about me
UPDATE- Check out Richard and his wife’s new adventure From Desk to Glory!
Today we get to chat with Richard of Richard Giordano Photography. His wedding pictures are full of emotion and celebration, and his travel pics make me insanely jealous. Even though Richard and his wife Ashley and I have never officially met in person, I have come to know Richard as a very encouraging, adventurous and kind person. Oh and his photography rocks.
What made you first get into photography?
I have had an interest in photography since I first picked up my Dad’s Pentax ME in high school. Other than a couple of continuing studies classes at the local college at that time I didn’t pursue photography beyond documenting life events.
Fast forward 10 years and Ashley, my girlfriend at the time, and now my wife, and I were heading to Japan for a month. Without getting into too many details she essentially forced me to spend the money on a DSLR so we wouldn’t be stuck with photos from our aging point and shoot camera. I had no idea what that Canon Rebel purchase would snowball into.
When it was time to plan our wedding I was introduced to the concept of wedding photography. This interest turned into lens purchases, camera upgrades, shooting for friends, enrolling at Langara College’s photography program, and a general photography obsession. I haven’t looked back since.
What is the photography community like in Vancouver, and how does it affect your work?
The photography community in Vancouver is incredible. Everybody is willing to share their knowledge and experiences and help anyone who asks. The best thing about the photographers in town is the number of people doing absolutely incredible work. This forces me and everyone else to improve our craft and the clients benefit from this.
What would be a dream photography gig for you?
My dream photography gigs are destination weddings. I have had the opportunity to shoot weddings in Mexico and throughout Canada and hope to expand around the world. Combining wedding photography and travelling is definitely a dream gig.
You travel too, where was the last place you went?
Our last trip was to Jordan, Israel and Turkey. I have to admit that Jordan is one of my favourite places I have ever been. The people were incredibly friendly and generous. The Dead Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum Desert are all breathtaking and definitely worth seeing in your lifetime. The Hummus is among the best I have ever had and available in seemingly unlimited quantities.
Any preconceived notions of a Muslim-majority country in the Middle East I had were distant memories the moment the first person genuinely said, “Welcome to Jordan” and flashed a great smile. We heard this over and over again no matter where we were in the country and was something we never tired of.
Do you ever combine travel with your photography biz?
See #3
Ok, really important question, what is your favourite foreign treat?
Favourite foreign treat… there are so many that it’s probably best if I list a few by country:
Turkey: Cappuccino and baklava
Jordan: Hummus and pita/tomatoes/olives
Israel: Labneh and honey on fresh baked bread
Mexico: Fish tacos and Tecate
Where is your next destination?
We are currently planning on hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal this fall. We never really know for sure what are plans our until the plane tickets are actually booked, but there is a good chance we’ll be in the Himalayas for part of September/October.
Thanks for letting us peek at your beautiful work, maybe we will get to do an update after your Nepal trip this fall!
Being Julia
A frustrating Saturday morning led me to this post. I have these certain expectations (whether that is right or not) of my weekends to be filled with inspiration and creativity. Sometimes they are and I love that, but other times are just not. And I sit there within myself and get frustrated that I cannot work up some kind of inspiration.
Then 2 things came to me. First this verse, “As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.” Realization #1: Peace and light come from within me. I am a child of the light. My peace cannot come from a perfect set of circumstances. Inspiration can come from outside, but peace cannot. Not having inspiration is not an excuse to lose peace. Done, settled. It’s a battle of the mind.
Secondly, I started picturing Julia Roberts meditating over the beautiful landscape of Bali, and I wanted to be there so bad! I started looking up pictures of her character in the movie and my eyes teared, and my heart swelled, and I craved the cultures, the people, the adventures, the discovery. Usually I would give myself the “be thankful for where you are and what you have chat”, but instead I decided that I was thankful, but I also acknowledged the realness of my dreams and that these desires are a part of me, built into me for a reason and a purpose that I don’t know yet. It’s ok to be a bit unsettled if it means really allowing yourself to say, “This is what I want.” So…I WANT TO TRAVEL THE WORLD. There.
Does anyone remember that desktop wallpaper I posted a couple weeks back with the quote, “Replace the fear of the unknown with curiosity?” Well, I know now that this quote was entirely for me. Yesterday we made a big, and quite short notice, move to Alberta. My husband got the opportunity for work, and everything at home just seemed to be falling into place to lead us out here. As I found myself driving through the most insane mountain passes I was repeating this quote to myself changing all my fears of small towns, no friends, and cold winters to a curiosity of new opportunities, goals and dreams we could have never obtained before, and a fresh start in our life. Here’s to adventure.
I am working on a few prints of my own like this, but for now I love these prints by Josh Lafayette, the prophecy of change is exciting yet eerie.
Hey everyone, I have been away for a LONG time now (physically away for quite a bit of it), but also just away from the blog. There will be some changes going on at the blogspace here in the next little while, but for now, I appreciate your patience! I will be back in a bit to show you some pics of my recent adventures to Thailand and LA. See you soon, Ashley.
So I have been a little MIA lately. A little overwhelmed. And taking on a little too much. But I feel like I can breathe now, and here I am. Here are some pics of what I have been up to lately, and although I feel like I have been busy, it looks like I have made time for a lot of fun…you gotta have priorities right?
A trip to Horseshoe Bay to sell my car, which retired to a bed & breakfast in Gibsons.
Some sun and goofing around, we do that a lot. (well not the sun part, sadly)
A biz trip to Kansas City, Missouri. Had some good BBQ!
Homemade rosemary lemonade for a goodbye party. We miss you Kleyns & Bitners!
Working on some projects (more pics of this to come!), with a sleeping dog beside me.
I saw this bike (WITH A WINE HOLDER) at a menswear shop. New coffee place, ahh.
Thrifted these shoes & love them. Insane hair hurricane in the car :)
Dressing up for Mike’s aunts 40th bday party & and moustache calamari!
I always love projects that involve gold spraypaint and farm animals.
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