If my last post was about the unexpected chill in the air, this one is about the warmth that made the trip worth it. Watching my little cousin get married was a surreal experience—it feels like just yesterday we were kids, and now here we are in Florida, celebrating this huge new chapter. Despite the breeze, the light was beautiful, and the atmosphere was incredible. I’m glad I was able to be there to document the day. Here are some of my favorite moments that proved you don't need sweltering heat to have a perfect tropical wedding.

Florida. The Sunshine State. Or so they tell you. I flew down for my little cousin's wedding with visions of glorious heat in my head. I was expecting plus 35, sunscreen, and sweat. Instead, I was rudely awakened by a wind chill I thought I’d left at home. I spent the trip reaching for the warmest layers in my suitcase, half-expecting to see snowflakes drift past the palm trees. It’s funny how our perceptions of a place can be completely wrong. I wanted tropical; I got "sweater weather." But honestly? It was still pretty great. The beach has a different kind of charm when you aren't melting. Plus, I made some excellent local friends: a flock of seagulls and a very polite little crab.

I was driving past this lake when I looked out and saw that some of the autumn forest was under the water. I guess there has been a lot of water flowing into this lake because at certain points the trees were rooted in two feet of water. It made for an interesting perspective where the orange of the leaves just melded into the beautiful blues of the water and sky, creating a lot of stark contrast!

I'm pretty sure that most photographers believe that nearly all of their work is worthy of appearing on a postcard; after all, who wouldn't want to send their loved ones such an incredible image? However, I think that sometimes images are especially noteworthy. They just have that surreal vibe that draws you into the photo and makes you want to visit the place portrayed. As soon as I finished editing this photo, I had that thought, and if I ever make some postcards, this will be one of the first to make it into the lineup. Also, here are a few more shots from the same day, taken throughout the Banff area capturing the last of the fall leaves before they disappeared completely!

Making the trip back home to northern BC during fall is always an incredible experience. It feels like home, with many familiar landscapes that carry so many memories. (And I can actually fly my drone up there, unlike in the mountains around Calgary.) The drone shot is one of my favourite perspectives. The ability to soar high above the treetops has always been a dream of mine, and now, thanks to these flying camera platforms, I get to experience what it's like for the birds in flight, if only for a moment!

Let's face it, getting out of bed at 5 in the morning on your day off is hard... But if you're willing to make the sacrifice of a little sleep and undertake the 3-hour drive, you can expect to be greeted by the beauty of first light caressing the mountaintops and reflecting on the waves. Was I cold? Yes. Was the wind terrible? Yes! But for a shot like this, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have driven past this lake a dozen times on my way through Jasper, but this was the first time I stopped to take some photos there, and I was not disappointed. In addition to the beautiful sunrise light on the mountains, I also got to capture some of the ice along the edge of the lake. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did taking them!