Beautiful Baby Boy

Sometimes even the newest baby doesn't want to sleep for a session...this little guy was a CHAMP! He  was so sleepy and didn't mind me posing him one bit. It was such a pleasure to meet this family and be part of the very first days of this little guys life. I hope Mom and Dad love these photos as much as I do.They will make some gorgeous art to hang on their wall!

On another note, please be sure to book your newborn session EARLY! I had to turn down a few newborn sessions this fall because I was already booked. The best time to book is while you are pregnant. I can guarantee a spot if I have your due date, but I may not always be able to accommodate last minute bookings!

Cake Smash? Nope...Cake Destroyed!

Most cake smash sessions involve a level of dramatization. Unfamiliar flavours and textures often make a little one year old slightly unsure of how to react. Some will test little tiny bits of the cake (I have seen children pick off one sprinkle at a time), others refuse to dirty their hands and bend over in an attempt to eat the sugary treat without getting their hands messy and some, well....they just cry. Some kids HATE the whole experience. Whatever the reaction in order to create a good picture we usually embellish by adding some cake to the cheeks and break the cake into tiny pieces to get past the icing in hopes the little one will eat just a bit. 

This blog DOES NOT contain photos of a child that needed to be encouraged to eat his cake. Mom came to me with a clear idea of what the end result should look like...and I think her little boy didn't disappoint...he went to town on the this cake and was oh so cute while doing it! See for yourself what this little one year thought of his cake!

Family Fun

I think I love this family. There is nothing better than a family that comes with big smiles, lots of playfulness and a relaxed attitude. This foursome was so much fun! Despite a windy evening everyone got right into the spirit of family photos. Heck, as I was shooting Mom and Dad together the kids ran in to get their picture taken too! Thanks to this sweet family for including me in such a nice night!

On an unrelated note...I have been a terrible blogger...was the last post I did really in September? Yikes! Good thing this family is too cute and has a pile of great pictures to share - I think it totally makes up for a lack of blogs! :-)

Cell Phone Summer

My passion is photography. I love the creative freedom. I usually carry a camera with me everywhere....until recently. 

One of my hubby's pet peeves is the fact that I am always stopping to take pictures. Not that he doesn't appreciate the result, more that it takes away from whatever it is we are doing in a given moment. When I say that I am going to stop to snap a picture I usually go overboard and snap a few...okay, maybe more than a few...a LOT more. It is a curse! I just love to experiment and try a new pose...better light...a cool backdrop. I have to admit, not only does hubby sometimes get annoyed...but the kids do too. They just want to carry on with what they are doing and truthfully, the girl child HATES to have her picture taken (despite being very photogenic). 

Admittedly, my desire to turn everything into a photo session isn't my most desirable quality. I certainly can understand their point of view. This summer I vowed to do better. To enjoy the moments right in front of me rather than behind a camera. Being in the action and snapping a quick cell phone shot gave me the satisfaction of having a little memory preserved while allowing me to enjoy every second of our summer. I know I don't need one hundred pictures of every little thing we have done or every little place we go. It's more important to be in the moment than turn the moment into a photo marathon.

So, do I have nothing to show for the summer besides some crappy quality cell phone pictures? NO, of course not! But, I did take the camera out less. I planned more days when we were out specifically to take photos and spent less time complaining about not getting a good shot when we were out for the sake of being out! 

The result of my summer hiatus from being a total camera junkie is one I am proud of. I've got some great memories captured with my crappy little cell phone camera.

Enjoy a little peek into my world!

Taking Lara to see Beauty and the Beast on stage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Preforming Arts

My little model on her special day in the city with Mom and Dad.

We had a TON of ice cream this summer after our weekly visit to the library.

Lara taught Owen all about being in Kindergarten (despite the fact he doesn't go for another year).

We swam....a LOT (like all of July).

We went to the Toronto Indy with Owen...he loves race cars!

We took a VERY long drive. 17 hours (one way), non-stop to Thunder Bay.

We went to camp (a.k.a the cottage if you live in Southern Ontario)

We took the kids to see Kakabeka Falls in Northern Ontario

Lara opened an art gallery in our back yard (she even sold some of her work).

SO much corn was eaten. Delicious McKenzie Sweet Corn, that is.

Owen went to see his first Jays game.

We went to Great Wolf Lodge and loved it!

We had a glorious time at the beach!

Owen's natural ability on the tennis court resulted in us decided to get him a coach. (He is CRAZY good for a 3 year old).

We went on this Ferris Wheel.

We spent the entire day at the CNE.

We (hubby and I) went to the rally for education at Queen's Park to protest the government's plans to dictate our new contract rather than collectively bargain with teachers.

So there you have it. My cell phone summer. It was amazing!

Be Your Cute Self!

It doesn't really matter how you pose a child...and it really doesn't matter where the light is best. Why? Well, quite frankly it doesn't matter what the photographer thinks a good pose would be or where the pictures would produce the best light. Photographing kids is all about letting kids be kids! Place them in a desirable area and then just wait for their personalities shine. Very few children will sit and smile when asked by the crazy lady chasing them with a big ass camera...so instead I just chase them around and try and capture kiddos having fun being kids!

These three girls were so amazing to shoot. Tons of personality that just leaps out of the photographs. Shy, silly and serious are just a few of the moments I captured. And when the three of them were together it was like an explosion of cute. Each sweet little girl was, in front of me, exactly how they would normally be. Perfect!

This was such a great night. I think I enjoyed it as much as Mom and Dad will enjoy the photos! Happy viewing.