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

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.

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

As many of you know I am a fan of the Queen’s Cross Pub in North Vancouver and am always happy to help Chris out when there are new things on the menu.  I shot these quite awhile ago and have just now been able to blog them.  If you are in the neighborhood, definitely stop by and try out these delicious new items!

seared tuna salad

seared tuna salad

seared tuna appy

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 .  i look like an upside down mop!!  ya coulda tried to talk me out of that one …

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 …

Bridal preparation shots are one of my favourite parts of the day and I couldn’t wait to meet these lovely ladies at Hotel l’hermitage.  When I showed up Jenn was one of the most calm and super excited brides I have ever seen … Amanda had already started putting on everyones makeup…so I busied myself with some detail shots until it was Jenn’s turn.

Her dad was so cute … he kept sending texts/photos so he could come up to the room because he was so exited/bored by himself…

Jenn was absolutely stunning!

Her dad’s reaction when he saw her in her gown and veil was priceless…

Just before we left for the church we stopped for a photo in one of the lounges in the hotel.

are you kidding me!?  seriously gorgeous!

Off to St. Mark’s to get married …

My second shooter Greg Masuda caught this great shot of Justin during the ceremony! I just love it!

my view during the ceremony

I loved the light coming in the church from all the windows … it was so lovely!

Justin’s dad performed the ceremony…

how excited are they?

Off to Gastown for some fun shots! Look at the colours of these flowers!  They were beautiful!

and so was this wedding party!!

see what i mean about how fun they are to be around!!  always smiling …

then off to the pub for a drink … and more photos …

off to the Granville Island Brewery for the reception … the lovely cake & cupcakes were done by Laura Barker from Pacific Pastries

these grandparents are still so much in love and were so sweet to watch

their first song was “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz … love it!!!

This amazing wedding ran so smoothly because of the wonderfully talented event planner Sandy Pandher.  Look forward to working with you again in the future.

Justin & Jenn … thank you again for being WICKED AWESOME!!!!  I heart you guys to the moon and back!!  I wish you many many years of happiness … xoxoxox

love True Religion jeans …

And ya can’t photograph a Cali guy without ending at the beach during the sunset …

This little girl wanted to go swimming so badly …

this one seriously cracks me up!!

and finally what they both have been waiting for so patiently … swimming!!

I was over the moon happy when I heard she was getting married and even more excited when she asked me to be her wedding photographer!  I haven’t been to Geraldton in 11 years so it was an absolutely amazing trip spending time with my family.  We stayed at Kenogamisis Lake Resort for the week, which happens to be Amy’s parents properties, and got to hang out with all my fantastic family and eat tons of fresh fish!!

A few days later we drove to Thunder Bay to watch Amy & Dillon get married … what an adorable couple!  I had never met Dillon and couldn’t wait to give him a big huge hug and welcome him into our family…he is an absolute doll!

Now if anyone has spent even 5 minutes with Amy … she loves to make faces and is a huge ham (especially in front of the camera … lol)!!  Dillon is an avid hunter so her garter belt was made of camouflage and little pewter moose.

How gorgeous are her eyes!!  WOW!

That morning there was a ton of fog!  Her shoes were something blue …

The flower girls were beautiful and very sweet!

Just about to walk down the aisle

How excited was I when I saw 4 antique cars … a deserted gas station … we found some cool places to shoot!  Amy was in model heaven! Her & Dillon Rocked IT!

Amazing wedding party!!  Reily has got to be the BEST maid of honor I have ever seen … especially when Amy went all Bridezilla … lol …

Amy had two white roses in her bouquet to represent each grandfather that couldn’t be there …

Sorry it’s such a long post but they live really really far away and couldn’t decide what to post .

Lots of love to all of you!!  xoxox

The sky was amazing that night!! 

I love love love Tamara’s laugh here!!