Okay, so I look pretty sloppy in this image. excuse me, but runs happen in the morning. Did you know that? I guess they do…I went to Canmore this weekend and participated in my first run. It was only 6km(everyone else in the image ran 12–needs to be noted). Before having kids, I used to be active. I didn’t run(very often anyways), but something happened when I had my kids. I slowed down. And, then, I started my photography business and I spent most of my days on my butt working on the computer. Slowly it ended up being a bigger butt… Sooooo…I’ve recently made a commitment to get back to being fit and healthy. Clearly, I need a running wardrobe(~ahem~ Bob mother’s day is coming up), but running fits nicely into my too full schedule. Soooo, 6km is only the beginning. I’m hoping to keep training. I’m hoping to run a half marathon in December. With these gals…sounds crazy, but it’s so worth the party afterwards Some people will do anything to get away for a weekend!!!

So…speaking of schedules…May is fully booked. I actually have some exciting stuff planned for the month and I can’t wait to get to it! I’m even in Toronto for the long weekend(this is the only place where I might take another session if anyone is interested). June is a lovely time for a session–especially at the beginning with all sorts of flowering trees in bloom. I know it’s hard to imagine, but spring will eventually come and stay. I will be in Edmonton June 13th/14th if anyone is interested in a session there as well. AND if you are having a baby, it is best to book according to your due date. Booking beforehand assures you a spot PLUS then it’s one less thing to do once the baby is born.

In celebration of the greenest day of the year, I am having a huge sale on my greenest package–the complete set of digital files. This sale will close next Wednesday morning at 10am, so in order to qualify, payment will have to be received by then. This is going to be my biggest(and possibly my only) sale of the year. Happy Earth Day everyone!!!

Hi…just posting a couple of things I think I’ll add to my list. That’s what my kids say when we are in Toys R Us, Walmart, etc…and see something they like. They say “Mom, I want this…add it to my list.”  Even candy goes on the list. As it turns out though, the gig is up with Jack, I think, who now rarely asks for anything to go on his list. He is on to me and my lists…Just so you know–I think every parent should start a list for their kids. Meltdowns NEVER happen.  Mind you as we get closer to birthdays and Christmases, the list gets a little more serious. Pen is even put to paper

This lovely print would look awesome in my office. Although, I kind of prefer the term ‘cool dork’. Check out this etsy shop here

And, I will forgive you if you don’t know what this necklace is about, but for all of you that do–go here I just wish she made it in my signature green color. I’ll take this one though.

Thanks to Design Sponge for the Etsy inspiration…stay tuned for a big announcement tomorrow!!! We’re gonna get our green on!!!

Today, I’m working on some super duper old images at the request of my mom. Catching up before my busy season begins.  I just wanted to announce a couple of quick things. May is nearly full. Sometimes my online availability can look deceiving as I put up all the days I’m willing to do sessions, but I don’t take sessions on all those days. I cap my monthly sessions at around 6. Currently, I have 5 6 in May already(edited to change to 6!! Book quickly before I close the month!!!). NOW that said, I am going to be in Toronto on the May long weekend and would be willing to take one more session while I’m there. AND, the beginning of May is pretty light in sessions, so I would fit one in there as well. Sooooo, if you were going to book with me in May, you will probably want to do it sooner rather than later.

June is a wonderful time for sessions here–lilacs, crabapple trees and all other beautiful prairie trees should be nicely in bloom. If you would like a spring session, book soon! I have some Edmonton availability in June on the 13th and the 14th if anyone is interested. AND, I am looking for a maternity in June willing to be on call to do some fun stuff with me. This maternity couple has to be around 32-34 weeks in June. For your trouble, I’ll reward you nicely! Email me for details!!

Just a taking care of business post. Where are my Elvis sunglasses now???

I can feel it…it’s here!! I can’t wait for the grass to green up and the leaves to appear! We’re on spring break here looking for friends to hang out with and puddles to splash in. Getting out our bikes and feeling the spring air on our cheeks as we speed down our street!  Happy Spring everyone!!!

It’s hard to believe that Easter is here already, but it is…we haven’t even dyed eggs yet. We have made cake pops(more on that later)…and we found bunny mouths like our kissing mouths from Valentine’s Day. Before I get 20 emails asking me where I got these…I got them at Micheal’s…right near the checkout. In Deerfoot Meadows…there were like 4 left two days ago.

Jack wanted his bunny to be rocking out(yes he has rockstar hair…no that doesn’t worry us…we are quite certain that one day we’ll be supporting our boy at his punk rock concerts–we’ll be the nerdy parents in the back with the big camera). I got the glasses in Vegas.

Georgia wanted her look to be a little more refined and insisted on the pink beach glasses. She also dressed herself today. We are lucky that she kinda matched. All of the preschool moms who are reading this are laughing hysterically…guaranteed.

These are our cake pops. What are cake pops? Google ‘Bakerella’…I was lazy(just like I’m too lazy to link her) and just dipped my eggs for decoration. Lazy…and they still took HOURS.

eta: feeling guilty: bakerella

This is my lame attempt at bunnies. I tried using tic tacs for ears, but–as you can see–they are a little too small. I never bothered with the marshmallow tails. I have decided that nothing says Easter more than little mice cake pops. Bob was saying that I should have done the red velvet cake and then they could have been halloween treats. Oh well…I’m still taking them to my mom’s in the hopes that my brilliant crafty mom can come up with a way to make them more eastery.

Speaking of my brilliant, crafty mom…I feel the need to update everyone on her status. I got so many wonderful emails and comments from people that really filled me with such joy and peace. Truth is…a couple of days after my last post about her health, she was dealt a bit of a blow–not a devastating blow–just a bit of a blow. Her pathology report indicated that the cells were, in fact, aggressive. What that means is that there will be a second surgery and then five more rounds of chemo therapy. Her surgery will be on Monday…sooo please, everyone, send happy, healing vibes our way. We are happy to be spending easter with her and the rest of our family. We hope that all of you have a wonderful easter as well…thanks for all your prayers and well wishes…they are noticed and appreciated.

Lately…I’ve had a lot of questions about what I do to my images after I take them…and it occurred to me that I hadn’t done this in awhile…so, I’m going to show you I think that a lot of people think of editing in ways of swapping heads(which I have never done), getting rid of blemishes and undereye bags, and perhaps fixing some color issues. And, for a custom photographer, photoshop is soooooo much more than that. Photoshop is the modern day dark room. For me, it is the next step in making the images mine. Photographers can express themselves during the session and then, once again, in the editing. 

Let me show you an image directly out of camera and then a basic color editing by moi

So, the first image is straight out of the box as we photographers like to say Shot in RAW not jpeg…so converted for the purposes of putting it on my blog…but that’s it. Straight conversion…nothing else. The second is after I’m through with it…I ‘popped’ it and warmed it up a bit. Now, this image to me screams black and white…so let me show you how I do that.

This first is using photoshop ‘auto black and white’ setting. Which is what a lot of people do. The second is with much tweaking on my part. Now, it is ready for print. I’m putting that one up in my house–huge. That’s my sweetie Last summer…don’t you miss the summer? I sure do…