Wedding Vendor Behind The Scenes - Shyah K Films (Videography)
““…I soon realized how powerful video is, and that I could positively affect the world through video, so I dropped out of my international development studies University program. Around this time it had been a few years so since I had volunteered in Kenya and Ecuador so I was all about giving back to my planet.”
“…I soon realized how powerful video is, and that I could positively affect the world through video, so I dropped out of my international development studies University program. Around this time it had been a few years so since I had volunteered in Kenya and Ecuador so I was all about giving back to my planet.”
Have you ever wondered who it is behind that beautiful wedding cake you had? Or who it was designing your dress or who it was who did your makeup? While you may have most likely had some interaction with your wedding vendors during your wedding day, most likely the day was a complete blur and you probably only met them briefly and didn’t get to know the person that well.
In this new series of photographs and brief interviews, I will taking you Behind The Scenes of what makes wedding vendors so passionate about what they do. Why do they do they do? Why do they love weddings? Behind each wedding cake, dress, decor setup, photograph or video is a human being with a passionate flame burning inside them that drives them to make, create and/or organize on your wedding day. #weddingdaybts
Today’s Wedding Vendor is:
Shyah of Shyah K Films
What do you love to do when not working on weddings?
I love hosting friends and hosting dinners. My wife and I have the place where friends get together. “May our home be ever too small to hold all our friends” is a quote that comes to mind.
I also enjoy taking my cat for walks and lately, playing “Enter the Gun-geon” on the Nintendo Switch. I also enjoy watching The Office (the TV show). In my down time, I’m also reaching out to customers whom I want to work with down the road. This currently involves cold-calling breweries as I love craft beer.
What inspires you? What drives you?
My desire is to blend my interests with my creative avenue of videography. Boredom is a reality for an artist so I like to try different things. I’m driven by my need for constant growth and in challenging myself technically. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at; you’re going to get bored. My drive to constantly grow is a way for me to future-proof myself from boredom.
I’m also inspired by other videographers, whether they’re local or abroad. For example: Russian wedding videos are doing stuff that we haven’t even thought of!
How did you start in videography?
Years ago, I was gift a Canon Powershot. Within a week or so, I fully understood the manual functions and inherently understood the artistic aspects of photography. I soon realized that people could see what I saw through my photograph. After that, I fiddled with short films on Youtube. I then pushed the boundaries a little bit more. Through this, I soon realized how powerful video is, and that I could positively affect the world through video, so I dropped out of my international development studies University program. Around this time it had been a few years so since I had volunteered in Kenya and Ecuador so I was all about giving back to my planet.
Why do you love doing videography?
I like to present my points of view and bring people in to see what I see. I really appreciate the small things, from bees to lavender flowers… especially clouds though. I really love clouds (this is something I may have inherited from my grandfather.
What is it about weddings that excites you?
I love the controlled chaos. For example, I went to a rockstar’s wedding where everyone was hammered and despite that, I was trying to get everything organized in order to do a sparkler exit. Believe it or not, this really gives me energy! People are my caffeine. I really enjoy talking and figuring things out with people. I’m definitely an extrovert!
Who is your ideal client?
I don’t really have a preference to a type of wedding. Chinese, Indian or Boho… I’ll do them all. If anything, it comes down their values. I really enjoy working with people that are flexible and are not too stressed when things don’t go according to plan. I also enjoy working with people that value their community where there’s room for lots of hugs, lots of smiles, table toasting and usually a killer dance floor.
I do also enjoy people who step outside of their circle, make things very personalized and bring their own flair to the wedding. This includes things such as bringing fun props or bringing their interests into the morning of their wedding day (e.g. people jamming on their wedding day morning).
What should people look for in a videographer?
Someone that has their client’s back and is there to support them during the wedding. Yes, we are there to capture the day but we are also a part of their team and I don’t want them to be stressed. I want them to have a good time and that they’re fueled.
A videographer needs to be friendly and get to know their clients’ family a little bit. Why? To make sure that the day goes smoothly. The videographer needs to understand that they are a piece of the “wedding machine.” They have to be considerate of the family and considerate of all aspects of the team. The videographer also needs to be interested in making something interesting for the couple that is beyond just developing something for their own portfolio. They have to be genuinely interested in the couples’ needs. Oh, and yes, they should be experienced!
What's your differentiator?
We are providing other people with a different set of eyes. We are trying to capture all of the brief moments around them. i.e. grandma breaking it down on the dancefloor.
I try to make it a good experience for everybody. I know I'm going to be with the couple more than their parents so I’m concerned about the couples’ needs. But I also want to include the family so much that I'll want to learn their language. My level of investment is not just gear and equipment - it's also language classes to connect with clients. Currently I'm learning Mandarin, but I also know some Spanish. I have a film theory background too, and I bring that into my wedding videos so I can provide a cinematic experience to the wedding using techniques that holy directors use.
You can check out Shyah’s work here at Shyah K Films
Wedding Vendor Behind The Scenes - Glam in Van (MakeUp Artist)
“When you make someone feel beautiful, it instantly creates a high. As soon as I get to the final stages of the makeup or hair where everything is coming together, I start to get so excited. And then when the client sees herself and lights up, i feel so happy and instantly want to go make someone else feel pretty…”
Have you ever wondered who it is behind that beautiful wedding cake you had? Or who it was designing your dress or who it was who did your makeup? While you may have most likely had some interaction with your wedding vendors during your wedding day, most likely the day was a complete blur and you probably only met them briefly and didn’t get to know the person that well.
In this new series of photographs and brief interviews, I will taking you Behind The Scenes of what makes wedding vendors so passionate about what they do.
“When you make someone feel beautiful, it instantly creates a high. As soon as I get to the final stages of the makeup or hair where everything is coming together, I start to get so excited. And then when the client sees herself and lights up, i feel so happy and instantly want to go make someone else feel pretty…”
Have you ever wondered who it is behind that beautiful wedding cake you had? Or who it was designing your dress or who it was who did your makeup? While you may have most likely had some interaction with your wedding vendors during your wedding day, most likely the day was a complete blur and you probably only met them briefly and didn’t get to know the person that well.
In this new series of photographs and brief interviews, I will taking you Behind The Scenes of what makes wedding vendors so passionate about what they do. Why do they do they do? Why do they love weddings? Behind each wedding cake, dress, decor setup, photograph or video is a human being with a passionate flame burning inside them that drives them to make, create and/or organize on your wedding day. #weddingdaybts
Today’s Wedding Vendor is:
Carly from Glam In Van
What do you love to do when not working on weddings?
My old answer would have been working out, competitively Irish dancing or playing music, but now I’m a mom and that’s the best thing I’ve ever gotten to do 🙂
What inspires you?
There are so many incredible makeup and hair stylists out there. With instagram, Pinterest and YouTube, you can constantly find new inspiration and challenge and push yourself to do something different. My goal is to always stay inspired and always try new things and continue to evolve as an artist.
What drives you?
When you make someone feel beautiful, it instantly creates a high. As soon as I get to the final stages of the makeup or hair where everything is coming together, I start to get so excited. And then when the client sees herself and lights up, i feel so happy and instantly want to go make someone else feel pretty. I’ve never had a job that I’ve loved so much, where as cliche as it sounds, work doesn’t feel like work. It’s addictive and fun!
How did you start in makeup and hair?
Makeup is something I’ve always enjoyed doing for dance competitions and performances. People would always compliment my makeup abilities, but I never thought of it as a career.
I’ve also loved weddings my entire life, and always wanted a career as a wedding decorator or planner (until I tried being one and realized how exhausting that was - no thanks!). I was also a bridal dress consultant at one time too. Fast forward to when I was getting my makeup and hair done for my wedding, I was so envious of my makeup artists life. She literally plays with makeup and makes people feel pretty all day long. So I immediately signed up for the makeup program at Blanche Macdonald, quit my marketing job, and began working while still in school.
It was a scary move, but I quickly realized this was what I was meant to do.
Why do you love doing makeup?
It’s creative, I get to work with my hands, I get to work with fantastic people on an exciting day of their lives, every client is different, and it’s just so much fun!
What is it about weddings that excites you?
I was that little kid that had her entire wedding planned out by the age of 10. I binge watched TLC’s wedding shows, and once Pinterest became a thing, had thousands of inspo pics neatly organized for my future wedding planning needs.
Weddings are just a magical once in a lifetime thing where you can plan the party of your wildest dreams to celebrate the love between you and your significant other. How amazing is that? You don’t get too many things like that in life. It’s just so special and amazing and I love weddings because of it.
Who is your ideal client?
All of my clients are different, ranging from wanting super dramatic makeup, to natural looks. From very involved in the makeup/hair process to fully trusting what I put together for them. It’s all great. Overall just someone who likes my work, can clearly communicate their hair/makeup goals, and wants me to create something magical for them!
What should ppl look for in a make-up artist?
Someone who’s work aligns with their hair and makeup goals. Someone who is communicative and responsive.
What is your differentiator?
The biggest thing that sets Glam In Van apart in a competitive industry of Vancouver makeup artists, is all Glam In Van brides will work directly with myself. This ensures my brides receive the same luxury beauty experience, my signature makeup style, and my passion to get to know them and achieve their specific beauty goals. I love weddings so much, and hearing about my clients’ love stories, chatting wedding plans, and seeing photos from their wedding afterwards brings me so much joy. I care so much about my brides, and believe the experience is so much more than just makeup and hair. We are making you feel the way you want to feel on your big day. All girls dream of the bride they will be one day, and I feel honoured to help you create that vision and make you feel beautiful. #ilovemyjob
You can check out Carly’s work here at Glam In Van
Single Tree Winery Abbotsford Wedding - Kevin and Julie
I recall ending that night and saying goodnight to everyone, packing my bags and making my way back to my car. However, as I took some steps away from the wedding tent, I saw the summer night sky with the stars glistening above. I took a photo of it (which you can see at the end of the blog post) and the wedding tent to close out on a series of photographs I had made that day documenting the amazing joy and laughter that was happening that day…
As I was looking back at the photographs I had made of Kevin and Julie’s wedding, I suddenly remembered how much raw emotion there was at this wedding. It wasn’t always evident everywhere (it wasn’t everyone bursting into tears! That would be interesting) but definitely amidst all the hustle and bustle that is usual to a wedding day, I saw and documented the love and passion Kevin and Julie had (and still have) for each other and the love that their friends and family had for them. It was a mixture of laughter, embarrassing stories and also of tears of joy. Amidst it all, I was there documenting individual moments that were happening throughout the day, from Julie getting ready at their newly-built home through to Kevin’s first look at Julie and later on to a beautiful ceremony and also reception at the Single Tree Winery in Abbotsford.
I recall ending that night and saying goodnight to everyone, packing my bags and making my way back to my car. However, as I took some steps away from the wedding tent, I saw the summer night sky with the stars glistening above. I took a photo of it (which you can see at the end of the blog post) and the wedding tent to close out on a series of photographs I had made that day documenting the amazing joy and laughter that was happening that day.
As per my usual approach to weddings, I did not do a lot of posing nor any guidance of many of the events happening (other than the formal photographs of family/friends and of the bridal party). I was there as a documentarian and an observer of all that was happening. To be able to take part in people’s lives and create these genuine and authentic moment photographs is a dream come true for me.
Lighthouse Park Wedding Portrait Session (Behind The Scenes) for Yinger Fotokrafie
A while ago, I had the opportunity to work with Yinger at Yinger Fotokrafie as a secondary shooter and also a Behind The Scenes photographer. This photoshoot was entirely orchestrated by Yinger but I was able to capture and document some of the going-ons behind the scenes that made the photoshoot amazing for this couple. Huge thank to Yinger Forokrafie for having me on! All of the photographs here (I believe) were shot on beautiful 35mm film, my favorite photographic medium…
A while ago, I had the opportunity to work with Yinger at Yinger Fotokrafie as a secondary shooter and also a Behind The Scenes photographer. This photoshoot was entirely orchestrated by Yinger but I was able to capture and document some of the going-ons behind the scenes that made the photoshoot amazing for this couple. Huge thank to Yinger Forokrafie for having me on! All of the photographs here (I believe) were shot on beautiful 35mm film, my favorite photographic medium.
After some hectic running with all of my cameras on me (PS: If you ever need an extreme workout session, become a photographer and run through the trails of North Vancouver to catch up with a bride and groom, I found Yinger and the bride and groom and the makeup artist standing around the rocks at Lighthouse Park, preparing to pose together and be photographed. At one point, we saw the Coast Guard come rushing towards us in a boat and once they were within earshot they shouted “CONGRATULATIONS!” Ha ha.
My documentary approach tends to lend itself to find moments and create deep and beautiful photographs from them. That’s what did on this photoshoot. I probably also burned hundreds of calories in the process too.
2018 Year End Review - My Documentary Photography Comes Home
How do you even begin to encapsulate a year? It’s 365 days of living and being and breathing and it all goes by so fast. As a photographer, the photos I take are not only momentos of the little moments that went by but also memory place holders that let me look back and recall a time in my life: the smells, the sights and even the sounds.
How do you even begin to encapsulate a year? It’s 365 days of living and being and breathing and it all goes by so fast. As a photographer, the photos I take are not only momentos of the little moments that went by but also memory place holders that let me look back and recall a time in my life: the smells, the sights and even the sounds.
A brief slideshow encapsulating my 2018 year. What a year it was! Read on below for more details :)
This year marked a major change for me personally with the birth of my daughter. It changed the way I see the world and how I play a part in it. Being a father is at some time really tough but also other times very rewarding and I truly enjoy the reward of being a new Dad.
Seeing my wife give birth was an experience unto itself… but hearing my daughter’s first cries changed everything about who I think I am.
The Chinatown Project (Documenting Chinatown) grew externally this year. I was taking less photos and spending a little less time in Chinatown compared to before but I got a chance to exhibit photos at the Sun Yat Sen Courtyard pop-up exhibition and also talk about this long-term project at the ARC Experience photography conference in Vancouver this year. It’s also the year that I started creating the first book of my documentation of Chinatown and I look forward to making it available for sale next year.
I worked with many families this year as well as wedding couples and it was amazing as always to be a part of people’s lives and document their day. I truly enjoy being a documentary photographer and creating photographs from the “mundane” and “unseen” moments. To be able to create authentic and honest photographs are why I do what I do every day.
As I look back and try to pick a few “highlight” photos for this slideshow and blogpost, I’m reminded of all the good times in 2018, all the rough times and also all the celebratory times. As in previous years, I’m so thankful for all the people I worked with this year, from clients to photographers, to the people of Chinatown, to event planners and brides and grooms to the Chinatown Associations, to all my friends I’ve made at the ARC Experience to the families who’ve allowed me to document your lives. Thank you all so much! You all make my photography more than just about photographs.
The Birth Of Our Daughter:
The Documenting Chinatown Project (Photos from 2018):
Family PhotoSessions:
Documentary Wedding Photography (and some Styled Photoshoot Projects):
Hatley Castle and Empress Hotel Victoria Wedding
First, huge thanks to Ryan Flynn Photography, who took me on as a seconding photographer for this assignment of his. Ryan is a great guy!
As I am based close to the city of Vancouver on the British Columbia mainland, heading to Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria is always a treat. I love the feel and sense of adventure and travel when I make my way out there. In order to make the ferry to get to the wedding on time, I had to wake up at a very early hour (i.e. it was still dark and it was Summer time) and make my way through some winding roads. Eventually, I managed to get to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and soon relaxed once my car and I were on the ferry and on our way across the water.
First, huge thanks to Ryan Flynn Photography, who took me on as a seconding photographer for this assignment of his. Ryan is a great guy!
As I am based close to the city of Vancouver on the British Columbia mainland, heading to Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria is always a treat. I love the feel and sense of adventure and travel when I make my way out there. In order to make the ferry to get to the wedding on time, I had to wake up at a very early hour (i.e. it was still dark and it was Summer time) and make my way through some winding roads. Eventually, I managed to get to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and soon relaxed once my car and I were on the ferry and on our way across the water.
The first part of this wedding took place first in the Empress Hotel and the ceremony took place at Hatley Castle. My day started with the groomsmen at the Empress Hotel, where the groom and his groomsmen were hurriedly putting on their clothes in order to make it out the door in time. Once we boarded the wedding bus, I met with the bride and the bridesmaids inside Hatley Castle and documented their time hanging out together moments before the ceremony took place. Hatley Castle and the castle grounds surrounding it are beautiful. I later found out that Hatley Castle was used in some of the original X Men movies (the ones with Patrick Stewart)!
After the ceremony, I went with Ryan Flynn and the videographers to Beacon Hill and photographed some of the in-between shots and documentary moments while the more posed photos were taking place.
Story continued below…
(Also, these venues have become a part of my list of favourite places to document weddings. SEE HERE FOR DETAILS WHY).
The second part of the day led us back to the Empress Hotel in Victoria. At one point during the night, the couple strolled along Victoria’s Downtown Harbour at sun set and had a band on a neighboring dock play their first song dance while they danced to it. The night ended with dancing to an amazing band (to who’s names I did not catch unfortunately) and I went back to my hotel room satisfied that I had been a part of an amazing wedding.
Brix and Mortar Wedding - Adrian and Wendy - Seconding for John Bello
Approaching a wedding in a documentary fashion is actually quite difficult. As I'm not directing people to pose or to do certain things, I have to be able to react and anticipate moments as they happen. There's no "OK, can you look at Mom and laugh now?". I'm there to document it as how it truly unfolded. Why would I approach things this way? To me, there's something absolutely magical about creating beautiful photographs of real and authentic moments. It's telling your story as the way it happened and not how I as a photographer directed it to be. Candid, photojournalistic and unposed moments are where my photography passion lies.
Approaching a wedding in a documentary fashion is actually quite difficult. As I'm not directing people to pose or to do certain things, I have to be able to react and anticipate moments as they happen. There's no "OK, can you look at Mom and laugh now?". I'm there to document it as how it truly unfolded. Why would I approach things this way? To me, there's something absolutely magical about creating beautiful photographs of real and authentic moments. It's telling your story as the way it happened and not how I as a photographer directed it to be. Candid, photojournalistic and unposed moments are where my photography passion lies.
Adrian and Wendy had a late winter wedding, which meant that it was a bit colder and also day light disappeared quite quickly. However, their passion in dance and for each other soon heated up the place. As usual, I'll let the photographs tell the story from there.
Thanks to John Bello for giving me the opportunity to second shoot for him!
PS: Brix and Mortar has become one of my top wedding venues to photograph at. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY.
The groom keeps an eye out for guests.
A beautiful night at Brix & Mortar Vancouver. Winter time meant that the daylight was gone by the time the evening reception rolled around, which meant that the night lights and the evening ambiance took over.
Uhhh.... OK. No words for this one other than "wedding party games".
The passion as these two danced was incredible to watch as it was to photograph.
And then the crowd comes in to dance with you.
Brix and Mortar Wedding - Pete and Christine - Seconding for John Bello
If it isn't already apparent in my blog posts, I truly enjoy photographing at Brix and Mortar in Yaletown. It's a nice and small and intimate space with a unique ceremony space but the people there are also really cool.
As per usual, I'll let the photographs and the little bits of commentary do the narrating of this wedding. Just a quick note: That amazing red British car was an awesome sight to see.
Thanks to John Bello Photography for taking me on as a second shooter for this one.
If it isn't already apparent in my blog posts, I truly enjoy photographing at Brix and Mortar in Yaletown. It's a nice and small and intimate space with a unique ceremony space but the people there are also really cool.
Brix and Mortar has become one of my favourite places to photograph a wedding. It has a great intimate atmosphere, the courtyard area is beautifully lit and the staff are great people to work with. On this day, I was making my way over to Brix and Mortar to begin my assignment when I saw this bright red classic car. After looking at it a few moments, I noticed that it had our couple's image on it and knew that this was a part of the wedding. Legends say that seeing a bright red car on your wedding day will bring you multiple... luck? Children? Who knows. I'm just kidding.
I met Pete's groomsmen and family in the pub next to Brix and Mortar and proceeded to document the day. I recall taking a photograph of Pete writing his vows and later also moments with Christine talking with her bridesmaid just prior to the ceremony, with her Dad looking happily-teary as the big event approached. There was great emotion in the air and, as always, it was fantastic to be a part of it all and documenting it all.
As per usual, I'll let the photographs and the little bits of commentary do the narrating of this wedding. Just a quick note: That amazing red British car was an awesome sight to see.
PS: Brix and Mortar has become one of my top wedding venues to photograph at. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY.
The groom and his groomsmen spent a bit of time hanging out at the pub next door to Brix and Mortar.
While moments like these can be posed, I love creating them in the midst of the wedding day. It's really tough as everything has to line up just right... but when it does, it becomes something amazing.
That First Dance moment in the Brix and Mortar courtyard :)
FULL GALLERY:
Welid and Savannah's Backyard Wedding - Seconding for Stefanie Cepeda
Welid and Savannah's wedding was one of the first backyard weddings I had photographed. While I thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere and the revelry of larger weddings, I also love the intimacy that comes with small weddings as well. It was a bright sunny day and lended itself to a great day followed by a reception in a hall in the evening.
Welid and Savannah's wedding was one of the first backyard weddings I had photographed. While I thoroughly enjoy the atmosphere and the revelry of larger weddings, I also love the intimacy that comes with small weddings as well. It was a bright sunny day and lended itself to a great day followed by a reception in a hall in the evening.
Photographs taken while seconding for Stefanie Cepeda.
Candid moments like these aren't taken at random. I'm constantly on the lookout for these moments as they happen!
I can't recall why this chair was needed? Probably for a place to sit while the couple signs the wedding papers.
I loved how this wedding was so very small but very intimate and personal. It took place in a backyard! That's Stefanie Cepeda in the background with the camera.
FULL GALLERY:
Brockhouse Restaurant Wedding and Victoria Chinese Restaurant - Michael and Shannon - Seconding for Jody Wiger
As per before, I won't say much in the ways of an introduction. I do think that the images speak for themselves (yes, including the mirror selfie with the bride's dress...). Michael and Shannon were married at Brockhouse in Vancouver followed by a reception at Victoria Chinese Restaurant. The night capped off with a dance rendition of "I Had The Time Of My Life" and it was kind of awesome. OK enough words. Photographs below :)
Thanks to Jody Wiger for the opportunity to second shoot.
As per before, I won't say much in the ways of an introduction. I do think that the images speak for themselves (yes, including the mirror selfie with the bride's dress...). Michael and Shannon were married at Brockhouse in Vancouver followed by a reception at Victoria Chinese Restaurant. The night capped off with a dance rendition of "I Had The Time Of My Life" and it was kind of awesome. OK enough words. Photographs below :)
Thanks to Jody Wiger for the opportunity to second shoot.
The groom looks into a mirror to check his shirt.
Moments after signing the wedding certificate.
That time I ran around with the bride's dress... yes, I was looking for a place to hang it for primary photog Jody Wiger.
No words. Just film.
FULL GALLERY:
