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!!!

Okay…so when I show up at a session and the child does this unprovoked by me or his parents, then I know I like this child. It’s that easy. I love that his tongue is orange from his cheezy bribe(so are the tips of his fingers if you look closely).

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to photograph bellies for spring babies. Especially, when you step outside and you can hardly catch your breath for the cold. But, it is. We had hoped to head outside for part of this session…and, well, we did. For about 3 minutes. That was all we could take before the exposed body parts started to lose their normal feeling. Spring you fickle woman…please come back to us!!!

A favorite family shot.

And a couple of favorite belly shots.

And, the best shots from heading outdoors came from the little devil   Thanks for hanging out with me. This was such an intimate session. This family was so comfortable with themselves and who they are. I love that. I can’t wait to go back and welcome their new little one. In the spring. When there isn’t so much snow and blowing wind. Maybe even sunshine and grass. Guess we’ll see.

 I just wanted to say that changes they are a coming…hopefully, by the end of the week, I’ll have my new site up. I’m super excited to unveil it. AND, when I do, I’ll share a bunch of new stuff!!! I’ve been a busy little photographer this winter!!!

Yes indeed. They have arrived. Baby A and Baby B. Evan and Jared. Three days old in these images. THREE DAYS. Turns out that is a good time for first time photo sessions as they were supermodels. 

Such a treat to document this family through the transition from family of four to family of six! And, everyone is so relaxed and laid back at their house. Made for a very lazy Sunday afternoon. Thank you guys. I hope you enjoy the results.

 On another note–I just wanted to say thank you on behalf of me and my mom and our family for all the lovely comments and emails. We are truly so lucky.

I had planned on putting up the one image I took while in Vegas as the first post upon arriving home. Alas…life has a way of making plans for you.

Home at midnight. 7am phone call. 7pm babies. beautiful day that I will never forget. thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart for inviting me in to experience one of the most intimate moments of your life.

Two boys were welcomed into the world yesterday. Baby A and Baby B for now. I’m still reeling with emotion. I promise to share more later.

This family is welcoming their second child soon and I had the wonderful privelage of documenting this pregnancy for them. I’m really enjoying doing some ‘hot’ mamma images lately. Calgary is lucky to have so many hot moms that I think they should celebrate the beauty of their pregnancy by slipping on their best pair of heels and feeling sexy. Of course, this is a family rated blog so I am only showing some of the tamer images…including some of their son…

He had such beautiful eyelashes. Why is it always the boys who are blessed with that trait???

The WHOLE family got on the bed for a group shot. I love how the dog has his paw on the boy’s leg. I also love how he is the only one looking up at me. This was the best dog. He stayed with me throughout the session and managed to sneak into a few of the shots…

Okay, it has to be said. This woman had legs that went on forever. Seriously. When she put those shoes on, she was a good two feet taller than me. See, I come by the name ’short and sweet’ honestly Well, the short part anyways.

I chopped off a lot of heads at this session, so I thought I’d show you what they look like I call this image ‘Lovey Dovey’. I love how they form a heart. Two people…one heart. Gee whiz, how perfect with Valentine’s day coming up. I hope you enjoyed your sneak peek.  Can’t wait to meet the new little one.

This is why Georgia never accompanies me to a session. Just kidding. I think he was crying because I laughed. Yes, I know. My belly laugh is loud. It truly is. But, my motto is if you are going to laugh…laugh hard or go home.

So, I got a new camera one week before Christmas. It’s true. This new camera is SUH-WHEEET. But it has caused some software issues(which are finally resolved). And, it caused me to take an enormous number of images over the holidays(over 3000–do I have a problem…it’s true I do). And, here’s my last excuse, my email has been giving me issues. So, I am going to postpone making a decision on my Giving is Awesome contest until later on this week. Let’s say Thursday. I will continue to accept nominations until then just to make it fair and square.

 So, how about some of those 3000 images???? Well, this little guy belongs to one of my BFF’s. Isn’t he delightful? Even when he is crying at my laugh!!! ha!

Who can resist those big blue eyes…and the drool…

Here’s his older brother. And, that’s her…man, I miss her. The best gift I got this year was allowing myself to take leisurely time to visit with her. Not the quick visit squeezed in between other visits. Of course, it meant that I missed visiting with others…oops.

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And, baby feet. Actually, I love the hands in this, too–those unsteady hands helping him to keep his balance. Ahhh balance.

It was a good year. A great year. Looking back over all my folders, I was filled with emotion. I can’t believe my good fortune to have so many beautiful people inside and out come into my life. And, then, to trust me with capturing their family. I am shaking my head in disbelief at my luck.

In deciding what images to include in the slideshow, it was hard to narrow it down, I decided to include the faves of my own kids. I have always said that this is my primary reason for picking up my camera–to capture them as they are. I also decided to show some random shots from my travels. If you are a blog follower, most of these will look familiar–a few are new to everyone(even my husband-ha!).

It might take a long time to load…sorry. I hope you don’t have too many issues.

And, most of all–thank you thank you thank you a million thank yous for being a part of this crazy journey. My blog is where my heart is and if you take a small part of your day to visit it and read my thoughts and take in my images, then I am indebted to you. You are my biggest support group Thanks.

here is the link: http://www.shortandsweetphotography.ca/yearend2008/

 I wanted to be so cool and have it embedded in my blog, but I didn’t like the way it turned out. So, the perfectionist in me, fixed it.

Winter family sessions are soooooo much fun! They are definitely not for fussy families though–as kids and parents alike will most likely get wet and snowy!!!

I have a feeling that snow angel images are going to be this year’s swing image I love love love taking them

I love how much snow is all over this little guy and how sleepy he looks. It’s so sweet. We headed indoors for some warmer family stuff…

taken with my new 5D Mark II at ISO 3200 for those that are wondering

This next one is downright hot

And, then, outside for some images I had been planning with her since the summer. When it is August and you are drinking frappuccinos doing a partially clad winter maternity seems like a good idea. In December, no, no…in the coldest December we’ve had in ages, doubts start to rise Thank goodness that Mother Nature cooperated with me that day. When it’s been -20′C all month, +1′C is not so bad….

Thank you Jessie for doing this for me! I hope you like the images. I was thinking–I am pretty much done writing 2008 on all my images(there might be a Christmas post yet). Wow…time flies!!! Happy New Year everyone!!!

***Just a note to say, keep those ‘Giving is Awesome’ nominations coming in. I have posted some availability through February, but I want to note that if you are having a baby, it is best to book the session before you give birth. We book it by due date. Just to let you all know.

*********Until Christmas, I will donate one item of food to the food bank for each and every comment. Thanks to Rachel Boekel of Brooks for the suggestion. Comment away!!!!!************************

But we had Seaweed soup to keep us warm Okay, so readers of my blog will know that this is a friend of mine. She is expecting twins and has been kind enough to let me do what ever I want with her belly. What does that mean for her? Well, not one, but two sessions. This was the first…just her(or at least that was the plan, but her little guy is so cute and just had to get in on the action). The next you will not get to see until January. We did have a fun day hanging out!

Even though it’s cold outside, you can still look HAWT!!! FREAKING FANTASTICALLY HAWT!!!

a little indoor flare!!! If there is flare to be had, I will find it!!!

An abstract belly…thanks for lending me your belly for the day. Can’t wait until they’re here!!!

But, it’s warm in here…I had to share this one as it was a new favorite the instant I took it. I had planned on a tub session with mom, but her little guy would not let us leave him out. It’s so sweet…I will share more from this session tomorrow.

It hit me as I prepared this image for my blog that soon I’ll be writing 2009 on all my images. Man, time flies when you are having the time of your life until tomorrow!