Hey, I'm Meg, welcome to my little corner of the cybersphere!
I'm a Fraser Valley wedding & lifestyle photographer (est. 2014) based in Langley, just west of Vancouver BC.
Take a look around & I'd love to connect with you soon!
the blog
welcome to
I’m happy to announce I’m bringing back my Mini Session Special this year now that I’m settled in Langley & with the option to upgrade to the full gallery! It can be so hard to narrow down the images from a session and pick your favourites, so now you can choose to upgrade to the entire gallery which includes all the edited digital images from your portrait session!
Mini Sessions are perfect for families – they’re short & sweet for the kids, or for couples just wanting to get a couple of new photos together. Sessions can be catered to you – maternity, family, children, couples – anniversary, engagement, in love!
Here’s all the details..
Family & Couple’s Winter/Christmas Mini Session’s
Historic Stewart Farm on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
25 minutes – 15 digital images – $150
Option to upgrade to entire gallery for $75
The perfect opportunity to update your family or couple photos in time for Christmas. Only 8 Spots Available!! (The times below may not be reflective of actual bookings, please Contact Meg for current availability)
10:00 am
10:45 am
11:30 am
12:15 pm
1:00 pm
1:45 pm
2:30 pm – BOOKED
3:15 pm
Message Meg at info@megkristina.com or via the Contact page at www.megkristina.com with your preferred time slot & 1 back-up time.
$50 Retainer & Signed Contract are required to book. Your session time is not confirmed until these are received. Booking must be finalized a minimum of 24 hours before time of session.
**These are outdoor lifestyle sessions, not posed set up with decorations & props (although you’re more than welcome to bring your own!) 🙂 . If you are interested in a studio session that’s posed with a set, please let me know. If I have enough interest I can run an in studio mini session day, otherwise I can accommodate you at another time. 🙂
Can’t wait to see you all soon!
When you’re prepping for your engagement session, there are a few things to keep in mind. This is going to be FUN! This shoot is entirely no pressure. On the wedding day it can be crunched for time, your dress won’t be able to get dirty (within reason ;)) and there won’t be time to chat & get to know one another.  That’s why all of my wedding packages include a Complimentary Engagement Session. It is your chance to get to know me, get comfortable with how I work and have FUN in front of the camera.
Now don’t get me wrong, your wedding day will be a day to remember! But it’s so helpful to have a great engagement session before the big day so that you know what to expect! My couples that have an engagement session are PROS by the wedding day!
After you book your photographer, whether it’s me or someone else, you’ll need to start thinking about when you want your engagement session to be done. Lots of my couples choose to have their portraits done in the season opposite of their wedding. So if you’re having a spring wedding, it may be nice to have a fall e-session, or a winter one for a summer wedding. Now, you also have to take your photographer’s availability into consideration. I tend to book sessions 1-2 months in advance and typically only shoot engagements on weekday evenings. This will vary with every photographer and every season.
Here are some steps to make sure that you feel confident & prepared for your engagement session!
1. What to Wear
Some couples have one outfit they love & others have two outfits, one casual and one that is dressier. The BEST advice I can give about outfit selection would be to try to COORDINATE instead of matching. Try to stay away from really tiny patterns, they won’t show up in your images and leave out any major logos.  Also, bold jewelry, scarves, and coloured shoes photograph really well! Make sure you look like YOU and feel comfortable! One last thing is to TAKE ADVANTAGE of this opportunity to dress up! Don’t be afraid! Ladies, put on some heels, red lipstick & pearls. Men, get out your favourite suit!
2. Relax, Enjoy & Trust Your Photographer
As you’re preparing for your engagement session, remember that your photographer doesn’t expect you to be a pro at this. I work with normal, everyday couples ALL the time. I can’t speak for all photographers but I tell my couples that it takes a good 20 minutes to warm up at the beginning of their shoot. So relax and don’t be nervous! You’re going to be great at this! Trust your photographer, allow them to be creative & you’ll have an amazing shoot! And remember, the cuddlier the better 😉
3. When & Where
The best time to shoot any portraits is around 2 hours after sunrise or 2 hours before sunset. This rule of thumb can be applied to any time of the year. When it comes to picking the location for your portraits, I love shooting engagements in locations that mean something to my clients! I understand that this isn’t always possible but I like to throw it out there just in case! I always have back up locations ready to refer to you in a variety of locations around Vancouver (Maple Ridge, North Van, downtown Van, White Rock, Langley, Chilliwack, etc) in a variety of settings (water, mountains, cityscape, etc). The other thing to keep in mind is that it’s often nice to have engagement photos done during a different season than your wedding is taking place in. So if you’re getting married in summer, an autumn or winter engagement session might be a good fit and can be a great contrast for setting in images!
4. Be Punctual
Be on time, your photographer will love you. This is really important. What most couples don’t realize is that natural light photographers are dependent on the sun and if couples show up late, you can lose that amount of time during their session due to the lack of light. Now let’s realize, things happen beyond our control like massive amounts of traffic & more.  If at all possible, try to be on time so that you don’t lose any of your shooting time and pretty sunlight!
5. Hair, Makeup & Ring
Some brides opt to have their makeup trial done right before their engagement session so that they can see what their makeup will look like in pictures before the wedding day! I highly recommend this! It’s always fun when a bride gets her hair and makeup done for her shoot. If you want to do your own makeup, make sure you apply your eye makeup a little heavier than normal for your pictures. Guys, make sure those suit jackets are lint rolled and everything is ironed & clean. Last but not least, I love taking a ring shot! So if your diamond could use a little cleaning, that would make it really SHINE! Any jewelry store will typically do this for free for you.
6. Take Advantage… DATE NIGHT!
Now that you are all dolled up with your make up and hair done, what a great opportunity to go on a hot date! **GROOMS – if you want bonus points, make reservations for dinner afterwards, trust me.
I’d love to connect with you – let’s grab a drink, whether it be coffee or wine!
www.megkristina.com
Photography for the Authentic & Adventurous
Now Booking for 2018 & 2019 Weddings
You guys, I’ve been SO excited to share this session with you!!
Michelle & Karim were married on the beaches of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, overlooking the ocean. Their ceremony was touching, romantic & intimate, and their entire day was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy that reached out to each and every person there – you can check them out on the blog by clicking here.
Being in this absolutely beautiful location (seriously the ocean in Punta Cana is one of the best I’ve ever experienced and even the sand on the beach was beyond words!) we just couldn’t resist making the most of our time by sneaking in a “day after” session (or maybe I should call it a “honeymoon” session haha ;)). The love these two have for each other is passionate, caring and understanding and I loved every minute of watching them interact. There’s something to be said for their love and being able to capture it for them in this intimate setting was a privilege.
This session was everything I could’ve hoped for and more. I’ve wanted to do a session involving water for a long time, whether an ocean or a lake, it didn’t matter. There is something about being in the water that brings about a different level of intimacy and passion that can be hard to capture on camera and I love the depth it adds to the entire experience. Check out their ocean session below:
All Photos by Meg Kristina Photography
Booking Now for All 2018 & 2019 Weddings
photographer for the authentic & adventurous
Andreya & Cameron got engaged at the end of Rocky Point Pier in Port Moody almost two weeks ago now. The smoke from the fires was still present and lingered in the air, casting a warm hazy glow on the water and on those who came to stroll down the pier along the water’s edge.
Cameron had contacted me beforehand about capturing him proposing to Andreya and I was over the moon ecstatic to be a part of this special moment for them. I arrived extra early & tried to tuck myself into a corner on the pier where I wouldn’t be notice. Cameron sent me a quick text when they arrived, and, as they strolled down the pier and made their way to the end, there was no mistaking their love. Andreya held tight to Cameron’s hand gazing up at him with a look of love in her eyes, entirely unaware that her whole world was about to stop for a few heart-pounding moments before everything changed. They reached the end of the pier & cuddled into each other, looking out over the water and the setting sun. Cameron whispered words to Andreya and carefully took both of her hands in his. He continued, and then slowly dropped to one knee. Andreya’s reaction was beyond touching and slowly but surely a few tears ran down her face. Shaking her head both yes and in disbelief – this moment was theirs.
After Cameron proposed and they were officially engaged, I introduced myself to the unsuspecting Andreya & we snuck off for a quick mini engagement session in the park surrounding the pier. I absolutely loved our session! the timing immediately after the proposal brought about such raw and intimate emotions & moments between these two that I may have to shoot ALL of my engagement sessions right after they become engaged – haha! Seriously though, it was incredible to be a part of. Watching Andreya overcome by what just happened, to see her authentic love for Cameron, and their engagement brought tears to my eyes.
A huge congratulations to you two on your engagement, your new house and upcoming move to a new town. Here’s to your new fresh start together! I wish you both all the best. Thank you for having me be a part of the start of this next chapter of your lives.
Best friend approved!
All Photos by Meg Kristina Photography.
Booking Now for All 2018 & 2019 Weddings
www.megkristina.com
photographer for the authentic & adventurous
