This past weekend something rare happened–I had two shoots in Okotoks!!! For those that aren’t in the know, I live in Okotoks. And, it is a rare treat. I got to sleep in one day and the other day, I actually made Jack’s hockey game before my shoot  Okotoks is beautiful in the fall–not that these images really show all of that, but it is.

So, my first Okotoks shoot was with a family I had met before. They were lovely and laid back in their beautiful fall sweaters. What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful fall morning.

These two are high school sweethearts. I’m getting a lot of those lately. I often ask couples how they met, etc…and hearing their story of how he bought her french fries and then, while waiting for the bus, asked her if she wanted to be his girlfriend was so cute. And, now, some _ years later(no one really needs to know, do they?), they have three gorgeous girls.

When you make girls this cute, you should just keep making them

Love her hair in this one…

Okay…so two things. First, I got a fashion lesson from this one. I asked her if that was her mother’s sweater from when she was young. Ummmm…no, it was not. It was a ‘TNA’ brand(now, I’m probably writing that out wrong and she is going to email me to tell me how it’s really spelled). Second, she said she was going to be Wonder Woman for halloween. Her dad said he was going as a hunter. Can you blame him?

Daddy’s girls…

And, a crazy family one. I haven’t posted one of these in awhile and I thought that this one was funny. The things I make people do

Their treat–caramel apples. What a perfect way to end a fall session. Thanks guys for hanging out with me. Hope you found your keys!

 PS–I got a new computer. This is causing a bit of backlog in my life. I think that the computer issues have mostly been resolved and things will shortly get back to normal.

Here it is Friday!!! And, as promised, I blogged every day this week! Phew. Don’t get used to it. That about wore me out. See this little guy–looking up at me like I’m completely crazy(which I am). That look about sums up the last couple of days So, an update–who knew I’d get so many emails about hockey? Who knew?! Seriously people…Jack is doing great. He has declared that he is not going to quit and the other day he actually got quite a bit better. I expect him to be skating well in about three weeks time. Thanks for the encouragement. I bought english muffins to make my famous egg sandwiches for breakfast on hockey mornings. So, that would be tomorrow. It’s so early it’s even before my shoot!!! Oh, I’m also going to be a fashionable hockey mom as I bought a gorgeous teal thermos for my lattes. Don’t laugh.

Georgia, on the other hand, has decided no ballet for her. WHAT HAPPENED?!!! Who knows. She’ll change her mind next week. She’s such a girl. I’ve taken to bribing her lately. First, it started out with going swimming(which is her favorite activity and my least favorite). Now it has degraded into promises of ice cream and candy necklaces. Soon, I’ll be promising trips to Disneyland. Okay, maybe not Disneyland, but the Disney store has come up(and the little costume she wants for halloween). And, I’m not a briber. I tell you all not to bribe your kids at sessions with me. Well…desperate times people. Desperate times.

 And, inspiration…this week Black Eiffel turned me on to Anna Wolf. It’s love. Seriously. If you go to her ‘lifestyle’ portfolio and see the little mini with the pink Christmas tree you’ll understand when I say this: Anyone out there with a mini, a VW bug, or a wood panelled station wagon willing to put a sparkly tree on it’s roof gets a free session with me. I’m dying for a shot like that(well, inspired like that but done my way). So, I’ll waive the session fee…there might even be some hot chocolate in it for you. Spread the word

********ETA: after a few comments regarding how thin the women on Anna’s site are, I had to add that I in no way condone starving one’s self for fashion. And, even though I am in a constant struggle with myself to get to a healthy weight(goodness knows I am nowhere near that now), I do encourage people to be happy whatever their body size. Being a photographer, the one thing I have learned is that people(women especially) of all sizes do not see their true beauty. They only see their faults. I might see the love for their child in their expression in a certain image, but I guarantee they will only ever see their double chin. Or their aging wrinkles. Or their greying hair. It is a gift to see that all people do have beauty. I just hope that I am able to capture it for others to see if they cannot see it themselves.

I do however highly condone dressing cool and carrying a pink christmas tree. Or a skateboard.

I wanted to show what a typical family shoot is like with me as I think that it’s hard to tell from just looking at my website. This family is the family of a photographer up in Edmonton who is going to be doing my family photographs in a couple of weeks(yes, I’m on a diet…4lbs so far…and my mini session people who saw me in my moment of slurpee weakness will have to forgive me). She was gracious enough to let me show her slideshow. When she has her website up and running, I’ll share that, too. And, yes…I did a sneak peek for them. So now you can compare the two

Happy Thursday! And, a big thanks to Kim Porter in San Diego for helping me get the slideshow up and running!

**okay, I’m not going to lie…this took me forever to get up and running. I hope it works for everyone now Click on it to make it go!

So, this is the last of my sneak peeks from this past weekend’s sessions in Fish Creek. I had all boys at my sessions! All boys! What is with that? Oh well, I’m making up for it this weekend with a family of girls(and a puppy).

These boys were so cute(and so much fun!). This family was keen to go on a bushwacking adventure with me that lead me to many little gem locations. Thanks for being so keen Hope the ice cream was good

Seriously the longest eye lashes ever! How is that fair?

Skipping rocks…always a popular activity! Thanks for hanging with me A note–I still have spots left in my urban mini sessions on October 18th! Get in on the action now!!

I know, I know–I have more to share from my mini sessions. But, here’s the thing. I have other pressures(read: grandparents) waiting to see hockey pictures. So, I’m going to blog everyday this week! That’s right–you heard it here first!!!

So, the other day I made myself a promise. The minute I lose my passion to take fabulous images of my own kids is the minute I stop taking images of other people’s kids. I’ve had other photographers tell me that I’ll lose it. And, I’ve got to tell you–I can’t imagine. This is absolutely the only reason I pick up my camera. AND, I think it makes me a better children’s photographer because I know which images of my own kids are my favorites. These are definitely up there.

 Jack begged to go into hockey. We are not hockey people. If you are Canadian you will understand that there are two types of people in the world–hockey people and other people. We belong in the latter category. It was never a big part of Bob’s life…and it certainly wasn’t a big part of mine growing up. We actually had friends stumble and gasp upon hearing the news that Jack was going into hockey. And, we fumbled our way through buying equipment. I am making a trip to Canadian Tire today to pick up hockey tape so that his coach can tape up his stick. It is our third trip there. Seriously. Who knew hockey socks had no feet? Not I.

Hockey people also understand the time and the financial commitment that is putting a child into the sport. Jack did not. Jack does not skate. Jack has had a rough time and wanted to give up. His parents(us) won’t let him. Yesterday, he finally let go of the boards(seriously) and walked around the ice. He even shot the puck. He even got it in the net once. He is finally having a good time. We are breathing a $1000 sigh of relief. We have been told that by Christmas he’ll be skating circles. Let’s hope so

He sure does look cute in his uniform though, right? Is it called a uniform?

Blowing mom a kiss(he’s such a jock!)

And, out on the ice. This shot makes him look like he is playing. The reality is he spent the hour within about a 10 feet radius of this position. Oh well–at least he had a smile on his face. And, Bob and I kept singing this song all night. It’s about as ‘hockey’ as we get. I love YouTube(have I said that before?).

I had my first ever ‘Short and Sweet’ sessions this weekend. I was a little bit nervous. Should I be admitting that? I was nervous because I like to take my time and strive for emotional connection and wasn’t sure that the images would have that. Have that and also have some fun, funky stuff going on…know what I mean? But, the families who took advantage of the best light of the season(man it was GLORIOUS that day) should not be disappointed. I got a little of everything

Oh…and it was weird being down there. I mean there were a lot of other photographers down there. None of whom I knew(which is odd as I know a lot of photographers in town) and all of whom had an enormous amount of gear with them. I was thinking–what will my clients think when I show up with just my camera(and my flip flops–yes, I’m still wearing them…yes, I’m cold in the mornings). I actually think that my lack of gear was my advantage as we went for a walk away from the usual spot and found our own little perfect locations. In amongst the beautiful fall trees. And, my flip flops were an advantage as well–it made it easier for me to stand in the creek. Anything for the perfect shot!!!

Uh…hello, gorgeous?

This one had a shirt on that said ‘Lock up your daughters’ before his mom changed it…might tell you a little something about him

And, look at this…so sweet…can’t believe they did this in such a rushed fashion for me! Love it.

And, a little bit of funk…

Mom liked my close ups of moms with their babes…I love how much she is just loving him in this moment.

I’m thinking dad might not like his expression, but, man…I love it! How fun is this image?!

And, the perfect fall portrait. One more sneak peek…maybe tomorrow…maybe Wednesday…I guess we’ll see! Thanks everyone for bushwacking with me!

…starring Jack. After my mini sessions yesterday, I had my husband bring my kids down. It was breathtaking yesterday.

my first attempt at abstract art…sneak peeks to come

…and some notes about availability. Right now, I am working at about a three week time period to get up galleries. With that in mind, the following are my last dates that are available for Christmas delivery:

September 28th, October 5th, October 26th, November 1st and 2nd. After that, I cannot guarantee prints to be delivered before Christmas. I can try but there is absolutely no guarantee. And, for things like albums, that first weekend in November is pushing it. I do still have availability for my ‘Short and Sweet’ sessions downtown on October 18th as well.

*If you are pregnant and looking for maternity images or newborn images, I can fit you in on Tuesdays during the day. So, even though I’m looking booked–don’t hesitate to call

Now that that’s out of the way, a blog…a design blog. http://www.designspongeonline.com/ I am digging design blogs lately(pass some on to me if you know of any good ones!). Makes me constantly want to redecorate. My husband is not fond of this.

And, uh…what did I do last night? Well, it was the first time I went to a rock concert where there was a little old lady rocking out the whole night a couple of rows behind me. And, maybe a row or two in front of me…and, oh yeah, I could see a few on the floor as well. My favorite song of the night–well, aside from the obvious choice–was this one:

Happy Friday!

My beautiful girl…I’m not going to lie. It’s been a tough couple of weeks with her. She started preschool and a dayhome after being home with me full time since she was born. And, it is not going that well. Except this morning’s report is she only cried for one minute at school. Progress. I have to admit that being a parent dealing with this has been somewhat exhausting.

There was one shining moment in the week though. Georgia started ballet. She has been wanting to go to ballet for a loooooooonnnnng time and she is finally old enough. A couple of hours before her class, she came downstairs in her tutu over her pajamas and her ballet slippers on her feet. She was not only ready to go, she was eager! And, I have never seen her so proud of herself as she gladly sat for me to take some images to mark the occassion. It was a nice break from the rest of her new routine.

Even though she can be difficult, she can also be so wonderful. Looking at these images, I can’t help but be so full of love for her. I owe her. You see…without her, I never would have picked up a camera. It was the inability to get wonderful images of her in a formal setting that made me want to take wonderful images of her on my own. And, looking at her little ballet slippers in our doorway, I’m so glad I did

This couple were married in this church 10 years ago. You know what that means, don’t you? It means that this year, she gets a ring. It’s true.  I can’t wait to see it

This church is on their friend’s property. In the small western town they have on there. Did I mention that there is also a fort? How about an equestrian center? Oh yeah, and the lake complete with boathouse as we saw in another post. What an absolute treat to spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful getaway in the middle of nowhere. When we were driving out, we had to stop on the road to let a deer pass. When that happens, you know you are in for a treat!

The western town had it’s own little jail. Which the kids loved(mine, too, as they were invited to come and play). Having a jail made it so easy to get a family image…stick them all in there and VOILA everyone is in the shot! ha! Wish I had one on every shoot

Of course, the kids didn’t waste time in trying to break out! Resourceful little ones!

We decided dad made a good outlaw!!!

Is this post too big? Bob told me not to put another one like this on my blog, but, man, I love them sooooo!

After 10 years, they still got it

I’d be lying if I didn’t say that this swing image is a new favorite for me…as are any one of the boathouse images(dad’s idea by the way)…

I want to mention that this mom runs a wonderful mommy website called Mommy Club. You should all run and check it out.

Another thing that I wanted to mention briefly(as this post is awfully long) is that this family lost many of their precious family images. Their computer crashed…and I mean CRASHED one day and years worth of digital images were lost. They have spent time and money trying to retrieve them, but, as far as I know, nothing. Here’s the thing. We don’t know how precious something like this is until we lose them, right? If you are taking digital images do a couple of things for your own peace of mind. #1: Invest in an external harddrive or two and store copies of them on there. #2: When you upload your images, immediately back them up to DVD and store them in your deepfreeze(a fireman once told me this was a good place). Or take them to your friends, a family member or your place of work. Have another copy someplace else–just in case. In this digital age, people often don’t take the time to print their images and store them in albums–instead choosing to store them on computer. If you are one of those people, make sure you have a backup. Just in case.

I hope these new images will help capture this time for them. Thanks for a fun time guys!