When I heard the World Rugby 7’s Tour was coming to Vancouver this year I knew I had to be there!  Instead of buying tickets I applied for a Media Pass so I could watch and photography the entire event from field level at BC Place.  Soon I was notified that because I do not work for a publication it was very unlikely I would be granted a pass.  That bit of info bummed me out but I kept on asking anyone officially connected if they could help me.  A few scant days prior to the first kick off I got the email……I was in!!!

On opening day I arrived early so that I could get the lay of the land, any instructions the powers that be had for us, and to meet the other eager shooters.  We were shuttled into the “Pitch” and told where we could shoot from and then we started getting our gear ready.  I felt a little out of place as some of the photogs there had some very special gear to work with!!  No matter I was ready to shoot the biggest event in my life.

Thousands of fans began arriving, which I am told is odd for the early morning games, but Vancouver was eager to witness every minute of play by the best players in the world. Sixteen teams from 16 nations would be partaking in 46 fast moving action packed games!! One thing that totally amazed me was how every one of those games started and ended on time!  The sellout crowd of over 35,000 screaming fans were on their feet cheering non-stop.  It was amazing standing on the pitch as every one of those fans was up on their feet singing Sweet Caroline and the top of their lungs with joy in their hearts.

Team Canada played well winning 5 of their 6 games.  They advanced to the Bowl Final and faced off against Team France in a back and forth barn burner of a game that was decided with a convert kick with no time left on the clock. Canada was victorious and the crowd went wild!!!  So glad to have been there to witness the spectacle and am sure gonna do my best to be back next year.

Once again this year I was fortunate enough get the gig of being the Official Photographer for the BC Boys AA and AAA rugby championships which are held at the end of May right here in Abbotsford at Exhibition Park.  It is a 3 day tourney that features 48 games and often has 4 games happening at the same time.  The job of photographing all this games is very challenging and I must admit pretty darn exhausting.  This year the bronze medal was won by Yale Secondary from right here in Abbotsford which in fact makes them the Public School Champions as once again the Gold and Silver medals went to Shawnigan Lake and St, Georges.  It was sunny and warm from start to finish and the action was intense throughout.  Once again a good time was had by all and I am already looking forward to covering it again in 2016.

If you would like to see all the images from the tourney just click this link.

Last Thursday evening I had the pleasure of providing a photo booth for the grads of Robert Bateman Secondary at their annual Grad Luau! I have had the honour of coaching and overseeing the football program at RBSS for the past 5 years.  Have found it to be an excellent school full of great kids and run by amazing staff.  I have watched and coached some of the students since they were 7 years old and was pumped to be part of one of their grad events!  Was able to capture some fun images and dine on some fine BBQ while having a bunch of laughs with people I truly care about.  Guess my point is it was a “Great Night”!  Here are a few images from the photo booth and you you want to see all the shots check out my Flickr Page.

Last weekend it was my pleasure to be the Official Photographer of the BC High School Boys Rugby Sevens Championship Tourney!  The weather was excellent with mostly sunny skies and zero rain.  The action was fast and furious and when the dust all settled St. Georges was the victor with Shawnigan Lake taking second and our very own Yale High School rounding out the top 3 in the Province.  It was a great event and all the players represented their schools very well with their intense play and terrific sportsmanship!!

All images from the day cane be found here 2015 Rugby Sevens.

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of shooting John and Selmarie at several locations around Abbotford.  They are a seniors at Abbotsford Secondary and both are excellant students with plays for college.  Previously I had shot Selmarie at the Fraser valley Academy of Dance.  the weather was not what we had hoped but we did not get wet so that was good!!  We did some formal type images at the garden behind the Abby Library which was completely deserted so we had it all to ourselves.

From there we headed over to Trethewey House where we were found an event in progress so had to very quickly sneak in a few shots on the house porch.

Next was the train tunnel in Matsqui near the mission bridge and alas we heard a “train a coming round the bend” so back in the truck and off to downtown Abbotsford to finish up.

It was a fun 3 hours and they both loved the images form our time together!!

A few weeks back my friend and great photography Alan Bailward (Bailward Photography) and I were talking about how we would like to try shooting a Ballerina.  Well long story short after some inquiries a mutual friend hooked us up with the Fraser Valley Academy of Dance in Mission.  We blocked off a Sunday afternoon to set up at their studio and they arranged a bevy of Dancers to strut their stuff for us. As this project grew in scope Al and I invited a third shooter , Monte Arnold ( Fly in the Eye Photographic Arts), to join us.  It was a great experience and these young dancers were so impressive.  At their request we shot many images over and over till they we satisfied that their form was perfect.  Such work ethic in young people is rare in my experience and they forced us to expect more from our shots.  Time very well spent and we hope to return to FVAD again in the near future.

Yes I have to admit I have yet to get good at blogging on a regular basis and I really should be doing it for so many reason that will further my success in the Photography Business.  Guess I could say I have been very busy and of course I have been doing many things of late.  Things like attending the 2014 Awards Night for the Bateman Wolves Football Program which is a team I have been involved in since it began five seasons ago.  This is a shot of me and three young ladies who’s help have been essential to the team running smoothly, our Team Managers Chloe, Jessica, and Sarah.  Then there was two wonderful weeks in Mexico with my wife of 28 years JoAnn and her Father and Step Mom.  Not many guys can wear a shirt like mine while looking good doing it!  Once back from vacation CIS Basketball season had begun and we have a niece who plays at Trinity Western University so attending their home games is a high priority for us.  Of course shooting sports is one of my first loves so my gear comes along and I do spend some time on the floor court side catching the action.  Have also attended two workshops in the last few months, one was cosplay  themed and the other a  basic studio lighting workshop. Both were time well spent and it was fun to meet some new models and photographers.  Well that is it for now stay tuned as this is going to me a more regular habit for me from now on.

Once again this year I had the pleasure of shooting an event on the North Shore called FemSport.  It is a ladies fitness contest that tests strength, speed, stamina ans agility.  Very inspiring to shoot these fit, fierce competitive women as they put forth all they have to win.  Shipbuilders Square was the perfect spot for all the events which included obstacle course, kettle ball shuttle run, box jumps, tractor tire flip and finally inverted rows.  The ladies compete as individuals and in teams of three.  It was a hot day and the bright sun made the shoot very challenging but great images were produced!!

Last weekend I had so much fun shooting the backyard wedding of Rita and Wes!  It was held at one of their friends house in Mission and I have NEVER see a backyard as wonderful as this one.  There was a massive pond with an amazing bridge, a gazebo, wooden paths, rock paths, a fountain, and plants and flowers of every description a truly awesome spot.  Although this was a small wedding every guest seemed to be there on a mission to ensure the celebration was one to remember and that everyone had fun.  It was truly one of the happiest events I have every attended!!

About 2 weeks ago I had the honour of shooting Dan and Niki’s “Big Day”!  The day started with me meeting the ladies at Chatters where hair spray filled the air and Mimosas filled the glasses.  Then it was back to Dan and Niki’s for some makeup and packing the cars for the trip to the church.  The Ceremony was held at “The Little White Chapel” in Greendale and the reception was held at Chilliwack Golf and Country Club.  In between those two locations we went to McDonald Park for some wedding party picture fun….and boy was it fun!  Great group to work with and the bride and groom provided us with home made crafty props and a gang of dirt bikes for some unique pictures.  This wedding was truly a pleasure for me to shoot as I have known Dan for 20 years having first met him when he played football for me at 18 years of age and two of his teammates from that squad were groomsmen.  My mom would have said it was just like old home week.  Thank you Dan and Niki for trusting such an event to me and I am very pleased you like the pictures.