It was my first time in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. When I got to Kelowna, I finally experienced some warm, springs days! With happiness in my eyes I very quickly forgot about the freezing temperatures and the snow which I left behind in Alberta. This was the moment when I started to feel like the weather can be only better from now.
When I arrived to Kelowna, I didn’t have any couple to photograph. I knew that I want to spend at least 3 days in the Okanagan Valley so I kept going looking for people. I was trying to find someone through different sources but without luck. Finally, I decided to post a few words about my project on a Facebook group called “Ladies Behind the Lens” and this is how I found Ashlee and Luc. Ashlee is a fellow photographer from Summerland who mainly photographs children and families. She is super talented and I love how she captures emotions and how she plays with the light in her photos. You can find more of Ashlee’s beautiful work here: French Press Photography.
The name French Press is not a coincidence. Luc, her husband is a French Canadian and Ashlee used to work as a journalist. Of course, my first association was with coffee but I always have coffee on my mind!
Ashlee and Luc are from different parts of Canada and because of Luc’s work, he is an RCMP officer, they used to change the cities very often. Right now, they hope to stay in Okanagan Valley for a little bit longer because they fell in love with the area.
Ashlee and Luc are also parents to three beautiful daughters. They are very busy people so I was excited that they found some time to become a part of my project and share their dreams and plans with me.
This is how they answered my 8 questions:
1. What is your dream and what is your biggest dream together?
Ashlee: My biggest dream is to show my girls that heir mom can do anything so they can feel like they can do anything.
Luc: I want our three girl to be happy. What ever they end up doing, I want them to be happy.
Ashlee and Luc: our dream together is be happy together and survive the storm of three kids.
2. If you could go in Canada anywhere right now without any limitations of money and time, where would you go and why?
Ashlee: I think, I would go heli-skiing! I think, it would be something outside of my comfort zone and it’s really expensive and I think it would be a really cool experience.
Luc: I would probably rent a motor home and go across the country. Go up to Northwest Territories, Yukon down BC and just go to Maritimes across the prairies and Ontario. I would do that because everyone goes on vacation to other countries but they don’t even know how much Canada has to offer. I wouldn’t mind seeing all that.
3. What is the best thing about you Luc which Ashlee brings out in you?
Luc: Compassion – to be considered about other people and have a softer view on different things. In my work I very often see things only in black and white. She always brings out the softer side of me.
Ashlee what is the best thing about you which Luc brings out in you?
Ashlee: He really likes to laugh! Sometimes, I don’t find it that funny. At least he still tries to make me laugh every day.
4. What inspires you the most about Canada?
Ashlee: I think the landscape and the people inspires me the most. There is a lot ofdiversity in people but there is also a lot of diversity in the landscape which is inspiring to me. I think after seeing so much of British Columbia right now, since we lived all over BC, it really changed me for the better.
Luc: You can do anything in Canada. If you want to go skiing you can go skiing. If you want to go fishing, you can go fishing. Everything is there. Depends on the season of course.
5. What is the most difficult part of your relationship?
Luc: Right now with three kids, it is communication. We have to be on the same page with all of our kids so they have some consistency. We are good on that part, being on the same page but verbal and non-verbal communication is hard.
Ashlee: Yes, with three some children we are tired so it takes extra mindfulness to be considered about each other. It definitely takes some extra thoughtfulness to keep the marriage going.
6. Luc what do you love the most about Ashlee?
She keeps life interesting! She makes me laugh and she pushes me to be a better person not just in how I relate to other people and the world around me but she pushes me to try new things. Today, she mentioned something about wood working and starting new project. I probable wouldn’t have the courage to try but she puts things out there and I go for it. She pushes my boundaries.
Ashlee what do you love the most about Luc?
Mine is very similar actually. What I love the most about Luc is that he is willing to try all kinds of different things. We have done a lot of home renovations and everything I asked of him, he has done. He is very hard working and I love this about him.
7. How would you describe Canada in only two words?
Ashlee: Excepting, beautiful
Luc: Comfortable, diverse
8. What wakes you up from the bed every day?
Ashlee: right now, if I would be completely honest, I would like to stay in bed. We are very tired but besides my kids and seeing them thrive every day, probably photography. It is my passion and I love shooting.
Luc: Besides my kids, I enjoy completing things – so any projects around the house, wood working keeps me going. I like to say at the end of the day: this is done. Even if it is a job which needs to be done, not just for fun, I like when it is done.
Thank you Ashlee & Luc for an amazing afternoon and 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 Okanagan 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.
