http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/ 2012-02-09T14:00:00-08:00 Rhys Albrecht info@rhysalbrecht.com http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f345120ba226c0001000001/4f345120ba226c0001000001.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f345136ba226c0001000002/4f345136ba226c0001000002.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f345142ba226c0001000003/4f345142ba226c0001000003.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f34514eba226c0001000004/4f34514eba226c0001000004.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f34515aba226c0001000005/4f34515aba226c0001000005.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f345178ba226c0001000006/4f345178ba226c0001000006.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346536c5d0fc0001000001/4f346536c5d0fc0001000001.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346543c5d0fc0001000002/4f346543c5d0fc0001000002.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346550c5d0fc0001000003/4f346550c5d0fc0001000003.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346558c5d0fc0001000004/4f346558c5d0fc0001000004.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f34655fc5d0fc0001000005/4f34655fc5d0fc0001000005.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346573c5d0fc0001000006/4f346573c5d0fc0001000006.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346581c5d0fc0001000007/4f346581c5d0fc0001000007.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465a4c5d0fc0001000008/4f3465a4c5d0fc0001000008.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465b2c5d0fc0001000009/4f3465b2c5d0fc0001000009.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465bfc5d0fc000100000a/4f3465bfc5d0fc000100000a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465c7c5d0fc000100000b/4f3465c7c5d0fc000100000b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465d4c5d0fc000100000c/4f3465d4c5d0fc000100000c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465e0c5d0fc000100000d/4f3465e0c5d0fc000100000d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465e7c5d0fc000100000e/4f3465e7c5d0fc000100000e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f3465eec5d0fc000100000f/4f3465eec5d0fc000100000f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346603c5d0fc0001000010/4f346603c5d0fc0001000010.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f34660dc5d0fc0001000011/4f34660dc5d0fc0001000011.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346624c5d0fc0001000012/4f346624c5d0fc0001000012.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b376ac0199a0001000002/4f346640c5d0fc0001000013/4f346640c5d0fc0001000013.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>Ceremony venue: <a href="http://www.covelakeside.com">The Cove Lakeside Resort</a>, West Kelowna<br>Reception venue: <a href="http://www.covelakeside.com">The Cove Lakeside Resort</a>, West Kelowna<br>Caterer: <a href="http://bonfiregrillatthecove.com">Bonfire Grill</a>, West Kelowna<br>Hair: Amici's Hair and Body Spa, Kelowna<br>Makeup: MAC, Kelowna</p><p></p></div> 2012-02-09T14:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac1a43444d000100000c/4f0eac1a43444d000100000c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac1d43444d000100000d/4f0eac1d43444d000100000d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac2743444d000100000f/4f0eac2743444d000100000f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac2443444d000100000e/4f0eac2443444d000100000e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac2a43444d0001000010/4f0eac2a43444d0001000010.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac2d43444d0001000011/4f0eac2d43444d0001000011.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac3143444d0001000012/4f0eac3143444d0001000012.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac3343444d0001000013/4f0eac3343444d0001000013.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac3643444d0001000014/4f0eac3643444d0001000014.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac3a43444d0001000015/4f0eac3a43444d0001000015.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac8843444d0001000018/4f0eac8843444d0001000018.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4f0b3735c0199a0001000001/4f0eac4243444d0001000017/4f0eac4243444d0001000017.jpg" /><div class="text-piece">Reception venue: Guisachan House Restaurant, Kelowna</div> 2012-01-15T23:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0e9df843444d0001000003/4f0e9df843444d0001000003.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>"Our wedding is in October in Edmonton!" said my cousin Morgan's email.&nbsp;Having grown up in Edmonton, I know this often means:</p><p>a) snow, and lots of it<br>b) slush and mud from snow that has fallen and subsequently melted<br>c) bare trees blown free of coloured leaves</p><p>Instead, we got beautiful sunshine. A warm breeze. Brilliantly colored trees. &nbsp;And a bride and groom that could hold a straight face just long enough to take a photo. &nbsp;Seriously, these two were laughing the entire day.</p><p></p></div><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b864dc0199a0001000003/4f0b864dc0199a0001000003.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8655c0199a0001000006/4f0b8655c0199a0001000006.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b865bc0199a0001000007/4f0b865bc0199a0001000007.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8661c0199a0001000008/4f0b8661c0199a0001000008.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8664c0199a0001000009/4f0b8664c0199a0001000009.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86f9c0199a0001000017/4f0b86f9c0199a0001000017.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b866bc0199a000100000b/4f0b866bc0199a000100000b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b866ec0199a000100000c/4f0b866ec0199a000100000c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8964c0199a0001000023/4f0b8964c0199a0001000023.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8cbec0199a0001000028/4f0b8cbec0199a0001000028.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8a56c0199a0001000024/4f0b8a56c0199a0001000024.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8a5cc0199a0001000025/4f0b8a5cc0199a0001000025.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b8a6bc0199a0001000027/4f0b8a6bc0199a0001000027.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0e9ca043444d0001000001/4f0e9ca043444d0001000001.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0e9ca343444d0001000002/4f0e9ca343444d0001000002.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0e9e7a43444d0001000004/4f0e9e7a43444d0001000004.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86d8c0199a000100000e/4f0b86d8c0199a000100000e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86dcc0199a000100000f/4f0b86dcc0199a000100000f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86dfc0199a0001000010/4f0b86dfc0199a0001000010.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86e3c0199a0001000011/4f0b86e3c0199a0001000011.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86e7c0199a0001000012/4f0b86e7c0199a0001000012.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86ebc0199a0001000013/4f0b86ebc0199a0001000013.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f3473c11b61d10001000001/4f3473c11b61d10001000001.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f3473d51b61d10001000002/4f3473d51b61d10001000002.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f3473e31b61d10001000003/4f3473e31b61d10001000003.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86edc0199a0001000014/4f0b86edc0199a0001000014.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86efc0199a0001000015/4f0b86efc0199a0001000015.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee8f7bd18170d0001000002/4f0b86f4c0199a0001000016/4f0b86f4c0199a0001000016.jpg" /><div class="text-piece">Ceremony venue: the Church on 99, Edmonton<br>Reception venue: Best Western Denham Inn, Leduc<br>Makeup: Sandy Denham &amp; Amber Prepchuk, Edmonton</div> 2012-01-11T22:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0102bc5f8ab0001000003/4ee0102bc5f8ab0001000003.jpg" /><div class="text-piece">Autumn is, without question, my favorite time of year. &nbsp;Scarves and leaves and warm drinks and blankets and sweaters and coziness...all the best things come out in the fall.</div><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0102fc5f8ab0001000004/4ee0102fc5f8ab0001000004.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01031c5f8ab0001000005/4ee01031c5f8ab0001000005.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01034c5f8ab0001000006/4ee01034c5f8ab0001000006.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01038c5f8ab0001000007/4ee01038c5f8ab0001000007.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0103bc5f8ab0001000008/4ee0103bc5f8ab0001000008.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0103cc5f8ab0001000009/4ee0103cc5f8ab0001000009.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01040c5f8ab000100000a/4ee01040c5f8ab000100000a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01044c5f8ab000100000b/4ee01044c5f8ab000100000b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01048c5f8ab000100000c/4ee01048c5f8ab000100000c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0104cc5f8ab000100000d/4ee0104cc5f8ab000100000d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0104fc5f8ab000100000e/4ee0104fc5f8ab000100000e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01051c5f8ab000100000f/4ee01051c5f8ab000100000f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01054c5f8ab0001000010/4ee01054c5f8ab0001000010.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee01059c5f8ab0001000011/4ee01059c5f8ab0001000011.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ee00fffc5f8ab0001000001/4ee0105fc5f8ab0001000012/4ee0105fc5f8ab0001000012.jpg" /><div class="text-piece">Styling: Alana Albrecht, Kelowna</div> 2011-12-11T08:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2903b9d05000100004b/4edfa2903b9d05000100004b.jpg" /><div class="text-piece">Laura is a bride like none other.<div><br></div><div>It was pouring rain when I first woke up that day, and it didn't let up all morning. &nbsp;To some, this would be cause for tears and anguish...not Laura. &nbsp;Her smile kept growing wider and wider as the morning wore on.</div><div><br></div><div>Through the ceremony and portraits, the rain continued, and my assistant and I looked at each other in disbelief as Laura directed us around the park.</div><div><br></div><div>This is a wedding I won't soon forget, for all the best reasons.</div></div><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2923b9d05000100004c/4edfa2923b9d05000100004c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2953b9d05000100004d/4edfa2953b9d05000100004d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2973b9d05000100004e/4edfa2973b9d05000100004e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa29a3b9d05000100004f/4edfa29a3b9d05000100004f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa29c3b9d050001000050/4edfa29c3b9d050001000050.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa29e3b9d050001000051/4edfa29e3b9d050001000051.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2a03b9d050001000052/4edfa2a03b9d050001000052.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2a43b9d050001000053/4edfa2a43b9d050001000053.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2a73b9d050001000054/4edfa2a73b9d050001000054.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2a93b9d050001000055/4edfa2a93b9d050001000055.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2ad3b9d050001000056/4edfa2ad3b9d050001000056.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2af3b9d050001000057/4edfa2af3b9d050001000057.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2b63b9d050001000058/4edfa2b63b9d050001000058.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2b93b9d050001000059/4edfa2b93b9d050001000059.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2bc3b9d05000100005a/4edfa2bc3b9d05000100005a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2c13b9d05000100005b/4edfa2c13b9d05000100005b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2c43b9d05000100005c/4edfa2c43b9d05000100005c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2c73b9d05000100005d/4edfa2c73b9d05000100005d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2cb3b9d05000100005e/4edfa2cb3b9d05000100005e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2cd3b9d05000100005f/4edfa2cd3b9d05000100005f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2d03b9d050001000060/4edfa2d03b9d050001000060.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2d33b9d050001000061/4edfa2d33b9d050001000061.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2d63b9d050001000062/4edfa2d63b9d050001000062.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2d83b9d050001000063/4edfa2d83b9d050001000063.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2de3b9d050001000064/4edfa2de3b9d050001000064.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2e33b9d050001000065/4edfa2e33b9d050001000065.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2ea3b9d050001000066/4edfa2ea3b9d050001000066.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2ed3b9d050001000067/4edfa2ed3b9d050001000067.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2f33b9d050001000068/4edfa2f33b9d050001000068.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2f93b9d050001000069/4edfa2f93b9d050001000069.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa2fe3b9d05000100006a/4edfa2fe3b9d05000100006a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3023b9d05000100006b/4edfa3023b9d05000100006b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3053b9d05000100006c/4edfa3053b9d05000100006c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3093b9d05000100006d/4edfa3093b9d05000100006d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa30e3b9d05000100006e/4edfa30e3b9d05000100006e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3103b9d05000100006f/4edfa3103b9d05000100006f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3143b9d050001000070/4edfa3143b9d050001000070.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3163b9d050001000071/4edfa3163b9d050001000071.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa31a3b9d050001000072/4edfa31a3b9d050001000072.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa31d3b9d050001000073/4edfa31d3b9d050001000073.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3233b9d050001000074/4edfa3233b9d050001000074.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3253b9d050001000075/4edfa3253b9d050001000075.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3293b9d050001000076/4edfa3293b9d050001000076.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa32c3b9d050001000077/4edfa32c3b9d050001000077.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa32e3b9d050001000078/4edfa32e3b9d050001000078.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa32f3b9d050001000079/4edfa32f3b9d050001000079.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3313b9d05000100007a/4edfa3313b9d05000100007a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3333b9d05000100007b/4edfa3333b9d05000100007b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa1ec3b9d050001000029/4edfa3353b9d05000100007c/4edfa3353b9d05000100007c.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>Ceremony venue: <a href="http://www.regionaldistrict.com/departments/parks/regional/reg_parks_kaloya.aspx">Kaloya Regional Park</a>, Oyama<br>Reception venue: <a href="http://www.kelownamuseums.ca/laurel-packinghouse/index.html">Laurel Packinghouse</a>, Kelowna<br>Hair: <a href="http://www.fringehair.ca/">Fringe Hair Studio</a>, Kelowna<br>Makeup:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.sublimemakeupartistry.com">Suzanne Attew - Sublime Makeup Artistry</a>,&nbsp;Kelowna</p><p></p></div> 2011-12-07T07:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4edf98a33b9d050001000002 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98ca3b9d050001000003/4edf98ca3b9d050001000003.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>The clouds were ominously rolling in before the ceremony.</p><p>Bryan and James, the officiant, were watching the lake closely as the clouds were collapsing in the distance, estimating that we had just enough time to squeeze in the ceremony before the rain swept over us.</p><p>We didn't quite make it. The second-half of the ceremony hurried along by big fat raindrops, with the vows and kiss happening in record time. &nbsp;Then, as the pronouncement was made, Bryan said "Awesome!" and pointed to the massive rainbow opening up above our heads.</p><p>I couldn't have said it any better myself.</p></div><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98cc3b9d050001000004/4edf98cc3b9d050001000004.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98e53b9d050001000006/4edf98e53b9d050001000006.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98e63b9d050001000007/4edf98e63b9d050001000007.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98e93b9d050001000008/4edf98e93b9d050001000008.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98ea3b9d050001000009/4edf98ea3b9d050001000009.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98ec3b9d05000100000a/4edf98ec3b9d05000100000a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98ef3b9d05000100000b/4edf98ef3b9d05000100000b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98f13b9d05000100000c/4edf98f13b9d05000100000c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98f43b9d05000100000d/4edf98f43b9d05000100000d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98f73b9d05000100000e/4edf98f73b9d05000100000e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98fa3b9d05000100000f/4edf98fa3b9d05000100000f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98fd3b9d050001000010/4edf98fd3b9d050001000010.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf98ff3b9d050001000011/4edf98ff3b9d050001000011.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99023b9d050001000012/4edf99023b9d050001000012.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99043b9d050001000013/4edf99043b9d050001000013.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99063b9d050001000014/4edf99063b9d050001000014.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99083b9d050001000015/4edf99083b9d050001000015.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf990a3b9d050001000016/4edf990a3b9d050001000016.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf990d3b9d050001000017/4edf990d3b9d050001000017.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edfed2ae577e60001000002/4edfed2ae577e60001000002.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99153b9d050001000019/4edf99153b9d050001000019.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99193b9d05000100001a/4edf99193b9d05000100001a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf991c3b9d05000100001b/4edf991c3b9d05000100001b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf991f3b9d05000100001c/4edf991f3b9d05000100001c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99223b9d05000100001d/4edf99223b9d05000100001d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99253b9d05000100001e/4edf99253b9d05000100001e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99283b9d05000100001f/4edf99283b9d05000100001f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf992a3b9d050001000020/4edf992a3b9d050001000020.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf992d3b9d050001000021/4edf992d3b9d050001000021.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf992f3b9d050001000022/4edf992f3b9d050001000022.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99313b9d050001000023/4edf99313b9d050001000023.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99353b9d050001000024/4edf99353b9d050001000024.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99373b9d050001000025/4edf99373b9d050001000025.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf99383b9d050001000026/4edf99383b9d050001000026.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf993a3b9d050001000027/4edf993a3b9d050001000027.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edf98a33b9d050001000002/4edf993c3b9d050001000028/4edf993c3b9d050001000028.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>Ceremony venue: Cedar Creek Estate Winery, Kelowna</p><div>Reception venue: Laurel Packinghouse, Kelowna</div><div>Hair: Fringe Hair Studio, Kelowna</div><div>Makeup: <a href="http://www.sublimemakeupartistry.com">Suzanne Attew - Sublime Makeup Artistry<span style="background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); font-size: 16px; "></span></a>, Kelowna</div><div>Planning &amp; Decor: Winona Phillips, Kelowna</div><p></p></div> 2011-11-30T09:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6293b9d05000100007e/4edfa6293b9d05000100007e.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>Osoyoos is a pretty awesome place. &nbsp;With dozens of world-class vineyards, gorgeous&nbsp;turquoise&nbsp;lakes and luxury resorts, it's the ideal place to host a wedding.</p><p>After a picture perfect ceremony on the sand, we cruised the rural roads in the convertible, the warm autumn sun streaming down...it was one of those afternoons that should never end.</p></div><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa62d3b9d05000100007f/4edfa62d3b9d05000100007f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6303b9d050001000080/4edfa6303b9d050001000080.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6313b9d050001000081/4edfa6313b9d050001000081.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6333b9d050001000082/4edfa6333b9d050001000082.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6353b9d050001000083/4edfa6353b9d050001000083.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6373b9d050001000084/4edfa6373b9d050001000084.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6393b9d050001000085/4edfa6393b9d050001000085.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa63b3b9d050001000086/4edfa63b3b9d050001000086.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa63f3b9d050001000087/4edfa63f3b9d050001000087.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6413b9d050001000088/4edfa6413b9d050001000088.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6453b9d050001000089/4edfa6453b9d050001000089.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6473b9d05000100008a/4edfa6473b9d05000100008a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6483b9d05000100008b/4edfa6483b9d05000100008b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa64b3b9d05000100008c/4edfa64b3b9d05000100008c.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6513b9d05000100008d/4edfa6513b9d05000100008d.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6523b9d05000100008e/4edfa6523b9d05000100008e.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6543b9d05000100008f/4edfa6543b9d05000100008f.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6583b9d050001000090/4edfa6583b9d050001000090.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa65a3b9d050001000091/4edfa65a3b9d050001000091.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6603b9d050001000092/4edfa6603b9d050001000092.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6663b9d050001000093/4edfa6663b9d050001000093.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa66b3b9d050001000094/4edfa66b3b9d050001000094.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa66f3b9d050001000095/4edfa66f3b9d050001000095.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6743b9d050001000096/4edfa6743b9d050001000096.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6783b9d050001000097/4edfa6783b9d050001000097.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa67a3b9d050001000098/4edfa67a3b9d050001000098.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa67c3b9d050001000099/4edfa67c3b9d050001000099.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa67e3b9d05000100009a/4edfa67e3b9d05000100009a.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa67f3b9d05000100009b/4edfa67f3b9d05000100009b.jpg" /><img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4edfa6043b9d05000100007d/4edfa6813b9d05000100009c/4edfa6813b9d05000100009c.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>Ceremony venue: Walnut Beach Resort, Osoyoos<br>Reception venue: Walnut Beach Resort, Osoyoos<br><a href="http://www.weddingsinmotionblog.com/index.php/2011/12/okanagan-wedding-videographer-heather-jon/">Videography: Weddings In Motion, Abbottsford</a></p><p></p></div> 2011-11-22T07:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ebc389bda8fb1000100000d <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ebc389bda8fb1000100000d/4ebc3929da8fb1000100000f/4ebc3929da8fb1000100000f.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>This wedding had lighthouses and Alexander Keith's and a Celtic band and endless cries of "SOCIABLE!" followed by drinking of the aforementioned Alexander Keith's.</p><p>It also had homemade button bouquets, Ultimate Frisbee jerseys, a slobbering ring bearer and a mysterious stranger who opened up his house and yard for us to take photos in.</p><p>Yeah, I definitely won't be forgetting this wedding.</p></div> 2011-11-17T07:00:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf87d535c0530001000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf87d535c0530001000001/4ecf87d635c0530001000002/4ecf87d635c0530001000002.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>From afar they came; Montreal, Switzerland, Vancouver and more, all converging on the vine-covered lands of the Okanagan.</p> <p>I'll never forget how all the different accents and languages mixed together in a delightful cacaphony, as new aquaintences became old friends over the course of an evening.</p> </div> 2011-11-03T08:47:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf882135c0530001000025 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf882135c0530001000025/4ecf882135c0530001000026/4ecf882135c0530001000026.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I love the small story arcs at weddings.</p> <p>The significance of this property is huge; Steve's family bought the land forever ago, and over the years the family has shaped and sculpted and planted and changed it into what it is today. All of Steve's siblings were married in the backyard, and the way Melissa tells it, there is no other place she would want to host her wedding.</p> <p>These are the details that make a wedding so deeply personal, and I'm so thrilled to have been a small part of this day.</p> </div> 2011-11-01T14:56:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf883a35c0530001000045 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf883a35c0530001000045/4ecf883b35c0530001000046/4ecf883b35c0530001000046.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>When I married my wife this past June, I inherited a whole slew of new inlaws. The Denhams, you see, are an extremely large family. One of these bright shiny new cousins is Courtney, and her fiance DJ is poised to become the newest Denham Outlaw.</p> <p>Oh yes, the Denham clan is so big they're spawned a club of us who marry into the family. I was inducted into this illustrious club in a solomn ceremony that included, amoung other things, the Passing On of the Secret Denham Family Squirrel Stew recipe.</p> <p>The photos were taken at Fort Edmonton Park on a day where the leaves were crunchy and the air was crisp: a classic fall Prairie day. So pumped for your wedding in Phoenix next year...and DJ, I'm stoked to have you as an official Outlaw.</p> </div> 2011-10-14T06:10:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf885635c053000100005b <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf885635c053000100005b/4ecf885635c053000100005c/4ecf885635c053000100005c.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I'm super bummed that I was already booked for Alicia and Mike's wedding day, but SUPER STOKED that they asked me to do some engagement photos anyway. If you're in Edmonton and in need of a doctor or running partner, call 'em up.</p> </div> 2011-10-13T15:09:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf889b35c0530001000067 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf889b35c0530001000067/4ecf889b35c0530001000068/4ecf889b35c0530001000068.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I could speak about the gorgeous bride or the cool venues, but instead I'm going to give a shout-out to the friends of Vanessa and Charles. The friends brought the party to the salon, to the houses, to the church, while tromping around Fort Langley doing photos...and definitely to the reception hall. They danced harder than any wedding I've ever attended...and that's saying something.</p> <p>Vanessa and Charles, thanks for including me in this group of crazies. I felt right at home.</p> </div> 2011-09-30T13:09:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf88d035c0530001000098 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf88d035c0530001000098/4ecf88d035c0530001000099/4ecf88d035c0530001000099.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>The weddings of friends are the best weddings indeed.</p> <p>Very simply, Yzanami and Joel, I love you guys. Thanks so much for letting me play on your special day.</p> </div> 2011-09-23T15:39:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf88ea35c05300010000cc <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf88ea35c05300010000cc/4ecf88ea35c05300010000cd/4ecf88ea35c05300010000cd.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p><em>Act 3, Scene 6. We find RHYS THE PHOTOGRAPHER with KELSEY and BRIDESMAIDS in an orchard following KELSEY and TOM'S wedding.</em></p> <p>KELSEY: "Hey, what if we all cram into that outhouse?!"</p> <p>RHYS "Uh, yes. Absolutely."</p> <p><em>End scene.</em></p> </div> 2011-09-02T15:27:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf890035c05300010000f7 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf890035c05300010000f7/4ecf890035c05300010000f8/4ecf890035c05300010000f8.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>The wallpaper and upholstry in Jodi and Chris' house, the deep green pines and grey bricks at the Betram Creek reception area, the warm red brick and wooden beams at the Laurel Packinghouse...for a photographer, this was a veritable buffet of color and texture.</p> <p>Jodi's mother tying up her Vera Wang dress, Jodi upon seeing Chris's reaction, both of them reacting to the slideshow...it was a feast of expression and emotion.</p> <p>The meat draw and Brewhouse Pilsner trucked in direct from Saskatchewan, the championship-winning bartenders flipping bottles, the carefully curated wine bar...this wedding was a gallery of personal touches, and you could see Jodi and Chris all over it.</p> </div> 2011-08-19T13:30:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf891c35c0530001000127 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf891c35c0530001000127/4ecf891d35c0530001000128/4ecf891d35c0530001000128.jpg" /><div class="text-piece">Ceremony venue: Gellatly Nut Farm, West Kelowna<div>Reception venue: Westbank Community Hall, West Kelowna</div></div><div class="text-piece"> <p>So many favorite things at this wedding.</p> <p>The sun streaming through the trees at the Gellatly Nut Farm. Old highschool friends coming back home. The father of the groom tearing up when speaking to his son. The docks in Peachland stretching out into Okanagan Lake. A packed dance floor.</p> <p>Jody and Jordan, you guys know how to throw a party.</p> <p><img src="/storage/post-images/jody-jordan-wedding/JodyJordanWedding-02.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1313528437743" alt=""></p> </div> 2011-08-17T13:06:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf893335c053000100014e <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf893335c053000100014e/4ecf893335c053000100014f/4ecf893335c053000100014f.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I love it when couples bring their interests to engagement shoots. Denise and Nick want to bring their cleats and uniforms? Perfect.</p> <p>So pumped for their wedding this weekend.</p> </div> 2011-08-16T11:08:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf893c35c053000100015d <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf893c35c053000100015d/4ecf893c35c053000100015e/4ecf893c35c053000100015e.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This felt like a family wedding.</p> <p>The families on both sides welcomed me in with open arms, pinching my cheeks, admonishing me to eat more, throwing arms around me on the dance floor...it felt like home.</p> <p>The personal touches were everywhere. Giuseppe designed the stationary, Jenner did the flowers, and those great ladies at <a href="http://www.stagerightetc.com/">Stage Right Etc</a> tied it all together with their incredible decor and the aunts made what must have been a metric tonne of Italian pastries for desert.</p> <p>So Acres/Simpatico family: we're doing this again at Christmas, right?</p> </div> 2011-07-29T09:05:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf89e335c05300010001e1 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf89e335c05300010001e1/4ecf89e335c05300010001e2/4ecf89e335c05300010001e2.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I have rarely seen a wedding so full of emotion and love. For as funny as Megan and Jaime can be (seriously, they are hilarious), their ceremony was so intimate, so touching, so honest.Oh there were tears. Lots and lots of tears. But the good kind, y'know?</p> <p>And then there was the dancing. Oh, there was dancing.</p> </div> 2011-07-28T13:54:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8a2135c0530001000214 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8a2135c0530001000214/4ecf8a2135c0530001000215/4ecf8a2135c0530001000215.jpg" /> 2011-07-14T06:26:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8a7135c0530001000218 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8a7135c0530001000218/4ecf8a7235c0530001000219/4ecf8a7235c0530001000219.jpg" /> 2011-06-11T06:50:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8a8f35c053000100021c <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8a8f35c053000100021c/4ecf8a8f35c053000100021d/4ecf8a8f35c053000100021d.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>*bzzzzzzzzzzzzz*</p> <p><em>(text message from Joel)</em></p> <p>"Hey we'll be there in 10, we just have to pick up a sombrero and pinata"</p> </div> 2011-05-31T06:04:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8a9e35c0530001000232 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8a9e35c0530001000232/4ecf8a9e35c0530001000233/4ecf8a9e35c0530001000233.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This wedding is making me absolutely giddy. Please enjoy this small preview of what will be a most excellent full wedding post.</p> </div> 2011-05-29T11:14:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8ab235c053000100023a <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8ab235c053000100023a/4ecf8ab235c053000100023b/4ecf8ab235c053000100023b.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Penticton sits between two lakes, is renowned for both sunshine and the Ironman competition, but on this day the clouds were high and thick and the streets were quiet. It was a perfect place to meet Heather and Jon for the first time.</p> <p>They're getting married in Osoyoos in September. This is one couple I can't WAIT to photograph again!</p> </div> 2011-05-24T06:06:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8ae535c0530001000249 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8ae535c0530001000249/4ecf8ae635c053000100024a/4ecf8ae635c053000100024a.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I loved this wedding.</p> <p>I loved how Jessica smiled the entire day. I love how Dean cried during the ceremony.</p> <p>I loved how the jerk chicken flowed like milk and honey in the Promise Land.</p> <p>I loved how forty people found their way to Jamaica to celebrate with Jessica and Dean. I loved how all these small groups of friends and relatives slowly begin to mix, mingle and meet, forming a single large wedding party.</p> <p>I loved how the Jamaican sunset is as spectacular in person as everyone says it is.</p> <p>Jess and Dean, I had been looking forward to your wedding for a long, long time, and I'm thrilled to be posting the photos today.</p> </div> 2011-05-19T23:40:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4ecf8b3c35c0530001000301 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4ecf8b3c35c0530001000301/4ecf8b3c35c0530001000302/4ecf8b3c35c0530001000302.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Jordan and I go way back. Although we haven't lived in the same city since high school, we always make a point to get together when he's back in town.</p> <p>Next weekend he's getting married here. It's the perfect excuse to see each other again.</p> </div> 2011-05-17T19:05:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4b1d8846d000100003c <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4b1d8846d000100003c/4dcdc4b1d8846d000100003d/4dcdc4b1d8846d000100003d.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"><p>I intended to take June off.</p> <p>My own wedding is June 11th, and I wanted to keep my schedule as clear as possible in the weeks leading up to it. I figured (very astutely, as it turns out) that wedding planning would begin to take over my life as the weeks rolled by.</p> <p>But then I got a call from one brides, insisting that I meet with her friends who had set a date for the week before my wedding. She promised they would super fun, outgoing, good-looking, creative and declared that we would get along famously.</p> <p>Boy, was she right. Jodi and Chris, thank goodness we only have a month left to wait!</p> </div> 2011-05-10T06:00:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4bad8846d0001000052 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4bad8846d0001000052/4dcdc4bad8846d0001000053/4dcdc4bad8846d0001000053.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>After the wedding ceremony, Janine and Trevor and the wedding party and I jumped into the cars and drove around Kelowna for the portraits. After the obligatory stop at Tim Hortons, we ended up at the park, did some shots with the skaters and grafitti, and then moved onto the grass. I said to Janine "hey, can you go about 25 feet out in the field?"</p> <p>She replied "Sure!", took of her coat, hiked up her dress in her left, turned around and <em>sprinted </em>out into the field, slowing her stride only to skip about four feet in the air.</p> <p>I had no idea you could do that in a wedding dress. Janine, you sure set a high bar for other brides to reach for.</p> </div> 2011-05-02T11:12:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4c8d8846d000100006e <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4c8d8846d000100006e/4dcdc4c8d8846d000100006f/4dcdc4c8d8846d000100006f.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Jessica and Dean did <a href="http://www.rhysalbrecht.com/blog/engaged-dean-jessica.html">engagment photos</a> in the snow, and decided to get married on the beach in Jamaica.</p> <p>I highly supported their decision.</p> </div> 2011-04-30T16:39:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4cad8846d0001000077 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4cad8846d0001000077/4dcdc4cad8846d0001000078/4dcdc4cad8846d0001000078.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>A selection of quotes from Kelsey, who is quite possibly the funniest bride I have ever shot:</p> <p><em>(after a few emails to confirm booking)</em> "I am really excited for you to shoot for us, and as annoying as I may seem right now, we are actually super chill."</p> <p><em>(regarding engagement photos)</em> "I don't have any amazing ideas but...Nolan and Tom LOVE football, and Tom loves drills that he makes at work..."</p> <p><em>(after sending a sneak peek from the session) </em>"Thanks again for everything, I can't wait!!! Because I am like a 5 year old when I get excited."</p> <p><em>(after receiving the full set of photos) </em>"OH MY GAAAAWD!! Effing LOOOOVE the pictures!"</p> <p>Kels, you make my job fun.</p> </div> 2011-04-06T06:12:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4d4d8846d0001000087 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4d4d8846d0001000087/4dcdc4d4d8846d0001000088/4dcdc4d4d8846d0001000088.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This was my first crack at a winter wedding, and the conditions were perfect. It had been snowing for weeks straight, and it seems like every inch of land was covered in white. The endless overcast prairie sky provided the most perfectly balanced, soft, even light. It was freezing cold ("SURPRISE!" says every resident of Edmonton, sarcastically) but...well no, I can't even pretend I didn't complain. It was ridiculous how cold it was.</p> <p>This was also my first family wedding, and to be honest, that was even more special to me. Oh, don't get me wrong, it was absolutely nervewracking, but you know what? I got to hang out all morning with my cousin-to-be, and I got to hug my newest cousin goodbye at the end of the night.</p> <p>I can't think of a better way to start off the year.</p> </div> 2011-03-11T08:16:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4f5d8846d00010000c8 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4f5d8846d00010000c8/4dcdc4f5d8846d00010000c9/4dcdc4f5d8846d00010000c9.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This engagement shoot was incredibly fun for me, for a number of reasons. We had an amazing location, a condo in The Edge at Big White, with huge ceilings, tons of lines and textures and plenty of light - I was giddy playing around with symmetry and composition and color and contrast.</p> <p>But that pales in comparison to the joy that Jenner and Giuseppe brought. That kind of joy that expresses itself with a twitching mouth when trying to be serious or the glint in the eyes as they peer over a coffee cup.</p> <p>The smile muscles in my cheeks hurt after our short session; I have no idea how they'll survive a wedding day with these two. I'd better start training now.</p> </div> 2011-02-22T07:12:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc4fed8846d00010000db <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc4fed8846d00010000db/4dcdc4fed8846d00010000dc/4dcdc4fed8846d00010000dc.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>For Megan &amp; Jaime's engagement shoot, we really wanted snow. It was looking promising; this winter has been chock full of the white stuff. Until the week we wanted to shoot, of course. Then it warmed up above freezing, and left us with a city covered in brown slush.</p> <p>Thank goodness Big White is less than an hour away. And hopefully this warm weather means the flowers will be in full bloom for the wedding in May!</p> </div> 2011-02-14T06:45:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc505d8846d00010000ec <div class="text-piece"> <p>As a way to look back 2010, I reached out to my brides and grooms and asked them a simple question:</p> <p>"What were your favorite photos from your wedding/engagement/event?"</p> <p>Here are a few of their picks, and their reasons why they chose these as favorites.</p> </div>Jessi & Tristan 2011-02-10T20:15:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc50bd8846d0001000104 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc50bd8846d0001000104/4dcdc50bd8846d0001000105/4dcdc50bd8846d0001000105.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Maternity photos, guerilla-style.</p> <p>Late December rolled around, and I found myself completely caught up on photos. I had no more shoots to do, no more photos to edit, my portfolio had been updated...and a couple of days before Christmas left to spare.</p> <p>Then I ran into Rob and Shannon at our staff Christmas party, one thing led to another, and lo and behold I found myself in their house ready to shoot some maternity with one caveat: there would be no bare bellies.</p> <p>Without a plan, we started shooting. This is the result.</p> </div> 2011-01-31T07:04:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc513d8846d0001000116 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc513d8846d0001000116/4dcdc513d8846d0001000117/4dcdc513d8846d0001000117.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This is my niece-to-be Reese who just turned three. She's pretty rad. In addition to sharing a name, we both like sneaking around the house scaring her Auntie Alana, watching Pixar movies, playing matching games, taking naps, and opening presents at Christmas time.</p> <p>Oh, and I guess we also like her dad Brett, mommy Nicole and sister Macy. They're pretty rad too.</p> </div> 2011-01-26T06:41:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc518d8846d0001000122 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc518d8846d0001000122/4dcdc518d8846d0001000123/4dcdc518d8846d0001000123.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p><em>A poem.</em></p> <p>I thought about describing this wedding<br>As a classic winter wedding<br>With beautful snow covered trees and fur stoles<br>Long dresses and a sparkling white decor<br>But a bride and groom with lampshades on their heads<br> Made it oh so much more.</p> </div> 2011-01-18T00:04:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc59c02c28e0001000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc59c02c28e0001000001/4dcdc59c02c28e0001000002/4dcdc59c02c28e0001000002.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Gabriel is from Mexico, and hasn't seen much snow. Certainly not as much as we got dumped on us this year.</p> <p>So naturally, to give him the most Canadian experience possible, I made him lay down in the snow, stuck a toque on his head, and made him paddle a canoe around Okanagan Lake.</p> <p>You know how I know it's love? Despite the torture I put him through, he couldn't stop smiling at Becca.</p> </div> 2010-12-30T07:21:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc5a502c28e0001000011 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc5a502c28e0001000011/4dcdc5a502c28e0001000012/4dcdc5a502c28e0001000012.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This was a really, really fun wedding to shoot.</p> <p>We had the most gorgeous autumn light reflecting off of the rain-slicked streets. We had beautiful colors and textures in the dresses and ties and wallpaper and table runners and trees.</p> <p>This was definitely one of the most photography-centric weddings I've ever been a part of. We had nearly four solid hours to shoot portraits, which allowed us to try a whole litany of different shots in a bunch of different places. For the record: a relaxed portrait session is a magical portrait session.</p> <p>More importantly than how it all looked though, was how it felt; the whole day was comfortable, relaxed, laid-back. I felt like I was hanging out with my friends. Which I was, of course. Paige and Stefan, I can't think of a better way to cap off my 2010 wedding season.</p> </div> 2010-12-20T07:02:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc5d502c28e0001000066 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc5d502c28e0001000066/4dcdc5d502c28e0001000067/4dcdc5d502c28e0001000067.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I love it when it snows.</p> <p>I love it when my couples surprise me with coffee before we start shooting.</p> <p>I love wool-lined leather gloves that provide both dexterity and warmth.</p> <p>I love it when couples laugh.</p> <p>...I love lamp.</p> </div> 2010-12-05T07:32:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc62e536b770001000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc62e536b770001000001/4dcdc62e536b770001000002/4dcdc62e536b770001000002.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This is the couple, if you'll remember, that <a href="http://www.rhysalbrecht.com/blog/engaged-marlo-sebastian-part-2.html">took to the high seas</a> (or more specifically, Okanagan Lake) to celebrate their engagement. This water theme continued to the wedding, except it was coming down in buckets from the sky.</p> <p>Did we let that ruin our fun? Not a chance.</p> <p>As I went through the photos, I couldn't help but marvel at how much laughter and fun there was. This wedding had it all: glowsticks, puppet shows, a ring bearer in a jeep, picnic baskets, a secondary cake made from Rice Krispie squares, choreographed Bollywood numbers...</p> <p>Oh, and it had a bride that would just not stop mugging for the camera. Don't worry Seb, I've made you copies of the best faces. Use them at your own discretion.</p> <p><em>(special thanks to <a href="http://simonewittenbergblog.com/">Simone Wittenberg</a> for assisting me at Kopje Park for this wedding!)</em></p> </div> 2010-11-23T18:50:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc654536b770001000041 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc654536b770001000041/4dcdc654536b770001000042/4dcdc654536b770001000042.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Dancing, on pavement slicked with rainwater and fallen leaves.</p> <p>Sipping, tea out of ancient tea-cups with cakes.</p> <p>Previewing, Paige and Stefan's wedding.</p> </div> 2010-11-18T16:23:00-08:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc65a536b77000100004c <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc65a536b77000100004c/4dcdc65a536b77000100004d/4dcdc65a536b77000100004d.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Vanessa gets really excited about pictures. Like, really excited. You should have seen the enormous bags of clothes she brought along to O'Keefe Ranch for the engagement shoot.</p> <p>She's also one of the sweetest people I've met. Barely an hour after I gave them the photos, she had them up on Facebook with this comment:</p> <blockquote> <p><span>"Our photographer was Rhys Albrecht, his website is rhysalbrecht.com, he did a fantastic job, we are so thrilled !!! we would highly recommend to anyone he captures personal style really well. I cant wait to see our wedding photos :) "<br></span></p> </blockquote> <p><span>:) indeed, Vanessa. Can't wait for your wedding in July!<br></span></p> </div> 2010-11-03T06:03:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc74e2398f30001000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc74e2398f30001000001/4dcdc74e2398f30001000002/4dcdc74e2398f30001000002.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>You've seen them on sailboats, in turtlenecks and novelty fish belts. Now you get to see them in their wedding day finest.</p> <p>Well, until the reception anyway. Then came out the puppet shows, the novelty vests, the shuttered sunglasses, the glowsticks, the superhero costumes...but that would be waaaaay too much for a teaser post.</p> <p>If there's one thing Marlo &amp; Sebastian know how to do, it's how to pack more awesome into a single day than anyone thought possible.</p> </div> 2010-10-31T17:03:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdc7572398f3000100000a <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdc7572398f3000100000a/4dcdc7572398f3000100000b/4dcdc7572398f3000100000b.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This wedding wasn't as painful as they make it look.</p> <p>No, in truth, this wedding seemed almost...easy. It was one of those days where nerves and stress were non-existent.</p> <p>I give all credit to Allie and Patrick's mutual radness. They're laid back. They're passionate about getting great photos. They're willing to trust my spur-of-the-moment ideas. They have the co-ordination to hold an electric blue slurpee over a pristine white wedding dress without fear of spillage.</p> <p>And those facial expressions. Oh, the facial expressions.</p> <p>:) :O &gt;:( :D</p> </div> 2010-10-14T07:47:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdca0e62fb2b3af3000001 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdca0e62fb2b3af3000001/4dcdca0e62fb2b3af3000002/4dcdca0e62fb2b3af3000002.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>There was so much love at this wedding.</p> <p>Examples were plentiful. Jessi getting ready with her three sisters around her. Tristan surrounded by his childhood bros. The families that flew in from around the world. The friends that organized their vacations around this event.</p> <p>There was so much laughter at this wedding.</p> <p>By the time the wedding day rolled around, we'd established "Double Rainbow" as the official trip meme. I'm not even sure how it happened; the video had been around for at least six months before this trip, but it just kept coming up. Again and again and again, and it got funnier and funnier each time. Almost as funny as the headless groom cake-topper.</p> <p>There was so much rain at this wedding.</p> <p>I've never seen rain like that before; Costa Rica makes Vancouver look like a desert. It poured and poured, but as you'll see, we made the most of it. And the next day, as we went out to do a day-after session, we were rewarded with a double rainbow. All the way across the sky.</p> <p>When I think about this wedding, I first think of the love and the laughter. And how thankful I am for weather-sealed equipment.</p> </div> 2010-10-07T22:05:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdcbf262fb2b3af3000048 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdcbf262fb2b3af3000048/4dcdcbf262fb2b3af3000049/4dcdcbf262fb2b3af3000049.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p id="yui_3_1_0_1_1286153036479912">The biggest compliment I can think of is when a fellow photographer chooses you to photograph his or her own wedding.</p> <p id="yui_3_1_0_1_1286153036479909">Stefan, I thank you. And Paige, I congratulate you.</p> <p>Can not WAIT to shoot your wedding later this month!</p> </div> 2010-10-03T21:20:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdcc6762fb2b3af300005b <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdcc6762fb2b3af300005b/4dcdcc6762fb2b3af300005c/4dcdcc6762fb2b3af300005c.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Every wedding needs a fixer.</p> <p>The fixer is that person who does the things that need to be done. Sometimes it's a wedding planner directing vendors to the right places, sometimes it's the bride's aunt who knows the missing flowers are, sometimes it's the groom's brother running back and forth from home picking up various forgotten items.</p> <p>For Aleisha and Lee's wedding, I had Jeff.</p> <p>He just made stuff happen. Following the ceremony, we were going around the grounds of Harvest Golf Club to take photos, but it was blisteringly hot out, and I didn't want to make everyone walk around. Outloud to my self, I mused:</p> <p>"Hmm, I wonder if I can wrangle up some golf carts to take everyone around."</p> <p>Three minutes later, there were seven golf carts, lined up, ready to go. Jeff had overheard me, disappeared to work his magic, and came back triumphant.</p> <p>Every wedding needs a guy like Jeff. And every photographer needs a couple like Aleisha and Lee. They were seriously fantastic.</p> <p><em>(a VERY special thanks to <a href="http://danikjohnson.com/">Dani K. Johnson</a>, my own personal fixer, who assisted me for the day, took several of the great pictures below, and always seemed to have a water bottle nearby when I needed it)</em></p> </div> 2010-09-14T08:19:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdce2762fb2b3af3000099 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdce2762fb2b3af3000099/4dcdce2762fb2b3af300009a/4dcdce2762fb2b3af300009a.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Until I walked into their house on the morning of the wedding, I didn't realize Leanne was an artist.</p> <p>All over the walls were these vibrant, beautiful, bold, engaging paintings, some landscapes, some kid-friendly cartoons, some dramatic and moody scenes. With the wildflowers in vases and baby toys hidden under chairs and in corners, her home felt like the most comfortable art gallery you'd ever visit.</p> <p>As I was going through the photos from the wedding, I noticed something strange: my shooting style almost perfectly mimics her painting style. My lines were bold, my composition straightforward, cropped close, with a penchant to fill the frame with either lots of detail or lots of negative space.</p> <p>No wonder I was so drawn to her work.</p> <p>You can view more of her work <a href="http://www.leannespanza.com/">here</a>. And you can see the rest of her wedding below.</p> <p><em>Special thanks to Tacey Gosling who assisted me at Summerhill Winery for the day!</em></p> </div> 2010-09-05T22:03:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdcf4c62fb2b3af30000bf <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdcf4c62fb2b3af30000bf/4dcdcf4c62fb2b3af30000c0/4dcdcf4c62fb2b3af30000c0.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I'm humbled by the fact that I have some pretty fervent fans. There's a few of you out there that really really like what I do.</p> <p>I don't think anyone compares to Allie, though. She's a super-fan. Seriously, I don't think I've met anyone who promotes me better than she does.</p> <p>Now's my chance to earn that lofty praise. So, I present to you, the first look at Allie and Patrick's wedding day. Slurpees and all.</p> </div> 2010-09-01T22:06:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdcf6b62fb2b3af30000c8 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdcf6b62fb2b3af30000c8/4dcdcf6b62fb2b3af30000c9/4dcdcf6b62fb2b3af30000c9.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>This just in: it rains a lot in Costa Rica.</p> <p>Jessi and Tristan got a monsoon on their wedding day. We rolled with it, and were rewarded the next day when we got, no word of a lie, a double rainbow.</p> <p>Doubbbble rainnnnbow.</p> </div> 2010-08-31T10:51:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdcf8b62fb2b3af30000d1 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdcf8b62fb2b3af30000d1/4dcdcf8b62fb2b3af30000d2/4dcdcf8b62fb2b3af30000d2.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I said this in my preview, and I'll say it again: Melody and Dustin had the most ridiculous, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime photo conditions on the afternoon of their wedding day.</p> <p><a href="http://www.weddingsinmotionblog.com/">Geoff and Naomi Heith</a>, the videographers, can tell you how over the moon I was when I saw the rain backlit by the late afternoon sun. It was absolutely unreal.</p> <p>That special feeling was the common thread throughout the day; I could just feel something was different, unique. The ceremony was gorgeous (and dry!), the portraits stunning, the speeches heartfelt, and the reception was an absolute blast. I had a killer time working with the Heiths and my assistants <a href="http://danikjohnson.com/">Dani</a> and <a href="http://www.jadeehlers.com/blog/">Jade</a>. But that light...oh, that light!</p> <p>Melody and Dustin, may that light continue to shine upon you!</p> <p>(and for Geoff and Naomi's take on the wedding, <a href="http://www.weddingsinmotionblog.com/?p=1620">check out their teaser</a>)</p> </div> 2010-08-26T22:01:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd0ef62fb2b3af3000103 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd0ef62fb2b3af3000103/4dcdd0ef62fb2b3af3000104/4dcdd0ef62fb2b3af3000104.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I pride myself on being a pretty easy guy to get along with. Many of my clients, strangers at first, have become friends in the long term.</p> <p>Aleisha &amp; Lee and company, well...it already feels like I've known you all for years.</p> <p>Here's a glimpse at the magic we made that day.</p> </div> 2010-08-24T22:02:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd10a62fb2b3af300010b <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd10a62fb2b3af300010b/4dcdd10a62fb2b3af300010c/4dcdd10a62fb2b3af300010c.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Karmelle and Alex are, unquestionably, the sweetest people I know. Throughout the entire day, they kept thanking me for doing their photos. And not just a few times.</p> <p>I was flattered, but really, they made it pretty easy on me. They looked fantastic, the wedding party was energetic, and we had plenty of time to try different locations and poses.</p> <p>Plus they had a wicked dance party. I love wedding dance parties. Oh, and they had Peanut M&amp;Ms too. I love those too.</p> </div> 2010-08-22T22:36:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd27862fb2b3af300013d <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd27862fb2b3af300013d/4dcdd27862fb2b3af300013e/4dcdd27862fb2b3af300013e.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Leanne and Carl grew all the flowers in her bouquet, and all the flowers in their reception hall at Summerhill Winery. I was informed of this after thinking (aloud) "Man, all these flowers are sweet!"</p> <p>Here's a quick look at their awesome (and HOT) wedding day!</p> </div> 2010-08-19T21:28:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd2da62fb2b3af3000152 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd2da62fb2b3af3000152/4dcdd2da62fb2b3af3000153/4dcdd2da62fb2b3af3000153.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Melody and Dustin weren't going to let the weather *ahem* rain on their parade. They stuck it out like champions.</p> <p>This wedding was a blast, for so many reasons. Here's just a snippet of what's still to come.</p> </div> 2010-08-16T12:37:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd2f662fb2b3af300015a <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd2f662fb2b3af300015a/4dcdd2f662fb2b3af300015b/4dcdd2f662fb2b3af300015b.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>As I was going through the images from Andrea and Rich's wedding, I was struck by how much it felt like "them". From the printed guitar picks on the tables to the bold color palette, their fingerprints were all over the event. It was fun, it was clever, stylish, a little quirky, and full of passion.</p> <p>And the guitar as guestbook? Genius.</p> <p>Sidenote: it's a rare man that can pull off the white suit. Congrats Rich, you rocked it.</p> </div> 2010-07-28T22:59:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd47462fb2b3af300018a <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd47462fb2b3af300018a/4dcdd47462fb2b3af300018b/4dcdd47462fb2b3af300018b.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Engagement shoots are my favorite kind of sessions.</p> <p>When I meet with clients to discuss what to do, I will pitch a few different ideas based on likes, personality, hobbies, and other information I've gleaned from our interactions. These pitches have generally been pretty safe, but lately I've started throwing out the Big Ridiculous Ideas to clients, and to my surprise and delight, they've been taking me up on them.</p> <p>I like putting people in settings you wouldn't normally think of getting portraits; in our first meeting, Sebastian mentioned that they enjoyed sailing occasionally, and that his dad had a sailboat that we could probably use. Yep, that sounds good.</p> <p>I also really like contrasts, and playing off of similarities and differences. For Marlo, I wanted to shoot her in a more classic east-coast nautical look inspired by Patrick Demarchelier's portraits of Nicole Kidman in Vanity Fair: lots of stripes, big sunglasses, fair skin, blue skies. Very classic. And so for Sebastian, I wanted him to be a little more absurd; a little more of a salty sea captain/Captain Highliner than modern day sailor. Just ridiculous enough to make you laugh.</p> <p>The light was incredible, the wind was brisk, and the subjects were fully committed...I don't think I've had a shoot where everthing came together so perfectly. I had an absolute blast with them.</p> <p>Marlo and Seb - you guys make my job easy. My hat (captain and otherwise) is off to you.</p> </div> 2010-07-22T09:59:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd55b62fb2b3af30001a7 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd55b62fb2b3af30001a7/4dcdd55b62fb2b3af30001a8/4dcdd55b62fb2b3af30001a8.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Sebastian works at a <a href="http://treebeer.com/home.php">local microbrewery</a>, and Marlo is a pharmacist... so naturally, when I first met them, they introduced themselves as Drugs and Alcohol.</p> <p>This may have been the best first impression ever.</p> <p>Despite the threat of rain, we lurked around the creek near their house of part one of their engagement session.</p> </div> 2010-07-19T13:16:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd5b362fb2b3af30001b6 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd5b362fb2b3af30001b6/4dcdd5b362fb2b3af30001b7/4dcdd5b362fb2b3af30001b7.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Karmelle and Alex have mastered two things: how to look elegant in a cathedral forest, and how to throw a killer dance party.</p> <p>I absolutely danced my face off.</p> </div> 2010-07-06T14:18:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd5e562fb2b3af30001c0 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd5e562fb2b3af30001c0/4dcdd5e562fb2b3af30001c1/4dcdd5e562fb2b3af30001c1.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>You'd be forgiven if you don't remember Melissa and Colin; last we saw them, they were carrying squash racquets and wearing <a href="http://www.rhysalbrecht.com/blog/engaged-melissa-colin.html">short shorts and knee socks</a>. Much different than you see them now.</p> <p>This wedding was simply fun. Hilariously fun. Touchingly fun. We saw most of the central Okanagan Valley, from West Kelowna to Oyama, and many stops in between. We found back light, hard light and no light, as well as the most beautifully lit room I've ever had the pleasure to shoot in.</p> <p>This was set to be my biggest wedding yet, and it was even better than my lofty expectations. I was shoot the whole day, from the salon in the morning right through to the glorious end of the reception, and it was absolutely packed with amazing moments; my favorites were the ones that happened spontaneously:</p> <ul> <li>the crowd spontaneously cheering as Melissa was revealed by the church doors opening</li> <li>the reverend smiling and laughing as M&amp;C sealed the marriage with a kiss</li> <li>the brothers (both his and hers) pushing Colin around...in brotherly love, of course</li> <li>the owner of the reception venue (Gatzke Farm Market) completely photo bombing a picture of M&amp;C</li> <li>and of course, the classy newly married couple going in for the full-on bum grab during my carefully set up portrait</li> </ul> <p>Melissa and Colin, it was an absolute blast to spend the whole day with you. I'm thrilled to post these photos, and I can't wait to shoot you guys again. Let's find a reason! Any reason!</p> </div> 2010-06-23T14:51:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd92e62fb2b3af300022a <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd92e62fb2b3af300022a/4dcdd92e62fb2b3af300022b/4dcdd92e62fb2b3af300022b.jpg" /> 2010-06-20T01:15:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdd94262fb2b3af300022e <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdd94262fb2b3af300022e/4dcdd94262fb2b3af300022f/4dcdd94262fb2b3af300022f.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I really wish you could have been at this wedding.</p> <p>Joy was everywhere. Pure, unadulterated joy. The guests were laughing, the guys were goofing off, the girls practically floated down the aisle. The air was electric with anticipation (and possibly an impending lightning storm).</p> <p>There's not a lot of details from this day that I can remember vividly...in my head, it's a blur of laughter and shutter clicks. But I remember the feeling.</p> <p>I really hope you can feel what it was like to be there.</p> </div> 2010-06-10T21:39:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddb4f62fb2b3af300026f <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddb4f62fb2b3af300026f/4dcddb4f62fb2b3af3000270/4dcddb4f62fb2b3af3000270.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I gotta hand it to Kathy; she managed to pick (what seems like) the only rain-free day in all of May for her wedding day.</p> <p>To answer a few questions you may have:</p> <ul> <li>yes, that is a cardboard cut-out of the bride's sister.</li> <li>yes, Mike and his dad look nearly identical.</li> <li>no, I did not remember to put my sunscreen back in my camera bag and, yes, I got a very sunburned neck.</li> </ul> <p>And to Kathy and Mike - thanks for being such a blast. It was an absolutely perfect way to start off my wedding season!</p> </div> 2010-06-08T03:02:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddc4f62fb2b3af3000291 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddc4f62fb2b3af3000291/4dcddc4f62fb2b3af3000292/4dcddc4f62fb2b3af3000292.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Melissa and Colin met years ago at summer camp. Colin was the cute 15 year-old that 13 year-old Melissa was CONVINCED she'd marry one day. She even wrote down in her journal, in looping teenaged girl handwriting,</p> <p>"Mrs. Melissa Edstrom"</p> <p>It's amazing how things come together, isn't it?</p> <p>This is just a small peek at the awesomeness still yet to come, which includes our local Member of Parliament ripping a drum solo, a bizarre game of croquet, and a moonlit dance floor.</p> </div> 2010-06-02T21:42:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddc6962fb2b3af3000299 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddc6962fb2b3af3000299/4dcddc6962fb2b3af300029a/4dcddc6962fb2b3af300029a.jpg" /> 2010-05-31T13:16:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddc7762fb2b3af300029d <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddc7762fb2b3af300029d/4dcddc7762fb2b3af300029e/4dcddc7762fb2b3af300029e.jpg" /> 2010-05-27T07:17:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddc8262fb2b3af30002a1 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddc8262fb2b3af30002a1/4dcddc8262fb2b3af30002a2/4dcddc8262fb2b3af30002a2.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I wanted to post a few pictures from Kathy and Mike's wedding at the Guisachan House. Small, intimate ceremony, great venue, sassy bride...all the necessary ingredients for a terrific first wedding of the season!</p> <p>I'm also really starting to enjoy shooting the rings. A great macro lens opens up a whole new world of possibility.</p> <p>Can't wait to show off all the photos!</p> </div> 2010-05-26T11:30:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddc9562fb2b3af30002a8 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddc9562fb2b3af30002a8/4dcddc9562fb2b3af30002a9/4dcddc9562fb2b3af30002a9.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>When planning out my proposal to Alana, I knew I wanted to make it a weekend event. I was determined to make this the most awesome, jam-packed, fanfreakintastic weekend that anyone had ever seen. She makes me want to be extravagant.</p> <p>We met my sister Kira and her husband Curtis at a small airport in Richmond. Back when they were dating, Curtis asked me to help him surprise Kira with his proposal, and I was now asking him to return the favor...although I really feel like he got the much bigger request. All I did was shepherd an unsuspecting Kira down to Penticton to where Curtis was waiting; Curtis was asked to fly us to Seattle. And he did, in a little Cessna 172, he and Kira in the front, and Alana and I in the back.</p> <p>When we landed at Boeing Field, <a href="http://benjhaisch.com/blog/rhysalana-engagement/">Benj Haisch</a> was waiting for us at the FBO. I met Benj through Flickr, had been admiring his work for a while, and was convinced he was the right guy to do our engagement photos. His photos are absolutely brilliant on their own, yet they fit together seamlessly to tell a wonderful story. I was so stoked to hear he made time for us on a busy Saturday in May.</p> <p>We shot a ton in and around the plane, on the tarmac, and then took off to various spots around Seattle. Once we were done, Benj dropped us off at Pike Place Market where we ate lunch at a lovely Thai restaurant, discovered there was a cheese festival going on (!), drank coffee (necessary), people-watched along the oceanfront and saw the special Andy Warhol and Kurt Cobain exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum before meeting back up with Kira and Curtis for <a href="http://www.thepurplecafe.com/">dinner</a>.</p> <p>By the time we finished eating the complimentary desserts offered to us, dusk was starting to set in. Our flight plan had us flying low over the city, back towards Vancouver, one step closer to home.</p> <p>In the back of the plane, my fiancée rested her head on my shoulder, that smile I'd fell in love with still resting on her lips.</p> <p>I have never been happier.</p> </div> 2010-05-20T23:32:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddcee62fb2b3af30002b7 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddcee62fb2b3af30002b7/4dcddcee62fb2b3af30002b8/4dcddcee62fb2b3af30002b8.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I took a girlfriend to Vancouver this weekend...and returned home with a fiancée!</p> <p>The "official" purpose of this trip was to see David Gray perform; She's been a fan since high school, and I got her tickets for her birthday. It was the perfect time to propose: not only would it be awesome to include the concert into the whole engagement experience, it would provide me with a great cover story.</p> <p>When I told Alana's brother I was planning to propose, he said "Oh man, you're going to be so sick from nerves on the day!" "No way," I said, "Me? Not a chance. Cool as a cucumber."</p> <p>Sure enough, on Friday I felt so sick all morning. It was very strange, to have such a visceral physical reaction to something I have been happily anticipating.</p> <p>I managed to hold it together in the morning as we shopped, and in the early afternoon we rented bicycles intending to cycle around Stanley Park. Not really the best of ideas, since I was feeling lightheaded and faint. After a few minutes I knew it had to happen fast, or I might just collapse. Up ahead I saw a little clearing, with a pond and swans and trees and clover...this was the moment</p> <p>"Hey, let's pull over here, I want to take your picture."</p> <p>"What? But we just got going!"</p> <p>"No trust me. It's really pretty here."</p> <p>We pull over, I set her up, and start taking pictures trying to get the lighting just right. I wanted to get her reaction, 'cause I knew I wouldn't be able to remember a thing. I kept taking photos, again because I was so nervous, and ended up taking way longer than was natural. I could see she was starting to get antsy; I took a deep breath...and went for it. I reached in my pocket for the ring, and as I kept shooting, said "Hey, can you hold this for me?"</p> <p>*snap* *snap* *snap* *snap*</p> <p>The rest of the afternoon was a bit of a blur. We sat out on a rock off of the sea wall, talking about weddings and calling our families. We took a ferry across to Granville Island for dinner and champagne, and then went to the concert, which was nothing short of amazing. Our seats were perfect, center section, one row in front of the sound booth.</p> <p>It was (obviously) a really amazing day, but the best was still to come. I had a full plan for Saturday, which will be revealed in <a href="http://www.rhysalbrecht.com/blog/engaged-alana-rhys-part-2.html">Part 2</a>.</p> </div> 2010-05-19T22:40:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddd1862fb2b3af30002c1 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddd1862fb2b3af30002c1/4dcddd1862fb2b3af30002c2/4dcddd1862fb2b3af30002c2.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Melody and Dustin are just so rad. They are the first out-of-towners I've had the pleasure of shooting, and it was a cool experience to do an engagement shoot so soon after meeting them.</p> <p>They were incredibly agreeable. I can't believe I found myself saying "so Dustin...how about you get in that shopping cart, and Melody, you can push him. Trust me, it'll look awesome."</p> <p>They hardly even batted an eye.</p> <p>Stoked to be shooting their wedding this July!</p> </div> 2010-05-16T22:03:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddd8462fb2b3af30002d2 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddd8462fb2b3af30002d2/4dcddd8462fb2b3af30002d3/4dcddd8462fb2b3af30002d3.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I quite enjoy big families. It's definitely harder to shoot (the chances of someone blinking go up exponentially with each person you add), but is incredibly rewarding when you get that shot where everyone is smiling, looking at the camera, and you know it's going to live on the wall for years and years.</p> <p>The Friesens were great subjects, and FAST! The skies kept threatening to dump rain on us, so we had to move quickly. I don't think I've ever had a shoot run this efficiently. Good job team!</p> </div> 2010-05-08T01:55:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddde862fb2b3af30002e6 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddde862fb2b3af30002e6/4dcddde862fb2b3af30002e7/4dcddde862fb2b3af30002e7.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I get inspiration from the weirdest places sometimes.</p> <p>This concept for this shoot began when I was editing some other, unrelated photos, and kept adjusting the white balance slider, going back and forth between a cooler and warmer tone, unable to decide which looked better.</p> <p>This idea of balance and contrast stuck with me for a few days, and eventually developed into a full idea: shoot the same couple twice, in different locations, with different looks, one set warm and the other cool. These sets could then be displayed side-by-side to really make the differences stand out.</p> <p>Allie and Patrick turned out to be the perfect couple to try this out with. For the warmer set, we shot it in Okanagan Mountain Park, going for a backlit look with lots of yellows, browns and whites. For the cooler set, we lurked around downtown Kelowna, looking for darker, more saturated colors like blue, turquoise and black.</p> <p>(<em>This session was featured on <a href="http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2010/05/balance-contrast/" target="_blank">RockNRollBride.com</a></em>)</p> </div> 2010-04-30T14:42:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcdde9a62fb2b3af3000303 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcdde9a62fb2b3af3000303/4dcdde9a62fb2b3af3000304/4dcdde9a62fb2b3af3000304.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p><span>My good friends Matt, Andrea and little Addison are moving away to Calgary. During their last week in the glorious Okanagan, we did a quick family shoot.</span></p> <p>This way when they're getting pounded with April snowstorms, they can think back to the good old days when they used to live in paradise.</p> <p>*ducks under desk to avoid barrage of insults from Calgarians*</p> </div> 2010-04-16T13:41:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddedd62fb2b3af300030f <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddedd62fb2b3af300030f/4dcddedd62fb2b3af3000310/4dcddedd62fb2b3af3000310.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>I've been doing weddings for a full year now. As anyone who's started knows, you kinda take whatever you can get at first. People usually pick you 'cause you're a cheaper option, even if it means taking a bit of a risk.<br><br>I'll forever be grateful to my first clients for giving me that chance.<br><br>As I've gained some experience and started to develop a portfolio and signature style, I'm beginning to get those clients who aren't just looking to hire a photographer...they're looking to hire me. Melissa and Colin were my first taste of that kind of client. They got engaged a week before embarking on long multi-continental trip, so much of their planning has been done from overseas. Through the magic of Facebook networking, they discovered me...and quickly became some of my most ardent fans. They called me from Australia to become my first 2010 booking.<br><br>We met to discuss the engagement shoot once they arrived back in Canada, and as we're chatting about concepts, Colin offers up his family's ski condo as a location and, oh by the way, it has a squash court...would I be interested in doing any in there?<br><br>Now, I appreciate clients that trust me and trust my vision, but clients that will actually offer up their own amazing ideas? And trust me to bring them to life? These are the clients I dream of.<br><br>This is some of my favorite work thus far, and best of all, we still have a whole wedding to shoot!</p> <p>(<em>This session was featured on <a href="http://www.rocknrollbride.com/2010/03/an-80s-inspired-squash-apres-ski-vogue-nylon-magazine-engagement-shoot/">RockNRollBride.com</a></em>)</p> </div> 2010-04-09T12:18:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcddf7562fb2b3af3000325 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcddf7562fb2b3af3000325/4dcddf7562fb2b3af3000326/4dcddf7562fb2b3af3000326.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>At last count, I have just under two million fragments of photo ideas floating around in my head. I don't always know the context they'll be used in, but I keep them there filed away for some undetermined point in the future.<br><br>This is partially why I love engagement shoots so much. I've been fortunate to have clients that are willing to try things, to let me work out these fragments of ideas, to experiment with concepts that are a little, um, unorthodox.<br><br>We tried a bunch of different looks for Tristan and Jessi: a paparazzi-style shoot where I could step back and allow them to be themselves without the camera all up in their faces, a more composed shoot using color and leading lines, and one using the natural starkness of an Okanagan winter.<br><br>My favorite look, however, was the most unconventional. Inspired by Tristan's sleeve, I explained my idea for a high-key studio, very Rolling Stone-esque look. Without really understanding what I was going for, Tristan and Jessi agreed to try it. We shot it in their apartment against a white wall using only a single softbox and a hotshoe-mounted flashgun.<br><br>What I learned was this: I like clients who trust me and my vision. I want more clients like that. It makes me work even harder to make them happy, because I need to make them see the vision too. That's when my best work comes out.</p> </div> 2010-04-02T12:00:00-07:00 http://rhysalbrecht.com/blog/4dcde00b62fb2b3af3000340 <img src="http://static.rhysalbrecht.com/uploads/blog/posts/4dcde00b62fb2b3af3000340/4dcde00b62fb2b3af3000341/4dcde00b62fb2b3af3000341.jpg" /><div class="text-piece"> <p>Although I was born in Edmonton, I've lived in Kelowna for the last 20 years which has made me a bit of a wimp when it comes to cold weather. So of course I end up doing an engagement shoot in Camrose, Alberta in the dead of winter. Don't get me wrong, it could have been worse; just a couple weeks before I arrived, they recorded the second coldest temperature on Earth...beat only by Siberia.<br><br>Even so, I'd never shot in weather so cold. It bounced between -20 and -15 C during our shoot depending on where we went. And the massive dumps of snow in the past week meant that light was reflecting everywhere.<br><br>I can't confirm that this shoot had anything to do with it, but Dean and Jessica decided to have a Jamaican destination wedding.</p> </div> 2010-03-19T12:00:00-07:00