Crinoline got its first {nuptials} invite and it's beautiful! Kaela & Phil are having an intimate lunch wedding at the Teahouse in Stanley Park this September and I can't wait to photograph it! Since Phil is quite the NY Yankees fan, their friend and talented designer Kristin Hubbard decided to take Yankees colours to a whole new level of sophistication in their wedding details and invites. It's such a cool touch to the wedding! ...and helps to not over girl-ify everything, haha ;)

I recently got the chance to work with Shamik again on a couple of his new projects! A few months ago he had his website re-designed and we headed out of the city to create some images for the new front page. I wanted to set the emotion of the shoot by taking it to an environment neither of us explored before, as Shamik is so frequently travelling the world with his music I thought this would be a good relationship of person to place ...

The second project was some design work I did for his new EP he just released yesterday!! Listen here. Buy it here! A nod to Vancouver's many talented musicians, Westward Rising features 30 minutes of local music. (read more on his blog post!)

Over the last year I've seen so many photos Shamik has taken on tour (really beautiful ones I might add!) that I thought it would be interesting for the imagery to come from his perspective for this project. And in keeping with the idea of local, both images are of BC. The idea behind the artwork and design then came from the emotion I felt in the music (particularly the first song "Drifters")... I likened it to the obscurity of watching a city flood in slow motion- organic, deep, ominous, hypnotic. It's an incredible collaborative album, enjoy listening!

Westward Rising [photos: Shamik . design/artwork: Chelsea Hailes]

In keeping with the eco-friendly goals of Crinoline, I've hand made gift certificates! I started by carving a stamp which I've been wanting to do for a while now, and I'm sure it will come in handy for lots of other Crinoline things! I also designed three different lace patterns to print inside by drawing out a few different versions on paper and compositing them in photoshop. I bought some American made recycled paper, and some reclaimed lace from a local shop. The edges are trimmed with stitching, and the back has a little pocket for a business card.

I'm so happy with how they turned out!! They're cute, unique and a Crinoline {nudes} session would make a wonderful gift ;) It's an amazing experience I think every woman should have, to express how beautiful she feels and have a keepsake to remember it by. They're great birthday gifts, a gift for the bride from her best friends, a surprise something special for your partner, even a Mother's day gift! It's never too late to make our Moms feel glamourous!

{You can make them out for dollar amounts or for our Crinoline packages!}

** Three of these unique gift cards in the amount of "$100 off any Crinoline package" are being given away at Lace Embrace Atelier as a customer appreciation... Stop by their shop and check it out!**

I've been so busy introducing all the other aspects of Crinoline before the new site launch I missed the best part... We specialize in eco-friendly photography!

Here's our green statement to give you a little more info!

Crinoline {nuptials & nudes} photography is committed to preserving and protecting our environment. Conserving natural resources is not only personally important to us, it is imperative to our ethical business practices. More importantly than just recycling, we believe that re-using materials and reducing our footprint are large contributing factors in our industry. This is why we focus on offering our clients:

~ archival products that last.
~ digital imaging.
~ vegan and eco album options from eco friendly studios.
~ prints on tree-free and recycled paper.
~ framing from recycled materials and unique vintage finds.
~ recycled minimal packaging.

We continually strive to be better at what we do, and humbly welcome any recommendations! Crinoline continues to actively seek products and methods that have the lowest impact on the environment. We practice water, waste and energy conservation and our studio energy is offset using Bullfrog Power. We refuse, reduce, re-use and recycle everything possible.

Crinoline is also a member of Greener Photography and Green Bride!

{Our business cards are made from %100 post consumer paper and printed with soy based inks at Club Card!}

Check back for our hand-made gift cards coming this week!

Here's a little peak at how my self-portrait shoot went...

I photographed the new makeup & hair ladies of Crinoline a few weeks ago and needed to add myself into the mix. Thank you Jenn Schulz for my lovely makeup! It was so nice to relax and have Jenn work her magic! I have only had my makeup professionally done once before, about 6 years ago. This was such a nice treat!

While setting up I began wondering how I was going to light myselft, operate the camera, and hold a heavy frame all on my own. But I actually did ok! ... or at least I thought... I decided to do a rockin' hair flip to add some volume to my do right before the camera went off and I hit my head pretty good on that clunky frame, which was timed oh so nicely with the camera click!... gawd. I kept shooting and didn't notice the blood dribbling down my forhead until I was reviewing a coulple photos later! Haha sorry Jenn, looks like I'll be editing some blood off your makeup job... it does match my lipstick nicely though ;)

ps... you can see my actual finished portrait when the new site is up! Launch of the Crinoline site coming soon soon! I promise :)

It's been way too long since I posted last and my blog needs to stop saying "Merry Christmas" at the top! I spent a good chunck of time away from my work due to a bit of an injury, but I'm back now! I've been working on lots of exciting things for Crinoline; photoshoots, bios, books, and of course, the site. We're back on track so keep your eyes pealed for some exciting visuals!

I would first like to introduce you to the team! Faye Smith and Jenn Schulz are the ladies that make your experience at a Crinoline {nudes} shoot extra beautified! If you haven't seen the previous post here's a sample of their stunning work! These talented women also do bridal makeup so feel free to inquire about their wonderful skills when booking your Crinoline {nuptials} package!

I asked the girls a few questions so you could get to know them a little better :)

Faye Smith www.fayesmithmakeup.com

What first attracted you to makeup artistry?

I have always been a lover of arts and crafts. My favorite subjects in school were art and design technology. Choosing what to do with my life was such a mind boggling thing, I had no idea where to start. Luckily I found my path by taking a part time makeup artistry course in England. My teacher loved me and would have me assist at numerous Opera shows! This is when I really got my first glimpse at what a makeup career could be like. I was so excited, I began to research universities and stumbled on Blanche MacDonald in Vancouver. Moments later I was planning my new future adventures in Canada. And here I am, a graduate of Blanche, working in Vancouver for the past two years and loving what I do!

Tell me a bit about yourself in one short sentence?

I'm English, a family girl, an adventurous girl, and a hard worker filled with endless dreams. That's me alright!

What's your favorite colour in your palette?

"Coral Beach" lipstick from Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics and "Tahitian Sun" tinted Lipbalm from Vasanti Cosmetics. I can't get enough Coral and Peach! When it's put into the lips and paired with a natural eye it's so captivating.

What era do you feel most inspired by?

The 80's! Oh my, what a great era! I love the wild uncontrollable curls with bright blue eye shadow and pink lips. So out there! Gotta love those denim jackets with matching high-waisted trousers too!

Favorite song or musician?

The Black Keys! I can't wait to see them at Deer Lake Park this year. I love all types of music though.

Favorite country?

Canada! I fell in love with this place on a school ski trip back when I was 16 and somehow ended up back here by the time I was 19. I haven't left since... this place is amazing!

Favorite Food?

Pizza! There's never a time when it isn't good!

Who do you look up to?

Pat McGrath... she is me but the older version... I hope! We even come from the same city!

Jenn Schulz www.jenniferschulz.com

What first attracted you to makeup artistry?

Seeing how make-up can really enhance someone's natural beauty, how it has the incredible ability to not only transform or change how somebody looks but also how they feel.

How did you become a makeup artist?

I've always had a passion for make-up artistry ever since I was young. Unaware of the opportunities that existed within the make-up industry, I went to University after high school and got a business degree and eventually became an accountant. After working in accounting I realized the only way to be successful and happy in a career is to do something you love, which is when I enrolled at Blanche MacDonald for makeup and started freelancing. I have now left my accounting job to pursue makeup full-time!

What's your favorite colour in your palette?

"Satin Taupe" and "Woodwinked" eyeshadows from MAC are my favourites! The first one has a great taupy-sheen colour, and the second is a beautiful bronze and both look so good on everyone! NARS also has amazing blushes, "Sex Appeal" and "Deep Throat" are a couple of my favourites.

What's your favorite makeup item?

My eyelash curler! My lashes are usually pretty straight without using one so I have an OCD where I am always curling my eyelashes throughout the day.

What era do you feel most inspired by?

Love the 70's era where it was full of disco, glamour, and glowing skin. The 50's was also great for its well defined eyebrows and an overall polished look emphasizing one's features.

Do you have any vices to relax at the end of long days work?

Hanging out with girlfriends, watching a favourite reality show, having a glass of wine!

Favorite food?

I have too many favourite foods to answer this without seeming like I'm naming almost every country! I love Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai... see it's hard to narrow it down!! I guess my favourite would be Italian overall, I love eating and cooking pasta.

Who do you look up to?

Anyone in life that's taken risks and followed their passion to ultimately become successful doing something they truly love to do.

I haven't written in a while, as usual life has gotten a little crazy with preparing for Christmas. I just wanted to share a couple things I've been up to and wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and New Year! I'm heading home to Calgary tomorrow to spend time with friends and family, can't wait!

While in Calgary, I'll be playing a show at Kawa Espresso Bar! Our band, Ornament & Crime will be opening for the Barley Hepcats on Dec 23, so if you want to hear some music and chill out with a good coffee or glass of wine, come on by. :)

I'll leave you all on this heart warming note... When I was last in Calgary I got to do a session with a very special family. While I don't normally do baby photography, I had to take this opportunity. Brent and Kathy were under the impression they would be unable to have children so it was much to their surprise, and the surprise of their Doctor I might add, when they found out Kathy was pregnant! Needless to say they were very excited, but they definitely went through their fair share of ups and downs and both mom and baby are very lucky. Wyatt is truly a little miracle and I am so happy for all of them. He was born March 23, 2010 at just 3 pounds! (I can hardly even imagine how tiny that is!) He was given the middle name Chance, as Kathy, and her good hearted humour, says it's because "there was no chance in hell she'd get pregnant, and there was no chance in hell he'd be born!" ... but here he is!

A couple weeks ago I finished a book for them using the photos from our session...(I love books). Wyatt's expressions had me laughing and tearing up the whole time I was making it! They just got it a couple days ago and loved it!

Here's a preview of the book on blurb> Wyatt, four months & one week old

Just finished the Eastside Culture Crawl, and I'm totally exhausted! But it was great to have so many people come through our space and get some exposure. Being still a bit new to Vancouver, it was my first time seeing and participating in it... For those not familiar, Culture Crawl is a three day annual event that takes place in a 16 block square radius that makes up most of Vancouver's Eastside artist studios. So artists that have studios, or live/work spaces like us, can be open to the public for a show and sale! So cool, I'm glad I got to meet so many people and be inspired by a lot of great local art! (And also thanks so much to my wonderful friends Donna, Chris and Carly who helped me with the mass amounts of people this weekend ... which I'm guessing was similar to last years head count of about 1000!)

Here's a little re-cap of the show...

My partner Craig and I worked on a collaborative book project last winter, combining his illustrations with my photographs. The result was an abstract telling of three classic fairytales, specifically the portions of the story where the characters get lost in the forest: Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hansel & Gretel. If you'd like to check it out here's an online version > Winter Wandering.

So half of the pieces in the show were from the book and the others included Vancouver scenes, photograms, and cityscapes from our recent New York trip!

~ printed 8"x20" and 12"x30" on metallic paper with luster laminate

~ printed 10"x5'6" on canvas

~ printed 14"x30" on canvas with stitched felt

~ printed 8"x20" on metallic paper with luster laminate

~ printed 10.5"x47.75" on canvas

~ printed 18"x24" on metallic paper with luster laminate, framed

Craig works as a tattooist and had some of his custom sleeves on display with a slideshow of his finished tattoos...you can find him at Adrenaline on Granville.

And my friend Amanda had a few of her beautifully grotesque portrait pieces up as well, check her out!... www.amandabullick.com

So with the launch of the new site coming soon, I thought I'd show a little sneak peak of the {Nudes} side!

The new Crinoline site will feature two sides, one for Nuptials and one for Nudes. Aside from my love for alliterations, I chose to title it "Nudes" instead of Boudoir because I wanted it to a have a different association in people's minds, more classic and timeless. So it's not all nude, but there is some, and I encourage everyone who does a session to do at least a few nude shots! It's a totally freeing experience and my hope is that doing this session will give people something they can look back on and feel good about themselves. I've completely fallen in love with this photography! I watch people go through a process in front of the camera (especially in a Nudes session) from uncertainty to complete confidence every time. It's such a beautiful thing.

I did a shoot recently with the two newest members to the team: Faye Smith & Jenn Shulz, both makeup and hair extraordinaires! So when you book a session you will have one of these lovely ladies to pamper you and make you feel glamourous!

Each of them got a girl and we put our heads together and came up with this! Hope you like it :)

{Makeup & Hair on Lilith by Jenn Shultz}

{Makeup & Hair on Melina by Faye Smith}

I couldn't have found better people to work with and I'm so excited to have such talented ladies on the team! I'm gonna do a little more of an intro to each of them hopefully next week so check back :) And a big thank you to Lilith and Melina for strutting your stuff, you are both so gorgeous, and you really made the shoot.

So it's definitely been a while since I've posted anything. I'm gonna have to play catch up a little and do some recapping... My partner Craig and I spent an amazing couple of weeks exploring New York, Montreal and a bit of Seattle. But now we're back and working and I have so much to share :)

But just to start for today, here's one upcoming thing that I've been waiting to share for a while now and I'm so excited to finally be able to!