Latest Blog Posts
02/24/13 by Michael Lee | Wedding Photography | Comments Off
Vancouver Wedding Photographer
This past winter I had the opportunity to shoot Sean & Mitra’s wedding at Vancouver’s Hotel Georgia, inside the Bel Cafe. I was called upon very last minute to shoot their very intimate wedding consisting of just their families. I love small weddings such as theirs as it means I get to spend the time capturing what matters most, the wedding couple and their family.
I started off with a few venue shots inside the Bel Cafe which was roped off for their ceremony and dinner. Shortly after the families arrived sharing words of congratulations with the new couple as well as exchanging hugs and gifts. Following the brief ceremony I took the couple into the lobby and just outside the hotel for some quick portraits. Below are a few shots from the evening. I hope you enjoy them!
02/03/13 by Michael Lee | Portrait Photography | Comments Off
Photography in Downtown Vancouver’s Scotia Bank Dance Centre
Yoshiko was in Vancouver last summer and needed a photographer to take a few photos of her for her ballet portfolio. I had done her head shots a while back and I’ve always wanted to photograph a ballerina because of how graceful they look in photographs so of course I said sure! She routinely travels abroad to work in different performances and this set of photos would be used for more performance submissions and auditions. Below are some of the shots that came out of our photo session at Vancouver’s Scotia Bank Dance Centre. A couple of them took a few tries to get right as I had to figure out where she was going to end up in my frame. I also learned a bit about ballet and what the goal was for each pose. Ballerinas have some insane core strength and I can’t imagine how much practice goes into balancing on their toes! Hope you enjoy the set.
10/08/12 by Michael Lee | Wedding Photography | Comments Off
Wedding Photography in Vancouver’s Gastown
In May I had the opportunity to photograph Stephanie and Myles’ wedding at the Landing in Vancouver’s Gastown district. Vancouver’s Gastown is one of my most favourite areas not just for wedding photography but also for food and coffee. The area has a unique vibe to it, sort of like the old districts in other cities but not very run down. I love the rustic feel.
I started off with Stephanie and her bridesmaids at the Fairmont Pacific Rim where they were getting ready. From there we made our way down to The Landing where the ceremony was to take place, a beautiful location for an intimate wedding ceremony and reception with close friends. The order of photos we did different than what I’m use to. At most weddings we usually shoot the formal photos after the ceremony. Stephanie wanted to go straight from the ceremony to reception so we decided to do their formal portraits before the ceremony. It worked out really well for us! She was less stressed and was able to go attend to her guests. For me it meant that her makeup and everything else was still perfect.
02/25/12 by Michael Lee | Portrait Photography | Comments Off
Portrait Photography
I recently did some portrait photos for Jenna R. a Vancouver Boudoir Photographer. The last time I photographed another photographer was a few years back and we shot their wedding. You never know what really to expect when photographing another photographer. Are they going to like what you shoot? Are they going to be really picky and critical? Well obviously if they contacted you they must like the work you produce!
Well it turned out to be a great session! It really helped that Jenna was also a portrait photographer. I started off telling her where I wanted her to stand and she pretty much did the rest. Often times us photographers have to give direction to our clients as to how we want them to pose. Jenna was used to giving this type of direction to her clients so it was natural. This was one of the easiest shoots I’ve had in some time! I can’t wait to see the photos on her new website!
11/12/11 by Michael Lee | Wedding Photography | Comments Off
Vancouver Wedding Photographer
Auleene & Alberto wedding ceremony took place earlier this year in Stanley Park during the month of June. I still remember the day very well as we had a downpour and all you could see from their Westin Hotel room were clouds and more clouds. There was no sight of clear skies. We’re very use to rain in Vancouver but on a wedding day I think almost all brides pray for sun or at least no rain! This was especially important for Auleene and Alberto’s wedding because…the wedding was to take place outdoors! I also soon found out that they had rented a classic convertible car for their wedding and thought it would be gorgeous if we could get the top down on it. I knew just the wedding photo I would take while in Stanley Park 
.
I’m happy to say that the weather gods decided to be nice that day and on arrival at the wedding venue the skies cleared up and the sun peeked through! I guess that’s something we’re also use to hear in Vancouver, one minute it could be hailing, the next minute it’s clear blue skies.
Below are a few of the photos we captured during the day. The photos right after the ceremony were a bit rushed but we nailed down what the couple was looking for in such a short time frame. I was also able to get the photo with convertible’s top down, a photo I’ve been waiting to capture since I started wedding photography.
10/23/11 by Michael Lee | Event Photography | Comments Off
Vancouver Event Photographer
As wedding season rolls down event photography quickly takes its place. Events are always happening in Vancouver, whether it be corporate, charities, fundraisers, grand openings, you name it, there’s something happening every night in Vancouver. This month we’ve covered just a handful. From BMO’s annual corporate event at the Sherton Wall Centre, UGG’s grand opening on South Granville, to Pom Wonderful’s giveaway which included premiering Morgan Spurlock’s The Greatest Movie Ever Sold to a lucky winner!
UGG’s Grand Opening on South Granville
BMO Annual Conference at The Sheraton Wall Centre
Pom Wonderful Event
09/18/11 by Michael Lee | Wedding Photography | Comments Off
Vancouver Wedding Photographer
A week after Tomo & Jamie’s wedding I found myself yet again at the Minoru Chapel for another Anita & Raymon’s wedding! I didn’t mind this since I was already familiar with the church. The day started off with pouring rain, definitely not the most ideal wedding weather but makes for a different set of photos. We were lucky that the rain stopped after the ceremony so we headed off to Richmond City Hall to get in some wedding photos. Anita & Raymon and their bridal party were great to work with. They were on schedule with all of their events which made taking their wedding photos a breeze, we never felt rushed! Thanks for letting us be part of your day! Check out some of their photos below! (Photos shot for Three Sixty Photography)
07/21/11 by Michael Lee | Wedding Photography | Comments Off
Vancouver Wedding Photographer
A little over two weeks ago Jun and I found ourselves photographing this beautiful wedding cermony at Minoru Chapel in Richmond. Tomo and Jamie exchanged vows in front of their closest family members and friends and we were there to capture it. Tomo’s mother had a smile on her face the entire time she was helping lace up the wedding dress. She didn’t seem stressed at all even when pressed to get it done. Coincidentally they had the same wedding minister as the wedding I photographed the week prior at Queen Elizabeth Park. His speech was almost identical as well. I guess if it works why change it right? Slightly long winded but good nonetheless. We were only there for the ceremony and a few photos after. I hope you enjoy some of the memories we captured!
06/23/11 by Michael Lee | Portrait Photography | Comments Off
Headshot Photographs in Vancouver
I seem to be doing a lot of headshots lately around Vancouver. Here are just a few from the last month. I’m getting an assortment of people who want personal portraits, corporate shots, actors, and performers.
Jessica wanted some one as she just completed her real-estate license. She plans to use them on her business cards, website, and other marketing related material (social media profile?).
Yoshiko needed a set for a ballet brochure program which she’s performing in later this year.
Johanna wanted a personal set.
06/03/11 by Michael Lee | Portrait Photography | Comments Off
Lifestyle Portraits in Vancouver
Every year Cynthia, Eva, and Eugenie meet in Vancouver to catch up on the past year. They all attended school here but now work in different parts of the world. I got the honor to take photos of them a second year in row. Last years photos were a bit more formal and somewhat more posed. This year we went for a very casual look and I let the girls do their thing. Watching them interact with each other you can definitely tell that they’re best friends and all very close.
Well without further ado here are some of the photos from the day. Mainly shot in the Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver Convention Center and a few in Gas Town. I’ll upload some more later today or tomorrow.
