In Focus | Heather Burley of Heatherly Photography

Heather Burley moved her business from one side of Canada to the other. Re-establishing her business after the relocation took hard work but she persevered and is beginning to reap the results. She runs Heatherly Photography which provides wedding and engagement photography to cozy and affectionate, "I love you so much I want to pinch you!" couples. They also love to watch their client's families grow and provide photography for life's milestones as well. Heather is all about the personal touch, making her clients feel at ease and connected so as to capture the genuine moments and essence of who they are. Today Heather and Heatherly Photography are In Focus.

What do you always find yourself saying?
"Just one more!" I just can't help it! When I am photographing and I think we are done, if I envision something else, I just need to do it. Those photographs always turn out the best!

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
This is a hard question. There are many photographers whom I admire. Daniel and Davina are at the top of this list. They view couples, weddings, and light in a way that I would love to learn.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I would like to win a Fearless Photography award.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
There are many historical figures that I would love to spend a day with. I think that I would currently like to spend a day with Vivian Maier. I want to know why she kept her photography private and her thoughts on photographing from the heart.

Who inspires you?
My Dad inspires me the most - he teaches me that hard work, persistence, and doing what moves your heart will not only make you successful, but happy as well. His constant encouragement and support are appreciated and invaluable. He's my biggest fan!

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
My bucket list is continually growing and having adventures added to it. Currently, my main want is to travel with my family to Brazil. We are big soccer enthusiasts and I would love to see my son's dream of playing soccer in the streets of Brazil fulfilled. Of course, photographing life in a different world would be amazing.

Please tell us about a defining moment in your life.
Deciding to live in BC when the majority of my family resides in Ontario. It was likely the most difficult decision I have had to make in my life to date. My current successes and amazing friends and family in BC have justified that hard decision.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
It's hard to say! The future holds so many possibilities! I enjoy every day as it is given to me.

What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about personal connections, memories, experiences, and family. They all work together, hand-in-hand. They are invaluable. They all evoke a variety of emotions. All of these things work together to help me grow as a person, have learning experiences and become an overall better person.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
There are 3 - the days that each of my sons were born. I am sure all mothers say that, but I genuinely believe that my life changed for the better with each of their births.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Moving my business from one side of Canada to the other. It is a big accomplishment to see success after a long road to re-establishment.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
I love food! Mad Mango, The Hobo, Bordello's, and for a nice fancy dinner, I love Quail's Gate Winery.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
I love having bare feet so it makes sense that my favourite summer activities are lounging at the beach and days spent on my dad's boat.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Heatherly Photography

What does your business/organization do?
We provide wedding and engagement photography to cozy and affectionate, "I love you so much I want to pinch you!" couples. Of course, we love to watch our client's families grow and provide photography for life's milestones as well.

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.heatherly.ca

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/HeatherlyPhoto

What is your mission?
To provide couples and families with photographs that will fill their hearts up with emotion - happiness for the present, sadness at the fleeting moments, excitement about the future...

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
It would be to achieve a photographic style that reflects who I am as an artist, so that when anyone looks at a photograph I've taken, they know that it was taken by me.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
I would like to have my business known within the community for outstanding work and to be able to use my talent to give back to the community.

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Connection, dedication and honesty.

I feel that the connections I build with my clients allow the process of being photographed a lot less awkward. Some people find it incredibly difficult to be in front of the camera. When they are comfortable and connected with me, it makes being in front of the camera less difficult. It allows the essence of the couple to be captured in the photographs. I like to try to facilitate their natural expressions through personal connection - the outcome is a set of honest/real photographs.

Dedication in achieving an outcome that pleases my clients and being honest about my work is of utmost importance. I will go to lengths to get the photographs a couple wants while staying true to my style of photography.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Currently, I don't have any volunteers or employees. I do have wonderful industry colleagues who have contributed to my success. I hold those people close to my heart and thank them regularly for their advice, help and encouragement.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
We currently impact individuals within the community, but I look forward to future community involvements with causes that are important to me.

What makes you successful? Tell us about it.
I am successful because I don't think about what is going to make me successful. I operate my business in a fashion that reflects what I think is right and what I think will make my clients happy.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Definitely the wide range of activities year-round. But, mostly the beaches in the summer time!

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Hunter Blucke - Hunter is an amazingly gifted athlete. Hunter will be participating in the International Children's Games in Australia in Dec 2014 in the 100m sprint as well as high jump.

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. 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!