In Focus | Renée Leveille Bielby of Wedded Bliss Photography

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Renée Leveille Bielby

What do you always find yourself saying?
“Wonderful”

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Listening to him inspires me to be a better person. I would love to hear him speak in person.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
A Humanitarian Award.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Vincent Van Gogh. The first time I saw one his paintings in person, I cried. It was such a powerful moment. His works are so vibrant, inspiring and beautiful and yet he found his life so sad and dark.

Who inspires you?
My two children. My son Jack who is four years old and my daughter, Ava, who is 20 months. They come into each day with an open curiosity that sparks creativity, fun and a lot of laughter.

What are three things on your bucket list?
Volunteering at an Orangutan reserve in Borneo with my two children and husband
Seeing the pyramids in Egypt
Going back to an island in Greece and living there for a few months

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
Having worked on cruise ships for a number of years, I’ve spent enough time on the water….I’d prefer a home in the Mediterranean somewhere.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
The day each of our children get married

What are you passionate about?
The well being of children and animals.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Apart from my wedding (have to put that in there!) the birth of my two children. Hands down the two most miraculous days of my life!

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being one of only two dozen singers to sing Mozart’s Requiem with the Vancouver Sympathy Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
I’m a vegetarian, and I love comfort food. I LOVE breakfasts at the Bohemian Café!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
The Sunset Concert Series at Cedar Creek Winery. I have been fortunate to see Jim Cuddy (of Blue Rodeo) there and it is absolutely magical.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Wedded Bliss Photography and Baby Bliss Photography

What does your business/organization do?
I am a photographer who specializes in Wedding and Newborn & Baby Photography

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.weddedblissphotography.com & babyblissphotography.ca

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
weddedblissphotography

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
WeddedBlissPhotography

What is your Twitter account?
@weddedbliss101

What is your mission?
To create heirloom images that will be passed down to future generations.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To photograph newborn triplets or quadruplets together in one image!

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I adore my studio space for my newborns, but would love to expand it to a larger space so I have more flexibility and storage for all my newborn props. I am a bit of a prop junkie ;)

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Gary Fong (Entrepreneur, Inventor & Photographer) When Gary and his family settled in Kelowna a few years ago, I couldn’t believe our photography community was being blessed with such a creative individual! Because I had been using his products for years, I was a little star struck when I first met him and couldn’t believe I had the privilege of meeting him.
Amy McDaniel (Newborn Photographer) I had the pleasure of studying with her in Jupiter Florida last year and she is an incredibly gifted & warm individual.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Professionalism, artistry and fun

What would you like to say to your clients:
It means the world to me that my clients connect with my artistic vision and that they trust me to capture their story and moments. It is humbling, and an honor, to create a work of art that freezes a moment in time.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
A large percentage of my Wedding clients are not from the Kelowna area. They LOVE getting married at our gorgeous wineries and lakes and I love showcasing our gorgeous scenery as a backdrop to their love story. It is so exciting to see them love our area like I do.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
It wouldn’t matter what fields they were in. I would love to talk to them about what charities they are involved with and how it has made an impact in their lives.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
More sunshine in the winter

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
The people, our gorgeous scenery and the outdoor lifestyle.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Pam Nease, Sleep Consultant

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thanks for taking the time to read a little about me and my companies. I hope my images can bring a smile to your face and conjure up your own precious stories and memories.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!