Whilst in New York, I met this lovely family who welcomed a beautiful little girl after three gorgeous and sporty boys! Do you know what the best thing will be for this little girl?? She will be fast and strong because she has to be in order to keep up with her brothers, but she will also have three protectors on the playground. These boys showered this little girl with love!! I can see that her future suitors will have a long line to wade through before they are able to reach her They fought over who’s turn it was to hold her. I love big families Makes me wish for more kids!!

I love my job. I say that all the time, but it’s true. This family was so relaxed and genuine and easily themselves that it made my job so easy. And SPORTY. I have met my fair share of sporty families but I think this family tops them all!! I love that they were willing to run around the soccer field and play–even while carrying the baby!!! And, while they were sporty, they were also incredibly loving. And happy. Truly happy. That makes me truly happy, too

I just wanted to say that I love New York. Until you have been there, you might not understand how wonderful New Yorkers truly are….but everytime I am there, I am struck by how friendly they all are. It’s a big city that feels like a community. And THAT is hard to find. While there, I got to visit with my friend, Chris. I am considering going back to New York in October to visit him and see his lovely wife in Mary Poppins on broadway. I think I will bring my kids Sooooo…any New Yorkers interested in a fall session in 2010?? Give me a shout!!!

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

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…

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

I love to travel. It’s true. One of the greatest gifts of travel is the people you meet. While in New York, I got to spend a sunny afternoon with these twins!! Twins!! The same, but yet, so completely different!  I got to hang out with them in their home while they showed me where they play and all of their favorite things. These are my favorite kinds of sessions. Thanks guys for a wonderful afternoon!!!

You can see images from this session here and here as well.

**I have had many requests for travel next year. I am open to travelling, but require a minimum of 5-6 families in order to seriously look at a city. Definitely in my plans are: California–all over(April), Toronto(May), and New York(October). I often go to Edmonton, Red Deer, and all places in between…Other cities that have lists include: Atlanta, Denver, and Budapest(it’s true–crazy!!!)…

**Before I get emails regarding the technical aspects of these photographs I thought I would note that these were all shot with my 5D Mark II. The highest ISO was 4000. Yes, 4000. I am not afraid of pushing my camera to its limits. That’s what limits are for. I use Neat Image to clean them up a bit when necessary. The fisheye I use is a 15 mm 2.8. I had some emails regarding some of these images already so I thought I would beat you all to the punch!!

Today I am off sugar. Again. I keep having to remind myself that this is so. I am hoping that this is not a bad sign. Today I am getting caught up on my email…and thinking about buying a new book. Or maybe getting a library card instead. Today I am editing this session:

whilst listening to this(on repeat as always):

Have a great day!

Today started out much like most days…a latte for breakfast. Then, I had the joy of going to visit this little guy…so sweet…sooooo wide awake….so curious Eventually, he blessed us with a little snooze, just long enough to get a handful of sleepy shots. Sooooo worth the wait.

Then…I headed out to Stephen Avenue Mall for a quick family session. A family session with about 1500 spectators all dressed in Rider Green finery. Ya…apparently, not a big sports fan myself…unaware that the Grey Cup was actually in Calgary this year. And, that this event would actually cause so much hoopla. Thankfully, photogenic kids made my job pretty easy. What to do when you want to edit every shot??? hmmmm…here’s a teaser:

Then, I headed to a Grey Cup party and, low and behold, was lucky enough to win the pool!!! A pretty good party even if the Riders didn’t win after all(what a crazy ending…this one will be talked about for awhile, I’m sure)…Happy Sunday!!!

I have been a bad blogger. It’s true. And, lately, I have been re-evaluating my blogging practices. Trying to find the joy I used to have in it and wondering how to get it back. Wondering what people want to see on here. Wondering who are the people who come back time and time again…the fall for me is always a time of reflection. It’s a busy time and when you are shooting that much you start to evolve as an artist. Exciting times…frustrating times…wondering where exactly to go in the next year or so until that evolution starts again.

This image is from a FABULOUS session with a fabulous family who really let me shoot for me as well as for them. They put their full trust in me and we had an awesome morning together. Their gallery was enormous. I’m almost embarrassed to say how large it was. And, it really got me to thinking–what kind of a photographer am I anyways? yes…a family photographer. I know that…but what is it about my work that is unique…different. So, as I sit here trying to piece together a blog post from this incredibly large gallery, I think I have answered some questions for myself. Piecing together the last bits of where I will be going in the new year. I’m excited to share it all with you…but, until then, I think I’ll post just a couple of images a day. Favorite images from all my shooting this fall because I feel like I will never get to post images from all my sessions unless I do it this way. So…Happy Thursday. More tomorrow, I promise

When Georgia met me at the airport, she innocently asked me why I took my camera bag to New York. I told her because I had to ‘work’ while I was there. She got all confused and then asked, do you take pictures for your work??? hmmm…how could she not know this?? Yes, I said. Yes, I do…the taking the pictures though, well, I don’t consider that ‘work’…that’s the fun part…the ‘work’ part is coming home to a mountain of email and editing and sorting orders as they arrive.

So, I am home. If you are waiting to hear from me, I will thank you for your patience as I try to get settled back into my routine. I couldn’t post without sharing some of my favorite images from my trip to New York. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet some AWESOME families while I was there and meet some photographers and connect with old friends. It was a wonderful trip. Now back to reality