#FF - Miranda Lievers of BLUE OLIVE PHOTOGRAPHY || manila destination wedding photographer | tracey l heppner

#FF - Miranda Lievers of BLUE OLIVE PHOTOGRAPHY || manila destination wedding photographer

September 23, 2011

i remember when i first met Miranda and her husband Reilly…it was the first autumn we had moved to vancouver, in 2007. i had contacted her that summer…i was on the prowl - looking for work as a second shooter, checking out all the TOP wedding photographers of vancouver. miranda was CONNECTED. and i mean with EVERYONE. they host an annual “end of season” wedding photogs party. she invited me. i went. the rest? is sweet history.

i was so blessed to not only cultivate one of my most treasured relationships on the planet with her, but i wore the “blue olive hat” for several seasons, second shooting with them now and then throughout each wedding season we lived in vancouver.

miranda has this KNACK for business. she is simply remarkable. the way they market their photo boutique and are ALWAYS booked solid each year always astounds me, even through financial crisis in our times. and of course, she’s a fantastic photographer - i’ll let her tell you her story below.

not going to lie. i miss her dearly. the lunches at la casita mexican restaurant…simply hanging out with them and other photog friends…ukrainian christmas dinners…watching her make amazing crafty goodness…and our last adventure together with jeanie to wine country in the okanagan in june. yes, M, i miss you much. and i’m very grateful for our friendship. and THRILLED beyond thrilled to feature you on my #FF blogpost. you are DEFINITELY someone people need to follow on the interwebs.

here is my friend miranda - photographer & amazing person extraordinaire. ;)

xotracey

Upload from September 22, 2011

TLH: what is the favorite part of what you do (business wise)?

Miranda: I love capturing joy – new babies, new marriages, grandparents with tears… It’s a feeling that can’t be beat.

Upload from September 22, 2011

TLH: how did you get started? everyone asks, i know, but peeps wanna know!
Miranda: We started photographing weddings by accident really. Reilly was the photographer before I was and had no interest in weddings – we were terrified of them! I’m not a girly girl and had no idea how weddings were “supposed” to be photographed. Our first wedding clients 9 years ago approached Reilly for his photojournalism work and wanted him to photograph their wedding specifically because he didn’t normally shoot weddings. He did everything he could to talk them out of hiring him, and when they insisted, he handed me a camera loaded with black and white film set on auto (I was *not* a photographer at that time!) and insisted I come along as moral support. We fell in love with that very first wedding, and have been photographing them since.

TLH: if you could live anywhere in the world for a year, money not an issue, where would it be and why?

Miranda: I really really do love Vancouver – I love living in Canada, I like being within a day’s drive of my family, and I adore the coast. That said, for a year I could do anything… And I have no idea where I’d go! Somewhere warm and with a vibrant culture and community.

TLH: favorite story/memory of past client/work/project

Miranda: How could I ever pick? The most touching moments are when you bring someone to tears – knowing that you’ve captured an image that will be cherished for years and years. Knowing that your images will be shared with children, and grandchildren… It’s hard to explain just how much that means to me. Every time one of our clients looks at us with tear filled eyes and says the most genuine thank you, I know we’re doing what we should be doing.

Upload from September 22, 2011

TLH: what is your favorite foods to eat? to make? to buy?

Miranda: I LOVE good mexican food but it’s easier to make than to buy in Vancouver. I also have a great stroganoff recipe for cold fall days, and a family fondue recipe that reminds me of being a kid. Most importantly, I Iove sharing great meals with others so my favourite meals are those shared with guests. Our home is centered around a giant rustic table with room for up to 14 people (with overflow at the kitchen island!) for exactly that reason :)

TLH: where do you see yourself in your biz and life in 5 years?

Miranda: In Vancouver, surrounded by family and friends who we love. Both Reilly and I spend a lot of time actively pursuing hobbies and creating art that feeds our soul… And I know we won’t lose sight of taking time to do things we’re passionate about. Our business continues to grow and evolve and we’re on the never ending journey of figuring out the right balance of live and work (but really, when you do what you love…)

TLH: how do you want to be remembered?

Miranda: I want to be remembered as someone who inspired others to live their dreams and to dream bigger than they had before. I want to be remembered as the person who helped families see themselves in new light, and created images that will live on and be enjoyed by generations of family to come.