Vancouver Wedding Photographer - Gwen Franco Photography http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog Gwen Franco Photography Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer Portrait Blog Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:58:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Opportunities, Hope and Giving Back! http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1378 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1378#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:43:37 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1378 We are so grateful to you all for your support in contributing to our “Gifts of Hope” drive during the month of December. With your comments we’ve raised $50 for Plan Canada. Through programs in 68 countries, they give children, families and communities the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and build sustainable solutions for improving their own lives.

We are thrilled to able to raise maney and make a difference in the life of a child. We decided to invest in a ”Matched Gift”, meaning our donation will be multiplied and matched by a government, foundation or organizational partner. How fantastic is that?! We selected the “”Reproducing Rabbit” matched gift of $35 per unit. This gift will help create an instant business for a family, it will put food on the table and generate an income to pay for essential healthcare and education. This will also give families and their children independence, opportunities and hope! AND by purchasing 2 units, they are matched up to an additional $490, which makes this Gift of Hope a perfect choice!!!

Thank you, as we couldn’t have done it without your support!~

~Gwen & Juan

xoxo

 

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1378 1 Grateful for 2011! http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1371 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1371#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:33:33 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1371 Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Before we focus our attention on being merry, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our blog readers and our clients (past, present and future) for being so amazing and fabulous. Thank you for every email, every Facebook message and every comment on our blog. It is because of your support, love and encouragement that we love what we do and that we continue our journey. It’s a thrill and a privilege doing business with people like you. We are deeply grateful for all your support during 2011 and our wish for all of you is for a happy and prosperous 2012.

We are truly blessed as 2011 has been a year of steady growth and amazing shooting opportunities. Take a look back at on our blog to see what we were up to during the past 12 months. We’re also looking forward to revamping our website in early 2012 as well as announcing some new products and services for our clients.

We wish you a blessed Christmas time and wonderful 2012 ahead!  May you above all feel the LOVE!!!

Safe travels and see you in 2012!

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1371 0 “Gifts of Hope” for Comments ~ 2011 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1308 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1308#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:07:31 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1308 During this time of abundance we’re reminded of all our blessings. It’s the season for giving and showing love! It’s also time to think of those less fortunate. So we’re asking you to help us do a small part to help others. This year we’re supporting Plan Canada’s “Gifts of Hope” initiative. How does this work, you ask? It’s really simple. For each comment left on our blog between now and December 31st, we’ll donate $1 to Plan Canada. Not only that, but with a “Matched Gift” your donation will be matched by a government, foundation or organizational partner. How incredible is that! Your dollars are matched and your gift is multiplied.

So please don’t be shy. We’d love if you would help the cause and leave comments, even if this is your first time visiting. Support us to give a gift that will not be forgotten and that will change lives. Please help spread the word. :)

To read more about Plan Canada, to give a Gift of Hope or to sponsor a child, click here.

This December, many local Vancouver photographers are holding a Cans 4 Comments fundraising effort, except instead of cans, they will donate $1 per comment made on their blogs to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Some photographers are supporting other charities and fundraising efforts. Please follow them and leave comments on their blogs to support their cause and help make a difference.

Green Pomme Photography

Studio Jeanie

Tegan McMartin Photography

Sakura Photography

Alana Couch Photography

Nora and Chris Photography

Kailey Michelle Events

Thanks for all your comments and support :)

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1308 12 Twenty five days left! http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1312 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1312#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:17 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1312 It’s December 1st! And in 25 days we’ll be celebrating Christmas. And in twenty four days …. I must deck the halls, find the best tree, hunt for the perfect gift, get all the ingredients for grandma’s recipes and unearth last year’s Holiday Music. Actually, I’ve only 7 days left, yes precisely SEVEN days. Becuase I don’t plan to wage a battle in the stores after that, no sirree. All shopping gets done according to plan, so we can spend time together as a family. Comfortably on the couch, staring at the sparkly Christmas tree lights while sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows. Now that’s what I’ve in mind to spend Christmas together!

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1312 0 Garcia Family Lifestyle Session I Surrey Portrait Photographer http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1287 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1287#comments Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:26:26 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1287 Family portraits are really cool. Why? Well, Juan and I both love to travel, we enjoy meeting new people and we also enjoy spending time with families. Seeing the love they share and watching them interact with one another is fun. We always learn from the people we photograph. Family portraits are so precious, so it means a lot when families contact us and want to take portraits. Our hope is that they will remember that photo shoot and that the photos we take will help them remember who they are as a family.

Here are a handful of our favourite images from our time spend with the sweet Garcia family.

Many thanks to the Garcia family!

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1287 0 Taylor-Reid Family I New Westminster Family Portrait Photographer http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1173 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1173#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:01:24 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1173 Here is the last of our FALL Family Portrait Promotion mini-sessions, the extraordinary Taylor-Reid family shot at the New Westminster Quay.  This family consisted of Meaghen and Nate, and two international exchange students Viki and Marina, who rocked their session. We held thumbs for a great day, preferably non-raining … and again we lucked out. It was freezing cold but we got no rain and were blessed with a few rays of sunshine.

Introducing the fabulous Viki, from Jiangying in China

and the fierce Marina, from Sao Paulo in Brazil

a few of our fav shots, all dressed up in their favourite Canadian red colours!

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1173 0 Sneak Peak: Atkinson Family Portraits I Vancouver Family Photographer http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1158 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1158#comments Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:35:57 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1158 Here are a few of our favourite shots of the Atkinson family. Jennifer & Colin, you’ve the cutest fam ever. And Connor’s big blue eyes and dimpled smile have all the girls swooning!

 

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1158 0 Sneak Peak: Garcia Family Portraits I Vancouver Lifestyle & Portrait Photographer http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1156 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1156#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:34:56 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1156 We recently had the pleasure of photographing the Garcia family. They wanted to document their family at this stage and also get some great shots to use for their Christmas cards.

Here are a few of our faves: Aren’t they cute?

We’re SO blessed to get to do what we love for a living!!

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1156 0 Ultimate Shootouts Vancouver at Iron Works Studio I Vancouver Wedding Photographer http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1160 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1160#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:38:34 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1160 Yesterday I was blessed to attend the Ultimate Shootout event at the Iron Works Studio in downtown Vancouver. This fabulous event was hosted by some incredible photographers in our industry. Much work went on behind the scenes, with a lot of time and effort sacrificed by these photographers in planning this photographer community event! A big shout out to the organizers and team leads, Chris and Gina Chong of Butter Studios, Dan and Kat Stone of Stone Photo, Jason and Lena Ho of JayLena Photography, Derek Cheng of Pure White Studio and Mark Guilaran of Mark Guilaran Photography. Not only was this a great event to socialize and network with fellow photographers, Even light refreshments were provided

We were 30 photographers who attended this shootout and mini-workshop with the aim to develop our skills, to think outside the box, to step out of our comfort zone and be creative and original.  Each team lead was assigned 6 attendees and each group got to work with each team lead and shoot each bridal group. There were 4 bridal groups, each with their own bride+groom and distinctive look and feel. The team leads were exceptionally helpful in sharing their knowledge in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, including tips and tricks on posing, telling a story, looking for natural light, off camera flash, triggers and batteries, and so much more. We all had time to pose the bride and groom and lead the group. This was fantastic experience and even though it was challenging, the team leads were encouraging and helpful. Yeah, no pressure there, lol!

The location? Iron Works Studio. The location simply rocked! From brick walls, to mirrors and wooden doors, leather chairs, ourdoor garden delights, to grungy back alleys ….. walk a few yards and this location had it all. And the soft buttery light was every photographers dream.

This event also had prizes generously donated by Lowepro Canada and Technicare!

Here are a few of my fav shots of the day:

the beautiful Andrea & Colin

Annie and Thomas rocking it

the amazing Jessica

and Kanelle and Jeremy striking a pose

Last but not least, a huge shout out to all the vendors who contributed to make this event possible!!

Hair and make-up: Jayna Marie

Makeup: Sarah Lam Makeup

Flowers: Roa Floral and Event Designs

more images to follow!

 

 

 

 

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1160 0 Awmack Family Session I Surrey Portrait Photographer http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1150 http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1150#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:32:03 +0000 admin http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?p=1150 Another Fall Family Portrait session, this time with the Awmack family! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day and capturing a slice of your daily life.

From a different angle,  captured by Juan Franco.

]]> http://www.gwenfrancophotography.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1150 0