Jenn Best Photography bio picture

Welcome

Hi! My name is Jenn Best and I'm a photographer in North Vancouver, BC specializing in stylish weddings and whimsical portraiture. Really though, I just love photographing people; their personalities, their moments, their memories, their lives.

This blog is all about sharing the world as I see it. This is where I will share great photos of my amazing clients, great products for my amazing clients and all the things that are special in my life: the people, the places and the things.

Feel free to look around, stay a while and if the fancy strikes you, please leave a comment - that would make my day. Thanks for coming by and I hope you enjoy seeing what I see.

All my best, Jenn :)

BEHIND THE SCENES IN 2011 - TRAVEL EDITION

So, here it is, the last of the images that shows us and what we got up to last year.  2011 was a fabulous season and was full of a lot of work.  And we found ourselves needing a break at different points in the year.  Here are just some of the places we went to in order to get away from it all and rest up and maybe take some pics and get the creative juices flowing again but WITH NO WORK INVOLVED AT ALL :).  Our first trip was last winter, in early January to Tofino (love Tofino, could go all the time if I could) where we decided to take a bit more of our gear than usual to take more landscape and fine art shots for fun.  Another stop last year was to Hawaii with my family and then in the middle of wedding season, after 8 weeks straight of beautiful weddings we were able to escape to Cannon beach Oregon for a mini break by the sea (And no tax - so awesome).  Enjoy some of the pretty places we visited (and I mean some, we traveled a bit more but ended up not taking any pics on those trips - just too tired)…

TOFINO, BRITISH COLUMBIA…

HAWAII - THE ISLAND OF OAHU…

CANNON BEACH, OREGON…

BEHIND THE SCENES IN 2011 - WEDDING EDITION - Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Both Scott and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to photograph so many wonderful people on what is one of the most important days of their lives.  And we just love being able to be a part of so many wonderful peoples lives - period.  We are grateful that our couples trust us to have us with them for pretty much their entire day.  Often, we are with the bride & groom more than some of their family and friends and as much as their wedding party is.  So here, we thought we’d give you a little peak into some of the action, fun and craziness that we bring with us.  Remember I tell all of our couples that the most important thing for us is that they have a great day.  If they are having a fabulous time than the pictures will reflect that.  So we don’t take ourselves too seriously.

Here we go, the start of the day often begins with a phone call from lobby to suite to make sure the bride is ready for us (and really, to make sure someone lets us up to the room).  Then when it’s time to take portraits, I often wish I was a little taller or that someone didn’t build a safety rail right where I want to stand to take the shot :P

Sometimes, when we’re photographing details, the best angles are in really weird places.  Honestly not quite sure what I was photographing here, probably the reflection of the dress.  This also tends to be one of my fav places to shoot from if people are using the mirror for make - up.  I’ve been in a lot of bath tubs in my career :P

I’m also happy to lend a helping hand to ensure that the bride’s hair stays out of her make-up and lipstick during touch-ups.

Once the makeup is ready to go it’s time to get all the beautiful ladies together for a happy shot - always one of my fave shots of the ladies.

And sometimes during family shots I help out the other family members to make sure they get their own.  (and side note, my camera is the size of my head - yikes)

Oh, and ocassionally, okay, often, I fall in love with the bridesmaids shoes and offer to take them home with me if that makes things easier for them :P  hee hee.  Or, I just make sure no one forgets them.

I’ve never had a fear of heights although standing on this little balcony did make me a teensy bit nervous.  But, it was a beautiful angle and I had to get the shot.

I love being able to be a part of different cultures and seeing different religions and ceremonies.  It was super fun to wear this beautiful scarf at Rajni and Brandon’s wedding.

And, it doesn’t just happen at engagement sessions.  At weddings we also ask our couples if they’re brave enough to climb things for great shots.  Or we just get the grooms to carry and lift their lovely brides.

Some of our couples are really brave.  Love this.  These are from Jeff and Jenny’s beautiful day after shoot - still to come on the blog.  The water felt nice and don’t worry, no dresses were harmed in the making of this shot.

And every so often we get really gussied up for a fancy occasion.  I wore a dress AND HEELS for Heather and Trevor’s black tie wedding.  And yes, my feet were killing me afterwards.

Scott got all gussied up for the wedding too - hubba hubba in the suit.  Although this is a lighting test shot and posing for them may not be his favourite part of the job.

He’s much happier when he’s taking pictures and having a good time.  This is way more of his personality.

He also wants to ensure that the bride always looks fabulous and her absolute best :P

Scott respects many cultures and religions too and tries to blend in with the crowd

I love this shot.  Scott wanted to make sure that Nick had a full beer while toasting tables.  So just when he ran out, he made sure to give Nick a full one.  That looks like one happy groom to me.

He works hard to find the best angles too, balancing on logs and everything.

Okay, so he might not hate posing for test shots all the time

This is us.  We love what we do and we love to have a great time doing it.  We get to work with wonderful couples who have great senses of humour and, at least they tell us, have a fun, easy and wonderful time taking pictures with us.  This might help you to understand why.

Can’t wait for the 2012 season to see what it brings.

BEHIND THE SCENES IN 2011 - ENGAGEMENT SESSION EDITION - Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Well it’s the last day of January and I can NOT believe a whole month of 2012 has already gone by.  So, even though I may be a tad late I thought now might be an appropriate time to show you what we were up to in 2011.  I think this is going to be a three part series, showing behind the scenes of engagement shoots, weddings and some of our travels.  Hopefully you’re not sick of us by the end of the week :)  Here it goes, lets set sail with…

This was our fun engagement session with Florence and Ryan where I was work my ab stablizers and trying hard not to fall in the water.   That little jetty of a dock was soooooooooo wobbly.  luckily I never fell in.

This is Scott hanging out on his own wobbly jetty of a dock trying to catch a shot in case I did fall in.  Just kidding, he just kept telling me not to fall in :)

This AWESOME engagement session hasn’t been blogged yet (don’t worry it will be) and was epic since we were shooting on the roof of a building in downtown Vancouver.  Huh, another place where I had to make sure I didn’t fall off… I might need to pay more attention to where I take my couples (although this was their awesome idea.

Ha!  Seems to be in these shots I could be telling my couples not to fall off.  I’m starting to sense a very unplanned theme in this post.  Although, I do hold my couples up very high in my books :P

Oh, my goodness, this is so not planned.  here is ANOTHER shot of us trying NOT to fall off.  This is getting weird.  But I guess this is to show you more of the fun we got up to.  We all had to cross this little log where the water was definitely deeper than it looks.  Luckily we have great couples who don’t mind taking risks to get to good shooting locations.  And again, I didn’t fall in.

I just think this shot is funny.  I have no idea what I’m saying here but I have a feeling perhaps Nathan is a little unsure of what I’m telling him and Joanna.  He’s such a good guy.

And okay, seems everyone has their feet firmly on firm ground.  But what’s more fun than running through a field of tall grass?!  These two are so cute.  Seems I discovered I have slight allergies this spring.

More cozy shots with Priscilla and Ben.

And other highlights of the season was from our session at the Aquarium (also still to be blogged) but I had the bonus of making friends with a butterfly while shooting.  And the image on the right is NOT from an engagement session but this little family session was so fun.  And when I found the shot Scott got of me with a bear on my head, well, I thought you guys might want to know what you are getting yourselves into with my crazy self - fun times, fun times!

Thanks to all of our great couples (and families).  We had so much fun just hanging out and getting to know you during your e-sessions.  Thanks for trusting us to take you to all sorts of dangerous places.  Hee Hee.

CATHERINE + JAY - Capilano Golf & Country Club Wedding/ Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Catherine and Jay had a really sweet, family and friend centred wedding day at Capilano Golf and Country Club.  The spring rain didn’t dampen their spirits one bit and they celebrated well into the night.  This couple not only has a big heart and great classic style but they are also uber talented and worked hard at their details for their wedding - Including doing their own reception flowers.  They had one of the most beautiful tea ceremonies I’ve ever seen complete with a gorgeous chinese rug and chairs from their own home - such a great idea.  And Catherine was gorgeous in 4 different dresses.  Thank you so much Catherine and Jay for welcoming us into your lives and having us there to share in your day.

HEATHER + TREVOR : WEDLUXE FEATURE

Last fall we got the amazing honour of photographing the wedding of Heather and Trevor at the newly renovated Hotel Rosewood Georgia.  We are so happy to be able to share this beautiful wedding.  Many of you may recognize Heather from the popular reality tv series The Cupcake Girls.  She is also co-owner/co-founder of all the amazing CUPCAKES stores we have here in Vancouver.  That’s right the store where so many of our amazing couples get their delicious cupcakes and wedding cakes, and YES, Heather’s beautiful cake and cupcakes were from their store and made by their talented pastry chef.

Heather and Trevor are two of the nicest people we’ve ever worked with and they are so in love with each other.  Trevor was truly smitten with his bride all night and couldn’t keep his eyes off of her - it was beautiful to watch.  You really can see how much these two love each other, see their amazing friendship and the beautiful family they are creating with their son.

The night was crowned with gorgeous flowers from Evan at FLOWERZ, was filled with gorgeous stationary from the talented designers at Wintons Social Stationary, and all pulled together flawlessly by the talented Soha at COUNTDOWN EVENTS.  There was lots of love and celebration being shared by all of their family and close friends, a true party that frankly Scott and I felt we could be a part of every night.

Their beautiful wedding was also captured by their wonderful Cupcake Girls film crew so keep an eye out this spring for when their wedding episode airs.  Scott and I can’t wait to see it and will probably share it when we know.

Be sure to pick up your copy of this gorgeous issue of WEDLUXE on newstands now, or at any of the citys wedding shows or here with me when you book your consult for the 2012 season.

ENJOY!

Not only was this beautiful wedding featured in the gorgeous pages of the magazine but also on the WEDLUXE BLOG.  Be sure to head over there and see EVEN MORE beautiful images from this wedding.  Here are many of my favourite images that were shared on the Wedluxe blog

Again, Heather and Trevor, Thank you for having Scott and I with your on your beautiful night.  It was such a pleasure working with you and getting to know your wonderful family and friends.  We wish you endless love and joy in your beautiful family.

Sunshine and Palm Trees

We are back home in Vancouver now and already working hard on our long list of projects and client orders we have lined up for the New Year.  I just wanted to say that we’re working on getting back to everyone who inquired while we were away and to those who we need to update and get in touch with - please be patient with us.  There are going to be lots of updates and a few changes this year so keep your eyes open for those.

We had a wonderful break and went to the land of happiness, sunshine and palm trees for 10 days.  It was wonderful.  We attended a fabulous workshop and got to soak up the sun and swim with the fishies afterwards.

Here’s a slice of heaven I had for a few days.  There will be a bigger post all about paradise soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It’s the last day of 2011!  Every year I am astounded at how fast the time goes by.  Yet again, another year has just flown by.  I remember being a teenager and complaining about how fast a week at summer camp had gone by when a counsellor told me, “just you wait, as you get older it goes faster every year.”  Boy - was he right!!!

We have had such a wonderful 2011 and I’m so thankful to all of our amazing brides + grooms, wedding professionals, families and friends that we have gotten to work with this year.  I hope your New Year’s night is full of warmth and laughter (and hopefully some bubbly).  May 2012 bring you more love than you can handle and all the dreams that live in your heart.

Oh, and 2012 should bring back blogging to Jenn Best Photography - YIPPEEE!!!!.  Stay tuned for new projects as well.

JUST A REMINDER.  WE ARE STILL CLOSED UNTIL JANUARY 16, 2011.  EMAIL WILL BE CHECKED PERIODICALLY.  I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING BACK TO YOU AFTER A MUCH NEEDED BREAK AND RECHARGE!!!


HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

It’s Christmas Eve and I have to admit, it doesn’t really feel like Christmas.  That probably has to do with the fact that it’s raining and there’s no snow outside.  That and it’s been a super busy year for us and we’ve been working right up until now (and yes I know, not blogging - oops).  We’re so thankful for all of our amazing couples and families that let us into their lives this year.  We wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and a wonderful new year full of love and joy.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS UNTIL JANUARY 16 2012.  Email and phone will not be monitored regularly.  If you are inquiring about wedding services for the 2012 season we will try to get back to you sooner otherwise you will hear from us after the 16th.  THANK YOU, we are REALLY looking forward to the rest :)

STAY TUNED in Mid January as regular blogging should resume after then - WE HAVE SO MANY BEAUTIFUL WEDDINGS and FAMILIES TO SHARE - CAN’T WAIT!!!

A MUCH NEEDED REST + A LOOK AHEAD

This is just a quick note to say that we are going to be out of the office until Wednesday August 10th as we are in need of a restful break.  We’ve been super busy shooting up a storm for the last 6 weeks straight and are taking the opportunity to relax and restore.  So we’ll see you once we’re back.  Although I’m giving you a heads up that we’re back and then we’re running away again to celebrate our upcoming anniversary :)

Here’s a pic to celebrate this trip - we’re headed somewhere coastal.

Also, here are some teaser shots to give you an idea of what’s to come on the blog.  We’ve got more too in the works - these are just a few peeks at what we’ve been up to and the fabulous people we’ve been working with.

FLORENCE + RYAN - Granville Island and Locarno Beach Engagement Session - Vancouver Wedding Photographer

Our time with Florence and Ryan was really sweet (and miraculously sunny :P).  Florence and Ryan are really sweet.  They met in highschool and now are not only engaged but they also work together.  There both super smart, fun, active and caring.  They are each other’s best friends and love doing everything together - and it shows - they’re so cute!  They love japanese food and lighthearted movies.  They will be celebrating their relationship and joining in marriage this September - can’t wait.

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THIS SESSION:  How amazingly cute and happy these two are together, the summery weather we had (I’m only saying this because if you didn’t know, we have NOT been having very much summery weather :( ,  I love the sun and all the light we had during this shoot, the shots in the marina that make it feel like we were shooting in California, the sand, the way the sand feels on your feet, the tall grasses, the red lady bug on the green blade of grass, the driftwood, the glow of the setting sun, the beautiful sky, the way the city looks, the love, the love, the love. :) Such a great time.  THANK YOU Florence and Ryan!

AJAXed with AWP