I am so happy and honored that I made the Honorable Mention list for JuneBug Weddings Best of the Best of 2011!!  I am over the moon to have my name on this list.

Here is the photo that I submitted for the Ceremony section.

Here is the link to see some incredible photos.

Thank you again JuneBug Weddings for this amazing honor.

Last Wednesday were the 2011 Professional BC Wedding Awards where I was the runner up for Best Overall Wedding Photographer for all of British Columbia.   Even though I didn’t come in first … the feeling that night is one I will not soon forget.  I was in a theatre filled with the most amazing talent shmoozing and networking with people that I had either just met, haven’t seen for a while or people I consider close friends in the industry.   I was so nervous.  Most of the awards were already handed out when I was chatting away and discussing the photos that were up on the screen when my name appeared with one of my photos for Best Overall Wedding Photographer…I think I lost all color in my face and my heart was racing … I heard some of my friends screaming … I remember turning around to look at my husband for support … only to see how proud he was of me … that was an even better feeling and made me a smidge calmer.  Although the extremely talented Sakura won … I couldn’t be prouder of the work I did at Roseanne & Derek’s wedding and for them trusting me with so much creative freedom.  Truly … madly … deeply … do I love what I do!!!!!!!!

Here are the photos of mine that were submitted for the competition (in no particular order).

A huge thank you to Michael Wachniak for second shooting this amazing wedding with me.  It’s always so fun shooting with him.  Mike won for best group shot at the awards that night as well…very proud of him!

Thanks to Steff Kobialki & Justin Eckersall for creating and hosting these wonderful awards.  Such a fun night and it is amazing to be recognized in our industry for what we do.

To see the full list of winners and finalists … please go to the Professional BC Wedding Awards blog to see some truly talented people with mad skills

I am a strong believer in education…whether it is formal, seminars, reading or workshops.  I try to take a workshop or seminar at least once a year to stay current and to push myself as an artist.  I always want to get better … be more daring … try new things and to master my craft.  Last week I had the pleasure of participating in a workshop in Toronto and am excited to implement some of the things I learned in my shooting and editing style.

The first day was with Fer Juaristi and he completely blew me out of the water.  He is an incredibly talented, humble and wonderful human being who had us all laughing for two days.  Thank you so much Fer for sharing your knowledge and being so inspiring.

The second day was with Davina & Daniel who are also a husband and wife team with a very interesting way of photographing.  It was interesting learning new ways to push yourself and to use your surroundings more creatively.

My head is still spinning from all the things we learned but also with excitement.  I met 14 other wonderful photographers from all over and am looking forward to maintaining those new friendships.  Speaking of friendships … thank you to Jessica Blaine Smith for opening up her funky studio to all of us and becoming my new friend.  You rock girl!

Here are just a few of the photos I was able to snap off … it’s always so hard getting “the” shot when you have so many photographers trying to shoot the same thing differently

This is Fer … he kicks ass with his vision!!  I love how he sees and photographs things.

learning how to see light differently … here are a few shots I was able to grab of our real life couple.

couldn’t decide if i liked this shot better in black and white or in color … Molina … you are beautiful!

this is Jennifer Ballard … she’s pretty rad too.

the lovely Jessica Blaine Smith

Fer checking the light with his hand … love this trick

while everyone was shooting this … i did this … lol

having a shoot off with Fer … he makes me laugh.  the end.

Last summer I met this amazing woman/photographer/friend … Jen Berry … at a workshop in California.  She and I got to know each other a little through email and Facebook chat before we went to the Jasmine Star‘s workshop … and I couldn’t wait to meet her in person.  Over the past year we’ve been able to spend some time together and have had even more chats.  I adore this woman.  Not only is she incredibly talented and blows me away with her vision … she is really funny, sweet, caring and one of the most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

At WPPI, I had the opportunity of meeting her husband Steve and we totally hit it off and had a riot!!  It was so nice spending time with the two of them and I felt like I had known them forever!  I was very sad to hear they were leaving Vegas earlier than expected … and even sadder when I heard the reason.  Steve had been in remission with Hodgkin’s but it was back and they needed to get back to California to see his doctors…

I am always donating to different charities and supporting local kids etc. … but 95% of the time it is for strangers … when I saw that one of Jen & Steve’s friends were running a marathon to help raise money to kick cancers a$$ … I was more than happy to donate.   It always makes me feel good to support in any way I can and since I can’t be there to give them a big gigantic hug … this is the best that I can do to show my support … I hope all of you will check out Clare’s website and help her exceed her goal!   It doesn’t need to be a huge donation … every little bit helps

Steve is a very funny & optimistic guy … you should check out his website http://dicktersbedpan.wordpress.com to find out for yourself!

Six years ago today was the best days of my life!  I became the mother to the most wonderful little boy.

Dear Max,

There are so many things I love about you that it is hard to put into words.  You are such a gentle boy and you make me so proud every day seeing how you interact with people whether they are young or old.  Your laughter and sense of humor cracks me up on a daily basis.  You are so inquisitive and always asking questions trying to learn everything you can about every topic … it is sometimes hard to keep up  :).  If I can have one wish on your birthday  … it is that we will always have our special bond.  You are always wanting to snuggle, kiss me or hold my hand…even when you are sleeping, playing or watching tv…

You are my greatest accomplishment.  I love you to the moon and back!!  Happy Birthday!!

xo~ Mommy

I am a photographer and I never seem to take any photos of my family.  This needs to change  :).    Here are some photos I took of my little turkey about a week ago.  His favorite place ever … the beach … we threw rocks in the ocean and looked for kryptonite (aka sea glass)

LOL!!  You gotta love his form in this jump

playing with the new shells we found…

New Chucks

When my phone rang last week I was pleasantly surprised when my friend Erin Gilmore asked me if I’d like to do a photowalk in Maple Ridge.  I was incredibly excited for a few reasons … 1. I adore Erin and think she is an extremely talented photographer so I was thrilled to shoot/hang with her and 2. I rarely get the chance to get out to her neck of the woods and I absolutely love barns and open fields … we had a riot and man did we find some great gems!

After overcoming our shyness … we both took turns photographing each other.  Erin made me feel so comfortable in front of the camera and I just love the shots she got of me!  Thank you Erin for a fabulous day of great photos and tons of laughs!

And the beautiful Erin … she’s so fun to shoot and is incredibly photogenic.

how RAD is this belt buckle!!

and these are the shots Erin took of me

I had the privilege of being interviewed and listed as one of 50 Essential Portrait Photographers in the Vancouver area.  To be among these talented woman is truly an honor!  Thank you for adding me to this amazing list!

http://vancouvermom.ca/best-of/fran-chelico-of-fran-chelico-photography/

50 Essential Portrait Photographers: Fran Chelico of Fran Chelico Photography

02 Dec 2009, written by Christine 0 Comments

Photographer Fran Chelico loves to hang out, both with her long-time friends and new acquaintances… mostly to laugh while enjoying a glass of wine!  When she`s not focusing on her photography she`s just a North Shore girl who loves to have fun with her husband Mike and her son Max on the beach in the summer and the slopes in the winter.

Be The First!

Why did you get into photography?

As a child, I was always interested in art. I would prefer to sketch images of things around me than to play with dolls. When I was 13 years old I landed my first job as a photographer’s assistant and that’s when I reallyfound my passion. I enjoy capturing special moments for people, I find it very satisfying and fulfilling. That feeling you get when you know you just got ‘THE’ shot … it’s exciting!

Tell us a bit about your company?

I had left photography for a few years and worked in various corporations, but always felt like a piece of me was missing. Six years ago while living in NYC I decided I wanted to explore a career as a photographer. I wentback to school to learn all about digital photography and after some early success with formal shoots and encouragement from my husband Mike, I opened my own photography company when we moved to North Vancouver. That was four years ago. My current business focuses predominantly on weddings andportraits (I like interacting with people!) but I do the occasional commercial shoot as well.

How would you characterize your style of photography?

I am a natural light photographer. I like clean, elegant shots that are timeless, capturing real moments unfolding around me. A groom’s smile as he walks his new wife down the aisle; the tiny little hand in yours that will only be that size once; or the moment when your grandfather blows out his candles for the 95th time are all endearing moments that make life so sweet. I love to see the world as a photograph and would like to preserve those images for people before they fade away.

Who are your clients?

My clients are regular people who want to have images captured that tell a story of who they are. For the most part, they are not people who feel comfortable in front of the camera, so a photojournalistic style suits them. If I have done my job well, they will forget I am even there!

What should your mom clients expect when working with you?

That I am a very easy going, patient and fun person to work with. It totally makes my day when a young client is dreading their photo shoot and at the end are disappointed it is over and say it was much easier then they thought it would be and that they had a ton of fun! That is one of the biggest compliments for me! For families, I would tell them I understand when your child is not cooperating because I have a 5 year old son and deal with that whenever I want to take photos of him “lol” sometimes you have to just let them do their thing until they get used to the camera or you get down on your hands and knees and play with them until you’ve developed a bond. You do anything to get the shot!

Anything else to add?

I love working with people, hearing people’s stories and capturing the moment for them! It makes me feel good that I can contribute a small bit to keeping their memories alive! I love what I do…

Fran Chelico Photography

www.franchelico.com| Twitter : @franchelico

I woke up 11 years ago today with butterflies in my stomach like I have never felt before … it was a beautiful day with blue skies … all my friends and family were with me … and I was going to get married!  You couldn’t wipe the grin off my face all day!!  When my parents walked me down the aisle … I remember starting to cry … everyone was staring at me and it was starting to register … “oh my goodness!!  I’m getting married!!” … When we got to the end of the aisle and Michael held my hand … I felt like I had come home … a feeling of complete and utter calm came over me … I couldn’t wait to begin our life … he still has this affect over me whenever I start going a little crazy … he just needs to hold my hand and talk to me and I know it is going to be ok … he makes me laugh like no other … he is my biggest cheerleader … the best father to our son … and the person I always want to have around me … he is my rock … and the love of my life!

We have had such an amazing adventure the last 11 years … from selling our home in St. Catharines, Ontario and moving to Ithaca, NY … to New York City … and now to Vancouver.   We have had some ups and downs but it has only made us stronger as a team … We have traveled all over and have some great memories … I cannot wait to have more adventures with you by my side …

Happy Anniversary Michael … I love you!

for my girlfriends and sister … really … I had short hair and tried to have an updo

See what I mean??  Big grins all day long

LOL!!  How about these photos … all of this done without Photoshop!!

ok … wait for it … wait for it …

I have been reading Jasmine Star’s blog for the past year and have always been a huge fan.  When I heard she was going to be doing a Workshop, I couldn’t wait to sign up!  Unfortunately, I was too slow and it was sold out in 20 minutes!   When the notice for her 3rd Workshop was released, I immediately signed up…lucky for me, I got a spot!  I made some new friendships with some pretty rock star photographers!  We had a ton of fun and look forward to keeping in touch with all of them.

I think it is so important to take workshops and I try to take at least one a year.  They help you push yourself and keep your business fresh. 

It was a jam packed day full of branding information and a live shoot with one of Jasmine’s previous clients.  Vern & Melinda knocked it out of the park!  They looked fantastic and were absolutely at ease in front of the camera. 

The lovely flowers were done by Carissa from JL Designs

Melinda’s Monique Lhuillier wedding dress was gorgeous!!

Vivian Tran from All Made-Up did a fantastic job on Melinda’s makeup!  

Thanks Jasmine for an ultra fabulous day!!  Thanks for JD for providing me with gluten-free goodies all day!

Polkaroo … that is how Melanie (a registered veterinary technician) thought of Chris.  At the time he was the mysterious ‘cute paramedic guy’ that worked at the same Fort Erie Race Track.  Every time a mutual friend tried to introduce them, Chris had either just left or wasn’t working that shift, etc. etc.  there was always something that prevented them from meeting…Polkaroo…

Until one day…months later…Melanie went to a local pizza place for a birthday party and Chris happened to be there watching the World Juniors Hockey game.  They were a match!  I couldn’t be  happier for them!   Chris is now a firefighter for the Niagara Falls Fire Deptartment and Melanie is currently a stay-at-home mom with their beautiful boy Edan!

I was able to photograph their engagement session in Ancaster and spend some quality time with both of them before I flew back to Vancouver.  We went to the Hermitage Ruins  which some believe to be a ’haunted house’.  There are only a few walls left standing that were once part of a mansion from the 1830′s… they have guided ghost walks where you can explore the dark alley’s and remaining buildings where they believe ghosts still visit.  If that is too freaky then the hiking and trails on this property are pretty amazing as well.  I had a hard time keeping Chris’s attention, he was a true boy at heart and wanted to go out exploring instead of getting his photos taken.

It is always so amazing seeing you guys!  I am bummed that I will be missing your wedding in August!!