Photographer Portrait: Cathy Empey

When I say that I am in love with everything that has to do with these photos, I mean it. These INCREDIBLE wedding details were shot by local photographer (and November vendor crush of the month) Cathy Empey. Cathy had the opportunity to attend a photography workshop put on by the incomparable Jessica Claire and styled by some of the best vendors the wedding industry has to offer. Yes, this wedding was already stunning to begin with, but Cathy's photographs take it to an entirely new level of pretty. I find her images soft and delicate, whimsical and airy, and undeniably feminine. This shouldn't come as a surprise, however, considering her primary subjects are boudoir clients! I usually select vendors that I've personally worked with for my picks of the month, but I honestly couldn't shake the emotions her photos evoked. I just had to share these with you and hope that you get that same feeling too!

Cathy also generously answered a few questions, so check out her interview below!

Hello Bella: How and when did you start your career as a photographer?

Cathy Empey: I have always had an interest in photography. My mom recently gave me a photo of myself pretending to take a photo with my Dad's light metre. I was copying him at age 2 or so. Then, in high school I took a few blocks of film photography, print production and art (taught by my Dad who was the high school art teacher). I have always enjoyed taking photos. So, after having a maternity session after the birth of my sixth and final child, I felt wonderful and beautiful. So, I decided that I wanted to buy a camera and get back into photography. I knew I could make others feel just as beautiful as I did that day. And so, that was just over one year ago. It has been an amazing journey!

Hello Bella: Obviously the experience of shooting a wedding is much different than a boudoir session. What are your favourite aspects of each?

Cathy Empey: Boudoir is my first love, and is true to my heart. It is so exciting to help other women feel sexy and beautiful! The sessions are fun, they are posed and are short sessions. A wedding is a whole different environment. Every couple is different, their stories are different, and each wedding is unique. I LOVE LOVE, and to be able to capture that love between two people on one of the most important days of their lives, is such an honour! I knew after helping shoot at one wedding at the beginning of the year, and attending the Jessica Claire workshop that this would be the next direction I would take in my business. I am pleased to offer wedding photography to the Fraser Valley area and beyond in 2010. My goal is to offer a complete wedding experience! My goal is to create lasting images the go beyond the ordinary!

Hello Bella: What are your favourite wedding shots to take?

Cathy Empey: Besides capturing portraits of the bride and groom, I would have to say the little details that make the couples wedding unique. Items that tell their unique story. I like details that are interesting and captivating.

Hello Bella: What is the most valuable thing you learned from the incomparable Jessica Claire?

Cathy Empey: Jessica Claire reminded us that EVERY photographer has a point of view. It is my job as photographer to be sure to be the best ME I can be, and to share my point of view with my clients, and my blog readers. Managing clients expectations down to the tiny-tiny details is another very important part of the equation. She also taught me to invest in my brand, and in myself. And to BE myself. I am passionate about photography, and I believe that I can give the best experience to my clients. This passion is what drives me to do the best I can, for everybody that I photograph.

Hello Bella: Who are your boudoir clients mostly composed of? (brides-to-be, newlyweds, etc)

Cathy Empey: I have noticed that the majority of my boudoir clients are women that want to do the session for themselves. ( This is an awesome side benefit to their spouse, or husband-to-be!)

Hello Bella: Words used to describe your work?

Cathy Empey: Timeless, beautiful, modern, simple and warm.

[The Details]

The First Ever Jessica Claire OC Workshop, Orange County, California - September 21, 2009

Photographer: Cathy Empey, http://www.cathyempey.com

Event & Photo Stylist: Grey Likes Weddings, http://www.greylikesweddings.wordpress.com

Floral Design: Lauryl Lane, http://www.lauryllane.com

Hair & Makeup: Vivian Tran: All Made Up, http://www.allmadeupteam.com

Wedding Stationery, Favors, and Paper Suite: MaeMae Paperie, http://www.maemaepaperie.com

Printing of paper products: Czar Press, http://www.czarpress.com

Fabric Rosettes, shoe clips, and "just married" banner over cake: B. Poetic: http://www.bpoetic.com

Cake: Cheryl Stewart of Cake My Day

Photographer Portrait: Luxe Photography

I was first introduced to the work of Larissa Addison of Luxe Photography by a bride (and good friend) of mine. This bride knew a friend who knew a friend who had hired Larissa, and as it goes, Larissa and I ended up working on the same wedding. After looking into Larissa and checking out her portfolio (as any good wedding planner worth her salt would do), I was beyond impressed with this local talent who hails from my hometown of White Rock, BC. What I found almost equally impressive were her incredibly reasonable rates for wedding packages, starting at just $1000 (better book your date quick, because I'm fairly sure that someone of her caliber won't be able to keep her rates this low for long!). Being an avid admirer of excellent photography and post editing, I can tell you with certainty that Larissa's star is on the rise. Nothing thrills me more than being able to showcase an emerging talent and hope that every little bit of exposure helps thrust her into the realms of previously mentioned Reine and Jana, Chris plus Lynn and Erin Gilmore. Posted here are just a few of my favourite shots of hers, but definitely give her blog and website a look as every image she takes is breathtaking ( I love her family portraits and children's pictures, so make sure to look at those too!). Without futher ado, here is our interview which is sure to make you squeel with glee! Her enthusiasm and passion for her craft is so inspiring!

Hello Bella Interview with Larissa Addison of Luxe Photography

HB: How did you get into photography?

LA: It dates back many years to my childhood. My parents both dabbled with photography and their own film development. However, in my youth I was too ignorant to learn the technicalities, though I loved picking up my parents 35mm cameras. Digital came around, and then my daughter was born. I began having little mini "photoshoots" with her with my point and shoot. I started doing some photo editing and after realizing I wanted to take better pictures and not just make crappy pictures look better, I took in my father's old Olympus E-500. I did a couple engagement shoots right off the bat for some friends, and the same friends booked me for their weddings at a low cost. The rest is history... I guess?

HB: What do you enjoy most about photographing weddings?

LA: Weddings are amazing. They truly are the most important day to many people - more than just bride and groom. First and foremost I love seeing a bride and groom pull together, and make a true self expression of their love with planning and designing a wedding. Second, I just love LOVE. I love seeing all these people huddle around a couple that is so excited to have a life together. I get to meet their families, their best friends, and really am truly touched by each family by the end of the day.

HB: What's been your favourite wedding to photograph so far?

LA: This has to be this hardest question. I love all of my clients so much. But so far, the most fun I've had on a wedding day was Jana and Matt's wedding on August 28th of this year. Jana was adorable, and she worried about me all day, making sure I'd eaten, etc. Also, my younger sister attended the wedding and was one of the Emcee's and it was awesome having her near me! The locations were awesome and the lighting was perfect. Bright but diffused light, we went to Granville island for portraits and this huuuuuuge (16) wedding party tromped around, the guys wearing hot pink Ray Ban sunglasses. We were a sight!

HB: Any funny or horror wedding stories?

LA:Well the only horror stories I have (since I have the best clients ever!) are really to do with location. I had one location that was absolutely terrible for lighting and the wedding party was not willing to go elsewhere. No shade, an extremely bright day, made for harsh shadows, uneven lighting and squinted eyes. It was nearly impossible to work with. I hope that brides really do take into consideration lighting when choosing their venue, and consult any photographer you know about what is the best kind of lighting for your wedding photographs.

HB: What is your favourite wedding picture to take?

LA: I absolutely LOVE taking macro ring shots, as well as setting up the bouquet, getting product shots too. My favorite ceremony shot is when the bride and groom come back down the aisle when they've just been married. They are always absolutely beaming with pride and emotion! Doing the bride and groom portraits can be very powerful and I try and invoke emotion into my bride and groom because it really shows through in the photos. I love setting them in a spot and allowing them to really embrace and look at each other, kiss and flirt, while I get wide angle shots from a slight distance.

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Coming up! Photographer Profile

I'm really excited to profile this photographer for my October "vendor pick of the month". Narrowing down the images to feature on here is a daunting task, because I am literally in love with every image. I will also be posting an interview with the photographer herself, Larissa Addison, and if you haven't already fallen in love with her through her photos, her interview is sure to tug on your heart strings a bit. More coming soon, but in the meantime visit www.luxephotography.ca.