I was going to say ‘Calgary’ but more than half of my blog readers come from other places in the world so I’ll just say ‘Blogland’ We have opted to have a quiet evening at home to ring in the new year. It will be a little less quiet as, thanks to my friend Deanna, I have this song playing on repeat REALLY LOUDLY!!!

I feel truly blessed at how things have unfolded over the last year. Even more so when I look forward to all of the things that are happening in 2010. Thank you to all of my wonderful clients, friends and family who encourage and support me more than they will ever know!! Bring on 2010!!!

I thought I would brighten up a wintery day with one of my fall sessions. Yes…yes, I know. I am behind in posting. Even if I didn’t tell you that, you would see it from the lack of snow in this post. If I was all caught up though, all you’d be getting would be my own personal images from Christmas…so, isn’t this a nice break???

I’ve been thinking a lot about what a session with me is all about. I think it is difficult to explain to people that it is a portrait in the purest sense. Meaning that I just don’t take a pretty picture of you smiling nicely. I take my time creating a collection of images that together give you a portrait of your family–the love, the craziness, the connection that only you have. This family was perfectly suited for that…they showed up(looking oooohhhh so cute in their bright colors) with their hearts on their sleeves. Ready to play and cuddle and laugh…and kiss a little as well!!! There is always kissing at my sessions. ALWAYS. Never had one where there wasn’t any

That series of images with their dad–well, they are some of my favorite dad images of ALL TIME!! And I particularly love the contrast with the mom images–they were so sweet with her, so gentle and kind and so CRAZY with their dad–wrestling and screaming…utter perfection to me

There you have it…a fun day at Fish Creek park waaaaaaayyyyy back in mid November. I just thought I’d add that over the holidays everyone I met was telling me how much they loved my blog and it got me thinking…hmmm…funny thing that you never comment. So if you were one of those people–COMMENT. Remember that scene in ‘Julie and Julia’ when she got her first comment?? Well, that is how every blogger feels when they get a comment yup. And, if you haven’t seen that movie–RENT IT NOW!!! Meryl Streep is FANTABULOUS in it!!!

Going to enjoy my morning latte now!! Later skaters

Just two frames. One. Two. back to back images. G dancing whilst her dad and her uncle jam. Her brother and her cousin play the Wii. Grandpa sits watching it all. Grandma and Auntie are busy chatting in the kitchen. Mama is taking pictures. The perfect recipe for a wonderful holiday season. Two frames…to let you know I am home and if you are awaiting an email from me, I promise to get to it real soon.

Today is my last official day before Christmas. I still have a little bit of work to do…orders to place, things to deliver, but then I will be away until December 29th. I will have access to email(thanks to my handy iphone), but I will be focusing on making this holiday a special time for my family.

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Christmas things. I thought about doing this while we were driving in our car this weekend and The Vinyl Cafe’s Christmas story came on. If you are not Canadian or you are not a fan of CBC radio, you might not know who Stuart McLean is. Nor would you know his fabulous radio hour. Such a shame. Especially at Christmas time. This year’s story was my favorite so far–Dave and Morley’s son buys his first grown up presents. I cried while we sat in the parking lot at Micheal’s waiting for it to end. Of course, I cry easily these days. You can listen to it on itunes under the CBC podcasts(the story starts about halfway through the podcast). It is called “Morley’s Gloves’ and it’s free and VERY CHRISTMASY …you can also buy past Christmas stories from itunes if you search ‘The Vinyl Cafe’…of course, all Canadians will know the beloved ‘Dave Cooks The Turkey’…something we listen to every year as we drive from my parent’s house to my in-law’s. And we laugh…big belly laughs…no matter how old and nerdy we feel. We still can’t help ourselves. That guy can tell a story.

Now that I have admitted to being a fan of The Vinyl Cafe, I feel I can also admit that one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time is ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ starring the always fabulous, Judy Garland. Her version of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Christmas’ in that movie is still the best version of that song EVER.

Thought we’d start the holiday off right:

Have I ever said that before??? I seriously do have the best job ever. After a bit of a break from shooting(truth is I don’t shoot much in December), I spent the afternoon with this lovely lady sipping tea and playing dress up. We laughed. We cried. I am seriously the world’s biggest suck. I cried once in the Seattle airport while witnessing a reunion of two total strangers. I have been known to tear up when my kids are playing pretend. Seriously…it can be embarassing.

Recently, I have had a couple of emails from other photographers asking me how I find clients with showhomes for houses. I answered quite innocently saying that my clients just have FABULOUS taste. It’s true…some of their houses are amazing, but the thing that gets me teary is the love that makes them a home. THAT SAID, yesterday I got giddy with this bathroom. Giddy. The tile(I mean COME ON–IT’S FABULOUS) and you should have seen the stand alone tub surrounded by windows. I think I would spend hours in that tub watching the city chaos below safe in my calm surroundings ahhhhhh….and this mama–isn’t she glowing?? See…best job ever.

I bet you are all asking yourselves–did she just blog about a bathroom. Yes. Yes I did

Many people have asked me why I went to NY…specifically. I mean, the better question is, of course, why wouldn’t you go to NY? Not really a big city girl, New York is one of those cities where I could live. In amongst it’s hussle and bustle is this sense of community that I find utterly attractive. This sense like everyone has their special places where someone will recognize you and welcome you and make you feel like home. You. Picked out of this giant sea of people.

Somewhere in this sea of people, lives my good friend, Kristen. Kristen is pregnant. I should say…Kristen is FINALLY pregnant. She has longed to be a mother for her whole life and now this dream is finally coming true. We met as nannies in Los Angeles many years ago. And, I know that this…being a mother…is what she was born to be. It was such a pleasure to capture this time in her life for her and her husband.

We spent a day taking images. We started out at The Stone Barns in Westchester county. Home of the famed Blue Hill Restaurant…and cafe, of course. A charming little place where this couple has spent a good deal of time walking the property and munching on treats from the cafe. It’s their place. Then, after that, Kristen and I took the train into the city and dashed around Central Park(where the rest of the images were taken). We then, of course, visited Canal Street(a favorite area of mine) and Little Italy(for supper and a treat). It looks like I might be going back for newborn photos sometime at the end of January…just for a quick visit. Can’t wait.

I have baby bellies on the brain as I am off to see one today and will see another one over the holidays!! I love maternity sessions So, in a maternity session frame of mind, thought I’d post this special belly for you all! Happy Wednesday…

Last night, I went to my friend’s house and treated myself and Georgia to winter ‘pedicures’…well, according to the girl who does them ‘not a pedicure, not perfect, but toetally fun!!’ She doesn’t have a website or I’d link, but I am hoping that they last awhile as I plan on wearing flip flops VERY SOON. Georgia got red nails with fancy white & silver snowflakes…she loved it so much she is now saying that instead of a hotel birthday party she wants a toe painting party!! Hotel birthday party??? Yes, Georgia’s favorite thing to do is go to a hotel, swim and order room service. That is what she wanted to do for her birthday…hmmm…I am thinking toe painting is a MUCH better idea!!

Soon, I’ll blog a session. I promise

I have to share this…several of my friends have actually emailed me this link as Jack is having a year where he is questioning this whole North Pole stuff…This is AWESOME!!! Thanks to everyone who alerted me to it’s existence!! Happy Monday everyone!!
http://santa.sympatico.ca/home/

It was cold. It really was. And crowded. Unexpectedly crowded(if you were unaware that the Grey Cup was happening in our city–it was here, did you know that?). But…they’re so cute!! And, so well dressed!! It made everything go so smoothly!

Waaaaayyyyyy back when I was pregnant with Jack, I took a prenatal class with a midwife in the inner city. The class was small. This couple was in that class. In fact, their baby was the first to be born. We have stayed in touch intermittently through the years…seeing each other occassionally. And, then facebook happened!! Thank goodness for facebook keeping me connected with people. I am well intentioned at maintaining contact with people, but sometimes, life gets busy. And, I learned through facebook that this family had welcomed another child(yay!! she’s so darn cute!!!). And, they learned that I was a family photographer…the rest, as they say, is history.

It was a quick session on a cold day, but I love the way it turned out. Stephen Avenue in the back, the grey cup crowds walking by, and the joy and love that oozes from this family. Such a wonderful afternoon!! (unless you are a Saskatchewan fan…and, who isn’t?)

**A note about their outfits…Aren’t they the best??? Coordinated without matching…coloful, a wonderful mix of pattern and personality. The mom’s sweater is from Bennetton. I asked.

**I am totally blogging out of order. No, no…I’ve created a new order!! It’s called ‘my fancy’…whatever ‘my fancy’ desires

I love the top left image…it’s such a good ‘mom’ image. I also love the baby images(this is the BEST age to photograph your baby). I love the middle one in the series of three the most. It’s like ‘little baby in the big city’ to me I love the middle one of the older daughter as well…so genuine and that wispy hair to the right gets me. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Do you know that song by Amos Lee? That’s what I listened to whilst editing this session. You might recall his gorgeous parents from their maternity session waaaaaayyyyy back. Well, this little guy would not listen to his notice to vacate and took his very sweet time braving this new world. Everyone is so thrilled that he is finally here.

I love this first shot with his giant soother demonstrating just how tiny he really is. I always love parent shots. The images where you can see them looking at their little bundle with wonder, amazement and love. I remember feeling that way. It only grows that feeling and creeps up on you when they are older when they say or do something out of the blue. Seeing this on a regular basis allows me to recognize when it is happening to me with my older babies and I always hold on to it for as long as I can

My favorite shot is the wide eyed shot near the end. Full of curiosity for this new world. When babies look at me like that, I always ask them ‘Who are you going to be??’…a bundle of possibilities. Thank you for letting me witness this A&L…and wee baby J