2013 Part I

Images I Loved Taking

By Bri Vos

December 31^st, 2013

Grundafjordur, Iceland

When I see these images, I love them not because of their technical qualities or the perfect light or composition. I love them because I remember the moment I took them: what I was feeling and thinking, what the air smelled like, what the sun and wind felt like, what I felt when I looked at the scene for the first time.

During our spring trip to Europe, we stopped in Iceland for a week. Armed with a 1990′s quirky hatchback and a tent, Patrick and I circled the island. This shot is from our clandestine campsite in Grundafjordur… the last non-snowy place we’d see in a while.

Podere Vallari, Tuscany, Italy

During our time in Italy, we worked and lived with Ursula and Sigismund on their farm. My favourite part of the day was the late suppers on the balcony in the setting sun.

Hvar, Croatia

The week we spent on the island of Hvar in Croatia was a quiet one. Far from tourist season, we were the only foreigners in town. I love it. We’d eat pizza and drink grappa in the sun while the school kids played soccer in the square. Patrick even got into a game himself. Such a beautiful memory.

Ten Post, Netherlands

While in Europe, we met my great aunt and uncle. There has been very little family interaction with my Dutch relatives in my lifetime and it meant so much to me to meet them. What was even more special is that my mom and I coordinated to allow my grandma and her brother video chat. They hadn’t seen each other in decades and to watch them talk to each other and see each other was really moving.

Reykjavik, Iceland

On our last night in Iceland this spring, we spent some time in a cafe in downtown Reykjavik. The 11pm light, the colours of the city, the mood of that night all culminates in this image for me. I captured exactly what I felt in this moment and so much of what Reykjavik feels like for me.

Vancouver, BC

On the September long weekend we photographed the wedding of friends, Hailey & Jon. Since they live in Vancouver I haven’t had as much time with these two as I would have liked over the past few years. What was so special about this wedding for me was seeing Jon so obviously in love with my dear friend, Hailey. Such an honour to be witness to their relationship and share their special day.

Burdett, Alberta

I have taken family photos of my sisters’ families for years and I love watching my nieces and nephews grow and come into their own. There’s nothing quite like capturing an image that so totally encompasses the personality of these kids.

Stirling, Ontario

We love sharing the places we love with the people we love and this September, our friends Denise & Pete came to Patrick’s parents’ farm in Ontario. These long golden days spent on the shores of rivers and lakes and in the thick forest and tall sumac are some of my favourite.

Burdett, Alberta

Shortly after losing her home to the June floods, my oldest niece was visiting at my parents farm while we were there. She spent a hot afternoon jumping in the sprinkler and after I asked if she’d sit for a portrait. I love this photo because without necessarily intending to, she sat back and allowed this fierce, strong spirit settle on her face. I think it says so much about her and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of difficulty. And I love that I’m related to her.

Fort Chipewyan, Alberta

Since the first moment I visited Fort Chipewyan, I fell in love with it. This fall we spent a rather dull, cloudy day out on the Athabasca river basin in Wood Buffalo National Park. Just as we were about to call it a day, the clouds broke and we saw this. It left me breathless.