i heart second shooting.. || vancouver wedding photographer

i have lived and worked as a second shooter in vancouver for 3 years. i have worked with some of the best photographers on the planet. yes - i'm gonna name drop..not to brag at all, but to let you see the amazing opportunities i have had with such amazing artists..

elizabeth soergel
sarah rees
erin gilmore
blue olive photography
jeanie ow
patricia minnis
michael wachniak
kristel wyman
sherri koop

fran chelico

kris krug

reine mihtla

each photographer has been so gracious...they have taught me so much..they have given me feedback, they have helped me in so many ways become a better shooter.

when thinking in retrospect the last few weeks about us leaving soon and leaving the community of photographers i wanted to do something to give back somehow. specifically to second shooters  and those getting into the industry.

so...i tweeted a few weeks ago that the first 10 people to respond can come here me say what i know about being second shooter.

that's what i did today...had our "talk"...it was nothing fancy. it, of course, started off with freshly brewed lattes by moi..and then we dove in. i told them a bit about me and my journey to where i am today. and then got into the meat of what being a second photographer means. i had asked several principal photographers to help me out with giving their 5 things they would want every second shooter to know. so i integrated all their gold nuggets into my talk.

there were 9 of us. it was fun..i was a cheeseball. we laughed. i talked to much. ok, i talked a lot! (we were supposed to end at 3..it was 3:38 when we officially stopped!)

thank you miranda, erin, sherri, camille, quin, michael, amber & liz for your "5 things". they were invaluable. xo

and thank you kevin, jen, terry, sarah, sherry, lesley, bob and lani for listening...for a really...long...time. :) 

xoxo

contact me  || view my online portfolio || check out  my facebook page || follow me on twitter

Art Show / Silent Auction for the Gentle Hands Building Expansion Project in Manila, Philippines

THE VISION FOR THE ART SHOW
Gentle Hands is a child welfare and intervention agency based in Manila, Philippines. They are on the front lines of rescue and rehabilitation, providing for medical, social and  educational needs of at-risk youth and children. They work towards improving human community through the love of God and community centered care.

I might add that Gentle Hands is one of 5 agencies that now do foster care forchildren to be placed in temporary homes while waiting for adoptive parents. They are the only agency in Manila openly accepting children with special needs or terminal illness' requiring hospice care.

I have deep connections to the Philippines...not only have my husband's parents been humanitarian workers there for 25 years, but both of our children were born there when we also lived  there for 6 years (1996-2001).

As a family we have decided to leave our comfortable Canadian-style and go back to the Philippines, and work with Gentle Hands. It was started in 1987 by my motherinlaw as a midwifery clinic for the urban poor. In 2003 it evolved into what it is today.

We plan to move back by the end of this year. Yes..we have a lot to do before then. One of the things I wanted to put together before we moved there was an art show/silent auction where all profits would go to the Gentle Hands Building Expansion Project.

They are currently at full capacity and need to build onto their current building. They have been able to buy the lot beside them but now they are just waiting to raise the funds to actually start building.

How amazing would it be for us to be able to raise enough money for them to  begin this project, or even finish the expansion?

THE ART FOR THE SHOW
Initially I was going to do a solo-type art show, as I have travelled lots and could do an assortment of different pieces. Then when a fellow photographer in the industry said they would love to donate a piece of his art for the show, something sparked in my brain...how cool would it be to get LOTS of photographers and artists together to showcase their donated pieces and raise monies for this event??

I have decided that the more people willing and able to give, the greater this event can and will be.

SPECIFICS
The dates we are looking at is either the weekend of the 15th of October 2010 or the weekend of the 22nd of October 2010.

The dates were chosen for October as it's just after the rush of back to school, wedding season for most wedding creatives is slowing down and before Christmas shopping really gets underway...what great gifts these pieces would make.

The venue is still not secured. We would ideally love a venue to sponsor the event by us being able to utilize their space for no cost.

GUESTS
The guest would purchase tickets for this event. We would have an early-bird fee of $20 and a last minute rate of $25. The proceeds of these ticket costs would cover the appetizers and drinks that would be served throughout the evening. Any other profits from the tickets would go directly to the Gentle Hands Building Project.

A side note: Gentle Hands is registered in Canada as a non-profit organization. Any monies given to Gentle Hands will be tax receipted.

ABOUT ME
I grew up in Vancouver and on the Island..so I'm a west coast girl at heart. After my husband and I got married, we moved overseas to the Philippines where I was a lay midwife with my motherinlaw at her clinic, Gentle Hands, which was then a lying-in clinic. We moved back to Vancouver in 2007 from being in rural Saskatchewan for 5 years where I started my photography business (2003).

In that time i have been able to involved in the photography industry here in Vancouver. In August 2008, a fellow photographer and i began a community where Wedding Photographers can network with each other. There is currently 250+ members and the group continues to be a valuable asset to the Wedding Photography industry here in Vancouver.

I am excited for our move..it was a family decision, as we have two kids, ages 8 and 12.
who are looking forward to being with their cousins and grandparents, as well as being a part
of the work at Gentle Hands.

HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN :: HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED
If you are a photographer or creative, I would love for you to consider donating a piece of your work to the art show auction.

If you are a venue, I would love to be able to secure your location for one of the dates I mentioned. Or if you know how to help us secure a venue, your help and information would be invaluable.

If you would like to sponsor directly to Gentle Hands, that would most certainly be  appreciated.

I look forward to collaborating with you for this Art Show.

Also if you know of anyone who you  may think would be interested in partnering with us for this event, please feel free to forward them this email.

If you have any questions, email me.

For the love of the poor,
Tracey, on behalf of Gentle Hands

_______________________________
tracey heppner

tracey l heppner photography...traveling to the
ends of the world to give you neat photos. true story.

"voted one of vancouver's top 50 portrait photographers" by vancouvermom.ca

|e| tracey@traceylheppner.com
|p| 604.512.4679

www.traceylheppner.com
www.traceylheppner.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/traceylheppnerphotography
www.twitter.com/traceyheppner

co-founder of vancouver wedding photographers & second shooters group
www.vancouverphotogs.com
www.vancouverphotogs.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/vanphotogs

The existing building of Gentle Hands on the right. 

The proposed Building Expansion to be built on to the left side of existing building.

contact me  || view my online portfolio || check out  my facebook page || follow me on twitter

vancouver wedding photographer || the [b]ecker hits vancity!

as some may know, i co-founded a group in the city here for wedding photographers and second shooters. this last week we brought in [b]ecker, a wedding photographer from southern california, to do his crash course in kicking a$$ workshop. :)

the months of planning and details really paid off - i would have to say that the photogs who attended had a great time. :) from the workshop content itself, to the food by my lover, the networking galore and all-around good hang out times, the last couple days proved to be a success..

of course, i took some shots throughout the two days.. :)

libby, my partner in crime and co-founder of the group, put together some pretty sweet swag bags for us with a few little goodies in there.. :)

 

the most amazing vegetarian lunch EVER!

 

some networkin'!! :)

 

  

 

 

and then the walk-about watching [b]ecker shoot.. here's day 1:

 

 

  

 

 

thanks geoff and naomi for being wednesday's models!! :)

 

  

and of course for me, a photowander wouldn't be a photowander without some of my fave kinda shots:

 

 

then day two.. :)

thanks to  jason and lena for being our models!

  

 

[b]ecker even took every single person's headshots too.. :) good fun!

yes..it was a good few days.. a big huge thanks to reilly & miranda of blue olive for letting us invade not only their studio but home for 2 days! and to my partner - in - crime, libby, for all the swag and keeping me sane. :)

and to all the AMAZING vanphotogs who came - you guys are the best!! :) xoxo
contact me  || view my online portfolio || check out  my facebook page || follow me on twitter

AMENDED!! our true christmas [wish] || in collaboration with studio jeanie || vancouver wedding photographer

greetings!

we have wonderful news! due to the number of responses we have had for our wedding gift, we are extending the deadline!

AND there is more!

as we have sifted through interested couples, we felt that we should ammend and expand who qualifies for the true christmas wish.

the new deadline is valentines' day, 2010.

the new qualifications are that

...whilst work in a non-profit organisation is not necessary, a commitment to the non-profit community must be demonstrated. please substantiate with letters of references from communities and organisations that you (or both) are involved in.
...the wedding does not need to be in vancouver. jeanie and i are both willing to travel. travel details can be worked out with the lucky couple.

this holiday season, we hope that we will make one 2010 couple's wish come true!

...make it an outta-this-world valentine's day, knowing that your wedding will be photographed by two of vancouver's TOP 50 PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS!

will you be our winning couple? :)

to view my website visit http://www.traceylheppner.com

tracey@traceylheppner.com || 604.512.4679

christmas party time! || vancouver wedding photographers & second shooters || vancouver photographer

on the weekend we hosted the vancouver wedding photogs & second shooters group christmas office party at our place.. GOOD TIMES.

lots of yummy goodies..plenty of spirits (lover made mulled wine too!)..and a ridiculously funny $1 christmas gift exchange!

it twas a ball.. :)






getting ready for gift xchange time!!


for more photos check out the album

"we're all in this together" || vancouver wedding photographer

"We're all in this together
Once we know
That we are
We're all stars
And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows
When we stand
Hand in hand
Make our dreams come true"

sound familiar? its the lyrics to one of my favorite movies (thanks to my 8yr old daughter!), High School Musical. not gonna lie...this movies brings me to tears EVERY time. :)

truly amazing lyrics. about a class. who are all friends. who have misunderstandings. who sometimes fight. who know how to have fun. who are all going in different directions but are all chasing their dreams.

this post is something i have been chewing on for a while..and really, i am "putting myself" out there, if you will, by being honest and sharing my own personal thoughts on a subject so great and huge.

the song...it kinda of reminded me of me and my collegues, vancouver wedding photogs.

each of us has our own business in this industry..we work hard..we create..we love..we throw ourselves into what we do..we want to make a difference..we love people.. we all have the potential to be so incredibly successful. what our business ends up doing is completely up to us.

and whether we like to admit it or not, we need each other.

what!? photogs need other photogs? heck ya we do!
but we're each other's competition. heck ya we are!
but can we really be friends then? heck ya we can.

but why, you ask? um, read that song at the top again and continue reading on.. :)

but how can i be friends with my competion?
well let's do the math for a second..

let's say there are 500 "official" photogs in metro vancouver..as in people who make wedding photography their business. i think there are a lot less, but hey.. :)

i found out "the number" of weddings in bc in 2008 - 22,955
let's divide that number by the 500 photogs in the city.
that would equal almost 46 local weddings a year for each photog.

who in the HECK is doing 46 weddings in and out of this city? riiiiiiiiiiiiight.

that's a lot of people gettin married.

bottom line... there's enough work for all of us. really. no really, there is. ;)

so why is it, i wonder, that as photogs in metro van, is there still angst and tension between some photogs? why is collaborating and networking such a foreign and scary thing for some photogs?

michelle libby of studio 32 and i started vancouver wedding photographers and second shooters in august 2008. why? because we need each other. we need to collaborate. we need to be in relationship with people of like minds. we need to have input from others better than us. we need to have mentors, encouragers and teachers. we need collegues who can fill in for us when an emergency comes. we need other photogs to refer other work to if we're already busy or have a project that isn't our niche. and...we need friends. (we all know we each spend a good part of our time alone in front of our digital darkrooms! :) )

and thus started the group. the group members speak for themselves. over 140 members? really? that's crazy.

is it another club? is it something "else" to be a part of? all i know is that it was birthed out of longing to belong to a group of photogs who are a community. and i truly believe it has become that.

then how come not everyone gets along and thinks its not a good thing? am i just a dreamer? maybe..chuckle..

well for one, it's that age old thing called relationship and the fact that everyone is DIFFERENT.

let's be real: we will NEVER be friends with EVERYONE. i know, some of you REALLY wish you could be, but let it rest..it ain't gonna happen. :) but you will be friends with some. and some of those people will be so vital to your growth and well-being of your business. and some of these people will become more important to you than you ever thought they would.

i have watched over the last year+ how photogs interact with other photogs in a number of different venues and circumstances. some times it brings a smile to my face. and sometimes i can't actually believe what i see. back to the "not everyone is gonna like everyone part".. :)

but really, if we are who we say we are, and who we tell our clients we are, shouldn't we be able to, at the very least, co-exist with each other in the same city? :)

all i know is this: there will ALWAYS be someone better than me. ALWAYS. and that's ok. in fact that is MORE than ok..that's inspiring! because there will always be someone i can look up to, strive to acheive my own success.

the point of this post? i'm not entirely certain. maybe some late evening ramblings. maybe something you will never read. maybe a rant. maybe a hope or dream of something that could or couldn't exist. maybe just my heart.

whatever it is, i know that i am extremely thankful for you all.

whether we barely know each other or have had some heart to hearts, have worked together a little or have worked together lots..i am thankful.

that i know that there IS a community in our city that all have a common vision to be a community within our industry that we can all be a part of.

we are all in this together and we need each other. :)

tracey
xo

twitter - the network machine || vancouver photographer

i use twitter to network in my industry - photography and the wedding industry.

on sat whilst shooting away at Terminal City Club with erin g, i snapped a pic on my iPhone, my good ol' faithful, and low and behold, Terminal City Club found it on twitter and blogged about the wedding and put the photo in it too.

ain't social media GRAND!? i do declare it is. :) really, it's a win win. :)

had a great weekend everyone!!



and here is the lil' twitpic that was on the TCC blog..

so i'm a little giddy..

why? cuz we have a website up for the vancouver wedding photographers and second shooters..and a blog to boot!

i can't tell you how incredibly stoked i am about it all. there is so much coming together that is WAAAAY beyond what i could have dreamed up..its pretty rad, really. :)

keep your eyes peeled, and bookmark the links.

www.vancouverphotogs.com
www.vancouverphotogs.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/vanphotogs

and all because of a little lunch date with my dear libby friend.. :) thanks libby! we're gonna rock this thing!

xoxo

summertime bbq

last august, michelle libby and i started a vancouver photogs and second shooters group, with the vision of it connecting the professional photogs in vancouver, networking, and much more.

the response has been overwhelming. we currently have 94 members. we meet every 1st & 3rd wednesday at a coffee shop just cuz.. we planned a big GTG in january, after the annual and ever amazing BLUE OLIVE END OF SEASON BASH (thanks M&R - you guys are so amazing!) in november, to bring as much of the big group together as possible. it proved to be a success. we are in the process of organizing workshops and the likes. its all really quite exciting. :)

and so we are starting an annual summer bbq, as a big GTG before summer goes nuts and the BLUE OLIVE party is upon us once again.

if you are a photographer and want to meet a bunch of amazing people who also happen to be photographers, come on then. :)

contact me for more details. :)

cuz bbq's are neat and summer is rad.

fab photogs+fab mexican+fab city= fab shooting!

tuesday was a SPECTACULAR day!

miranda and reilly from blue olive studios, erin gilmore, michelle libby, michael wachniak and i planned a day of shooting each others headshots! john edgar from toronto was in town staying with the olives so he came along for some fun too! seriously, it was a stacked team of photogs..and BOY did we have fun! starting with some yummy mexican goodness at La Casita in gastown, we then spent the afternoon taking turns being "the model". we ended the fantastic afternoon down at the frog for some warm (and not so warm!) bevies to thaw us out!

here are a few of my faves..














thank you miranda & reilly, libby, michael, erin and john for an utterly FABULOUS day. xoxo

photographers making a difference

one of my dear friends in the industry, elizabeth soergel, who moved to the okanagan a year ago, has taken on an incredible project.

for every portrait sitting she books, she is waiving the sitting fee ($200 value) and asking parents to donate $100 to the kelowna general hospital kids ward project. what an amazing gift to the ward and to families..the gift of portraiture while giving to an incredible cause.

here's a link to her site to find out more... - children of the okanagan.

if you are in the okanagan or have friends and family in the okanagan, please have them contact elizabeth. she does such amazing work and captures family and children with such magic.

again, you can reach her at her website - www.okanaganphotographer.com

below is the article she was featured in, in okanagan life magazine.