I Riley and Rhys met in the afternoon. It was a typical April afternoon on the island. The sky was very cloudy and the rain was ready to come down.
Riley recommended a place for the session which is Kye Bay. It was my first time in the Comox Valley area and I trusted her. She is also a fellow photographer so I knew that the place will be more than amazing. I mention this a hundred time already but I love Vancouver Island! I fell in love with the island even more so when I visited the Comox Valley.
When I’m on the island I feel like nothing else exists. It’s just me, the island and nature. The island is so peaceful, the pace move slowly and it seems like it is so far away from the mainland. I could definitely live there.
Riley and Rhys are together for almost 3 years. They both love the island and enjoy the nature. Just a few days before our session they opened their camping season. The weather didn’t understand their camping plans in April but they didn’t care. They enjoyed their time as much as they could. When they told me this story I knew the session will be amazing. I love when people are not scared of the weather and they embrace it. It doesn’t need to be perfect as long as you want to enjoy it.
The Kye Beach was empty. We were the only people there and the entire beautiful beach was just for us. A photographer’s dream! The clouds were very dark and anytime it could start raining but somehow I knew that the rain will hang there waiting for us and that we will be able to finish our session. I wasn’t wrong!
This is how Riley and Rhys answered my 8 questions:
What is your dream and what is your biggest dream together?
Riley: Do things which I enjoy doing. Together to have a life and do things which we want to do and not struggle. Have the freedom to do what we want.
Rhys: Build the family and simply be happy.
If you could go anywhere in Canada right now without any limitations of money and time, where would you go and why?
Rhys: I love mountain valleys and the nature. I’m a big outdoor person and I’m all about being connected to the nature. I think it would be Yukon which is even more open and wild than British Columbia
Riley: I would go somewhere up north or as far east as I could go. On the east coast I would go to Prince Edward Island. I would go there because it is also an island but it is so different than Vancouver Island in terms of the nature and weather.
What is the best thing about you Riley which Rhys brings out in you?
Riley: I’m not doubting everything that I’m doing. Because of him, I’m trusting myself and my judgment.
What is the best thing about you Rhys which Riley brings out in you?
Rhys: She brings the calm side in me. We balance each other and compliment each other very nicely.
What inspires you the most about Canada?
Riley: How diverse it is. You can do anything, be anything. There is so much opportunity. It’s safe, calm and of course the nature is incredible.
Rhys: The optimism in people and that you can be a better version of yourself by that. As people and the country we strive for the best in most cases.
If you could describe Canada in two single words what words would you use?
Rhys: Beautiful, free
Riley: Home, diverse
What is the most difficult part of your relationship?
Riley: I think, timing. We met at an odd time and pretty much that’s it. Timing because we grew up together, we went to the same school but we really never knew each other until I moved away and came back. I was not at a very open place at that time.
Rhys: Other than that we didn’t have a lot of bumps in our road so far not counting the little ones individually but we are pretty good at teaming up as a couple
Rhys what do you love the most about Riley?
Rhys: She makes me laugh every day.
Riley what do you love the most about Rhys?
Riley: He is the kindest person I have ever met. He doesn’t have anything bad to say but when he does he means it.
What wakes you up from the bed every day?
Riley: We get to be here. Every day it’s another opportunity to learn, explore and grow and keep doing what we love doing.
Rhys: Try to be further ahead than the day before. Make the best of every situation.
Thank you Riley and Rhys for showing me around Kye Bay + Comox Valley and for being a part of my Love Across Canada Photography Adventure!
Stay tuned for more images of couples and their stories from Across Canada.
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This Comox Valley, British Columbia couple session was photographed by Monika from Everglow Photography – Voted as Best Wedding Photographers in Toronto, Canada.
International Wedding Photographer for Adventurous Couples.
