Alex & Matt - engagement session

Here are some of my favorites from Alex and Matt's engagement session. The others that I've posted are on my Facebook page - please go have a look-see there as well!
This couple is all that I want my bridal couples to be: beautiful people, kind, happy, in love and willing to go anywhere and do anything! This was a beautiful Fall day in many respects, up until the Gale Force Winds entered right in the middle of the session! That didn't stop us though, from using as much of Matt's family farm as we wished. And we did just that. There is only a small sampling here, limited only because of my posting limit on blogger (telling me that maybe it's time for a new blog... hmmm..).
Anyway, enjoy the love story these tell!

A quick cuddle break, all the while listening for bears... (I was, anyway :S)

I do love shoes, from all perspectives! And these boots are special because Matt is wearing them just for Alex (he's not really the cowboy boot type, from what he claims). Isn't that sweet?!

This one I love for their expression, the colors of the field, but most of all for the cows creeping up to take over the shot in the background! Who knew cows SO aren't shy?!

Lovely, HUMONGOUS, sunflowers!! Perfect... I love both of their expressions here, in the midst of their sunflower jungle

And the old truck that started it all. This was one of reasons we decided on using this location, one of the many gems we found to shoot around :) Isn't it great?

Thanks again, Alex and Matt. I just loved working with you and anticipate greatness for your wedding day!!

Celebrating 25 Years

Just a few quick pictures before I pack it in for the night...

Emiline & Armand celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary recently, with a party for their family and friends, and a photo shoot for them! Having once had them as neighbors, and having shot graduation portraits for both of their boys, it was very easy and enjoyable to be along with them on this occasion. We shot in a couple of different locations, utilizing the beautiful Fall color and taking advantage of old fences and fields along our way. And because Emiline loves everything 'country', I know she'll be thrilled with our choices of locale. Congratulations, Emiline & Armand and I wish you many, many more!

A Joyful Little Boy!

My dear friend's little one turned 1 recently so they came to 'play' some in the studio. He was such a trooper - we went indoors and outdoors and through a few outfit changes and he smiled through it all. It was very hard choosing, but here are my top 5. I tried to pick ones that showed some variety and ones that I know will make you smile like I did when I saw them!

For Harrison..

So this time last year, my sweet cousin Harrison came out West from Ontario to visit us. It was his first time in Cold Lake and we only had a few hours, so I took him around town and made him climb the totem pole at the Marina, and up on the Cold Lake sign, and everywhere else we could think of to take a picture. And since he can't make it this far again this year (he only got to Manitoba, can you believe it?!), I thought I would post a few of our better pics to let him know we miss him. Hope to see you again soon, Harry - we love you!

Baby Peanut

It is always such a joy to photograph a journey. This wonderful couple was one of my first wedding clients (that wasn't family!) so when I heard that they were expecting their first baby, I was so happy for them. Imagine then how thrilled I was when they asked me to shoot maternity and then newborn pictures for them - what a privilege! As you can see, little 'Peanut' is soo sweet and soo very loved... Thank you Rachelle and Lee for picking me to do the honors!

more grad pics and updates

Here are more shots of one of my favorite Grads - Fred. He is all personality and heart and I loved every minute of this session with him!






Tomorrow my kids are back at school, and I can hopefully regain a little of my routine for our family life and for my business. I have hired both of the employees that I was searching for, and on Tuesday of next week, both will be here for their regular shifts. Katherine will be here now and then to help with training, but soon it will all be up to my new staff: Olivia - to do our digital work, Caitlin - to manage the office, Heidi - to act as second shooter (and to work on special projects as they come up) and me to concentrate on the shooting and the business itself. It will be so glorious to have things running smoothly again!

And just a note, we are now taking bookings for September and October for Fall pictures. The leaves can change at any time here in Cold Lake, but as a rule, I can usually shoot outdoors until the middle of October and still have Fall color. There is usually a week or two after that time that we still have Fall leaves, but they are often on the ground (although that can be nice too!) Inside portraits in the studio are also a possibility at any time. In order to have portraits back in time for Christmas, I stop shooting by the middle of November. Any sessions scheduled after that time will be with no promises of a pre-Christmas delivery.