So just when I was hesitating to post these scouting photos because they don't have a lot to do with wedding photography ... at a meeting today with a prospective client, they said "you know what would be cool, some edgier photos with graffitti and such in the background" ... hmmm, I said, I may have just the thing! Mind you, as visually interesting as this little area is, it's probably more suitable for some band photos than an e-session ... still, it's fun to imagine.

So when I heard they opened a Lamorghini dealership in Vancouver ... I said "sure, why not, it would probably help get between photo shoots faster" :)



http://www.lamborghinivancouver.com/

And if you're out looking for luxury items anyway, you might as well stop by http://showcasepianos.com while you're at it and have your architect design a custom Fazioli piano. :D

So I was walking down the street ... when out of the corner of my eye, I notice Batman taking a break from his usual caped crusader duties ... just chilling out and chatting up the ladies.  My hero! ... more pictures after the jump below.

Wow, I can't believe how much fun I had tonight photographing the new spotlights at English Bay! Here's a quick preview, with many more to come. Go down and check it out, it's awesome!

I had a blast the other night, going out for an evening of shooting with photography friends Josan, Tom & Jan. We were working in Gastown, playing with a Sunbouncer and some off-camera lighting. We started off wandering the narrow alleys, looking for interesting locations that didn't require too much climbing!

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  It was fireworks night in Vancouver in more ways than one. In addition to the usual English Bay competition, there was a pretty awesome thunderstorm with tons of lightning passing through downtown.
  
  We so rarely get them in Vancouver that they have always fascinated me ever since I was a kid. On this night I had to react quickly and I didn't have my tripod with me, or my umbrella for that matter!
  
  But hey, being able to go out and shoot in this kind of weather is one of the main reasons why we buy professional camera bodies, isn't it?
  
  View the film strip by scrolling below.
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  It's a long walk across the bridge, but who cares, the colours alone ended up being worth paying the price of getting soaked!
  
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  I wasn't lucky enough to capture one of the lightning strikes, but my lack of a wide angle lens didn't stop me from trying.
  
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  For obvious reasons, I couldn't really shoot for very long pointing up, but the orange lights against the purple sky had me trying to snag a couple of frames.
  
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  The colours in the wake of the storm just got better and better ...
  
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  and there was even a faint rainbow, starting near Science World ...
  
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  and ending near city hall
  
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  Once again, wet pavement + sunset = awesome colour!
  
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  I was soaked by this time, time to heading back towards downtown .
  
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  These colours are straight out of camera, in muted portrait mode no less. This is exactly how it looked out there tonight.
  
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  Yaletown condos silhouetted in orange
  
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  Some passerby had umbrellas, but most of the crazies out on the bridge were soaked.
  It was kind of a warm rain, like you would get in a tropical place so it didn't bother me too much.
  
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  Remnants of a bridge party it would seem ...
  
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  Shifting from orange to pink now ...
  
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  Hiding at the bus stop, letting my gear dry and
  snagging more of the colourful wet pavement.
  
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  Pink shifting to purple now ...
  
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  Liking the colour balance of the bus lights against the sky.
  
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  Free advertising for AmiChi
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  Purple fading away now ...

Magnolia Blossoms ... (correct me if I'm wrong here ... dammit Jim, I'm a photographer, not a horticulturist! Speaking of which ... anyone seen the new Star Trek yet??)

While out and about doing a quick bit of testing on a new polarizing filter, I met Solomon, who has just opened a new place in Yaletown called "Cafe Vancouver". I didn't really get a chance to sample the goodies this time around, but I vowed to return soon with Rosy. Cafe Vancouver has an inviting decor and along with organic coffee, they bake mostly everything on-site. I'm also always up to support local Yaletown businesses whenever possible ... and especially with free wireless internet! Future clients, don't be surprised if I bring you here to meet instead of the busy Starbucks! :)

Solomon and his team ...

I was just passing by and noticed that the new convention centre was open. I only had my point & shoot, but couldn't resist a few pics.

The front entrance I think?

I've had the 12-24mm on my shopping list for awhile, but other equipment always seemed to take priority. Now that I've got it ... well, cold cold weather be damned, time for a test drive!


People waiting for the bus at the Bay

It's been a busy beginning to the new year, but the blog has been lagging ... I thought I should post a couple images to get the 2009 ball rolling!

It's usually pretty hard to get me to cooperate for a photo ...

With the (slightly) warmer weather, the snow is starting to melt, so I had to venture out once more before it's gone! These are in and around the David Lam Park area.

Soup weather in effect :)

I'm always looking for an excuse to go for a photo walk, and last Sunday's Santa Clause Parade provided a good opportunity ... even the weather was in a good mood.

Side-note: I'm a little late to the "can-wagon", but I just wanted to say "great job!" to Chris+Lynn for their "Cans for Comments" idea. It's a great reminder to get out and support your community. For the Yaletown area, two organizations that could use your help are A Loving Spoonful and Yaletown House.

Getting back to the walk, we were pretty busy in the morning, so we only caught the tail-end of the annual parade. Most of the crowds were gone by that time, but that actually proved an advantage in being able to get around and check things out!

This reindeer was a little tangled up, but nonetheless happy ...




A brave knight and his trusty steed ...


This mirror ball was reflecting the neon sign above


Waiting for Mom


Posing for pictures


Santa welcomes you!


Little known fact ... elves enjoy hitting the slopes when not making toys.


A snap from our gingerbread couple engagement photo session ... looking forward to the wedding! ;>


Tim Horton's tries to outdo the starbuck's "Venti" [this is also how much coffee i have in the morning.]


Food donation boxes well stocked! ... something about those crooked smiles doesn't seem quite right though ...


The Contemplative Mannequin ...


St. Paul's annual "Lights of Hope" display


Part of St. Paul's light display


A wall outside "The Electra" (the old BC Hydro Electric building that was converted to condominiums)


Walking off into the sunset ...

Hmm, this slogan seems familiar, isn't there some big city on the East coast ...

After a so-so August in terms of weather, September has been really quite great. However, today is the first day of fall ... it's time to start scouting those colourful leaves!

This usually also marks the time of year when the wedding season winds down and studio season revs up. I'm thinking of offering some sort of special on Christmas portraits for kids, although maybe just for friends & past clients. I'm definitely not dressing up as Santa though, hehe. As always, email me if you are interested.

There should still be plenty of chances to enjoy some outdoor fall sessions as well.

I usually also start opening the calendar to shooting other events as well - bar mitzvahs, corporate events, and quinceaños!

I was walking by Firehall No.8 in Yaletown and noticed this tribute to the firefighters helping in the 9/11 rescue efforts. It brought back memories of that tragedy, and the realization that it's been 7 years. Peace be with the families affected by the events that day.