It'z Your Day 2018 Issue #8 | Page 43

Jessica Crandlemire ~ Photographer www.withlightandshadow.ca am a passionate lifestyle and portrait I photographer who loves to tell story through image. I believe strongly in the importance of story in our lives to help reinforce memories and keep them vibrant; image has such a powerful effect on memory. I am a very emotive photographer; drawn to emotion and just LOVE what light does with its subjects. I grew up taking photos and writing, both are outlets for me and things I feel feed my soul as well as allow me to find expression. My photography was always deeply personal but that began to change about 9 years ago. It was an organic transition from working only for myself to photographing family and then their friends and family also. I realized it is the vocation I feel most passionate about and have been pursuing it seriously ever since. I do a lot of portrait work of all kinds, but I love weddings. The mix of artistic expression and story telling all in the span of a day are so exciting and inspiring. It’s also a very intense position to be in, as the photographer you are the person your couple spends the most time with on the wedding day, so it’s very important to have a good relationship. I enjoy those relationships a lot, I take the responsibility of it very seriously. One of my favourite parts of the wedding day are the more intimate moments when the bride and groom are getting ready. I love the anticipation in the air, and the opportunities for such beautiful moments between the bride and groom with their family and closest friends. It’s this magical time where everyone takes an extra breath, has an extra glass of champagne and feels the enchantment in the air. My very favourite part of a wedding however, is when the couple have allowed time after the wedding to sneak away from everyone else for a while. It’s a beautiful stolen moment for them to privately celebrate their love before the party really gets started. I always find the excitement in those moments so palpable it can’t help but be contagious and this shows in the images. • 43