Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Boy or Girl?

Hello to everyone!
Let's get to it! Housekeeping. Not much has changed in my life since last week...outside of a brand new pair of black polka dot rubber boots I bought. And editing, editing, editing! Mama Nature has still been on my side. I have my fingers and toes crossed for all of my October clients that we will have some gorgeous days too!

I have been looking forward to blogging this shoot. I really love photographing bellies! M and P. Mom and Dad to be. So in love and so much fun! I took them on one wild ride that day. We covered 5 locations in two hours. Oh and one pitstop to Food Basics for a washroom break. One pregnant woman and one woman who has birthed two children equals 2 week bladders.
I cannot express enough what a great time I had with this couple. They were so cooperative and open to trying new ideas. Here is a mix of my favs from the day. All the best to you both for a safe and speedy delivery! I am looking forward to photographing your little one in November. Thanks for a fantastic day M and P!
Oh and I think BOY!















Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Bacon and Cheddar Flavoured Crickets



Hello to everyone!
Right to the point...housekeeping...one word. Editing. Outside of my family, sleeping, eating and grabbing the odd shower here and there - life consists of shooting and editing. I am over the moon at the response to my work over the last few months! I am two months shy of celebrating the inception of ONE FOR THE WALL photography. What a celebration that will be! Perhaps I will treat myself to some ketchup chips and a winter break. I have a website that needs to be launched and more photo editing courses to be taken in preparation for year two. I appreciate everyone's kind words (gush gush) and patience as I fly by the seat of my pants this first year. The opportunity so many of you have given me is humbling. I still have so much to learn, new skills to hone and more technical challenges. Beyond all of that though....it really is about your little ones. The children I meet and connect with every week. The ones whom I freeze in time for you to look at year after year. Those EYELASHES (we all know how much I love those), the little noses and beautiful skin. Ok, ok....that's enough Hilary. Gorganzola anyone?

On to this week's post. BOYS. I do not have much experience with them. I have two little girls. The back of my car has atleast one pair of fancy flip flops in it at all times, a purse and some lipchap hidden away from Mommy. I might not be able to see it - but I can smell the fresh application girls!
So, when I arrived at this home I was...well...not sure what to do! In the first five minutes we had two of the boys washing their tongues from their coloured lolly pops and one giant Sprite explosion on a clean shirt. Hmmmm....this was going to be interesting. After some coaxing all the boys loaded up between Mom and I's vehicles. And we were off. Or so I thought we were. Nope. Mom stops the car and runs up to the house. Ooopps. Front door was left wide open. Ok - now we are off. Sorry Mom - that was too good not to share!
I have not ever posted a picture before my blog entry but this is the only way to give you all a sense of 3 boys in front of a camera. Enough said. These boys are incredibly bright and handsome young men. They were all troopers and endured 2 locations and a lot of mosquitoes in order to get my shots. We had so many laughs with the boys and of course their adorable pup. Thanks for your patience Mom!
Oh and the bacon and cheddar flavoured crickets? Forgot to mention that the boys were eating flavoured bugs when I got there. Real bugs. I politely declined the dried out cricket.
















Monday, September 21, 2009

Kindness

Hello to all!!
Where do I begin...oh yes. Housekeeping. Not much to report there other than holy cow - IT'S BUSY! I am thanking Mama Nature for an incredible weekend to get myself and my wonderful families through their portrait sessions. Six in total (only one to reschedule - that darn hockey - what is that anyway?!). The logical part of myself says to just write one liner blog entries to keep up with blogging throughout this busy time. But once I sit down at the keyboard I feel a huge sense of calm. Blogging about a family is like the last step of the process with hiring me to do photos. I am thrilled with how willing families are to be "blogged about".
This family kicked off my first marathon weekend of the season on Friday night. Let me tell you this. What an incredible way to start off. Dad was already outside when I pulled up - all smiles. And then the twins came out on the porch to greet me with rollers in their hair (yes - both of them). And then their mom. Gorgeous both inside and out. Oh and the dogs...there are two of them. Maddie and Molly.
What struck me most about this family was how warm they all were and kind. Incredibly kind. I took them on one of my wild location adventures (the kiddies actually thought we were on a Dora adventure - but with a crazy photographer lady instead). They were all so patient and cooperative (those who have been photographed by me know how location centric I am and fussy about background stuff). We spent two and a half hours together until we started to loose the sun and warmth of the day. It was well worth it for the kiddies as their hard work earned them not one but TWO kinder eggs (I scored them the second one).
Thanks to all of you for a wonderful experience. It truly is people like you that make me love what I do even more. Have I said lately how lucky I am to have such great clients?!