Saturday Feature: Shari + Mike Photographers

Today is the last feature of our photography week. It's been so fun getting to know each of these photographers in a new light then I already did, and learning a little more of their history. Even for as long as I've know each of them, I myself, have gained more insight into how each of them came into their dream of being a photographer.

Today's photographer, and sadly our last, has a special place in my heart, as this is the photographer that captured the most important day of my life…the day I married my best friend.

I  met Shari and Mike Vallely (although at that time, they were not married yet) just over 9 years ago at Eagles Nest Ranch, just outside of Medicine Hat. My first memories of Shari were of a quiet individual with a sweet and sincere countenance, who was down to earth and very easy to like. She also has a hidden crazy side that bubbles to the surface, now and then, and if you're fortunate enough to see this side, it is quite a delight. Wherever Shari went, there went her camera as well, always at hand, taking pictures around camp of the campers and staff. I liked Shari from the very beginning and I'm so glad that we became friends over the years. Likewise, Mike was equally easy to like. With his bold personality and excited energy, you find yourself equally so, when around him. He's a talented break dancer and all around really nice guy. Shari and Mike compliment each other perfectly and when you meet them, you see why they fell in love. It was so meant to be. :)

 
I've watched Shari's photography grow from impressive to amazing to extraordinary, and saw her make the jump from a mere hobby to professional and, it seemed, become a sensation overnight. I was so excited when my husband and I booked Shari (as at that time it was still just Shari doing the photography) to be our wedding photographer, because I knew she would understand our theme, vision  and our personalities and shoot in a way that would encapsulate those very ideas through pictures that we could treasure for a lifetime. Shari would capture the magic, preserving the moments and bringing to life the memories of that special day, with every glance. I couldn't have been more right! :) Not only did Shari blow me away with her ideas and creativity, but her ability to re-tell the story of our wedding day through the photos she took, was amazingly mind-boggling. To this day, I never tire of going through our album.

Here's a smattering from our wedding. I had a hard time choosing just a few, but I did narrow this down from a LOT more. Shari did such an amazing job at capturing our perfect day, almost exactly 3 years ago to the day :)

And of course, clients now have the pleasure of having both Shari and Mike document their special moments, together. They are the perfect mix of fun, relaxed, and energetic, and maybe even a bit crazy (good crazy of course :) ) and those traits rub off while they shoot, to relax you, get you excited and allow you to have fun and be a bit crazy, while getting your picture taken.

It took a bit to get to this place in their photography, however. Shari recalls "I remember falling in love with photography during a family trip, 11 years ago. My dad let me experiment with his old canon camera + I remember the anticipation I felt while I waited for the images to be developed. That was it. I was hooked."

That Christmas, Shari's parents bought her her very own film camera. That camera would find a permanent place at Shari's side and she was rarely parted from it.

"I took several classes and workshops to learn as much as I could about photography, and shot my first wedding in 2003. I never imagined, back then, that my love for photography would have ever gotten me to the place I am now. If you would have asked me, 10 years ago, what I wanted to do with my life, although deep down I would have wanted to say photography, it just didn't seem possible."

So instead of pursing the dream of photography, Shari pursued another career path, but still continued to shoot a handful of weddings each year and also several portrait sessions.

"I think a huge turning point for me was moving to Vancouver, three and a half years ago. I remember sitting at my job, feeling unsatisfied with what I was doing. I called my mom and I remember her asking me the question, "What do you really want to do?" And for the first time I didn't let fear dictate my answer. Without reservation, I blurted out "Photography" and wow, how that moment has shifted my life."

From that point on for Shari, it was all about pursuing an 11 year dream and turning a passion into a full-time career.

"By nature, I am not a risk taker, but going after something you are passionate about, it's definitely worth every fear, every 14 hour day, every let down, and uncertainty."

And if you're wondering where the "+ Mike" in Shari + Mike Photographers fits into the story, well that started 6 years ago.

Shari continues… "When Mike and I got married, he started to come to weddings with me. His job of "bag carrier + kid entertainer" quickly changed to photographer after I handed a camera to him at a wedding and said "shoot". He had a natural eye, so I knew that if I taught him the technical side, he could be a second pair of eyes at weddings."

"When I had my epiphany, three and a half years ago, we made the decision together that this is what we were going to pursue. Mike got a new job to support us as I stepped out + started to build the business. Last October, we rebranded and decided that a name change was just what we needed to take our business to the next level. And we are so glad that we did.

We have a quote on our wall that says "Live What You Love" and we can honestly say that we are doing that. We get to build OUR business together, meet rad people, and use our cameras as a tool to inspire + tell peoples stories."

"We always say that we are people photographers. Although we love old buildings and wide open spaces, we love them even more when we can add an adorable family or a beautiful couple to these settings."

"We have had many highlights over this crazy journey. Traveling to Africa + getting to capture a culture really ignited something on the inside of me. I don't know what the future holds, but getting to merge three of my most favourite things (people, travel, photography) would be my ultimate dream.

I fell in love with the people of Nigeria and I am so proud of the images I captured on that trip. I was even more proud when one of the images won 5th place in the People category of PhotoLifes Magazine's Images of the Year." Way to go Shari!!!! "I always dreamed of having my photos in magazines + it was surreal the first time I opened the magazine and saw my photo. I hope I get to experience that more in the years to come."

I can say, with all certainty, you WILL see Shari + Mike Photography's photos in various media, and we'll watch it expand across the world over. I totally believe this, from the bottom of my heart.

For more information, please visit Shari + Mike's website/portfolio at http://www.shariandmike.ca
You can contact them via this website by filling out the form in the "contact" section.

Or, you can email Shari + Mike Photographers directly for more information concerning packages, pricing etc at info@shariandmike.ca

Check out Shari + Mike Photographers facebook page and "like" them here

Shari + Mike Photographers also have a fantastic blog that you can take a look at.
Go to www.shariandmike.ca/blog to visit it today!

Shari + Mike Photographers are a great couple to have capture your day, whether wedding, family, baby etc. You're sure to be pleased with the ensuing results. Book today to ensure your date!

And finally, for my Growing Green readers, your incentive of the day!

Book a session with Shari + Mike Photographers and use the PROMO CODE: shmike and receive a free 11x14 Print with your session. This PROMO CODE expires March 29th, 2013, so book soon! Your session date can be scheduled for anytime, the session just needs to be booked before the expiry date in order to use the promo code.

I hope you've enjoyed this week of celebrating photography with me. It's been fun taking a look at 6 different photographers across Western Canada and I hope that you have loved looking at their photos and reading their stories of journeying to their dream of photography.

Next week we resume to normal, Monday features only. My family will be appreciative of this, I'm sure, as this past week has been filled with hours and hours in front of my computer, in order to bring you these features on time. It's been an absolute delight though.

Monday's feature hint: goodies wrapped up in style :)

Friday Feature: Up and Away Studios

Today's featured photographer if super fun to write about, because not only are we friends, but I have the pleasure of calling her "family". Truth be told, we are 3rd cousins, but family is family in my books and I'm proud that Kristy-Anne Swart is a part of my family unit.

For as long as I can remember, Kristy-Anne was always amazing and super talented when it came to photography, with her creative angles, ethereal lighting, the ability to capture perfect moments, and creating beautiful art. I remember my mom coming home with a couple of Kristy-Anne's framed photos that she had purchased through a family auction, and as she hung them on the wall, I found myself mesmerized as I gazed, almost trance-like, at the photos, nay, into the photos. For that was what I was doing. There's something about Kristy-Anne's photos that transcend mere 2-dimential photography. One can easily find them-self drawn deeper into the photo and all it's layered beauty. Since that time, Kristy-Anne's photography has only continued to grow in exquisiteness and her business, Up and Away Studios, keeps her on her toes.

Based out of Calgary, Alberta, Kristy-Anne Swart created and operates "Up and Away Studios". It has literally gone "Up and Away" as her cliental grows and business exponentially increases. This is a business that is on wings and has taken flight.

As it always goes, however, Up and Away Studios was not born overnight, nor was Kristy-Anne's dream found and full-filled in that time-frame either. As in most everything in life, her's was a journey and process, to find this place she now enjoys. However, the journey continues, as so does the dreaming.

As Kristy-Anne recalls, "I have always been an artist. Whether I realized it or not, I was an artist through and through. Everyone around me probably realized it, even when I did not. When I now look back at the drawings I did in Grade School, or the detailed paintings I would spend hundreds of hours on in High School, or my hunger for music, nature and books…I see that I am an artist."

Kristy-Anne grew up in Saskatoon, SK. When she was in High School, she took as many "artsy" courses as she was able to. One of those courses that she was fortunate her school offered, was a photography course.

"Back then there was no digital (yes, I am old)…" but really, not that old, cause she's younger then me, and I'm not old :D but I digress, "…We developed our own negatives, and did our own enlargements. I was hooked. I loved magic involved with the darkroom process. I spent most of my lunch hours and free time in the dark room."

In grade 11, Kristy-Anne took a work education course, with the hopes of doing a placement with a professional photographer. "I called up the best photographer in the city, Shannon Brunner, and asked if I could do a placement with her. She agreed, and from there, my love for photography grew even more."

"Shannon was a creative genius (still is) and I felt privileged to watch and help her. She hired me after my placement was done. [Shannon] was the first one to tell me about a great photography course in Edmonton at NAIT.

Now keep in mind, photography was entirely different back then. There were way less photographers, way less photography resources. No photo blogs, no actions…no digital. It was way more of an investment, and a lot more risky…"

Remember what I said in Matthew Keoni's feature? :) I wasn't making it up!

"…I always knew that when I graduated, I wanted to do something in the arts, but I also wanted to do something that was employable. I am not a big "go getter", nor am I business minded."

Kristy-Anne's plan was to take interior design, thinking that she could easily get a job in that field. It would be slightly artistic, but also employable, both important to her. However, the more Kristy-Anne researched the photography course at NAIT, the more she realized this direction was more up her alley.

"I was really scared to apply for the course, but thankfully, with the nudging of my family, and Shannon, I did. I got into the course and spent 2 crazy years obsessed and completely immersed in photography. Again, it was all film, and almost our entire first year was spent on a large format camera. The negatives were 4x5 inches and expensive.

I spent hours and hours in the dark, and I loved it."

When Kristy-Anne started out, she wasn't interested in portrait photography or weddings at all. She wanted to do "stock" photography (which was a very new industry at that time) and documentary photography. In her second year of school, Kristy-Anne did a placement with a great commercial photographer, who was branching out into Stock photography.

"I was very lucky, and he hired me right out of school. I was doing exactly what I wanted, right out of college. I didn't get paid a lot at first, as most of my money went to pay off my $20,000 investment in gear, but I was doing what I loved and was growing everyday."

Kristy-Anne was one of the very first photographers for the stock agency, Design Pics. "Design Pics was in it's own infancy at the time, but over the years they got our work represented on the top agencies around the world, including Getty and corbis."

In 2007, Kristy-Anne married the man of her dreams, who happened to be a South African musician. After their wedding, she moved to Nashville, where he was living. "We travelled all over the world for his [her husband's] gigs, and I felt I couldn't keep up with the expectations the agency had for me. So I left my full time position there and went freelance for them. I sent them work as much as I could, but my focus was definitely shifting."

In 2009, Kristy-Anne's husband's band ended and his Visa was no longer applicable, thus they decided to move back to Canada. "When we moved there, my husband couldn't legally work, so for the first year we knew that I would need to try and get work."

Kristy-Anne had been noticing the changes within the portrait photography industry, and liked that things were moving away from being so traditional (as she is anything but) and were becoming way more creative. "For the first time I thought, maybe I would like this. Without even advertising, I was crazy busy. My stock background provided me with a lot of experience photographing everyday people, but having to make them look natural and relaxed. It was actually a super easy transition. I got more and more excited about photographing people, because I felt freedom to do it in whatever way I pleased."

It was just over 3 years ago that Kristy-Anne started her own company and as is usually the case, it's been a huge learning curve. It was in 2011 that she finally made a proper website and branded her company as "Up and Away Studios" and she is loving every minute of it.

"I feel that I am more inspired then ever, and feel that as time passes, I grow and have so much more to offer people. When I shoot weddings, my husband comes with me as a second shooter. He is amazing and my rock. He calms me when I feel a bit stressed, and he owns the guys shots. I think it is his musician background, he makes them all look like rock stars."

For Kristy-Anne's other lifestyle portrait sessions (couples, families, maternity, baby etc…), she usually shoots alone.

"People often ask me what my favourite type of shoot is. I always say that my favourite thing to photograph is people in love. That can be anything from a newly engaged couple, to an old married couple of 50 years. What gets me excited is seeing true emotion, that is what truly makes a photograph timeless and priceless. I try to make my photo shoots fun, but I also try to quiet my clients and give them time to think about the love they have for one another. My hope is that people go away from my shoots feeling more in love then when they came."

"If I had a tagline, it would be "see beauty, see freedom, see fun". I think this encapsulates what I try to accomplish with my photography.

I have never felt as inspired as I do now, so this excites me for the future of my photography career. My desire is not to get hundreds of more clients, or to become some multi-person business. I like being an intimate operation, where I feel that I get to know my clients. I suppose I hope that I just keep growing as an artist, and that I will become more and more skilled at giving my photographs a voice. I also hope that someday my husband and I can do some documentary work in Africa."

I don't know about you, but I sure feel more inspired by Kristy-Anne and Up and Away Studios. Her story, like the previous 4 other photographers, show that no matter our dream, it's worth stepping out, taking the risk and seeing if you can, to coin a phrase from Disney, "make your dreams come true".

You won't be disappointed with Up and Away Studios capturing your memories. It's a piece of timelessness you can hold in your hands.

For more details on packages, pricing etc, please visit Up and Away Studio's website at www.upandawaystudios.com. From there you can access Kristy-Anne's blog and personal website.
It has been brought to Kristy-Anne's attention, however, that the website does not work on iPad's or iPhones at this time, a detail that hopefully will be remedied soon.

See Up and Away's facebook and page and "like" it here.

You can also email Up and Away Studios directly at info@upandawaystudios.com
or phone at 403-875-6351 to book a session or for further information on packages and pricing.

For Growing Green readers, Up and Away Studios has a special incentive, just for you! Simply give the PROMO CODE: growinggreenupa when you book a session and receive a $100 rebate towards your session fee! This PROMO CODE expires November 28th, 2012, so hurry and book your session today! The actual session date can be scheduled for anytime, the session just needs to be booked before November 28th, 2012.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's featured photographer, and our last of the week: Shari + Mike Photographers