Last cake for a while, I promise...

People must be thinking that all I do is make cakes, so no more cake photos for a while after this. Here is my final creation for Class 2 of the Wilton Cake Class...

Basket weave, so cool!

I am taking maternity photos tonight, so watch for a sneak peek of those in the next few days.

Madchen Studios

A giant thank you goes out to Rachel at Madchen Studios who just took our family photos a few days ago- she was INFINITELY patient with Quin being so busy and two year oldish. He really wanted NOTHING to do with photos.

The photos are beautiful and I hope it's ok with her to post some for you all to see... the colors are so vibrant, LOVE them! Plus, so fast - our shoot was only on Monday night and I already have some to show off...

Here are three of my favs, conveniently the same three posted on the Madchen blog - must have been her favs too...


Here is a link to her site - really fantastic photos - check them out!

http://www.madchenstudios.com/

Thank you again Rachel we had a fantastic time.

Next week...

Big week coming up...
My husband, son and myself are having some family photos taken on Monday evening by Rachel from Madchen Studios - I am excited...
This is a link to her site - it seems like she takes really nice photos. I am excited!
http://www.madchenstudios.com/

OOOhhh, and Wednesday night I have my cake decorating class at Michaels - the finale of Class 2 - I will post a picture once it's done - you will all be SO impressed. I started this class having no experience. I have maybe made 5 cakes in my life and iced and decorated...0. I will post some of the previous cakes at the end of this post.

The maternity photos that were scheduled for last weekend are happening on Thursday, weather permitting - we have had SO much rain.

Sunday I am doing some photos of my cousins Brennan, Ashley and Brittney - we were going to do them as a Mother's Day surprise for their mom, but schedules were just too busy.

So, on to the cake photos...


My very first cake...








Numbers 2 and 3.


















So, make sure you check back next week for all of these exciting things. :)
Have a great weekend!

Funny Video

Sad news, the maternity shoot that I had booked for last weekend has been rescheduled, the dad to be is sick... so, we will have to wait a few weeks for those.

I am feeling a little uninspired today, so instead of photos, here is a really funny video from an old Family Feud. At least I think it's pretty funny.... Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLoWjMYu7K8

Invitations & Cards

Let me know if you are in need of any custom designed party invitations, Christmas cards, thank you cards, wedding invites, etc.
Made from photos from your shoot with me of course.

Here is one that I just made up for Quin's second birthday. The party details can go into the
box on the bottom - just let me know what you'd like it to say.

Hiding...

This was taken at the Rotary Park in Southridge - Quin LOVES this park! You will notice the ground looks black - well it is made out of recycled tires. Such a great idea, and it is so spongy and soft. What you will not notice in this photo is Quin... he is hiding.

Fun Family...

I haven't posted anything in a few days, trying to get ready for my first maternity session on the weekend - I am really excited about it. So, I thought that I would take this opportunity to post some photos of a REALLY fun family. These were taken right after Christmas, in the very cold snow.


Serious...


Fun...


This one makes me laugh every time I see it...I didn't set them up for this, just turned around and this was going on. (he isn't actually hitting her, just pretending, she doesn't look worried)


Kara...looking fantastic!



This one is possibly my favorite of the day... glowing...

Our Godson

This sweetie is our very own godson Rohan who lives in Nova Scotia - unfortunately too far away to visit as often as we'd like. These were taken on our last visit there.



I love the little folds in his arms and tummy....



This is one with Rohan, mom and dad;


Wish we were coming to visit again soon. Why is it SO expensive to fly to Nova Scotia????

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Happy Mother's Day!

This is my favorite photo of myself and my son, the day he was born - my husband took this one and it is still one of my favorites.

Retouched...

I just wanted to do a quick post today about retouching. Planning for and taking the actual photos is really only a small part of the photo process for myself (as a photographer). So, just to understand how much better a photo can look with a bit of retouching, I am going to post two different versions of the same photos. One straight out of the camera, and the other after a bit of editing.

This first shot is an example of what some editing can to to surroundings... this photo already starts out pretty nice, I think, check it out...


Now check out how much more vibrancy and color it can have...


Here is another example - this one effects skin and teeth a bit more... there is nothing wrong with the first one, which is what came straight out of the camera.



This is the one that has had a little bit of help - a bit of cropping, teeth are a bit whiter, skin is a bit smoother,whites are a bit whiter...



So, i'm sure you can see the benefit of having a photographer that can give your photos a bit of a helping hand when and where they need it.

It can also do wonders for eyes, I couldn't find a good example, so i'll have to find one and post another day.

Thanks for reading!

Quin

Just two quick pics. today - this is my little man doing some digging...


and doing some climbing, well... actually more like rock eating...



I just got home from cake decorating class and have a big mess of icing to clean up - so later gators!

Re-wedding...

Wow, to be married for 30 years... these two are my parents-in-law and they will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in a few weeks. We scanned a photo taken on the wedding day and then updated it a bit - this is their invitation - the writing was on a separate vellum sheet over top. CUTE!


They are having a re-wedding (I call it that to be silly, but really its a vow renewal). In the SAME little church (chapel?) in B.C. where they were married oh so many years ago!
We did photos on a ridiculously windy day - we all nearly blew away, and it definitely made for some interesting hair in a few photos...(which I won't post)

They printed out their favorite photos and wrapped chocolates in them as favors for the guests at the reception. Yummy dark chocolate...

Here is another of my favorite pics. from that day;


We are staying at a fancy resort.... I am really excited. My husband is mostly excited to check out the cigar and brandy room - http://www.crownisle.com/

Anyway, this is the last photo I am posting for tonight, gotta go watch House from last night. I really do love the PVR.

Pricing Guide...

Good afternoon...

I thought that I would just post some basic pricing for those of you who are interested in booking. Of course anything can be changed or added depending on your needs/wants.

My basic price (for now) is $150.00 for a regular shoot - that includes - engagements/couples, babies, maternity, children, families or groups of four or less, grads... basically anything and anyone 4 people or less. This price includes my time and talent, retouching and editing of the photos and you will get a disk with 4x6 sized photos for you to take to the printer of your choice (I can recommend good ones - yes, some are better quality than others), a slide show set to music - and depending on what kind of shoot you are having... a little something extra. Examples:
Engagement - a photo book set up in a guest book format for use at the wedding - with a mixture of photos and lined pages for guests to sign at the wedding/reception. Or, if you already have a guest book, it can also be used to pass around the reception for friends & family to give helpful advice and tips to the bride and groom.

Young child's birthday shoot - I make and decorate a small birthday cake for them to dig into, balloons, and a printed storyboard of favorite shots to hang in your house.

So, the special item will depend...

If you have a big group (reunion, birthday party, anniversary party, teams...) let me know, we can come up with a package together... the price will definitely depend on the situation.

And, finally weddings - without going into too much detail - (I have printed materials outlining specific packages which I will send out if you e-mail me) But, just to give you an idea, prices start at $900.00 (engagement shoot included) and depending on what albums, prints, how many hours of coverage you'd like.... can go up to $2000.00ish - but like anything else, custom packages can be worked out. Just let me know what you'd like included.

Once you e-mail or call letting me know you are interested in a session we can work out a date and I will either drop off, or mail a clothing guide, pricing guide, and other fun "paperworky" stuff to you. We will also discuss location - outside at a park, a bit more industrial setting, your house/backyard, at a farm, playground, beach... I don't currently have a studio location, so we can work together to find a place perfect for you.

I usually like to drop off your disks, prints, etc. myself, as long as you are in town, so no pick up needed, unless you want to.

I am not sure what else to include here... so much information to pass on. Let me know if you have any questions - I am usually fast at returning e-mails - so don't hesitate to write. Oh, and I am getting together a list of print prices, and albums etc. separately, I will post that when I have it ready... probably in a few weeks.

I will leave you today with a photo of the Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge, why?... just because they are pretty - this one was obviously taken in the fall, it was a bit chilly, but SO worth the beautiful colors.

Sleepy Eater...

We had a pretty late night last night - so I will try to get some pricing listed tomorrow... too tired, and to add to my sleepiness Quin was up at 4:00 this morning. This is him today at lunchtime. He fell asleep chewing, poor guy.



This was taken with my husbands sweet new camera - it's a canon powershot (i'll have to get the model number tomorrow) 8mp anyway - it is so small and takes really nice pics. and has video capabilities - and for those of you who wondered... yes, I did get a video of him sleeping and chewing...


Good night to all... zzzzzzzz............. (that's me sleeping)

Baby, it's cold outside!

Cassie & Kyle are getting married in July - and I am so excited to take their wedding pictures! We did some engagement shots in the cold, cold (did I mention cold) winter - and I wanted to share a couple of them.

More to come in July - after the wedding...




A tender moment... this is right before Cassie nearly fell over. Standing on one leg is not easy in the snow!





This one is my favorite...






Hope all of the wedding plans are going well you two - and talk to you soon!

Oh, I forgot, I really have to add one more photo - it is pretty funny!


Nice photo, the dog sitting with them and looking at the camera too... the best part is, this is not their dog. We can only guess that he lives with the family that live in the park we were at! We couldn't get rid of him, so we worked with it.

Anyway, I am hoping to get a bit of pricing up soon, for those of you interested in booking - so check back!