Age one! Loving this age, and how they are still so innocent of the camera, making it easy to capture them, who they are and a glimpse of what there is to come. This age is still so innocent of the “say cheese” photography style and it makes my job of capturing their true “being” that much easier.

It also helps when the parents are as easy going as “E’s” were. I love it when parents can trust me, play along with my ideas and just go with the flow. These parents did just that and in the end, it made for a great session. Many of my clients ask “did you manage to get anything” and often say things like “was this a typical session”. I think they often assume that by me just being there, taking photos of them in their “everyday” environment, that I can’t really get a whole lot of “good” photos. Often, to alleviate that fear, I will show them a few on my LCD screen to reassure them of what I am getting.

Hey, I admit that sometimes I am also pleasantly surprised at what I managed to capture during a session. Almost always, there is that one “gem” that stands out and I can relax when I see it.

And with “E” being just her and having fun, it made it easy to capture her beauty and quiet nature.

Thanks E for being your sweet self.

we played dress up with jewellery, what every girl wants and needs.

she showed me her new “moves” and was she doing well.

and we played in her kitchen. I always wear my pearls when cooking, don’t you?

And a quiet moment with Mom.

Thanks so much for having me over to hang out E. Can’t wait to see you again.

Share on Facebook

3 comments

Is tomorrow. Tuesday, April 21st and we all need to try and do something to help.

As parents, we try and talk with our kids alot about what we can do to help save our earth. I truly think that if we don’t all start playing a part, and not just a small part, but a huge part, then we will not be able to sustain our planet or our way of life. But we are human, and it is so easy to tell ourselves “well someone else” will do something. Well, guess what, that “someone else” is us. I am the type of person that truly believes that composting should be a law as well as recycling. That we should get charged for every piece of plastic or paper that goes into our garbage cans that lands in a landfill someowhere. Why? Because I think, as humans we need to have a consequence for what we do or else, as humans, we often won’t change. It is sad, but hard to dispute. At least for the majority of humans, myself included.

I know that until the doctors told me I would lose my bowel permanently with my crohns, I lived in denial of my role of keeping myself healthy. I really didn’t do the things that I needed to to make myself and my health better. Being told of the consequences I would face created a urgency in me to take responsibility to find a way to health. It was sadly the motivation I needed, and my last test indicated an improvement in my health. The first time I got a “good” report in 13 years. How did I manage it? Well, I took some major steps to make my life better, eating, rest, and lifestyle changes, all having had a positive impact on my health.

Why do I mention my experience with my health? Well, because I think it is why we fail to do so many things as humans. A trait of human nature is often being “reactive” verses being “proactive”. For us, the earth needs to be just as important as our personal health. Our own family began composting about 5 years ago. My first compost was a pile behind my shed at my previous house. This winter, for the first time, I kept the composting going…a garbage can in my garage. I have noticed that due to composting and recycling, I rarely have more then one bag of garbage go to the curb each week. Not bad, but maybe I can do even better. It is certainly better then our typical four bags we use to have years ago.

Can we make a change? I strongly believe we can. Do I drive my car way too much! YES. And it is my goal to lesson that this year. I’m lazy, I admit it. I am going to make a commitment to walk more, or bicycle. I don’t have to drive my kids to school, it is only a few blocks away. See… I’m thinking now that I have written it here I have made myself more accountable. Yikes. Hey, if it gets me off my behind to walk, that is ok.

so have a good Earth Day. Make some decisions to change, even a few can help. Then, don’t just make it a one day change rather, make it a part of your every day life.

Check out these links for what you can do to help save our Earth. There is alot of things I still need to change, how about you?

Earth Day Canada site

A great site for you and the kids…

Earth Day Crafts for kids

And a personal favorite

Tips for being a greener photographer

Have a great Earth Day.

Share on Facebook

1 comment

I am so fortunate to have some wonderful yearly “baby” planners. It is truly an amazing experience to literally get to see and photograph these little clients from in the belly, to newborn to six months and then a year. I love to be able to return to see how much they have changed. And boys, do they change. I seem to have a lot more boy baby clients at the moment then girls. Not sure what is up with that.

Here is a photo of this little guys progression.

In gorgeous mommy’s belly!

One of my most favorite “expression” photos of all time.

to resting quietly in Dad’s strong arms.

To him now at 6 mos. Wow, what eyes huh!! He is a gorgeous little guy and at first, he wasn’t so sure about me and what I had planned.

but then he warmed up a bit.

And we tried to get “lil sis” in on the action, but she really wasn’t into it. Who can blame her when your age 2 and now, suddenly, you have to share Mum and Dad’s attention with someone else. So not fair!

But eventually I managed to get one of her hugging him. Awwww… it lasted all but two seconds so it was a good thing I’m fast I tell ya!

But how can you resist her when she is this cute! I love seeing her at these sessions as much as her little brother. She and I played hide and seek while her little brother took a nap.

And then he woke up and I love the quote mom put above his bed. It is perfect. A Dr. Seuss quote/book “Oh the places you’ll go”.

And Mom thinks he was beginning to teeth more. Getting teeth are so hard!

And mom and Dad. What amazing parents you have little one.

Dad came home for a quick lunch and I grabbed this picture. I love it. It is so special, the father, son relationship. There is nothing like it.

Thanks Mom for being so patient. Your the best Shanyn and I will have your gallery up tomorrow.

Share on Facebook

2 comments

Wow life goes so fast and before you know it your children are turning six! My daughter had her 6th birthday this past Wednesday and it is so hard to believe she is already a young little lady. And trust me you can tell with the developing attitude she displays each day.

Here she is being hilarious with a woopie cushion. I think I can almost hear her laughter.

Her dad took her skiing after school on Wed. to keep her out of the house while, I spent the day painting her room and decorating. I spent Tuesday running around to get all of the stuff, and then it took myself, my Mother in Law sewing all day to get the room ready for her when she returned around 4pm. We still wouldn’t let her upstairs, but she had no idea what we were doing. She was shocked to say the least. The room just kind of came together and it really does reflect her style and who she is. Silly, fun, stylish, funky and loving is how I see her and this room. I love that she now has her “big girl” room and it was worth every sore bone I have had since Wednesday. To say I was tired the next day would be an understatement. I started at 8:15am and didn’t finish “dressing” her room until 4pm. With the help from hubby and my inlaws. So I thought I would share a few images. Generally I try and keep my blog to “work related” stuff but I believe I can break my own rules once in awhile.

her before room. Nothing special. I had pushed her bed into the middle of the room before I remembered to take a “before” picture.

And her room 8 hours later. Blue walls, pink drapes, and pink shear behind her bed. And the funky cat and lollipop pillows are from Walmart. The fashion girls are sewn by nanny and pom pom trim added.

closer shot of her bed.

Her dresser. I took an old dresser we had and last fall painted it pink with Mary Jean and added new pulls.

I found these paper laterns at the mall.

She had no idea I was doing this so when we let her come upstairs this was her reaction. Priceless. She kept giggling, smiling and ran to me to hug me. She was shaking and crying. It was oh so worth it. I want her to feel special and loved as we all hope for our little girls. I want her heart to know how much she is loved and this was my way of letting her know just how special she really is to us.

We all look forward to many more years of spending time watching you grow little one. But let’s not rush it ok!

Share on Facebook

5 comments

I am so excited to have updated my blog to a new and improved one. I hope you will bookmark it and visit when you have a chance. I use my blog to keep my clients updated, as well as sharing recent session images. If you look at the top, you will also find links to some additional information and a contact form if you would like to get ahold of me.

Thanks for dropping by.

I will give an update on my schedule as it stands at the moment. I still have one opening in April, on the 22nd. For May I have included my available dates as the pink circles.

Just a note on booking ahead. I often have people requesting bookings up to 6 months in advance. What I will be doing to handle those requests for anything beyond four months, will be to put your name and requested dates onto a request list. I will then call you closer to the date to ensure you are still interested in those dates. So, if you are looking to book a session for fall or late summer, you can contact me and put your name on a waiting list. First come first serve will be the ranking order. Approximately two to three months before I will go through the list to confirm who still wants to keep their spot open. This does not pertain to maternity/newborn or wedding sessions. I prefer you contact me as soon as possible if you are expecting a baby or planning a wedding. You can’t be too early in contacting me for those sessions.

And of course I want to share a recent session with you. I have been busy lately, and this is one of my amazing clients who booked me for a yearly plan. We have done maternity, newborn, and now six months. It is such a great stage, and little “R” had the cutest cheeks and most beautiful eyes. It is such fun to see my little clients grow into “bigger” clients.

and a few more of this cutie.

Mom and Dad are great fun. They are wonderful parents!

And he had the greatest expressions.

He loved to play with mom and her with him.

Thanks Sarah, Marty and Little “R”. I look forward to our one year session. But, for now, enjoy this amazing time in your life! I should have your gallery up in the next day or so!

Share on Facebook

6 comments