Some of you may or may not know that I coached football for more than three decades and the last program I was involved with was the Robert Bateman Timberwolves right here in Abbotsford!

Yesterday it was my great honour to photograph some of the RBSS players in their new uniforms.

We had a fun couple hours of shooting with different light set ups as well as a smoke machine.

The boys looked great are are very excited about the season starting up next week.

I wanna wish them much luck and success in this years campaign!

This past weekend I had the pleasure and honour of photographing Chris and Elyssa’s Wedding in Kwomais Point Park near Whiterock.  I met Elyssa through rugby as she coached that sport at the same high school where I use to coach football. I have also often captured her on field escapades while playing for the ARFC Womens Rugby team.  As it turns out Alyssa met her now husband Chris because of rugby.

The girls all got ready for the big day in an AirBnB on the Whiterock stroll.  The light coming in this home was amazing this day and it was a pure joy capturing some of the moments between Alyssa and her mother and friends. Hair and make up was done there and then there was time to enjoy the last of the air conditioned comfort before heading out into the very hot day.

I left the girls to keep cool and was off to get some shots of the groom and his groomsmen at the park.  Must admit I was very happy to be dressed in just pants and a golf shirt and not in a vested Tuxedo like these guys.

Then it was time for the ceremony to begin.  The park has a labyrinth in it and that was where the “I Dos” would be said. It was surprisingly cool in that spot and seemed very intimate with all the guests standing close by.

Immediately after the family photos were taken and boy was there a lot of family.  Do not think I have ever worked a wedding with so many family members who obviously all get on together so well which made my job very easy. next up was some shots with the entire wedding party.

There were so many get spots in this little known park that we just could not stop getting more shots.

This past weekend I was once again hired by Rugby BC to cover the final day of games at the PRCs!

This is a wonderful event feature both Boys and Girls U14,U16, and U18 fifteens teams from the different regions of the Province.

There was a mixed bag of weather thrown at all teams over the course of the 3 day weekend and the level of play was exceptional in every game.

A couple nights ago I had the pleasure of shooting RCAC 819 Skyhawk Sqn. ACR.

My wife is currently the Sqn’s Commanding Officer and all her cadets put on a fine show. Seems like our whole life has been intertwined with cadets.  Jo and I were both Sea Cadets as teens and that is where we met and also where we both served as Officers.  Due to circumstances Jo moved over to the Air cadet side a few years after we married and has been a CO for about 15 years now.

Cadets is a great youth organization and is almost free to join.

There are many summer opportunities at camps where cadets can learn many things and even get summer employment as a senior cadet.

This event is a sort of end of year thing where the cadets showcase what they have learned during the year.

There is, of course, an inspection and cadets put on displays for the Reviewing Officer

and the friends and family who attend.

The show was impressive and greatly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Last week it was my pleasure to once again be the Official Photographer for the BCSSRU Provincials.

It is a yearly event featuring the top 39 High School Rugby Teams from across British Columbia.

Sixty Five games are played over the four day tourney!!

Needless to say the action was nonstop and fierce!!

Over the course of the four days I captured some 14,000 images and in the end after culling and editing

I delivered near 1300 images.

While this is a grueling event to shoot it is also fun and exciting and I hope to be able to cover it for years to come.

Yesterday I was hired to shoot some Flag Football at a Tournament in Chilliwack which had over 200 teams competing at various age levels. Was non-stop action with about 16 games happening at the same time!

The team I was covering was the Royal City Frontiersmen and I believe they went 500 on their day of games. The action was non stop as flag is a fast moving game and each offense has three downs to cross midfield and then three more to get to the end zone or turn the ball over to the other team.

Having been a tackle football coach and player for most of my life I never really thought much of flag football. But after watching these young players show me how to play it at a high intensity level I am now a fan and hope to watch and shoot more of this exciting game again.

So it finally happened!! I had the pleasure of shooting a “Destination Wedding” in Puerto Vallarta, at the Riu Vallarta.

The resort was terrific and it was great fun to get to know so many new people and to catch up with those I have known for years. Aiden the bride got us all set up in a group on WhatsApp so we could all communicate and plan dinners and excursions with ease.  Kept us all in the loop and allowed us all to pick and chose when to participate and when chill alone.

The Groomsmen and the Groom were dressed for the weather as it was Mexico hot!! But then of course what wedding in beach country is not on the hot side?

Not to be out done the ladies were also dressed for the weather in identical dresses of different colours and look FABULOUS!!

Oh yes and another first for me was shooting a wedding party that included a Bridesman…..Brian was that man and from what I saw on the wedding day he was the guy that got things done for the ladies…everything from steaming wrinkles out of the Bridesmaid’s dresses to fetch beers for us all during the after ceremony photos.

Few Brides I have had the pleasure of shooting have shown this kind of Joy while reciting their vows!  Of course there were also a few seconds of faltering words and almost tears as well which is a common thing at such a huge moment in one’s life.

To the happy couple I would like to say “Thank You” for allowing me the honour of capturing your “Big Day”

and I wish you much Happiness and Joy!!

Spent a wonderful Sunday morning walking along the Fraser River in Derby Reach Park with my wonderful wife JoAnn. Anyone who knows me would know I would never be talked into a hike or walk without bringing at least one camera and knowing how to get the best herbal medicine so that my body will be prepared for such adventure.  Bringing a camera certainly slows down the walk and I often have to rush to catch up with her. It might be because we were face to face with nature, I found myself worrying about my health.

I truly love this area we live in!! There is beauty all around where ever we look. This is a particularly wonderful time of the year when it is cool and crisp and the sun shines.  We get to see all the new snow on the mountains that surround us!  My day job often has me traveling in my truck all over the valley so why would I not carry at least one camera with me at all times.  Did not have a ton of calls to make today so I did shoot a few frames during my travels!  Here are just a few for all to enjoy!!

Saturday morning I decided to go check out some of the action at Exhibition Park where ARFC was holding an Alumni day with a full slate of games taking place. It was a mostly dry chilly freakishly windy day!  Sadly I had other commitments on the day so was only able to watch and photography the Ladies game against Nanaimo.  Their opponents arrived with just 12 players so game was forfeit and they played each other 12 on 12 just for fun.  ARFC got off to a slow start but by second half they seemed to be able to score at will!!

It is well known around Abbotsford that I have a huge passion for sports photography but not many people realize I shoot many other things like Weddings, Portraits, and on and on.  So if you find yourself in need of a photographer drop me a line and lets see if we can work together.