Memories.........A Good Man

I am pretty sure that I inherited my love of water came from my Dad.  Many of my favourite pictures of him, are on the water, either fresh, salt, or frozen!  It is hard to believe that it has been 6 years today since he passed away.  August 11th, 2006---a date that would change my life forever.  Some days it feels like it was just yesterday, but some days it feels like I can barely remember when he was here with us.  I don't have a lot of pictures of us together, honestly didn't like to have my picture taken so tried to get out of it, but now...oh now I wish there were more.  I urge you to take pictures with your family and friends today, so that the candids are there when your kids are looking for them.  I am going to spend this day doing some very important things.  

Go to bootcamp - be healthy, go for a run and some hills, for my Dad because he couldn't at the end.

Spend the day with my family - my sister, my brother in law and my nephews.......who remind me in sooo many ways of my Dad every single day.  Johnny is like a mini Cheryl in looks, but sometimes he gets this super serious face and all I see is my Dad.  He also gets a paper and a pen and says he has to "make notes".  My Dad used to get up early every morning and make notes in his Vipond calendar book.  I still have one with the writing in it, just to see his handwriting.  Then there is Matt, who is silly and has the greatest laugh...I think comes from his Dad, but then has this little mischievious grin that is pure Gido Russell somedays.

What are we going to do during the day?  First we are going to make sure that we pay it forward.  My Dad was a big believer in this, if you help someone, they will help someone and so on and so on.  When I was driving back from Manitoba to Calgary after the funeral, I was filling up with gas before leaving in the am.  The truck next to me had a guy about my Dad's age filling up, he commented on the bugs on my car and we chatted a bit.  We then did what every good Canadian does on a roadtrip, lined up at the Tim Horton's line.  The man was ahead of me and when I got to the front of the line, the clerk said, "the guy in front of you paid for your coffee and bagel."  I teared up (I saved the sobs for the drive later), and said, "ok, I will pay for the car behind me then."  I don't know how long that chain went that day, but we will be fitting that into our schedule sometime tomorrow.  So if you have the chance today, make someone's day...in honour of my Dad.  We are also going to hit the beach in the afternoon and I am going to hand the camera to my brother-in-law John and make him take some pics of my sis and I and me and my nephews, because honestly the photographer doesn't have very many of us together, maybe none.  And of course we are going to skype with Grandma Judy.  I know this day and every day is hard for my Mom and it is days like today that I wish she lived closer, so I could give her a hug.

  

I love this pic of my dad and sis and I.

My favourite pic of us together.  As a photographer, love the eye contact :)

Dad's Birthday - July 26th, 2006----just 17 days before his passing.  Still smiling, still eating cake, still having a shot with his buddies.

So today, I honour my Dad....Russell Hawrychuk - he wasn't perfect, let's be serious no one is, but he was a Good Man, a Great Dad, a Great Husband, and a Great Friend.....and he is missed everyday and always.

This song was played at his funeral.  It came out in the spring of that year, and to this day it is a song that touches me like no other.

A Good Man - Emerson Drive

I don’t need a whole lot of money 

But I wouldn’t turn a lottery down 

I just need a little green in my pocket 

So I can buy my buddies a round 

All I want is a place to lay my head with the woman I love lyin’ in my bed 

Kind of understated 

My dreams aren’t that complicated… 

I wanna be the one 

When all is said and done 

Who lived a good life, loved a good wife, and always helped someone in trouble 

On the day they lay me down 

I want everyone to gather ‘round 

And say he was a father, brother, neighbour and a friend 

He was a good man! 

I used to dream of being a rock star 

And seein’ the world in style 

Used to dream of havin’ a fast car 

And driving that miracle mile 

But I’ve heard tales those streets aren’t paved in gold 

They’re full of pot holes and empty souls 

Who never learn… 

Love is something you gotta earn 

I wanna be the one 

When all is said and done 

Who lived a good life, loved a good wife, and always helped someone in trouble 

On the day they lay me down 

Want everyone to gather ‘round 

And say he was a father, brother, neighbour and a friend 

He was a good man! 

When I’m gone, I wanna leave a legacy 

Of love and laughs and honesty behind me 

Behind me… 

I wanna be the one 

When all is said and done 

Who lived a good life, loved a good wife, and always helped someone in trouble 

On the day they lay me down 

Want everyone to gather ‘round 

And say he was a father, brother, neighbour and a friend 

He was a good man… 

Yaaaaa…I wanna be a good man…a father, a brother, a neighbour, and a friend 

I wanna be a good man!

The W. Family | Victoria BC Family and Portrait Photographer

After a couple of tries to have a session at Esquimalt Lagoon (the wind was just way too strong), we headed over to the grounds of Hatley Castle.  I loved the mix of greenery, flowers, and old buildings.  Brecken and Hunter were characters, 3 and 6, going on 10 and 13th.  And really, could this family be anymore beautiful!  Enjoy!

How old are you?  I'm 3!!!

Bit of attitude.

3 Generations....can see where the beauty comes from.

Because every family pose needs a little model pose!

The Lovely Betsy | Victoria BC Headshots

I liked Betsy from the first minute we met, why you ask...well Riley was attached via leash.  2 redheads on one day, what more could a photographer want???? Oh I know, a bag full of colorful tops and scarves!  Betsy is starting a new realtor career and wanted a few headshots.  We headed down to one of my favourite urban locations and had a great time.  I love getting to know my clients when I meet them for a portrait and headshot session.  There is always a lot of talking and chatting as well as a lot of laughs.  My jokes are terrible, just ask Betsy, but they do get some natural laughs.  Betsy wanted a set of images that would show her true personality, her striped hat that all her neighbors and friends would recognize.  I think we captured her natural beauty while showing how trustful and genuine she is.  Thank you Betsy for a great afternoon.......you look gorgeous!

Good luck Betsy with your new real estate career.  If you are looking for a real estate agent, check her out at Royal Lepage.   If you are a Victoria small business owner, artist, blogger, or professional and are looking for a set of professional but modern business portraits, I'd love to hear from you.

Another Day at the Beach | Family Photographer Victoria, BC

I love the beach----from the lake, the ocean, anything involving water and sand, well and sun of course.  This weather we are FINALLY having has inspired me.  Last weekend I spent the late afternoon with the G. Family at Agate Lane---the perfect location for late afternoon sessions.  Beautiful and fun kids and you could tell they had fun.  Also, Mom did a great job in the styling department, shades of blue and white, perfect for this ocean setting.  We are keeping the family ones a secret in case they show up on YOUR christmas card or mantel this year.

Brother and Sisters | Family Photographer Victoria, BC

These 3 cuties were visiting their family here in Victoria  The girls, they were totally into posing.....Mr. N not soo much.  I tried every trick in the book, even Pez candies and we only managed a few smiles capture looking at the camera.  Now if only I could have blown bubbles out of the top of my head, we would have had his total attention!!  Thanks for a fun afternoon.  Enjoy mom and great styling, I loved it.

The face he is giving me here is, "really your not fooling me."  I love it!!!