Most weddings I have a second shooter… this wedding I had a third! Oh snap! Loved it. Seeing as the sun was setting at 4:14 on this beautiful winter day, with three shooters we were able to get the portraits done before dark. Thanks Jason & Amy!

Jamie’s grandpa walked her down the aisle. So sweet.

At the end of the ceremony, they surrounded the couple with prayer and blessings.

The sun was quickly falling out of the sky. Good thing these two are photogenic! Go, go, GO!

The gorgeous ladies…

Handsome lads….

And then time for just J&J. Lovely moment captured by Amy.

This next one is from Amy as well…

Jamie & Jared, I love your love.

I had sent a couple of facebook messages to some friends who live in Northern California asking if we could interrupt their lives for a few days. Before any of them had a chance to respond, we were halfway to Portland.

We spent the first night at Hospitality Inn in Portlandia (if you haven’t seen this show… you should.) We checked in at 11:30pm and checked out at 5:30 am. Again, CRAZY! When I was a kid, my mom told me the only beds I was allowed to jump on, were hotel beds. I passed this on to my children. I feel a twinge bad, but not bad enough to stop this tradition.

Quick jump, speedy potty time, Starbucks, McDonald’s nutirional breakfast and we are back on the I-5. Of course, with two toddlers, you haven’t covered many miles before they scream “potty, POTTY, POTTTTY!!”. Harris quickly learned to stand and pee. Yes – I’m a proud Mama!

Had to get a shot of my husband with the gorgeous haze behind him… man, I wish we weren’t so determined to be at In’n'Out by lunch, I would have loved to spend an hour there…. but we are focused, goal oriented people. We need the burger, the hat, and the red palm-tree cup. No time to waste!!

Danny and Kate were kind enough to let us crash at their house. I love them. They are fun, creative and so generous! (BTW, Danny gets credit for the photo of Kate… isn’t she pretty??)

They have two kids, Maddex and London. We were obsessed with Baby London. OBSESSED!!! So distracted by her cuteness that I barely got a photo of Maddex (rude!!!).

I had such a great time being back where it all started. The city where I met Joe, made lasting friendships and where I grew in relationship with my God. Being back in Redding with the kids we made…. there was something special about that. I love my little family.

Christy, you’re amazing. Our friendship has pushed me to be a better mom, wife and friend. Thanks for all that you are.

At family sessions, I try to have time sometime with just the Mama and the Papa.

Pretty sure Adam will have invest in a gun when these girls grow up…

Love this kid.

When I was 12 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound revealed that my baby wasn’t going to live long. Minutes. Hours, at best. We chose to carry her to term. To meet her. To love her. Kiss and cuddle her, for as long as we were given. We were gifted with 1.5 hours. 90 perfect minutes.

Zoe was missing the part of her brain that would allow her to feel pain. She has only known bliss. Bliss in my womb. Bliss outside. And now bliss in Heaven.

Zoe. Forever in my heart.

Photography by Sharalee Prang   — Sharalee, I honestly don’t have words. At least all the ones I can think of don’t nearly come close to saying what I want to. No one has ever given me such a precious gift. Thank you.

Sara got ready at the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver with her mom and her sister.

Then we jetted out for some portraits. We stopped at a few different locations, but we started in Gastown…

Isn’t Vancouver beautiful?

The Ceremony and Reception was held at the Teahouse in Stanley Park.

After the ceremony, they had a cocktail hour as the sun set. The appys were amazing… trust me.

Then we headed inside for the reception. The decor was done beautifully!

Sara and Kevin, congratulations on your marriage! Loved being apart of your day!

After the ceremony and the first portrait session, S&K put on their second outfits of the day. Two outfits in one day. One more reason to be Indian (I’m compiling a list). I’m still drooling over Shahnana’s 2nd dress! Most everywhere you turn in Vancouver, you have a new place to shoot. To be a photographer here, only makes sense.

The reception was held at the Law Courts Inn Restaurant - gorgeous venue!

Shahana & Khalid, you are beautiful people inside and out. A pleasure to photograph, and an even bigger pleasure to know. Congratulations on your marriage. Here’s to growing grey together! Cheers!

She was given a lime with a pin in it and a dot behind her ear, to ward off the evil eye – which she explained to me, was to prevent others from being jealous of her on this day. Something I should likely have on a daily basis…. kidding.

The Ceremony was held at the Ismaili Jamatkhana. Seeing as my church meets in gym… this mosque was worlds away from my house of praise!!! You’ll see a photo near the end this post of the outside…. GORGEOUS!!!

Khalid’s mother washes their feet with holy water.

Traditionally, whomever smashes it first is the head of the household. I think I’d gain weight before my wedding to boost my chances…

The exit…

We spent some time around the courtyard of the mosque. So darn gorgeous. Them.. and the location.

Shahana & Khalid, part 2 is only days away!

I’m addicted to getting ready shots…. I’ll be real. Slap a little henna on the girl and it triples its irresistibility.

S&K had their Henna Ceremony at the Creekside Community Centre in Vancouver. This whole area was built for the Olympics, so being a photographer around there was lens candy! We started with portraits, then headed inside for the evening.

As I said earlier, Ismaili faith is full of mini ceremonies and traditions to make the night complete. Before Shahana and Khalid had even entered the room, pineapples were placed in the corners by each family, to ensure that their marriage would be sweet.

Later their families and friends would come up to bless them.

The end of the night was a highlight for everyone…. with the exception of Khalid. A table was setup with eggs, syrup, flour, whip cream and ketchup… not to make a meal… but to be thrown at the groom. I asked the videographer about this tradition (as he was raised in the Ismaili faith), and even he had no clue why they do it or what it means. His guess, someone once did it, and it was so fun, they called it a tradition and carried it on!

I couldn’t hear what Shahana was saying, but I imagine it was along the lines of “this is the closest I will be to you for awhile, until you’ve showered”.

The women started it off gently….

Goggles on. Game on.

Shahana finished him off with a pie in the face. When in Rome….

Two days later, I shot their wedding. So more to come…. but less messy.

We wrapped up the first portrait session in the school bus. Tanu is a school teacher, so it only make sense to tie that in. By the way… don’t they look fabulous??

We then headed to Tanu’s parents house for the Leaving Ceremony where Dallas and his family need to buy their way into the Tanu’s parent’s home. The price? A fistful of cash and a song!

Next it was off to the St. Regis for hair, makeup and a new outfit.

Quick portrait session with D&T’s new outfits…

…then, party time!

Dallas & Tanu, you both looked amazing and the day was perfect. Thanks for inviting me to capture it all!