Edmonton Wedding Photography || Love Bucket Photography

Here is a glimpse into our second day in San Francisco. Much to our disappointment day two was even colder and more blustery that our first day ( a real disappointment to those who only packed capri pants and t-shirts…Sam!). Despite the cool wind we decided to embark on a day-long bike trip across the famous golden gate bridge to the town of Sausalito. The bike rental guy assured the girls that the trip was a leisurely pedal with only one large hill and nothing they couldn’t handle. He also promised a ten degree increase in temperature once we were on the protected side of the bay.  After buying some tuques and gloves (yes… it was that cold!!) we headed out. Much to our disappointment the money hungry bike rental guy told some major fibs about the difficulty of the bike path and failed to mention the “push you off your bike” winds going across the open-air bridge. After we had pushed our bikes up 4 major hills and were almost blown into the ocean we arrived in Sausalito. Lucky for us we were able to catch a ferry ride back at the end of the afternoon and avoided a sweaty, exhausting repeat of our morning ride. You’ll notice there are no pictures below of anyone actually riding a bike (I guess no one wanted the tuque/helmet/wind swept cheeks look posted for all to see) so we opted just for the riveting story without posting the evidence.

On our way from the bike rental to Sausalito.

Those cable card are everywhere!

Getting closer to the bridge…we’ve already climbed one hill and are resting easy that the hardest part is finished.

The bridge is even closer yet it seems to be taking us a long time to get there…by this point we have realised we have at least one more hill we will need to climb.

We are finally on the bridge and it is WINDY!! Yikes! The fog is just starting to come into the bay but the view is still pretty awesome!

We made it across and we have now climbed three hills! It is becoming obvious this ride isn’t our definition of “leisurely”.

We are sweaty and windswept but have finally locked the bikes up and are looking for a good vegetarian lunch (Yeah, that’s right. We’re vegetarians) option in a place known for seafood. On our way to lunch we came across a man selling pictures with his bird. As you can see it was the boys parents who thought this would make a good picture!

After a great vegetarian sandwich we took some time to look at all the fabulous boats in the marina! Wow…it’s hard to imagine a life where a million dollar sailboat can sit unused as a “hobby”.

A view of some of the smaller boats in less expensive moorings.

On our way back now! Riding the ferry…what a treat. Now we have time to sit back and enjoy the scenery. 

We saw a view of Alcatraz from the ferry and we couldn’t wait for the next day when a day trip to the famous island was on the schedule! 

On the way back to the bike rental place now…passing more of those famous trolly cars that I just can’t stop shooting. 

Finally we have dropped off the bikes and are walking back towards the Pier. We saw some very talented (young!) buskers on the way to dinner. 

After dinner we took a walk to see the infamous (stinky!!) California Sea Lions at Pier 39 basking in what is left of the sun. These guys are so funny! With all the noise and constant shuffling, pushing and complaining it’s no wonder they need so much sleep!

A final view looking up and away from where the Sea Lions are sleeping…it looks so peaceful!

Check back to find out what we did on our last two days in San Francisco. More great pictures to come!

To preface this blog post our readers should know how crazily addicted to the `Martha Stewart Life`my lovely wife is and how devastated she was when our Tivo staple, `The Martha Stewart Show`, stopped airing in Canada. (As a side note, the first person to airmail the 2010 episodes to our home will earn a free photoshoot!!) Anyways, on with the post. As soon as we finalized our vacation dates and booked the flight Sam kept and eagle eye on the Martha Stewart website ready and waiting for ticket requests for our dates to become available. As soon as our dates appeared she applied for tickets and crossed her fingers. Finally, a few weeks before  we left her wish was granted and e-mail conformation was sent (the anticipation was almost as good as the show itself!). Without further ado here’s what it’s like to be a audience member at the Martha Stewart Show. To start, the e-mail conformation was very wardrobe specific (jewel tones look best on camera). So after dressing in our Sunday best and walking to and from the subway in our best blister giving shoes we were admitted to the very fancy waiting area. After signing a waiver to give them the right to use our images we were allowed into the beautiful studio…it`s every bit as nice as on TV although a little smaller in real life. The day we attended happened to be April Fools day and they had a perfect Robert DeNiro impersonator featured on the show. I WAS TOTALLY FOOLED! Sam and Kirsten knew right away (or so they said) but I had no idea and I even insisted it was the real guy long after everyone was giggling and in on the joke (how embarassing)! Martha also showed us how to make faux bois (fake wood) cookies and had geusts from `The Onion` in to tell odd jokes. Joey (the warm-up professional) spent much of the show directing the audeince to clap/cheer and fade in and out just as you would expect to hear when watching the show from home. During the commercial breaks he ran around giving away free gifts!  After the show Martha answered a few questions from the audeince, she was naturally very polite and helpful. It really surprised me how everything was so well organized (typical Martha I`m told) and despite the number of camera crew, directors, make-up personel, prep chefs and guests everything went off without a hitch! The whole thing ended with a walk through Martha’s gift shop and a tote bag full of free gifts as we walked back out into the streets of Manhattan. What a great day! The blisters were totally worth it!

Photographed by Edmonton Photographers, Harvey and Samantha of Love Bucket Photography

Hi everyone! We’ve started a 100 people project. Here’s our first post. The home of this project is actually Harvey’s personal blog, the Harvey Blog. Anyone is welcome to participate in this project, to find out more go here. And to contact us to be a part of it, fill out this form and express some interest. We look forward to meeting you.

On to the post.

Today is the first post for the “100 People Project”. This project was created as a way to expose ourselves to as many new people as possible in a really fun, creative way. It is also a really great way for us to learn about all the different people in Edmonton and to see what kinds of creative, interesting things people are doing. This project will feature 100 people over the course of a year, 2 people per week. We look forward to meeting and collaborating with all kinds of inspiring people and taking some really awesome shots! To find out more about what this project involves go here. If you would like to be one of our 100 people or know someone who might be interested please send them here to find out more or here to fill out this form to join in on the fun.

One in a hundred! As the inspiration for this project it is only fitting that Lyra Brown is our very first post! I first saw Lyra at the Edmonton Fringe festival playing music in the gazebo for CKUA. Her music was captivating and “chill” enducing. Sam and I both stopped to listen and tried to make a point of remembering her name in hopes of purchasing her music at a later date. Of course after a long day of fringing we had both forgotten her elusivley simple name. Thankfully a couple years later we ran into her music online and have been enjoying it ever since.The idea for the 100 people project was born as I was listening to “Pretty Baby” and so naturally Sam and I crossed our fingers and contacted her. Lyra is not only a talented songwriter and performer but also a beautiful model and a true joy to photograph.

A little background. Lyra is a singer/songwriter from Edmonton. She recently turned 18 years old and performed in her first ever real bar. In 2008 Lyra opened for Emily Haines (Metric) in Toronto. Lyra is a fresh, new sound in Edmonton we’re sure you’ll be seeing more of her soon! We asked her a few questions.

Who or what inspires you?

What’s going on in my life, my friends, and my family, happiness, grief, and other music for sure. Also, nature and asking myself questions.

Where do you find your inspiration?

It has to do with the mood I am in. If I am letting myself be inspired that’s where I find it. If I’m resisting inspiration, I find I do that a lot, I’ll just totally deny my creative side. Being creative is too much effort and too much work and you’re not good enough. If I let myself just go with it and just do whatever, that’s kind of what drives the inspiration.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living it out.

Describe your music

It’s unpredictable, it’s weird, it’s funny, it’s confusing and it’s thoughtful.

Where can people buy your music?

I sell self-made EP’s at shows. Soon I will have a record released but come to a show and I’ll get you a CD for sure. (To get a taste, go to her http://www.myspace.com/lyrabrown)

What do you do for fun?

I like to read and take baths. And I like to just dance while I do dishes to music. I like dishes, dishes are fun. I like to sing at work and freak people out. (She work’s at Pack Rat Louis as a hostess)

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Coffee cream, milk that I don’t drink and Juice that sucks. Water, usually the water jug is empty but I love water and it’s the best kind. Wraps, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, tzatziki, some old soup in a container and HONEY MUSTARD. It’s really important.

What is one thing people can appreciate about you?

That I am honest and accepting, not judgmental

What advice would you have for an artist just starting out?

Keep yourself grounded with the people that truly love you and know you. Don’t be too quick to trust people. Really ask yourself what you want. Write it down. Once you get that secure there will be more chance that it will happen.

Describe your perfect bite…

Bite? This is great. Ok, 2 slices of whole wheat or rye bread, honey mustard on both sides and a little Dijon. Then I’m going to put on some tomatoes, some Swiss cheese, sometimes. Cucumbers, lettuce, sprouts. Load on the honey mustard even more. Some more Dijon and that’s my sandwich right there.

Are you vegetarian?

No, well yes part time.

So you have meat cheats?

Yes, if there’s vegetables and meat I’ll just eat vegetables, but if there is only meat, I’ll eat it.

Last words?

Do what you love and always be honest with yourself.

Next up is:
Natacha Homerodean

Natacha is also a singer/songwriter who heard about the 100 People Project from Lyra. She came out ready for some fun. She has an upcoming show at Avenue Theatre for the Edmonton Show Feb 18-19 2010. Be there.

Who are you?

A daughter and an only child and a singer/songwriter.

Describe your music.

My music is very simple but quiet and chill.

Briefly describe your music making process.

It takes me a long time to write a song because I have a tough time writing lyrics. I usually do the music first and then write the lyrics to go along.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you on stage?

Oh my gosh, I was playing at a high school 3 months ago for a pancake breakfast fundraiser. The roadie dropped my guitar and it broke. The neck just snapped 2 minutes before I was supposed to play. It sucked and it was so embarrassing and I didn’t know what to do. My friend saved the day and brought me another guitar.

I noticed you have a camera with you, can we see some of your work?

It’s just something I like to do as a hobby, [I mostly shoot] my friends and shows and anything that looks cool. (You can see some of her photography here)

What inspires you?

Who, what, when, where? My friends, every day experiences, and what I’m feeling in here[pointing to her heart]. And maybe from nothing at all too.

Describe your perfect bite.

Well I did work at Subway for 2 years so I’m also a sandwich expert. So this is how it goes. You get some good rye bread and you load it with veggies. Jalapeno’s are a must. Cheese sometimes. Dijon mustard and every vegetable in the world. Banana peppers, Sproutskies. Alfalfa. And you just slam it on rye bread with mayo.

Where can people buy your music?

I’m working on a CD but it’s not available for sale yet. You can hear her music on MySpace.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Busking in metro stations [laughter].

We hope you know more about the 100 people project now and will want to participate, did we mention, it’s FREE?

Photographed by Edmonton  Photographers, Harvey and Samantha of Love Bucket Photography

Friday, October 23rd Harvey had an appointment to get his 4 Wisdom Teeth removed at the oral surgeons office in Edmonton. This day has been a long time coming. We’ve had to play out every possible scenario for a month now! He is really nervous! It’s his first time “going under” and I think that is the worst part for him…worse than the pain even! He was loopy and wobbly and confused and whiny for three solid days! This weekend has been full of relaxation for him and constant, vigilant supervision for me (honestly it’s been like watching an infant)! Harvey promises to return all your emails on Monday and if he has already replied (despite my best efforts to encourage relaxation and recuperation) and it seems odd… please forgive him, he’s on pain medication.

Oh yeah and the first thing he requested after waking up…gravy! Piping hot gravy (yes he actually said “piping hot”). And no, just in case you’re wondering, it’s not on the list of liquids you can drink after surgery. Go figure.

-Samantha