Alyssa and Seiji have known each other for almost ten years, since their Grade 11 year in high school. Seiji was in cadets, Alyssa was a cheerleader, mutual friends in both circles led to these two becoming acquaintances and then quite close friends. However, for all those years, they remained “just friends.” They dated other people off and on… and Alyssa remembers always having an interest in Seiji. But without reciprocation, what was the point? They were just friends. A couple of years ago – something switched in Seiji and he started seeing Alyssa in a new light. They’ve been together since!

I love this adventurous, outdoorsy couple. I knew from their first email to me it would be a different wedding and one I really wanted to be a part of. Next July, lakeside on a Friday morning, these two will become husband and wife in Hope, BC. They’ve chosen to invite only 13 people to their wedding for a 15-person total guest list. The next night, they’ll celebrate with a larger group of friends and family at a backyard reception but it was important to Alyssa & Seiji to have an intimate, surrounded by nature celebration. It was only fitting that their engagement session take place in one of the most beautiful parks BC has to offer: Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver!

Alyssa and Seiji, so great to meet you both. Enjoy the photos!

P.S. It was Alyssa’s 26th birthday the day we took these photos. Isn’t that fun?

P.P.S. In the last few walking shots of this post… I have a funny story to tell. I often walk backwards while shooting without looking where I’m going. I wouldn’t do so on a CLIFF or something – but on a trail, I’m generally not worried. I have never fallen or walked into traffic before, so my record is pretty solid. However, I completely fell after that last laughing/walking shot. I walked right into a large fallen tree and it was the slowest-motion, bend backwards at the knees and fall over with my camera in the air, lens bag on my side, arms up. Hahahaha. Alyssa and Seiji’s faces looked horrified and helpless. But thankfully – no injuries, no thorns, and we continued on. I found it so funny.