Enspire Foundation Presents: Resonance 2009

About a month or so ago I got an email from Sheryl, a bride whose wedding I shot last year (see Scott & Sheryl's Wedding lol). We've grown to be quite good friends over the last year, and it has been an absolute privilege knowing them, and so when she asked if I wanted to volunteer my photographic services for a good cause, I was all ears. 

The event: "Resonance 2009 Choir Festival" fundraiser, presented by Enspire Foundation. The proceeds went to benefit the Bulacan Community Project. 

"In May 2009, Enspire Foundation will send 30 young adult Canadians comprised of working professionals and university students from SFU, UBC and Capilano University's Global Stewardship Program, to help build homes in Norzagaray, Bulacan, Philippines."

I had an amazing time shooting the event, and felt truly blessed to be a part of such a great cause. Thank you, Sheryl.

If you would like to learn more information about the Enspire Foundation or if you would like to make a donation, you may click on the link mentioned above or click here.

Here are just a few photos of the event from last Saturday (Feb 21, 2009).

A Foggy Day in White Rock Town ;)

Today was a wonderfully foggy day, so Grit and I decided to head down to the beach for a walk. At first I wanted to bring my camera to snap some cool fog photos, but once we got there, the fog was so amazing that we just went NUTS snapping photos of each other! We are slowly trying to get Grit more involved with the photography, so today was a great day to get her playing with the camera... and my LORD, after seeing the photos, I think she can show ME a thing or two!!!

We had a blast today snapping these photos and being outside together on a beautiful Sunday, and I hope you enjoy the photos! Don't forget to leave some blog-lovin' comments! :)

Namaste,

Michael

Cans for Comments!!

Hello Everyone!! 

I was doing my regular 'blog-stalking' rounds today, and as I was reading the blog of Chris+Lynn I was completely moved by their post, and I'd like to not only share it with you guys, but to join in as well. 

As it stands now, a growing handful of Vancouver photographers are participating in something called "Cans for Comments". From now until midnight on Friday, December 12th (next Friday), for everyone who posts a comment on ANY of my blog entries, I will donate one canned good to The White Rock / South Surrey Food Bank.

Please be sure to click on the links below to view some great work by some amazing photographers, and don't forget to leave a comment!!!

CJ Scott 

Erin Gilmore
Amber Hughes
Chris+Lynn
Lori Miles

Jamie Delaine

Tracey Heppner

Blue Olive Photography

Bebb Studios

John Heil

Kristel Wyman

Alana Couch

Shandro Photo

Crystal Genes

Dolce Pics

“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” - Mother Teresa

True Love Sometimes Comes With A Price... (WARNING)

Oh God I can't believe I am posting this...

Yes, thats ME in the photo... please let me explain:

Here in Vancouver, one of our biggest radio stations is 95Crave FM. Madonna is coming to Vancouver October 30th, and 95Crave has a contest right now where you can win two free tickets to the concert and a WHOPPING $10,000 cash!!! Now, tickets are UNBELIEVABLY hard to find now that we are so close to the concert... but since my girlfriend REALLY wants to go, and because I LOVE her so much, it wasn't hard to decide that I should do everything in my power to win her those tickets!   

Now comes the rules of the contest (and why I am wearing makeup in the photo....oh, it gets worse guys and gals...read on.):

To enter the contest, you had to dress up like Madonna, take a photo of yourself, and send it in to the radio station. Fine. What are the chances, right? 

So... I get a phone call today.... I have been chosen as one of the twenty-five "participants" in the MADONNATHON. What does that mean, you ask? Well, regrettably, let me tell you! It means that this Thursday, October 23rd, at 6:30am, I will be at Coquitlam Centre for 12 hours, IN MAKEUP NO LESS, and dancing like Madonna in front of hundreds, possibly THOUSANDS of people with 24 equally scared individuals. If I am the last person dancing, I win 10G's and 2 tickets to see Madonna! 

Now, I'm not a very MANLY man.... but this isn't the kind of attention any man would want (at least I don't think)... this is honestly only being done because I really want to see the look on my girlfriend's face when I hand her two ...no, ONE ticket to Madonna (Jeez, wouldn't that suck if I handed her BOTH tickets, and she didn't even take me???!!!).... 

So, why am I posting it here, do you ask?

I want you to see what a man who is about to win $10,000 looks like! :)

Laugh away everyone! Or better yet, come cheer me on this Thursday!! :)

(but please keep the cameras at home haha!)

Michael

p.s.  The Make-Up and "arranging" in the sexy photo above was done by my loving gal, Grit... who OBVIOUSLY did a good enough job to get me this far into the contest! I'm certain I will have the strength and willpower to win this with her at my side! (because if I don't win, I'll probably be sleeping on the couch for the next little while! lol just kidding haha LOVE YOU BABE!)

Roadtrip: Johnston Canyon!

Last Thursday my buddy Josh and I drove out to Banff National Park for a hike up Johnston Canyon. We were rained on, hailed on, Josh hurt his knee around the 8km mark, I kept getting mud in my shoes and socks.... all in all, a PERFECT hiking trip!

Oooooh, moody! :)

Everytime I come here, I ALWAYS pose for a photo with this goofy tree... yes, it APPEARS I am far stronger than I look... I honestly don't know where I come up with these genius thoughts....

Josh helping me out... I loosened it for him of course.... ya, thats it...

About 4km up the trail there is a valley with little springs called Inkpots. The colors are amazing IF the sun is out, we waited and waited, but all we got was rain, and sadly... HAIL too!

The Upper Falls, SO beautiful!

Proud Uncle Mike

My 5 year-old niece Kaia and her daddy Sean went out Skiing to Mount Seymore last week, and after seeing the videos I just had to post one! So proud!!

(ignore the massive faceplant at the end) ;)

Happy Birthday Kaia!

Today is my niece's 5th birthday! We had presents, we had cake, we had fun! (until the sugar wore off and all HELL broke loose... ever seen a 5 year old come down from a sugar high?) Trust me, if you ever do...RUN THE OTHER WAY !! :)





Oh ya, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost the Grey Cup... I'm glad they made it there in the first place, but it just goes to showyou: You can't have your cake and eat it too! :(