Swing!

Hello to everyone!
I am feeling much better (after a second small bout of that nasty bug) and so does my computer! Funny how both myself and my computer were under the weather last week. My MAC has a whole terrabite (sp?!) of space. Fancy name for a lot more memory to store your family images! No real housekeeping this week - except might I say that this momentary spike in temperatures reminds me of September!! Who knew when my clients booked their November shoots that we would have lucked out with such incredible weather! Hoping for one more week of this to take me to the end of my fall family season.

The glorious weather at this shoot (still working on September blogging) reminded me of weather like today. Warm and sunny. Sigh. I actually thought this shoot might have to be rescheduled due to rain but the sun came out just as we were arriving to our location. Mom said - "let's get this done!" It's a good thing we didn't miss this opportunity. As a photographer there are so many things I see differently about the season changes. I am not only a temperature watcher but I also pay closer attention to light and nature. I do love the flowers that come with fall. This beautiful little girl loved her time in the flowers. These images are some of my favourites from this fall. I also love it when families tell me about activities they like to do as a family and "swinging" their little girl is one of them. I am sure that this time next year her little brother will enjoy the very same ride!
Thanks to you all for a wonderful photosession!

ps- Big thanks goes out my friend, Silvia, who came to assist with me at this shoot. Silvia has a passion for photography and reminds me a lot of myself a year ago at the beginning of my journey. She is wonderful with children and has "the eye" as they say. I know she will be very successful in her photography career! I am looking forward to sharing her work with all of you in the years to come. I, personally, am forever grateful to two very talented and incredibly giving photographers (more on them later) for helping me along the way and I feel blessed to share what I have learned to other aspiring photographers. I wouldn't be where I am today without them. Can't wait to celebrate my one year anniversary in a couple of weeks and to look back on the last 12 months. Oh that will be a long post! Get out the kleenex!!

Still working on September!

Hello to everyone!
I could not be any happier to be sharing my fall shoots on the blog. Is it possible these beautiful September days are already behind us? It's hard to believe that in 4 short weeks I will have my 2009 fall season wrapped up. It feels like it just begun.

Housekeeping! I am much better this week (that was a rough flu bug). However, my mental state is questionable. For those of you that read my ramblings...know that all things "technical" are not my thing. So why is it that it's always my equipment that has all the problems? I am preparing this evening to part with my MAC for 48 hours to fix the "software issues". I have cleared as much work as I can to make way for a two day hiatus. It's probably not the worst thing as it forces me to hit the sheets before 10 at night.

Two other small items...it's not too late for Christmas card orders. Please look through the cards under the September heading and you can e-mail me for information on ordering. I cannot wait to share the cards! My very dear friend and designer, Angela, has been doing an incredible job showcasing my photographs on everyone's Christmas cards. Thank you!

And don't forget the Clickin' Mom's contest!! There is still time to send me a little note as to whom you would like to give thanks for helping you get to a goal or dream of yours. I will choose the winner at the end of the month.

It is my hope that my families know how sincere I am when I make kind comments about them on the blog. I am blessed to have such a wonderful and kind clientele. This shoot was also at the University of Guelph back in mid September. This family was beautiful. This family was loving. This family adores pictures so it makes me love them even more! Thank you so much for a fun couple of hours together in the warm September sun. Enjoy and stay well everyone!

Big time laughs!

Hello to everyone!
Housekeeping...my season has come to a screeching halt for a few days as I lay sick with the flu. I was so confident that I wouldn't get sick. More vitamins, more sleep, 100% job satisfaction and a pretty stress free life...but there is still no escape for me. I have always said my mind and ambition does not match the body I was born into. So for now I am able to do a blog post and reschedule some weekend shoots. I am bummed to say the least but determined to not be down for long! I have a season to finish!! And so many incredible families to blog about in the weeks to come.

Where do I start with this family? Kind, gracious, cooperative and FUN! This was another shoot from my University of Guelph day (thanks again Shannon for coming out to assist!) back in mid September. The weather was incredible and this family came with their photograph game face ON. This brother and sister team loves to laugh...don't ask what it is that really makes them laugh though. That might not be appropriate. But it works! I could not have enjoyed my time with this wonderful family more. Thanks for a super day - you made these images what they are.

Keep well everyone):

More sister love!

Hello to everyone!
I am a blogging machine this week. I have had a few days to just edit and play at my computer. It's felt good to catch up in my office with orders, bookings and editing this week. I don't love being at my computer (as my growing behind will tell you) but it's a part of the photography gig. Sigh.
My little blog that could looks different today thanks to the MCP actions blog boards and my technical support team..Christine and Angela! Thanks ladies....I learned something new everyone! Time to crack open those chip bags! My goal over the winter is to take my editing skills up a notch and to find better ways of presenting the images for you to see. This is my start...
And...I have finally figured out how to add a link to my "fan" page on facebook! Feel free to join...I have really out done myself today.

More sisterly love! Photographing little girls is so much fun! Probably because it's close to my heart. I have known this family since Claire was a wee one in daycare as well. These young ladies are not only beautiful but incredibly articulate, fun and kind. We spent two hours together having fun with the camera. Mom and Dad could not have been any better to work with as well and it shows in the pictures. Thanks so much for a wonderful morning together and I am so happy you are enjoying your pictures girls!!!

DETS for the giveaway!!!
I am a proud member of Clickin Moms! It's an incredible forum for photographers of all skill levels to discuss everything from equipment to editing to posing. It's also a hot spot for vendors to showcase their designs, props, printing etc. as well. I have spent more time on their lately since I have been in my office and it is an incredible website for information and connection to other photographers.
Kendra, from Clickin Moms, has offered a one year membership giveaway (value $50). This is where my thanks and inspiration theme comes in. Just e-mail me (oneforthewall@rogers.com) a little note on who or what has inspired you to reach a goal and the thanks you would like to give. I will choose one winner and will award the membership at the end of November.
Contest closes November 29th and you must NOT already be a member of Clickin Moms. I will post the winning entry on my blog on November the 30th. Oh I am soooo excited!! So get typing!!

Little Boys

Hello to everyone!
Does it ever feel good to be blogging again! I have so many fantastic families to post from the past 7 weeks. It's hard to sit on these images and stories!
Housekeeping...back to the spirit of learning something new each week! I spent the day with Christine of CLICK photography learning to edit in photoshop. I am really looking forward to blogging what I learned and some of the images we worked on. But that will have to wait! I wish I could rejoice in my new found skills but when I returned home I could not apply what I learned. After several distress signals sent over the blackberry and two phonecalls to Christine I have resigned myself once again to my weaknesses. Anything and everything technical. How hard can it be to build a storyboard for my little blog that could?! Apparently quite difficult. After spending all evening and now into the middle of the night...I have no board to display. Sigh. I am not giving up...just in for the night. I know I will eventually get it and we can all celebrate together!

Tonight's post! This shoot dates back to mid September when temps were still in the low twenties. This was an exceptionally beautiful fall day at the University of Guelph. I had a wonderful shoot with this incredibly kind and cooperative family. I think I have mentioned before how lucky I am to have such great clients. Sure I take the picture...but they make the image what it is. Thanks to all of you for making my job so much easier! Looking foward to our October date next year!

One other behind the scenes side note. Those of you that follow my blog know that I have been assisting at weddings this summer. Never did I image that a) I would be inspiring other photographers or b)ever be worthy of an assistant. But for this shoot I had an assistant! Shannon, a friend of mine, has recently taken up photography and came out with me for my day at the University of Guelph to observe and learn more about photographing families. We had a super day together and I want to thank Shannon for helping me out with the kiddies and the gear! You can find Shannon's work at Snapped by Shannon. Best wishes in your budding business!

And one more thing...!!! I am going to be running a contest. I have never done this before but when I saw the opportunity I jumped at it. Next blog post I will be announcing the details and the prize. So, until that time start thinking of someone you would like to thank. Everyone knows how much I like to credit and thank those who have helped me or inspired me in my photographic journey this past year. Now I am giving you the chance to thank someone in your life that has helped you achieve a goal. Start thinking and I will give you the dets next time....! Enjoy!

Start of the Fall Portrait Season

Hello to everyone!
It's so hard to believe it's almost been a month since I blogged last. What an incredible fall season this has been. Mama Nature has been very kind to me with only 2 rained out shoots this entire fall. I was concerned when we were in the single digit temps last week. I wasn't expecting that so soon! This week is looking glorious! I am loving the colourful fall sweaters and the cute knitted caps my little clients are showing up in for their shoots.
Housekeeping...I am taking a photoshop course tomorrow with the area's most amazing photographer - Christine Kufske - of CLICK photography. I am really looking forward to spending the day with her to learn more about the technical end of editing... so that I can smooth out that skin for you ladies! I still have so much to learn and I am so fortunate to have a wonderful mentor behind me. I could go on about Christine...but I am saving that.

On to this weeks' post. I have known this beautiful family since Claire was 18 months old. Our little ones were in the same daycare and we have remained friends ever since. I was so humbled when Mom contacted me to do pictures for her. It's one thing to have people you don't know contact you for shoots and it's another feeling when your friends reach out. It's the biggest compliment!
This shoot kicked off my fall season....and dates back to the day before school started (yes that is how far behind I am!!). We had a gorgeous afternoon and a very successful shoot. I love these little girls...they are just as sweet in person as they are in the pictures.
And a little story behind how to get a successful shot - bribery. Yes. I am 100% in favour of bribes during a photoshoot. We had the girls pull their little toys to Dad who was off to the side. It works like a charm! Enjoy!

Little Miss P!

Hello to everyone!
Well, this marks the halfway point through the fall portrait season. I am so behind on my blog posts! I have so many sessions to share with you in the weeks to come. If I would only stop TALKING so much in my blog posts I might be able to get a few more posted in a week. I tell myself to keep it short but I sit down and remember my clients, our time together and laugh and smile. It all starts there.
Housekeeping. I wish I could say that I am learning something new every week but there just isn't time. Unless learning to tread water counts? I never imagined ONE FOR THE WALL photography would be so well received. I know I have said it numerous times but I am blown away by the kindness and willingness by my clientele to participate in making the images the best they can be. The couple on the post today is no exception.
Welcome Miss P! Oh how I am loving the babies and bellies shoots. They are a challenge and not as easy as they look! It can take up to 3 hours between feedings, diaper changes and rocking the baby to sleep (oh and me chatting). But the time and effort is well worth it. This gracious and gorgeous couple welcomed me into their home to capture the first few days of their new family together. It was one of those times when the "stay at home mommy and the small business mommy" worlds collided. No sitter for Kate spelled...you are coming with me. She was good for the most part. A few snacks and some treehouse tv passed the time away for her. Kate was quite taken by the dog and did take a run at the cat but the cat was smart enough to hide.

It goes without saying that Miss P is a beautiful baby girl. A little tug at my heart as I looked over at Kate. She is four years old now. People told me as I held both of our little girls for the first time that they would grow up fast. You don't believe it at the time. The sleepless nights, dirty diapers, vomit and tantrums seem like they will never end. But they do. Miraculously when you open your sleep deprived eyes and look back all you remember is the cute diaper bum, the soft and chubby cheeks, the little voice that sounds like it's on helium permanently and the little arms around your knees....how did I get off on this sappy track?! Just wait until I post about my first summer assisting with Christine Kufske of CLICK photography! Those little girls grow up and get married....I am not ready to go there yet.

Congratulations M and S and thanks for a memorable morning together! Kate and I thank you!