dj goddess

This was one of my most exciting shoots this year. I was contacted by the dazzling DJ Goddess mid-summer and we arranged to shoot in Vancouver in between her international travels. And so one August morning, I headed into North Van to a multi-million dollar mansion.

I hitched a ride with my parents who were visiting my Aunt and Uncle in North Van that same day. We ended up arriving at the shoot location very early since there was almost no traffic and decided to spend the remaining time exploring. The neighbourhood was absolutely stunning; it sat­­ gracefully on the side of the mountain, overlooking the city on a shining blue day. The houses were castles. Every single one a lavish mansion. Some were pearly white with columns, others dark and brooding. We marvelled at the architecture and twisting roads.

Finally, it was time to shoot and I arrived at a great white house.

I met the owner, Monica, who graciously showed me around and offered me a seat. Soon Majay, Mindy, Priyanka, and Jessica (AKA, DJ Goddess) had also arrived and we started shooting by the beautiful pool. Everyone was so talented and kind. I loved getting to know them through this incredible project and we had a great time chatting and shooting until dusk. The makeup, styling, jewellery... everything was perfect.

I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity. Jessica is an inspiring and driven woman, and a wonderful person. I am glad to have met her and so thankful that she reached out to me.

model// DJ Goddess
mua & hair// Mindy Dosanjh of Pout Studios
stylist// Priyanka Saldanha

last days of summer

I know that I have said this before, but I am so lucky. I feel very fortunate that Denise reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in collaborate during one of my visits to Kelowna. It is incredibly humbling when professionals like Denise who are so talented and so dedicated see something in my work and want my pictures in their already impressive portfolios.

Denise was so critical to this shoot. I had only been to Kelowna once or twice before, so I didn't have many contacts or know of many locations. I don't know what I would have done if she was not there to help me! She contacted our gorgeous model, Jamie; offered her home as a place for prep; gave location ideas; and drove myself, Jamie, and Jamie's brothers to those locations. Furthermore, Denise is just a great person. She is so kind and sincere and I hope that we will have the opportunity to work together again.

Speaking of great people! Jamie and her brother, Preston are both such lovely individuals. Jamie is a fantastic model (as well as a makeup artist) and made my job so easy. I don't think it's possible to take a bad photograph of this girl.

I left this shoot more inspired than ever. The rush that I get from photographing is incomparable to anything else that I have ever experienced. The last location that Denise took us to was this amazing, abandoned apple orchard in the mountains. It was so hauntingly beautiful. Later that night, when I was browsing my best friend's collection of British Vogue, I sketched out a shoot that I want to do in a place just like that. I am so excited for what the future holds.

I also want to say thank you to my friend Spencer for driving me around and being awesome in general.

model// Jamie Wolfe
mua// Denise Barnes
hair// Denise Barnes