Despite raging forest fires from our neighbors to the west and south, and an apocalyptic-looking sun in the sky, Olivia and Jeff powered through their engagement session in what I would call some of the best locations given the aforementioned natural disasters. They knew they wanted to include Inglewood in their photos so I suggested the amazing Plant Shop as a fun indoor spot, as I ran across this shop on accident earlier this year and knew I had to do photos in there someday. I honestly can’t get enough of that place.
Olivia and Jeff brought their bikes along for a few photos, and I learned a lot about different types of bikes that I was just honestly ignorant to. Jeff bikes to work every day, and Olivia used to work at a bike shop so this is a natural fit for them as a shared common interest. I also learned that Pearce Estate Park now has a new kick ass downstream that a ton of people were enjoying and sliding down on, whaaaaaat? The three of us were lamenting how we desperately wanted to get in the water during our 30C evening of photos together, hah!
I can’t wait for their incredible wedding celebration, that will be split up into 2 days full of family and fun, later this year! Onto the questions…(I had so much fun reading their answers)!
How did you two meet, and what were the initial thoughts or feelings of one another about the other?
Olivia & Jeff: We met on Tinder. Jeff went on 10 dates, Olivia went on one date. Our first date was at the Hop n’ Brew. Olivia’s thoughts were that Jeff had a nice shirt on and he was stylish and that he was really sweet because we had a conversation about our grandfathers. Jeff’s first thoughts were that she had cool heart shaped sunglasses and a nice white dress and red hair and that was pretty sweet because Jeff didn’t have any of those things. Olivia brought a sketch book and markers and they drew some weird shapes Jeff said to himself, yep these weird shapes are great.
Describe your proposal story! Were you surprised?
Olivia & Jeff: Olivia proposed to Jeff and he had no idea wtf was going on. They had talked about marriage previously but Olivia was not really interested, so Jeff had kind of put that in the back of his mind. They were on our anniversary trip in Summerland BC and Jeff was watching Corner Gas before they went to a wine tasting. Olivia proposed and Jeff had a panic attack. Olivia presented Jeff with a very beautiful beaded bolo tie. Eventually Jeff got over his panic attack and lives a very healthy life and is almost married.
What brings you two together, and what do you enjoy spending time doing together?
Olivia & Jeff: Going on bike tours and trips, eating nice food, going to music festivals, eating popcorn and watching sci-fi movies, going on hikes, camping and getting coffee.
Describe an event or memory that was significant about one another, and how your feelings or thoughts may have changed/grew as a result.
Olivia: There’s been so many times where Jeff has been the most supportive and loving partner to me; when I got my first office job he brought me a bouquet of flowers, every time I’ve left town for work, regardless of the departure or arrival times, Jeff will be there in the airport waiting for me, leaving me love notes in the morning, etc. I lived in BC for two months working on a film while Jeff was still in Calgary. It was a really great experience, but very challenging and made more so that we were living apart from one another. When I got back into town Jeff had gone out and purchased a bouquet of flowers, epsom salts, popcorn kernels, a cycling cap all of which was accompanied by a hand written note about how happy he was that I was back home.
Jeff: Olivia is very active in many different causes and last year hosted an equity in the arts panel where women and people of colour talked about their experiences in the arts and how we can move forward together in the future. I have been exposed to many of these types of events and through talking to Olivia and attending these different events – she has help me to grown and develop into a better person.
