Campfire smoke being illuminated by sunlight through the trees in a forest

Camping in Golden Ears – Pt 2

September 27, 2016September 29, 2016Leave a comment

After our walk to the waterfall we headed back to the campsite to snack, drink beer, and make some dinner.

Like I said in the previous post, Steve and Cari are camping pros and had everything we needed to make a delicious dinner of spag bol (spaghetti bolognese) complete with cheesy garlic bread.

I again managed to disgrace myself by squealing really loudly, complete with flailing arms when our snacks were raided by a gang of raccoons. Luckily only one bag of pita chips were sullied and the cheeky raccoons were encouraged to raid someone else’s campsite. The raccoons there must have themselves totally set up, just moving from camp to camp.

We had a little shower of rain on Sunday morning, but then the sun came back and lit up all the smoke from the campfires through the trees.

Here are a few images from hanging out at the campground – hope you enjoy!

Campfire smoke illuminated by sunlight through the forest

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Toasting bread on a campfire stove at Golden Ears Provincial Park

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Sunlight shining through the trees in a campground

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Sunlight filtering through the trees in a forest

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Portrait of a man sitting at a campfire backlit by propane camp light

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Portrait of a man illuminated by the campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of cheesy garlic bread being cut up on tinfoil

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Silhouette of leaves against the night sky

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Spaghetti sauce on a table waiting to be served up

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Garlic bread and spaghetti sauce being warmed over a campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of fire being stoked while warming garlic bread and spaghetti sauce

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a man sitting in front of a campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a woman reaching for a beer in a cooler

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Spaghetti being stirred while warming over a campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a man drinking beer next to a campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of garlic bread wrapped in tinfoil and spaghetti sauce being warmed over a campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Stones placed in front of a moss covered tree stump in a forest

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Firewood chopped and stacked ready for a campfire

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of an axe in a log in a campground

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Sony A7II
Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm

See more of my work on my Photography by Angela McConnell portfolio

Like what you see and want to book a shoot? Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me here

Image of a couple overlooking a waterfall

Camping in Golden Ears – Pt 1

September 20, 2016September 14, 2016Leave a comment

So in a very spur of the moment decision, our friends Steve and Cari convinced us to go camping last weekend. We had no idea where we were going, just that we needed to rent a tent and a car.

Me and Geoff are not really campers as such, although Geoff has many, many stories to tell about Radford Year 9 camp to the Blue Mountains in Australia. I only camped out in a tent a couple of times, once in Intermediate School which was at a lake about 15 minutes out of Whanganui, and where we were disciplined for talking too much overnight. And again, at the turn of the millennium at a campground in Taupo where I pretty much gave up and slept in the car for a few hours after stumbling home from the pub.

Strangely though, we both own quite decent sleeping bags (a hang up from our backpacker days around Europe, in which we stayed in cabins or hostels the entire time).
Luckily Steve and Cari are hardcore, back-country campers so they had pretty everything anyone would ever need to camp, and really this was camping-lite.

We drove up on Saturday morning, after getting our coffee and donut fix, and borrowing some pillows from Cari because of course we had forgotten ours!
Thanks to the GPS we also managed to take a brief detour to a Canadian Tire carpark, I confused a bunch of horses for cows and everyone had a good laugh at me confusing left and right constantly.

After lunch we took a walk to the waterfall, with a spot of fishing on the way. It was a really lovely day, nice and warm, but not too hot and the scenery was spectacular as per usual in BC.

Here are a few images from our trip to the waterfall at Golden Ears Provincial Park – hope you enjoy!

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Landscape image of a river running through a forest

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Portrait of a man overlooking a waterfall

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a young woman posing on a log in front of a river and mountain ranges

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a man and woman sitting looking over a river

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Landscape image of a river with cloud covered mountain range in the background

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a woman sitting on a boulder overlooking a river and waterfall

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Portrait image of a man looking out over a river

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Portrait image of a young woman walking back from a river

Golden Ears Provincial Park Campground | Camping | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Sony A7II
Carl Zeiss Jena 500mm

See more of my work on my Photography by Angela McConnell portfolio

Like what you see and want to book a shoot? Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me here

Photo of a white coffee cup with red lipstick stain on a jewellery designers desk

Studio Head Shots – Salome from Burfurtart

September 6, 2016August 22, 20161 Comment

Late in 2015 myself and Hollie from Creative Solutions were brainstorming about an idea to feature entrepreneurs in a series about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
Contrary to what a lot of people might believe, it’s really not easy. There are a lot of lows that go along with running or setting up a small business and sometimes, there isn’t a lot of support to get through the lows.

The project that was born from this was The Infinite Arc, and my role was to photograph the entrepreneurs involved. This is one of the photoshoot sessions.

Salomé is a jewellery designer working under the studio name Burfurtart

Salomé initially studied watercolours, then crocheting knitwear, before incorporating her crocheting into a jewellery line. Now she creates both custom pieces for her clients and ready to wear sterling silver pieces. Salomé has just released her Autumn/Winter 2016 collection on Instagram

Salomé was a lot of fun to shoot, her creative space is a real reflection of her personality, lots of colour and energy, and her sense of fun and adventure during the shoot was infectious. She wasn’t afraid to try new things or just let go and have a great time.

Here are a few images from the shoot in her studio and in my studio…hope you enjoy!

Studio head shot of a female entrepreneur with stacked necklaces, intricate eye glasses, red lips and red hair

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Head Shot Photography | Photography by Angela McConnell

Lifestyle portrait of a jewellery designer with red hair and red eye glasses working on a design in their studio

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Lifestyle Photography | Photography by Angela McConnell

Image of a jewellery designers desk with tools, pieces of jewellery and designs drawn on the desk

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Lifestyle Photography | Photography by Angela McConnell

Photo of a jewellery designer hammering a new piece on a desk with drawn designs and works in progress

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Lifestyle Photography | Photography by Angela McConnell

Sony A7II
Canon FD 50mm f1.4

See more of my work on my Photography by Angela McConnell portfolio

Like what you see and want to book a shoot? Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me here

Not sure and want to see what a shoot with me looks like? Check out my Behind the Scenes videos

Black and white photo of a woman holding her elderly mothers hand between her own

Mother and Daughter Shoot – Ruth and Rachel

August 30, 2016September 6, 2016Leave a comment

Just before I left Toronto, I met a beautiful new client Ruth. She had come in for a shoot to update her head shots for her coaching business, and mentioned afterwards that she would love to have a shoot with her mum.

It was such a special shoot, Rachel is in her late 80’s and is so vibrant and sassy. There was a lot of laughter, stories and fun during the shoot, and we sat and chatted for a while afterwards. Watching the connection between Ruth and Rachel was such a joy and I felt really honoured to be part of it.
This is one of the parts of my job that I absolutely love, where you become really bonded through the process of the shoot and really share the time and space together.

Ruth had asked that this be a black and white shoot, and specifically to have an image that showed their hands.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to capture these images for Ruth and Rachel, and that these will be something that they will both treasure for many years to come.

Here are a couple of images from the shoot… hope you enjoy🙂

Black and white portrait of an elderly woman with her adult daughter smiling at each other

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Mother and Daughter Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Sony A7II
Canon L 24-70mm f2.8
f4.5
ISO 200
1/160

See more of my work on my Photography by Angela McConnell portfolio

Like what you see and want to book a shoot? Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me here

Not sure and want to see what a shoot with me looks like? Check out my Behind the Scenes videos

Image of a personal trainer helping a client during a session in their studio

Lindsay from Build a Fit Physique

August 23, 2016July 29, 2016Leave a comment

I met Lindsay at a networking event just as she launched her personal trainer business after she left the corporate world.

It was so interesting to hear her thoughts on starting a new business and then at subsequent meeting on how her business was starting to flourish. We arranged this shoot in early spring (although you wouldn’t know it with the dump of snow the night before!).

It was great to see Lindsay’s brand new studio in Etobicoke, ON and it’s such a great space – bright natural light, colourful and spacious.

You can follow Lindsay on Build a Fit Physique Facebook page or Instagram – where she shows some really great short videos on tips and exercises that you can do at home.

Here are a few images from the shoot….hope you enjoy

Portrait of a personal trainer using hand weights and looking at the camera

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a personal trainer instructing a client during an outdoors exercise session

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a personal trainer instructing a client during an exercise session outdoors

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a personal trainer demonstrating correct form during an exercise session

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a personal trainer demonstrating correct planking form during a session with an elderly client

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of dumbbells in a personal trainer studio

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Woman using battle ropes being instructed by a personal trainer in a small gym studio

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of a personal trainer checking the form of a client during an exercise session

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Image of hand weights in a personal trainers studio

Photography by Angela McConnell | Vancouver Portrait Photographer

Sony A7II
Canon L 24-70mm

See more of my work on my Photography by Angela McConnell portfolio

Like what you see and want to book a shoot? Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me here

Not sure and want to see what a shoot with me looks like? Check out my Behind the Scenes videos

Natural light portrait of a young woman wearing a flower crown framed by leaves in a wooded area

Outdoor Portraits with Jennifer

August 16, 2016September 6, 2016Leave a comment

I feel like Jericho is going to be a “go to” spot for me. This is the second shoot I have done here and the feel is so different from this shoot of portraits with Catherine and then couples portraits with her partner Liam.

I could not have been more excited when I got to Jericho to see this little meadow full of wild flowers. When I had gone earlier in June, it was just grassy looking and there was no hint that this would have popped up.

Jennifer is so tiny that she embodied this ethereal, woodland nymph-esque shoot perfectly. I had a vintage bias nightgown in my studio wardrobe, and had recently made a flower crown which matched the colours perfectly.

Also the bokeh on the Carl Zeiss Jena lens was beautiful. I am almost predominantly using legacy lenses at this point and although sometimes they can be a little quirky, the bokeh and creamy feel is definitely worth it for me.

Here are a few images from the afternoon…hope you enjoy them

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Natural light portrait of a young woman in a vintage slip dress walking through a field of wild flowers

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Natural light portrait of a young woman wearing a flower crown seated in a field of wildflowers

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Natural light portrait of a young woman standing in a wooded area wearing a vintage dress and a flower crown

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Natural light portrait of a young woman wearing a flower crown standing in front of a tree trunk with her hand on her heart

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Natural light portrait of a young woman surrounded by greenery with red berries, wearing a flower crown looking away from the camera

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Natural light portrait of a young woman wearing a flower crown looking down

Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Contemporary Portraits | Photography by Angela McConnell

Sony A7II
Carl Zeiss Jena 50mm f2.8

Model – Jennifer
IG @jenwhatley_

See more of my work on my Photography by Angela McConnell portfolio

Like what you see and want to book a shoot? Get in touch by leaving a comment or contacting me here

Not sure and want to see what a shoot with me looks like? Check out my Behind the Scenes videos

Tabby cat with green eyes lying on a blue and white rug

VOKRA kitties – Hank & Dezi

August 11, 2016August 11, 2016Leave a comment

I have been volunteering with VOKRA for a few weeks now as an adoptions counsellor, where I interview potential adopters and then match them to some prospective furry family members.

I have also been photographing a few events here and there when I am helping out at their stalls – check out the Scotiabank Half Marathon photos here.

But I also really love taking photos of the kitties up for adoption. Hank and Dezi were my first kitty models that I got to take photos of here in Vancouver.

They are both long, lean kitties and although they are not brothers, super bonded to each other. We took some time for them to get used to me being in their space, and then after they had eaten some dinner and got some special treats, they were ready for their close up!

I was also really excited since this was the first shoot on my new Jupiter-9 85mm f2.0 lens. A Soviet era lens which I had seen recommended by a number of other photographers using legacy lenses. I am pretty happy with how it performs!

To find out more about Hank and Dezi and how to adopt them, visit their biographies here

Hank

Dezi

Here are some of the images from their shoot…hope you enjoy!