Lisa Kwan Images

Well it’s been over a month since we returned from our honeymoon in Japan, but it still feels like we were there yesterday. Adam and I chose to go to Japan because it was a country that was on our “MUST GO TO” list. It was was quite the experience. I was in my second month of being pregnant so I was a little worried about how I was going to handle this trip waaay overseas with the different foods, let alone the 11 hour direct flight to Narito Airport from Los Angeles. But I successfully made it through our 2.5 week trip even with some good days and some pretty rough nausea/fatigue days…ok, enough about how the ninja was already kicking my butt.  ;P

The timing for our honeymoon trip was based around the Tokyo Auto Salon in January (I’m an awesome wife right?). We met up with the DSport Magazine group in L.A. and then headed to Japan. The tour and show was about a week long but when that wrapped up, Adam and I were on our own. Adam planned most of our sites to see and had everything organized for us for this trip, which I’m SO thankful for. Some of the places and areas we went to see was Himeji Castle, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Kyoto, and Osaka, just to name a few. We even stayed in a Ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese inn where you get to experience true Japanese culture and hospitality. I wish we could have stayed there a few more nights since I found it so relaxing.

This entire trip had amazing and breathtaking views where pictures just don’t do it justice. I will definitely go back to Japan again, but at a much warmer time of the year. I really wanted to see some cherry blossom trees in full bloom, but they don’t blossom until the end of March – beginning of April. *Sighh…but the trip was based around the date of the Tokyo Auto Salon (again, I’m an AWESOME WIFE…right Adam??? *wink*). We are already planning to go back in a few years, then I can bask in the warm sun and take in the pretty sweet blossoms.

So enjoy some of the pictures that we took with my Canon 5D and point and shoot.

With the set of pictures at the Salon show, I let Adam have my 5D to take pictures of cars. Great pics, but with the collage below, can you tell me which picture doesn’t really belong??? I’m glad he enjoyed all the great “bodywork” there. *tsk *tsk *tsk…

They even had some cool Recaro baby seats there. We really wanted to get one but these models are illegal in Canada.  :(

I even liked the design on their street sewer covers. I love geometric shapes and patterns.

Adam striking a pose with amazing light.

This is Himeji Castle in all it’s glory. This Castle was used in a James Bond movie, “You only live Twice” and the Tom Cruise’ movie,“The Last Samurai”.

Me inside the castle.

The stairs in this castle were extremely steep. Inside, there were six levels in total, and with a lot of climbing and rests, we both made it to the top!

How can you go to Japan without seeing anything Hello Kitty?! I’m not a cat person but she is the only cat I love. So while we were out and about shopping, I found this place where they had some flavoured stuffed treats shaped as, you guessed it, Hello Kitty! Yum!

Random smoker on the side streets in Harajuku.

Inside one of the many crazy, expensive malls we just window shopped in.

Adam looking at shirts in cool packaging and interesting display.

The majority of restaurants in Japan have this type of display inside their windows or entrances. It’s a realistic mould of the dishes they serve. Pretty cool and they looked so real.

Adam finally met up with his penpal of ten years, Mariko, whom we had a nice dinner with, which included Japanese-style pizza and Baskin Robbins for dessert. Thanks for the gifts Mariko, you are too sweet!

I took a picture of this because it was the only pug I saw in the entire time I was in Japan. No Shar-pei’s either! Boo.

These next series of shots were taken at the Ryokan, where we were dressed in traditional yukata’s while we stayed there. As you can see, we liked…

Domo Arigato Japan, we will see you in a few years in full bloom with an adventurous ninja in hand.  ;P

And thankyou Adam for such a great adventurous honeymoon. Can’t wait for next time!

Ok, ok, I know I’ve been a bad blogger, but I promise I will blog my trip to Japan very soon. But here is some news from the office of Lisa Kwan Images, and I’m at a point where I can’t hide it anymore…I’m pregnant. It wasn’t something that Adam and I had planned to happen so soon, but it did, and we’re ecstatic!

So holla to my brides this year, you’ll notice the photographer you met last year has gotten a little ‘bigger’. But no worries ladies, your pictures will still be fabulous even though I’ll be carrying around some “extra baggage”. Can’t wait to see you all in your gorgeous-ness!

I’m about 15 weeks along, so I’m just entering my second trimester and am feeling a lot better than I did the first. I’m due around mid-August, August 16th to be exact. Adam and I saw the first ultrasound two weeks ago and we were in awe, but until that point it didn’t seem real to us at all. But when we first saw it on the monitor, it was moving around so much – we could see it’s hands, feet and heartbeat pumping away like crazy.

We’ve decided that we don’t want to find out the sex of the baby so we’ve given it the nickname ‘Ninja’. So listen up baby Ninja, although your parents are scared and still feel like kids on the inside, we can’t wait to meet you to teach and show you everything we know! Have fun in there…see you in 6 months.

Hi everyone! I’m back and hitched! Our wedding at the El Dorado Royale in Mexico was a success. I wouldn’t have changed anything about it…it was absolutely perfect! The wedding day was sunny, breezy and the view of the ocean was breathtaking. Adam looked so handsome in his custom made suit from Mark Nunes, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. And my dress, I absolutely loved. I had it custom made by a talented designer named Lisa Van Hattem. It was perfect for the warm climate and exactly what I wanted.

I have always wanted a destination wedding and the resort in itself has now set a new standard for me, it definitely didn’t let me down. I have to admit that I was worried since we planned everything by doing our research on the internet and reading reviews. I would definitely go back to this resort again, and again. The food was exceptional, and all of the workers were friendly and willing to help you out in anyway to make sure you were happy and comfortable. All of our guests had a blast and we brought a lot of great memories back home to Canada.

I’m still adjusting calling Adam my husband but I’m sure it will become the norm after a year or so…heehee! He is my best friend and the one I can turn to for anything. I love you Cutes and am looking foward to the many years ahead together!

Come back to this post soon because I will be posting some pictures that Emma Smallbone from barebonephoto took of our special day! CAN’T WAIT for you all to see them!

***UPDATE*** Look below for just a few of my favorites. Thanks so much Emma! Enjoy! If you’d like to see more, check out her blog.

Our outdoor reception.

Here are some pictures taken a few days after the wedding…

Hola friends and fellow blog followers! I am out of the office because in a few hours I am off to get married in “Meh-hee-ko”– The Mayan Riviera to be exact. I cannot believe one year of planning has gone by so quickly…oh how time flies.

Right now, my soon-to-be husband Adam is power napping while I stay awake writing to you. I can’t just abandon you without telling you where I’m going…especially when it’s such an exciting point in my life. Honestly, I don’t even know how he can sleep. We have to be up and out the door by 6 a.m. but I’m too excited, anxious and nervous to even close my eyes! Ohh I can’t wait to feel that breeze of warm air when I take that first step off the plane. Then hit the beach and dig my toes into the warm sand while gazing at the gorgeous blue ocean. Wow, in less than a week’s time, I will do what I’ve seen soo many beautiful bride’s do…is say “I do” while staring into their best friend’s eyes. Love. *sigh*…

Don’t worry, I’ll come back and post pictures from our big day, but right now I must calm the brain and get some beauty sleep. ;P

Buenas noches! Zzzzzzzz..

The fall is here…sighhh. There is just something about the crisp fall air that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This season gives me more reason to pull out all my hoodies, jogging pants, and fleece pajamas…if you don’t know me, my ultimate happiness is being in comfy clothes and runners. Watching the trees change from their lush greens to their warm rainbow of autumn colours makes any walk or drive a pleasant one.

Today, Adam and I took our furry son’s out for a walk. While out and about I decided to dress them up for Hallows’ Eve. Happy Halloween everyone!

“Size matters not, … Look at me. Judge me by size, do you?”

Magnus is dressed for the upcoming season after fall….it’s never too early to start decorating for Christmas!!!

As some of you may know, I grew up in a small ‘Sepoy’ town in Ontario town called Lucknow – population 1,100. If some of you don’t know where that is, it is right on highway 86 in Bruce County. Right now, I have lived in the city for 10+ years but there is just something about driving up highway 86;  the open farm fields, passing by mennonites and smelling that clean country air that gives me that feeling of home. So when Jodi and Dan invited me to their country home for their engagement session,  the quiet and calm drive made me reminisce my childhood of growing up in a small town.

Jodi and Dan are planning to have their wedding next year at their gorgeous, GORGEOUS 1800’s home just outside Teeswater. The way the tranquil warm sunlight sets around their home is beautiful and having their wedding there, a country setting that is your own home, is something that can’t be bought.

p.s. Jodi and Dan, if you ever decide to sell your house, ummm…I think I’d be one of the first to sign up to buy it!  *wink*

[View with PicLens]

Looky, looky everyone, Sumo is 5 today! Time has flown by and I can still remember bringing him home and fitting in the palms of my hands. I treat him like my own child, is that wrong? – I don’t think so…Am I a little crazy about pugs – YES!!! Ask anyone. Hmmm, perhaps buying a farm and breeding pugs will be in my future? Imagine that, surrounded by pugs everyday, being snorted on and listening to a harmony of snores at night….heaven…told you I was crazy.

I bought him a decadent dog cookie from the pet store for his special day. Mmmm, looks good enough for humans to eat. 

Happy 5th Birthday my Noonie, I love you SO MUCH!

What can I say about these two special friends that are close to my heart? They are two of the most kind, caring and generous people I know. I wouldn’t have missed their wedding in Kashmir, India for the world. The wedding was beautiful, full of rich crisp colours, and the turning of the leaves made an amazing backdrop for their portrait shots. Having the ceremony and celebrations at Rishi’s family’s retreat, Green Acres, made it feel even more welcoming and special. I hope to go back there one day. 

Stay tuned for some more pictures on my travels through India.

“Hug hug, kiss kiss, hug hug, big kiss, little hug, kiss kiss, little kiss.”

Wahoo Canada Day! – our country’s birthday with fireworks!!! Gotta love those fireworks. As this holiday comes around it also means I get another year older, and this year was a biggy. Yes, yes, everyone, the face behind that camera has left her sacred year of 29 and is now 30. As a matter of fact, as I write this I am 30 years and 5 days old. *Sighhh…

I wasn’t sure how to take on this new number attached to my life. How did it creep up on me so fast? Should I embrace it? Should I hide and try to shoo this day away along with it’s pyrotechnics? or was I supposed to feel something supercalafragilisticexpialidocious as the clock turned 4:54p.m.? – like a bolt of lightning going through my entire body?!…Ummmm, nope, didn’t feel that.

As I let this number marinate in my mind, I thought back to the years leading me up to this point in my life. Where did the time go? I went to school, established a career as a graphic designer, and I have a loving family supporting me in my new budding career in photography. So what more could I ask for? That is a fully loaded question I’m not sure I can answer…yet.

In my mind, I still feel as though I’m still in my early 20s – young, and ambitious yet still confused about life. Today I can say I have more assurance of who I am and what my likes and dislikes are with reasoning. Although with the future blurry, my magic future jar holds a precious wish to travel the world with my trusty camera in hand, and loved ones to experience it with me one day – A wishful image I want to come true.

With that said, there is a hopeful future lying ahead of me. I’m not going to fight this scary number anymore. I’m going to embrace this new chapter called “30″ and invite all the roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers that come along with it. So move on over Canada, those boistrous fireworks aren’t just for you, they’re for me and all the other people with an optimistic outlook to their future!!!

Below are pictures my fiancée Adam took of me before we went home to a surprise birthday party he set up just for lil’ ol’ me! It was one of the best, most priceless gifts I have ever received…what a great start to 30! Thank you Adam and my love to all my friends and family that were there…and for those who didn’t get to attend, a big thank you for your best wishes!

Do I have a second shooter in the making?

p.s. I still get carded and I love it. When I’m asked, I smile, stand a little taller and happily hand over my license that states my date of birth, July 1, 1979 – yup, you read that right, you just carded a 30 year old!!! Baaaaaaamm Son!!! Hollaaaaa!!!

As some of you may know, for the past few years I worked along side a talented local photographer named Emma Smallbone. To give you some history I met Emma 8 years ago…in my underwear. 

WAIT!!! Before any of you get ANY crazy thoughts, I was frolicking willingly in my undies because the gym I went to was promoting “before + after” shots…so I signed up – Emma was the photographer who just moved into the area and was brave enough to capture my body in it’s ‘before‘ state. Gah!

Emma left her business cards behind that day and I started to follow her career through her website and blog. I fell in love with her work and I stalked her site for years. As my love for photography grew I wanted to work along side a skilled photographer to learn what the business was like. So I gathered up a lot of courage and contacted her to see if she needed assistance of any kind whether it be with design or fetching a camera bag when needed. She accepted.

Three years have gone by and I have learned a lot from her. The first year I was her assistant/second shooter, and the year after I was the second shooter of her company barebonephoto. Now I have created my own company but I won’t forget who gave me my first opportunity in the photography world – A big THANKS to you Emma and all your continued support.

The next few blog posts will be pictures from weddings I have shot alongside her.
Enjoy!

Can you believe that this is the only picture I have of the two of us at work?!

Since the subject of my first post was about a wedding in Cuba, I thought I would continue with an additional Cuba post. 

While waiting for Amy and Damis’ special day to arrive, a group of us took an early morning day trip into the countryside which included our own rented jeeps! – that was one of the main selling features of the package! We all followed our tour guide off the main roads, made stops in small villages, schools and farms to learn about Cuba and their culture. Some of our activities included: a visit to a coffee plantation, horse-back riding, lunch on a hill-top, viewing of a Christopher Columbus landmark, and watching a historical dance ritual for marriage – just to name a few. Needless to say by the time we made it back to the resort that evening we were all happily exhausted and looking forward to a dip in the pool.

Here are a few pictures from that memorable day. Enjoy!

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I got kisses from a couple of the dancers...oooo la laaaa! ;P