A graduation at the Olds College Garden. When you’re a photographer, your job is to make moments timeless: a smile, a connection and a bond between people. When I come home from a wedding with a full card and a smile on my face, I am truly fulfilled—and when my clients write me back about how much they love their photos, I feel like my heart could fly out of my chest!! When milestones happen in my clients lives, I am so happy to be there for them. Even though family pictures or graduations aren’t in my specialty– It’s so exciting for me to come back to past clients, wrap them up in a big hug, catch up on how they’ve been. They’ve been with me from the start and have watched me grow.

I photographed Louise & Josh VanArnams wedding last year. It was a beautiful celebration in Olds, Alberta with a guest list of lifelong friends and family. We enjoyed a bridal portrait session in the Olds College garden, and then a ceremony & reception in the new and luxurious Pomeroy Inn & Suites. I got to know and love Louise & Josh’s blended family and it was such a treat for me to be invited back to photograph their daughter Vanessa’s graduation this May. Vanessa is not only walk-out-of-a-fashion-magazine gorgeous but a strong, kindhearted young lady who has set her sights on law enforcement. When I came into the kitchen at their house on Saturday, I was breathless when I saw Vanessa in her royal blue gown from Bridal Couture Designs in Red Deer. Vanessa chose to take her boyfriend, Josh as her date, and her close friend Sandy as her escort—the men were ravishingly adorned in black tuxes accented with blue. Naturally, I thought it was appropriate that we return to the Olds College Garden for photos!

Thankyou to everyone who made Vanessas graduation such a success, and thank you to my repeat clients, the VanArnams, for thinking of me for this milestone. It is a memory I will treasure forever.