While attending UBC, Kelsey coached hockey power-skating and learn-to-skate lessons. At the end of every school year, in the summer they would host a two week hockey camp and bring in coaches from other schools to help. One of those coaches was Nick. Kelsey and Nick were introduced to each other and got along, but never thought anything more of the meeting.

Every once and a while over the next couple of years, Kelsey and Nick would run into each other through a group of mutual friends. They had each one another added as friends on Facebook and one day, the pair started catching up via private message. Around this same time, Kelsey was working at a bank and was transferred to UBC for the week, to help new students during orientation with their accounts. Kelsey was working at her desk one day when she heard a knock on the six-inch window in her office.

It was Nick. Nick, who was in the middle of articling for his Chartered Accountant degree, was also transferred to UBC for the exact same week, for a project. The “run-in” felt like more than simply coincidence and the pair exchanged phone numbers, finally promising to catch up in person soon. One week later, Kelsey and a friend decided to join a gym in the city. As they walked up to sign the paperwork for their brand new memberships… Nick walked in.

A little while later, Nick asked Kelsey out on a date and Kelsey remembers it as the best first date she’s ever had. They connected immediately and have been together for six and a half years since that first date! (And they returned to the same restaurant the evening they got engaged!)

I have to give a big thank you to Hannah & Josh for the referral to this sweet couple! They attended Hannah & Josh’s wedding a few years ago and I’m so glad they loved my work and contacted me. I met Kelsey and Nick for the first time last week on Granville Island for their engagement photos, a place that’s super special to both of them as a couple. They are crazy photogenic and very, very easy to photograph! ;) 

I loved Kelsey + Nick’s outfits and easy-going style in front of the camera.

Kelsey and Nick currently live in Calgary, but are West Coast kids at heart. They love everything to do with the ocean and for Nick specifically, fishing and being outdoors! He was glad we could capture these sweet salmon carvings. I love the colours, too! 

A quick change and we got in the last little bit of fall leaves before venturing onto the docks.

This next part of the shoot was super special. Back in the 70’s (I think) Nick’s father built two boats, one of which was sold years ago but has been moored in the commercial docks near Granville Island. When Nick thinks of it, he usually tries to spot it on their visits. We went for a walk throughout hundreds of boats, looking for a very specific one… 

We found it! The Algoma. 

It’s a beautiful boat and we had the place to ourselves… it was so special to have some portraits in front of the boat, especially since the passing of Nick’s father in the past year. I’m so glad we found it.

A few quick photos in front of an iconic Vancouver bridge to finish off Kelsey and Nick’s Granville Island engagement session!

Love this. :)