I was expecting to be impressed but even my far fetched ideas on how this lens performs were blown away. I’m seriously digging it so far! Tack sharp, amazing AF and beautiful bokeh… the things lens crushes are made of!

No one at my house was interested in having their photo taken, so here’s a shot of my ever faithful cat Pepper:

Looking forward to getting to know this lens better over the coming months! Yep, that’s right… it’s as good as bought! ;D

{ amber }

Happy Holidays everybody!

{ amber }

Are you a past, present or future client of mine? If so, I would love to be your friend on Facebook!

I think it’s a great place to keep in touch with each other… and I make a point of tagging all my clients in their photos so their friends can see them too.

Here’s where I am if you’re interested!:

http://www.facebook.com/amber.nashira.hughes/

See you there!

{ amber }

“Amber… Mum’s in emergency. She’s been there all afternoon…”

Life as I knew it changed in that moment. As I walked to the hospital I was admittedly scared, but had little idea of what I was actually facing. That evening I almost lost my Mother to a previously unforeseen disease…. and I realized how quickly everything you have can be taken away.

I left the hospital that night not knowing if I would see my Mum in the morning and to my horror I realized I hadn’t taken any photos of her (or the rest of my family) in what felt like eons. What would I do if I had lost my chance? How would I remember and treasure the face that had so often smiled into my own?

So it started… my personal project to photograph my family and those I love as often as possible. Life is so fast paced, sometimes it’s hard to remember how quickly things can change. I love my family very much and in my own way the photos I’ve taken since then are a tribute to that love and bond we share.

… or it would be, if there wasn’t one glaring exception. My Nana… She just won’t be photographed!

At 88 she’s often not feeling up to having me over for lunch, which she always insists on preparing for me no matter what. When I bring my camera along she almost always puts up a protest and says “Oh no… you don’t want a photo of an old woman like me!”. Let me tell you… even if I take a couple photos she decides it’s over about 3 shots in. “That’s enough Amber!” she’ll say, tossing her hands up in the air in protest.

When she called to invite me for lunch the other month I told her I would be delighted to come, provided she let me bring my camera for some photos. To my surprise she didn’t fight me and I’m so glad she didn’t! I don’t know how much time I really have with my Nana left and I love her more than words could possibly say.

*  *  *  *

I bought her the pashmina she’s wearing. She’s smelt like tea roses my entire life… it’s her signature scent… so when I saw the pattern on it covered with large roses I knew it was meant to be hers.

Her hands… I have so many memories of them. Brushing my hair, holding my hand, shaking a finger at me when I’m bad… her hands have always been there for me.

I love you Nana. You’re beautiful even if you won’t believe me when I tell you.

She’s had this mirror for time immeasurable. I used to love sitting in the matching chair while she did my hair… I felt like a princess looking at myself in it.

Yes, that’s me on the right. Yes, you can laugh…

Me and my Nana

I love her more than I could ever express. She’s my only living grandparent left and I treasure every moment I get with her.

Her beautiful laugh, her wonderful singing voice, the way she smiles at me, the fact that no matter how old I get she insists on giving me an allowance if I come to visit…  all of these things are a part of who I am.

I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t hear her beautiful voice on the phone… she’s just too special to me. I love you Nana… forever and always.

{ amber }

I knew we were experiencing history in the making. The point from which our whole future would hinge.

My love and I were getting married.

* * * *

I’ll never forget the look on Bryn’s face as I walked towards him… everything else faded into the background and all I could see was the joy we both shared reflected in his eyes. I was walking towards Bryn, but I was also walking towards our future together. What an amazing feeling.

I must have looked so nervous that day! There were so many emotions rushing through me that I could hardly keep my bouquet still. I remember how my voice trembled with the enormity of what I was saying as I repeated my vows. This was my best friend… someone I had watched grow into a man from the age of 16. Who had been with me through good and bad, and loved me no matter what. This was my soul mate… and at a very young age I had found him.

Bryn and I met when I was 14 and he was 16. It took us a little while to get to know each other, but once we both realized how zany the other person was we were inseparable. We spent almost every weekend together, talked on the phone, emailed constantly. Bryn was my dearest closest friend over my most formative years but we were never anything more. He was my best friend and I never realized that could translate so solidly to love.

It wasn’t until one day when he had just moved into his first apartment. I had come over so we could go out and grab some lunch and was waiting for him to get ready. He sat down on the couch to put his shoes on and looked up at me…

My heart stopped.

In that one glance I suddenly knew I loved him… that I had loved him for years and just hadn’t admitted it to myself. Here sitting in front of me was someone I could see myself with forever, and that realization was overwhelming.

Standing on the edge of our relationship I had to ask myself “Do I risk losing my closest friend, or do I jump full in and potentially gain the love of my life?”. I chose love and never looked back…. the rest is history.

Since we decided to move past being just friends my life has changed in so many ways. We’ve shared hardships and good times, laughter and tears… but throughout it all we’ve always had each other to look to. Our marriage only solidified what we already knew in our hearts. We’re made for each other… no two ways about it.

Bryn – If it’s possible, I love you more now than I ever have before. You really are the love of my life and I’m so lucky to have found you. Here’s to the many amazing stories we’ve already written and the multitude more waiting for us in the future!

I love you always

{ amber }

(photo taken by Arielle Langhorne during our visit to Paris last year)

- Gastown (I’ve shot a number of sessions down there and I still love it!)

- Granville Island (same comment as above!)

- Coal Harbour (some really neat architecture down there!)

- Chinatown (so many colours, so much going on!)




Now, here’s a list of places I’ve ALWAYS wanted to shoot but haven’t as of yet:

- Playland (doesn’t that sound like fun?!)

- Heritage village in Burnaby (they have a carousel!!)

- New West (seriously awesome spots down there)

- Abandoned lot anywhere with a vintage car (seriously dying for some hot rod action!)

- Victoria day trip. I would *love* to have a couple game to go to Victoria with me! Photos the whole day through… on the ferry, all over victoria.. I think it would make for an amazing session.

- Speaking of destinations… I would love to get down to Seattle as well. I was there last year for one day only on our way to Paris, but I LOVED what I saw architecturally!




As if there weren’t enough to choose from in that list… I also have a small list of ’secret’ locations I’m developing. Places most folks wouldn’t think to do a session and I’m dying to try out one of these days. If you’re one of my brides and you think you might be game, ask me what I have in mind!

For time of year, my absolute favorite is Spring followed really closely by Fall, and Summer/Winter as a tie for third. Honestly though, I love all the seasons with a passion and always think to myself as each one comes to pass “Oh! I LOVE *insert season here* so much!! Sighhhh”

Just a basic doorway… always a great place for some snuggling

Abandoned lots can be surprisingly photogenic!

Closed concession stand at the beach… proof you can find a great backdrop just about anywhere!

{ Amber }

My heart squeezed as I read it… you have no idea how much those words mean to me. When I photograph a couple, I don’t just approach it as a job… I get involved in the little moments, I rejoice in their love. I told Marti afterwards that I don’t know if there’s a single wedding I haven’t cried at. Every couple I meet means so much to me and feedback like this makes my world go round! I even have a special folder in my filing cabinet I keep all my thank you’s in… I retire them there after they’ve spent a month on my bulletin board reminding me how wonderful my clients are.

Thank YOU Marti and Evan! It was an honour to watch you celebrate your love and become husband and wife… I will always treasure the time I spent with you and Erin and Scott.

{Amber}

The only ‘horror’ story I can tell you happened with one of my earliest brides. Heather (shown below) had just gotten into her dress and was coming out of her room to have some pre-ceremony portraits taken. I was just switching my lens when I looked up to see Heather examining the ENORMOUS snag in her beautiful lace dress which she had just caught on the doorframe. My heart almost stopped… this was surely about to be one of those wedding horror stories I’ve heard so much about!

Was I ever shocked when Heather looked up and completely calmly said “Can someone who knows how to fix this sort of thing help me out?”.  All was mended amazingly fast and moments later we were taking this wonderful series:

I know, I know… it’s not the horror story you were looking for! But honestly, I’ve been blessed with nothing but wonderful clients and beautiful days.

{ Amber }

I would love to say ‘Life’ and leave it at that… because honestly, I adore shooting anything and everything I cross paths with!

But, because I just can’t be lame and leave it at that I would say my favorite subject is quite likely engagement sessions. For me there’s nothing that beats the laid back pace and private tenderness that comes with an engagement session. It’s the couple’s first opportunity to get to really get to know me better, and it’s my first chance to really see their love and personalities at it’s fullest. I love love and I adore celebrating a couple’s affection for each other!

Here’s just some of my favorite engagement  photos from 2008:

{ Amber }

Linda asked me “How many workshops have you done and which was your favorite and why?”

I’ve now attended about 5 workshops… and I can tell you hands down my favorite was spent in Paris with Scott Robert Lim. He’s more than just a photography mentor… he’s what I would call a photographer’s life coach.

^^my photography family… I miss these days so much!^^

We spent 5 days shooting non stop and growing into a tight knit family unit that still keeps in contact! We were together every day from early in the morning to late into the wee hours of the next day inspiring and pushing each other to pursue our vision and expand our boundaries both artistically and mentally. I came away from that workshop with a whole new look on my photography, business and life!

You can view some of my paris photos here and here.

Speaking of workshops… I’m leaving tomorrow to join Scott and some of my paris family down in Vegas for a 3 day workshop followed by the annual WPPI convention. The big highlight is we’ll be shooting at the Neon Graveyard with a plethora of models… I can hardly stand waiting!!

{ Amber }