Nathan and Laura {Langley Wedding Photographer}

WOW~ There is so much I want to say about this wedding!!  I just love these two, they are truly near and dear to my heart.  Their wedding was held at the Langley Golf and Banquet Center, I have shot here before so I was excited to be shooting there again!  Little did I know Laura had some amazing things in store….  purple was her colour so everything had  a touch of it, a locket with her grandparent’s photo in it attached to her bouquet, a quartette, gorgeous flowers, and so much more.  I was also happy to meet Lisa Gregory Laura’s wedding planner, she had everything and everyone in line.  I truly appreciated having her a part of the wedding day, not to mention her lovely assistant who helped with many tasks.  Lisa was amazing and if you ever need a wedding planner I highly recommend her.  Getting on to the photos we headed to Campbell Valley Park, one of my preferred places to shoot. We arrived and it was gorgeous!!  Even though the forcast called for a day full of rain, the clouds parted and we had sun!!!!  The barn, school house and massive field were beckoning me, I was in heaven.  I probably could have stayed there for four hours shooting, but having everyone getting hungry and having to stay on schedule, we made our way back to the venue.  Dinner was fabulous and so was dessert!  Laura and Nathan’s cake was unbelievable…. it was white, with rhinestones in the center of light purple flowers, and it was so yummy looking too!  The first dance came shortly after and then father daughter dance. It was so emotional they were tearing up and so was I…. so beautiful.

Thank you Nathan and Laura for a spectacular day, I was so honoured to be a part of it.  A special thanks to my husband and partner in crime for second shooting.  Also to my assistant Stacie, you are awesome!!

Laura, you are stunning!!

Laura’s grandparents in a locket.

Love this veil!!

Wedding Coordinator: Lisa Gregory

Jewelry: Lanka Jewels

Florist: Design 358

Cake: Icing on the Cake

Makeup and Hair: C2 Makeup and Jenna Strange

DJ: Silver Disc Music

Happy Birthday To My Sweet B {My Story}

I just love this baby, my Brynny B turns one today!!!!  It’s so bitter sweet as she may be our last child….. might be….  ;)  I’m so excited to celebrate her birthday with all of our friends and family.  After looking back on the year there have been so many memories, finding her voice…( more like screaming), learning to crawl, how she did NOT like eating rice cereal and moved stright to finger foods, and so much more.

To my sweet B, you have brought us so much joy in this first year with you.  I can’t wait to watch you grow and change into a toddler and a little girl.  Your sisters love you and you are one tough baby being carried around by Hadley… even though mommy says she’s not allowed.  Thank you for being my baby, I wish you’d never grow up.

All the mommas out there, if you have children… hug, squeeze and kiss them because they only stay tiny for so long.

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.

A Carnival, Cotton Candy and a Cute Couple {Abbotsford Wedding Photographer}

I was so excited when I saw a ferris wheel in the Abbotsford mall parking lot!!!  I have always wanted to do a carnival shoot and felt this was the perfect opportunity.  Max and Michelle were more then willing to come and do this with me.  They were awesome, it was raining which isn’t a surprise so we really went fast!!  We got our tickets and started looking for rides!  The first was the carousal!!!  My favourite!  I love this ride, but for some reason I have always remembered it turning slowly…. nope not this one!!!  It was crazy fast!!!  They went whipping around, then I was able to get a few more shots once it went a bit slower.  Next was the ferris wheel…. wow!!!  Sooooo high!!!  Made me nervous, but they did amazing and had fun with it too.  The rain was really starting to come down so we finished it off by “playing” a few games.  I loved the whole shoot, cotton candy mustaches, polka dot umbrellas, confetti, a mural, and glorious rain!!!  Enjoy!!

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!

They Met At Timmy’s {Abbotsford Wedding Photographer}

I went to high school with Duncan and when he contacted me to shoot his and Alex’s engagement photos, I was super ecstatic!!

When we picked a date, we were hoping for sun….  little did we know it would pour!  So after chatting we went for it anyways…. we had an exciting day of umbrellas, going under cover, and stepping out in the rain.  Since Tim Hortons was such a big part of them coming together, we had to stop by for a shot or two!  I wanted to hear the whole story so I asked Duncan to email me exactly how it happened…..

Duncan: I was at work, renovating a Tim Hortons in Richmond. Mollie (Alex’s little sister), worked at the Tim Hortons. Mollie had been bugging Alex about “This tall guy I think you’d like” working on our store. So…Alex came to check me out lol.

Word had spread to one of my co-workers that Alex had the hots for me, and she was actually outside waiting to pick Mollie up from work. This was the last day of construction so it was now or never if I was going to get the courage to approach her.

Thanks to Facebook, Mollie discovered that I had a connection to them, and told me about it. So that was my icebreaker!
I approached Alex outside asking her how she knew my best friends girlfriend only to discover that they are related, AND are both named Alex…..small world… It doesnt stop there though, by fluke chance, I worked with Alex’s OTHER cousin at a Panago when I was 15 years old…oh…and his name was ALEX!

How could this NOT be fate? I think it was then when I realized I had met my soulmate. 

Tim Hortons…. where it all started~

WOW!  This ring is gorgeous!  Nice job Duncan!!

Kissing shots are so fun!

Duncan and Alex will be married in Vegas this November, I am sooooo excited for them.

Love In Ireland {Abbotsford Wedding Photographer}

Travis and Tanya have the most romantic engagement story….. a castle, a walk, and a proposal in Ireland!  Swoon….. sounds amazing!  Meeting through friends they started their journey together as friends for a year… friendship then developed into love.  Seeing these two together, the chemistry is undeniable.  Travis and Tanya travelled together to Europe with his sisters and a cousin, they stayed with extended family in Ireland.  Everyone had known what was coming for Tanya, when she and Travis left for a walk….. soon Tanya’s life would change forever.  Travis took her to Blarney Castle, they walked down a wooded path with a stream near by……sounds gorgeous!!!  Travis got down on bended knee and asked the question, the question every girl wants to hear.  With tears in her eyes, Tanya said YES!  WOW! I love their story, such an amazing experience and memory.  Tanya, here are your photos, you are gorgeous and Travis you aren’t bad either.  ;)

Can’t WAIT for the 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!