Dreamy Bridal Photography at Hycroft Manor

This trip to Vancouver started with a decision I made last year: to finally attend one of Esther’s photography retreats when she came to the East Coast. PEI, to be exact. I went knowing I wanted to invest in my business and give myself space to learn and create. What I didn’t know was how much that experience would mean to me or where it would lead.

After the retreat, I started 1:1 business coaching with Esther. Since then, investing in my business and working with her has been truly amazing. I feel like I’m growing as a photographer, as a person, and as the woman behind Tailgate Photography.

Little by little, Tailgate is becoming everything I ever dreamt it could be. That journey eventually brought me across the country to Vancouver for the Bougie Bridal Shootout, hosted and planned by Esther. My first solo work trip, another step outside my comfort zone, and another opportunity to say yes to something that mattered to me.

Travelling on my own for work came with nerves, but it also came with excitement. I was giving myself permission to follow a dream, make a meaningful investment, and see what I could create somewhere completely new.

And then there was Hycroft Manor. This Vancouver venue was absolutely gorgeous. We photographed both inside and outside, exploring the beautiful interiors and outdoor spaces, with so many opportunities to create romantic bridal portraits.

The photographs are just absolutely dreamy. They reflect so much of what I love about bridal photography: romance, softness, beautiful surroundings, and images you want to keep looking at.

Making the experience even more special, Esther was also our bridal model. Getting to photograph my business coach at Hycroft Manor, during a shootout she had thoughtfully planned and hosted, felt like such a meaningful part of this journey. From attending her PEI retreat to working together through coaching, and then creating these photographs in Vancouver, so much had happened because I took that first step.

It reminded me how much can grow from one decision. After 19 years of running Tailgate Photography, I still have dreams I want to chase and things I want to learn. I love that photography continues to give me reasons to be curious, challenge myself, and discover new possibilities.

Stepping outside my comfort zone isn’t always easy. There are nerves, questions, and moments when I overthink everything. But I’m learning to trust myself more, to make thoughtful decisions and give myself a chance to grow through the experience.

Investing in my business has been a big part of that. For me, that investment includes education, coaching, travel, and time to create. It means taking my dreams seriously enough to give them attention. It means being willing to learn, ask questions, and work toward the business I want to build.

Working with Esther has become such an important part of that process. Having someone to talk through ideas with, learn from, and work alongside as I grow has meant so much. I can feel the changes in the way I approach my photography and the way I see myself as a business owner. I’m making room for the work I love, the experiences I want to offer, and the places I hope my camera will take me.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I attended that retreat in PEI. I’m grateful it led to 1:1 coaching, to this Vancouver experience, and to a growing belief in what’s possible for Tailgate Photography.

Tailgate is becoming everything I ever dreamt, and I know there is still so much ahead. More learning, more creating, more love stories, and more moments that make me stop and think, “I get to do this.”

I can’t wait to see what 2027 will hold for Tailgate and if your love story is part of that next chapter, I would love to hear from you. From Nova Scotia to Vancouver, across Canada and worldwide, I’ll happily third wheel your wedding wherever it takes us.

Here is a little look at my photos from the Bougie Bridal Retreat.