Thank you both for bringing your little beauty in so early!  I look forward to seeing you again soon!

This is a very fast-paced industry, with technology and trends that move faster than a gaggle of 5 year olds chasing after the spoils of a split pinyata.   This past week of listening to some of the best and brightest in my field has only reinforced the notion that if we don’t keep up, we fall behind.  It’s as simple as that.  I am never going to stop learning more about how to do the best job I can do to provide my clients with beautiful photographs.

Even more important than keeping our skills up to date, and being exposed to new ideas, is the concept of the timelessness of what we do for our clients.  People have photos made because they love each other.  It is the only tangible thing left on this earth after we are gone.   I was sitting in David William’s 2 day seminar when he asked the following question to the class:

“Do YOU have all the photographs you want?”

The answer was simply:  ”No, I do not.”

I am a photographer, for God’s sake.  But even I do not have all the photographs I want.  I do not have any recent photographs of my Mother and myself.  I want more photographs of my beautiful daughters, especially the kind that reveal how cherished and adored they are.    I have no family photographs depicting my siblings and myself as grown ups with children of our own.  I did finally take photos of my children and myself last fall, but I have not yet printed them or displayed them in my home.  I need to get better at that!

There are many photographs I do not have of my grandmothers, and of my father.  They are all are gone now.  Those opportunities are gone as well.

This post is not meant to be depressing, but rather, to tell you that I am on a mission.

I am renewing my efforts to encourage all of you Moms and Dads to be photographed with your kids, no matter how bad your hair is, or that you don’t remember the last time you had a decent night’s sleep.  I want to create beautiful, timeless images of your family that will be cherished for generations.  I want to make it easier for you to get beautiful prints made of your photographs, that will actually end up on your wall, and not on your computer’s hard drive.

So be warned.  I’m coming for your photos, and I will get them for you, despite your protests.

And you will be glad I did.  :)

(PS.  This is the photo of me and my own girls…I am promising myself to take my own advice and get it up on my wall as soon as possible!  )

Thanks guys…wishing you many, many years of happiness together!

I had a great time photographing this wedding, and as always, Elmhirst provided a gorgeous backdrop for the special day.

Thanks guys….I really enjoyed working with you, and I wish you both much happiness!

NOTE: Password protected until viewed by the Bride and Groom! 

Marleen and Josh had a chilly day, but the setting was the perfect, cozy spot for a winter wedding, and it was truly a picturesque place to host the day.

Thanks to both of you for allowing me to share your day!

Here is Rebecca’s story:

“In September 2009, I first signed up to participate in this 60 km, 2 day walk with a group of friends from “Apple Country” as a way to raise money for a good cause and make some healthy changes for myself too. Cancer had touched both my mother and grandmother, so I felt I had a personal connection to this cause. Little did I know….

Three months later, just before Christmas, I was devastated to receive some shocking news… at 36 years old, I was diagnosed with an advanced form of invasive ductal breast cancer.

It is now February and I am 8 weeks in to a 16-week course of chemotherapy. I still have surgeries, radiation, more chemo and ongoing therapies to face over the next year or so, but I also have hope. The treatments available now are so much more advanced and humane than were once offered and every day they are working towards finding a cure. I don’t ever want my sister, my daughter or my niece to have to travel this road.

I have had times of grief, anger, frustration and pain, but I am comforted by the fact that I am surrounded by such an incredible “team”. My family, friends, and community have stepped in to help with EVERYTHING. Clinton, the children and I feel blessed to have such support during this time.

I am committed to finishing this walk in September, no matter what part of the journey I am on at the time. These women, including my sister and four friends, continue to encourage and inspire me, providing me with laughter and love at every step. It’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and not giving up – it’s what I intend to do.”

I am going to do whatever I can to help my friend raise money for her team, and to ensure they are able to participate in the upcoming walk.  If you know a woman, maybe you will be inspired to help to. 

Here are a few of the photos from our session, and if you are interested in donating to the team, please click here.

Rebecca, you are an amazing woman, and I am proud to be your friend!  I will be cheering you all on in your journey!