So, two totally different types of sessions to post this week. Today is a maternity/family session in wonderfully urban Eau Clair Market. This beautiful family is expecting a wonderful addition soon. They were kind enough to share their name choices with me, but I have been sworn to utter secrecy. I can’t wait to see who they get

 I often ask parents how they met in the process of the session. There are two types of stories I always love to hear–how people met and birth stories–can’t get enough of them. Their story was seriously cute. You see, they met at the finish line of a marathon. At least that is how she tells it. HE has an altogether different story of going to the same junior high and watching her from afar. Riding the same bus. And how she was too cool to run to catch the bus so if she was late she would just let the bus go. He, however, would be sitting inside the bus watching her thinking ‘run, run…get on the bus!’. I just loved how cute it is to think that a junior high school crush could lead to a future meeting and falling in love. Not to mention creating one of the cutest kids ever!!!

They let me pick his sweater–isn’t it cute???

The bump…

Nothing like a little private parking Even if the sidewalk is chilly. Thanks for hanging out with me guys! I hope you enjoyed being on my blog

 PS–thanks to the spelling police

When this family told me who referred them, I should have been prepared for a kid that ooooooozed personality. But, then again, some kids surprise even me What a treasure this little guy was to hang out with! In no time at all, we were best buds…holding hands as we walked through the woods.

It’s always hard for me to decide what images to show in a sneak peek. This time I wanted to show some of the indoor shots as I haven’t shown any of those in awhile. But, I loved the outdoor shots so much that I didn’t want to hold back any of those as well. Oh, decisions. Tough decisions. So, two indoor shots. The first one I call ‘The Thinker’. This next one lets all future clients know that I encourage misbehaviour.

Now, we’ll move outside…a walk in a beautiful spot, with a beautiful dog and a beautiful family…and the nice thing about this time of year-when there is light it is always beautiful. And, that day was no exception.

okay, so this next image is one of my favorite family images of all time. OF ALL TIME.  I love that it looks like the little boy is pushing his dad to give his mom a kiss. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expression on the mom’s face. And, most of all I love the magical light that they are standing in. Yes, it’s love.

Thanks for spending the day with me! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek–and, have fun skiing this week!!! Wish I could join you!

This weekend I had the pleasure of watching three brothers tease each other endlessly. Seriously. I have never actually witnessed three brothers’ antics. It made my insides smile

The youngest…

The middle child…with a capital ‘m’ I can say that because I’m one, too…

The oldest…

First, we hung out at their house getting to know each other and we walked down the street for a treat. When I heard their ages, I was all ready to talk up the whole Bakugan, Pokemon, Star Wars stuff. As it turns out, the key to getting these boys to smile was talking about their girlfriends!!! All three of them! Watch out world

And, one of my favorite group shots for last. I love this…it’s so me, funky crop, converse, good looking clients…and someone just got teased about a girl Happy Monday everyone!!!

Looks can be deceiving…

See the beautiful blue sky in this image? One would think that with a sky that lovely it was a beautiful, warm, fall day. Well, if one made that assumption one would be wrong. Welcome to fall in Alberta. Where clear blue skies mean cold weather. It was freezing. So, we spent 15 minutes outside. We got this cool mcskool shot:

Then, we sat in the family vehicle and wondered what to do. And, I thought of Tara Whitney…because–well, that’s what one does when one finds oneself in a bit of a bind. WWTD?(what would Tara do)…so I suggested the library. Do they go to the library? ALL THE TIME!!! They say–in fact, they had books that were due! Perfect. So, thanks to the inspiration of the all mighty one, we headed inside where it was warm and there were books to read…and all was not lost.

This is the library in St. Albert(I grew up in St. Albert). That tree used to be in the McDonald’s there…it has been in the library for probably more than 20 years, but I’m old enough to remember when we used to climb on it once we finished our happy meals. I like it better in it’s current home.

Their mom said that they loved the water fountain. And, I remembered when my own kids couldn’t get enough visits to one. So, we took a series of images at the fountain. This is my favorite.

I should say that these twins are close to my heart. The first time I saw them, they were literally little peanuts. And, now….look at them. And, for close watchers of my blog–they had a session last year at this time. And, one of my favorite images of all time came from that session–dad giving the little guy an airplane ride. Their mom also designed my fabulous logo!!! Thanks for hanging out with me guys!

This is the most anticiapted sneak peek of the year. Well, at least as far as my favorite blog stalker is concerned(my mom for those who can’t keep up). This is my sister’s family. On the streets of Edmonton. Literally. She gave me free reign to do as I please and I did. The lovely Andrea Hanki was kind enough to share with me some of her favorite locales up there….and, I just have to say that I am totally jealous!!! Edmonton is a cornocopia of fabulous spots for fabulous photo shoots. We even had ours done while we were there. Anyhow…on to the sneak peek:

Guy Smiley aka my nephew!

Hard to pick a favorite…all I can say is that it was darn cold when we took that first shot, but, by the end of the shoot–after eating and considering shooting in WEM and then driving to another spot, it was a fabulous fall afternoon. So, for those who have asked…this is an urban shoot. An urban shoot with a family I love who could ask for anything more?

Indeed…look at her!!!! She is definitely short and sweet I think they came to the right place-ha! Especially because I thought that she looked like Cindy-Lou Who(from the Grinch–keep up people) and we call our house ‘Pughville’. In fact, when I read that book to our kids, I always say ‘All the Pugh’s down in Pughville, the big and the small’…it was meant to be.

Private parking for Sweetapple & Co…I think that’s them

Okay…funny thing, the magnet he is holding says ‘I hate everyone’…ha, ha, ha…that is his dad’s beer fridge. Seriously. Nothing is off limits with me

So, I like to get shots of mom and dad cuddling. I told them to sit together on the couch and this is what they gave me:

Somehow, we worked our way through to this:

That was more like what I was looking for Thanks guys for the fun day. It started raining as I walked out your house. What luck that it held off until then!!!

Okay, okay…so I got a new computer. AND…I got a cold…so I got behind. And, my blog suffered. Who knew that getting a computer up and running would be so much work And, I’m thinking I need a tech guy that is not my husband…for the sake of our relationship. Seriously. I need a person I don’t care about to blame when things don’t go smoothly…ha, ha, ha…Anyhow…

 I had a contest in September. A comment contest. I do this every month. It is my way of saying thanks to those people who take the time to comment. $20 at Starbucks goes to Kim!!! And, I know that she will be the first to read this post, so send me your address so I can send you your card!!! This month I think I’ll give away $20 at Ikea. Use it to buy meatballs(my kids can’t get enough of those things)…let the commenting begin!

I had a large family session awhile back that I haven’t blogged yet. It was a different thing for me to have so many people at a session. It was hard to decide what to blog as a sneak peek! So, here’s a few to tide you all over!

This little beauty might look familiar as she won my canvas contest!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Ohhhhh…I can’t hold these back any longer In amongst my many family sessions right now, I had a newborn. Yay! And, a newborn whose parents gushed love for her. It was such a wonderful way to spend a morning, in the presence of such peace and love. And, the light in their bedroom was to die for!!!

I love this first one…just chillin’ on the bed.

I like how the mom kind of glows. She is radiating happiness.

his family actually requested lots of black and whites, so I shot with that in mind. I also know that this wee baby has some family abroad who are all probably dying to see what she looks like, so this image is for them. Eyes open all sweet and calm.

Uh…hello–new favorite. Seriously. Does that dad crazy love her or what? When I saw this one, I just about cried. I know, I’m a softy.

And, this one I had to include…because look at how happy the dad is? It’s like he’s giving me this look–like, how lucky am I?  Pretty lucky. Congratulations. She’s a beauty.

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.

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!!