The only dates I have available for 2013 are in October and November

L ast week I went to Vancouver to attend the Canada Photo Convention and spend some time with my brother. It was inspiring in so many ways, some of it was unexpected and I've returned home feeling really excited about putting that inspiration into action. I only took a few photos with my real camera, but I thought I'd share some of my favourite places in Vancouver that I took snapshots with my iPhone. You can click on my Instagram link above to follow along.

Our first morning together my brother and I walked to Granville Island and explored the food and flower markets. We came home with a couple of airplants. We saw several other airplants in various home shops while out and about and were shocked to discover that we paid about a quarter of the price at Granville island

I bought a couch!! I did not expect that to happen but while my brother and I were wandering vintage shop I came across this piece and simply couldn't resist. When the shop owner told me that she ships all the time I was sold. I can't wait for it to arrive. The shop owner Melissa was super helpful and I'd highly recommend a visit to her shop By Design Modern if you like mid century furniture. My brother had a crush on a desk we were tempted to pick up as well.

My favourite antique shop to pop into on Main street is called a Baker's Dozen. You could get lost in that place. Definitely worth checking out for inspiration.

The best ginger beef and dumplings can be found at Peaceful Restaurant. Be sure to go to the location on 5th & Ontario.

One of my absolute favourite shops to discover this trip was the handsome and well curated home goods shop much & little. The owner Sarah was lovely and very helpful and I spent hours exploring. I bought the tea towel above for a friend to hang on her wall. I loved the items were simple, well crafted and felt good.

I loved the succelent arrangements at the The Flower Factory. They had a gorgeous array of fresh flowers including some stunning peonies I wanted to take home.

We stepped into this little gem on a rainy day and it was perfect. Delicious coffee served in a variety of ceramic cups and yummy croissants. In better weather the backyard patio with hanging lights and chickens looked like a beautiful spot to hang out. Definitely seek out Le Marche St. George for an intimate coffee experience.

My favourite coffee shop was in my brother's neighbourhood called Matchstick. The muffins are delicious and so was the coffee. We got there on a Sunday morning right when they opened at 8am. My brother says normally it is really packed so we were lucky to have the place to ourselves right as they opened.

Another shop I spent hours in was the Regional Assembly of Text on Main Street. Oh my it was stationery heaven! They have all kinds of cards, journals, letter writing supplies and tshirts and buttons you can have custom made.

The cherry trees were in full bloom on my visit. The fallen petals are called Vancouver snow by the locals.

Here's a summary list of just a few of my favourite Vancouver shops; ReFind vintage furniture shop much & little handsome home goods By Design Modern mid century furniture Jojo's Place Great mix of old and new furniture, they create new furniture out of salvaged wood finds. Nineteen Ten Home boutique Peaceful restaurant at 5th & Ontario for amazing chinese food A Baker's Dozen vintage store on Main Street The Flower Factory for fresh flowers and great succellent arrangements Coffee Shop Le Marche St. George Coffee Shop Matchstick Regional Assembly of Text for stationary goodness "Old Stuff" vintage shop on Main Street Next trip I want to rent a U-Haul and load it up with vintage finds from Granny & Grumpa's Antiques in Abbotsford. My brother went and he says there are 4 barns full of vintage finds.

M y Mum chose my brother's name well for Peter means "Rock" and my brother has been my rock and a rich source of strength and inspiration. I got to spend a couple of days with my brother in Vancouver last week while attending the Canada Photo Convention and I asked him if I could take a few photographs of him on his Triumph bike. I came away from the photo convention with an urgency to document the people that I love. I wanted a photo of my brother now on his bike to remember this moment in our lives. I joked that when we are in the old folks home I will bring a small framed print of this photograph to put on my brother's bedside table to remind the nurses what my brother looked like as a young man. For now I will be happy to have this photograph framed in my home to remind me of the brother I love with all my heart.

A ttending the Canada Photo Convention gave me inspiration that I had not expected. I had expected to learn from inspiring photographers but I found myself moved to tears at some presentations as photographers talked about why they do the work that they do, the importance of personal projects and protecting your creativity by finding time to nourish your craft. All of the presentations I have seen done by photographers start with a slideshow of their work so you can be familiar with what they do but a few photographers chose to show photographs of their family. They spoke about their family being the inspiration for what they do and the importance of photographs and documenting their own lives. I was moved to tears because I realize I have been missing out on documenting my own life because I feel too fat or too old. Many photographers will tell you that the safest place to be is behind a camera. :) When couples tell me that they are nervous about being photographed I understand deeply. After a particularly inspiring talk I was so moved into action I asked my dear friend Brittany to take a couple photographs of my brother and I. You see I love my brother dearly but I have no photographs of the two of us together. I don't like the way I look so I avoid having my photograph taken. But I realized last week just how much I am missing out on by not actively photographing the people I love most and me with them. Brittany gave me the greatest gift of all by not hesitating for a second and telling me she would be honoured to take a few photographs of my brother and I together. I told Brittany I only needed one photograph. As we walked around gastown and Brittany took photographs of us I felt at ease, I would finally have a photograph of my brother and I to have in my home. My brother has been getting tattoos recently that represent our family, like a family tree of sorts. He surprised me by showing me a tattoo he had done of an apple with mine and Kevin's initials on the apple K.T. Kevin and I met planting apple trees and it's a moment in our lives that I cherish so that tattoo meant the world to me. Brittany knew about the tattoo so while we were out wandering she stopped us and asked about the tattoo. In that moment of sharing she created a photo that I will cherish the rest of my life. It is us. A simple moment caught of me pointing out the tattoo and describing it. To me that photo is rich with so much. It is us. I recognize our gestures in that single moment. Brittany tells me that she has other photographs from our 10 minute photo walk together but honestly I feel like she captured us in these two frames she shared with me. I don't feel like I need anything more. I am grateful to have captured this moment. I feel inspired to be brave in front of the camera and document more of the people I love for I know just how important those photographs are to me now and they will only become more important as the years pass. I urge you to photograph the ones you love and be present in those photos no matter what your insecurities may be, it matters.

Thank you dearly Brittany for giving me these gifts. They mean the world to me.

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