Inge and Michael first met on December 13th – 8 years ago.   As Inge says, “I knew from the first email that we exchanged – that Michael was the man for me!”   She was living in Brandon, Manitoba and he was living and working in Amsterdam!   They corresponded so frequently – it didn’t take long for Inge to fly out to Amsterdam to meet this English gentleman.  Well, that meeting sealed the deal – they were in love.   In less than a year, Michael came out to Canada to see Inge and meet her dogs and there was no turning back.   On March 8th, 2003 they got married in a little country church in Heathfield, UK and I had the honour and privilege of photographing their wedding!  After a honeymoon in the UK and Amsterdam, they moved back to Brandon.  Inge is a wonderful photographer and Michael is an Honorary Assistant Priest at St. Matthews Anglican Church in Brandon.  They just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary and this past weekend they asked me to do some up-dated portraits.

I visit their home numerous times throughout the year and I knew exactly how I wanted to photograph them.   Sunday afternoon’s they usually have some wonderful music playing on the stereo – Thomas Tallis from the 16th century perhaps or Yo Yo Ma (St. Matthews Passion played at their wedding); the dogs: Hunter and Grissom are relaxing on the sofa; Inge and Michael have a glass of sherry or a glass of port and spend time together… sometimes chatting – mostly listening to the wonderful music.

I started off with some very casual and natural images and I had just finished up – when Inge gets up and goes over to Michael – and that is when I captured my favorite image!   The emotion in this image is something that can’t be captured often – unless the subject is willing to invite me into their ‘space’.  They are so happy with each other, and I believe the final image in this post shows that.  Thank you Inge and Michael for allowing me into your ‘little corner of happiness’ and for trusting me to capture these images – they are exactly how I see you both.

I really felt this last image needed somewhat a desaturation of colour – it has such a timeless feel to it – the vivid colour of their home needed to be muted for the feeling it conveys, in my opinion.

Later.

Once again, Christmas celebrations for me took place in Brandon, Manitoba with my very best friend, Inge and her husband, Michael. (Note: I went to Africa with Inge and Michael.) I left home on the 23rd of December and headed on out to Brandon. The weather was breathtaking.

When I arrived the dogs greeted me with much affection for “Auntie Marlene”. They are joy to watch and I spent many an hour cuddling with them!

Hunter was the first to arrive in the Skliros household!

Then came, Grissom… (The boys like to play and spend time together – my favorite shot is the one of the two of them on the ‘forbidden’ sofa – isn’t it hilarious?

Inge and Michael had the place beautifully decorated…

Inge has an extensive Hippo collection and she ended up displaying some as ornaments on her tree – I loved it!

More photos – see the bottom right image? That is a photo of the house on the corner – this fellow really decorates the outside of his house – and the cars kept coming throughout the time I was there just to see the house – it is pretty amazing!

Christmas Eve dinner was wonderful… (The menu was fresh salad greens and Shrimp Quiche – fabulous!)

Christmas Day we enjoyed another hot tub – wonderful!

Here are some images of Inge – doing what she does best! Cooking and photographing! We had Christmas Pudding for dessert on Christmas Day and she doused it in alcohol and lit it – the dogs loved it! What a sight!

Christmas Dinner – Roast Turkey, Baked Yams, Potato and Carrot Roasties, Brussels Sprouts, Stuffing… and yes – we were stuffed!

It is wonderful to spend time with your best friends!