired Geologist.
Sebastian - one of Rona’s senior executives - also our host for the day!
There it is Ladies and Gentlemen… here are the results!
And the flowere ceremony…. love the flags!
Carl Ricker, Maelle’s Dad. Proudly clapping as Maelle stands on the podium.
Doesn’t she look great up there in the middle!
My favourite photo of the day!
February 19th, 2010
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what a great excuse to get together with friends and family for some sweet treats! Creating heart shaped delights is a great way to spend the afternoon with loved ones, and with the special day falling on Sunday this year there will be plenty of opportunity to get in some craft and confection time over the weekend : )
Veridamo Family creations: This was our creative outlet for the day and a group effort was required! It was great to see the different creativity from both Lila and Christina. Alexia was more than happy to get in on the action as well, especially when it came time to sample (or devour) the sweet treats! After 2 years of trying to get Alexia to eat new food it looks like we have finally found her calling!
February 12th, 2010
So this morning we woke early to catch sight of the Olympic Torch Relay making it’s way through Port Moody. The spirit of Port Moody residents was neither dampened by the early wake up nor the rain!
On our way down Heritage Mountain Boulevard we were shocked that the entire boulevard was already lined with cars at 6:15am and people walking down the hill to catch a glimpse of the flame at Port Moody City Hall and Newport Village. We continued along Ungless Way passing Eagle Ridge Hospital and then left onto Guildford way. The streets were packed with residents yeilding flags, banners and umbrellas full of life and screaming with exuberance their excitement. We strategically found a spot close to a Starbucks on Guildford Way on the median island - a great spot!
We hope you all get out during these next couple of weeks to celebrate the Spirit of the Olympics and enjoy all the free events going on. This is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends and take some memorable photographs!
Our little princess decked out in full Olympic gear!
Strategically placed ourselves close to a Starbucks so we could get our morning fix.
And the rain came down!
… and then the half naked bodies…. ooh so cold out!
The Official Olympic Cheering Squad to rally the crouds.
Port Moody’s Olympic Torch Bearer. We have yet to find someone who knows who it is! So if someone out there reading this can tell us we’ll let you know!
Now that’s Olympic Spirit!!!
February 11th, 2010
Once again we attended the WPPI - Wedding Portrait Photographers International convention in Las Vegas. This year the convention moved from Balley’s/Paris to a larger venue at the MGM Grand. It was refreshing to be in a new place - we stayed at Signature Suites - which we highly recommend.
This year we brought our dear daughter with us again (she’s just too cute to leave home). As well we brought our nanny - you’ll have to wait to see why until the last image in this post :). Having our nanny there enabled us to reconnect with our photographer friends around the world and socialize past Alexia’s 8pm curfew without worrying about our little girl - after all Vegas is a wild place!
We left Las Vegas with new ideas, new friends and amazing mentors to help us grow our business this year. Stay tuned for some exciting projects and announcements to come.
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The MGM has the coolest decor. I love the glitz and glam and the lights, mirrors and ambiance. It is such an amazing place to photograph.
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This is the inside of Rouge - one of the nightly hangout spots.
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MGM Grand Hotel and Casino has created a one-of-a-kind Lion Habitat as a showcase for public education and appreciation for this majestic creature of nature. The lion has been a part of the MGM heritage for many years, beginning with the legendary Leo, whose roars have welcomed generations of moviegoers to epics of the silver screen.
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The lions live in custom accommodations on an 8.5-acre ranch 12 miles from the MGM Grand. They are owned and cared for by noted feline expert Keith Evans, who has been training exotic animals for more than 30 years. Each day 2-3 of the lions make their way to the MGM Grand to hang out!
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A trip to Vegas wouldn’t be the same without a walk down the Legendary Strip at night!
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Vegas was very quiet - as you can see - not alot of traffic! That all changed on Valentine’s Day! You couldn’t get into any restaurant if you tried - most were completely reserved. So we starved that night well, not really - we used our preferred customer card at the Rainforest Cafe!
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The lovely Eiffel tower at Paris Hotel/Casino at night. Close your eyes ladies and picture yourself in France!
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The New York, New York. One of my personal favorites to photograph!
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The Skyline is forever changing on the strip. This is part of CityCenter, the 18.6 million-square-foot, $7.4 billion hotel, casino, retail and residential complex on 76 prime acres of this city’s legendary Strip. This glitzy mega project will hold the Vdara Condo Hotel, (1543 residences), The Veer Towers (2 of them) will house 337 residence each both inclined at a 5 degree angle! The Mandarin Oriental (400 hotel rooms and 227 private residence) and finally the Harmon Hotel (400 hotel rooms and 228 condos). You can be the happy owner of a one bedroom flat for the bargain price of $1.24 million!
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One evening we walked, baby, nanny and all to the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. Photo taken by Nanny Christina
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Another photo courtessy of Nanny Christina!
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Doesn’t she look impressed to be with us? And she isn’t even close to being 16 yet!
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Our nanny Christina is fun to photograph and a great photogenic test subject. I saw this wall and instantly had an idea for a photo. Usually Alexia is my model so it was nice to have someone new to work with that takes direction well!
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Jeff and myself with friends Jim and Katarina who own a successful studio in Seattle. Jim was a platform speaker at WPPI this year and he and Katarina have designed photography lens bags called Boda Bags www.goboda.com.
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Aussie mates, Julie & Tero Sade from down unda, down unda in Hobart,Tasmania.
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Ok, so this is my favorite shot taken at WPPI. We spent many hours walking back and forth from our suite at Signature to the Conference Centre at MGM Grand and Alexia loved the moveaters!
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What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!
And for those of you brave enough to wait till the end, this is why we brought our nanny to Vegas!
Tanya
March 4th, 2009
Last week we took part in the 5th Annual FIFI Event: Friends Inviting Females Invitational. We are proud to say that we have been supporters and sponsors of this event since its inception 5 years ago.
The Event has given back over $160,000 in the past four years. The money raised has been able to help through research, purchase of much needed medical equipment as well as gentle care with room and board when needed. To everyone involved with FIFI - you have given hope through your generosity and kindness to hundreds of patients and their caregivers in ways you’ll never know.
Congratulations to all of the volunteers, sponsors, golfers and guests for another successful year!
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The principle behind FIFI - Paddy
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Cancer survivors and new to FIFI these ladies really got into the spirit complete with feather boas and a dragon!
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This quirky foursom has attended FIFI since the first year - they are always fun to work with!
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Paddy with right and left hand girls Kathy and Sharon.
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A couple of the FIFI Guys - Angus and Kevin - the muscle behind the operation.
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And then there is us of course - Chelsea and Tanya - as photographed by Corky Evans.
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The fabulous ladies of Spa Divine - we love these ladies - they lift our spirit and rejuvinate our bodies!
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The rest are all ladies who volunteer all year to make the event a success!
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July 16th, 2008
One of the greatest parts of our profession is that many of our clients become our friends. Recently Anik and her daughter Amelia visited and we went to Rocky Point Park so the kids could ride on the swings and play. Alexia didn’t play much - she slept in her stroller. However, Amelia had a splash of a good time in some standing water. The water park was alive with squealing children running a muck when all of a sudden the water came on. Below are several fun images of Amelia �
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July 16th, 2008
This year marked the 3rd Annual FIFI (Friends Invting Females Invitational) at Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club.
The FIFI idea was sparked by Paddy Venturis in April of 2004 when she decided that it would be fun to get a group of 50 female friends together to experience a day of golf at the course she considers home, Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club. However, the event soon took on a new purpose when in May of 2004 a friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After the shock of the news, Paddy began to wonder if this day of fun golf could be a way of giving something back. With most of the ladies all ready involved having being touched by this dreadful enemy we know as Cancer, the task of raising a few dollars for Cancer research was embarked upon.
On July 14, 2004 after a lot of hard work and effort by many contributors, the 1st FIFI event was held which included 144 golfers and 225 ladies for dinner, a 50/50 draw, raffles, a silent auction. What was only a few months before a small get together had turned into an EVENT that raised just over $12,000 in its first year. In it’s second year the event raised over $35,000 for the BC and Yukon Cancer Society.
This year the tournament was held on July 13th and over $50,000 was raised for Cancer research (still waiting on final number as of posting this). Even though the ladies had to endure rain, hail, wind and cold temperatures their spirits weren’t dampened and a fantastic time was had by all. Thanks to the ladies for being such good sports at our hole and for being so creative with their posing ideas and team names. Thanks to my “assistant extraordinaire” Tara for sticking it out in the rain and for taking great candids of the golfers.
Once again it was our pleasure to be involved and we look forward to next year’s tournament and raising the bar yet again to raise even more money. For more information on the event or if you wish to get involved as a volunteer, visit the official website here. To see all of the images from FIFI 2006 log onto our website and in the client access box type: FIFI2006
Below are some images from the tournament.
Brad Ewart demonstrating how to use a rubber hose during the clinic!
FIFI Gals - (aka brave women)
Volunteers who put in many hours - contributing to the success of the event.
Is it true what they say?
My assistant Tara playing a prank on a team of golfers. They were already drowned rats!
One of my favorite teams - they come every year and always have a good time!
This day is about friendship!
August 1st, 2006