From chatting over dinner and hanging out on the beach, to wearing ponchos together and dancing the night away, what an amazing group of people this conference brought together! So many fun times and amazing conversations I won’t ever forget. Thank you thank you thank you everyone who stayed up all night chatting with Dave and I! Also, I’ve got to mention the incredible set of “artist-preneurs” who spoke over the course of the four days, you have set off so many sparks and I’ve filled pages and pages with ideas and action steps…. Thanks to each one of you for sharing yourselves — Sarah & Chris Rhoads, Jesh deRox, Justin Lyon, Dan O’Day, Jen & Steve Bebb and Jesse & Whit Chamberlain. Your personal journeys in and of themselves are so inspiring. Can’t thank you enough for hanging with us for the week. PS – I might have cried during each one of your talks.

So, if you consider yourself an “artist-preneur”, you should hop on board, you really should. What If is getting ready to announce their next set of dates, and it’s not something you want to miss. Here are some images to hopefully convince you even more! Dare to live the life you want and don’t let fear stop you from dreaming big friends.

- Jenn xx

The following are a few images from our phones and instax taken over the course of the week……haha so many laughs!

Be sure to follow the WHAT IF Conference on twitter or check back in on the website for the next set of dates somewhere in US. Dave and I hope to see you there!

You can plan out the route you want to take all you want but what you can’t do is pad the sides of the road. You can do that in five-pin bowling, not in life. Anything worth doing is going to be risky. Sometimes you’ll even be forced to veer off onto a different path altogether, maybe out of necessity, maybe out of pure choice. But that shouldn’t stop us from not starting out in the first place. That element of uncertainty is the element of beauty.

That’s where I’m at right now and just thought I’d share. For others, but also for myself. A couple more Hawaii images folks, then I swear I’m done! We’re shortly off to a conference for creatives so it might be quiet on here for the next little bit, but I’ll try to keep in touch. Have a happy weekend!

- Jenn xx

Maui to me will always be remembered as stepping off the plane into a pure and sweet-smelling air (yes, the air there just smells better). I’ll always remember when the breeze blew in the right direction and being hit by the aroma of one gorgeous bunch of flowers after another, or walking along a path that is littered not with garbage but with flowers that have fallen from the trees like leaves in the fall…… I mean, what an amazing place — their litter is mostly made up of flowers! We had a car for the week and got to see the island — some of our highlights include the morning we got up at 3AM to drive up the HALEAKALA CRATER (not before stopping for some sustenance in the form of coffee at the amazing CRATER COFFEE cart) and watched the sun rise from 10,000ft — amazing. Then we enjoyed a lazy descent down the mountain while defrosting (it was chilly up there!) stopping in at a few places along the way and a delicious lunch at a gorgeous tucked away spot called CAFE DES AMIS, which we wholeheartedly recommend if you’re into Indian food as much as we are.

Mostly though, Maui will be remembered as a time where we were able to unplug, from email, twitter, facebook, and this whole online world, take a run along the beach path as the sun rose, stroll over to HONOLULU COFFEE after breakfast for a latte, and just sit out, read through some good books, talk, and just get back to what matters. I really felt like during our time away I was able to shut out some of the periphery and extraneous and just get back to truly listening to my own inner voice. We reflected on the year we’d had and talked through lots of ideas about where to go from here……. Maui will definitely be remembered most of all as a turning point on this great journey of life  : ) Enjoy these few frames we shot along the way!

- Jenn xx

Maui, December 2011. For the photography nerds in the crowd, Dave and I both challenged ourselves to manually setting our white balance on this trip (honestly, I usually stick to Auto, or maybe play around with the “cloudy” preset) and I’ve got to say we both really loved the challenge, and the results! I’d definitely recommend trying it out if you haven’t. I learned a lot!

Ashley and Tony and the team of people that came together to make the day what it was were just all lovely…… it was so nice to be a part of it all and see their vision come to life. My absolute favourite moment that I was humbled to witness was the moment these guys had just walked down the length of the aisle and had exited the church, they were just overcome with emotion and the impact of what had just happened, and everything they were feeling just came to the surface and it was just beautiful……. Ashley and Tony, thanks so much for having us there, and thank you for so gallantly shielding us from the flying tray full of drinks in Hawaii — that was much appreciated! Your story has been a lovely one to document and be a part of. Here are a few from their lovely day…..

- Jenn xx

Photographers: Jenn and Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS | Planner: Leena of LET’S PARTY CONSULTANTS | Florals by: LATE BLOOM FLORIST | Videographers: STUDIO 910

I remember their wedding day as being pretty cold, slightly rainy, there being a traffic jam on the way to the ceremony, but nothing could put a damper on the excitement of the day…… nothing would have erased the looks on their faces when Laura walked in. I love that feeling that no matter what else is going on, as soon as you’re with the one you love everything else melts away. These two had that, and I love getting to see that on wedding days, affirming how right two people are for each other. I thought I’d keep it short and sweet for once and get to the images….. I believe Laura and Ryan are actually enjoying their honeymoon week at this very moment (definitely picked the right week to head further south, it’s freeeeezing!), so cheers to you both, hope you’re soaking in the sun and having an amazing time….. lots of love from Dave and I!

- Jenn xx

Venue: The Nottawasaga Inn, Aliston ON | Photographers: Jenn & Dave Stark of JENN STARK PHOTOGRAPHERS

This past year has been a huge one for Dave and I in terms of coming into our own as photographers, artists, creatives, and business owners. I think for any creative jumping into their field of choice, it’s a bit like a kid learning to ride a bike, a little bit swerve-y at first, just hoping to stay on most of the time. That’s a lot of what our first year was like, when I think back on it now. There were a few moments to look around, have small successes and enjoy the ride, but it was mostly clutching to the handlebars, trying to push out the fears, and watching and learning from as many other people as we could as we tried to find our feet. This past year was our second full year, and when I look back on 2011 I see it as an immense period of growth and of discovering who I was as not just a photographer but mostly as a person. A person beyond a wedding photographer, or even a photographer or creative, and discovering the reasons behind my passions and the things that get me excited and fired up inside. I’ve spent the last little while really diving into those reasons….. I’ve loved it and have learned a ton!

There’s still a few more shoots that I want to share from 2011, but from here on out I’m taking some time to re-examine the direction I want this blog to go in, one that fits exactly with our hearts and goals. There will be some changes happening over the next few months, for which I hope you’ll stick around to see! I might not be on here as much over the little bit as I want to really focus on these things, but I’ll still be around  : )

Businesses are a lot like houses — sometimes you need to paint a few walls, fix a few things on the surface, and sometimes it’s a bigger project. I think you always need to be prepared to knock down a few walls, as painful as that might be, if that’s what it takes to build up something truly great and that satisfies those things you believe in your core. We are looking into 2012 ready to push made up boundaries, expand our horizons, put our blinkers on and stay true to our voice and who we authentically are. We’re digging deep into ourselves to discover what it is that drives us as people and the causes we want to champion that reach out beyond ourselves.

So grateful for each of you that supports us and reads along. Here’s to a bright 2012 where we are all able to hear and listen to our own voice from within…….

- Jenn xx

A NEW YEAR… 01/01 Happiness has got to be something portable that you can carry around with you… it may be raining, the sky may be grey, there are no fireworks or big parade, but it’s a new year and I’m determined to figure out a way to store up happiness and carry it around in my pocket, whatever my window may happen to look out upon.

TRAVELS TO VEGAS + CHICAGO… 02/13 One of the things I want most is to do something that leaves a ripple. Dave said it was good to feel this way and that people who are satisfied all the time can’t possibly have enough motivation to keep moving forward. I’d rather be constantly moving forward.

BUSY SEASON WELL + TRULY STARTS… 04/17 I’ve been thinking lately as my life as a story… one that could be made into a movie, where people would leave the theatre feeling inspired and happy. I thought about what my “inciting incident” would be, and thought about the time I was laid off my teaching job in the UK. But then I realized that really life needs to be made up of a series of inciting incidents, not just one. Life isn’t a movie with a happily ever after at the end, real life keeps on going.

THE PACIFIC-NORTHWEST… 07/03 We are currently driving through hills covered with tall, narrow evergreens and yellow wildflowers by the sides of the road. It is cool and cloudy, just how I pictured it being here… this feels like the west coast I imagined. Dave’s wearing a checkered shirt and I’m in my new scarf and we’re lazily talking about whatever comes to mind… I keep trying to remind myself to stop and really be present in these moments. (Images of us by Anda Marie & Sarah Rhoads!)

SUMMER… 08/09 In the end I think everybody is, in some way, an artist. Put on this earth to create something out of nothing from their own unique perspective and experiences.

ROADTRIP… 08/29 It really is true that sometimes the good things in life come in bunches… beyond grateful.

END OF SUMMER/START OF FALL… 08/25 There is just something about that part of the world – the fingers of the lakes, the lichen-covered stone, the pines, the colours, the quiet. The mother of the bride yesterday read out an essay called “leaving home” that the bride had written in high school and then she went on to say that for them, it has always been better to reach the peak of a mountain top than the gain of any material things. That just inspired me to no end. It all just tugged at me inside, telling me to live a better life, one that I would be proud to have told.

ROUNDING OUT THE YEAR… 11/17 I’m sure that when I look back on this year, I will look back on it as a year of realizations about myself – what I need to have, what I want to be, who I just am. The new year for me feels like a time to start over in a way, to start being that person I’m discovering that I am.

Sitting here at the end of 2011, 2.5 years after starting on this crazy dream, and I’m looking ahead more than anything. If we are anywhere, it is because we stand on the shoulders of giants — our friends + family who encourage us, and the beautiful people we have gotten to know this year, who you’ve just seen in these many preceding photographs. 2011 will forever be a memory of an awesome year of growing and discovering…. thanks to all who were a part of our lives and who made it what it was. Here’s to 2012!

Many x’s and o’s!! - Jenn & Dave

Even though there are still many boxes, I feel like we’re almost there with the craziness that was: going on vacation, and then moving three days after coming home, which also happened to be one week before Christmas. Oh, and we also decided we’d like to host our families over for Christmas this year. This plan, I would probably not advise to anyone! Although it’s been stressful at times, it’s also been fun and an adventure and we would be nowhere without our family and friends who have pitched in along the way. We’ve been the recipients of some wonderful Christmas spirit over these past few days and are so grateful. Thank you also to everyone also who’s taken the time to write us as well! And to everyone who’s emailed me over the past couple weeks, thanks for your patience as I wade through my inbox!

I still have a few more things I wanted to post before the end of the year — a couple more weddings hopefully and a bit of a ‘year in review’ — but for now, I’ll be signing off for the next couple of days to enjoy one of my favourite times of the year. Dave, Cleo and I just wanted to wish everyone out there a wonderful holiday season…… take some time to sit under some twinkly lights with a warm drink with your feet up! Pretty sure we all deserve it!

- Jenn xx

- Jenn xx

Maui, December 2011. More to come soon  : )

1. A birthday celebration, including a cake made out of Malteasers and a weekend with family, a twenty-four hour escape and a night out at our favourite hotel in the city, and balloons with streamers! Turning twenty eight was made not so scary (thankful for this)  : )

2. We set up a time to properly meet up with an amazing business consultant, who just happens to also be one of my best friends. She’s spent the past few years consulting for some pretty major companies and she is probably the smartest person I know in real life. So we met up one night in her downtown condo, chatted about life, made dinner, and laid out our business. With my limited english vocabulary I can’t find the words to describe how good this was for us. I think a lot of the time for us creative types, and I can’t speak for everyone but I know that as much as I try to soak in all the business knowledge I can, let’s be real for a second….. most of the time I need help and direction and she gave us just that. To have someone come from the outside and look in…. again, words can’t describe. Every creative who runs their own business needs this. Really.

3. I read the TOMS book. Anyone who knows me, and probably even those who don’t (!) know that 95% of the time you can find me with a pair of TOMS shoes on my feet. The other 5% of the time probably means that there is snow up to my knees on the ground, but sometimes even snow can’t deter me…. I believe in this company so much and was still pleasantly surprised that a book that really was really very simple in nature could have such a profound effect on me. I mean, you’re probably not going to fill a notebook with ideas from the book or anything – its message was very simple but just got to me right at the core. I can honestly say that it has changed the way I look at my life. I really couldn’t recommend it more…. and I’m excited about where our business is going to be headed in the future because of these simple ideas. SO very excited! Big plans ahead.

4. We had our first real emergency with Cleo, aka our little ball of fur a couple of weeks ago….. we don’t know how she managed it, but she somehow sprained her leg one night, and if this incident was any indication then I don’t know how Dave and I are ever going to manage if we find ourselves as parents to real children in the future! She’s thankfully doing fine now  : )

5. We’ve just marked the end of our second full season of shooting weddings full time (eek!!). And we’ve met with so many amazing couples recently about documenting their weddings next year and beyond and we couldn’t be more grateful for crossing paths with such lovely people…. again, so thankful.

6. The Starks are MOVING! We are so excited about this! We’ve been on the hunt for a new place for…… well, close to a year now, so it’s hard to believe that moving day is right around the corner! We’re so excited about our new home in the heart of one of our favourite little Toronto neighbourhoods….. less excited about all the packing that still awaits us, but hey.

7. We’re taking a vacation! My parents surprised me in the most wonderful of ways on my birthday, so we are soon going to be jumping on a plane and heading south to Hawaii for some complete and utter rest! This year has been awesome but it’s also been GO-GO-GO!! so we’re trying to get all our work done before we go and I can’t tell you how much we are in need of some time to reboot and clear our heads.

8. Last day of Movember today! Thank you to everyone who has donated to the cause, and I’m sooo looking forward to getting rid of Dave’s moustache tomorrow! I’ve been making him apologize to all the new people we’ve been meeting lately! Please click here if you’d still like to donate!

9. It’s totally snowing right now…..

That’s about all I’ve got for now. I’ve got to say that writing is something I really miss when things get busy and I want to try really hard to make that change. Hope November treated you guys well and here’s to a lovely December. 2011 is almost over. Whoosh, just like that.

- Jenn xx