In Focus | Apryl Maxine Stead of White Willow 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?
Apryl Maxine Stead

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am from Newfoundland originally and moved to Kelowna Dec of 2014.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
I love spending time with my two wonderful children and handsome hubby.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
That’s a really hard question. Every place in this world has a unique beauty that i would love to capture. I tend to be drawn to places with whimsy landscapes... dessert, highlands. Something with an historic feel that can help me tell a story.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Georgie Girl would have to be one of my favs. They have amazing pieces that are very fun for styling shoots and they have been very supportive of me since day one. Every time I have a visitor from out of town I have to take them there.

What is your favourite activity?
Photography

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Tacos... lol... love Mexico!

What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
A Private photo location I call the Ivy House.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Going to a workshop with one of my favorite wedding photographers (Three Nails). I am a self taught photographer. Getting into this industry can be tough, especially when you are learning camera by camera, and lens by lens. Hunter was the first photographer I ever saw concentrate on the art of telling a story through his images, instead of seeing it as a job.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I try to help support as many local artist as I can, I am always inspired by what people can create. weather its clothing, metal working, jewelry, décor anything really. As soon as I see something awesome I usually try to grab it up and add it into a shoot somehow. I also love supporting Opera Kelowna; we have had the opportunity to work with them on their events for the past two seasons. They always have amazing vision for their productions that push me to try more!

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Energy Plex with the kids is always amazing.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
No place in particular. Kelowna is still new to me, so I love just driving around, trying to find cool spots to shoot.

If you could be granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
To travel all over the world with my family, shooting weddings and fashion in each different country.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Before I was a photographer my hubby and I used to open restaurants for Boston Pizza all over Alberta.

What is the name of your business/organization?
White Willow photography

What does your business do?
My Husband and I are photographers. We specialize in Weddings and Fashion. And as different as those 2 things can be I could never choose one more then the other.

How to people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
We have a website, although a majority of people write us through Facebook and find us through Instagram.
Facebook
Instagram

Where can people find your business online?
http://whitewillowphotography.ca/main.php

Why did you get into/start this business?
This is a deep question for me... Photography was never something I thought I would do. Or even wanted to do. When I was 27 we had our first baby, I took a year of mat leave. That year was really difficult and I ended up having Postpartum. Towards the end of the year it was time to go back to work. My husband offered I not go back and take more time to figure out something that might make me happy. My Birthday came along and he bought me my 1st camera. All the people we had hired to work at the restaurant I started photographing. Everything just kind of quickly escalated from there.

What is the goal of your business?
To constantly be learning! Evolving, and trying new techniques.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Finding Balance. Sometimes it really hard to turn off. I am inspired by everything. which can be a blessing and a curse.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I am not to sure to be honest. I really believe that everything you do in your life. Every experience you have, good and bad, make you the person you are. I am happy we made a move to the west coast, but I would never take back the years we had on the east coast! I love my Family. I am proud of the awesome connections and friends I have made since we have moved here... I am one happy girl!

Why do you think it is important to shop local?
I think that its so important to have a strong connection with the people who surround you. The passionate and creative people in your community. Trying to succeed in this world can be tough, everyone has to start somewhere. I personally want to support anyone in Kelowna who has vision to build something for them selves and their family.

Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
I think Darcie Jillian of Antidote Hair would deserve a shout out for sure. She is one of the hardest working supportive people I have met so far in the Okanagan. She opened her salon within the last few years and is succeeding rapidly. She has been met with many road blocks, and continues to push through. She supports many different artists here town. And has some big goals for the future. I just love everything she stands for!

My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Darcie Jillian od Antidote Hair Salon

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!