It's Here!!!

So I escaped for a while. Okay, make that a long while. 2, almost 3 months has past since my last post and now it’s time I get back into the groove of things. To give a brief explanation as to where I have been hiding. In short, I’ve been with my family. November was a tough month for all of us as shortly after my last post we began attending funerals. Between Glen’s family and mine, 7 Uncles have either been diagnosed with a horrible disease or have passed away from one. Needless to say, after seven loved ones, I’ve had enough egg salad sandwiches.





Christmas came and went and I enjoyed every minute of it. We stayed put, refused to load the kids up in the van, and after 3 years, finally had a Christmas at home. It was wonderful. My husband had to work throughout but it worked out well. We had a huge family supper at my mother’s house and not short of 44 guests enjoyed a huge potluck. On comes the New Year and I’ve been in my basement, working like a dog trying to get every inch of my business venture up and running. Meeting with an accountant, setting up prices and packages, paperwork, advertising, and the biggest thing of all:

My Website!!

I’m so exciting about it. I’ve worked really hard trying to design something that would allow me to do exactly what I want: make it easier for me and easier for you. There are online galleries that will allow you to share a link to family and friends so they can see your photos too, download them if they like and purchase prints online! I’ve teamed up with Smugmug who provide an excellent service and fantastic quality products for a great price. These prints can be delivered right to your door, so you don’t have to do a thing. I’ve learned so much HTML code, CSS code, and every other type of code that I think I’ve turned into a slight geek, lol. (btw, I love geek’s). I’ve crashed-coursed it with the help of Google (I love Google too) and a VERY patient husband as well as some direct phone calls to a SmugMug customizer David Wolf, who listened to my ignorance with code with the flair only a Yankee can muster… lol.

Speaking of the US of A, I have to say that I’m really kinda beaming with some pride about the recent inauguration of their 44th President, Barack Obama. If you didn’t get a chance to see it (where were you??) it was astounding to see the number of people come together to show their support for one another and this new administration. It was amazing that with an estimated 1.8 million people in attendance that there wasn't a single incident or arrest made. I can't imagine the number of photos that were taken of that day. Speaking of which, if you weren't watching CNN that day, you probably missed this really cool technology, called Photosynth. CNN coloaborated with it's audience and took every photo uploaded of President Obama's Oath ceremony and put them all together to form The Moment. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out.

Don't forget the Exclusive Tab for current deals and promotions!! Please explore around, checking out links, viewing photos, etc. I would really appreciate any feedback that you may have or if you notice any errors that I may need to address. I am slow at Code but I will do my best to get it corrected.

In the meantime, I'm going to emerge from my basement and start snapping photos again. I've had enough of the behind the scenes business stuff and I'm hoping I've go enough done to at least present myself with some style. I'm looking forward to this year and meeting new faces, and most of all, taking photos of those new faces.

See you around!

Strength of 3 Men

I’m not sure what to post right now, other than I’m sad. Two awful diseases reared their ugly heads and staked a claim in the strong and determined bodies of three Uncles. 2 of mine, one of my husbands.

Scleroderma, more appropriately, Diffuse Scleroderma was the first. It’s a hardening or thickening of the skin and other organs caused by an over production of collagen. Normally something that the rest of society craves more of, this increase in collagen affects the amount of blood and oxygen that gets carried to the rest of the body. My Uncle S. was diagnosed years ago and has had a huge battle against this persistent stalker. In and out of the hospital with his wife, kids, and grandkids by his side encouraging him and giving him the determination to fight for the right to live.

His lungs got it. His oxygen tank became his new best friend and took claim by his side even when he continued on with his joys of life; strapping the tank next to him on the quad and heading out into the backcountry, a smile plastered on his face.

We recently received the news that he was finally going to get his lung transplant. The biggest obstacle was transferring him from the small hospital where he was residing for a short time, to a much larger, more equipped facility. Up in the air he went, only to come back a short 40 mins later, landing in ICU. He’s been there ever since while family members from one end of Canada to the other all wondered, questioned, hoped and prayed that someway, somehow, it would all pan out. A Facebook group was started where 366 members posted their anticipations and desires.

I received a call today from one of my Aunts where the news wasn’t what we; I had hoped. The most difficult decision was made that one of the strongest people I know, wasn’t strong enough to make the trip. Not strong enough to have surgery. Not strong enough to stay in ICU. And barely strong enough to make the trip down the hall to a private room.

It’s strange not being there and only hearing snippets from family members passing around the snippets of information they hear. Trying to weed out the what’s, the when’s and why’s. The last I heard, he’s holding on for his sons. The one by his side, the other on his way. The last I heard, he said he’s “okay”; “not afraid”; “ready”.

The Uncle that I have always loved and looked up to, the man that was so broad and rugged, the one that can hardly speak without losing breath, is much stronger than his physical body is letting us believe. A man that is “okay” has incredible courage and power, faith and vigor. He has come to peace.

Even though I am saddened by the news I received today, I know that if he says he’s “okay” then I believe him. I, however, am not.

~~~
It is not only Uncle S. that is engaged in a war against his own body, but another strong man, another man that I love and have always admired, Uncle E. His battle? Cancer.

His cancer is determined to get the best of him. It was diagnosed only a short while ago with aggressive treatments of chemo, radiation and surgery following. New stem cells were added and the outlook was good but his comfort level wasn’t. Pain and discomfort emerged amongst the day to day living with this toxin plaguing his system. A birthday gift in the form of a CT scan showed two more masses. Two masses that toy with the surgeons; RISK is their game and the doctors are losing.

A timeline was given with options of pain relief. They can reduce the speed of the cancer but not it’s monstrous effects. More radiation and more frustration. Family that is torn between provinces, between battles, between the need for comfort, empathy, love, and prayers. Two sisters both dealing with devastating news about the men in their lives, their husbands. Children, nieces, nephews, cousins, siblings, parents all trying to come together and reach out to one another.

~~~
It wasn’t but two weeks ago when we received yet another call. This time is was Glen’s Uncle. Cancer struck again. It put its filthy claws into another good man. At the end of this week, he will have surgery with aggressive chemo and radiation treatments to follow. A hard working farmer than never let a day go by without being in the field, or a fellow go by without a need being met, now stuck in the city’s cancer unit imagining the smell of the golden harvest and the big blue skies.

~~~
It’s my Parents’ anniversary today. A day that is filled with memories of a commitment to love clouded over with sour news. In a bittersweet way, an oxymoron at best, a day that reminds me of marriages has me thinking of funerals where it is these two gatherings that demonstrate the importance of love and family.

Even though I am saddened by the news of today and the past few weeks, it is encouraging to see the outpouring of so much support towards these 3 men and their wives that stand beside them, holding them up and gently guiding their fall from what they lived to what they live now.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – Mahatma Gandhi

I still hope for a miracle of sorts, an end to suffering, a chance at life, a cure. I hope like millions of others that have had bad news today. Just know that I’m there with you. I’m here doing what I can, telling my story and encouraging those that can, to do what you can. Pray. Hope. Educate. Donate.

Take care of yourselves,

Goodnight.

Scleroderma Society of Canada

Canadian Cancer Society

Trains, Games and Spider-Man???

Trains, trains, and more trains. What would make a 3 year old boy any happier? Well, how about a midway with games and a Ferris Wheel, pony rides, presents, cake, and of course, spiderman.

With a birthday held at Fort Edmonton Park, this little 3 year old had all his spidey senses tingling with so many exciting things to see and do. Kids spread from one end of the park to the other coming together to share the fantastic, made-by-mom, cake and the delicious Hobo's Lunch aboard the Railway Dining Car. A trip (okay, maybe 2) around the park on the train with a stop by for a gallop with the ponies made the day complete.

I had a really tough time narrowing down this batch as I loved so many shots. There were so many amazing things to capture. We all had a blast and Ethan is STILL reminding me of the need to have another train ride.

Please check out the whole slideshow as I really LOVE this session. I couldn't possibly choose just a few to blog!

Breaking a Sweat

I don’t know if it’s because I’m new at photography, or if it’s because this particular family are friends of mine, but the nerves struck again as I attempted my first family session. I’m really glad that they were okay with a newbie like me taking their pics to help commemorate the 70th birthday and the 1st birthday of two of its members.

I tried having the shoot in the early evening in hopes that the high sun would start to dip, giving relief of the 30+ degree weather smoldering the earth that day. With the absence of clouds, and bedtime beckoning the little gaphers, I worked up a sweat trying to avoid squinting eyes and harsh contrast.

My two kiddo’s tagged along and I think my lil’ guy was too distracted by a certain someone’s beauty and cuteness that he wound up in some of the pics but hey, I’m a little biased with my viewfinder.

Pre Wedding Jitters

Well I finally got the chance to do what most photographers aim to do at some point. I got to photograph a wedding. I got to tag team alongside a very talented photographer, Amber Lee of Amber Lee Photography, and the whole time I was gearing up for it, I was shakin’ in my knickers.


I mean, this is a wedding. Someone’s magical moments. I better not flub this up. What if my camera craps out on me? What if I forget to put in my memory card? Or worse yet, leave the lens cap on?? Is Hope nuts? I’m not ready for this. She’s crazy. Yep, spaghetti squash kinda’ crazy. I think I must have had a million trips to the bathroom trying to get the butterflies under control before I left. I can’t go. I’m sick. I have to go. Um, no. I mean to the wedding. OMG, what am I going to do? What if I get lost and can’t find my way to the ceremony? Oh yeesh.

I think I thought every horrible thought a photographer can muster up before knocking on that door. What if this is the wrong door? What if I’m in the wrong part of the city? I’m such an idiot. Ohhhhhh…..


Within 15 minutes of being invited in by Sally and Yvonne, I found friends for the day. Or maybe longer. These people were NICE! And friendly, and relaxed, and just well, so darn happy. That made me happy and oh how the day followed suit.


What a perfect wedding Yvonne and Dan had. Her daughter by her side, a belly full of babies, a beautiful day, a beautiful ceremony, lots of laughs, and just a wee smidge of rain.


Thank you for letting me help you keep some of those memories with you. It was a real joy to follow you around, playing paparazzo for the day. The hardest part now, is narrowing down the gazillion and one photos I have of your wedding. Oh my! Stay tuned though, an album full of photos are just around the corner....

A Precious Bunch.

Another little baby welcomed the world with her birth back in July and soon after, I was setting up shop in their living room, camera in hand to take some pics of her being so darn cute and tiny. Tiny little hands, tiny little fingers, toes, and a tiny little nose. She was loving the camera and gave me a million cute poses! Watch out for this lil one Mom! She’s gorgeous. Thank you for letting me capture those precious little baby photos for you. It was a real pleasure.







and of course her brother wanted to pose for a few shots too! What precious kids.

Mr. C.

So as I’ve been attempting to switch over computers, it has put me behind blogging schedule and time has flown by quicker than I wish. Babies are growing up faster than I can say “click”. I was able to do my first in-home photo session with a little baby that I got to hold on his first day in the big, wide, world. Not only did I get to see him get his head measured for the first time, and being held by his big brother for the first time, I got to take some uber cute pics for his ma and pa to enjoy while he was still a little wiggler. In the mix, I attempted to get some of his brother, but alas, he was to quick for my shutter! Lol. He did manage to stop for a quick hug from his brother and off he went again.