For The Love Of Shoes {Tuesday’s Tips}

I love shoes, and I love to see what kind of shoes my brides are going to wear!  Here are some great tips when buying your wedding shoes.

1. Shoes with colour!!  There’s nothing that pops in a photograph more than a beautiful white dress paired with a fun coloured shoe.
2. Think of comfort, you want to feel good walking around all day, dancing and having your photos taken in different locations.
3. Have some back up….. sandals or flats… if you are wearing 6″ heels for most of the day, your feet might thank you for it.
4. Have some bling.  If your dress is simple and you’re not into jewelry, try having some extra bling on your shoes.
5. Add something sentimental to your shoes like a flower from your mothers dress, a charm with a photo of a loved one, or something that reflects what you love.

Alyssa loves peacock feathers, so adding them to her shoes really was a nice touch.

Baby Karter {Abbotsford Newborn Photographer}

I was so pleased when Sara contacted to me to photograph her maternity and newborn photos!!  It was such a honor when she said that she had been following my work and was excited to book with me.  The weather was rainy which is typical for the valley but we managed to grab a couple shots outside of the studio…. umbrellas and all!  Soon enough little Karter came along, and he is such a handsome little man.  He was such an angel during our session, he slept when he was supposed to, and was awake when we needed him, overall he posed like a pro.  I was excited to get so many great shots!!

I love this shot of Sara!  She had such a cute baby belly!

He is just too, too, too sweet!!!

Little details…

Proud daddy and mommy.

Aviation Love {Crescent Beach Wedding Photographer}

After a much needed spring break with my husband and kids it’s time to update you with what’s going on!!!  So here is my first wedding of the season!  I met Andrew and Alyssa at a wedding I shot last summer.  I was so excited when they asked me to photograph their wedding!  The wedding was held near Crescent Beach at the Chateau Cargill, this is such a beautiful venue.  Andrew is a pilot so naturally the wedding was all about aviation.  I loved all their plane details, different types of planes in place of table number cards, lots of planes for the seating chart, they even had a pilots log book for the guest book.  Alyssa also loves peacock feathers, so each bridesmaid had a feather in their hair, Alyssa’s shoes had peacock feather near the buckle,there was a feather on top of the cake and little peacocks holding the table cards.  We did all the photos at Stuart Farm House, (LOVE it there!) and we even had time to bust it over to Crescent Beach!  Alyssa is stunning so clearly it was easy getting gorgeous images!  Some of the photos from Crescent Beach are my all time favorites!  Thank you so much Andrew and Alyssa, I loved being a part of your wedding day!  Also a special thanks to Kerensa for all your help 2nd shooting!

Alyssa!  Your dress is amazing!

Nathan & Laura {Abbotsford Engagement Photography}

Nathan doesn’t like photos too much so I wanted to make it quick and painless!!!  It was quite cold… so going fast wasn’t a problem.  We jetted around Abbotsford, and caught the sun setting.  These two couldn’t stop laughing!!  They were having a lot of fun, but you could also see just how much they love each other.  I am sooooo excited for their wedding, stay tuned this June for their wedding.  :) 

What to wear for a family photoshoot {Tuesday’s Tips}

This my first ever Tuesday’s Tips, I want to share and help!!   This is for brides to be, families, moms, and learning photographers.  Every week you can check here to keep updated on the Tip of the week. Well here it goes!!

If you’re getting family photos taken you know finding an outfit for the whole family is a huge task!  Everything has to be perfect, the colours, is there a pattern, are we too matchy?? Ahhhhh!  It can be overwhelming.  Here are a couple of tips when picking your clothes for the shoot.

1. Be inspired by the season you are getting them taken in.
2. Pick a key colour that pops, and that you would want to feature.
3. Accessorize! A scarf if it’s winter, a cute head band in the spring… etc…
4. Be aware of shoes! Yes! I will focus in on your shoes.
5. Wear what you are comfortable in, it shows in the photos.
6. Avoid logos, they can be distracting in your photos.
7. Don’t be afraid of colour.
8. Try to avoid super shiny clothes.
9. Stick to one style, casual, formal… try not to mix them together.
10. Over all have FUN with it!!!!

I LOVE these combos!!  Something simple, yet has that pop of colour!

I love the colour in the clothes in these two photos!!! It really gives them character, they really stand out. I also really like primary colours!

Well that is it for this time!  I hope this helps for our next session on what to wear. See you soon!

A Big Thanks To My 2011 Clients! {Favourite Photo Contests}

Welcome!!  This is my first “Favourite Photo” contest.  I love going through my session folders choosing my favourite images of 2011.  Now it’s your turn to cast your vote and let me know what you think.

{The rules}

1.  Each individual person may vote for one photo, one time only.

2. To cast your vote, just leave me a comment in the comment section below with your email address.  Please include your comment under this blog post “Favourite Photo” and NOT within another blog post comment box.  Comments left inadvertently under a different blog post will NOT be counted.  Please identify by coordinating image number and image title.

3.  If you’re not a Fan on Facebook, head on over and hit “Like” now.  Fans, and only fans, will get a ONE MORE VOTE! Please indicate in your comment below that you have “Liked” the Fan Page.  Do not comment twice.

Also, winners will be announced on the Ashley Martens Photography Facebook Fan Page so keep checking there for updates!

4.  Please double check to be sure your email is typed in correctly.  Very important.

5.  Send this to ALL of your friends and family and get them to vote for your favorite image and “Like” Ashley Martens Photography on Facebook.

{The prizes}

1st place : One complimentary weekday session!!!! (Value $200)

2nd & 3rd place : $100 gift card towards future session.

4th & 5th place : $50 gift card towards future session.

Additional $100 Gift certificate toward a future session will be

given randomly to one of my Facebook fans!!

So if your not a fan become one!!!

So please vote and “Like” Ashley Martens Photography!!!!

Contest will end Friday February 10th at 11:59pm!!  So go cast your vote!!

without further ado, here are the images in no particular order!!

1. Rustic Farm Wedding

2. Sleeping Angel

3. Shining Sun

4. The Bouquet Toss

5. Baby Bump

6. Falling For You

7. Hugging Him

8. Brick Love

9. B Is For Bathe

10. Under a Bridge

11. Family of Three

12. Abbey and her sick bug

13. Coloured Leaves

14. Snow Bride

15. Exit With Bubbles

16. Golf and Puppies

17. Pink Roses

18. Love This Family

19. Kisses For The Cheek

20. Big Red Barn

21. Holding The Belly

22. Floating Veil

23. Scooters In The City

24. Momma Gets A Kiss

25. Brothers

26. Big Girl

27. Kisses On Grass

28. Too Cute Scrunchy Face

29. The Dip

30. Sweet Family

31. Cutie

32. Romance At A Barn

33. Pop A Heal

34. E Walk

35. Stunning In Red

36. Handsome Young Man

38. Laughing

39. Baby Blues

40. Heritage House

41. Top Hat

42. In Front Kisses

43. Group Shot

44. Little Piggies!

45. Pink Head Band

46. Stanley Cup

47. Flowers

48. Beautiful Baby Girl

49. Squishy Lips

50. Little Monkey

51. Field of Dandelions

51. Sweet Smile

52. Held By Mommy

53. Pink Hat

54. 2011 Grads

55. 4 Hats

56. Big Sister

57. 2 Years Old

58. Sun Glasses

59. Baby Kisses

60. Holding You

Thank you for Voting!!! Please vote under this post only!

(Please note that all photos are from 2011)

If your not a fan on Facebook please join us!

Go Canucks Go!

Well this is it!!!  Last chance for Canucks to win a Stanley cup!!!  These little twins are sure cuter then the Sedin twins….however, when the Canucks win tonight there might be a little argument about that!   Their Dad is a huge Canucks fan and had to include a certain Stanley in this picture of his beautiful little girls.  You can sense the anticipation in the air, but I have a feeling that Vancouver’s going to make it happen tonight.  Go, Canucks, Go!