Photography Journal

Jayden & Dillon | Okanagan Elopement Photographer | Tin Poppy Elopement | Salmon Arm, BC

Okanagan Wedding Photographer, Okanagan Elopement Photographer

“Paulina is truly a one-of-a-kind gal! Dillon and I eloped at the Tin Poppy in the beautiful, whimsical Larch Hills of British Columbia. We knew as soon as we went through the photographers that Paulina was going to be perfect for what we were envisioning.  From the moment she showed up, she introduced herself and offered her hand asking “What can I do to help you” and grabbed me a glass of water to calm my nerves.

Neither of us have done a professional shoot with a photographer before, and I am quite camera shy. I was nervous of being in front of the camera – but she quickly relieved me of that and allowed Dillon and I to be ourselves and joke around with each other! She was even so kind as to make sure our dog, Wilson, was included in the photos.

Thanks to her laid back, fun loving approach to photography – she delivered the most real photos we could have asked for. I was even surprised with a mini shoot that Dillon and his groomsman did while I was inside! It was such a treat to see when we got all of our photos back! Paulina managed to capture every emotion ourselves and all of our loved ones were feeling that beautiful, foggy, mystical day. We would recommend her over & over again to anyone looking for a photographer – Paulina goes above & beyond (and then some) for her clients.”

– Jayden & Dillon

Thank you to these fabulous, local vendors! ❤

Venue, Floral + Design: Tin Poppy Retreat

Photographer: Otylia Photography

Makeup: Cassidy Watt Makeup

Hair: Linds at Ra Hair Studio

Nails: Nails by Cassidy

Dress: Willowby by Watters

Posted in Adventure Session, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Weselnik Magazine Cover Shoot | Poland Elopement Photographer | Gdansk, Poland

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In the spring, I collaborated with some super talented and amazing women from Gdańsk for a styled bridal adventure session. We set our alarms for 0245 and met on a beach in Sopot (which is picturesque Baltic coastal town) and photographed this beauty at the 0400 sunrise. After we left the beach, we headed to the horse academy, Akademia Jeździecka J.J. Darboven for part two of our styled session. You can find our beachy bridal adventure session here, and our horse academy bridal adventure session here.

After these two sessions, we were contacted by Weselnik, which is a local Polish Wedding magazine and planner of “the” bridal fair in northern Poland – Targi Ślub i Wesele. Together, we planned this shoot with the intention of it being used for the upcoming XVI Targi Ślub i Wesele advertisements. Not only were my photos used for the bridal fair advertisements, several of my images ended up on the July and October covers and inside the issues, on their website, aaaaaaaaand on a BILLBOARD on a major road between Sopot and Gdańsk (!!)

Sincere thanks to this amazing team of talent. It was a pleasure working with you. Dziękuję serdecznie ♡

Photography: Otylia Photography

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gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

Behind the scenes:

gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

The magazine cover!

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Weselnik website!

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gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photogrpher, weselnik, poland elopement photographer

The billboard!! On a major road between Sopot and Gdańsk, Poland!

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Such a wonderful experience working with you all! Thank you! Dziękuję serdecznie ♡

Posted in Styled Shoot, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Poland Elopement Photographer | Bridal Adventure Session Part II | Gdansk, Poland

gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photographer

Back in May, I spent a few weeks in Poland and while in Gdansk, I connected with a local wedding planner and floral designer, the talented Dorota Janicka-Kurlenda from Gdańska Pracownia ŚlubówDorota and I hit it off immediately. We shared a vision for a styled photoshoot – a beachy, horseback, boho bridal session and Dorota wanted to incorporate a few different looks in terms of floral design. I was up for any adventure so I simply said to her, let’s make it happen! In just a few days, she rounded up an all-star team including makeup artist, Beata Fryz, a gorgeous bridal gown from Carmen’s Salon, and model/horsewoman, Zuzanna Kmiecik. We set our alarms for 0245 and met on a beach in Sopot (which is picturesque Baltic coastal town, by the way) and photographed these beauties at the 0400 sunrise. Check out our beachy sunrise session here.

After we left the beach, we headed to the horse academy, Akademia Jeździecka J.J. Darboven for part two of our styled session. This was such a rad property, combining the proprietor’s love of coffee and horses. So while the ladies were getting ready, I walked around and said hello to a few horses while sipping my cappuccino. I could definitely get used to this…

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Gdansk elopement photographer poland elopement photographer

Gdansk elopement photographer poland elopement photographer

Gdansk elopement photographer poland elopement photographer

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Poland elopement photographer

Poland elopement photographer

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Gdansk wedding photographer Poland wedding photographer

Gdansk wedding photographer Poland wedding photographer

Gdansk wedding photographer Poland wedding photographer

Gdansk wedding photographer Poland wedding photographer

Gdansk wedding photographer Poland wedding photographer

Gdansk wedding photographer Poland wedding photographer

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gdansk wedding photographer, poland wedding photographer, poland elopement photographer

Posted in Adventure Session, Styled Shoot, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Poland Elopement Photographer | Bridal Adventure Session | Sopot, Poland

My husband and I spent a large part of our European tour in Poland as an opportunity for me to reconnect with my culture and language. Poland is a totally different country than the one we visited in 2007. Jeff and I would joke that the 2007 “Polish neutral” expression was a deep sadness in the eyes with hints of resignation (after learning more about the not so distant history of the region, it’s not an unreasonable position to take). My mom would warn me when I was younger that I couldn’t just smile and say hello to strangers on the street (as we do in Canada) because people would think there was something wrong with me – that I was ‘simple’. But it is different now. It feels open and creative. People were smiling, eating ice cream on park benches, and I heard Polish spoken in every country we visited.

After 11 years away, we first landed in Gdańsk. I was struggling with some vocabulary but doing my best to avoid falling back into English (which nearly everyone speaks now). I connected with a local wedding planner and floral designer, the talented Dorota Janicka-Kurlenda from Gdańska Pracownia Ślubów. Dorota and I hit it off immediately. We shared a vision for a styled photoshoot but I also think we were both excited for the opportunity to practice speaking in another language. Most of Dorota’s clients are Polish speaking so I think this was a fun opportunity to practice speaking “business English” with me. So she spoke English to me as I fumbled along in Polish, picking up and remembering new words every day.

Our mutual vision was to organize a beachy, horseback, boho bridal session and Dorota wanted to incorporate two different looks in terms of floral design. I was up for any adventure so I simply said to her, let’s make it happen! In just a few days, she rounded up an all-star team including makeup artist, Beata Fryz, bridal gowns from Carmen’s Salon, a horse from Ośrodek Konny Kolibki Adventure Park, and model/horsewoman, Zuzanna Kmiecik. We set our alarms for 0245 and met on a beach in Sopot (which is picturesque Baltic coastal town, by the way) and photographed these beauties at the 0400 sunrise.

Working with this team of strong Polish women had a real energy and sense of purpose. Then, as a total surprise, we were contacted by Weselnik, a local wedding magazine, who ended up using several photos for the cover and inside layout for their July issue! So great to work together, ladies! Dziękuję serdecznie!

Behind the scenes:

The lovely Dorota sharing a serene moment with Omega.

Beata Fryz, makeup artist extraordinaire:

The dream team, including Natalia from Ośrodek Konny Kolibki Adventure Park:

And the final product!

Posted in Adventure Session, Styled Shoot, Weddings, Womxn | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Tin Poppy Elopement

I have been intrigued by the Tin Poppy Retreat ever since I picked up one of their brochures a couple of years ago. I started following them on Instagram and then decided to reach out to Maggie Shook to see if she wanted to collaborate on an elopement styled shoot. Maggie and her husband Jeremy are the most interesting and creative people and I wanted to spend way more time talking with them.

Each unique and inspired accommodation on this beautiful, 160 acre property in the Larch Hills has incredible character and style. It has three rentals available – the Lavender House, Violet Cabin and its namesake, the Tin Poppy. It’s eco (solar-powered!), rustic yet luxurious and an absolutely perfect place for an offbeat couple’s elopement or intimate wedding. If I could do it all over again, this is the just kind of place that I would absolutely get married. Thankfully there are always vow renewals, right?

I collaborated with these fantastic artists/vendors from the central and north Okanagan:

Dress/Veil: Bliss Bridal Kelowna – Facebook | Instagram

Hair/Makeup/Bridal Model: Tanisha Langner of T. Langner Lashes and Makeup – Facebook | Instagram

Groom Model: Zach Langner, Artist – Instagram

Suit/Shoes: J.Crew / Gucci

Floral: Katie LaRone 0f Sweet Pea Flowery – Facebook | Instagram

Jewelry: JC Bradley Jewellers – Facebook | Instagram

Catering/Styling/Venue: Tin Poppy Retreat – Facebook | Instagram

Thank you to everyone involved! It was a beautiful day and I can’t wait to come back and spend a cozy weekend by the fire at this forested retreat in the hills.

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Posted in Styled Shoot, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Kelowna Woodland Bridal Session

Such a pleasure to finally work with Sylvia Hajdu from Top Notch Art of Makeup! We had been talking about collaborating for a photoshoot for quite some time. Sylvia is a super talented makeup artist and really fun person to be around. Can’t wait for our next project together!

Thanks to Wild Ginger Floral Design for your GORGEOUS floral crown and Devon from DejaVu Model Management for your mad modelling skillz.

Makeup: Sylvia Hajdu of Top Notch Art of Makeup – Facebook | Instagram

Floral crown: Wild Ginger Floral Design – Facebook | Instagram

Model: Devon Nagle from DejaVu Model Management – Facebook | Instagram 

Dress: David’s Bridal

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Posted in Styled Shoot, Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brooke & Dalton

Brooke + Dalton. Celebrating love, everyday.  |  Makeup by Arisa Davis.

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Kate & Callum | Squamish, BC | July 2016

“We came across Paulina through a friend and instantly fell in love with her work. She was the perfect choice of photographer for our Squamish woodland wedding. Being a little camera shy, I was nervous about the idea of working with a photographer. In the end I was grateful to have had Paulina’s calm and reassuring presence with me throughout the day. Callum was hesitant about the expense of hiring a professional photographer – we both agree that it was truly invaluable. We continually re-live the magic with all of our family and friends through Paulina’s talented lens.

We can’t thank Paulina (and her fantastic assistant Jeff) enough. They worked tirelessly and passionately to capture the emotion and excitement of the big day in a unique and stunning way. Far exceeding our expectations. The visual story that Paulina tells includes artistic attention to detail and many candid moments. We thoroughly enjoyed her company and appreciate that she provided us with a fun, authentic and intimate portrayal of our wedding. We would highly recommend Paulina to anyone looking for a photographer!!!”

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Collecting the details | North Vancouver, BC

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Collecting the details before they blur. You fell in love with these details. The gold dipped roses. The monogrammed purses your mother sewed for you and your bridesmaids. Your grandmother’s handkerchief. The expression on your father’s face when he first saw you. The anticipation. The jitters. People that love you by your side, calm and reassuring. Despite the rain, everything would be as you had hoped.

Wedding preparations are some of my favourite moments to capture. I was delighted when my cousin-in-law asked me to photograph her and the closest women in her life while they got ready. Thank you for inviting me, Jana. The day was beautiful from beginning to end. Wishing you and Vince a lifetime of happiness!
xo
Hair: Denise Elliott Beauty Co.
Make Up: Rebeca Coloma – Make Up
Wedding Dress: Blush Bridal Boutique
Bridesmaids Dresses: Bari Jay

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Posted in Weddings | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Michelle & Chris | Victoria, BC | August 2015

“We asked Paulina to photograph our wedding after a beautiful outdoor family photo session the previous year. We were so impressed with her eye for capturing such beauty in simple candid shots, and natural ability to work with our children, we absolutely had to have her photograph our wedding.

We were a little worried about how things would go, as our little ones were 1 and 3 years old at the time and not big on standing still! Paulina did not disappoint! She managed to capture the most precious moments in a truly authentic way, allowing the unique personalities of our children to come alive in the photographs.

Paulina has such skill and professionalism, and she played a huge role in helping to create a truly enjoyable and relaxed experience for everyone involved. We chose to have a casual, intimate, family only ceremony and Paulina fit in seamlessly.

We are so thrilled with the quality and natural beauty captured in our wedding photographs and would highly recommend Paulina to anyone!”

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